Tag Archives: scalp

Wales can claim Serbia scalp

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Two out-of-form nations meet for the first time in their history on Tuesday as Wales travel to face Serbia, and Chris Coleman’s men are more than capable of upsetting odds of 7/1 and coming away with a valuable win.

Serbia’s last win on home turf came in unconvincing fashion against the Faroe Islands in September of last year, and earlier in 2011 they had to come from behind to beat Northern Ireland.

An impressive home draw with Italy followed but they drew a blank against the Republic of Ireland in August, and head into their game against Wales having failed to find the back of the net against Scotland in another goalless draw.

Wales’ last game on the road came just under 12 months ago when they took all three points with a composed 1-0 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia.

At 7/1 to repeat the feat in Eastern Europe, Wales represent great value for money, with Serbia priced as the 4/9 favourites to reinvigorate their own qualifying campaign with victory.

The draw, priced at 10/3, also offers decent value.

Elsewhere, England will be aiming to build on an accomplished 5-0 victory away to Moldova when they welcome Ukraine to Wembley Stadium.

Roy Hodgson’s men are the 2/5 favourites to earn the win and add further momentum to their World Cup qualifying campaign, while Ukraine, who held Czech Republic to a 0-0 draw when the two sides met for a friendly last month, aren’t fancied at 7/1.

The draw is available at 4/1, but the best value here appears to be in the correct score market.

England have shown in recent home internationals that they are capable of scoring goals, but also often leak the odd one or two. With that in mind, 7/1 on a 2-1 England win and 8/1 on a 3-1 England win are both interesting selections, as is the more optimistic 4-1 home triumph, priced at a mouthwatering 14/1.

Another of the home nations in action tomorrow is Scotland, who will be looking to put a disappointing home draw behind them when they welcome Macedonia to Hampden Park.

There was frustration following the Serbia stalemate that young striker Jordan Rhodes wasn’t given more minutes on the field, and those supporters may see more of the Blackburn hitman on Tuesday as Scotland seek to breathe life into their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Rhodes is priced at 4/1 to score his side’s first goal.

The Scots triumphed when these two sides met ahead of the 2010 World Cup, and a second 2-0 victory in as many meetings would be a welcome boost to manager Craig Levein and his hopes of leading the team to a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup.

Levein’s men are priced 4/6 to win the match, with Macedonia available at 7/2 and the draw 12/5.

Expect Scotland to find the back of the net in this one, but the team still lacks the confidence to rack up goals, which makes the selection of a 1-0 home win at 5/1 a very appealing prospect indeed.

Finally, there could be a shock on the cards when Belgium play host to Croatia.

Vincent Kompany and his team-mates are the 10/11 favourites to win this match and build momentum following their recent 2-0 triumph over Wales, while Croatia are priced at 3/1 to make it two wins in a week following a narrow success against Macedonia.

Belgium are in better form than their opponents, but there is enough strength in the Croatian side to take this game to their opponents, so don’t be surprised to see Igor Stimac’s men upset the odds.

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Foxes hunt Boro scalp

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Wednesday’s sole Championship encounter sees Leicester City look to keep their push for a play-off place on track against a Middlesbrough side whose own promotion ambitions have hit the buffers in January.

The game was delayed by 24 hours due to Boro’s involvement in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at north-east neighbours Sunderland on Sunday and that could hand an immediate advantage to the Foxes.

Nigel Pearson, who captained Boro to promotion to the Premier League in 1998, saw his Leicester charges comfortably defeat League Two Swindon 2-0 in the cup on Saturday, while Tony Mowbray’s side were involved in a blood and thunder derby draw at the Stadium of Light a day later.

The extra 24 hours’ rest and the fact the Foxes were not pushed too hard should stand the hosts in good stead, although Pearson has doubts over in-form striker Jermaine Beckford and full-back Lee Peltier from that game.

However, loan striker Nathan Delfouneso (13/8 Anytime Scorer) could come in for Beckford, while Liam Moore is available to replace Peltier if required.

