SPL/Live Euro games preview

Posted on December 17, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Bet on the SPL The weather has decimated the Scottish football programme but three fixtures have beaten the big freeze, while we will also have a look at the Spanish matches that are live on TV on Saturday.

Hamilton v Celtic

Hamilton’s last win was back on October 30 when they secured a 1-0 away win over Motherwell but November has been a tough month. Four defeats were followed by a goalless draw with St Mirren last time out and that is hardly the sort of form you want with Celtic due to visit. The Bhoys have stuttered themselves since putting nine past Aberdeen and have won only one of their last four SPL games, but they will surely be far too good for Accies, who have yet to win at home this season.

Verdict: Away win (3/10)

Value bet: Celtic to score in both halves (21/20).

Hearts v Inverness CT

Hearts are the in-form team north of the border with six successive top-flight victories, which has seen them reach the giddy heights of third in the SPL standings, with 32 points from 16 games. Inverness are, themselves, unbeaten in five with three wins and two draws and this has the makings of a cracker at Tynecastle. Hearts duo Ian Black and Eggert Jonsson are expected return from illness while Inverness midfielder Nick Ross has also recovered from illness.

Verdict: Draw (13/5)

Value bet: 1-1 draw (11/2).

Kilmarnock v Hibernian

Killie have lost just once in six top-flight games and are in decent form and will look to follow up last weekend?s victory over Aberdeen with three points against Hibs. The Edinburgh club have stuttered since their amazing victory over Rangers, with one win, one defeat and a draw last time out. Both clubs are comfortably in mid-table but a home win is predicted here in a tight contest at Rugby Park.

Verdict: Killie win (11/10)

Value Bet: Killie to win 1-0 (11/2).

Espanyol v Barcelona

Barca seem untouchable at present and Arsenal will probably find that out in the next stage of the Champions League but Espanyol must try to find a way to stop them this weekend. Espanyol are fourth in the La Liga standings but Barca have shipped just eight goals all season and seem certain to add another three points to their tally here.

Verdict: Away win (2/7)

Value bet: Barcelona to keep a clean sheet (5/6)

Real Sociedad v Valencia

Theses two clubs will be battling it out for a Europe League place or, in Valencia’s case, maybe a spot in the Champions League. Sociedad are looking to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Barca last time out while Valencia were involved in a 3-3 draw with Osasuna in their last top-flight outing. Stalemate could be the order of the day here with neither side willing to give an inch in pursuit of a European spot.

Verdict: draw (9/4)

Value bet 1-1 (1/2).

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Spurs go for Euro goals

Posted on November 1, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Tottenham take on Inter Milan at White Hart Lane in a match which should see plenty of goals (2-2 12/1 – Correct Score) if their previous encounter was anything to go by.

Boss Harry Redknapp will be hoping for big things from San Siro hat-trick scorer Gareth Bale, and there will surely be a hat-full of goals with the attacking flair on show.

Inter do not possess the best record against English sides on their travels – winning four, losing seven and drawing one match over the years and a 2-2 draw looks a good bet for the Group A clash (Spurs 13/8, Draw 12/5, Inter 8/5 – Match Betting).

Werder Bremen and FC Twente shared a 1-1 draw last time out with both sides desperate for three points. With so much at stake and goals at a premium for both sides, the Germans are fancied to claim their first win of this year’s competition by a solitary goal.

In Group B, high-flying Lyon travel to Benfica but history is not in their favour as no French side have ever beaten the Portuguese giants on their own patch – infact Lyon have only won once in European competitions in Portugal.

Records are there to be broken but Benfica have not leaked many goals and this one could be Lyon’s trickiest test so far, with a low-scoring draw looking good value.

Hapoel Tel Aviv have yet to break their duck in this season’s Champions League but they will have their work cut out against Schalke 04, who beat them 3-1 in their previous meeting.

Spanish legend Raul netted twice and is 5/1 to score the first goal in a match which will surely see defeat for an Israeli side that have scored just two goals but conceded eight in their first three matches, with Schalke, at 21/20, tipped to take the points.

