Tag Archives: back

The Premier League is back!

Posted on by
Reply

The eve of the Premier League season is upon us, but we will have to wait another day or two to see the major players in action (Manchester City 5/4 to retain title).

The two Manchester clubs and Chelsea will sit back and watch the opening day unfold, with the likes of Arsenal, shy of Robin van Persie, and Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool under the spotlight.

How the Gunners respond to the loss of van Persie (8/1 top goalscorer) to Manchester United remains to be seen. They lost Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in similar circumstances at the beginning of last season and were left behind by their rivals after an uncharacteristically slow start.

Arsenal v Sunderland

Arsenal entertain Sunderland in their opener (2/5 home, 7/2 draw, 8/1 away) and Arsene Wenger will be looking for a positive reaction from his players.

The experienced boss has added quality in Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, and will be keen to put on a show for the club’s disgruntled fans (14/1 Arsenal 4-0).

Fulham v Norwich

Across London in Fulham, the Cottagers have some problems of their own, with boss Martin Jol admitting Clint Dempsey wants out of the club. The USA international has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool.

Jol’s side host Norwich City this weekend (4/5 home, 11/4 draw, 7/2 away), who have recovered from the departure of Paul Lambert and look well set for another positive season.

The Canaries have made some impressive signings and should have no problem avoiding the drop. They have the ability to cause a shock at Craven Cottage.

QPR v Swansea

Another club out to avoid second-season syndrome are Swansea City, who travel to Queens Park Rangers (10/11 home, 5/2 draw, 16/5 away).

They have lost Rodgers and Welsh midfielder Joe Allen to Liverpool, but have enough quality to stay up.

QPR were promoted along with Swansea in 2010-2011 but struggled back in the top flight. They have made a whole host of summer signings and look in good shape. They should beat a Swansea side that does not travel well.

Reading v Stoke

Reading were one of last season’s promoted sides and they face Stoke City at the Madejski Stadium (7/5 home, 9/4 draw, 21/10 away), a side they can draw strength from.

The Potters are an unfashionable club but have established themselves in the top flight under Tony Pulis.

Reading have made some excellent signings this summer, none more so than former Fulham loanee, Pavel Pogrebnyak (66/1 top goalscorer). The feel-good factor surrounding the place could lead them to victory tomorrow.

West Ham v Aston Villa

West Ham United, who achieved promotion through the play-offs at the first time of asking, entertain Lambert’s Aston Villa in their first game back (5/4 home, 12/5 draw, 11/5 away).

Villa will be hoping Lambert has brought some of the magic which saw him make a huge impact at Norwich, while the Hammers will be looking to making an immediate impact after a busy summer in the transfer market. Expect a draw in East London.

West Brom v Liverpool

Liverpool’s first game of a new era comes at West Bromwich Albion (10/3 home, 13/5 draw, 17/20 away).

Rodgers has not come in and made wholesale changes. However, the signing of Allen is key. He made Swansea tick and Rodgers will be hoping he can pull the strings in the Liverpool midfield.

Liverpool will look more fluent this term, but might have to wait for their first win of the season.

Newcastle v Tottenham

The day ends with a mouth-watering clash between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur on Tyneside (13/8 home, 23/10 draw, 7/4 away).

Spurs will be led for the first time by Andre Villas-Boas and will be without Luka Modric, while the Magpies are buoyed by the arrival of Vurnon Anita from Ajax. It looks set to be a tough baptism for the former Chelsea boss.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

SPL back after dramatic summer

Posted on by
Reply

It’s been a traumatic time over the summer for many involved in Scottish football, following Rangers’ much-publicised financial meltdown. But the new SPL season kicks off this weekend and there will be many clubs just keen to just get on with the game.

For so long, the top of the Scottish Premier League has been made up of the Old Firm duo of Rangers and Celtic but, with the former demoted to the Third Division after their liquidation and subsequent reformation, there will be a new look and fresh feel about the table in 2012-13.

Rangers’ absence offers the likes of Dundee United, Hearts and Aberdeen the chance to push Celtic, while Dundee, who have finally been given the go-ahead to replace Rangers, join their city rivals in the division and are already looking forward to the renewal of the Dundee derby on August 19.

Saturday sees five games taking place with defending champions Celtic’s hosting of Aberdeen in the lunchtime kick-off the highlight.

Celtic v Aberdeen

Neil Lennon, like many SPL managers this summer, has had to work prudently in the transfer market and has only added goalkeeper Fraser Forster to his squad, while several squad players have been moved on.

