Barcelona are nearly there

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La Liga 300x150 Barcelona are nearly thereThe penultimate games of the La Liga season were concluded over the weekend with both Barcelona and Real Madrid recording victories.

Sevilla 2 – Barcelona 3

Lionel Messi came up with the goods again after only five minutes of Barcelona’s difficult looking match at Sevilla, knocking down a Maxwell pass and ending with class. Bojan Krkic then doubled Barca’s lead just before the end of the first 30 minutes. Once Konko had been sent off, Pedro grabbed the third goal for Barcelona with a fantastic effort from the edge of the box. Sevilla however refused to admit defeat and with two goals in two minutes from Fredi Kanoute and Luis Fabiano the home side came back into the match.

Real Madrid 5 – Athletic Bilbao 1

On twenty minutes Christiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid the lead against Athletic Bilbao from the penalty spot. Athletic Bilbao hit back just before half time, Fran Yeste moved through the home defence and scored a fine goal. In the 72nd minute a free-kick gave Gonzalo Higuain the opportunity to put Real Madrid in front again. Goals then came in quick succession from Sergio Ramos (80) and Karim Benzema (81) to rack up another win for Manuel Pellegrini’s side with Marcelo adding a fifth goal late on.

All this now means that Barcelona only have to win their last match of the season – at home to relegation threatened Real Valladolid – to retain their league champions crown.

Real Madrid will have to hope Valladolid’s desire for La Liga football next season produces a wonder display and denies Guardiola’s men the three points whilst also winning their final game of the season away to Malaga. It is an unlikely event to happen, but it is all Real Madrid have to hope for now as La Liga is firmly in the hands of Messi and co.

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How Spurs can beat Arsenal to Premiership third spot

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Arsenal FC 150x150 How Spurs can beat Arsenal to Premiership third spotAll the midweek excitement in the Premiership centred on Tottenham’s win over Manchester City which guaranteed the North London club their first crack at the Champions League. However, they still have something more to play for.

Spurs win took them to within two points of Arsenal who lie in third place. If Harry Redknapp’s side could overtake the Gunners it would be worth more than just bragging rights in North London.

Though finishing fourth in the table offers a shot at the main European competition, the fourth English participant has to go through tough qualifiers to reach the lucrative group stage.

Arsenal had to go via that route in this campaign and Arsene Wenger would desperately like to avoid that again, as the games take place almost before the league season has begun and new men are being bedded in.

  • You can bet on this outcome: Can Arsenal Finish Third?

The new rules adopted for the Champions League qualifiers mean that the last English side could face opponents from top leagues like Italy, Spain or Germany.

Harry RedknappThe Gunners still hold the advantage over their bitter rivals, although they have to assume that Spurs will take maximum points from their trip to Burnley on the final day of the season.

Unless Burnley suffer a complete collapse, a point in their home game against Fulham will be enough for Arsenal as they are currently ten goals to the good on goal difference.

With the Europa League Final coming up, Roy Hodgson is very unlikely to send out a full strength Fulham team but that can have its dangers for Arsenal. There will be players trying to clinch a place on the bench for the final against Athletico Madrid- and they will be more motivated than is normal for a mid-table side.

  • You can bet on this outcome: Can Spurs Finish Third?

Other members of the side will relish the chance to start at the Emirates and players like striker Erik Nevland could see this as his last game in the Premiership- and want to go out in style.

The pressure is all on Arsenal to make sure they don’t slip up at the death. Their players will be kicking themselves for allowing this situation to develop when third place seemed a certainty just a few weeks ago.

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Can Real Madrid take Barcelona to La Liga wire?

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ChrisLa Liga 300x150 Can Real Madrid take Barcelona to La Liga wire? went some way to repaying the huge transfer fee Real Madrid payed for him in the summer with a dazzling display against a very decent Real Mallorca side.

Ronaldo (2.75 to score first) claimed a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for los Blancos on Wednesday night – which keeps the pressure on Barcelona in the title race.

Both sides will be playing at 8pm on Saturday night with Madrid playing at home against Athletic Blibao – a side they lost to earlier in the season.
Bilbao are chasing a place in next season’s Europa League as they currently sit in 8th place just two points behind Getafe in 6th position. However, they are on a dismal run of form and have not won in nearly a month.

Their away record is pretty poor too with only 4 wins on the road all season – compare that with Real Madrid’s fine home record of 17 wins and just 1 loss, Bilbao haven’t got a chance.

