Tag Archives: Cards

Yorkshire stalemate on the cards

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Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is sure to receive a hot reception on Friday evening when he takes his Leeds United team back to the city to play Sheffield Wednesday (Sheff Wed 5/4, draw 12/5, Leeds 21/10) but will he have the last laugh and come away from Hillsborough with the points?

Warnock enjoyed an eight year spell with Sheffield United, his boyhood club, between 1999 and 2007, guiding them to the League and FA Cup semi finals in 2003 and a lone season in the Premier League during the 2006/07 campaign. His appearance in the away dugout on Friday night therefore will add even more spice to what is already set to be a feisty Yorkshire encounter.

The Owls secured promotion back to the Championship in dramatic fashion last May, nudging ahead of their near neighbours United on the final day of the season. But their return to England’s second tier has been a chastening one of late. The Yorkshire club have won just twice in the league all season and are without a victory in eight games across all competitions.

Their lowly position of 22nd suggests this season is set to be a long and arduous one unless boss Dave Jones can turn things around quickly. The former Southampton and Wolves manager was only appointed as Gary Megson’s successor in March, but knows a defeat on Friday could put his future at risk.

Should Wednesday lose and other results go against them, they could easily find themselves bottom of the table come Monday morning.

Leeds United meanwhile are gathering a head of steam ahead of what could be a sustained challenge for the play-off positions. They have risen up to seventh place following a four-game unbeaten run, while they also overcame Premier League side Everton in the Capital One Cup in September.

However, Wednesday fans will be hoping the form book goes out of the window when the two teams take to the field. The influence of 30,000 home supporters in a sell-out crowd could prove pivotal.

The last time these two sides met at Hillsborough was way back in 2006, when Leeds came away with a 1-0 victory. The Owls had their revenge in the return meeting at Elland Road however, winning 3-2 in March 2007.

Of the 42 games played in South Yorkshire, The Owls have recorded 20 wins while United have come away with 13 victories. Local derbies are always difficult to predict and despite the two teams’ contrasting form, the support of the home crowd should act as a great leveller.

Warnock thrives under such adversity though and he will expect some big game performances from some of his star players. This looks a game where the fear of losing overrides everything else, meaning the draw looks a decent bet. The 0-0 draw is priced at a tempting 15/2, with even more value found in the half-time/full time market.

Wednesday will no doubt come flying out of the blocks, but questions remain over their ability to sustain a level of performance over 90 minutes, meaning Leeds should be allowed back into the game. The Sheff Wed/draw HT/FT bet is tantalisingly placed at 12/1 and is worth considering.

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England goal glut on cards

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England will look to stack up the goal difference in their favour when international whipping boys San Marino arrive at Wembley for their Group H World Cup 2014 qualification showdown on Friday.

Roy Hodgson’s men comfortably put five past Moldova away from home in their opening group clash before being held by Ukraine at Wembley so it could be that qualification goes down to goal difference and goals scored in what is already looking like a tight group.

England (2/5 Group H winner) will be aware that current group leaders Montenegro stuck six past San Marino in their own backyard so it is no surprise that they are 1/100 to come out on top on Friday evening.

However, the real value will be looking at the correct score and anytime goal scorer markets as the Three Lions will no doubt tear into their opposition, who are officially ranked as the joint-worst team in the world by FIFA.

They have lost their last 19 competitive matches ‘to nil’, conceding 101 goals in the process, an average of just over five per game so expect the San Marino net to ripple on numerous occasions during this match.

Hodgson does have injury and suspension problems to contend with going into the match as captain Steven Gerrard is suspended following his red card for two bookings in the Ukraine clash, Glen Johnson is also banned while Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand have joined Kieran Gibbs on the sidelines having withdrawn from the squad on Thursday because of respective knee and illness issues.

But, that should not have a detrimental impact on the outcome of this match as it will be one-way traffic throughout.

Looking at potential score-lines and England have not scored six since the 6-0 drubbing of Andorra in 2009, while their last seven-goal haul came against San Marino in Graham Taylor’s last game in charge when the Three Lions recovered from falling behind to an early goal to win 7-1 in late 1993.