However, the Bhoys are expected to get off to a perfect start (Celtic 1/4, Aberdeen 10/1, draw 5/1 – 90 minutes betting) and are likely to have too much for  the Dons in the season’s opener. A correct score bet of 2-0 looks tasty in this at 11/2.

Prediction: Home win.

Hearts v St Johnstone

The Tynecastle clash between these two, in contrast, is less clear-cut although the Jambos are favourites to come out on top (Hearts EVS, draw 5/2, St Johnstone 13/5 – 90 minutes odds) and get their campaign off to a winning start.

Last season Hearts finished just two points ahead of the Perth-based club with the duo fifth and sixth in the final standings, so there was little to choose between them across the campaign. Expect this game to be tight as well with a draw at 5/2 worth backing.

Prediction: Draw.

Kilmarnock v Dundee

Dundee (3/1 – 90 minutes betting) have been hoping to get the nod to replace Rangers all summer but the late confirmation of their place in the top flight has meant a few months of uncertainty for boss Barry Smith. He says his side are relishing a tilt at the SPL this season even though he admits it has been difficult strengthening his squad.

Killie (10/11, draw 12/5) finished a respectable seventh last term and will hope for something similar in 2012-13. Only Jeroen Tesselaar and Rory Boulding have been recruited so far and their opposition, as SPL newcomers, will be up for the challenge at Rugby Park but a narrow home win still looks on the cards here.

Prediction: Home win.

Ross County v Motherwell

This is one of the stand-out opening-day games with many predicting County will put on a good show in the SPL following their impressive title-winning campaign in Division One last term.

Boss Derek Adams has been one of the busier managers over the summer and the signings of Ross Tokely, Gary Glen, and Martin Scott look astue buys.

Motherwell finished third, though, last season and will be difficult first opponents for County (17/10, draw 9/4). Stuart McCall is another manager who has had to shed several players from his squad but there is still enough quality there to ensure they claim the three points. Back an away win at a tempting 8/5.

Prediction: Away win.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Blades set to bounce back

Posted on by
Reply

Having come so close to securing a return to the Championship last term, Sheffield United (League One outright 6/1) should be able to finish the job in League One this time around.

The Blades (7/4 League One promotion) were cruelly denied a return to the second tier of English football, as they went down to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town in a thrilling penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.

What will have hurt the red half of the city more will be the fact their arch rivals Sheffield Wednesday did secure promotion but it should not be too long before the men from Bramall Lane meet their old foes in the league once again.

Like Wednesday, Huddersfield and teams like Stoke City and Leeds United have seen in the past, League One is a tricky competition to get out of.

Disappointment tends to precede success and under manager Danny Wilson they certainly have an experienced man in the game, who should be able to get them promotion if not claim the title.

However there are plenty of teams in the mix for the League One crown, who will certainly have a big say as to who will be celebrating come the business end of the season.

MK Dons (8/1 League One outright) are a side that have spent far too much time in the third tier and it’s about time they put a decent run together and challenged for the automatic places.

Manager Karl Robinson is a relatively young talent in the game and at 31-year-old already appears to be having a strong influence on the team.

Everything is in place at this club to achieve great things, from the impressive 22,000 seater stadium to an exciting manager but of course it all comes down to the players and who the Dons (5/2 League One promotion) can bring in over the summer.

From the teams that have come down from the Championship last season, Coventry City (11/1 League One outright) look like they could be the best of a group that are in bad positions.

Both Portsmouth and Doncaster Rovers have their troubles and the financial situation with the Sky Blues is dubious too.

However with signings like the promising John Fleck from Rangers, the club can still attract talent and they should be able to challenge for at least the playoff places, if not better, but a strong start will be crucial.

Much of lower league football is about momentum and how often have we seen sides leap through the tables when they grasp that winning mentality?

The likes of Swansea City and Norwich City have proved it can be done and Swindon Town (3/1 League One promotion) look like a side who could make another quick rise.

They will certainly be outsiders for the title this season but under eccentric and passionate manager Paulo Di Canio they have a man who will not be content with a mediocre season in mid-table.

So keep an eye out on the Robins, who could be there or thereabouts come May next year, when all will be decided in what looks set to be an intriguing season in League One.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Spaniards set to bounce back

Posted on by
Reply

Following the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals this week, the odds point to an all-Spanish final, with Real Madrid (8/13 – To Qualify) and Barcelona (4/11) fancied to make it to Munich on May 19.

Surprisingly both La Liga outfits slipped to first-leg defeats, with Real going down 2-1 to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena while Barca found Chelsea a tough nut to crack and slumped to a 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.