Pearson also has midfielder Danny Drinkwater and goalkeeper Conrad Logan available, while new signing Wes Morgan will be in the squad.

Boro have problems in goal with teenage keeper Connor Ripley set for only his second start after coming off the bench to replace veteran Danny Coyne at Sunderland, while first-choice custodian Jason Steele is still sidelined with a thigh strain.

Influential midfielder Nicky Bailey remains sidelined due to a knee injury, while Julio Arca serves the second match of a three-game ban after being sent off at Coventry.

Kevin Thomson returns from his one-game suspension as Mowbray is likely to name a similar side which earned a creditable cup draw on Wearside.

Leicester have won their last three games, albeit two of those were in the FA Cup with a win at Southampton sandwiched in between, while they lost their last league game at the King Power Stadium when Barnsley triumphed 2-1.

The Foxes’ last league win on home soil was against Blackpool at the end of November so they are not exactly firing on all cylinders in front of their own fans.

Boro’s impressive first half to the season has unravelled in recent weeks as they go to Leicester on the back of three successive league defeats, in which time they have conceded eight goals and scored only once.

However Mowbray will no doubt hope his players can transfer their impressive performance from the Sunderland cup tie into the league to ensure they stop the rot in the East Midlands on Wednesday.

Recent fixtures between the two sides have been close affairs with five draws from the last seven, while Leicester won the other two when they did the double over Boro in the 2009/10 season.

It was a goalless draw at the Riverside earlier this season and there is a good chance of a similar outcome this week.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: 0-0 Draw Correct Score @ 15/2

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Flying Seagulls eye Reds’ scalp

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The second batch of Carling Cup third round matches continue on Wednesday night with two all Premier League encounters and holders Birmingham at big-spending Manchester City, but the stand-out tie is Brighton playing host to Liverpool.

BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL 7.45pm

Gus Poyet’s side have taken the Championship by storm this season following promotion from League One, although they tasted defeat for the first time in seven outings at Leicester City on Saturday.

However, the Seagulls have not lost a competitive game at their new Amex Stadium with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Sunderland being dumped out after extra-time there in the previous round.

And, with Kenny Dalglish’s side enduring an early season stutter following back-to-back defeats at Stoke and Tottenham, they could find the going tough on the south coast this week.

The Reds’ hopes will be boosted by the anticipated return of skipper Steven Gerrard (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) following a six-month injury absence, but Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel are banned following red cards at Spurs in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat.

Daniel Agger is missing with a broken rib so Sebastian Coates could make his first start for the club.

The sides have not met for over 20 years when Liverpool edged a five-goal thriller in the FA Cup, but they could be in for a long night on this occasion if they are to reach round four.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 3/1
Value Bet: Brighton/Draw Half-Time/Full-Time @ 12/1

MAN CITY V BIRMINGHAM 7.45pm

Holders Birmingham will have their work cut out to emulate a repeat success in 2012 as they look ahead to a daunting trip to face money-bags City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues slipped out of the Premier League following the elation of defeating Arsenal at Wembley in February, while Chris Hughton has replaced Alex McLeish as manager.

Cash problems have seen several of last season’s cup heroes depart St Andrew’s and Hughton’s men have managed just two wins from their opening six games in the Championship.

They go to City on the back of a 4-1 thumping at Southampton and will do well to avoid a similar result as Hughton plans to make changes as his side struggle with the demands of domestic and Europa League football.

City will also be much-changed, but the likes of Owen Hargreaves (10/3 Anytime Goalscorer) could be called upon to make his debut for Roberto Mancini’s side, who should have too much for the visitors.

City have not lost in their previous 10 matches and have scored 17 goals in five league games so far this term so expect a few more in this game.

Prediction: Man City Home 90 Minutes @ 1/5
Value Bet: Man City 4-0 Correct Score @ 10/1

CHELSEA V FULHAM 7.45pm

A London derby at Stamford Bridge will see Andre Villas-Boas getting his first taste of cup football in England and it is likely that, while he will have his sights set on lifting the trophy (11/2 Outright), he will make some alterations to his side from the one that lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday.

