One of the most interesting matches will take a part at the biggest Balearic island, where Mallorca will host Real Madrid. Domestic team will have chance to continue the best period in this season, while visitors have a six points advantage on the top of the table just a eight matches before the end of the campaign.
Islanders are one of the hottest teams in the Primera these days. In last twelve matches they have recorded only one defeat, with three victories in last four appearances. The main reason for explosion of Mallorca’s form is efficiency of their perfect duo in attack – Guiza - Arango. Mallorca scored 12 goals in last four games, while Guiza has netted 17 times this season so far. He has never been closer to national team and Luis Aragones has to count seriously on the best Mallorca’s striker for EURO 2008. Also form of another main striker Arango is a reason why confidence is running high in Mallorca’s squad. The coach Manzano has composed perfect fluidity on mid-field, so main weapon are counters created by experienced Ariel Ibagaza’s and great Ivan Ramis’ passes.
Mallorca already showed with two victories in January in Coppa del Rey competition that they have a quality to beat Real at home. In that time Blancos were in the perfect form, so elimination from Coppa del Rey was a soundly surprise. Another soundly result was last week’s trashing of Valencia at Mestalla for the first time in the history. Manazano’s team humiliated Valencia in the moment when everybody expected that Valencia could make a come back in form.
On the other hand last week was unusually quite in Real Madrid. They beat Sevilla at Bernabeu seven days ago, and kept the advantage on the top of the table. Now main treat for Blancos is Villareal, since Barcelona failed to beat Betis and slipped at third table position. This peaceful period Schuster used to keep focus and concentration on Primera, since they were eliminated from Champions League. After five not too impressive appearances Real beat Sevilla, so this will be real test for their form. The main problem for Schuster is lack of efficiency, since Ruud Van Nistelroy is sidelined. Guti and Snaider will take the all the pressure on their back as they will be crucial parts of engine in the mid-field. Back line expects a lot of defensively tasks due to Mallorca’s offensive style of playing.
Recent form of Mallorca and problems which Real had when Ruud Van Nistelroy are the reasons why I will take home win here. Odds are perfect and I believe that motivated and spirited domestic team has a huge opportunity to repeat performances from January and beat Real once again in this season. I will stake 7 on home win at 3.30 with a Bet365.com
Mallorca - Real Madrid
Arsenal - Liverpool
The second match between these rivals in last 72 ours takes place at Saturday. This time it could be a completely different match due to different type of competition. Maybe it sound strange, but match at Wednesday was similar to other European matches in Champions League, while this time we could expect Premiership derby match with not too much calculations.
Arsenal missed chance to beat Merseysiders two days ago, even though they had better chances. Obviously, Rafa Benitez knows how to prepare team and make tactics to play on result in cup competitions. In the first half Arsenal was without any ideas in mid-field, while in second things changed thanks to the TeoWallcot, who took part in the second half. Now, there is no space for calculations. Currently, Gunners are sitting at the third table position six points of United. If they want to involve in title race after the worst period this season they have to come back on winning ways. In last round they showed fantastic mental strength when they overturned Bolton’s 2-0 lead win ten men on the field and took all three points from Reebok stadium. Wenger’s team will need similar mental constellation in this tie. Robin Van Persie pick-up injury in Wednesday’s match, so he is out of the team, as like Diaby who is suspended due to he was sent-off against Bolton.
On the other hand Liverpool fans could be a satisfied. They have won a great result at Emirates after four consecutive defeats. In right time Reds find a way to score equalizer and now they could qualify without any goal at Enfield. In last Premiership round they won Merseyside’s derby and now they have five points advantage in front Everton on the fourth table position. It is hard to believe that Toffees could overtake them in the next six matches remaining. Due to the fact that they have a crucial advantage in the race for Champions League table spot, Rafa Benitez will rest some key players and prepare them for a Enfield’s decisive match. It is expected that Torres, Gerrard and Caragher take place on the bench and be replaced by Crouch, Benayoun and Finnan respectively.
