Tag Archives: Again

WATCH : Graham Hunter is back again with a 35/1 La Liga treble

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Barcelona were a little bit too relaxed midweek against Leverkusen in the Champions League, and now with Neymar injured, and the possibility of Messi missing out, their hopes might have to fall on a young duo up front

  • Deportivo have been good away from home this season so far, conceding on average just one goal per game. Barcelona are missing one of their in form front three. The Catalans by a single goal is
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Gary Neville is eager for his first La Liga game, but when he arrives at the ground he might not be. Eibar have been value for their position in the table, and are averaging a point and a goal per game at home. A score draw is

  • Borja Baston  has been Eibar’s top goalscorer this season, and he’s to score first , Shkodran Mustafi looked good during the week against Lyon, and is to score anytime
  • Atletico play Atletic, and I’m focusing on Raul Garcia. The midfielder has four yellows so far this season for Bilbao, and three goals to boot. He’s been sent off against them before for Osasuna, but he’s to score this time

Real Madrid are beginning to find form after their Clasico defeat, with six goals in the two matches since then. They visit Villarreal looking to close to within one of Barca

  • Bale and Ronaldo have both scored in those two games. The Welshman is to bring his tally to five for the season , Ronaldo to keep his run up
  • Roberto Soldado always seems to score against Real – but never wins. He’s to continue that streak

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Graham Hunter: Barca v Madrid again, but Atletico will be knocking on the door

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If La Liga’s your bag then it’s already clear you know your football and you know that, technically, tactically and trophy-wise it’s the best league in the world – by far. But if you like the increasing tendency for the survival of the fittest, rather than the survival of the richest, this promises to be the season for you.

  • Athletic Club have already ripped into Barcelona putting five past them in the Supercup.
  • Valencia humbled both Madrid and Atlético last season
  • Real Sociedad beat each of the ‘big three’ last term
  • Atleti defeated Madrid in the Copa final of 2013, won the title in 2014 and performed historically well against Los Blancos over the last twelve months. Four ‘derbi’ wins
  • Atleti can consider they cost Madrid title in that Barça won by just two points last May.
  • Positions three, four and five were separated by a single point each time.
  • Barça lost at home to both Málaga and Celta

Diego Simeone wiki edit

 

  • Shoot over to our latest La Liga odds: Mobile | Desktop

There is ferocious competition – it’s just that such competition, allied to mega-budgets, has forced some absolute excellence out of Madrid and Barcelona over recent years. Four Champions League titles between the clubs since 2009 is testimony to that. Frankly, La Liga’s clubs cope better with doing battle against these two than the rest of Europe does.

But while it’s not realistic to ask Sevilla or Valencia to win the title I think Atleti may be back. Or at least they look as threatening, well-organized, balanced and goal-hungry as in winning the title in 2013/14. What Cholo Simeone needs is a wee bit of help from the big two.

Madrid are in the hands of a serial winner. No-one should doubt that IF he’s not undercut by his own employers, IF he’s not caught up in a PR war between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, IF he doesn’t fall out chronically with the aggressive, quixotic, fair-weather friends of the Madrid media then Rafa Benítez’ talent, added to Los Blanco’s playing resources, could feasibly make them either Spanish or European champions.

Cristiano Ronaldo

 

  • Can Real Madrid regain their title?: Mobile | Desktop

But you get my theme? Look at the list of man-traps waiting for him there – and that’s just a sample. It’s a botch-up not to have signed David De Gea by now – Madrid conceded 17 more goals than the champions last season. Can they lock the door this time? Stocking Benítez’s two man midfield in a 4-2-3-1 – will come from Kroos, Modric, Kovacic, Casemiro. Powerful. But the front four? There’s the potential for disharmony, confusion and problems. How to fit in Ronaldo, Bale, Isco, James, Benzema, Lucas Vazquez, Cheryshev, Jesé?

“We have to reach the decisive part of the season attacking and winning games” Benítez said the other day. Madrid fans want that now. In working out your bets you may want to factor in that Los Blancos won ONCE against the rest of the top four in the league. Goal aggregate 8-13 against.

Barcelona have the talent to win another treble –  but do they have the desire or depth of squad? Resources diminished by the FIFA ban [Vidal and Arda can’t play till January and won’t be sent out on loan] they’ve also lost Xavi, Pedro and Montoya. That’s 104 appearances and thirteen goals which can only be replaced by B-team guys and the now-fit Vermaelen. Piqué’s ban means he misses the first four matches. Luis Enrique squeezed every single drop of concentration, effort, intensity and talent from his squad – even hurdled a mini crisis when he went head-to-head with Leo Messi in early January. But can he repeat that?