That said, Didier Drogba (10/3 First/Last Goalscorer) is expected to return to action to spear-head the Blues’ forward line.

Fulham will also be depleted as Aaron Hughes, Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora look set to all miss out, although £10.6million summer signing Bryan Ruiz could feature.

Fulham have not got past this stage since the 2004-05 season and, with Chelsea enjoying a superior head-to-head record, everything points to a home win.

Prediction: Chelsea Home 90 Minutes @ 3/10
Value Bet: Drogba, D 1st Goal Chelsea 2-0 @ 14/1

Meanwhile, in Wednesday’s three other games, Premier League rivals Everton and West Brom go up against each other at Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ Toffees (4/6 Home) have won five of their last seven home games, while Roy Hodgson’s Baggies (9/2 Away) might sit bottom of the Premier League table, but they have only lost three of their last 10 on the road in all competitions.

The return of Louis Saha to the Everton forward line might prove the difference, but this tie is expected to go the distance (13/5 Draw).

Championship leaders Southampton (4/7 Home) should have no trouble in accounting for League One outfit Preston (5/1 Away) at St Mary’s, but a tight game is in store (12/5 Draw) in South Wales when Cardiff (11/8 Home) face Championship rivals Leicester City (19/10 Away) at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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Terry eyes United’s scalp

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John Terry has issued a final top-four rallying call and described the visit to Stamford Bridge of Premier League leaders Manchester United on Tuesday as “must win” for Chelsea (11/10 Chelsea, draw 23/10, Manchester United 23/10 – match betting).

The Blues trail Sir Alex Ferguson’s side by 15 points in fifth place but victory would lift them into Champions League contention and skipper Terry accepts there can be no more slip-ups at this stage of the season.

A wretched end to 2010 has effectively killed the west Londoners’ hopes of retaining their Premier League trophy but Terry believes they can still end the season with a flourish – starting against United.

The fixture, originally scheduled for December but postponed because of heavy snow, means the Reds have two huge Premier League fixtures in less than a week – on Saturday they travel to Liverpool – and Terry says they are not untouchable.

“We are very confident at home and the way they (United) play might help us,” Terry said.

“I’m not sure how they are going to come at us but other teams that have come to the Bridge have sat back and we’ve found it hard to break them down.

“It is a must-win game for us and the fans are going to be up for it.”

United have just won four league matches on the road this season and have not triumphed at Stamford Bridge since a 3-0 triumph in 2002.

Next up after the visit to Chelsea is an awkward assignment against bitter rivals Liverpool and Portugal winger Nani has identified the two games as potentially decisive in the race for the title.

“We have some tough games coming up,” the Portugal winger told the official club website.

“It’s the most important period of the season and I think that if we can beat Chelsea and Liverpool then we’ll have a fantastic opportunity to win the league.”

United are likely to be without defensive pair Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand because of ankle and calf injuries respectively, while Anderson, Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia are weeks away from returning.

Ferguson is likely to play Wayne Rooney in the lone striker role in front of a five-man midfield if he decides United do not need to rush Tuesday’s game and the advice here would be to look away from the outrights.

It is difficult to make a case for a glut of goals in a game of such significance and the worry is that these two could cancel each other out.

A way in at 4/1 could be the draw-draw half-time/full-time outcome given that United will be happy to try and control this match from the middle and avoid defeat rather than risk going gung-ho and leave with no capital gains.

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Potters primed for another scalp

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Five potential shocks this weekend……

It has been a season of shocks so far and there are sure to be plenty more in another exciting weekend of football, with Stoke (5/2 to beat Manchester City) looking a decent bet to dent another team’s title hopes.

