Inter Milan v Barcelona Champions League Semi Final

Posted on April 19, 2010 by SoccerCapper

The Nerazzurri host Barca at the San Siro in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday night.

It’s a tie that captures the imagination as both teams consist of some of the world’s best players and both boast two of the best and most dapper managers in Europe in the form of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

Both managers already have winner’s medals in this competition already, Mourinho as coach of Porto in 2004, and Guardiola from last year. It is likely one of them will make it two medals this year as the winner of this semi-final will undoubtedly be favourites against either Bayern Munich or Lyon in the final.

A nice sub-plot to this fixture will be the matchup between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto’o. Barcelona and Inter Milan agreed an incredible deal in the summer which saw Ibrahimovic join Barcelona for 46 million euros plus Samuel Eto’o in exchange. That deal raised many eyebrows as some would consider Eto’o to be the better striker of the two alone.

Eto’o seems to be fired up for this clash and has been speaking to the press about his desire to put one over on his former team mates.
“We all dream of beating Barcelona, and if I score at the San Siro then I will celebrate it”, he is quoting as saying to the press.

Samuel Eto’o is 7.00 to score the first goal on Tuesday with Ibrahimovic’s odds being slightly shorter at 6.00 for the opening goal.

Both sides are having to fight hard on the domestic front with Barcelona being held to a goaless draw by city rivals Espanyol on Saturday night and Inter Milan sitting a point behind Roma who went top after a 2-1 win over Lazio on Sunday. Inter will have had an extra day’s rest over Barcelona which may give them an advantage as a long season reaches its climax with massive games coming thick and fast for both sides.

This fixture was played out earlier in the competition as both sides were drawn in the same group. The game at the San Siro ended 0-0 with both defences managing to nullify the opposition attacking threat. A similar outcome is likely this time too, with Barcelona being content to take a draw back to the Nou Camp with them. Back a tight affair to end 1-1 at 6.50 with PartyBets.com.

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Premiership Predictions: Title Race is Wide Open Again

Posted on April 19, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Scholes’ late strike settled which team gained the bragging rights in Manchester but on its own, the three points only put pressure on Chelsea.

The Blues were involved in their own derby with Tottenham later in the day with the chance to restore a four point cushion at the top.

Spurs have plenty to play for though. United’s victory opened up the route to fourth place for Harry Redknapp’s squad, who could now pass Manchester City; and after seeing off Arsenal in midweek any hangover from their FA Cup semi-final defeat had long past.

Spurs seized their chance and beat Chelsea more comfortably that the 2-1 scoreline suggests. Worse still for the league leaders, they had John Terry sent off for a second bookable offence.

It means Manchester United sit just a point adrift with three games to go. Chelsea have a three goal advantage in goal difference, which could be crucial on the final day, but the nerves have shifted to Stamford Bridge.

Spurs may have a crucial say in the title race. They wrecked Arsenal’s chances on Wednesday and put a severe dent in Chelsea hopes over the weekend- and their next opponents are Manchester United at Old Trafford.

You Can Bet on this Outcome: Premiership Title Race

Harry Redknapp’s team will be highly motivated and confident for that encounter, fully aware that Manchester City have tough games to come on their run-in. They have a two point lead over Roberto Mancini’s side and even a point at Old Trafford would keep them in the box seat in the race for fourth.

Chelsea were aware that they could afford a single defeat in their last five games, so long as the other four matches ended in victory. Their margin for error has gone now. They will be expected to win their two home games but a trip to Liverpool is potentially a huge obstacle.

It will be a matter of some irony that Manchester United fans are going to have to rely on the club they detest to give them a realistic chance of turning round what appeared to be a lost cause.

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La Liga Predictions: Sevilla Will Find Bite In Fourth Spot Dogfight

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SoccerCapper

A truly season defining weekend of La Liga action kicks off this Saturday afternoon when pivotal games take place which will go some way to deciding the fate of this season’s Championship as well as the dogfight for the fourth Champions League spot.

Sevilla (2.20) are one of several sides looking to clinch the final Champions League qualifying position and they get this round of fixtures underway when the travel to lowly Malaga (3.10) in the tea-time kick off on Saturday.