Punters who feel England are not prolific in games against teams of San Marino’s stature might fancy 6/1 for 6-0 in the Correct Score market, while those fancying a double figures haul can get 20/1 for a 10-0 rout.

In the anytime scoring market it is better to steer clear of the likes of Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe, both currently 1/5, and look to the defensive players.

Kyle Walker, who will deputise for Johnson and is always liable to bomb forward down the right flank is 7/2 to find the net and left-back Ashley Cole can be backed at a tidy 9/2 to make amends for his recent Twitter outburst and grab a first goal for his country while collecting his 99th cap.

If set-piece and penalty specialist Leighton Baines is given the nod over Cole on the left side of defence with one eye on the game in Poland on Tuesday, he can be backed at 7/4 in the anytime goalscorer market.

Value Bet: England 8-0 Correct Score @ 10/1

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Milan double on the cards

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The FA Cup takes centre stage in England this weekend meaning there is no Premier League action, but in La Liga and Serie A there are plenty of intriguing top-flight ties to look forward to.

Serie A

Catania boss Vincenzo Montella has called on his side to become more ruthless in front of goal after their slide down the Serie A table of late.

Parma visit the Sicilian side on Sunday in what could well be a tight contest. Parma started the season strongly, but have slipped down the league themselves after their bright opening to the campaign, but they are still a hard team to beat.

Montella may be eager for his side to get back to winning ways, but a draw could be on the cards in this particular fixture, which can be backed at 11/5.

Inter Milan endured an abysmal start to the campaign but the Nerazzurri are in a rich vein of form and have won their previous seven league games to close the gap on current pacesetters Juventus and AC Milan.

Inter travel to Lecce and can be backed at 8/13 to take all three points, and it is hard to see Lecce getting anything out of this fixture despite the fact they enjoy home advantage.

AC Milan are just a point behind Juventus, who host third placed Udinese this weekend and the San Siro side host Cagliari on Sunday.

The Rossoneri are the heavy 1/3 favourites to take all three points and they should have no problem in seeing off the Cagliari, who sit comfortably in mid-table despite a dip in form in the last few weeks.

An AC Milan-Inter Milan double pays out at just above evens and it is certainly worth considering backing the two Milan sides to secure victories this weekend.

La Liga

Malaga have been on a shocking run of late after a decent start to the season, with three losses and two draws in their last five La Liga fixtures.

Sevilla travel to La Rosaleda on Sunday in what promises to be an interesting affair and Sevilla are 9/4 to secure the win.

Sevilla have also endured a difficult run of form but they have picked up with two draws after three losses on the spin and could well take all three points at Malaga on Sunday.

Valencia lie third in the league but their form of late has been questionable and their midweek Copa del Rey exploits may have taken their toll ahead of the trip to Racing Santander.

Granted, Santander sit just above the relegation places and it will be a huge test for the strugglers but they have impressed in recent matches.

Valencia are the 11/10 favourites, while Racing can be backed at 12/5. The draw, which is priced at 9/4, could well be the best bet in this particular fixture.

Espanyol are a formidable side on home soil and the Barcelona-based club host Real Mallorca on Saturday. Espanyol are unbeaten in five, including a hard fought draw with city rivals Barcelona and look good value at 5/6 to take all three points.

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Festive Prem treat on cards

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Three of the top four in the Premier League are in action on Sunday on what is a pre-festive treat for armchair fans and punters alike. Here we preview the games.

QPR v Manchester United (12noon)

The champions bounced back from their disappointing early exit in the Champions League with a comprehensive 4-1 home victory over Wolves last weekend but they are unlikely to find it as easy against Neil Warnock’s side in this high-noon meeting at Loftus Road.

Rangers have been tough to beat on their own patch and have already claimed the scalp of Chelsea earlier in the season. They went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Liverpool last week but will take heart from a good defensive display at Anfield as they prepare to host United.

Wayne Rooney was back among the goals last week, scoring twice, and looks in good form so should be backed to score anytime in the capital (4/5) while Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be keen to keep the pressure on Man City at the top with another win.