But both sides are expected to bounce back on home soil after Jose Mourinho’s men secured what could prove to be a priceless away goal in Germany while Pep Guardiola’s side just need to beat the Blues to progress and, given their Nou Camp record this season, it would take a brave man to back against the reigning champions.

However, it must be noted that no side has ever retained the Champions League since it came into existence in its current format back in 1992 which sounds a note of caution over piling your mortgage on the holders.

Now in its 20th season since the evolution from the old European Cup, the Champions League final has pitted teams from the same nation together on just three occasions – Spain in 2000 when Real Madrid faced Valencia, in 2003 when AC Milan took on Juventus and four years ago when Manchester United met Chelsea in Moscow.

So the stats seem to point towards one of either Real or Barca failing to justify favouritism to qualify for the final although, by the same token, history is always waiting to be made and Real’s away goal just about swings it in their favour.

As far as Barcelona are concerned, they are the current 11/10 outright favourites and their home form this season suggests they will at least contest the final.

The Catalan giants have won 27 games out of 30 at the Nou Camp this season – the other three matches were drawn – scoring 104 goals in the process and conceding just 16 times.

True, not all of their opponents have been in the class of Chelsea whose old guard are staging one last stand but next Tuesday could well represent a game too far for a club who seem to be playing off the cuff since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas.

The young Portuguese manager seemed to have a plan over revamping the squad, however he forgot to factor in the need to secure results while doing so and paid the price with his job.

Caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo seems to be taking games as they come but that is mainly down to having no other choice given the short-term nature of his mandate at the helm of what is now a top European club.

As a footnote, Barcelona (4/6 – 90 Minutes) entertain Real Madrid (3/1) in El Clasico at the Nou Camp on Saturday night knowing defeat would give their arch-rivals and current La Liga leaders a seven-point advantage with four games to come after this weekend.

The game at the Bernabeu ended 3-1 in Barca’s favour last December and another win for Guardiola’s men this weekend by the same scoreline pays out at 12s.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Milan to get back on track

Posted on by
Reply

After losing their place at the top of the Serie A table following their surprise home defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday, AC Milan (6/5 Serie A outright) have the perfect chance to get back on track when they travel to Verona to face Chievo on Tuesday evening.

The Rossoneri have led the league for most of the season, but injuries and suspensions appear to be taking their toll and Domenico Di Carlo’s men will fancy their chances of causing an upset at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi (Chievo 5/1, draw 13/5, AC Milan 8/13 – 90 minutes).

Chievo have once again upset the odds this year and are currently on a run of four games without defeat. Despite their limited resources, Di Carlo’s men have impressed this term and are still in with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe.

Much of their success is based on a strong work ethic built around the midfield diamond of Luciano, Michael Bradley, Luca Rigoni and Frenchman Cyril Thereau.

However, they do have a few star players and for over a decade, striker Sergio Pellissier has been their talisman. The captain has once again led his charges in superb fashion this season but has only returned a disappointing tally of six goals this season. He has scored in his last two matches though and will be looking to continue his run of form on Tuesday (Chievo 8/1 to win 1-0 – correct score).

Milan look like they’re starting to struggle and they haven’t won in any of their last four games in all competitions. This has seen boss Massimiliano Allegri’s position come under severe scrutiny but his cause has not been helped by injuries and suspensions to a number of key players.

Going into the match, the San Siro side will be without the likes of Mark Van Bommel, Thiago Silva and Alexandre Pato due to injuries while Alberto Aquilani, Daniele Bonera and skipper Massimo Ambrosini are also ruled out through suspension.

However, they can still call on the likes of Robinho and the temperamental Zlatan Ibrahimovic to aid their cause, but it is likely to be one of their more unsung heroes who could make the difference.

Chievo are renowned for their battling performances and Milan will have to match them in this area of the game if they’re to have any chance of winning and in Antonio Nocerino they have possibly the country’s best. The 27-year-old signed from Palermo in the summer and has taken over Gennaro Gattuso’s role in the side as their ball winner. His display could be vital to the outcome of the match.

Both sides will be confident going into the game, however, Milan, despite their injuries and suspensions should just have enough quality to beat the Gialloblu but it will certainly be a tight game (Milan 5/1 to in 1-0 – correct score).

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Back Blues to continue play-off charge

Posted on by
Reply

Birmingham’s 54th game of a already jam-packed season sees them travel to Lancashire on Tuesday to take on Eddie Howe’s Burnley, who are hoping to end a disappointing season on a high.

