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Home rule in Europa quarters

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Following the drama of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday, it’s the Europa League last eight ties that take centre stage on Thursday. Here we preview the four first-leg matches.
Despite no English involvement, there is still plenty for punters to consider in Europe’s second tier competition as it nears its conclusion, with veteran European campaigners Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Schalke and Sporting all still involved, while Manchester United’s conquerors Athletic Bilbao will be hoping to build on that famous triumph at Old Trafford.

AZ Alkmaar v Valencia

AZ remain, along with German underdogs Hannover, the outsiders to go on and win the Europa League (both 16/1 outright) but they will fancy their chances of at least holding Spanish giants Valencia at home in the first leg.

The in-form Dutch side are an attractive 13/8 to come out on top on Thursday, with Los Che available at 17/10 and the draw 9/4. That maybe just the astute bet here but a home win is the prediction.
AZ have had a superb season so far, and are currently top of the Eredivisie, losing just five league games all season, while they are unbeaten in six domestically. Add to that the fact they saw off a talented Udinese side in the last round and Valencia have plenty to fear ahead of this intriguing clash.

Prediction – Home win.

Atletico Madrid v Hannover

This is the home banker of the four games on Thursday and it’s hard to look past a comfortable win for the Spanish side (take 2-0 at 11/2).

The German outfit have exceeded expectations to get this far in the tournament and are a creditable eighth in the Bundesliga but will surely find it tough going in the intimidating Vicente Calderon.

Atletico are odds-on (1/2) to win the first leg while Hannover (6/1) are rightly the outsiders. However, recent form has been good with two impressive wins over Cologne and Standard Liege (4-1 and 4-0) before a narrow 2-1 defeat at in-form Bayern Munich last time out.

That will give the visitors hope of causing an upset on Thursday and it’s likely to be tight in the first half but Atletico should ultimately prevail (HT/FT – Draw/Atletico – 10/3).

Prediction – Home win.

Schalke v Athletic Bilbao

Bilbao will be bouyant following the superb deserved two-leg triumph over United and will rightly now fancy their chances of progressing even further in the competition. They can be backed at a value 10/3 to win the Europa League outright and they have the talent to go to Schalke and win this week (Bilbao 23/10, Schalke 23/20, draw 12/5).

The Gelsenkirchen-based side emphatically beat FC Twente 4-1 last time out in the competition to book their last-eight place so will again be difficult to beat in front of a passionate home support and they go into the game on the back of a three-game winning in the Bundesliga. However, we fancy an away win here to keep the Bilbao bandwagon on course.

Prediction – Away win.

Sporting Lisbon v Metalist

Another home win looks on the cards in this one as Portuguese giants Sporting host the Ukrainian underdogs (Sporting EVENS, Metalist 11/4, draw 12/5).

Sporting produced their best performances of the season to see off Manchester City in the last round and they now take on a weaker Metalist for a place in the semi-finals. They will not underestimate their opponents and a disappointing domestic campaign to date, which has left them fifth in the table, points to the fact all is not well at the club, but don’t be surprised to see a comfortable home win here.

Metalist are third in the up-and-coming Ukraine league (behind the traditional big two of Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk) and were extremely impressive when seeing off Salzburg 8-1 on aggregate in the last round but this is another test completely and first-leg disappointment looms for the visitors.

Prediction – Home win.

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Barca ready for Milan test

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Barcelona as usual are hitting form at the right point of the season but will face a test when they take on unpredictable AC Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday in the Champions League (AC Milan 4/1, draw 11/4, Barcelona 8/11 – Match Prices).

There has not been a more Jeckyll and Hyde pair of performances than the ones witnessed in Milan’s last-16 double-header with Premier League outfit Arsenal in the last round.

The Italians dominated the first leg at the San Siro as they completely out-gunned the Gunners with an accomplished display in front of their fanatical support. However, the Serie A outfit crumbled at the Emirates and were lucky to scrape through to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri will be determined for his side to put on a similar home performance to their demolition of Arsenal when they host the European champions this week.