  • Back another Galactico special show and a 3-0 home win at 6.50 with PartyBets.com.

Real Madrid will be hoping Champions League place chasing Sevilla can do them a favour by taking points of Barcelona as we play out the final two games each of the La Liga season.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have already exceeded the 90 points mark – an amount which would be enough to win La Liga in previous seasons. Whoever loses out now will be bitterly disappointed to say the least – but it is in Barcelona’s hands.

Sevilla though will not be in a charitable mood, they know defeat to Barcelona opens the door for Mallorca to slip back into the coveted 4th place – and with a 5-1 win away to Santander on Wednesday night showing what Sevilla are capable of, Barcelona might be worried.

The two sides have gone head-to-head four time in the last 12 months with Barca winning 3 and losing 1, there last meeting was a comprehensive 4-0 win for Messi and co at the Nou Camp.

  • Barcelona will have enough in their locker to stay on path to win this season’s La Liga so back a 2-0 in for Guardiola’s men at 6.50 with Partybets.com.

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Palermo v Sampdoria: The Champions League Place Showdown

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Sampdoria 300x200 Palermo v Sampdoria: The Champions League Place ShowdownAlthough Inter Milan and AS Roma are both in the race to lift this season’s Scudetto they are both likely to win comfortably at home on Sunday. The match that carries the most significance for the winners on Sunday will be the clash between 4th placed Sampdoria and 5th placed Palermo.

The winner of this match will only have to win their final game of the season to be guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League and with the millions of pounds of revenue it generates it will be a great achievement for either of these two clubs.

Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini has described the clash as more of a “final” than a league game.

Pazzini said: “It will be ‘the game’, a real final. We have a little advantage thanks to the two extra points in the table, but if we were to play for a draw we would make a bad impression.

“For this reason we will go to Palermo and try and win.”
Sampdoria has won every one of their last 5 games and is the form team in Serie A at the moment.

Palermo boast one of the leagues best strikers in Fabrizio Miccoli who is the third highest scorer in Serie A with Sampdoria’s Giampaolo Pazzini being 4th.

The two sides are very evenly matched and a very tight affair should be expected on Sunday. There may well be only a couple of goals in it so the under 2.5 market at 1.90 looks a good bet.

Sampdoria have shown how good they are with a recent win away to league chasing Roma and they will be able to wrap up fourth place this Sunday as well. Back a 1-0 win for Sampdoria at 8.00 with PartyBets.com.

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Wigan’s away form hands Chelsea huge Premiership advantage

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chelsea vs manchester united odds Wigans away form hands Chelsea huge Premiership advantageWigan boss Roberto Martinez has assured fans that the Latics are heading to Chelsea’s  Stamford Bridge on Sunday in search of a victory.

The odds stand in Chelsea’s favour 1/10 to win on Sunday, whereas Manchester United at 1/8 – both on the back of the opposition away form that has Wigan at 20/1 to win, and Stoke slightly shorter at 18/1

It will come as great news to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson entertain Stoke at Old Trafford  looking for a win that could see them pip Chelsea to the title – should the Blues fail to beat Wigan.

  • Bet on this outcome: Can Chelsea Win the Premier League

The United camp will be buoyed by Wigan’s unpredictability and will head into Sunday’s match knowing that they still have a real chance if the same Wigan side turn up that have beaten Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season.

The problem is, all of those victories over the perceived ‘Top Four’ teams have come at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan’s away form in 2010 has left a lot to be desired. In fact, it’s been woeful – avoiding defeat on just two occasions and picking up just four points.

  • Bet on this outcome: Can Manchester United Win the Premier League

Since the turn of the year, Wigan have managed a solitary draw at Sunderland and one away victory, which came in a 2-0 win at Wolves on January 16th.

However, any suggestion of having nothing to play for will be hotly disputed by Latics chairman Dave Whelan, who knows that a victory could see them leapfrog Bolton into 14th and with it, secure additional money for their league finish.

A loss at Chelsea coupled with a draw or win for Wolves and a victory for West Ham could see Wigan finish as low as 17th.

So, Wigan certainly have something to play for, and in one of the most exciting and unpredictable seasons in years, who would put it past the Lancashire outfit to wreck the Stamford Bridge party?