Following last season’s relegation, this campaign has seen a period of rapid change at Birmingham, with a raft of players taking their Premier League wages elsewhere and even their manager, Alex McLeish, jumping ship to their near neighbours Aston Villa.

With last season’s Carling Cup success meaning Europa League football this season, new manager Chris Hughton has had to juggle a busy domestic and European schedule as well as rebuilding a squad dismantled following relegation.

It is to his credit then that the Blues are well in contention for a play-off place. Last weekend’s 3-1 win at Doncaster lifted them fourth, with race for a top six spot becoming increasingly frantic.

Burnley, meanwhile, will be disappointed not to have been competing at the top end of the Championship this year. They were in the Premier League only two years ago but have failed to re-adapt to the rigours of the second tier since relegation.

Manager Brian Laws was sacked in December 2010 after a poor start to that campaign and highly-rated boss Eddie Howe was brought in from Bournemouth to guide the Clarets up the table. An eventual 8th place finish raised hopes of a sustained promotion push this campaign.

However, they find themselves well out of the play-off picture down in 16th place – well clear of relegation trouble but 10 points off the top six.

They will go into this game full of confidence after a 5-1 hammering of relegation-threatened Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday – their first win in eight games – as Howe aims for a strong finish to a below par year.

Their form at Turf Moor is a concern and a principal reason for their lowly league position. Only four sides have won less games on their home ground the Burnley this season. They have, however, only conceded 22 goals on home turf, with only two sides in the bottom half conceding less.

Those stats therefore would point to a narrow Birmingham victory but it pays to note that the Midlanders have built their promotion challenge on solid home form rather than away results; with 11 wins, eight draws and just one defeat at St Andrew’s this season. On the road they have already lost nine games – more than any other side in the top ten.

With poor home form meeting poor away form, making an accurate forecast is tricky, but with the season reaching its conclusion, City’s push for the play-offs could prove decisive.

Their spot in the play-off places is only secured by goal difference, with Blackpool, Brighton and Middlesbrough all joining the Blues on 63 points. Therefore the chance to move three points clear is one City will be loathed to turn down.

Therefore our tip is a narrow 1-0 to the Blues priced at 6/1, with the draw/Birmingham HT/FT forecast also worth considering at 9/2.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Back Celtic to bounce back

Posted on by
Reply

Last week’s Old Firm defeat to Rangers may have delayed the SPL party for Celtic, but they still go into Sunday’s game with St Johnstone holding a healthy 15-point advantage over their city rivals, meaning it is only a matter of time before they will be crowned champions.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon had been forced to angrily defend his players earlier this week following their loss at Rangers and a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in the League Cup final drew stinging criticism from the media.

The defeat at Hampden brought to an end a unbeaten domestic run that stretched back 26 games, something to consider when deciding your bets on this fixture.

Lennon’s ire has also been directed towards referee Calum Murray, who sent him to the stands at Ibrox last weekend as well as dismissing Celtic duo Cha Du-ri and Victor Wanyama.

After being asked to explain his comments by the SFA, Lennon promptly skipped his pre-match press conference on Friday, wary of talking himself into more trouble.

That represents far from ideal preparation for the visit of the Saints and perhaps an outward sign that the pressure is starting to affect the previously unruffled Hoops boss.

Meanwhile, Steve Lomas’ men are enjoying a fine season and are well on course to secure European football after their win at Inverness in midweek lifted them three points clear of Dundee United in fourth place.

They go into the game having won four of their last five games – including the last three – and have yet to lose since February 11.

They are also the only Scottish team to have beaten Neil Lennon’s men at Celtic Park this season, a 1-0 win in Glasgow on August 21 thanks to a goal from defender Dave Mackay.

Their enticing odds of 15/2 therefore suddenly become a viable option. A repeat of last August’s 1-0 win also brings home tidy odds of 14/1.

To do so though would be dismissing the strength of Celtic’s recent domestic run. A poor start to the season saw them fall 12 points behind Rangers at one stage, but their resurgence in form has stretched through to the spring and they now stand on the brink of a 43rd SPL Championship.

They may just be four places apart in the table, but the gulf between the Old Firm is vast and for that reason I think Lennon’s men will raise their game on Sunday.

The odds of 1/3 for a home win will not really payout, so value could be found in the correct score market.

Celtic have conceded just six goals at home this season while St Johnstone have just let in 10 on the road, so goals look set to be a premium. My prediction therefore is for the narrowest of Celtic wins, with a 1-0 home victory priced at a more favourable 6/1.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

City to get back on track

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Red Devils to get back on track

Posted on by
Reply

The Premier League action continues on Sunday with two games that could have huge implications for the outcome of the season at both ends of the table with leaders Manchester United (4/7 Premier League outright) travelling to Molineux to face struggling Wolves while top four-chasing Newcastle host Norwich.