Group C sees Manchester United face Bursaspor (Bursaspor 19/5, Draw 13/5, Utd 8/11 – Match Betting) and the Red Devils can concentrate on matters on the pitch with the resolution of the Wayne Rooney saga.

The England international will be absent through injury but, despite being away from home, United will not be fazed by a side who have yet to score a goal in the competition.

The Turkish outfit have offered little going forward in the group and will struggle to get past a United defence (6/5 to keep a clean sheet) that has yet to concede a European goal this term.

Rangers are the surprise team in the group and have yet to taste defeat, but Valencia will be a lot tougher at home and a Spanish win by two goals to nil looks decent value (5/1).

Walter Smith’s men have looked solid but it will be another backs-to-the wall effort for the Gers to try and get anything from this fixture and it surely only a matter of time before they finally slip up in Europe this season.

Group D looks a two-horse race and the top two meet on Tuesday in Copenhagen, with Barcelona looking to keep up their excellent record in Denmark. The Spanish giants have won all their previous matches in the country and will look to add another success against aside just one point behind them in the standings.

But the Danes are no mugs and will draw confidence from Rubin Kazan’s 1-1 result with the Catalans earlier in the campaign.

Finally, Panathinaikos travel to face Rubin Kazan with both sides in need of three points. They played out a goalless draw last time but the Russians, very strong on home soil, are favourites (8/13) and are tipped to win this one.

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Defender eyes Gunners Euro prize

Posted on October 20, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Johan Djourou thinks Arsenal are strong enough to win the Champions League this season and feels the Gunners (10/1 in Outright Winners market) are in ‘good shape’.

Arsene Wenger’s men highlighted their European credentials with a 5-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Gunners made light work of the 2009 UEFA Cup winners, with Marouane Chamakh (12/1 Champions League Top Scorer 2010/11), Jack Wilshere, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alex Song on the scoresheet.

The result leaves Arsenal top of Group H, with three wins out of three and a three-point advantage over second-placed Shakhtar (1/5 to qualify from Group H).

Europe’s top club prize has eluded Wenger to date, with the nearest he has come to lifting the trophy coming back in 2006, when Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the final.

But Djourou, who was handed a start on Tuesday in the absence of Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen, feels their time may have come.

The Swiss international said: “I think the result shows that Arsenal is ready to go as far as possible in the Champions League.

“It’s early but it shows people that we can do well in the competition. We are more or less qualified even though there are still three games left.”

Arsenal (1/8 to win Group H) can move a step closer to qualification for the knockout stages with victory in the Ukraine on November 3.

But the Gunners turn their attentions to important domestic matters this weekend, when they face Manchester City at Eastlands (Man City 13/10, Draw 11/5, Arsenal 2/1 – Match Betting) on Sunday.

Having already lost to West Brom and Chelsea, Lukasz Fabianski has targeted the clash with Roberto Mancini’s men as a must-win game.

The goalkeeper added: “It’s a massive game for us because we want to be in the title race. We want to go there for sure to win the game. We have to win it.”

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Collins downbeat on Euro hopes

Posted on October 10, 2010 by SoccerCapper

James Collins has conceded that Wales need a ‘miracle’ if they are to make it through to Euro 2012 as they head to Basel to face Switzerland (1/2 to beat Wales) on Tuesday night.

The Welsh couldn’t have made a worse start to their qualifying campaign, losing their opening two matches to Montenegro and Bulgaria, failing to score a goal in both.

Defeat in the opening game with Montenegro (11/1 to win Group G) saw the end of John Toshack’s time in charge of the Wales (50/1) team.

Brian Flynn has taken over on a temporary basis and built up Friday’s match against Bulgaria as a must win contest.

The former Wrexham boss also promised the Welsh public goals but failed to deliver as the Bulgarian’s came away from Cardiff City Stadium with a 1-0 win.

Flynn must now try and pick up his disillusioned players for the game against Switzerland, who are also winless from their first two matches.