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Real Madrid Face La Liga Challange at Mallorca

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Ronaldo Kaka Real Madrid 300x218 Real Madrid Face La Liga Challange at Mallorca It took a goal in the 89th minute on Sunday night from Ronaldo to edge Real Madrid past an Osasuna side they were expected to beat comfortably. After that scare the trip to Mallorca is now looking an even more difficult obstacle in the way of los Blanco’s La Liga quest.

Mallorca have enjoyed a stunning campaign so far this season. They were tipped to be battling relegation at this point in the season, but currently remain in contention for a Champions League place as they continue to hold onto fourth spot with only three rounds of fixtures remaining.

  • You can bet on this match: Mallorca v Real Madrid

Mallorca’s success has been built on a solid home form, which has seen them win 14 out of their 17 previous matches at the ONO Estadi. Only Sevilla, Villarreal and Barcelona have left Mallorca empty handed this season, and Real Madrid will not take anything for granted as they prepare for what could be the toughest remaining fixture of their season.

Mallorca seem to have hit a rich vein of form in the run up to the conclusion of the season, which is worrying news for Real Madrid.

You can bet on this match: Mallorca v Real Madrid

After Sunday’s result there is the feeling that nothing can stop los Blancos from keeping the pressure on Barcelona until the season is finally over. Mallorca might be at the top of their game, but Madrid are a mission.

It seems Mallorca only relinquish any points at home to the big boys, so Real Madrid should be leaving with all three points and pressure re-applied on Barca in the title race. With no significant injuries for Madrid to worry about, an assured performance should see an away win for the Galacticos.

Back a 2-0 win for Real Madrid available at 11/2 with PartyBets.com.

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Can Inter Milan win Coppa D’italia, Serie A + Champions League treble?

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samuel Etoo Inter Milan Can Inter Milan win Coppa Ditalia, Serie A + Champions League treble?Roma and Inter will take a timeout from their fierce battle for the Scudetto, to try and bring the Coppa D’italia home to their fans.

An historic treble is well and truly on for Inter Milan this season and Wednesday night sees the acid test as they attempt to lift the first of a trio of titles they can win this season along with Serie A and the Champions League.

You can bet on this outcome: Inter Milan to win Coppa D’italia, Serie A + Champions League treble

Inter have not been able to achieve the treble so far in their history and have won the Coppa Italia on only five occasions. The last time they won the cup was in the 2005-06 campaign when they beat Roma 4-2 on aggregate in the final.

Roma have won the Coppa Italia nine times and, alongside Juventus are the most successful side in the history of Serie A. This week the Giallorossi have a good chance of pushing themselves ahead of the Bianconeri by claiming the trophy for a 10th time.

Inter Milan will be without Brazilian defender Lucio through injury, whereas Wesley Sneijder and Pandev are also set to miss the final due to injuries they are yet to recover from.

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John Arne Riise and Mirko Vucinic are currently struggling with minor injuries but they should be fit to play the final. Coach Claudio Ranieri will probably start Luca Toni on the bench whilst playing Francesco Totti as the lone striker.

It promises to be an entertaining match, with both sides still in the running for the Scudetto, the Coppa Italia final will be a highly charged affair. Roma may feel a home advantage as the final is at the Stadio Olimpico but Inter know how to push out results as demonstrated against Barcelona. If Inter Milan can score the first goal tonight, then they may well win their first trophy of the season.

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Chelsea, Man United, Man City & Tottenham battle it out

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premier league trophy 176x300 Chelsea, Man United, Man City & Tottenham battle it outBaring an immense shock, Chelsea will be the 2009/10 Premier League champions after Carlo Ancelotti’s side pulled off a surprisingly comfortable win at Liverpool. Manchester United’s win at Sunderland only seems to have prolonged the agony.

Chelsea only have to win their final game at home to Wigan Athletic to secure the title. The Latics have troubled all the top teams- Chelsea included- at their DW Stadium but they secured their top flight status some time ago. With nothing for Wigan to play for, the Blues are massive favourites.

Manchester United seem destined to fall a point short and so miss out on becoming the only club to win four titles in a row. Their own final match is with Stoke City, which they should win.

United managed just a single goal at the Stadium of Light. Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that the result from Anfield deflated his players before they went out against Sunderland.

The real uncertainty can be found a little further down. Four teams went into the weekend with a chance of fourth place but that list has now whittled down to two. Chelsea dealt Liverpool’s faint hopes the final blow and Manchester City came through a head-to-head with Aston Villa.

