Tag Archives: midweek

Euro midweek football bonanza

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There may be no Champions League or Europa League action this week but there are a few games taking place in Serie A, La Liga and the Bundesliga throughout the week so we thought we’d take a look at the midweek fixtures.

There is a full programme in Serie A with most of the games taking place on Wednesday, but on Tuesday Fiorentina host defending champions Juventus in what could be an intriguing contest.

La Viola have won their last two home fixtures, against Udinese and Catania respectively, scoring four goals and conceding just once, while Juve sit at the top of the table having won all four of their league fixtures to date.

The Old Lady also demonstrated their resolve and desire with a 2-2 draw at Chelsea in the Champions League, having fought back from 2-0 down to seal a share of the spoils.

Juve have won convincingly in both away games to date, beating Genoa 3-1 and Udinese 4-1 and the Turin outfit appear to be the team to beat in Italy in these early stages of the season.

Fiorentina do have goals in them, however, and have found the net in each of their last five games, losing just once against Napoli.  The hosts will provide a stern test for Juve but the reigning champions should just about edge this tie and the best bet in this particular fixture could well be the away victory, which is priced at 11/10.

If you think Fiorentina can dent Juventus’ title charge they’re priced at 13/5 to take maximum points and the draw is 11/5.

Bayern Munich failed to secure any silverware last season for a second successive campaign and the giants of German football have begin the 2012-13 season with real purpose, winning all seven of their games to date and scoring 22 goals in the process.

Wolfsburg visit the Allianz Arena on Tuesday and Bayern should stroll to victory against a side who have drawn their last two games and sit 10th in the Bundesliga table.

Bayern are 1/5 to win the match but it may be worth considering a Bayern/Bayern result in the half-time/full-time market, which is priced at 4/9.

Eintracht Frankfurt also have a 100% record in the Bundesliga after four games but they face their biggest test yet on Tuesday when they host reigning champions Borussia Dortmund.

Dortmund are yet to win on the road this season, with one defeat and one draw, yet they’re considered the 4/5 favourites to take all three points ahead of this fixture.

Dortmund undoubtedly have a stronger squad on paper than their opponents on Tuesday but they did lose a key player in Shinji Kagawa in the summer and could struggle to take maximum points on Tuesday.

Frankfurt look good value at 3/1 to seal the win on Tuesday and continue their fine start to the season, but the best bet could be the draw, which is priced at 13/5.

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Defences to win midweek battle

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Birmingham and Newcastle go head-to-head in the only midweek Premier League game and goals will be at a premium at St Andrew’s (8/13 under 2.5 goals) on Tuesday night.

Both teams have largely struggled in front of goal in recent weeks and it looks like defences will be on top when the Blues and Magpies collide (Birmingham 7/5, Draw 11/5, Newcastle 9/5 – Match Betting).

The home team will undoubtedly have their minds on other things, with the Carling Cup final against Arsenal just over a week away. Saturday’s win over Stoke was a massive result in the battle to avoid the drop and Alex McLeish is likely to call on his players not to lose the game.

Blues are now three points outside the drop zone but goals continue to be an issue for McLeish, with Birmingham scoring the fewest goals of any team in the Premier League to date – 25.

Nikola Zigic (6/1 to be first goal scorer) has scored their last three goals from open play and he will again be their main threat, although the big Serb turns hot and cold like a tap, while regular strike partner Cameron Jerome has not scored in the league since early November.

Having started against Stoke, Obafemi Martins (11/8 to score on Tuesday) is set to keep his place in the starting line-up ahead of Jerome for the visit of his former club.

Despite being without Scott Dann through injury, McLeish’s outfit remain a tough nut to crack and have won four of their last five matches in all competitions and have been unbeaten during that period.

Meanwhile, Newcastle (10/1 to be relegated) are up to tenth having lost just one of their last seven Premier League games and look on course to keep their place in the top flight this season.

Despite their lack of striking options since the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool and Shola Ameobi’s latest injury, the Magpies have managed to pick up crucial points in recent weeks to aid their survival hopes.

Aside from a freaky 4-4 draw with Arsenal though, the Toon have scored just two goals in four of their last five league matches and will struggle to break down a stubborn Blues defence.

On-loan Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland remains doubtful for Newcastle as he struggles to overcome a hamstring injury, but Shefki Kuqi could feature again after being signed as a free agent last week.

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Top 5 Midweek Tips

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There is plenty of sporting action to get your teeth into this week and here are the five best bets for those punters looking for a good value bet….

