Tag Archives: Group

Group stage spots up for grabs

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Celtic and Dynamo Kiev will look to protect commanding first-leg leads when the Champions League resumes on Wednesday ahead of the group stage draw for Europe’s premier club competition – which includes holders Chelsea as one of 22 automatic entrants – on August 30 in Monaco.

Celtic v Helsingborgs

Celtic 1/2 draw 3/1 Helsingborgs 6/1 – 90 minutes

Neil Lennon’s men have already chalked up two wins on the road in Europe this season to improve on an otherwise shambolic away record and must feel they have excellent claims of sending Helsingborgs packing.

The Hoops have lost only one of their last eight European games in Glasgow, winning six of them, and at the weekend continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-2 win at Inverness.

Wins are rare for the Allsvenskan side in the Champions League, although a 12-year absence from the competition offers little by way of a form guide, but a 3-1 weekend defeat by Djurgaden, for whom Erton Fejzullahu scored a hat-trick, will not have raised morale.

The Swedish side will have the edge in terms of match sharpness but Celtic have goals in them and the likes of Kris Commons (13/8), Victor Wanyama (9/2) and Anthony Watt (11/8) all appeal in the anytime scorer market for what should be a home win.

Dynamo Kiev v Borussia Monchengladbach

Dynamo Kiev 5/6 draw 12/5 Borussia Monchengladbach 10/3 – 90 minutes

Dynamo were runners-up in Ukraine last season and beat Feyenoord 3-1 on aggregate in the third qualifying round, so it comes as no shock to see them priced up at odds on because of a two-goal cushion from the first leg in Germany last week.

The home side looked under the pump when falling behind at Stadion im Borussia-Park but a goal from Andriy Yarmolenko put them in front before an own goal late on gave them a deserved win.

The is the first taste of European football for Monchengladbach since the 1996/97 Uefa Cup campaign, when they eliminated Arsenal before losing to AS Monaco in the second round.

A 2-1 win at home to Hoffenheim on the opening day of the new German domestic season will have lifted spirits but Dynamo have dropped just three points from a possible 21 in Ukraine and can brag about an incredibly strong home record which has seen them go 21 months without being beaten.

Nigeria striker Brown Ideye has started the season like a runaway train and the Dynamo Kiev/Dynamo Kiev double result could have legs here at 15/8.

In Wednesday’s other games, CFR Cluj take on FC Basel having become the first Romanian club to have won in Switzerland in Uefa competition, Spartak Moscow beat Fenerbahce 2-1 last week and are looking to advance to an 11th group stage campaign and Lille must overturn a 1-0 first-leg defeat by FC Copenhagen but have not won in their last four home European games.

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Marseille can take Group F control

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Aside from the Chelsea and Arsenal fixtures, there are some intriguing Champions League matches on Wednesday. The pick of the ties sees Marseille entertain German champions Borussia Dortmund in Group F, with the French side looking to make it two wins out of two in the tournament.

Marseille v Borussia Dortmund (7:45pm)

Didier Deschamps’ team picked up an impressive 1-0 away win in Greece on Matchday One and it’s normally at home where they pose the biggest threat. The Stade Velodrome is an intimidating place to play and they conceded just one goal at home en route to the last 16 last season, before being eventually knocked out by Manchester United.

Dortmund looked good in spells in their group opener against Arsenal, but only secured a point after a dramatic late equaliser. They look like a tough side to beat at home, but their inexperienced squad may struggle on their travels.

The German side have not scored in their last three visits to France and will struggle to break down a well organised Marseille.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6.

BATE Borisov v Barcelona (7:45pm)

The 2011 champions made a stuttering start to their defence, being held to a 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp by AC Milan. That could well inspire Pep Guardiola’s squad to response in their usual comprehensive fashion so, with that in mind, watch out BATE!

The Belarusians will have a sell-out 39,600 crowd behind them and will go into the match full of confidence, after a club record nine-match unbeaten run in Europe which stretches back to last December. BATE are also 16 games unbeaten at home in all competitions, although they have lost both their previous meetings when hosting Spanish opposition.

Suggested Bet: Barca to win (-1 Handicap) @ 1/3.