Rangers will try to keep it tight and patience could be key for the visitors in this one. Don’t expect a goal feast but a narrow United win at 1-0 is appealing at 6/1 while draw/United in the HT/FT market could also be rewarded at 10/3.

Prediction – Away win.

Aston Villa v Liverpool (2.05pm)

Villa boss Alex McLeish has been under pressure from the club’s fans since day one following his surprise appointment in the summer as he came straight in from arch-rivals Birmingham City.

Critics say McLeish’s style of play is too defensive and not in the mould of a side who were tipped to challenge for a top-eight finish this season. Aside from Darren Bent, they lack firepower up front and Gabby Agbonlahor has gone off the boil after a promising start to the campaign.

However, they got a good away win at Bolton last week – their first of the season on the road – and host a Liverpool side who have been inconstent this term.

Kenny Dalglish’s men are hoping to break back into the top four this season but the Reds’ problems have been in front of goal with an over-reliance on top-scorer Luis Suarez.

He may have his problems off the pitch but the Uruguayan has excelled in the Premier League and looks tasty at 9/2 to open the scoring at Villa Park.

This is a game Liverpool usually do well in – last season’s dead rubber on the final day was their first defeat at Villa Park since 1998 – but this has the makings of a tight game and the draw at 12/5 is very tempting.

Prediction – draw.

Spurs v Sunderland (3pm)

Before last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Stoke, Spurs had won their last six Premier League games to move into title contention in many fans and pundits’ minds.

However, they failed the Britannia Stadium test – a good barometer of any side’s title credentials – so they will be desperate to bounce back against struggling Sunderland.

Harry Redknapp’s side also slipped out of the Europa League on Thursday – something, though, that may end up aiding their title bid – but have been very strong at home this season as they prepare to host the Black Cats, losing just once early on against Man City.

Martin O’Neill got his tenure in charge of Sunderland off to a good start with a win against Blackburn last weekend – albeit with a last-gasp goal from Seb Larsson – and he will be determined to build on that at White Hart Lane.

But he couldn’t have asked for a more difficult first away test and will struggle to come away from London with anything (Spurs 2/5, draw 7/2, Sunderland 8/1 in the match betting).

Emmanuel Adebayor has been in good form since he signed on loan from Man City and scored last week at Stoke so looks a good shout at 7/2 to score first or last in this one.

Prediction – home win.

Manchester City v Arsenal (4.05pm)

Arguably the biggest game of the weekend rounds off Sunday’s top-flight action when leaders City host in-form Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Roberto Mancini’s side have just had their worst week of what’s been a tremendous season so far, losing their unbeaten record at Chelsea on Monday after making an early exit from the Champions League and they face another test when the Gunners visit.

If City are to maintain their lead at the top over United, they are likely to have to win on Sunday but it is no foregone conclusion they will bounce back.

Arsenal have won seven of their last eight Premier League matches to move back into top four contention and make a mockery of early-season fears that they were a club in decline under Arsene Wenger.

Unlike City, they are through to the knockout stage of the Champions League and, in Robin van Persie, have the stand-out performer of the season so far (11/2 first goalscorer).

City did triumph 1-0 when these two last met last month in the Carling Cup and will be desperate to prove the Chelsea defeat was just a blip but Arsenal can expose their frailties again on Sunday and come away with at least a point. Go for 1-1 in the correct score market at 6/1.

Prediction – draw.

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Revenge on Group C cards

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The focus remains on the international scene on Tuesday with more Euro 2012 qualification matches taking place and there is certainly money to be made for those who think there may be shock or two with only game not having an odds-on favourite.

Alternatively it could be seen as a day for home comforts with only two away sides favourites to pick up the three points, Serbia and Spain, although the selection is for Slovenia to enjoy their trip to to Windsor Park to take on Northern Ireland.

The two teams cannot be split in the match betting with both available at 8/5 and the draw on offer at 11/5, but Slovenia have enjoyed their travels in Group C so far and can come away with the three points.