Lionel Messi 2013

 

  • Can Messi lead Barca back to the summit in Spain?: Mobile | Desktop

Will Benitez have the same kind of in-squad help from anyone that ‘Lucho’ got from Xavi? [Correct answer: no] Thus, can Atleti sneak in and rob the family silver? If the market closes and they have kept Antoine Griezmann and he’s paired with Jackson Martínez and Luciano Vietto with El Niño Torres showing them what playing for the Colchoneros really means then … possibly.

What a league where it’s Messi-Suárez-Neymar v Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo v Griezmann-Jackson-Vietto! No three-club strikeforces in any country in the world will outscore that lot cumulatively. Atleti can’t be considered outright favourites. But dark horses? Yes.

  • Able to work in lower profile
  • Superb coach
  • Diego Godín settled and committed,
  • Two top keepers
  • Talent, youth and huge experience in midfield
  • A deep squad –
  • A winning mentality.

Last season, before they re-stocked, I worried this might be Atleti’s first trophy-less season since 2008/2009 [which other club around Europe can boast that astonishing record?] Not so sure now. Goalscoring? The eye is always drawn to the Messi v Ronaldo battle – barring injuries they should split the top two positions. But I think the gap will narrow.

Both Suárez and Neymar look capable of increasing their tallies [without misfortune the Uruguayan will have over two months extra via which to do that compared to last season] Messi is much more focussed on trophies than scoring records and, as such, might increase his ‘assist’ tally. Not a suggestion I’d make about CR7.

David Moyes

 

  • Can Atletico Madrid challenge the top two again?: Mobile | Desktop

Benítez wants Benzema to: ‘…break the 25 goal barrier’, while both Jackson Martínez and Griezmann have all the equipment to exceed 30 goals in all competitions. Who’d be a goalie?

I’m backing Athletic for the Copa [five Cup finals reached since 2009], Marco Asensio to be the stand-out ‘revelation’ of the season, Sporting and Betis to fight it out for fans of the season … but what of David Moyes and La Real?

Shorter on goals than Danny De Vito is on centimetres this is, finally, a squad and an XI which should be competitive. But things haven’t yet ‘clicked’. Bruma’s wing-pace, the goal potential of Carlos Vela and Jonathas, Pardo’s control of midfield organisation. Moyes made them work their socks off in pre-season. But La Real couldn’t score.

They’ll should be much more robust, much less likely to be powder-puff away from Anoeta. And if things do ‘click’ they’ll fight for a Europa League place. But as Samuel Eto’o once said: ‘Goals! They are like rats up a drainpipe if you chase after them – you’ve just got to wait and let them come in their own time. Right now, La Real could do with a rat-catcher.

Happy season punters.


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Rivals ready to go again

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Liverpool entertain bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield and champions Manchester City play host to Arsenal on a busy day of Premier League action and Totesport betting opportunities on Sunday.

Liverpool v Manchester United

These two great rivals meet upon a backdrop of emotion following the release of Hillsborough documents last week. Both clubs have appealed to the fans to end the unsavoury chanting that have dogged these fixtures in recent years, but not to lose the great rivalry that makes this game so special. Liverpool (7/4) have the recent edge in this fixture, having won four and lost none of their last five games in all competitions at home to United (13/8). However, the Reds have made a stumbling start to life under Brendan Rodgers and are yet to register a league win this campaign. They have struggled for goals and with Wayne Rooney also absent for the visitors, chances should be at a premium. The best bet appears to be the 1-1 draw priced at 11/2.

Newcastle v Norwich

Chris Hughton will be guaranteed a warm reception by the Newcastle fans when he makes his first return to St James’ Park since being controversially sacked in December 2010. His successor, Alan Pardew, is equally popular after guiding the Magpies (8/11) to fifth place last season. They face a Norwich (4/1) team who are showing signs of ’second season syndrome’. After a magnificent 12th place finish upon their return to the top flight last year, the Canaries have struggled for goals this time around and are still searching for their first win. With Toon striker Demba Ba showing signs of getting back to his best with a brace at Everton on Monday, it’s unlikely City will get the points here. Back a 3-0 Newcastle win priced @ 12/1.

