Tag Archives: Barca

Barca can gain La Liga revenge

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Spain may still be basking in the glory of their stunning Euro 2012 success earlier this summer, but the new La Liga season is just around the corner. Here we look ahead to the new domestic campaign and, in particular, the title battle.

The Spanish top flight kicks off over the weekend of August 18-19 and, predictably, Real Madrid are favourites to retain their crown with totesport making them odds-on at 4/5 to be celebrating again come May.

In fact, a quick check of the outright odds reveals that it is expected to be a repeat of last term and a straight fight between Real and their great ‘El Clasico’ rivals, Barcelona (11/10 – Outright), for the top prize in 2012-13.

Jose Mourinho’s men ended up winning the league last term by nine points and got the better of Barca in the crucial April clash to make amends for their early home defeat against the Catalans. Those three points helped seal the title after a season that had ebbed and flowed but with the capital-based club usually just about holding the upper hand.

It could, of course, be very different in the coming season with Barca sure to want to reclaim their crown and prove there is life after Pep Guardiola at the Nou Camp.

New coach Tito Vilanova has inherited the star-studded squad and also has another one of Spain’s summer heroes to utilise this season after the capture of Jordi Alba from Valencia was confirmed during the European Championships. Alba has emerged as a world-class performer and will slot into left-back as first choice to plug what had become somewhat of a problem position for the Blaugrana last term.

His addition to a squad already containing Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano (to name just five) is a frightening prospect for the rest of La Liga.

But that’s not all. On top of his arrival, Barca are also set to welcome back star striker David Villa, who is expected to be fully fit for the start of the season after recovering from the broken leg he suffered in December. If he stays fit, Villa could be the difference in 2012-13 and his goals could help wrestle the title back from Real’s grasp.

Mourinho and co will, obviously, have other ideas. Some fine-tuning might be undertaken by the Portuguese coach at the Bernabeu and he is looking to add Luka Modric to his midfield from Spurs. If that move comes off – and it is by no means a certainty with Manchester United also very keen – then Real will be an improved outfit for next term because the Croatia star appears born to play in Spain.

Away from the big two, and next on totesport’s outright market, come Malaga and Atletico Madrid – both priced at 50/1. But, sadly for both clubs, the best they can hope for is third and they are expected to trail the big two by a significant margin come the business end of the season. Valencia are on offer at 66/1, meanwhile, but it would surely be a wasted bet to look anywhere else other than in Barca or Real’s direction when considering who will lift the title.

The La Liga race between the two great rivals is set to be as intense as ever, then, and expect it to be closer in the final weeks than last season.

Real will not give up their crown easily but Barca, with Villa back and Alba in, should just have the edge.

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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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Barca ready for Real test

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There are plenty of big derby matches in football but given the stature of the clubs and the animosity between the fans the biggest derby in Europe takes place on Saturday when Real Madrid travel to Barcelona for what could be the a title-deciding El Clasico.

Barcelona v Real Madrid

You don’t need a history lesson to understand that these two clubs aren’t the best of friends and take great joy in getting one over on each other. In recent times it has been the Barcelona fans who have been doing the majority of the celebrating, losing just one of the last 14 encounters with Real.

That sole victory for Los Blancos came in last season’s Copa del Rey final, and even then they needed extra time to dispatch the Catalonians. Given the way the league has shaped up this season you could describe Saturday’s match as a final, with Real looking to protect the four-point lead they enjoy over Barca.

The gap at the top had been 10 points but a run of 11 straight wins for Barcelona has seen them claw back Real, who have won eight and drawn three in that time. With four games to go after Saturday’s Clasico you wonder whether Jose Mourinho’s men will be able to hold their nerve if they do lose at the Nou Camp.

Real haven’t lost in the league since the first meeting between these two clubs in December but come into the match off the back of a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. You might argue Mourinho’s men had one eye on El Clasico, given how important it is, but given recent performances it could well be the tension getting to Real.