Zlatan Ibrahimovich (7/1 – First Goalscorer), Robinho and Kevin Prince Boateng were on fire that night and they will certainly be a trio who can cause problems for the sometimes shaky Barca backline.

Likewise Milan have leaked goals at the back this season and with the loss of Thiago Silva to injury, Allegri is going to have to shuffle his pack for Wednesday night.

Barcelona could be smelling blood already and the pace they have throughout their side is going to keep the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Daniele Bonera awake at night.

The Catalan club’s goal-machine Lionel Messi (11/4 – First Goalscorer) is the top scorer in the Champions League this season with seven to his name so far. So do not be surprised if the Argentine magician dances his way through the Milan defence to add to his tally in the competition.

Even when the playmaker does not have the ball he draws the attention of defenders which creates space for those around him, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Pedro set to be a threat at the San Siro.

The game will depend on which Milan turns up on the night; if they can repeat their efforts from their first clash with Arsenal they may well be able to hold the La Liga giants.

However, Barcelona have so many attacking options and keep the ball so well that they should be able to bag a couple of vital away goals and take a lead back to the Nou Camp.

In Wednesday’s other Champions quarter-final Marseille host Bayern Munich in a massive game for the Ligue 1 side (Marseille 7/2, draw 5/2, Bayern Munich 5/6 – Match Betting).

The encounter at the Stade Velodrome will see the return of Bayern star Franck Ribery (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) to his former club in the first competitive meeting between the two teams.

It looks likely that Marseille won’t be happy to see the return of the French international, as he is part of strong Bayern side who are more than capable of getting a comfortable win in the south of France.

Les Phoceens have lost nine of their last 19 games in this competition at the Stade Velodrome and you should be able to add another defeat to that tally come the final whistle on Wednesday night.

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Real to dish out reality check

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Real Madrid can get the job done in Cyprus to shatter any hope APEOL have of causing the biggest upset in the club’s history – and travel-sick Chelsea face another awkward test on the road against Benfica as the quarter-finals of the Champions League get underway on Tuesday.

APOEL v Real Madrid

Much has been made of surprise package APOEL’s remarkable run to the last eight of Europe’s marquee club competition but it is difficult to envisage the fairytale continuing at the expense of nine-time European winners Real Madrid.

True, the Cypriot minnows have won five of their seven home games in this season’s competition but Jose Mourinho’s expensively assembled La Liga title-chasers are simply a class apart.

The wily Portuguese coach also has enough senior professionals in his ranks to deal with the much-heralded reception likely to face Spain’s capital club at the intimidating 23,000-capacity GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

It is without question the biggest game in APOEL’s history but one questions whether the Cypriots could get caught up in a bit of shirt swapping and star gazing rather than the job in hand.

“We’ve done something exceptional, something that can never happen again,” said APOEL president Phivos Erotokritou.

Real Madrid have won seven of their eight games in this season’s Champions League and are priced accordingly at 2/7 (APOEL 10/1, draw 9/2 – 90 minutes) but it may pay to avoid any exotic scorelines.

One option would be to split stakes on a 1-0 and 2-0 job done-type outcome given that Real have only conceded one goal in four European away trips this season, while Under 2.5 goals is quoted at a not-too-shabby price of 6/5.

In-form striker Cristiano Ronaldo has registered five goals in his last four European matches and at the weekend smashed the 100-goal personal milestone for the club. The Portuguese superstar can be backed at 9/4 in the first and last goalscorer markets.

Benfica v Chelsea

Benfica have won 11 of their last 12 games at the Stadium of Light and can book a place in the semi-finals for the first time in 22 years to send England’s last representatives packing.

Compare that statistic to Chelsea’s overall away form – the west Londoners have won only one of their last six away games, against Birmingham in the FA Cup – and it is hard to make a case for the Blues at 2/1 (Benfica 11/8, draw 23/10 – 90 minutes).