Alvarez Will Give Sevilla A Tremendous Boost

Sevilla have endured some torrid form of late which ultimately led to the recent sacking of coach Manolo Jimenez. His replacement, Antonio Alvarez, recorded his first win as new manager at home to Tenerife last week and the Sevilla fans will be hoping the ‘new manager effect’ continues for a few more matches.

Malaga are six points clear of the relegation zone but are by no means safe from the threat of going down and will be just as desperate for the three points as their opponents. But with only one win out of their last five games Malaga are not going into this match full of confidence.

Sevilla top scorer Luis Fabiano is getting himself back to full fitness after being dogged by injuries this season, the Brazilian striker will be looking to get his name on the score sheet and is 5.50 to score the first goal.

The previous meeting between these two sides this season ended in a 2-2 draw, with Sevilla thankful to a Luis Fabiano brace for salvaging a point after going two goals down. It is a result Malaga would probably be happy to take before the kick off, but certainly wouldn’t satisfy Sevilla and their new coach. Back Sevilla to flex their muscle in the race for a Champions League spot with a 2-0 win available at 9.00 with PartyBets.com.

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Inter Milan to Pip Fiorentina to Coppa Italia Final?

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SoccerCapper

It is the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday as Inter Milan travel to Fiorentina with a 1-0 lead.

These two sides were inseparable on Saturday evening as they cancelled each other out to a 2-2 draw. A result which has dented Inter Milans Scudetto chances this season. A repeat of this result would not be enough for Fiorentina as they trail 1-0 on aggregate, so the dynamics of this match will be slightly different from the weekends encounter between the pair.

Bet on Coppa Italia Semifinal, 2nd leg Fiorentina v Inter Milan

The Nerazzurri are may well be gunning for revenge after seeing a late goal from the Violas centre back Per Kroldrup secure a 2-2 draw which opened the way for AS Roma to leap them to top of Serie A on Sunday afternoon.

Fiorentina are showing good home form now and are unbeaten in their last four games. Jose Mourinho’s men know a draw will be enough for them to book a date in this season’s final and set up a potentially historic season as they continue to be in with a chance of completing the treble which includes the Champions League if they can get past mighty Barcelona in the semis.

A win for Fiorentina will see them keep alive their only chance of silverware this season, and they will take heart from the weekends performance which saw them lead Inter for much of the game.

After playing each other only a few days ago, barring any major changes to the starting elevens on both sides, it is hard not to look at a repeat result once again. A draw will be enough to take Inter through and it is worth backing again with PartyBets.com.

“To keep up this kind of form is very difficult and no one will give out anything to us until the end,” David Pizzaro told Roma Channel “But the important thing was to move top and now it’s all in our hands. We must become aware that we are in first place.”

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Messi, Ibrahimovic back for Barcelona but Derby Worries Pep Guardiola

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SoccerCapper

“It’s a real final, a key game at the end of the season and a terribly tough match. With (Espanyol coach Mauricio) Pochettino now in charge, it will be the toughest match we have had.” – Pep Guardiola.

Barcelona (1.30) travel to city rivals Espanyol (9.00) on Saturday evening and it may be somewhat surprising that Barca coach Pep Guardiola has chosen to classify this match with such importance considering the opposition are 13 places lower in La Liga and 46 points separate them.

Barcelona have been unstoppable in recent seasons with Europe’s biggest and best teams failing to stop them so a lowly Espanyol outfit look pretty unlikely to be able to halt Barcelona’s charge for the Primera Division.

However this is a city derby and it is well known that the form book goes out of the window in the blood and thunder of a local derby. Espanyol can take some confidence from recent matches against Barca to give them hope of an upset their last four encounters at home with Barcelona read W1 D2 L1.

Head-to-head

Barca have only managed to win three while losing two and drawing the other four.
Espanyol were the only team to win at the Nou Camp in La Liga last season when Barcelona were still hunting the title.

You can bet on now Barcelona (1.30)v Espanyol (9.00) now

On the team news front, the home side will be without their number one keeper Carlos Kameni as he serves a ban after being sent off in Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Racing Santander.