1 Villa to beat Wigan @ 11/8

Aston Villa are still well and truly in the Premier League relegation scrap, but their massive win over Manchester City may well kick-start their season. Darren Bent scored his first goal for the club on his debut at the weekend and his firepower should keep Villa moving in the right direction.

Wigan are possibly the most unpredictable team in the division, but a lack of goals could cost them against Gerard Houllier’s men and may ultimately cost them their place in the top flight.

2 Doncaster to win derby v Barnsley @ 20/21

These two South Yorkshire rivals meet at the Keepmoat on Tuesday and home advantage is likely to prove a crucial factor. Rovers have lost just twice at home this season and will be desperate to put back-to-back league losses behind them as quickly as possible.

Barnsley have lost their main attacking threat, Adam Hammill, and with just two wins on their travels may find themselves falling closer to the relegation zone.

3 New Zealand to defeat Pakistan @ 8/11

Having lost the Test series, the Black Caps are determined to turn the tide in the one-day series and already have a 1-0 lead going into Tuesday’s second ODI in Queenstown. The home side demolished the tourists by nine wickets in Wellington, bowling Pakistan out for just 124 in only 37.3 overs.

Tim Southee took five wickets in that match while Jessie Ryder smashed a half century, and New Zealand’s top order will have a key role to play in the second match.

4 Crewe to beat Bradford @ 10/11

Crewe have started to recapture their form in recent weeks and are now establishing a League Two promotion bid, following just two defeats in their last eight games. At home their form is particularly impressive, winning their last three at the Alexandra Stadium.

Bradford’s form has been patchy all season with just three wins on the road to date. Peter Taylor’s men are seventh from bottom and have lost their last three games.

5 Aberdeen to win at Inverness @ 2/1

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Celtic was Aberdeen’s first in six matches since Craig Brown took charge – that run also includes two away wins at Hibs and Hamilton. That run of results has seen them move seven points clear of bottom sport in the SPL.

Inverness may be four places and nine points above the Dons, but their form has been better on the road than at the Caledonian Stadium. In fact, Terry Butcher’s men have won just two of their 11 home games.

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Midweek Premier League previews

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With the festive fixture list underway we have a look at the games which will be coming up thick and fast over Tuesday and Wednesday as clubs look to still a march in the title race or the relegation battle.

TUESDAY

Man City v Aston Villa

City will look to continue the way they left off against Newcastle at St. James’ Park, where they picked up a richly deserved three points.
Carlos Tevez seems to be back in favour with the City fans, after his two goals and all-round work rate impressed them on Boxing Day, helping them move into second as their title odds were cut to 8/1.
City need to make Eastlands a fortress in the second half of the season to keep alive their title challenge, but Villa will be encouraged by Everton’s success there last time out.
Gerard Houllier still has plenty of critics in the stands at Villa Park, and their away record is simply not good enough – they have lost four of the last five on their travels.

Stoke v Fulham

Stoke have finally got the monkey off their backs, with Boxing Day’s 2-0 win at Blackburn being the first December game they have won since reaching the Premier League in 2008.
They have already beaten Fulham this season, albeit in the Carling Cup, and their recent record is good enough to suggest they can repeat the feat.
In their last seven games, the Potters have won four and drawn two, the home defeat to Blackpool earlier this month their only blip.
Fulham were desperately disappointing at home to West Ham on Boxing Day, especially against a team with a shocking away record and with a manager under severe pressure.

Sunderland v Blackpool

Blackpool’s recent inactivity may come back to haunt them as they have twice had games called off because of the bad weather.
However, in between their postponements they beat Stoke 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium, picking up their fourth away win in the Premier League.
Having already won at Anfield, Blackpool (15/8 to be relegated) will have few fears about going to the Stadium of Light, especially after Sunderland’s defeat to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Sunderland, though, have not lost in nine home games so far this season and have only conceded five goals in those games.

Tottenham v Newcastle

Spurs have only been beaten once at White Hart Lane in the Premier League this season, though they do average one goal per game conceded.
Tottenham continued their push for a top four finish with victory over Villa on Boxing Day and are 8/5 to achieve their goal of returning to the Champions League.
Newcastle were well beaten at home by Manchester City on Boxing Day, and have not been at their best away from the North East – they have conceded 15 goals in their eight Premier League games away from home.
The Magpies were poor in their last away game, going down 3-1 at West Brom on December 5, and new boss Alan Pardew will want to stamp his own authority on the club with some transfer movement in January.