On the road in Europe and the omens looks even worse given that Chelsea have not triumphed away from Stamford Bridge since a 2-0 win against Copenhagen over a year ago.

Much was made of the manner in which Roberto Di Matteo’s men overturned a first-leg deficit against Napoli to get this far, but everything went for them on the night and, let’s not forget, they still conceded.

A drab goalless draw against Tottenham at the weekend proved a fixture to forget and served as a reminder that their problems remain in attack.

Benfica have kept three clean sheets in six games on home soil in Europe this season and the ‘to win to nil’ option is available at 11/4.

They have been ahead in four out of those six games by half-time and can be backed at 3/1 in the Benfica/Benfica half-time full-time market.

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United set to return to summit

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Manchester United may have been knocked off the top of the table by rivals Manchester City on Saturday, but with only goal difference separating the top two, a Red Devils victory against Fulham on Monday will fire them three points clear.

With the title race entering its final stages, things have begun to heat up between the two Manchester sides at the top of the Premier League.

The war of words off the field is well and truly on after Sir Alex Ferguson angrily responded to claims by City’s Football Development Executive Patrick Vieira that bringing Paul Scholes out of retirement was an act of desperation.

The Scot duly criticised City’s decision to bring Carlos Tevez back into the fold after his self-imposed exile, the United boss also insisting he had ‘plenty of ammunition’ to throw back at City should they continue to engage in mind games.

Entering mind games is all part of Ferguson’s and United’s well-worn path to title glory, which obviously includes a strong finish in the run-in.

While City appear to be floundering, United are clicking into top gear at the right time, winning 25 points from a possible 27 since losing back-to-back games at the turn of the year.

They are also doing so in fine style – the Red Devils have scored 73 goals in 29 league games, the most by any top-flight club at this stage of the season since Tottenham in 1963-64.

Fulham meanwhile go into this game hoping to bounce back after two successive defeats – the latest a 3-0 home hammering by Swansea.

However, Old Trafford is probably the worst ground for the Cottagers to go to looking for a win – they have only avoided defeat there once in 49 years, a 3-1 victory in 2003.

Since then, United have racked up eight consecutive home wins over the Londoners, scoring 22 goals.

It isn’t surprising therefore that United are just 2/9 for the victory, meaning you will have to look elsewhere for betting value.

With 10 goals in his last eight league and cup games, Wayne Rooney simply cannot be ignored in the first scorer markets. He is 5/2 to score first, with the odds of 11/4 to score two or more also worth considering.

It is also worth noting that the Red Devils have won nine penalties this season, more than any other team. So the 9/2 on offer for United to score from the spot could be a more creative punt.

Fulham have failed to score in their last four games at the home of the Champions and their only goal in the previous match was an own goal by Rio Ferdinand. So the correct score markets to nil in United’s favour are my tips.

United (4/5 to win to nil) have scored two or more goals in each of their last 15 league games so the 2-0 United correct score at odds of 11/2 is worth backing.

However, given Fulham’s woes in the North West, the 13/2 on offer for a 3-0 home win is my prediction.

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Reyes’ talent to earn derby victory

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Bet on La LigaLa Liga action continues on Monday evening with an intriguing Andalusian derby between Granada and Sevilla at Los Carmenes (Granada 15/8, draw 9/4, Sevilla 11/8).

Both teams will be desperate for the points, with newly promoted Granada still to seal their top flight status while Sevilla know they will need to win if they’re to have any chance of making a late run for the European places.

The home side have been in shocking form of late, having lost four of their last five matches in the league. However, they may have garnered some confidence from their last match when despite losing 5-3 at Barcelona, they caused the Blaugrana a number of problems and at one stage looked as if they had done enough to earn a vital point at the Nou Camp.