They know a win on Saturday will all but hand them their first La Liga crown in four years, ending Barcelona’s domination in Spain. Given the importance of the game, and with the ‘Special One’ in the dug-out, no one would be surprised to see Real employ negative tactics in a bid to get something out of the game.

With that in mind it is no wonder Real are 4/1 for the win, with Barcelona 4/6 and the draw 3/1.

Mourinho’s tactics in previous encounters have been to press Barcelona high up the pitch and chase everything. However, Real looked tired on Tuesday night and to do that at the Nou Camp for 90 minutes will take a super-human effort.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola must feel as though he has Mourinho#s number given the way his team has outplayed Real since the Portuguese tactician took over. The 5-0 win for Barca in the league meeting between the two last season must have been a humbling experience for Mourinho as it showed the gulf in class.

Today, that gap has shrunk, but not enough to persuade you to back Real at 4/1. Given how many times this game has taken place recently you can guess what is going to happen: Barca will dominate possession, Real will lose their cool and eventually their discipline before Guardiola’s men strike.

The Barcelona coach will be looking for a reaction from his team after Wednesday’s defeat at Chelsea so expect them to come out all guns blazing, in particular Lionel Messi after his mistake led to the goal at Stamford Bridge.

The Argentine genius has scored the first goal eight times for Barca this season and is 5/2 to do so again. Contrast that with Cristiano Ronaldo – who has the same number of league goals as Messi – at 5/1 and you know which way we think the game is going to go.

Both teams will score, there is no doubt about that given Barcelona’s defending, but the home side will get more on their way to dispatching Real like they do any other team which comes to the Nou Camp.

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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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Barca can bury Valencia

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Barcelona know they cannot afford another La Liga slip up this weekend with the pressure likely to be turned up again if Real Madrid (1/12 in Match betting) win at home to Racing Santander (22/1, Draw 9/1) 24 hours before Pep Guardiola’s men tackle Valencia.

Real Madrid v Racing Santander

Jose Mourinho’s side are in awesome form, having won all seven of their Primera Division matches since the 3-1 home defeat to champions Barca in December.

That has seen Real forge a ten-point lead, threatening to dethrone the Catalan club from their lofty perch for the first time since 2007/08.

Mourinho appears to have fostered this run while being in conflict with key players in his squad, but, with 16 matches to go, Real fans are beginning to count off the 13 wins they need to collect a record 32nd La Liga title.

Opponents Racing Santander are sat in the bottom three, but Juanjo Gonzalez’s side have picked up three useful points in the last three weeks against top six outfits Valencia, Levante and Atletico Madrid.

It would be foolish to discount the Verdiblancos’ chances of upsetting the form book altogether, but their record at the Bernabeu suggests this should be a home win for Mourinho’s men.

There is no value to be had in the match markets by backing a Real Madrid win at 1/12 or 2/9 to be ahead at half and full-time.

But it could be worth a punt on Racing Santander being level at half-time only to lose the match after 90 minutes.

A draw/Real Madrid bet (9/2) would have paid out in each of their last three home Primera Division matches – when they fell behind to Atletico, Real Zaragoza and Levante only to level up before the interval.

Barcelona v Valencia

Barcelona got back to winning ways in midweek with a typical Champions League display against Bayer Leverkusen when they enjoyed a whopping 75 per cent possession in the first half.

Barca led at half-time, courtesy of Alexis Sanchez’s first Champions League goal, for the 14th time in their last 18 European matches, but they conceded straight after the break – highlighting their worrying defensive weakness.

Guardiola must be concerned about the number of goals his side are shipping, eight in six matches since the win at the Bernabeu – costing them five points in the title race.

But they have been better defensively at home, where they have only allowed three opposition goals – so it will be tough for Sunday’s visitors Valencia (9/1 in Match Betting) to add to their problems (Barcelona 1/4, Draw 5/1).

Valencia have had 48 hours less rest than Barca, who played on Tuesday night, after their 1-0 win at Stoke in the Europa League, but Los Che rested key players ahead of the trip to the Nou Camp.