The caretaker boss will be without some key men for the trip to Basel with skipper Craig Bellamy absent along with Sam Ricketts, Chris Gunter, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and Robert Earnshaw, most of who would have started on Tuesday night had they been available.

To make matters worse Wales haven’t won on Swiss soil for 12 years as they look to avoid losing their first three qualifiers for the first time in 40 years.

Collins has almost admitted defeat in their bid to reach a first major championship since the 1958 World Cup, claiming they can’t expect to be in the Ukraine and Poland in two years time when they have lost their first two matches.

“Miracles are needed to if we are to get second place in this group,” said Aston Villa defender Collins.

“And we can’t expect to qualify after losing our first two qualifiers.

“Everyone has to up their game and performance.

“And being one of the older players, I must show some of the younger boys how and lead by example.”

Wales fans will certainly be hoping for a better performance from the one they got on Friday night when a lacklustre team was punished by a well organised Bulgarian outfit.

Despite the qualification campaign being just two games old Wales appear to be on the brink of another collapse in their bid to reach a major tournament and are now 33/1 to qualify for Euro 2012.

With Montenegro on nine poins and England on six it would take a huge turnaround of fortunes if Wales are to reach Euro 2012.

However, Tuesday’s opponents are also desperate for a win, with Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld telling his side they must beat the Welsh if they are to reach Euro 2012.

“We desperately need a win so that we can release the tension and we have got to beat Wales on Tuesday to start our recovery,” said the German.

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Trapattoni plays down Euro fears

Posted on October 9, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Giovanni Trapattoni believes Republic of Ireland (6/4 To Qualify) still have every chance of qualifying for Euro 2012, despite a disappointing home defeat to Russia.

The Irish found themselves 3-0 behind after just 50 minutes but threatened to take a point with a second-half comeback.

Goals from Robbie Keane and Shane Long reduced the deficit and put the visitors on the back front in the close stages at the Aviva Stadium.

But Dick Advocaat’s men held on for the points and the result now leaves Republic third in Group B (Ireland 10/3 Group Winner), with six points from three games.

Despite slipping behind Russia and Slovakia (18/5 to win Group B) in the standings, Trapattoni remains upbeat about his side?s chances of making to Poland and Ukraine.

The Italian stated: “At the moment we have three teams the same and we start again the qualification. It is important now we think about our quality and our possibilities.

“Russia lost against Slovakia, now Slovakia have lost against Armenia. The qualification is not easy and there’s a long way to go. I’m sure we have the same chance.”

Ireland now face what looks like an important trip to Slovakia on Tuesday, where a positive result would leave them in a strong position in the group.

Trapattoni added: “Slovakia are a good team with good players. But we can win on Tuesday. We just need to understand immediately what happened (against Russia) and why one or two situations occurred.”

Meanwhile, the coach has indicated that he will stick with the Kevin Doyle/Robbie Keane striker pairing, despite withdrawing Wolves’ striker in the second half.

Trapattoni says he had Tuesday’s match in the back of his mind when making the change and feels Doyle and Keane “complement each other” and claims Republic “cannot do without one of them”.

Russia (20/1 Outright Winners) face a trip Macedonia on Tuesday and Advocaat believes his side need another three points to keep them in the hunt for top spot in Group B.

The former Rangers boss said: “We’re back in the group but we still have to do well on Tuesday because if we don’t do that it’s still not good.”

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Nani eyes Euro run

Posted on September 29, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Manchester United winger Nani is hoping to continue his rich vein of form into tonight’s Champions League tie with Spanish side Valencia (Match Betting – Valencia 13/8, draw 23/10, United 13/8).

The Portugal international scored a fine individual goal against Bolton on Sunday as United twice battled back to secure a point and Nani believes he is starting to find his best form since his £17million move to Old Trafford in 2007.

“I feel more confident now than at any stage in my career,” said Nani. “I know I am at a very good moment in my career and my performances have been at a high level.

“I am doing well and am playing at an important level for my team.

“That is making me confident in every game and I hope to continue that.”