Their inability to avoid conceding once again showed them up and following the news that talismanic defender Pape Diakhate has been ruled out for the season, the ‘El Grana’ rear-guard is likely to come under even more scrutiny.

However, they have the talent and experience to keep a clean sheet and in veteran Noe Pamarot, they have a player who knows what it’s like to defend at the top level. The former Spurs man will undoubtedly need to put in a strong performance on Monday and his contribution could see his side sneak a vital win (Granada 13/2 to win 1-0).

Sevilla have once again flattered to deceive this season and, having won just one of their last four outings, hardly deserve to have any success. However, due to the nature of the league this year, a win on Monday would see them move into the top half of the table and leave them just two wins from the Champions League spots.

Despite their continued struggles, there is no doubt that with the talent at their disposal, they should be much higher in the league (Sevilla 6/1 to win 1-0).

One such star who seems to typify this is the recently re-signed winger Jose Antonio Reyes. The former Arsenal man returned to the club in January and many expected he would finally start to prove his worth after years of struggling to justify his reputation. Although there’s no doubt he has impressed during his latest stint at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, he is yet to find the net for Michel’s side. He will be looking to break his duck in this local derby.

Reyes’ ability could see his side home in what could be a tight match. Every season a team makes a late run for the European places and it could be Sevilla’s turn this time around so look out for them to take the points in a single goal victory (Sevilla 17/2 to win 2-1).

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Home a comfort for Baggies

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The exciting Premier League action continues on Sunday with West Brom taking on Newcastle at the Hawthorns (West Brom 5/4, draw 23/10, Newcastle 23/10 Match Betting). Both sides still have plenty to play for with the Baggies needing a few points to guarantee their Premier League survival while the Magpies are still in the hunt for a European place.

After years of yo-yoing between the Championship and the top flight, Roy Hodgson’s men now look to be an established Premier League side and after the 11th-place finish last season, once again look on course for another solid mid-table finish.

A lot of their progress has been attributed to the impact of experienced manager Hodgson, so much so that he’s now being touted as a possible candidate for the England job.

The Baggies go into the game in solid form, having lost just one of their last five games and are sure to be confident on their home turf after consecutive wins at the Hawthorns.

The player to look out for will be winger Chris Brunt (11/4 to Score Anytime) who, after missing most of the season through injury, is now back to full fitness. The Northern Irishman has the extra quality that not many other of the Black Country side’s players have and his performance will certainly have a say on the outcome of the match.

Newcastle have recently suffered a blip in their form but claimed a vital three points last time out against Norwich and will be looking forward to their trip to the Midlands.

Alan Pardew’s men have been the surprise package of the season and still hold out hopes of clinching a place in European place, boosted by Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Wigan at Anfield on Saturday.

Their brand of attacking and exciting football has wowed fans this campaign and with West Brom also preferring to play the ball on the ground, the game is sure to be a cracker.

One of the Magpies’ weaknesses over the last few seasons has been their inability to find the net. However, this has changed this term, mainly down to the impact of summer signing Demba Ba (3/2 to Score Anytime).

The Senegalese forward disappointed last term while at West Ham, but has shone on Tyneside, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

The 26-year-old is likely to line-up alongside compatriot Papiss Cisse on Sunday and both will be looking to make the difference in what could prove to be a vital match in the outcome of their season.

The match could turn out to be one of the games of the weekend but home advantage should see the Baggies through, although it looks certain be close (West Brom 8/1 to win 2-1).

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Trio searching for promotion points

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The race for automatic promotion from the Championship is intensifying and it now looks like being a three-horse race between Southampton, Reading and West Ham, who are all in action on Saturday looking to get some more vital points on the board.

Burnley v West Ham

Sam Allardyce’s Hammers have hit a sticky patch at just the wrong time in their bid to secure an immediate return to the Premier League (4/7 – Promotion) this season.