Roberto Soldado will be their main hope of getting a goal against the champions, while left-sided duo Jeremy Mathieu and Jordi Alba have caused havoc against Barca when Brazilian full-back Dani Alves has been exposed defensively.

Guardiola left Alves out of the first leg of their recent Copa del Rey tie and he may decide that Carles Puyol is his preferred choice at right-back on Sunday.

But Barcelona will surely win the game and with some cheeky suggestions that Valencia could pinch second place from them if they continue their domestic decline, expect the home side to be ruthless in their play once more.

Barca to win 4-0 is 10/1 and 5-0 is 18/1 in the correct score market and these odds may look quite generous if Lionel Messi is on his best form.

The Catalan club have won their previous five home league games against Valencia with a combined score of 17-1.

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Barca to edge El Clasico

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Spain’s two giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona, meet again on Wednesday, this time in the Copa Del Rey, and both sides will be looking to get one over on their bitter rivals (Real Madrid 13/8, drew 23/10, Barca 13/10 – match prices).

Barcelona have once again dominated the ‘Clasicos’ this season coming out on top over two legs in the Super Cup in August before coming back from an early goal down to win 3-1 and silence the Bernabeu crowd in December.

However, despite their apparent weakness when it comes to facing Barca, Real Madrid certainly have the talent to beat them and possess arguably the world’s best squad. Furthermore, while other coaches sometimes demean certain competitions, Jose Mourinho always goes out to win every game and is sure to put out a strong side.

After so many disappointing displays against the Catalan club, it is surely time for Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo (9/2 first goalscorer) to produce a world class performance against the ‘Blaugrana’. The Portuguese star seems to play well for his side every week but has hit the buffers against Barca. It often appears as if he trying too hard in these matches rather than playing his natural game but having scored the winner in last season’s Copa Del Rey final, he may feel less pressure and could finally show his class in possible the biggest club game in world football.

On the other hand, Barcelona will of course be full of confidence going into the match and after yet another stunning year in 2011, will be looking at Wednesday’s match as the perfect chance to get 2012 off in the same  vain.

Pep Guardiola has so many stars to pick from with world class players in defence, midfield and attack. However, three time Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi (9/2 first goalscorer) must surely be their one to watch. The little Argentine is undeniably the planet’s greatest talent and unlike Ronaldo always plays well on the big stage. He also has a superb scoring record against the Madristas and will be an almost certain bet to continue his run at the Bernabeu.

However, for all their dominance, Barca may have one weak link on Wednesday and that will be in goal where Antonio Pinto is likely to star ahead of Victor Valdes. The veteran only plays in the Copa Del Rey and Guardiola appears to be loyal to him whoever they face in the competition. However, he is not in the same class as Valdes and has a habit of making big mistakes. His performance could prove vital and will undoubtedly have a bearing on the game.

With the game being played over two legs neither team will want to give too much away in the first meeting meaning it could be a tight encounter. However, with Xavi and Andres Iniesta in their side Barca can unlock any defence, however tight and should just nick it (Barcelona 9/1 to win 2-1).

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Barca set to start with a bang

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After their superb El Clasico victory over Real Madrid on Saturday, Barcelona has flown to Japan to take part in the Club World Cup and face an opening semi-final against a talented Al-Sadd side (Barcelona 1/33 in the match betting).

Pep Guardiola’s side were truly impressive at the Bernabeu and bounced back from an early setback to beat their great rivals 3-1 and, after a string of good performances in Europe, look like they could once again claim the league and Champions League double (Barcelona 13/8 Champions League outright).

However, their attention now turns to the Club World Cup which they qualified courtesy of winning last season’s Champions League and will understandably be doing all they can to win their second world title in three seasons.

Following Saturday’s triumph, Guardiola is likely to rest a number of his key players for the semi-final but this hardly means he is weakening his team and will still be able to call upon the likes of Thiago, David Villa and Javier Mascherano.