Misfiring striker Wayne Rooney will play no part at the Mestalla tonight as he has been ruled out for around three weeks with an ankle injury, meaning 23-year-old Nani could again be vital for United’s prospects of taking all three points (United 9/1 to win the Champions League).

Ryan Giggs (hamstring) and Antonio Valencia (ankle) are both ruled out but midfielder Michael Carrick could play some part after recovering from an Achilles problem.

Defender Rio Ferdinand could return to partner Nemanja Vidic in defence after missing out on the trip to Bolton. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he decided not to throw Ferdinand into action at the Reebok as he felt that fixture could have been a “physical challenge” but the veteran defender is in line to face Valencia.

Michael Owen grabbed the equaliser for United on Sunday and could be handed a place in the starting line-up in Rooney’s absence and as a reward for his efforts at the Reebok. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has now scored three goals in his last two appearances and Ferguson hinted Owen could be given the nod to face the La Liga side (Owen 13/2 to score the first goal in tonight’s game).

“Michael’s performances in training have been terrific,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “I have said that since he joined us.

“The goals he has scored don’t go unnoticed either.

“He is an outstanding footballer, who has improved since he came to our club.”

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Harry Happy with Euro start

Posted on September 15, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was pleased with his side’s start to their first-ever Champions League campaign despite seeing a 2-0 lead slip away (Spurs 33/1 to win the Champions League).

The Londoners started brightly and were ahead after just 12 minutes when Werder Bremen’s Petri Pasanen scored an own goal under pressure from Peter Crouch.

The England international then doubled Spurs’ lead just six minutes later with a headed goal and Redknapp’s men dominated the opening exchanges.

However, Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida managed to reduce the deficit with two minutes of the first half remaining as he headed past Carlo Cudicini after the Spurs defence had switched off.

The German outfit were level moments after the restart when Marko Marin launched a fantastic effort past Cudicini from 20 yards as Spurs relinquished their lead.

Both sides had chances to win the game, with Werder Bremen perhaps enjoying the better opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough to take all three points.

Redknapp was pleased with his side’s display, despite seeing a two-goal lead slip away, and praised the first-half performance.

“I think that first 42 minutes was as good as you could ever see us play, we were fantastic,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“We came out, passed the ball as I’d asked them to do. We kept the ball and opened them up time and time again.

“The second goal – what a great header,” Redknapp added. “It was great play and a fantastic finish by Crouchy, and overall I was delighted with how we played.

“We’d have taken a point before we came but being 2-0 up and in complete control, as we were, obviously it’s disappointing not to have won.”

Inter Milan and Dutch side FC Twente are the other two teams in Spurs’ Group A and the reigning champions could only manage a 2-2 draw with FC Twente in Holland.

FC Twente had managed to take a 2-1 lead over Rafael Benitez’s men – thanks to a 31st minute own goal from Inter’s Diego Milito – but Samuel Eto’o came to the Nerrazurri’s rescue with an equaliser just before half time.

Elsewhere, Spanish duo Barcelona and Valenica were both in fine form.

Barca secured a 3-1 win at the Nou Camp over Panathinaikos and Valenica ran riot with a 4-0 win over Bursaspor in Turkey, while Portuguese side Benfica secured a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Arsenal take on Portuguese outfit Braga at the Emirates tonight (Arsenal 1/4, draw 9/2, Braga 11/1), while Chelsea travel to Slovakia to face minnows MSK Zilina (Zilina 12/1, draw 5/1, Chelsea 2/9).

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Keane up for Euro 2012 tilt

Posted on September 3, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Captain Robbie Keane believes Republic of Ireland are a better team now compared to when they suffered World Cup heartbreak at the hands of France last autumn (Republic of Ireland 6/4 – To Qualify for Euro 2012).

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men were denied by a William Gallas goal just when extra time loomed in Paris although Thierry Henry’s blatant handball in the build-up was clear for all to see – apart from the match officials.

Justice was seemingly done, however, in South Africa when Les Bleus internally combusted and found themselves on the way home following a dismal group campaign which saw them beaten by both Mexico and the host nation.

