Roma face tough Sampdoria Serie A Title Test

Posted on April 23, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Roma De Rossi 226x300 Roma face tough Sampdoria Serie A Title Test In what is turning out to be an exciting race for this season’s Scudetto, Roma currently leads Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan by just one point at the top of Serie A.

After coming from a goal down at half-time to defeat their fierce city rivals Lazio 2-1 in the ‘Eternal City Derby’ last Sunday Roma (1.45) once again will be playing with the pressure on them against another tough opponent. Sampdoria (7.00) are expected to provide a hard test for their title hopes this weekend as the fourth-placed Doriani are in the thick of the battle for the final Champions League place.

Sampdoria are currently in great form and looking good for a fourth place finish, they are certainly good value at 7.00 to win this match. They have a tremendous talent and former Roma player in their ranks in Antonio Cassano. The hitman has been on target in the last three matches and will pose a real threat on Sunday.

Roma skipper Francesco Totti knows the threat Cassano poses when he told press: “He is a player who can make the difference whenever he wants to. He can do incredible tricks. But let’s hope he leaves them at home on Sunday.”
Antonio Cassano is 10.00 to score the first goal which looks too good value to turn down.

Roma have a good record against Sampdoria though and are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings against the Blucerchiati (5W 4D).

At the Olimpico, Roma are unbeaten against Sampdoria in their last eight games (6W 2D), with the hosts having the better in the last three fixtures without conceding a single goal.

Last Sunday’s win in the derby against Lazio extended Roma’s unbeaten run to 24 league games (18W 6D).

Back a determined Roma to continue their good record against Sampdoria with a win and over 2.5 combined goals scored in the game at 2.20 with PartyBets.com.

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How Valencia Can Win La Liga – Next Up: Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Espanyol, Xerez, Villarreal

Posted on April 23, 2010 by SoccerCapper

La Liga 300x150 How Valencia Can Win La Liga Next Up: Deportivo La Coruna, Valencia, Espanyol, Xerez, Villarreal With the title race looking set to continue neck and neck this week with what should be wins for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in their respective matches, it looks as though the scrap for the remaining Champions League qualification places will be in the spotlight.

After sitting comfortably behind the top two for much of the season, Valencia have conceded ground on the sides just below them in the league. They currently sit in third position – four points ahead of fourth placed Mallorca and just five points better than fifth (and no Champions League qualifying) placed Sevilla.

Valencia must now be wary of Mallorca and Sevilla’s challenge, but their destiny is firmly in their own hands at the moment with third place being los Che’s to lose.

With five games remaining, Valencia (1,40) host Deportivo La Coruna (7.00) at the Mestalla on Saturday night and travel to Barcelona to face Espanyol next weekend before ending the season at home to Xerez and Tenerife on either side of a trip to Villarreal.

Three of the last four league meetings between these two sides on Saturday have ended as draws, including the 0-0 in the reverse fixture back in December at the Riazor.

However, Valencia are unbeaten in their last nine league meetings with Deportivo claiming five wins and four draws.

Valencia are currently in a rich vein of home form, they are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures (eight wins and a draw), and have not conceded a single goal in the last five.

The travelling Deportivo are without a win in the last eight match-days of this campaign, and have not scored more than one goal per game in the process.

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Europa Containment Is Key For Fulham In Hamburg

Posted on April 22, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Europa League Preview: Hamburg v Fulahm Fulham continue their epic Europa League run with a trip to one of the most consistent squads in the Bundesliga. Hamburg SV lie seventh in the current table and have finished in the top five in both 2008 and 2009.

The key for Fulham is to ensure they stay in the tie and give themselves a big chance in the return leg. It’s crucial in European two leg football to avoid conceding a two-goal lead in the first leg. Fulham’s only real problem in their journey from the preliminary rounds came when they went down 3-1 to Juventus.

The Cottagers produced something special to overturn that deficit but still needed a large slice of good fortune as Juve were reduced to first ten, and then nine men. The chances of the team managing another comeback of that magnitude would be slim- especially as Europe is now wise to their quality.