However, the one to watch could be winger Pedro Rodriguez who has lost his place this season and will be desperate to recapture his position in the starting line-up. The talented winger was the star of the 2009 edition of the tournament, netting twice which helped him to become the first player to score in six different competitions in a season.

His form continued onto the international stage as he was one of the stars for Spain when they won the World Cup in South Africa. However, first-team opportunities have been limited this campaign so, with him likely to start, he’ll be desperate to put in a good performance to remind Guardiola of his capabilities and maybe earn a place in the team for the final and beyond.

Al-Sadd (25/1 to win in 90 mins) qualified for the tournament by virtue of wining the Asian Champions League and will be looking to cause an upset after an impressive victory against Tunisian side Esperance. The Qatari side have a number of players who may be familiar to football fans as they boast the likes of Mamadou Niang and Ivory Coast International Abdul Kader Keïta.

However, their big name is arguably former Portsmouth full-back Nadir Belhadj, who has a superb left foot. During his time at Pompey he was courted by a number of the top sides in Europe but chose to move to Qatar where he has flourished and is truly one of the stars of their league.

Despite the Qatari side’s talented players though, the Catalan giants should run out comfortable winners regardless of a likely weakened line-up as they boast plenty of strength in depth – and they should go on to beat Santos in the final (Barca 11/2 to win 4-0).

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Barca, Bayern & Juve sitting pretty

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As they approach the winter break, Barcelona, Bayern Munich (1/3 German Bundesliga 2011/2012 Outright) and Udinese (10/1 Serie A 2011/2012 Outright) made significant moves in their domestic title chases at the weekend while Juventus have a chance to return to the Serie A summit tonight against injury-hit Roma.

Barcelona’s 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu on Saturday night brought them back on to level points with their title rivals Real Madrid, although Jose Mourinho’s side have a match in hand.

However, the psychological damage that Barca’s win inflicted on Madrid minds will be measured in the wees to come – making it possibly fortunate for Real that La Liga shuts down for three weeks after this weekend’s round of fixtures.

In Germany, Bundesliga favourites Bayern won 2-1 away at Stuttgart while title holders Borussia Dortmund failed to beat struggling Kaiserslautern – all but ensuring that Jupp Heynckes’ side will be the winter champions.

Bayern hold a three-point lead and 10-goal advantage over Dortmund going into the last round of fixtures this weekend with Bayern at home to Cologne on Friday night.

Schalke are only three points behind Bayern ahead of their clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday after hitting a rich vein of form which has seen them take 16 points from the last seven Bundesliga matches.

Juventus (6/4 – Serie A Outright 2011/2012) face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico tonight as Antonio Conte attempts to capitalise on a weekend slip-up from AC Milan, who drew 2-2 with Bologna.

Napoli also lost ground when they only managed a 1-1 draw away to lowly Novara while Inter, down in 10th place, already appear to be out of the title race.

Juventus (23/20 – Match Prices, Roma 5/2, draw 11/5) will be without injured ex-Roma striker Mirko Vucinic but Conte has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal with red hot striker Alessandro Matri (9/2 – First Goalscorer) and Italian international Simone Pepe expected to start.

This match could be the last-ever Serie A clash between two ageing gods of Italian football with Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero hoping to make an impact off the bench while Roma icon Francesco Totti is fit again after ankle trouble.

But under-fire Roma coach Luis Enrique is struggling for numbers at the back and may even press midfielder Daniele De Rossi into action as an emergency centre-back with Simon Kjaer and Marco Cassetti having joined the long list of injured Giallorossi defenders.

Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro and Fabio Borini are also injured while defender Juan, midfielder Fernando Gago and striker Bojan Krkic are suspended after picking up red cards in Roma’s 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina last week.

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Barca edge closer to Fab deal

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The worst-kept secret in football could unravel in the coming weeks if, as expected, Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas completes his move back to Barcelona.