Barcelona will be without Eric Abidal and Andres Iniesta but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be on the bench. The news has been full of plaudits for Lionel Messi in the last few weeks after a string of stellar performances and goals, but it is now midfielder Xavi who is putting in the world class performances too and he is 9.00 to get the first goal in this match.

Guardiola will not allow his troops to slip up in this potential banana skin game and the quality of Messi et al will ensure another Barcelona victory. Back a 3-1 win for Barcelona which is available at 11.00 with PartyBets.com.

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Sheffield Wednesday Must Triumph In The Steel City Derby

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SoccerCapper

The 2009/10 season has been grim for both Sheffield clubs; Wednesday are locked into a desperate fight against relegation and United have fallen away badly in the race for promotion. Both sets of supporters would like to see the end of the campaign.

Sunday’s game at Hillsborough still has real significance for Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls are still in the bottom three and stand in real need of three points. United’s chance of reaching the play-offs has all but slipped away but their supporters could take some satisfaction from adding to the problems of their city rivals.

If this game wasn’t a derby, Sheffield United would be the ideal opponents for Wednesday. The Blades’ away form has collapsed dramatically and they have been beaten twelve times away from Bramhall Lane. Their record is actually worse that the Owls, who have lost eleven games on the road.

Confidence is low in both dressing rooms though Sheffield United did win last Saturday- however, they have plunged to tenth place after a season when they were expected to be a top six side with some ease. Two points from their last four games has dragged Sheffield Wednesday back into the relegation mire after a relatively good run of results.

Head-to-Head from 124 competitive games:

Sheffield United 45 Wins
Sheffield Wednesday 41 Wins
Plus 38 Draws

You can bet on Sheffield Wednesday v Sheffield Untied Now

The importance of this game to the Owls can’t be overstated because next week they have to travel to in-form Cardiff City. Their final game sees them host fellow strugglers Crystal Palace in what would be a nerve-shredding ‘winner take all’ encounter.

The Owls have lost their last two matches by a single, late goal and manager Alan Irvine will not want to go into the last day having to beat Palace to stay up. The team aren’t playing badly but the rub of the green has been missing.

The visit of the Blades could be the moment to pull off a win. Though Kevin Blackwell’s team should be highly motivated for a derby, they will also be suffering some deflation after their steep decline.

In the past two campaigns Wednesday have had the edge, unbeaten in four fixtures before this season’s first game. Sheffield United squeaked through 3-2 back in September after going in three goals to the good at half-time.

The Owls look ready to overturn that result. Irvine will point out that only a deflected strike denied them a point at Middlesbrough last week. Sheffield United have only a mathematical chance of reaching the top six and with their Championship status on the line, Wednesday should be able to win a battling encounter.

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Are Sevilla about to end 14 year Real Valladolid Jinx

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Sevilla travel to the Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla on Tuesday night to take on Real Valladolid and will be hoping to collect their first win at that ground in nearly 14 years.

Sevilla collected a valuable three points at the weekend when they came from behind to beat Malaga 2-1 away from home. That win put them into fourth place in the league temporarily before Real Mallorca continued their fine home form this season by disposing of Valencia 3-2 on Sunday to reclaim the coveted Champions League qualifying spot.

Real Valladolid are in deep trouble, as they lie second from bottom and six points away from safety. They will be desperate for a win but the prospect of this happening is slim as Real Valladolid have not scored any goals in their last four league games and only have a sorry 2 home wins to their name this season so far.

Bet on this match: Valladolid v FC Sevilla

Sevilla may be hitting form just at the right time as they are embroiled in a proper dogfight for a top four spot with Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao. But with talent such as Luis Fabiano, Jesus Navas and Freddy Kanoute at their disposal they will be expecting to clinch Champions League football once again next season.

