Tag Archives: crunch

Title race reaches crunch time

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It’s a potentially-pivotal day at the top of the Premier League on Sunday with both Manchester City and Manchester United in action. Roberto Mancini has already said that if his side lose they can forget winning the title but how will things pan out? Here we look at the possibilities on what’s sure to be a nerve-wracking day (totesport – Premier League).

Manchester United v QPR (1.30pm)

Pundits, fans and pretty much the whole football world will view this one as a home banker (United 2/11, QPR 16/1, draw 6/1 – 90 minutes) and who are we to argue?

United, despite from being far from their best against Fulham and Blackburn in their last two games, have managed to grind out results in typically-efficient style and the chance of a slip-up here looks remote.

Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young weighed in with the vital late goals at Ewood Park on Monday and the former’s performances of late has led to Sir Alex Ferguson eschewing plenty of praise on the former Wigan man, who could just be the player that proves to be the difference in the run-in for the Red Devils (8/1 First Goalscorer).

Chasing their 20th title, Ferguson’s men have moved menacingly five points clear of City when it matters most and another three here will leave them eight points ahead of their local rivals before they go to Arsenal, so a comfortable home win it is then.

Former United hero, but City boss, Mark Hughes, may have other ideas as his side still search for victories to move them clear of the relegation zone.

The R’s home form has picked up notably since the Welshman took over and eye-catching victories at Loftus Road over Liverpool and Arsenal last week have boosted their survival chances considerably but they still sit level on points with Blackburn and Wigan, who are 18th and 19th respectively, only just ahead on goal difference.

Sadly for Rangers, they travel to probably the worst ground they could possibly choose looking for a result so a defeat, and possibly an unwelcome return to the bottom three, beckons.

Arsenal v Manchester City (4pm)

It’s a huge game at the Emirates that follows – one City dare must not lose if they are to stand a chance of catching United.

Mancini may have unwittingly heaped more pressure on his players by declaring it a must-win game but they can go to north London and get the required result – provided the real City show up and not the imposters of the last few weeks.

The disappointing 1-1 draw at Stoke was followed up by an unlikely 3-3 draw at home to Sunderland last weekend, and that only thanks to two late goals in what was overall an extremely lacklustre display from a side going for the title.

Mario Balotelli likes his headlines, but also his goals, and the Italian, who Mancini joked this week drives him so mad at times that if he were still playing he would have to “punch him”, can again be the man for the big occasion on Sunday.

His 13 league goals have helped keep City’s title bid afloat and he is well worth backing at 7/4 to score anytime once again.

Arsenal still have plenty to play for themselves, of course, and, sitting in third, a well-placed to claim a top-four finish despite last weekend’s setback at QPR.

Chelsea and Newcastle are breathing down their necks but, aside from the blip at Loftus Road, the Gunners have been very impressive of late and City will be up against a confident side determined to get back to winning ways.

However, we sense this means slightly more to City and fancy them to get the required result to keep their manager happy and maintain their faltering title bid – if only for now.

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Crunch time in Championship

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There are three vital matches at the top of the Championship on Saturday as the race for promotion hots up. Southampton are looking good for automatic promotion and we will begin our preview by looking at their clash with Blackpool (Southampton 1/4 Championship Outright).

Blackpool v Southampton

Southampton are six points clear at the top of the table and are favourites to take the title and with it return to the promised land.

And their recent form suggests there is no reason to doubt that they will do so, with 26 points taken from the last 10 games and no defeats.

That is title-winning form in anyone’s book and it only seems a matter of time before Nigel Adkins will be plotting his tactics to try keep the Saints in the top flight next season.

But he will not want his side to falter right at the death and will be wary of the Tangerines, who are just outside the play-off zone and desperate for the points to ensure they take part in the post-season.

It has not been a good month so far for Ian Holloway’s side, who have taken just five points from seven games in March.

Defeat at Reading last time out saw them slip out of the top six and they will be looking to get something from this game regardless of the standard of opposition.

The north-west outfit will be without striker Roman Bednar, while Southampton top scorer Rickie Lambert is expected to be fit after recovering from a minor pelvic injury against Doncaster.

Southampton have drawn plenty of games on their travels this term, while Blackpool have only lost three at home and so a draw might be worth looking at here.

Odds: Blackpool 7/4, Southampton 6/4, draw 12/5.

West Ham v Reading

The Hammers take on Reading in a match that could go a long way to determining which club join Southampton in going up automatically.

Sam Allardyce’s men are just one point behind second-place Reading and so there is still everything to play for.

The Londoners have not lost in their past 10 games but have drawn seven of those matches to slip out of the top two.

The Hammers’ faithful have begun to criticise Allardyce’s style of play as there is a tradition of attractive football at Upton Park – not something that is readily associated with Big Sam.

West Ham have not won on their own patch since February 4, with five consecutive draws and it appears the fans have had enough.

Pressure is mounting and the last side that Allardyce would want to see given the circumstances is the Royals, who have taken 16 points from seven games in March and are peaking at just the right time.

Brain McDermott’s men have already won 10 times on the road this season and there is every reason to suggest they will make it 11 on Saturday.