The Londoners looked certain to win promotion at one stage, but their recent inability to kill teams off – particularly at home – has resulted in five draws from the last six outings which has allowed in-form Reading to jump into second spot behind league leaders Southampton.

However, West Ham have been strong away from home all season and it might be good for them to be playing away from Upton Park as the pressure from the stands appears to have affected them in recent weeks.

The Hammers have picked up half of their total of 68 points on the road so will be confident of improving on that at Turf Moor.

Julien Faubert and Ricardo Vaz Te are still absent with respective groin and hamstring problems, while defender Guy Demel and midfielder Papa Bouba Diop have long-term injuries.

Burnley have been consistently inconsistent this season with their home record of six wins, six draw and six defeats summing things up perfectly. However, Eddie Howe’s men did defeat the Hammers 2-1 at Upton Park earlier in the season and have lost only four of 36 games against them on home soil.

Left-back Danny Lafferty and forward Danny Ings will be checked before the game, while top scorer Jay Rodriguez is also likely to start again after completing 90 minutes against Ipswich in midweek.

The Clarets want a first win in seven, while West Ham know a draw will mean a record fifth consecutive stalemate, but Allardyce’s side should get their promotion bid back on track on Saturday.

Prediction: Away Win 90 Minutes @ 5/4
Value Bet: Draw/West Ham HT/FT @ 9/2

Reading v Blackpool

A huge game is in wait in the scrap for promotion and play-off places at the Madejski Stadium as second-placed Reading take on fifth-placed Blackpool.

Brian McDermott’s Royals have jumped above West Ham into the second automatic promotion places (4/7 – Promotion) following a run of nine wins and one draw before Tuesday’s surprise 3-1 defeat at Peterborough.

They stay two points ahead of the Hammers, who have a game in hand, so will be desperate to secure three points against the Tangerines to stay in the box seat for another weekend.

The Royals have won five successive games on home soil going into this match and will be looking to extend that run, although they will have to do it without striker Jason Roberts due to a hamstring injury.

England youth international Benik Afobe has arrived on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season, and the youngster could make his debut, while Hayden Mullins is set to continue on the right of defence in the absence of ankle injury victim Matt Connolly and Joseph Mills continues to miss out.

Blackpool have hit an indifferent run of form in recent weeks, although Wednesday’s last-gasp 3-3 draw with Leicester at Bloomfield Road has kept them in the play-off places.

Ian Holloway’s side have won two, drawn two and lost two in their last six, but an encouraging statistic is they are the Championship’s top scorers on their travels with 32 so far.

Roman Bednar will sit this one out due to injury and so it is a timely return for Stephen Dobbie to the club from Swansea.

The Royals look set to bounce back from Tuesday’s Posh defeat and put another three points on the board this weekend.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 4/5
Value Bet: Reading To Win 3-2 Correct Score @ 25/1

Southampton v Doncaster

A real top-versus-bottom affair at St Mary’s which, on the face of it, appears to be one of the biggest home bankers of the weekend.

Nigel Adkins’ Saints sit five points clear at the top of the Championship table (1/3 – Outright) and look good for a return to the Premier League, while Doncaster are one place and one point off the bottom spot.

Southampton’s home form is easily the best in the league with 14 wins and just two defeats, while they have won five and drawn one in their last matches.

Guly do Prado and Tadanari Lee are injury doubts for the Saints so Billy Sharp could be handed a rare start against his former club, while midfielder Richard Chaplow could return to the squad after missing out at Hull in midweek.

Dean Saunders’ Rovers are in desperate need of a win as they are four points adrift of safety following a run of just one win in six, which came at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.

Shelton Martis remains a major injury doubt for Doncaster with hamstring and calf problems, while Tommy Spurr’s absence means George Friend will contest the left-back berth with Herita Ilunga after returning to training from knee ligament damage.

Pascal Chimbonda is poised to return at right-back having missed the Millwall home defeat due to his wife being unwell, while Kyle Bennett faces a late fitness test on his toe.