The last match between these two sides in December ended in a 1-1 draw, with Sevilla grateful to a Luis Fabiano penalty for salvaging a point after going a goal behind. It is a result Valladolid will probably be happy to take again, but a point certainly wouldn’t please Sevilla and their new coach. Back Sevilla to repeat their weekend away win against Malaga and boost their chances of gaining a Champions League place at PartyBets.com

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Champions League Final Line In Sight for Man City

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Roberto Mancini’s men took a step closer to fourth place with a convincing 5-1 home demolition of Birmingham on Sunday.

The Manchester outfit made it 14 goals in three matches as Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez both struck braces to push their goal difference above that of rivals Tottenham – which could prove crucial come May.

A relatively dull first half sprung to life with four goals in five minutes following a quick fire double for Tevez, a reply from Birmingham’s Cameron Jerome and a neat finish from Adebayor.

Tevez’s first came from a 38th minute spot kick after Birmingham’s Scott Dann was adjudged to have felled Adebayor in the area.

The Argentinean’s second, just two minutes later, resulted from a corner that Nedum Onuoha initially thought he had scored from, however, replays showed that Tevez got the final touch to make it 28 goals for the season.

Birmingham pulled one back in the 42nd minute through a Cameron Jerome header after James McFadden had sent in a teasing cross.

But just one minute later Adebayor restored the two goal cushion by latching onto a delivery from winger Craig Bellamy.

Alex McLeish’s men came out for the second half with a renewed impetus but failed to break down the Man City defence.

And with the game entering the closing stages, Birmingham’s failure to find the net was punished by a Nedum Onuoha blast that made the score 4-1.

The Midlands team were merely playing for pride when Adebayor sprung the offside trap to secure a 5-1 victory and with it, snatch away any of the pride that Alex McLeish’s side had hoped to maintain.

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Portsmouth Down But Not Out With FA Cup Final Berth Won

Posted on April 15, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Pompey battled admirably and showed real grit to make it to their second final in three years but the South Coast side certainly had the rub of the green. Perhaps they deserve it after such a terrible year.

With the score at 0-0 and the game into extra- time, Spurs centre back Michael Dawson became the umpteenth player to slip on the Wembley surface over the weekend. Unfortunately for Dawson, he did it on his own six yard line as he moved to intercept a routine knockdown in the box.

With his marker grounded, Frederick Picquionne had a simple finish to put Portsmouth a goal to the good. If Spurs fans were bemoaning their luck about that incident, far worse was to come.

Peter Crouch soon had the ball in the net at the other end with a trademark volley but referee Alan Wiley disallowed the goal for an infringement on the goalkeeper. The look on Pompey keeper David James’s face said everything about the decision- he clearly felt that his team had dodged a bullet.

The ‘foul’ was against Nico Krancjar who did nothing but jump to head Gareth Bale’s cross. James came flying out to meet it, missed the ball but inevitably collided in mid-air with Krancjar- the Spurs player didn’t move at all in the keeper’s s direction but was still penalised for the collision.

Any Spurs fans who still felt it might be their team’s day had their optimism punctured when Aruna Dindane then went on a curving run towards the penalty area. Midfielder Wilson Palacios tracked the run all the way but couldn’t get a tackle in until the pair were inside the box.

Inevitably the tackle was clumsy and Wiley gave a penalty- despite the fact that Palacios did get a touch on the ball. Kevin Prince-Boateng delivered the final blow by despatching the spot-kick.

Now Portsmouth can make history. No side has been relegated and won the FA Cup in the same season though several reached the final. Middlesbrough were the last in 1997 and Pompey fans are beginning to think their club is the one to overturn this particular hoodoo.

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Category Archives: betting tips

Inter Milan v Barcelona Champions League Semi Final

Premiership Predictions: Title Race is Wide Open Again

La Liga Predictions: Sevilla Will Find Bite In Fourth Spot Dogfight

Alvarez Will Give Sevilla A Tremendous Boost

Inter Milan to Pip Fiorentina to Coppa Italia Final?

Messi, Ibrahimovic back for Barcelona but Derby Worries Pep Guardiola

Sheffield Wednesday Must Triumph In The Steel City Derby

Are Sevilla about to end 14 year Real Valladolid Jinx

Champions League Final Line In Sight for Man City

Portsmouth Down But Not Out With FA Cup Final Berth Won