West Ham had to play a re-arranged fixture at Peterborough on Tuesday and Reading will be the fresher of the two clubs heading into the showdown.

Odds: West Ham 5/4, Reading 11/5, draw 23/10.

Brighton v Middlesbrough

There is another clash between two sides in close proximity as the fourth-place Gulls entertain a Boro side in fifth.

Results have been mixed for the south-coast club in March with nine points from six games and they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest last weekend.

They have already won 11 times at home this season but will be facing one of the best sides away from home in the division.

The Teessiders have already picked up three points on nine occasions, which is just as well, as they have not won enough game at home to challenge for automatic promotion.

Gus Poyet’s side have lost just once in their last 10 games but do draw a lot of games and so Tony Mowbray will not be without hope after travelling all the way from the north east to Brighton.

Craig Mackail-Smith is fit for Brighton after a virus and will compete with Sam Vokes for a starting spot, while Will Buckley and Adam El-Abd are also both available.

Boro skipper Matthew Bates will be absent because of a serious knee injury suffered at Ipswich and Stephen McManus could feature after being recalled from his loan spell at Bristol City.

Odds: Brighton 6/5, Boro 11/5, draw 12/5.

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Crunch time in Europa League

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Stoke City are to be joined by Manchester City and Manchester United in the Uefa Europa League round of 32, but 19 other teams will compete for the remaining nine places on Wednesday and Thursday.

City and United are two of eight teams transferring from the Uefa Champions League – also included are FC Porto, Trabzonspor, Ajax, Valencia, Olympiacos and FC Viktoria Plzen – and join 15 teams already assured of a place in the next round.

Tottenham, Fulham and Birmingham City and Celtic await their fate in what promises to be a compelling week of European action.

The road to progress from Group A for Tottenham is not so straight-forward given the fact that PAOK are already qualified and Shamrock Rovers cannot make it through.

To qualify the north Londoners must win in Dublin, hope Rubin Kazan lose away to PAOK and make up a goal difference deficit which currently stands at five. If the two teams finish exactly level on goal difference and goals scored, Tottenham will qualify due to their higher coefficient.

Shamrock Rovers 6/1 draw 7/2 Tottenham 4/9 – match prices

In Group K, Twente have won the section and Odense are out, while Fulham are a point ahead of Wisla Krakow and have a superior head-to-head.

To finish second, Wisla must win against the Eredivisie side and hope that Martin Jol’s men lose to their Danish visitors.

Fulham 1/5 draw 5/1 Odense 14/1 – match prices

Group H is extraordinarily tight, although Braga are through as they have a superior head-to-head over Birmingham.

However, Chris Hughton’s Championship side can overtake Brugge with a victory against eliminated Maribor should the Belgian side lose because Blues have the superior head-to-head record.

Brugge won at Braga on match-day two so a draw in the return fixture would take them through as group winners.

Birmingham City 8/15 draw 3/1 Maribor 5/1 – match prices

In Group I, Atletico Madrid have qualified and a draw with already-eliminated Rennes would clinch first place.

Udinese are three points ahead of Celtic, who would go through on the head-to-head record with a victory in Italy. If the Serie A side draw they will finish second but will finish top with a win if Atletico lose.

Udinese 8/13 draw 11/4 Celtic 9/2 – match prices

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Crunch time for Messi and Co

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Regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s top-versus-bottom Group A clash between Colombia and Bolivia in Santa Fe, under-fire hosts Argentina must win against Costa Rica in Cordoba on Monday evening if they are going to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa America.

A draw will be enough to see Colombia through on Sunday and that would mean the Costa Ricans can follow them into the knock-out stages by holding the under-performing Argentines to their third successive draw of the group stage (5/1 Draw 90 Minutes).

With a game of huge meaning looming large, Argentina coach Sergio Batista appears set to press the panic button and wield the axe to his misfiring attacking line-up as he attempts to keep the nation on course for a first South American title since 1993.

Fernando Gago, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain all look set to be given a chance to save the hosts by receiving a place in the starting XI at the expense of Manchester City’s unsettled talisman Carlos Tevez, Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, Ever Banega and Esteban Cambiasso.

World player of the year Lionel Messi will be given another chance to finally replicate his Barcelona form for his country after struggling to make an impact in the opening two matches.

However, with the backing of team-mate Javier Masherano, 22-year-old Messi is confident it will be third time lucky for Argentina and they will see off Costa Rica to book a last-eight spot.

He said: “I am feeling good and looking forward to it. I am confident that the team will qualify. We will progress.”

There is an element of déjà vu looking ahead to an Argentina game as it is always felt that the pre-tournament favourites will suddenly click into gear and their big guns will fire them to victory.

But that has not happened in the opening two games and Costa Rica won’t be rolling over to make it happen for them in an encounter they will be as desperate not to lose in order to go through to the quarter-finals.

Ricardo La Volpe’s Central American tournament invitees bounced back from an opening defeat to Colombia with a 2-0 success over Bolivia thanks to second-half goals from Josue Martinez and Joel Campbell.

