Roma will face Atalanta at Olimpic stadium, but in the same time they hope that Siena could stay unbeaten at Guissepe Meazza and keep their title dreams alive. However, chance for trophy Giallorossi will have in Coppa Italia competition where they will meet with Inter once again. Spaletti’s team visited Sicilia at last Wednesday, beat Catania and qualified in the final, where they will fight for third consecutive trophy.
In the same time there are a lot of speculations about new Roma owners and some media talk about Russian investors. Supporters believe in new big signings and hope that Roma could reach Champions League final next year, which will be played at Olimpico, like it was at 1984., when Roma lost against Liverpool in their only Champions League final.
On the other hand Atalanta was better against Livorno in Bergamo and with 3-2 victory sent them to Seria B. The Coach Del Neri shuffled his team once again, gave chance to some youth talented players, but key man was Doni who scored and became the best Atalanta scorer ever. He has showed that he could play successfully for a few seasons more, so rumors that he could be transferred to Palermo have a sense.
Team from Bergamo will try to surprise Roma even thought they are sitting at mid-table position without any chance to catch European positions. In the first part of the season Roam was better in Bergamo, so visitors will be motivated to make revenge. Also Del Nerri wasn’t successful in his episode in Rome so he will give his best to prove his quality against previous club.
Roma is a huge favorite here and I am sure that Spalleti’s team will try to make pressure from the first whistle. On the other hand Atalanta have a talented team and they have showed several times that they could surprise big names this season. I expect open match with lot of chances on the both sides, so my choice is Over 2,5 goals at 1,55 with Expekt.com stake 7.
Roma - Atalanta
Rangers - Fiorentina
Thirty seven years ago Fiorentina and Rangers met each other in final of European Cup competition. Viola won the trophy after they won both matches. Now team from Scotland will try to revenge in semifinal of UEFA CUP competition.
After they were defeated in match against Celtic, team from Glasgow were testing the nerves of their supporters in FA Cup semifinal. They qualify to the final, where they will face Queen of South, after penalty shot out against St. Johnston. After they won CIS League Cup last month they are still in run for quadruple. Two points advantage in domestic championship could be enough for title due to one match more left play then their rivals Celtic, just two rounds before the end of campaign. The hardest job they have to do in UEFA CUP where Smith’s team plays another big match tonight against Fioretnina. After they have eliminated Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Sporting Lisboa everybody at Ibrox believes in another triumph and appearance in the final. Despite historical chance Rangers aren’t in the great form currently. They have won only four from last ten matches.
In the one of the most important games in the seasons they will be without injured Stevie Naismith, Chris Burke, Allan McGregor, Charlie Adam, Lee McCulloch and DaMarcus Beasley. Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson are also suspended while Kris Boyd is still. Walter Smith will have real headache to select the best eleven.
On the other hand Fiorentina has a pretty good season so far. They are on the right way to qualify for Champions League in the next season and also in semis of UEFA CUP. They beat Palermo at Saturday. Cesare Prandelli is confident that Viola could qualify to the final past the Rangers. The form of Adrian Mutu is the main Viola advantage. Romanian player has had a great season so far and he is the reson why Viola won against PSV.
I expect a lot of battle in midfield. The domestic team has a huge injury worries so they won’t to press hard. On the other hand visitors will be satisfy to keep clean sheet. They will try with famous Italian defensive tactics – sit back and wait rival’s mistake. I will take a draw here, stake 7 at 3.00 with Expekt.com.
Liverpool Chelsea
For the third time in last four years Chelsea will face Liverpool in the same stage of Champions League. All Abramovich’s dreams have been broken at Anfield in the two previous occasions. This time second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge. What’s the difference?
Rafa Benitez spent a huge amount of money last summer in order to bring some top level players to the club. The most soundly acquisition was Fernando Torres who has brought quality in attack which is the main problem for Reds. However, Spaniard has given his best but Liverpool still have had problems in Premiership. Almost, twenty years without title is long period for fanatic supporters but success Champions League satisfied them. So what’s the difference playing at Europe and in domestic competition? The main difference is that you have to win away from home if you want Premiership title. Benitez is great manager but his style of football it too defensive for some bigger results. In CL there are always second leg so with defensively oriented tactics you should make a result. Sometimes one goal is enough for next stage. Fanatic support at Enfield is also important fact due to some players give their best and lack of quality they replace with motivation. The key man for team is spirit is perfect Steve G. who knows hoe to motivate players on the pitch. This time second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge and Reds have to try to score. They have to be more offensive then in the previous two matches against Blues. It could leave more space in the back so Chelsea have chance to use it.