The Potters have won their last three top-flight games and have an excellent record at the Britannia Stadium, while Manchester City had won just once in five Premier League matches before last Sunday’s 4-1 hammering of Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Tony Pulis’ side have shown that there is more to them than just Rory Delap’s long throws and they are more than capable of beating a City side who have yet to gel as a unit and are there for the taking.

Newcastle have not won in three Premier League matches but have shown their pedigree already this term with a 5-1 hammering of Sunderland and victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (Newcastle 19/5 to beat Chelsea).

Chelsea continue to disappoint during this current slump, and have shown themselves to be brittle away from Stamford Bridge.

Birmingham proved that Carlo Anelotti’s can be beaten by the so-called lesser teams and MSK Zilina almost took a point from the Blues in Europe on Tuesday night and the Magpies will fancy their chances in this one, roared on by the vociferous Toon Army.

If you are looking for a potential shock north of the border then Inverness’ trip to Celtic (Caley Thistle 9/1 to win at Parkhead) could be the one to target.

The Bhoys have won just one of their last three SPL game and could only manage a 1-1 draw with Dundee United last time out.

Meanwhile, Caley go into the game with three straight top-flight victories, including two away from home, and they will be full of confidence of causing an upset, having won five times on their travels already this season.

Nottingham Forest are currently in the play-off zone while Leicester struggle for consistency in mid-table, but Sven Goran Eriksson’s men (21/10 to beat Forest) are tipped to shock the former European champions this weekend.

The Foxes have been solid at home this term while Forest are not the same outfit away from the City Ground and Leicester could overturn their east Midlands rivals in a low-scoring affair at the Walkers Stadium.

Crystal Palace may be languishing in the Championship relegation zone but do not rule out a victory over a Doncaster side just one place outside the play-off picture (Palace 13/8 to beat Doncaster).

The Londoners have won as many games at home as Doncaster and the hosts are tipped to beat a Rovers side who have already lost four times away from the Keepmoat this season.

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Ferdinand eyes Liverpool scalp

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Rio Ferdinand believes it is important Manchester United beat arch-rivals Liverpool (19/5 – 90 minutes) on Sunday as they bid to kick start their Premier League campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have dropped four points in their last two Premier Leagues matches away from Old Trafford, throwing away leads late on.

Fulham scored an injury-time equaliser to take a point at Carven Cottage before the international break, while Everton hit the back of the net twice after the 90 minute mark to secure a 3-3 draw.

United’s patchy domestic form also transferred to the Champions League in midweek when they were unable to break down a resilient Rangers side in Tuesday’s goalless draw.

The Red Devils now face their biggest rivals on Sunday looking for only their second win in five matches.

Despite beating Steaua Bucharest 4-1 on Thursday night in the Europa League Liverpool’s own form heading into the game hasn’t been good.

They have won just one of their first four matches, tasting defeat on their first visit to Manchester when City pummelled them 3-0 in August.

Liverpool’s recent record at Old Trafford isn’t great, winning just one of their last five visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

However, form could well go out the window for this clash and both sides will be hoping they can take the three points which could be the catalyst to a good season.

Ferdinand says its important United (3/1 Premier League outright) are the team that comes out on top as he believes it will be the morale boosting victory Ferguson’s team are looking for.

“This kind of game is always good for galvanising spirit and belief,” said Ferdinand.

“You would be beating one of your closest rivals, so to win this game would be great for team morale.

“Hopefully it will put us on the crest of a wave.”

Ferdinand is likely to be one of a handful of players who keeps his place in the United team from the one that disappointed against Rangers on Tuesday.

Liverpool and United made a boat load of changes for their respective European matches but are likely to bring back the big guns for Sunday.

The Reds left out Steven Gerrard (11/4 to score anytime on Sunday) and Fernando Torres (2/1) on Thursday, while Dimitar Berbatov (11/8) and Paul Scholes (10/3) watched from the stands against Rangers.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has said he believes his decision to rest his star duo will be proven to be the right one, while his counter-part Ferguson is likely to field his strongest possible side after being criticised for making 10 changes on Tuesday.