The Republic will be hoping their fortunes are heading in the opposite direction as they bid to reach Poland and Ukraine in two years for the 14th European Championships – a tournament they have featured in just once back in 1988 when they beat England 1-0 in the group stage but failed to qualify for the semi-finals (Republic of Ireland 3/1 – To Win Qualification Group B).

Twelve years on Keane is hoping the potential the side has shown under Trapattoni – the Republic twice held then world champions Italy in 2010 World Cup qualifying – comes to fruition.

However, the Spurs forward admits sweltering conditions in Armenia on Friday night will be testing and that avoiding defeat is the “most important thing”.

Keane said: “With the experience we have now, of course it is only going to make you a better team.

“The more experience you have, the better you are and hopefully the experience we had in the last campaign will stand us in good stead for this one.”

He added: “The most important thing is not to lose. It’s the first game and of course, you want to win every game you are involved in, and that will be the case.

“We are not going to come here looking to get a draw. We want to win the game.

“But the most important thing is certainly not to lose the game.”

Keane will win his 101st international cap in Armenia – his next big target is to score the seven goals needed to hit the half-century mark on the biggest stage – although he appears to be relieved the appearance milestone has been passed after notching a ton of games against Argentina recently.

The 30-year-old continued: “It was great to get the 100th cap but personally I am delighted that’s gone now, just to get it over with and concentrate on the rest of the games.

“We had a great chance in the last campaign – obviously, we just missed out, but hopefully that will make us stronger and more determined now to qualify.”

Elsewhere in Euro qualification Group B, Russia (8/13f – to top the group) travel to Andorra (2500/1) while Slovakia (19/5) entertain Macedonia (20/1).

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Harry hails Euro stars

Posted on August 26, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Harry Redknapp said he always believed Tottenham were capable of reaching the Champions League after seeing his side (40/1 – Champions League outright) overturn a 3-2 first-leg defeat to beat Young Boys 4-0 and reach the group stages of the competition.

The north London outfit now join rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and SPL champions Rangers in the hat for Thursday’s draw.

Tottenham have been placed in pot three, along with Rangers, and are destined to be paired with either last year’s winners Inter Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan or Lyon.

They cannot face another English side yet and as such will be paired with one of the European super powers mentioned above.

However, Tottenham (5/2 – Premier League top-4 finish) won’t mind who they are paired with after finally returning to Europe’s top competition following a 49-year absence.

The group stages alone are worth £11million to each club involved, with last season’s champions Inter Milan eventually being given £40million for winning the competition.

Spurs’ qualification for the first round had been in doubt heading into Wednesday’s game, with Young Boys holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the tie.

However, Tottenham quickly drew themselves level on aggregate thanks to Peter Crouch’s header and from then on never looked back, dominating the Swiss side.

Crouch eventually completed his hat-trick while Jermain Defoe got the other as they won 4-0 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate.

Spurs’ entry into the Champions League completes a remarkable turnaround by Redknapp, who took over at White Hart Lane two years ago with the club languishing at the foot of the Premier League.

The former West Ham, Portsmouth and Southampton manager says he always believed he could get Tottenham into the Champions League and claims this is where the north London club belongs.

“I always felt it was possible. Tottenham were a club which had underachieved for a long time,” Redknapp said.

“The potential was here if we could get the players, and it is not as if I have bought a new team, it was just about instilling a bit of confidence, getting them playing and maybe changing their attitude in some cases. They responded and we have ended up where we have.”

Redknapp went on to give further joy to Tottenham fans by claiming that Defoe (22/1 – Premier League top scorer) might not need surgery on an injured groin muscle after all.

The England striker started the game on Wednesday having revealed earlier in the day that he would need surgery after the match to correct a long-standing injury.

However, Redknapp has played down those fears, claiming Defoe didn’t feel any pain during his time he was on the pitch.

“Now he is saying he might not need it,” he added.

“We are in the hands of the medical people, but he said he did not feel anything tonight.”