Nigel Worthington’s men had enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign, winning in Slovenia before holding Italy at Windsor Park, but a draw in Faroe Islands was followed by a defeat to Serbia and the Irish have now slumped to fifth in the table.

Injuries and suspensions have now become a factor though with Kyle Lafferty, David Healy and Aaron Hughes joining Steve Davis on the sidelines, while Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is a doubt with a groin problem.

The disappointing 3-0 defeat to Scotland in the Nations Cup has also affected the coach’s thinking with Worthington opting to now give youth its head.

After a gutsy first-half in Serbia, which saw Northern Ireland lead 1-0 at the break thanks to Gareth McAuley’s header from a free-kick, the second period was one-way traffic and the defence failed to hold out.

Very little was created from open play and with more onus on attacking in front of their own fans but with limited options, the Irish may struggle to open up Slovenia and leave themselves exposed at the back.

Slovenia have come away from Belgrade with a draw, which was not behind closed doors, while they won in Estonia, and following a tight affair with runaway Group C leaders Italy on Friday, Matjaz Kez’s men can bounce back with a win.

Serbia will of course have taken heart from the second-half performance against the Irish and are expected to justify 7/10 favouritism when they travel to Estonia.

The Baltic State have already lost twice away, while they only beat Faroe Islands 2-1 at home, and Vladimir Petrovic’s men will be looking to avenge a home defeat in the reverse fixture and should have enough ammunition to get the three points.

Turkey will be relieved to get back on home soil following a double defeat in October, losing 3-0 in Germany before a succumbing to a shock 1-0 defeat in Azerbaijan.

Guus Hiddink’s men will be determined to get their campaign back on track and can even climb into second place in Group A with a win – which they are expected to do at 8/15 – with Austria missing the key trio of Franz Schiemer, Mark Janko and Zlatko Junuzovic

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An All-English Europa League Final Is On The Cards

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europa league 300x214 An All English Europa League Final Is On The Cards Based purely on the history of two-leg European ties, Fulham have a far better chance of making the first Europa League Final than Liverpool- but if Bobby Zamora isn’t fit to play, the Reds might be the better bet.

Liverpool go in against Athletico Madrid trying to pull back a 1-0 deficit from the match in Spain. On probabilities, it gives Athletico around a 55% chance of going through. Fulham managed a 0-0 result in Hamburg which should give the Cottagers a big advantage.

Teams achieving a goalless draw in their away leg triumph around 70% of the time. Roy Hodgson will be aware that his side should be favourites but Bobby Zamora’s Achilles injury has disrupted their plans.

  • Bet on Livepool or Fulham in Europa League Semi-Final Matches

Not only might they be without their main striker, Fulham have to contend with Hamburg’s extraordinary decision to dispense with their manager since the first leg. Bruno Labbadia’s team took a pasting at the weekend and are slipping down the Bundesliga table- European qualification for next year isn’t certain but it still seems an amazing gamble to take.

Liverpool should be underdogs for their tie but they have a proven record in pulling back deficits at Anfield. Benfica were brushed aside in the last round and many sides have wilted in front of the Anfield roar.

Steven Gerrard has a habit of becoming inspirational in these circumstances- the epic against Olympiakos in 2004/05 is perhaps his finest hour in a red shirt. Even without the injured Fernando Torres, there is an air of confidence around the club that the tie can be won.

Athletico have lived dangerously in their run to the semis- away goals came to their aid in both the last two rounds. They are a side who like to set up on the counter-attack and will be hopeful of picking off Liverpool if they attack too much. Against that, Athletico don’t have an iron defence and a clean sheet for the La Liga side would be a surprise.

Liverpool’s huge European experience has to be weighed against the advantage that the visitors hold. The consensus of opinion is that the Madrid team wil be worn down by the pressure.

  • Bet on Livepool or Fulham in Europa League Semi-Final Matches

Fulham should be the better English hope but without Zamora the Cottagers may find it difficult to break the German side down. Expect a nail-biting night at both venues but an all-English final to be the outcome.

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  2. Europa League Predictions: Fulham Can Hold On At Wolfsburg
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