West Brom v Blackburn

Two teams who were poor on Boxing Day hope to make a swift return to form at the Hawthorns.
West Brom lost 2-0 at Bolton, while Blackburn went down by the same scoreline at home to Stoke City.
The Baggies’ home form has enabled them to reach mid-table, they have only been beaten twice at the Hawthorns in the Premier League, though last month’s 3-0 home defeat to Stoke showed their frailties.
Blackburn fans are hardly unanimous in their backing of Steve Kean, and his time in charge could hardly have started less impressively as they hardly had a shot on goal against Stoke on Boxing Day and could have lost by more than two goals.

West Ham v Everton

The pressure is still not completely off Avram Grant, even though he has technically achieved what the board asked him to which was to win one of three specified games.
The Hammers, on their day, should be capable of beating Everton and their 3-1 win at Fulham will have boosted their confidence.
Everton have been inconsistent and badly need goals. Having their game on Boxing Day postponed might work in their favour, though, as it has eased their festive schedule.
David Moyes’ team have only won twice on their travels this season, but have kept things tight – they have drawn five away games and only conceded nine goals in as many games away from Goodison Park.

Birmingham v Man Utd

Birmingham know they can drop into the bottom three if they lose here, with both Fulham and West Ham waiting to take advantage.
The Blues have only lost once at St Andrew’s all season, but need to start turning draws there into wins – they have only three so far.
United’s away record continues to mystify; they have only won at Stoke in the Premier League, and drawn all their other six away matches.
Their 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Boxing Day kept them in pole position in the Premier League, but Sir Alex Ferguson will want them to kick on now and translate some of their home form (they have won nine and drawn one there) into away success.
Michael Owen did not make the squad for the Sunderland game, but with the festive programme set to test every team’s strength in depth it could signal a recall for the former England international.

WEDNESDAY

Chelsea v Bolton

Chelsea (2/1 Premier League outright) have been done few favours by the TV schedulers, having to play on Monday and then again two days later – especially as their first game is the tough visit to the Emirates Stadium.
They face a Bolton team high on confidence after a 2-0 win against West Brom on Boxing Day.
Owen Coyle’s men are in fifth place in the Premier League but in reality that position may be false – they have played more games than virtually all their rivals and have only won twice away from home.
Bolton only lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, and with Chelsea faltering recently they might fancy their chances of securing a point on this visit.

Wigan v Arsenal

Wigan picked up a very useful three points at Molineux on Boxing Day, and are not the easy-beats many predicted at the start of the season.
They may face a scrap against relegation until the end of the season, but they have enough flair players to suggest they can cause some upsets, including against the Gunners who they beat 3-2 at the same ground last season.
Wigan don’t score enough goals, they have only managed eight at home while conceding 17. That will encourage Arsenal, who are the second-top scorers on their travels this season.
If Arsenal can end their recent barren spell at home against Chelsea on Monday, they will go to Wigan on a high and be confident of staying on pace for a title shot.

Liverpool v Wolves

Liverpool have only lost once in the Premier League at Anfield this season, and conceded a miserly six goals there.
Wolves go to Merseyside having picked up just one point away from home this season and only scored five goals in their eight away games.
Mick McCarthy’s men will be at a low ebb after losing a ‘six pointer’ against Wigan on Boxing Day, while Liverpool will be well rested after their game was postponed.
With the Premier League being the tightest it has been for years, Liverpool know that every point is vital. They could go in either direction – the Reds are seven points behind fifth-placed Bolton, and six ahead of the relegation zone.

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Top 10 midweek football bets

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Chelsea face group F whipping boys MSK Zilina on Tuesday in the Champions League and will surely bounce back to winning ways with a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 4/7 to win to nil).

It is true that the Blues conceded three goals to Sunderland at home but Tuesday’s opponents have only scored once in their four European games this term, while letting in 15 and, while it is not a big price, surely a win to nil is a banker for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who have already qualified for the last 16.

Arsenal need a point against Braga in Group H on Tuesday to progress to the knock-out stage and they are tipped to get it against a side who could also qualify.

The Gunners have looked excellent in Europe and should be too good for Braga, but home advantage and the fact they are fighting for their lives could inspire the hosts against Arsene Wenger’s men (draw 13/5).

Rangers took a point from Manchester United at Old Trafford and will be a tough nut for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to crack at Ibrox.

United have not played particularly well this season, despite remaining unbeaten, but this could be where it all ends, with the Gers tipped to win by a solitary goal (Rangers 9/1 to win 1-0).

Tottenham have been superb in Europe and have won back-to-back Premier League matches and they can qualify for the Champions League knock-out stage with victory over Werder Bremen.

The Germans have scored just three goals in Europe this term but Spurs have scored 12 and 2-3 goals (21/20) seems a good bet, with Spurs scoring all of them.