Manchester City v Arsenal

Both Manchester City (8/11) and Arsenal (9/5) have made solid starts to the season and will put their early title credentials to the test at the Etihad Stadium. City were taught a harsh footballing lesson at Real Madrid on Tuesday, conceding two last minute goals to lose 3-2. Meanwhile Champions League veterans Arsenal won 2-1 at Montpellier. Don’t expect goals on Sunday though, there have been just six goals scored in the last six league meetings between the two sides. All three fixtures finished 1-0 last season and history looks likely to repeat itself here, back 1-0 to City priced @ 6-1.

Tottenham v QPR

Spurs (1/2) will go hunting for their first home win of the season at the fourth time of asking against QPR (6/1) on Sunday. After a shaky start, Andre Villas-Boas’ men have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, defeating Reading 3-1 last weekend and drawing with Italian side Lazio in the Europa League on Thursday. Despite a summer of heavy investment QPR have yet to really get going this season, though they will be encouraged by a solid display in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea last weekend. They are very poor travellers though, taking just three points from their last 45 available and that run looks unlikely to improve here. Back the 2-0 win to Spurs priced @ 6/1.

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Can Chelsea stun Barca again?

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Chelsea face probably the biggest test in club football on Tuesday when they take on Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Nou Camp but will they be able to pull off one of the greatest results in their history by knocking out the Catalan giants?

Since taking temporary charge, Roberto Di Matteo has significantly enhanced his chances of getting the Stamford Bridge job on a permanent basis with some eye-catching results.

The 1-0 first-leg win last week has been THE stand-out score during his fairly brief tenure but if the Blues can secure a place in the Champions League final and knock out Barca on their own ground then that result alone could go along way to seeing him get the job in the summer (Barcelona 1/5, Chelsea 9/1, draw 9/2 – match odds).

Barcelona may have dominated possession, territory and created by far the greater amount of chances in the first game but Didier Drogba’s goal against the run of play in London has given Chelsea the edge in the tie whatever way you look at it.

They now head to Spain knowing a draw or even a 2-1 defeat will see them through to a place in Munich next month – and plenty of pundits and fans alike believe the Premier League side can finish the job.

Barca did everything but score last week, hitting the frame of the goal twice, while Lionel Messi and co failed to convert the numerous clear opportunities that would have given them the vital away goal. Chelsea know they are likely to face an attacking barrage once again at the Nou Camp so a mighty defensive rearguard will be needed once more.

However, keeping Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and Alexis Sanchez (11/8 to score anytime) quiet is one of the toughest jobs in the game, without even considering what three-time world player of the year Messi (2/1 – First/Last goalscorer) can do, so the Londonders are sure to be up against it.

Barca had in excess of 70% posession in the first leg and if Chelsea let them dominate to that extent again then Pep Guardiola’s side are set to come out on top overall, even though the visitors are sure to try and implement a gameplan to try and hurt their opponents on the break.

Real Madrid showed the Blues how to do it when they came away with a 2-1 win in Saturday’s El Clasico but the La Liga leaders certainly have more attacking threat, compared to Chelsea, in their side to make an impact at the Nou Camp.

If Barca fail to score in the first half then Chelsea’s hopes will rise considerably but, as tempting as it is to believe the Premier League side can come out on top, Guardiola’s men are too good to lose three on the bounce and their superiority should finally tell to break Di Matteo and his side’s heart.

Second-leg Prediction – Barcelona 2-0 Chelsea (11/2).

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Swans to upset odds again

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The Premier League makes a rare venture into midweek territory on Tuesday, with five games in total taking place. Most of the big names are in action, with the pick of the matches Chelsea’s trip to Swansea on what could be an eventful night in the top flight.

Swansea City v Chelsea 7:45pm

To say Swansea have punched above their weight this season would be an understatement, with the Welsh outfit many people’s favourites to go down at the start of the campaign.

However, an attractive style of football and some rock solid home form means they welcome Chelsea sitting comfortably in mid-table.  The last time the Swans played at home they claimed the scalp of Arsenal after outmanoeuvring the Gunners at their own passing game. They might have lost twice since then but it was clear Brendan Rodgers had one eye on this meeting when he sent out a scratch side at Bolton in the FA Cup.

The big guns will all be back for Swansea for Tuesday and Chelsea would do well not to underestimate them. The Blues battled to a 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday as they continued a run of just doing enough to get by in games. Their last away match in the Premier League saw them frustrated by Norwich and it could be a similar result on Tuesday night.

The Swans aren’t prolific in front of goal and even though Fernando Torres has looked bright recently he is still goal shy. Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 looks to be a good shout should this one go to form.