AC Milan v Plzen (7:45pm)

Milan have started the season well, losing just one of their first five domestic and European games, including a 2-2 draw at Barcelona a fortnight ago. Goals have been a problem, though, in recent weeks for an injury-ravaged squad, so don’t expect a glut of scoring in this game.

Plzen have already gone through three rounds to get to this stage and the Czech champions have won three successive away games en route to the group stage.

There are no overseas players in their whole squad, who secured a 1-1 home draw with BATE Borisov last time out.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT / Milan FT @ 7/2.

Zenit St Petersburg v FC Porto (5pm)

Having slipped up to APOEL on Matchday One, expect a backlash from Zenit when they return home on Wednesday. Three-quarters of their way through the Russian Premier League, Zenit have not lost at the Petrovsky Stadium.

Portuguese sides are notoriously bad travellers in Europe and although Porto have genuine quality in their side, with the likes of Hulk and Joao Moutinho, they may find a trip to Russia too tough.

Suggested Bet: Zenit to win @ 2/1.

Bayer Leverkusen v Genk (7:45pm)

Last season’s Bundesliga runners-up started their group campaign with defeat at Chelsea, but they will prove to be a much tougher nut to crack on home soil. Leverkusen are looking to continue a three-match unbeaten run against Belgian opposition, although their league form does give Genk hope.

The Germans have lost their last three matches, scoring just one goal and conceding nine and scoring just one, including a 4-1 home drubbing to Koln. Genk will look to build on a useful draw at home to Valencia in their first Group E clash.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 4/1.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Apoel Nicosia (7:45pm)

Shakhtar started Group G with the formidable task of a trip to Porto, and were predictably beaten 2-1. But the Ukrainians achieved four straight home wins in last season’s UEFA Champions League, before losing to Barcelona in the quarter finals.

Apoel won 2-1 against FC Zenit St Petersburg in their opening game and enjoyed a decent record away from home in the Champions League two years ago. On that occasion they earned draws at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, while losing 2-1 at Porto.

Suggested Bet: Shakhtar HT/FT @ 5/6.

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England focus on Group G summit

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With the transfer merry-go-round put on the back-burner for another three months or so, the players can now get their minds back on football and the immediate focus is on the international scene with vital Euro 2012 qualifiers coming up on Friday as England (1/8 Group G Winner) look to maintain their position at the top of their group.

The Three Lions are currently level on points with Montenegro but have a superior goal difference and will be confident of taking maximum points from their trip to Bulgaria (Bulgaria 6/1, Draw 3/1, England 1/2 Match Betting).

Scott Parker has seemingly safe-guarded his future in the national set-up after leaving Championship side West Ham for Tottenham, while another summer transfer target, Gary Cahill, has to now accept that his immediate chances of European football remain with England as he will be staying at Bolton.

England opened their European qualifying campaign last September with a 4-0 success over Friday’s opposition but there are sure to be those who still feel that Capello’s men can be hit and miss.

The 4-0 scoreline may well have been different in the reverse fixture had Stanislav Angelov not missed a one-on-one chance against Joe Hart on the hour before England went straight down the other end to make it 2-0.

Jermain Defoe (6/1 First Goalscorer) scored a hat-trick at Wembley in that win but has struggled with form and injury since, and has yet to open his Premier League account this term – although Spurs have only played two games.

Andy Carroll has yet to score in the Premier League for Liverpool this season (11/0 Anytime Scorer) while England are without Darren Bent, who has pulled out with an injury.

Wayne Rooney sticks out like a sore thumb in the goalscoring markets after a fantastic start to Manchester United’s title defence with five goals in three games – but that is reflected in the betting as he is an 8/11 anytime scorer and 3/1 First or Last.

It may well be worth taking a chance on the bigger prices, depending on how Capello sets up the side, and Ashley Young is in top form following his move to Old Trafford and can be backed at 7/1 to get on the scoresheet.

Bulgaria still have a chance of making it to Euro 2012 but, lying six points behind the group leaders and losing to both earlier in the campaign, they need some big results in their last three games.

After losing those first two games, they have gone unbeaten under new boss Lothar Matthaus but two have been draws, while they have yet to score at home in the campaign.

Their record against England is poor as well as they are yet to taste victory in nine games, losing five, although they have only lost one of three previous games in Sofia.