Everything points to a home win, but Rovers did defeat the Saints 1-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium earlier in the season and won 2-1 on their previous visit to St Mary’s so they will have some hope of securing a result.

But anything other than a comfortable win for the Saints would be a major shock.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 1/3
Value Bet: Lambert 1st Goal Southampton To Win 3-1 Scorecast @ 22/1

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Chelsea and City to prosper

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Matters at the top of the Premier League are under the microscope in Saturday’s two live games.

The lunchtime kick-off sees Chelsea and Tottenham square off in a battle for the Champions League places, while Manchester City will hope to return to the top of the table with a win at Stoke City in the evening game.

Chelsea v Tottenham

There will be more than just local pride to play for in this London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Fifth-placed Chelsea will be looking to pile the misery on out-of-form Tottenham and close the gap between the two clubs to just two points.

The Blues have enjoyed a resurgence in form under caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo, winning four games on the bounce before succumbing to Samir Nasri’s late goal against Manchester City in midweek.

Tottenham meanwhile are suffering an alarming dip in form. After being considered as an outside bet for the title a few weeks ago, the White Hart Lane club won just two of their last nine Premier League games and have taken just one point from the last 12 available to place their spot in the top four at real risk.

Some suspect that speculation linking Harry Redknapp with the England job has had a negative effect on the team’s results, something Redknapp vehemently denies.

The statistics are also heavily against Spurs as they head to west London. For starters they have not won there since 1990, with Chelsea winning 16 of their last 24 matches against Spurs at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.

Boss Redknapp has lost his last eight visits to the Bridge as a Premier League boss, with the also Blues losing just one of their last eight home league games.

It is unsurprising then that I recommend you consider the Chelsea win, currently priced at 10/11.

With Tottenham fashioning just six shots on target across their past four games at the Bridge a Chelsea win to nil is also my tip, with a 2-0 win my prediction priced at 15/2.

Stoke v Manchester City

Manchester City’s dramatic victory over in-form Chelsea on Wednesday appeared to give them fresh impetus in a title race that looked to be slipping from their grasp.

But can they carry on where they left off at the Etihad and return to the summit with a win at Stoke?

With bitter rivals Manchester United – still 8/15 favourites to win the Premier League – not playing until Monday, Roberto Mancini’s men have the chance to strike a psychological blow in an increasingly frantic title race by leapfrogging the Red Devils in the table with a win on Saturday teatime.

However, a trip to the Britannia Stadium to face rough and ready Stoke means a return to the top is far from a foregone conclusion – even if Totesport has a Stoke win priced at a generous 5/1.

A trip to face the Potters is regularly seen as the litmus test of a side’s true talents – ‘the can-they-do-it-on-a-wet-Tuesday-at-the-Britannia’ theory.

If they are to pick up the points on Saturday though City will need to rapidly improve their away form. Mancini’s men have won just twice in the league away from Eastlands since November, losing key games at Sunderland, Everton and Swansea since the turn of the year.

So why the long odds on a Stoke victory?

Well, the Potters, despite always being a tough side to play on their own turf, have been dogged with inconsistencies of their own as boss Tony Pulis struggles to cope with the extra demands of European football.

Defeat in the Europa League last month at the hands of Spanish giants Valencia formed part of an alarming run of six defeats from eight games that saw the club spin towards the bottom half of the table.

Successive home wins over Norwich and Swansea steadied the ship but defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool – the latter in the FA Cup quarter-final – put Stoke on the back foot once more.

A battling point away at Tottenham on Wednesday highlighted the spirit found within the squad at the Britannia, but the truth is their erratic results mean it is hard to count on the Potters when they take to the field on Saturday evening.

Many feel the Chelsea result was a seminal moment on the title race – with Totesport cutting City’s odds of Premier League glory to 6/4 on the back of the victory.