When the Birmingham side took the lead at Eastlands it seemed they might knock City out of contention but the home side got the break they needed when Stephen Warnock felled Adam Johnson in the area.

Carlos Tevez converted the spot kick and within three minutes Emmanuel Adebayor put City in the lead- but only after John Carew clattered a shot against the bar at the other end.

Roberto Mancini saw his side ease to a 3-1 victory to set up a dramatic clash with Tottenham Hotspur. The Londoners did enough to see off an obdurate Bolton team to set up the decisive midweek meeting between the two remaining contenders.

Spurs hold the advantage, going into the game a point to the good. Now that Villa have been removed from the equation, Harry Redknapp’s team can afford a draw from their visit to Manchester. City have to win to take pole position going into the final games on Sunday.

Hull City’s relegation was rubber stamped when they could only draw at Wigan. The fact they leaked a last minute equaliser summed up the Tigers’ season.

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Messi & Xavi Offer Barca Straight Forward Win

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messi barca football shirt 300x271 Messi & Xavi Offer Barca Straight Forward WinLeo Messi and Xavi turned in star performances on Saturday night to claim a 4-1 win against Villareal in what looked like being a tricky fixture for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Villareal did indeed pose a threat early on with Brazilian Nilmar missing two great chances after some excellent individual skill but the truth was that Barcelona were simply too good.

As soon as Messi registered the first goal the confidence grew and Villareal were helpless against the individual quality on show in the Barcelona shirt. Xavi scored a magnificent free-kick from 30 yards out to make it 2-0 and put Barcelona on their way to an important three points in the quest for La Liga success.

Now Barcelona must take another step towards winning the league title with what should be a straight forward win at the Nou Camp against relegation threatened Tenerife tonight.

Tenerife earned themselves a life line at the weekend with a 2-1 win at home against fellow relegation fodder Racing Santander. The victory has taken them to just two points behind the three sides immediately above them. They certainly have something to play for when they travel to Camp Nou.

As far as Barcelona are concerned, they will be delighted to be playing a side they have managed to score 13 goals past – without reply – in the last three meetings. Back in October Barcelona routed Tenerife 5-0 with Messi grabbing a hat-trick. A similar score line could be on the cards this time round too.

Back Barcelona to win 4-0 which is available at 7.50

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Liverpool v Chelsea- The Blues Can Wrap Up The Title

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chelsea v liverpool Liverpool v Chelsea  The Blues Can Wrap Up The TitleAll the twists and turns of the Premier League title race have come down to a simple scenario- Chelsea need two wins to secure the prize and this Sunday’s match at Liverpool is the main obstacle.

No one seriously expects a Wigan side who have secured their Premiership spot to stand in Chelsea’s way on the final weekend, so this game is basically the last chance for supporters of Manchester United.

Conspiracy theories are already circulating to the effect that the Anfield side aren’t going to gift their Manchester rivals the title- one which would draw them level with Liverpool for most title wins.

For those with a less cynical view, the fact that Liverpool had to play a Europa League semi-final on Thursday evening might be a more significant factor; Chelsea have enjoyed a week’s rest since their demolition job on Stoke City.

The crushing disappointment of losing to Athletico Madrid won’t have helped the morale of Rafa Benitez’s squad and Chelsea’s players will have been only too glad to see their opponents taken to extra time.

There is no sense of nerves coming out of Stamford Bridge. Recent wobbles appear to have been put aside and Chelsea’s best attacking players are in good form- and the squad are hungry to finish on a high because there is likely to be a lot reconstruction at the club over the summer.

Liverpool will still have something to play for because whatever the results achieved by Spurs and Manchester City on Saturday, the Reds will still retain a mathematical chance of slipping into fourth place.

However, it’s difficult to see Benitez’s squad being able to hold a fit, rested and confident Chelsea. Without Fernando Torres Liverpool don’t carry the same threat and the Blues defence has looked sound in the past few games.

Manchester United will be expected to take three points from their own trip to Sunderland but that may be in vain. The steam went out of United’s season when Wayne Rooney picked up an injury and though they have ground out some good results since their Champions League exit, Chelsea have just a bit more quality in their ranks.

Rooney’s form kept the teams in parity but Chelsea have always seemed the more likely winners since August and now they have the chance to prove it, by setting up a glorious final day on their own turf.

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