Barca have made no secret of their desire to return their former youth star to his homeland and club president Sandro Rossell told Catalan station TV3 this week that the Spain international is “doing everything he can to come”.

The north Londoners, priced at 7/1 in the Premier League outright market, are likely to take a dim view of Rossell’s assessment of their star midfielder but may now decide the time is right to cash in on a player who managed only three goals in 25 league appearances in an injury-interrupted 2010/11 season.

Fabregas has a contract at Arsenal which runs until 2015 so the club is under no pressure to sell but manager Arsene Wenger may take the view that a deal in the region of £30m would be difficult to turn down given that the emergence of Jack Wilshere and the return from injury of Aaron Ramsey leaves with him plenty of options.

If the Gunners also manage to keep hold of France international Samir Nasri then this would also represent a major shot in the arm.

For the 8/15 La Liga title favourites the signing of Fabregas is logical given that Camp Nou maestro Xavi is now the wrong side of 30 and his midfield partner in crime, Andres Iniesta, is into his peak years at the age of 27.

Pep Guardiola will be aware that good teams come in cycles and the signing of Fabregas – and coveted 22-year-old Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez – would help reduce the age of his La Liga and Champions League-winning squad.

Arsenal have been here before – think Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira – and the potential loss of Fabregas would surely diminish their hopes of preventing a seventh season without a major piece of silverware.

It is looking increasingly likely that they will have to get over that hurdle without their captain and talisman.

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Barca set to justify the hype

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On the face of it, spectators will be treated to a footballing feast when Barcelona take on Manchester United in the Champions League final on Saturday at Wembley but will it be as straightforward as the betting suggests? Here is a look ahead to the showpiece finale.

All and sundry are extolling the footballing virtues of the Catalan giants and it is no surprise to see them installed as the favourites to win the match in 90 minutes, although it is subjective whether Evens is a true reflection of their chances.

United have seemingly not been at their imperious best this season but that has not stopped the Red Devils from securing a record 19th domestic league title, while also progressing to their third Champions League final in four seasons.

There will obviously be those who believe that 11/4 on a United win is too big a price to miss (with the draw on offer at 12/5) and it certainly offers value for a side that time and time again proved its resilience this season to come up with the goods when it mattered.

United of course are the only unbeaten side in the Champions League this season with nine wins and three draws, while they boast the best defence having conceded just four goals – and none away from home (United 16/5 to keep a clean sheet).

Javier Hernandez (6/1 First/Last Goalscorer, 7/4 Anytime) has proved a sensational bargain buy last summer and is forming an impressive understanding with Wayne Rooney, who has been steadily getting back to his better form.

And there are plenty of other weapons for Sir Alex Ferguson to certainly offer a viable threat to a Barcelona victory.

However, Pep Guardiola’s men are not widely regarded as the best side in the world without good reason – although maybe suggestions they are the best ever is a little premature.

The Blaugrana also boast the best player on the planet in Lionel Messi and he has been nigh-on impossible to stop this season, leading the Champions League scoring charts with 11 goals and looks set to become the first person to do that for three consecutive seasons.

The Argentina ace’s exploits are reflected in the betting as he is the 7/2 favourite to score the first/last goal and 4/5 to find the net at anytime, while Barca can be backed at 2/1 to win with Messi on the scoresheet.

United’s defence, which coincidentally has not performed as well on the road domestically, will undoubtedly be tested as Barca are the leading scorers as a team with 27 goals and the midfield will be needed to stifle the artists in the shape of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, as they try to restrict the supply line to the forward trio.

Possession is key to either side’s chances and Saturday’s protagonists are the top two in the competition with Barca controlling 62% of their games and United 58%.

United know all too well what Barca are capable of having lost 2-0 in Rome in 2009 and may well try to attack the Catalans more than they did on that fateful night.

The Premier League champions are more than capable of scoring and the thinking is there will be goals on offer on Saturday (Over 2.5 available at 5/4) but Barcelona look set to emulate their win of 1992 and win at Wembley once more.

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