On the other hand Blues, with Avram Grant on the bench, are still in both competitions. Title race with Manchester is in the last stage. Between two CL matches they will face United at home and if they win they will have chance for the title. It will be another must win match for Chelsea. Last summer Abramovich hasn’t spent any money on new singings, so success in CL could come with the same players and without top level coach. However, Grant is in the race on the both fronts just like Sir Alex and theoretically he could make historical success. Main worry for him will be Essiene absence, while Lampard will be in the team, after two weeks due to the mother’s illness. Strength in the midfield is the crucial for success in this match, so Lampard needs full support from Obi, Malouda and Ballack to stop Reds. Offensive tasks will also depends of him and if he find away to perform fluidity in midfield, Chelsea will have chance to use space in Liverpool’s back.
Anyway, the first match won’t decide who will travel to Moscow to super final. So I don’t expect attractive football. Lot of battle in midfield, with main aim to keep clean sheet won’t bring to many chances. Odds are too low for Under 2,5 bet, so my choice is draw. Bet 7 on draw at 3.00 with PaddyPower!
How to choose a bet?
After a few years of blogging and sharing betting picks with you, I decide to write more about some things that the most of visitors already know, but it is too important to ignore. Successive betting needs success on two different sides. At first you need to choose right betting event and second is to stake right amount of money – money management.
With this post I just want to remind you on important things when you choose match to bet on. My main target is soccer betting, but it could be useful for betting on other sports as well.
So, there is my list:
- Current form is one of the most important facts. When you look at the list of matches your first impression about some match is made on form basis. For right information about form and team performances you should lose a lot of time reading news, reports and collect all fact you can from played matches.
- After you pick up some matches you should check the odds. Odds are the main value of every bet, so if odds are not fair in your opinion, bet won’t be made
- If odds are correct then you should check betting stats. As you are familiar with current form you should check it through statistical information. Also important thing is tradition, so when you check stats it means that you should check head to head as well. It is not only important how some team played last five or ten matches if that team always has difficulties playing with some opponent.
- Next main step is to collect information about injuries and suspensions. Maybe some crucial players are unavailable so match previews from different sites could be the sources of useful information. Also betting picks sites could find their place in this category.
-Goals and highlights are the next important source. You should try to watch all important matches, but goals and highlights could replace reading of reports and save lot of your time.
-Last thing you should check are blogs and forums. There are a tons of blogs witch will give you the view from the different angle. Fan blogs or forums are the right place where you could feel the atmosphere of the match.
I hope that this method will help you to improve your betting skills. In the next period I will discuss every single item from the list, so subscribe to my feed if you want to stay in touch. If you have any more items for my list comment is the right place for it.
Sevilla - Almeria
Sevilla will host Almeria after they won all three points at Mallorca last week. Visitors are talented team and in their first season at Primera they managed to involve in battle for UEFA Cup table positions.
Last week’s good result stayed in the shadow of misunderstanding between Luis Fabiano and the coach Jimenez. It seems that everything ok now, but it is hard to keep under control temperamental Brazilian players. Similar situation was at the beginning of the season with Daniel Alves, when he wanted to be privileged and looked for special treatment. As Sevilla’s child Jimenes has enough respectability to make things clear and keep all players on the same line.
However, bad atmosphere in the squad could make an influence on results, so even president Nido tried to solve the problem. Six points gap between these rivals could be an enough for a Sevilla’s to keep sixth table position, but they still dream about Champions League table spot. They are three points off Atletico Madrid, so they need victory to stay in CL race.
On the other hand visitors won’t sit back and wait. After they beat second placed Villareal in last round they are flying high and will try to repeat great performance against Sevilla. The youngest team in Primera has already achieved main aim in this season – to survive. It means that they could play without any pressure and in situation like this they could be a very dangerous. They best proof that they want to compete and perform great football was match when they faced Atletico two weeks ago. Football fans enjoyed in nine goals and similar match we could expect here. Coach Unai Emery won’t leave his attacking football, despite the fact that he can’t count on Crusat in attack. Talented Negredo will be main threat for Sevilla defence and I believe that visitors could score at Pisjuan stadium.
Sevilla is a big favorite here, due to much experience and more quality players, but in the same time visitors are one of the hottest surprises in Priemra this season and they will try to prove it. We will see open match with lot of chances, so my choice is Over 2,5 goals at 1.70 with Bet365 stake 9.
Fulham - Liverpool
Liverpool have to thank to their city rivals on advantage they have at the fourth table position. Bad Everton results are the main reason why that gap between fourth and fifth position is a five points. On the other hand domestic team won last Sunday for the first time after more then a year and half as away team. Fulham beat Reading, but they are still deep in relegation zone.
More then an hour Benitez’s team needed to take a lead against though Birmingam at Enfield. After Gerard’s opener, Torres and Voronin just make Red’s victory safe. Thanks to this victory Liverpool could travel to Craven Cottage without pressure and with thoughts at Champions League semifinal. In previous two years Red’s have been beaten when they travel to face Fulham and this time they will have a hard job too. However, we can expect that some key players will be on the bench preparing for a match of the season against Chelsea.