Ivelin Popov has scored Bulgaria’s only two goals in qualifying to date in the 1-0 win over Wales and the 1-1 draw in Montenegro and is worthy of consideration at 10/1 to open the scoring for those who spy a shock.

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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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Group C there for the taking

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Bet on the Champions LeagueManchester United have had plenty of time to get themselves ready for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Valencia at Old Trafford and should be fresh following the postponement of the trip to Blackpool last weekend.

However, the clash looks far from straightforward despite the home side being 7/10 favourites in the match betting.

Both sides have already booked their progression to the knockout stages but the Group C winners still need to be decided, with United currently holding a three-point advantage having won 1-0 at the Mestalla.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have had longer to prepare for the clash, with Valencia (21/5 to win, 13/5 the draw in the match betting) losing 2-0 at Real Madrid at the weekend, but as anyone who has seen them play this season will tell you, they have not exactly set the world alight.

They certainly are a side that never knows when it is beaten but the fluency of previous seasons has not been present, while the jewel in Sir Alex Ferguson’s crown, Wayne Rooney, still has to find his best form.

There is also the small matter of a Premier League top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal on Monday which is more likely to be the priority for United, and therefore one or two players may be rested.

This is sure to be a worry for United fans and followers given the nature of the weakened team’s 4-0 hammering at the hands of Premier League basement boys West Ham in the Carling Cup quarter-final last week.

Valencia’s away form in general this season has been inconsistent (winning three, losing three and drawing one in La Liga) and they only managed a 1-1 draw at Ibrox against Rangers, but the players should take confidence from the fact they have won their last two Group C games to confirm qualification, scoring nine goals in the process.

I do not foresee a goal-fest on Tuesday night (4/5 Under 2.5 goals) but with United just needing a point to take the group, they might not be as adventurous as they could be, and a nothing-to-lose Valencia are worth backing at 21/20 in the handicap betting with a goal start.

Elsewhere in the group, there is nothing of note to play for, with whipping boys Bursaspor (5/4 to win in the match betting) attempting to at least finish on a high when they host Rangers (11/5 to win, 9/4 the draw).

However, the Turkish champions have been poor in Europe’s elite competition, losing all five games played so far, conceding 15 goals in the process and scoring just one – which came when they were already 5-0 down in Valencia.

Rangers have hardly been finding the net with regularity, just twice, but did win the reverse fixture 1-0 and boast a stronger defence, conceding only five in their five games (which includes a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford).

The Gers also have had the weekend off due to the adverse weather conditions sweeping Great Britain and I fancy them to edge another tight affair between the two (8/13 Under 2.5 goals).

Tottenham (5/4 favourites in the match betting) have been great value for their supporters on their debut season in the Champions League, scoring 15 goals in their five games so far to book qualification to the knockout stages.

Spurs currently top Group A by virtue of having a better goal difference than reigning champions Inter Milan but have a tougher-looking finale with a trip to FC Twente (2/1 to win, 5/2 the draw).

The Dutch champions are hard to beat in Enschede and have already held Inter to a 2-2 draw. They need just a point to ensure their third-place finish and qualification to the Europa League.

Spurs have been free-scoring in the Champions League, beating Twente 4-1 at home, but they may just have one eye on a massive Premier League clash on Sunday when they take on Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

Harry Redknapp’s men certainly have struggled to defend though and this could be another game that features a few goals (5/6 Over 2.5 goals).

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MacDonald aims for group stages

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Aston Villa caretaker Kevin MacDonald says he isn’t sure what team he will put out for Thursday’s Europa League game with Rapid Vienna (13/2 – 90 minutes) but insists whoever takes to the field the overall goal will be qualification for the group stages.

The Midlands club welcome their Austrian opponents to Villa Park with the tie level at 1-1 from the first leg.

Last week MacDonald fielded a side which was a mix of youth and fringe players as he looked to rest some of his big names ahead of last Sunday’s match with Newcastle.

The likes of Barry Bannan, Eric Lichaj, Jonathan Hogg and Marc Albrighton all made rare European appearances for Villa, with the likes of Curtis Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker making up the rest of the team.