But it was not just in the manner of the win that could prove significant, the introduction of the once wantaway Carlos Tevez could also be the ace card that swings the title race back in City’s favour.

The Argentine made his first appearance since September on Wednesday and immediately made his presence felt with a lovely lay-off for Nasri’s winner. Despite being likely to start from the bench again on Saturday, his odds of 9/2 to score first – or last – are well worth considering.

City’s nerves are beginning to show, so I don’t expect this to be the expansive, goal-laden outfit that we saw throughout the autumn, but they also know that these are the games they simply have to win if they are to finish the year top dogs.

To that end I expect it to be tight and tense, with the draw HT/Manchester City FT worth backing at 3/1.

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La Liga value to be had

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There is a triple header of La Liga action on Thursday which will have a big bearing on the outcomes at both ends of the table, with two Champions League chasers going head to head as well as struggling sides looking for points to beat the drop.

Real Betis started the season in promising fashion following their promotion back to the top flight but have been struggling to put points on the board of late and have slumped to 16th in the table.

The Verdiblancos do have home advantage for this clash and have been priced at 21/20 in the match betting, but there looks to be value in opposing a side that has lost their last three matches and who were recently beaten by strugglers Granada at the Benito Villamarin.

Admittedly Espanyol do not boast the best record on the road with just three wins to their name, but the Parakeets are not in seventh place in the table without reason – and they have the ability to get something from the game (Espanyol 12/5 to win, 12/5 the draw).

The Catalan side were soundly beaten 5-0 on their last trip but there is no disgrace in coming second to Real Madrid in the capital, and they have picked up points at Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao and Getafe recently – goals have been a problem for both sides though so do not expect a thriller.

Racing Santander are in the middle of an awful run of form, having not won since January 15, and now find themselves in the relegation zone and in danger of getting cut adrift.

Los Racinguistas lie in 18th place in the table but are three points away from safety and six behind the team, Betis, in 16th place, so they are desperately in need of a win.

Racing are priced at 2/1 to make home advantage count and, although that price seems attractive against a struggling side, Sevilla have the ammunition to keep the pressure on Alvaro Cervera’s men.

Racing have just three wins at home to their name this season but have also picked up points courtesy of seven draws – including Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Gijon recently.

However, goals are a massive issue and they simply do not score enough – Racing are the joint-worst scorers in the division and have mustered just nine in front of their own fans, the only team in single figures at home.

Sevilla have not been the force of old this season but have shown signs of a European charge of late with successive wins over Osasuna and Valencia, as well as a draw against Atletico.

However, they go into the game on the back of successive defeats and have fallen to 12th place in the table.

A 1-0 loss at second-from-bottom Sporting does not read too well but they can take encouragement from a 2-0 reverse against Barcelona and, having won at the Mestalla last month, they can pick up the win at 13/10, with the draw on offer at 9/4.

Again, do not expect a rip-roarer as the Sevillistas have scored a mere eight goals on the road, two of which came against Valencia.

Last but not least, the game that promises to be the most entertaining is Malaga’s match with Rayo Vallecano at La Rosaleda with the kick-off at 9pm.

Both sides will hold hopes of Champions League qualification with Malaga currently lying in fifth place, level on points with Levante, with Rayo just four points below them in the table in ninth.

Los Boquerones have spent big this season and the cash influx is starting to bear fruit, not least at home where they boast La Liga’s fourth-best scoring record – behind Real, Barca and Athletic Bilbao.

Malaga have made La Rosaleda something of a fortress, having lost just twice there all season, and it is no surprise to see them installed as 1/4 favourites in the match betting.

Rayo are no mugs on the road though with five wins and three draws in 13 games and there will be some that may be tempted by 4/1 on the away win, with the draw priced at 13/5.

Whichever way, there certainly looks to be a case for goals though as nine of Malaga’s 13 home games have gone over 2.5 goals, and four of the last five, while all of Rayo’s last six away games have surpassed that mark as well.