Despite their stuttering performances Chelsea are 4/5 to win in Wales while Swansea are a tempting 7/2 to cause yet another upset, with the draw 11/4. Either would be a worthwhile punt, depending on how brave you are feeling.

Wolves v Liverpool 7:45pm

Wolves look to be on the slide at the moment. Knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Birmingham City and turned over by Aston Villa surely must have set off the alarm bells at Molineux.

A lack of transfer activity this month will also have sent supporters in search of the panic button as they slip towards the relegation zone. One win in the last 13 in all competitions is a worrying stat and memories of their bright start to the season are long gone.

The last thing they need is a visit from a team which will be buzzing after cup victories over Manchester City and Manchester United respectively. They say a week in football is a long time and Liverpool proved that was true by bouncing back from a shocking performance at Bolton to beat the two big boys from Manchester.

The Reds’ away form may not be brilliant recently but they will be flying and have way too much for Wolves, who are without a whole host of midfielders. Liverpool to win to nil at 7/5, or the Reds to win by any score at 8/11, should be the way to go.

Everton v Manchester City 8pm

City have had a week to think over their Carling Cup exit to Liverpool and will return to Merseyside with revenge in mind. Roberto Mancini’s men haven’t been particularly impressive lately but are still getting the job done in the Premier League.

The title is the priority this season and they will know they will have to win at Goodison Park to maintain their three-point lead, with Manchester United expected to roll over Stoke on Tuesday.

However, winning at Goodison has been a problem for City recently, with just two wins in 14 at Everton. The Toffees might be struggling for players but David Moyes will certainly make sure they are a tough nut to crack.

You can get 10/3 on it being a draw half-time/City winning at full-time and that looks a great price given how City have performed in the first half of games recently. Mancini’s men are 5/6 for the win outright, with Everton 7/2 and the draw 5/2.

Elsewhere on Tuesday there should be comfortable wins for Tottenham and Manchester United as they play host to Wigan and Stoke respectively. Spurs are 2/9 to beat the Latics at White Hart Lane, while United are 2/7 to take their cup frustrations out on the Potters.

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Rojita to reign in Spain again

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Bet on SpainFollowing Spain’s shock defeat to England on Saturday, the nation’s under-21s get their chance to impress on Monday when they face their Swiss counterparts in Cordoba (Spain 1/4 for the win).

Much like the senior side, ‘La Rojita’ have been pretty much all conquering in the last few years and were impressive winners of the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark last summer.

Their form has continued and they currently sit top of their qualifying group for Euro 2013 in Israel, having recorded an impressive 6-0 victory over Estonia on Thursday.

Head coach Luis Milla has had to bring in a number of new faces since the triumph in the summer, with the likes of Juan Mata and Javi Martinez now considered permanent members of the senior side. This hasn’t halted their progress though.

Like the full side, the under-21 team is built around a core of players from Barcelona and at the heartbeat of this is creative midfielder Thiago Alcantara. Having starred in the aforementioned success in Denmark, Thiago has been superb this season and is now a regular in the Barca line-up, with coach Pep Guardiola often tinkering with his formation just to fit the mercurial youngster in. He will undoubtedly be pivotal in Andalucía and his performance could be the difference between victory and a draw for the Spanish (19/5 for the draw).

Another Spaniard to look out for is Athletic Bilbao forward Iker Muniain who for a long time has been tipped to become one of Europe’s top players. Having resisted the advances of a number of the continent’s big clubs, he finally appears to be fulfilling his potential. Now a regular at club and international level, Muniain’s pace and trickery can unlock any defence so expect him to get on the scoresheet at some point on Monday night.

Despite all this, Switzerland (15/2 to win) themselves are not a side to be discounted and will be looking to cause an upset at the El Arcangel. Much like Spain, Switzerland are currently experiencing somewhat of a ‘Golden Generation’ but have elected to put them straight into the senior side rather than blooding them in the juniors.

They are currently in good form after beating Georgia 5-0 on Thursday. Look out for striker Steven Zuber who bagged a hat-trick in that win. Zuber is a tricky individual and could cause the Spanish rearguard some major problems. With the confidence he gained from the Georgia demolition, he will fancy his chances of making an impact.

However, despite Switzerland’s fine form, Spain on paper look far stronger. Any team with the likes of Thiago and Muniain will fancy their chances against anyone so expect a comfortable victory for the European champions (Spain 10/1 for a 4-0 win).