Their cause was helped by the fact Bolivia played the second 45 minutes with nine men following two red cards, but they will have been handed a confidence boost from the win which they should take into the Argentina match (Costa Rica 11/1 To Win 90 Minutes).

The fact Costa Rica are sitting in second place going into the final group game is a surprise given that, like Mexico, they sent a youthful squad to the Copa America as part of their preparations for next summer’s Olympics, having already featured in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in America this summer which was seen as their priority.

But to dismiss them would be a mistake and that is something Argentina cannot afford to do when they go head-to-head on Monday.

Prediction: Argentina To Win 90 Minutes @ 2/11
Value Bet: Argentina 2-0 Correct Score @ 19/5

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Arsenal to cruise crunch contest

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Arsenal couldn’t have asked for easier opponents to guarantee a place in the last 16 in the Champions League as they look for three vital points against Partizan Belgrade (25/1 to beat the Gunners) on Wednesday night.

Arsene Wenger’s side looked like they would be strolling into the knockout stages of the competition after winning their first three matches, scoring a record-breaking 14 goals in the process.

However, the Gunners’ European campaign has come unstuck recently and two defeats on the bounce – against Shakhtar Donestk and Braga – have drawn the north London outfit into a three-way fight for the top two spots.

The loss to Braga two weeks ago really hurt Arsenal and Shakhtar Donestk look as though they will secure top spot after victory over Partizan Belgrade, with the Gunners priced at 4/1 to be Group H winners.

Arsenal are only ahead of Braga in second because of their head-to-head record and now must win on Wednesday night to make sure they avoid the embarrassment of going out in the first round.

Fortunately, for Arsenal fans of a nervous disposition, they are facing a side who haven’t picked up a point from their previous five Champions League matches.

The Gunners cruised to victory in Serbia earlier this year and with the most fearsome thing about Partizan being their supporters, Wenger’s men should have no problems.

They look as though they will be without Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Cesc Fabregas, but with Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh in good form they will have too much for Partizan.

Elsewhere, things are a little more relaxed for Chelsea who have already secured top spot and will view the trip to Marseille as a chance to blood some youngsters in Europe.

But having only just squeezed past MSK Zilina with a young side at Stamford Bridge last time out in Europe, Marseille might be well worth a punt to beat the Blues at 5/4.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Everton that his side have a problem at the minute having won just one of the last six Premier League matches.

Wednesday’s match against the French champions has nothing riding on it, with Marseille having secured second spot last time out, and the only thing that might save Chelsea is Didier Drogba’s determination to get one over his former team.

Drogba (9/2 first goalscorer) is a slight injury concern but will be desperate to play at the Stade Veledrome, the ground where he made a name for himself before moving on to Stamford Bridge.

Looking a little further a field and with top spot in Group E having been sorted on matchday five there could be the potential for an upset when Basel travel to take on Bayern Munich.

The Swiss champions must win in Germany and hope Cluj beat Roma to have any hope of snatching second from the Italians.

With Bayern having already made it through to the knockout stages expect the German outfit to drop some of their big names as they continue their recovery from an injury crisis.

Basel are 19/5 to beat Bayern and with so much on the line for the Swiss outfit look for them to push Bayern close at the Allianz Arena, much like they did at home earlier in the competition.

Bayern just snatched victory thanks to Bastian Schweinsteiger in Switzerland but don’t be surprised if the result is a little different in Germany.

Elsewhere it looks as though the rest of the big names in action should have a comfortable night, with AC Milan and Real Madrid looking to round off the group stages with wins against Ajax and Auxerre respectively.

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Dowie admits crunch Hull clash

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Iain Dowie has described Saturday’s clash with Sunderland is a must-win game for Hull City, now 1/10 with totesport to be relegated, if they are to survive in the Premier League this season.

The Tigers lost their game in hand on Wednesday, going down 2-0 to Aston Villa at the KC Stadium, to leave them stuck in the drop zone.

Dowie’s side remain three points adrift of safety with three matches remaining, with Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner scoring the goals to claim the victory for Martin O’Neill’s men.

The Hull (6/5 in the match betting) boss admitted he was “disappointed” with the performance but refuses to give up hope and says they “must” take all three points against the Black Cats (21/10).

Hull’s final three matches are at home to Sunderland, away to Wigan and then a final day showdown with Liverpool at the KC Stadium.

Dowie feels the Tigers’ failure to find the net, having scored just 32 goals to date, is the biggest reason for their current predicament.

Only Wolves (28 goals) and Portsmouth (29) have scored fewer and Dowie feels they pose a bigger attacking threat in the last three games.

The temporary Football Consultant said: “We just need more goals. We haven’t put enough goals on the board all year. We had one or two great chances (against Villa) but we haven’t taken them and it’s a classic theme her.”

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who scored three goals this season, looks like missing Saturday’s game with Sunderland after suffering a nasty head injury.

The 31-year-old spent Wednesday night in hospital and Hull officials will get the results of a CT scan on Thursday.

Iain Dowie revealed the former Celtic frontman was unconscious for five minutes after colliding with Villa defender Richard Dunne.

Speaking about the Dutchman, Dowie said: “There’s real concern about how he is, but he was certainly conscious when he left the stadium.”

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