You Can Bet On This Match: Hamnburg v Fulham
For Roy Hodgson, a win in Germany would be huge, a draw would be excellent but any defeat limited to a single goal would still be satisfactory. The manager is likely to use Bobby Zamora to occupy the Hamburg defence and string five across midfield- Zoltan Gera and Damian Duff will be asked to get close and support their top scorer when possible.

Hamburg have some serious attacking talent and a massive incentive as the final will be held at their stadium. In January they acquired Ruud Van Nistelrooy from Real Madrid and the Dutchman is still a predatory striker.
Hamburg boss Bruno Labbadia can pair him with Mladen Petric, the hard running, combative forward who caused Steve McClaren’s England such problems in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, or Swedish player Markus Berg who has shown his best form in Europe this year.

“They’ve had success if we talk about Bayern Munich and Hamburg, even teams like Dynamo Dresden way back,” he said. “The success of German teams goes back very far. If you’ve ever seen them play you’re aware of the strength of German football so, if you get drawn with one, you know it’s going to be a tough game, ” says Roy Hodgson.

Pulling the strings in midfield is Czech playmaker David Jarolim who has been with the club since 2003 and exerts an influence similar to Danny Murphy in the Fulham ranks. Both players are excellent passers who can calm the side and bring shape to the game.

Defensively Hamburg are built around Dutch centre back Joris Mathijsen and can put out a back four of international players. Fulham will hope to snatch at least one away goal but even the in-form Zamora has his work cut out.

After removing Shaktar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg successively, Fulham will not be intimidated; they should certainly keep the tie alive but it would be no surprise to see Hamburg take a single goal lead to the return. A 1-0 (5.50) or 2-1 (8.00) defeat would still be a good night’s work for Fulham.

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Liverpool Face Unpredictable Athlético Madrid

Posted on April 22, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Liverpool FC Liverpool Face Unpredictable Athlético Madrid Like Liverpool, their semi-final opponents in the Europa League, Athlético Madrid, have also been having a disappointing domestic season.

At the moment they are as far down as tenth position in La Liga.

Athlético have lost a massive fifteen league games- an astonishing figure for a club of their stature. It’s not what was expected when Quique Sanchez Flores was appointed coach back in October, to replace Abel Resino.

Athlético were fourth last year, winning a place in the Champions League; but the team performed poorly in that competition which resulted in their demotion to the Europa League like Liverpool- which cost Resino his job.

What will worry Rafa Benitez though, is the way the Spanish club have come through to the semi-finals of this competition. Sanchez Flores’s squad still haven’t played well but have found a way to win ties despite their indifferent form.

Bet on this match: Athlético Madrid v Liverpool

The team from the Spanish capital have come through three ties and in those six matches they have only won once. In their last two ties against Sporting Lisbon and Valencia they have progressed on away goals on each occasion.

In the powerhouse quarter-final with La Liga rivals Valencia, the ‘Rojiblancos’ played out a tense goalless affair on their own pitch after grabbing two away goals. The star forward pairing of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero couldn’t find a way through to give their fans an easier night.

Forlan and Aguero are perhaps more dangerous away from the Vicente Calderon Stadium when they can play on the counter-attack, The same thing happened against Sporting in the last 16- Athlético forced a 2-2 result in Portugal and then held the Lisbon team at home

Everything points to a cautious approach by Athletico in Thursday’s first leg as they are confident in their ability to give Liverpool problems at Anfield- not conceding an away goal is likely to be their priority.

With Liverpool forced to go into the tie without former Madrid hero Fernando Torres, Athlético may have the edge and the incentive to aim for a victory by any margin, so long as the English team don’t score. 1-0 would satisfy Sanchez Flores.

The hope for Liverpool is that Athlético revert to their domestic form- the ‘Rojiblancos’ have lost their last three La Liga matches and leaked seven goals in the process. Even without Torres and Ryan Babel, Benitez will fancy the chances of scoring at the Calderon.

Though the home team might play it tight, keeping the Reds at bay could be beyond them. The form of both teams points to a possible 1-1 (6.50 at PartyBets.com) result and the tie left in the balance for the second leg.