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Potters to rock Reds again

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The round of last-16 of the Carling Cup continues on Wednesday night with four all-Premier League ties. Stoke play host to Liverpool in what could turn out to be a torrid night for the Reds, while Everton will be out for revenge against Chelsea. Wolves face Man City and Blackburn host Newcastle to complete the night.

Stoke v Liverpool 7:45pm

The Potters have had a mixed season thus far, enjoying great success in the Europa League but struggling somewhat in the Premier League. Their best result to date came in the league meeting against the Reds when a Jonathan Walters penalty secured victory for Stoke.

Since being promoted back to the top flight Stoke have not lost to Liverpool at home, picking up two wins and two draws in the four meetings. However, the last time they played host to Liverpool in the League Cup Stoke were hammered 8-0, although that was 11 years ago.

Both managers are likely to makes changes for the clash and while Liverpool’s team might have a few more stars in it on the night, Tony Pulis has recruited wisely and should field a side capable of challenging Kenny Dalglish’s team. Stoke are 11/5 for the win, a great price given Liverpool’s recent form and record in Staffordshire, with the Reds 5/4 and the draw 23/10.

Everton v Chelsea

Up until two weeks ago Everton had a very good recent record against the Blues, avoiding defeat in the last six encounters, a run which included dumping them out of the FA Cup last season on penalties. However, a 3-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 10 days ago brought an end to that positive sequence, although Wednesday’s meeting gives them a quick chance for revenge.

While Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas has the option of rotating his squad David Moyes finds his hands are tied to a certain extent and will be forced to field a strong team. While the Toffees were somewhat fortunate to get to this stage of the competition, the chance to take the scalp of Chelsea should certainly help to raise their game. Villas-Boas will have a tough job to pick his team up after Sunday, when they played so well with nine men but got nothing from the trip to QPR.

While Everton have never beaten Chelsea in the Carling Cup Wednesday’s game will be as good a chance as any to break that duck. Everton are 9/4 in the match betting, with Chelsea 6/5 and the draw 12/5.

Elsewhere, you’d expect Man City to have a comfortable night at the office when they face Wolves, with Wanderes boss Mick McCarthy having made it clear he doesn’t think the Carling Cup is a priority. The Wolves manager is likely to field a second string and that should be no match for whoever Roberto Mancini sends out. City’s squad will be on a huge high after the weekend and Wednesday could be a long night for the Molineux faithful.

The final match pits struggling Blackburn against high-flying Newcastle in a tough-to-call encounter. The Toon are unbeaten so far this season but showed signs on Saturday that maybe their remarkable start might be coming to a close. Rovers boss Steve Kean could look at this game as a distraction or as a chance for his players to play without the pressure of battling against relegation. Rovers played well against Tottenham on Sunday and it shouldn’t come as a big surprise if they manage to end Newcastle’s unbeaten start.

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Reds ready to challenge again?

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Liverpool kick off their summer pre-season games with a friendly against Chinese side Guangdong on Wednesday amid heightened expectation that the Reds are on the up under Kenny Dalglish – but just how well can they expect to do next season?

It’s tempting to say the sky’s the limit for Dalglish’s side and nothing is out of reach for them in the 2011/12 campaign as the manager rebuilds the Reds squad and attempts to turn them into top-four Premier League challengers once again (10/1 Premier League Outright).

He has already bolstered the ranks with Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam and there are expected to be more big-name arrivals before the action gets underway for real on August 13 against Sunderland. Stewart Downing remains a top target despite Aston Villa’s determination to keep him (Villa 18/1 – Top Four finish) and a deal could be struck for the England winger if a fee can be agreed.

The former Middlesbrough man would certainly add more quality from out wide – something Liverpool were desperately short of under former bosses Rafa Benitez and Roy Hodgson – and should provide the service the likes of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will crave up front.

Dalglish has other targets in the transfer market – Newcastle’s Luis Enrique and Birmingham’s Scott Dann remain on his radar amongst others – but it is thought he will have to sell some first-team squad players before making more significant purchases.

David Ngog, Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Alberto Aquilani, Emiliano Insua and even last season’s PFA fans’ player of the year, Raul Meireles, have been tipped to leave should the right offers come in and certainly, with Henderson and Adam now on board, Liverpool have too many midfielders.

One of Dalglish’s biggest dilemmas next season might be how best to mould a successful side out of his squad – especially if he can’t shift some of the dead wood in the next month or so. Several experienced players, like Dirk Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez, Meireles, Cole and Lucas no longer appear to be first-choice under the Scot and will have to work hard to enjoy regular action.