On the other hand domestic team is in must win situation. Victory at Majestic stadium came in the right moment, so they still believe in survival. Confidence is flying high so we can expect that Cottagers will try to press hard and try to collect other decisive points. Good results against Merseysiders in previous season are another big reason to believe in positive result. Manager Roy Hodgson said that only three points could stay alive their dreams about staying at Premier league. He will have all players available except a goalkeeper Niemi.
Huge motivation and last week victory, after more then 550 days, are main reasons why to believe in Fulham success. Benitez have to rest some players for Champions Legaue clashes, so we will see again rotations in the team. He has been criticized already this season for bad results when they rest key players, but reason is simple – Liverpool don’t have enough quality players to replace Gerard and Torres.
I believe that domestic team will stay unbeaten here so my choice is a home win on level ball. Odds are pretty fine and PaddyPower gives 2,5 for a home win on level ball; Stake 5.
Everton - Chelsea
Both teams drew in the last round and they will try to collect new points tonight.
Chelsea missed opportunity to take all three points against Wigan at Stamford Bridge at Monday, even though they have a lead till stoppage time. Late Heskey goal broke their dreams about title. Now Blues are five points off United and chance to catch a Reds are minimal. However, second table position is a fine target for Avram Grant and Chelsea have to collect points if they want to keep it. They will have though test against fifth placed Everton. All players are available so Grant believes that Blues could continue good tradition at Goodison Park. Chelsea have won four from last five matches against Everton.
On the other hand domestic team couldn’t be satisfied with only point from match against Birmingham. Now they have another opportunity to keep their advantage in front Portsmouth at fifth table position. In same time supporters dream about fourth table spot where currently sitting their main rival Liverpool. However, Toffees have to pull up hard and overcome a bad form if they want to stay in race for Champions League. More realistic scenario is UEFA Cup table spot, just behind the big four. Some key players are injured, so coach Moyes will have a real headache in mid-field. Cahill will be unavailable till the end of the season, while Arteta and Osman are sidelined for this occasion.
Despite the Everton has had a great season so far, Chelsea is favorite role here. London team is in better form and only question is how they will response after draw against Wigan. I expect though battle in mid field. One goal could decide the winner so my choice is Under 2,5 goals. Bet 7 at Under 2,5 at 1.65 with Bet635.
Getafe - Valencia
The first competition in Spain in this season will get a winner at Wednesday night, when Valencia will face Getafe at Vicente Calderon stadium. It will match between teams which have a completely different season. While Getafe have surprised all football fans with great results in UEFA Cup and Spanish Primera, Valencia have had awful season and only victory in this match could save the season.
Getafe is the youngest club in Priemera. Coppa del Rey final is a great result for a small club from Madrid, where is the kingdom of Madrid’s giants Real and Atletico. They played exciting and exhausting match against Bayern in UEFA Cup and even though they had to play with ten players from fifth minute of the match they were just a step away from next round. Bayern scored two goals in last five minutes in extra time and qualified. Laudrup’s players were in shock, so there were a lot of worries before match against Zaragoza last Sunday. However, Laudrup showed great coaching once more and with a perfect tactics they managed to stay unbeaten. Great performances in the last a couple of seasons are main reason why Getafe have a tons of new supporters. Only Nigerian striker Uche won’t be available for Wednesday’s clash, so Laudrup won’t have much headache with line up.
On the other hand his fellow Koeman has a real headache due to the big pressure on his back after awful results in this season. They recorded three defeats in last three Primera matches and now they are sitting at 14 table position just five points above relegation zone, with just six matches remaining. Koeman’s team have scored only one goal in previous three matches. This is opportunity to save the season due to the fact that they will take a part in UEFA Cup next season if they win here. But, it is a hard to expect a positive result against in form Getafe with a completely disoriented squad. Obviously, Dutchman hasn’t found a formula to reorganize and compose team for great results like we expect from the team won the UEFA Cup competition just a few seasons ago. This is a decisive match for Koeman’s future. If they fail to win he will be sacked, so he has to give his best at Calderon. It is a doubt that players will have same motivation due to bad relations between some players and coach. All players will be available, so Koeman will line up the best eleven.
I expect real battle in mid-field with a lot of tactical tasks for players in the both teams. Getafe will have a huge support due to the fact that match will be played just a 10 miles from their stadium. Laudrup has shown great coaching skills in previous part of the season and he knows what he doing in every minute of the match. On the other hand Koeman lost all hopes in better performances and obviously he doesn’t have enough capabilities to wake up team from Mestalla. Due to the fact that this is a very important match for a both sides they will be reserved and I believe in small number of chances and consequently in small number of goals, so I will take Under 2,5 at 1.65 with Bet365 stake 8.