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Bayern Munich v Lyon: Will Momentum Overcome the French?

Posted on April 21, 2010 by SoccerCapper

champions league trophy Bayern Munich v Lyon: Will Momentum Overcome the French? Olympic Lyon are the first French side to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League but they have their work cut out with their German opponents Bayern Munich hitting form at just the right time.

After an unimpressive start to the season Bayern have really moved up through the gears and have begun to impose themselves in the Bundesliga and in Europe. This month alone they have knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in the last round, beat Bundesliga title rivals Schalke away from home whilst keeping their momentum going with a draw at the other domestic challengers in Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern smashed seven goals past Hannover at the and are now two points ahead at the top of the Bundesliga, with three games left to play it looks as though they will be league champions.

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They have two of the best wide midfielders in the world today in the form of Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery (7.50 to score first goal) and both have been on song recently playing an instrumental part in Bayern’s upturn of fortunes.

Lyon, like Barcelona last night, have been forced to travel to Munich by bus. It is a long arduous journey and they will be hoping it doesn’t affect the team and they get a better result than Barcelona could manage after their long road trip.

Lyon have not been playing great this month and were involved in a tough match at the weekend against a Bordeaux side who have dramatically lost form. Lyon managed a 2-2 draw but at the cost of losing Lisandro Lopez through injury which is a massive blow.

The momentum is definitely with Bayern Munich in this semi-final and Lyon will be happy to just get an away goal if they can.

“We are not favourites. The game is 50-50. We might have beaten United, but Lyon knocked out Real Madrid in the last 16, so they have proved their strength,” said Bayern defender Daniel Van Buyten.

“Lyon defend and attack very well and their forward, Lisandro, is very dangerous. They have players who can make a difference and Hugo Lloris is a very good goalkeeper. Lyon are a very strong team.”

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Inter ’s Mourinho Proves to be the Special One Again

Posted on April 21, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Inter coach Mourinho training2 199x300 Inter s Mourinho Proves to be the Special One Again “They have played their style of football. We have not been as effective as in other games. The pitch was quite fast and we tried on the wings and through the middle. Our opponent has not made it easy for us.” – Pep Guardiola

The Nerazzurri produced a fine first-leg display as they came from behind to beat holders Barcelona and take control of this Champions League semi-final.

Once again Jose Mourinho got his tactics spot on when it really matters, and Pep Guardiola and Barcelona know this. The question is; can Barcelona now salvage the tie and retain their Champions League crown which is hanging by a thread?

Inter allowed Barcelona the ball where they couldn’t hurt them, then picked the right moments to press and harass Barca before launching lightning-fast counter attacks. It was a perfect ‘team’ display by the Nerazzurri who collectively to a man executed Mourinho’s game plan to perfection.

Jose Mourinho and Inter know that there is still a long hard battle awaiting them in the second leg at Camp Nou next week. They will also know that scoring an away goal will mean that Barcelona will have it all to do as they will have to find a way past their rock solid defence at least three times – but with Messi on form that is possible!

Inter Milan are now favourites to qualify for the final at 1.70, with Barcelona facing an uphill task they are 2.05 to make it to the final at the Bernabau stadium next month.

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Roma Stay Top After Derby Win Over Rivals Lazio

Posted on April 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

inter roma Roma Stay Top After Derby Win Over Rivals Lazio Roma made it six wins on the spin as they squeezed past Lazio in a fiercely contested local derby.

A Mirko Vucinic double was enough to seal victory for the league leaders, who remain one point ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

Struggling Lazio shocked their local rivals by taking a 14th minute lead when Tommaso Rocchi neatly slotted home after latching onto the end of 40-yard through ball from teammate Cristian Ledesma.

Lazio had the better of the chances in the first half and felt that they deserved a penalty after Rocchi’s surge into the area was halted by Nicolas Burdisso’s challenge.

Roma manager Claudio Ranieri made two half time changes to help force a way back into the game, but only one minute after the break Lazio were awarded a penalty.