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Torres targets United scalp

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Liverpool star Fernando Torres has admitted he is desperate to secure a victory over Manchester United this weekend to kick start the Anfield side’s season (Match Betting – United 7/10, draw 5/2, Liverpool 19/5).

The Spanish striker has admitted he would love to come away from Old Trafford with all three points as he knows how much the fixture means to the fans (Torres 7/1 to score the first goal).

“It means everything to them [the fans],” explained Torres.

“We are the two most successful teams in England but it has not been nice  for the Liverpool fans to watch Manchester United  have so much success over the recent years.”

Liverpool have managed to pick up just five points from their opening four games but Torres is confident the Reds can win on Sunday.

The Spanish international was quick to praise new boss Roy Hodgson and the Liverpool squad, and Torres remains hopeful the club can pick up some silverware this season.

He added: “We have a great squad and a great manager, and we really hope to give the fans a trophy this season, as well as beating Manchester United for them.

“The Liverpool fans are great, when you play well they are behind you and when you are not playing the best they are still behind you.

“I walk my dogs round the city, and before matches like Manchester United the fans will tell you good luck and things like that. It’s clear how much the Manchester United games means to them.”

Torres’ new strike partner, Milan Jovanovic, is also confident his side can climb the table after a slow start.

The Serbian international, a summer signing from Standard Liege, admits he is yet to find his best form since his move to Anfield but hopes he will adapt to the Premier League soon and believes Liverpool can mount a title challenge.

“It is going to take time because there are a lot of new players,” said Jovanovic. “But if we keep getting the ball to Stevie (Gerrard), we will be much better.

“I have no doubts that we will climb the table.

“The Premier League is tough but we are Liverpool. That is what matters.”

Torres may have his sights set on United but Liverpool are in Europa League action tomorrow night as they welcome Romanian side Steaua Bucharest to Anfield, although Hodgson may chose to rest Torres or hand him a place on the bench due to Sunday’s showdown at Old Trafford (Liverpool 1/4, draw 9/2, Steaua Bucuresti 11/1).

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Capello targets German scalp

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England boss Fabio Capello has described what would be his perfect World Cup scenario, the Italian wants to lead England to semi-final glory over Germany before securing the trophy with victory over France in the final (England/France final 40/1).

Capello has already endeared himself to England fans after leading the Three Lions through an impressive and almost perfect qualification campaign, with only the Ukraine managing to beat England after qualification had already been assured, but could become a national hero if he manages to lead England to World Cup glory for the first time since 1966.

After falling at the hands of Germany in international tournaments on more than one occasion in recent times England fans would love to see their side knock the Germans out of the competition in South Africa and Capello remains hopeful the two sides will meet, and England will come out on top.

“The perfect scenario for me would be for England to beat Germany in the semi-finals, and then to win the World Cup by defeating France in the final,” said Capello. “It is high time that a European team wins the World Cup outside Europe. In my opinion there are four very strong European sides, and this time they will not have the excuse of there being a change of time zone.”

Capello does not mention the four European teams he considers ‘very strong’ but it seems safe to assume that Spain, who are the current favourites to take the trophy in South Africa (Spain 4/1 to win the World Cup), are in his thoughts.  The Italian has stated he wouldn’t have take the England job if he didn’t think they could lift international football’s greatest prize and at 11/2 England are certainly among the favourites to come out on top in South Africa.

Germany, finalists in 2006, are currently priced at 14/1 to emerge victorious in South Africa, while other European heavyweights include Holland (12/1), Italy (12/1) and France (16/1) and Capello believes there are no excuses for Europe’s top sides heading into the competition in South Africa.

However, the Italian tactician admits he is wary of the threat the African teams could pose, with England drawn in the same group as north African nation Algeria.  The South African World Cup is the first to be held in the continent and Capello believes the African participants will be keen to show their talents to the rest of the footballing world.

He added: “I am also on my guard about the African teams. Algeria are the most dangerous side in our group.”

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