MacDonald’s side did well that night and he could be tempted into sticking with a similar side for the return leg at Villa Park after being let down so badly by his first choice 11 at the weekend.

Villa were outclassed for the majority of Sunday’s game at Newcastle, eventually losing 6-0 as the Toon took full advantage of a back four who looked to be in disarray.

MacDonald can call on James Collins and Carlos Cuellar for Thursday’s game after both players were declared fit and may do so with Richard Dunne, Luke Young and Stephen Warnock all unavailable.

The defensive duo could be joined by Gabriel Agbonlahor in the starting XI for the game after he was declared fit following his goal scoring return to action in a behind closed doors game against Burton Albion earlier this week.

MacDonald admits he isn’t sure whether to keep faith with the youngsters who served him so well last week or whether he should recall some of his big guns as he looks to avoid a repeat of last year’s exit at the hands of Rapid.

“I’ve thought about throwing more of the youngsters in,” he said.

“They performed very well in a very hostile atmosphere (in Vienna).

“I’ve also thought about playing a few more of the senior players. But whatever team I put out, the big point for us is that we actually qualify and get through the tie.

“Whether it’s youngsters, whether it’s seniors, that is the most important thing.”

Twelve months ago Villa (22/1 – Europa League outright) defeated Rapid Vienna (500/1) 2-1 at home but were eliminated on the away goals rule.

Rapid Vienna (10/3 to qualify) went on to win just one of their group stage matches as they crashed out at the first hurdle and they will be keen to make amends.

The Austrian side have been on a roll of late domestically, following up their victories over Stum Graz and Red Bull Salzburg with a victory over Mattersburg at the weekend.

Peter Pacult’s side might have lost star striker Nikica Jelavic to Rangers but they are still tough to beat on the road, losing just two of their last 12 matches away from home.

MacDonald will be all too aware of the threat Vienna pose and knows he needs a good win to have any chance of taking the Villa manager’s job permanently.

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Dutch deliver in Group E opener

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Holland got off to an excellent start in Group E with a deserved 2-0 win over Denmark at Soccer City on Monday afternoon (Holland 7/1 outright).

A freak own goal from Daniel Agger put them ahead before his Liverpool team-mate Dirk Kuyt sealed the points late on.

The first half failed to excite the fans, but the Dutch were ahead within a minute of the restart and took command of the match.

Rafael van der Vaart failed to find the target with a couple of early half-chances from the edge of the area for the Dutch before the best chance of the first half arrived on 27 minutes when Dennis Rommedahl played in a cross from the right which was nodded wide of the target by the unmarked Nicklas Bendtner.

Holland could have taken the lead in fortunate circumstances on 33 minutes when Kuyt’s low cross deflected off a Danish defender and then ricocheted off Johnny Heitinga on its way over the bar.

Rommedahl drilled a fierce attempt at Maarten Stekelenburg before the Dutch shot-stopper was forced to parry away Thomas Kahlenberg’s thumping effort for a corner.

The Netherlands were in front inside the opening minute of the second period and luck played a major part in the goal.

Simon Poulsen’s laughable attempt to head clear Van Persie’s cross merely bounced off the back of Agger before clipping the post on its way past a helpless Sorensen.

The Danes could have swiftly found themselves 2-0 down if Van Persie had not produced a terrible first touch following a poor pass by Simon Kjaer.

Van Persie then sought to be the creator once again as his clipped pass into the box was turned towards goal by Van der Vaart, allowing Sorensen to produce an acrobatic save for the cameras.

Holland continued to look the more likely to score, with Sorensen pushing Mark van Bommel’s drive wide and Van Persie heading the resultant corner off target when found unmarked.

A second goal for Bert van Marwijk’s side almost arrived eight minutes from time when Sneijder’s shot deflected off Agger and looped on to the top of Sorensen’s crossbar.

The Dutch wrapped up the points with five minutes to go when Kuyt tucked away the loose ball after Elia, who had injected some spark into the game after his introduction from the bench, had seen his delicately clipped shot come back off the post.

Simon Poulsen did at least prevent the score from becoming worse for Denmark when he acrobatically cleared the ball from underneath his own bar after substitute Ibrahim Afellay had beaten Sorensen to a cross, but it was a case of too little, too late.

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