Bayern Munich are already through to the last 16 and will probably play a weakened team at Roma who should win this one at a decent price (5/6)  to give themselves a great chance of joining the Germans.

Real Madrid have secured their passage to the knock-out stage but Italian giants AC Milan still have it all to do.

Victory over Auxerre coupled with a Madrid win against Ajax would see them progress and they are tipped to get the win at a price which could tempt many punters (11/10).

Southampton take on league-leading Brighton in a south coast clash on Tuesday and are tipped to add to their five home wins so far this season with another success.

Brighton have stuttered in their past couple of League One games and we believe the Saints will continue their five-match winning streak at St Mary’s (10/11).

Charlton have had an up-and-down few weeks but are good value to beat Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening (4/5).

The Addicks have won their last two in all competitions at The Valley and, with Rovers suffering injuries among their back line, they should make it three this week.

League Two leaders Chesterfield face an Oxford side who are just one place above the relegation zone and surely this must be the banker of the night on Tuesday.

Seven wins already at home means they will be full of confidence and are a decent price to make that eight against the U’s (8/11), who have won just once on their travels to date.

If you are seeking value away from home then look no further than Bury’s trip to Sincil Bank to face Lincoln City.

The Shakers have won an amazing six times away from Gigg Lane while the Imps have won three, lost three and drawn three at home.

Bury (11/8 to win) look a tasty price to continue their heroics on the road.

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10 best midweek football bets

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Tottenham can justify favouritism against travel-sick Sunderland at White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Tuesday. The north Londoners have only lost one at home, while Sunderland are awful on their travels (4/7 Tottenham 14/5 draw 5/1 Sunderland – match betting).

The Black Cats got hammered 5-1 at Newcastle on their most recent jaunt, have won just once at the Lane in the last 26 years and have won only one of their last 23 away games – plus there is no Darren Bent.

2) Stoke may be relieved to be back at the Britannia on Tuesday night but come against a bogey side in Birmingham City, who have yet to win away this season. However, they are on a seven-match unbeaten streak against the Potters and have not conceded a goal in that time. (Birmingham clean sheet 3/1 and Blues 7/10 +1 Handicap – match betting).

3) The knives have been out for Manchester City (17/10 to win) boss Roberto Mancini after suffering three successive defeats but are a different proposition at home, having beaten Chelsea earlier in the season and look good value to get the better of Manchester United, who have won only once away, in the derby.

4) Liverpool (8/11 in the match betting) have turned a corner with four successive wins in all competitions, including a 2-0 win over champions Chelsea with Fernando Torres (7/2 Enhanced First Goalscorer) back among the goals, and should take care of business against an inconsistent Wigan side, which has won just once at the DW Stadium so far this season.

5) The odds will not be great, granted, but a double on Celtic and Rangers (0.97/1) to both win is always a wise move. On Wednesday, the Old Firm go head to head against the Edinburgh clubs, with Rangers at home to Hibs and Celtic at Hearts. The Bhoys will be in ultra-confident mood following the ridiculous 9-0 drubbing of Aberdeen over the weekend while Rangers, top of the league, will have too much for Colin Calderwood’s side.

6) Turning to the Championship, Leeds (4/5 – match betting) entertain struggling Hull at Elland Road tonight and will surely continue their pursuit of the top six with a win over the Tigers, who have not won a league match in seven now. Expect that miserable run to continue despite boss Nigel Pearson’s best efforts to stop the rot this evening.

7) Without a victory in three league games, Burnley (10/11 – match betting) host Doncaster and should have too much for Rovers at Turf Moor. The Clarets have lost just once at home so far this season – albeit a 4-0 thumping against Reading – and, with Doncaster without key striker Billy Sharp, the visitors strike threat has been nullified significantly.

8) Nottingham Forest against Coventry at the City Ground is a midlands derby of sorts and, despite the Sky Blues going well in fifth, a victory for the home side is a decent bet here (4/5 – match betting). Forest are the Championship’s draw specialists, having been held eight times already this season, and must put an end to that run soon as they look to preserve a proud home league record – they have not lost at the City Ground in the league since September 2009.

9) Preston are desperate for a win when they take on fellow strugglers Barnsley on Tuesday and would be worth backing at 21/20 as they go in search of just their second three points in seven games.

10) Finally, Leicester, under the astute guidance of former England chief Sven Goran Eriksson, have been making great strides of late and will be fired up for a home clash against Sheffield United. The Foxes have chalked up successive victories over Preston and Barnsley in their last two games, without conceding a goal, and another narrow win (correct score – 1-0 to Leicester – 11/2) is predicted on Wednesday.

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