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City to get back on track

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There are four games taking place in the Premier League on Wednesday night with the focus largely on the top end of the table and the race for a top-four finish, although QPR are desperate for points for quite different reasons.

Manchester City v Chelsea 7:45pm

Roberto Mancini’s men appear to have faltered a little of late and have surrendered their advantage at the top of the table to currently trail arch-rivals Manchester United by four points  – and are now available at 7/4 to win the title.

Chelsea have had their own troubles this season but have seemingly turned the corner now that Roberto Di Matteo has replaced Andre Villas-Boas in the hotseat, and have won four matches on the bounce.

However, recent results should not fool anybody into believing that Chelsea are the dominant force in this fixture – and it is reflected in the betting with City priced as 10/11 favourites, with Chelsea on offer at 3/1 and the draw at 13/5.

Di Matteo’s had success – granted – but two games were against lower league opposition, the 1-0 win over Stoke was secured against 10 men and the 4-1 victory over Napoli (after extra-time)  came about because the Italian side tried to protect a 3-1 first-leg advantage, and simply could not defend crosses.

City have been dominant at home (14 wins out of 14, 42 goals scored, six conceded) and will be no soft touch with balls into their box. They also have one of the best keepers around and goal threats all over the pitch.

Vincent Kompany is a major doubt while John Terry is definitely missing for the visitors so this is certainly looking like a match with plenty of goals (5/6 – Over 2.5 Goals), as has usually been the case in matches between the top five this season.

Spurs v Stoke 7:45pm

Tottenham’s title chances appear to have been scuppered by three successive defeats in the Premier League but they cannot afford to relax from here on in, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle harbouring hopes of a top-four finish.

Harry Redknapp’s side have been perhaps unfortunate in the last two league defeats – to Manchester United and Everton – and do have a tremendous record at White Hart Lane, suffering just two defeats.

Stoke have been poor on the road, particularly of late having not won away in the league since January 2 when beating Blackburn 2-0, while they have only scored nine goals away from the Britannia Stadium.

It is surprise to see Spurs priced as 2/5 favourites in the match betting with the draw on offer at 7/2 and the Potters at 8/1, still not quite big enough, but Tony Pulis’ side are a resilient bunch and can make life tough (10/3 Draw/Tottenham – Half-time/Full-time).

Everton v Arsenal 8pm

Everton have hit some decent form of late, having lost one of their last 11 matches, but welcome another hot side in Arsenal, who are chasing down third-placed Spurs following three successive Premier League wins.

The Toffees have hardly made Goodison Park a fortress this season with a record of six wins, five losses and three draws, but have recently turned over Manchester City, Chelsea and Spurs.

David Moyes’ men are available at 21/10 in the match betting, while punters may also see value in the 11/8 offered about the Gunners, while the draw is priced at 9/4.

Everton are a funny bunch after suffering a recent 3-0 nightmare in the Merseyside derby before failing to make home advantage count in the FA Cup against Sunderland last weekend.

However, the Gunners have generally saved their better form for the Emirates and after already losing six times on the road this season, it could pay to take a chance on Everton.

QPR v Liverpool 8pm

Rangers have been in freefall for some time, having not won for two months when they beat Wigan 3-1, and now find themselves in the relegation zone, albeit just one point behind Bolton.

The Rs face a tricky run to the end of the season as they have to play all of the current top five in their last nine games, so there is little opportunity to pick and choose the matches to target.

Liverpool will be arriving at Loftus Road in good heart having won the Merseyside derby as well as booking their place in the FA Cup semi-finals, although they have only taken eight points from the last nine games in the Premier League.

Kenny Dalglish’s men are strong favourites at 4/5 in the match betting to improve those statistics, with the draw on offer at 13/5, but it could be worth taking the 7/2 about the Rs to beat Liverpool – following the abject performance on the Reds’ last trip away from Anfield, a 1-0 loss at Sunderland.

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