The early game sees relegation candidates Wolves take on United in what promises to be a superb game with both sides desperate for the points (Wolves 15/2, draw 4/1, United 4/11).

The Molineux side are currently on a shocking run of form having won only once in 2012 and, despite a change in manager, have continued to struggle. However, they beat United last season and are sure to take heart from that result going into Sunday’s game.

If they are to have any chance of winning, the performance of striker Kevin Doyle will be vital. The Irishman’s form has dipped this season but he appears to be motivated for this match after commenting in the press this week that he feels the ‘pain’ of his side’s recent poor form.

On the other hand, United are currently flying in the league and, after going ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, are now favourites to retain the Premier League. However, they were thoroughly outplayed against Athletic Bilbao in the week but will see their elimination from the Europa League as a positive, as it means they can fully concentrate on the title race.

Their player to watch will surely be their talismanic striker Wayne Rooney (8/11 to score at anytime). The England international struggled at the San Mames but still managed to get on the score sheet and will be looking to have a big impact on Sunday’s game.

United will be confident going into the game and, although Wolves will put up a good fight, the Red Devils should win comfortably.

The late game sees Newcastle take on Norwich in a match that could be a real cracker as both sides like to play attacking football (Newcastle 4/5, draw 11/4, Norwich 7/4).

After a brilliant start to the season, Alan Pardew’s men have struggled to keep pace with the top teams and haven’t won in their last four league games.

Key to them getting back on track on Sunday could be the performance of striker Papiss Cisse (5/2 to score at anytime) who has somewhat of a point to prove after being dropped for last Monday’s defeat at Arsenal.

The Senegalese international has struggled to adapt to life on Tyneside since his January move but is expected to start against Norwich and will be looking impress both his manager and the club’s fans.

Despite being expected to struggle at the start of the season, Norwich currently sit comfortably in mid-table, fourteen points clear of the relegation zone. They will be looking to claim all three points as a win could just about seal their Premier League future.

With Newcastle likely to have the majority of the ball, the performance of the Canaries’ skipper Grant Holt will be vital if they’re to win. The experienced targetman was expected to struggle with the pace of the league but has adapted well and Paul Lambert’s men now rely on his ability to maintain possession.

However, with home advantage, Newcastle should win, but it will certainly be close.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Back Yellow Submarine to rise

Posted on by
Reply

Bet on La LigaVillarreal host Getafe in a rare Monday night game for La Liga which sees the meeting of two sides who are nervously looking over their shoulders after a disappointing season to date (Villarreal 5/6, draw 5/2, Getafe 3/1).

Villarreal’s nightmare season got even worse with a shock 2-1 defeat to rock-bottom Real Zaragoza last weekend. Two goals in the final five minutes gave Zaragoza just their fourth win of the entire campaign and continued Villarreal’s shocking form on the road.

They have now lost nine, drawn three and won just once in their 13 away games this season.

It is hard to believe that Villarreal actually finished fourth in La Liga last season, qualifying for the Champions League, but that defeat at Zaragoza has left them in 17th place, just three points above the drop zone.

The result also means a win against their Madrid-based opponents on Monday is even more important if they are to avoid dropping further into the relegation mire – the frightening prospect of going down is suddenly a very real one.

The visit of Getafe – who are just two places and two points better off – represents a huge opportunity for the Yellow Submarine to gain an advantage over a relegation rival, jump up three places in the table and create breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.

On paper they should take the points. Villarreal have an impressive record versus Getafe at home, winning six and drawing one of their last seven meetings.

You also have to consider their impressive form at El Madrigal, despite their poor league position.

Villarreal have lost just once all season in the league on their home ground – a crazy statistic if you look at their position in the table. Indeed, only Barcelona have lost less at home in the league.

Their haul of 20 goals scored is also only bettered by one team outside of the top six.

The Azulones meanwhile haven’t won in their last five, and have won just three times on the road this season.

The return of Marco Ruben is another reason to put your money behind Villarreal. The Argentine has hit seven goals in 22 appearances and is set to return from injury after missing last weekend’s defeat.

Therefore, despite their woes and actually being below Getafe in the table, it is well worth backing José Francisco Molina’s men for the win.

A 2-0 victory is a handy priced 7/1, while a Villarreal half time/full time is another option at 15/8.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.