Lazio’s Aleksander Kolarov brought down Marco Cassetti inside the box, but Sergio Floccari couldn’t take advantage, striking his shot straight at Roma keeper Julio Sergio.

Roma were then award a 53rd minute penalty themselves following a clumsy challenge from Kolarov on Roma’s Rodrigo Taddei.

Mirko Vucinic made no mistake from the spot and Roma looked resurgent as the mounted a string of attacks on the Lazio goal.

Vucinic soon made it two as he unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard free-kick towards the Roma net, leaving Fernando Muslera stranded.

Lazio pressed for an equaliser through efforts by Mauro Zarate and Rocchi, but couldn’t beat Julio Sergio in the Roma goal.

The home side then had Cristian Ledesma sent off in the final moments of a frustrating evening for Lazio, who now sit 16th in the table – just three points above the relegation zone.

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Eternal City Derby Too Close To Call

Posted on April 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Lazio versus Roma is one of the most notorious derbies in world football with both sets of Ultras fans often turning violent in and around the stadium.

Roma have turned up the heat on Inter Milan in this season’s title race and nothing but a win over their city rivals on Sunday will be acceptable if they are to land the Scudetto.

It would be a mistake to judge this match based on current league standings with Lazio languishing down by the relegation zone, Roma are going to be favourites but a win for Ranieri’s side is far from a safe bet.

Lazio have been playing well in recent games and are unbeaten in their last five having won 3 and drawn 2. Roma are on an incredible run which has taken them all the way to the top of the league and are unbeaten in 8 matches having won all of their last 5 outings.

Roma just edge Lazio in recent head to head meetings having won 3 of the last 5 clashes with Lazio claiming the other 2. When they last played each other in December Roma won 1-0.

With just five games left to the conclusion of the Serie A season, this derby will be a closely contested encounter with both sides having a lot to lose in defeat. Because of this and the fact this tie has not ended in a draw for three years, back it to end all square in a 2-2 score line available at 12.00 with PartyBets.com

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Liverpool, Fulham Europa League Semi-Finals Preview

Posted on April 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

How Will Fulham or liverpool get to their matches? Liverpool may have lost Fernando Torres for the remainder of the season, but the biggest talking point ahead of Thursday night’s Madrid showdown is volcanic ash.

The suspension of all inbound and outbound U.K flights has disrupted travel plans to such an extent that Liverpool are setting off at lunch time today as they embark on a 24-hour journey to Madrid.

Liverpool will Take Three Trains and a Plane

The trip will include three different trains to reach the south of France, followed by a short flight to Madrid. Not the best preparation for a Europa League semi-final, you might say.

You Can Bet On This Match: Athletico Madrid v Liverpool

Meanwhile, Fulham face a similar predicament as they bid to make this the first of two visits to Hamburg this season.

Hamburg’s HSH Nordbank Arena plays host to this season’s Europa League final and the German’s will be hoping to make the most of home advantage.

However, the incentive of playing at your home stadium in a European cup final can count for little – as is evident from Real Madrid’s unlikely Champions League exit to Lyon.

Fulham Hamburg Travel Plans

Fulham will travel to Hamburg on the back of a fantastic away performance in Germany last time out, when they beat Wolfsburg 1-0 to progress to the semi-final.

The Cottagers also set-off on a road trip to mainland Europe today, travelling by coach to Hamburg, and have no fresh injury worries to contend with.

Fulham spokesperson said “I can confirm that we will be travelling to Germany sometime today in line with our contingency plans.”

Fans of Fulham Fans said to number 500 were scheduled to travel on official club trips now find their journeys in jeopardy. Upwards of 1,500 supporters travelling independently to Hamburg now find their plans scuppered.

You Can Bet On This Match: Hamburg v Fulham

Liverpool are without key striker Fernando Torres and will miss Ryan Babel after he was red carded in the last round against Benfica.

Other than the two injury concerns, Liverpool take their full quota of personnel. The same, however, cannot be said of the travelling faithful.

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Roma Stay Top After Derby Win Over Mourinho’s Inter Milan

Posted on April 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Roma made it six wins on the spin as they squeezed past Lazio in a fiercely contested local derby.