However, the critics will say the reason why Liverpool have struggled to make an impact in the top four over the past few years is because their first-team squad has simply not been good enough and, while the likes of Lucas, Maxi and Kuyt are solid Premier League players in their own right, they are hardly the sorts who would make the Reds into a title-winning outfit (Manchester United 13/8f – Outright).

So Dalglish, well aware of that fact and determined to add more players of the calibre of Suarez, Carroll and Adam to his ranks rather than rely on those simply not up to the required standard, does still have plenty of work to do to ensure the Reds are able to compete at the top end of the table again.

Captain and vice-captain Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been keen to try and quell rising expectation levels among fans ahead of next season and have said the top four is the priority with anything else a bonus.

Without the distraction of Europe, as it stands with the players at his disposal now, fourth (5/4 – Top Four finish) might be just about the best Dalglish can hope for (and even that would be some achievement) but, with a couple more top-quality additions over the next few weeks and a streamlining of the first-team squad, the Reds might just be ready to emerge as dark horses and begin to dream about a title challenge in 2011/12.

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Drogba can haunt United again

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There are key battles at the top and bottom of the Premier League on Sunday with Arsenal’s trip to Stoke sandwiched between the Black Country derby and the title showdown at Old Trafford.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (23/20)  v West Bromwich Albion (23/10)

Wolves need to make a good start in front of their own supporters at Molineux, but they also must find a way to hold onto a lead after Fulham’s late equaliser denied them two vital points a fortnight ago.

Mick McCarthy’s side were blown away by Stoke City after that when the FA Cup finalists ensured their own safety, but there were encouraging signs in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at St Andrew’s.

Steven Fletcher (5/1 in First Goalscorer) has found the back of the net twice recently, but no-one in the Wolves line-up can match the goalscoring run that West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie is on.

The Nigerian (7/1 to score 2 or more) has scored in each of his last four appearances and his goal against Aston Villa last week made it five in six since the start of March.

Odemwingie’s pace will give McCarthy’s back four kittens and could lead to Wolves not finishing the match with eleven men on the field, although the intense derby atmosphere itself may contribute to that.

Back Odemwingie (5/1) to be the last goalscorer and West Brom (7/2) to score in both halves.

Stoke City (18/5) v Arsenal (8/11)

This is a great time for Arsenal to be playing Stoke City, just a week before Tony Pulis’s side walk out at Wembley for the FA Cup final.

The Gunners will have gained a lot of confidence in beating Manchester United without their captain Cesc Fabregas last week. And they will have to do without him at the Britannia Stadium too, although Aaron Ramsey stepped into the breach admirably on his return to the side.

Ramsey’s memories of breaking his leg on this ground could spur him and his teammates on to another big performance and with Stoke now safe and more concerned with the Cup, Arsenal should win.

The Gunners should still expect a tough match from Pulis’ side, whether he rests a few players or not, and with Arsenal not having kept an away clean sheet since mid-January and Stoke’s record of scoring 19 in their last eight home games – both teams to score looks like a certain outcome.

Back both teams to score (3/4) and Arsenal minus one goal in the Handicap (15/8).

Manchester United (5/4) v Chelsea (11/5)

Chelsea’s recent form is impressive enough to suggest they can make it an away treble on Sunday – if Carlo Ancelotti opts to play Didier Drogba through the middle in a 4-3-3 formation.

All the scribes believe he simply has to drop the misfiring Fernando Torres and return to the formula that has enabled Chelsea to boast a proud recent record at Old Trafford (three wins, two draws and four defeats in the last nine visits).

Last year’s win may have owed a lot to Drogba’s offside winner, but Manchester United were already set-up to be picked off on the counter-attack by Ancelotti’s tacical masterplan.

Wayne Rooney will give hope to the home fans, and Javier hernandez has shown he can trouble the Blues’ ponderous centre backs, but Chelsea’s midfield is stronger and should be good enough to keep the title race going to the finish.

Back Chelsea to win (11/5) and Chelsea 2-1 in the correct score market (10/1).

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Inter ’s Mourinho Proves to be the Special One Again

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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.

Related posts:

  1. Inter Milan v Barcelona Champions League Semi Final
  2. Inter Milan Can’t Afford Any Slip Ups Against CSKA
  3. Mourinho Welcomes Old Friends Chelsea To Milan


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