This match is more important for Gunners, whose were in the worst period in this season just seven days ago. It was ended with triumph at Reebok stadium, but for a real recover they need new three points against Liverpool. We have seen in second half of Wednesday’s match that they have enough quality for that and I believe that Arsenal have better chances in Premiership matches against Benitez’s team then in the Champions League. Odds are fine and I will bet 8 at 2.10 on Arsenals victory at Bet365.com
Fiorentina - PSV
Finally, Fiorentina have had the great season. Currently, they are sitting at the fourth table position in Serie A, with the aim to qualify in Champions League next season. Due to the fact that their the best striker Luca Toni left the club last summer, Prandeli’s team have made a perfect response. Their have been one of the best home teams in Serie A in this season. The best proof of their inconsistent away form is match at Goodison Park when they failed to keep two goals advantage from the first leg. Sebastina Frey was perfect at the goal line and similar like their today’s opponents, Viola qualified after penalty shot-out. However, Artemio Franchi stadium is a real fortress in this season. They have had a fantastic record with six victories in same number of appearances. Only worry for domestic supporters are lack of European experience, but if they repeat just a piece of their fluidity and continue with aggressive football at home, Viola won’t have any problems to beat Dutch team. Main hope of domestic supporters is form of Romanian star Mutu, who has fully replaced Toni in this season.
On the other hand, in previous a couple of seasons PSV were permanent Champions League contender and they had reached a knockout rounds. This time they had to satisfy with third position in the group, behind Inter and Fenerbahce, and have continued competition in UEFA Cup. Obviously, PSV have enough quality to be one of pretenders for the final appearance, but they have to pass though test against one of the best Italian’s team in this season. In two previous rounds they ousted Helsinborg and Tottenham. The hero of previous round, when they eliminated Tottenham after penalty shot-out, was goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who already has been glorified after elimination of Lyon in Champions League in 2005.
Due to the fact that PSV have recorded only one victory in last five matches, supporters are upset before match in Florence. Maybe bad results are consequence of some kind of relaxation, because PSV have had a big advantage on the top of the table. Currently, that gap is now only five points, so coach Vergoossen has to wake up the team and continue with good performances in both competitions.
The only one conclusion you can draw from bad away PSV’s form and great Fiorentina’s performances at home. Odds on home win are about 1.95, so I will stake 8 at home win with Expekt.com
Roma - Manchester United
Roma will have another chance for revenge after 7-1 defeat in the last season’s clash against Manchester. On the other hand United is in fantastic form and is the first favorite to win the competition.
Two main problems are waiting for Spalleti. At first he has to work a lot on team’s mentality strength. After last season’s trashing at Old Trafford it is hard to think about this match without thoughts about revenge. They have to forget what happened and start this match as they play against some other rival. Due to the fact that they improved form in the last month Roma cut out the gap on the top of the table from 11 to 4 points and missed opportunity to beat Cagliary last Saturday and make it even smaller. However, Gialorossi could be satisfied with present performances and if they repeat form like against Real Madrid they could count on positive result here.
Another big worry for Saplleti is injury of the key player and team’s captain, Francesco Totti. He is definitely out and will be replaced by Mirko Vucinic. Despite Totti is a real leader on the field I believe that it could be a positive thing for a team in match like this. Maybe it looks strange, but I believe that all other players will share responsibility and make even better performances then with a captain, who can become too nervous when things going wrong. The main pressure will be on Aquilani and De Rossi whose were magnificent at mid-field against Real and were main authors of Roma’s victories.
On the other hand Ferguson will have an only one dilemma – to play with one or two strikers in front Donni. Usually, he has played European away matches with Rooney as alone striker flanked with Giggs and Ronaldo, while Tevez has been on the bench. In the same time team showed some perfect performances with Tevez and Rooney in attack. They trashed Aston Villa in the last round 4-0 and Liverpool 3-0 in week before. The main role in the mid-field is reserved for wizard Ronaldo who plays the best football ever. The fantastic goal scored against Aston Villa just a proved his talent. All other players are in his shadow, even though they were perfect like Ferdinand and Tevez.
Red Devils haven’t conceded a single goal in last four matches and hope that they could continue this perfect record.
If Roma keeps a ball possession, they will have chance to control the match and consequently their chances for positive result will rise. Manchester is favorite to qualify, but I think that team from Eternal City has chances to win the first leg match. Odds on Roma victory are fair and it is about 3.30 at PaddyPower.com stake 7.
Schalke - Barcelona
This could be a match of the season for a both teams. Schalke is out of title race in Bundesliga in this season, so they can save the season by good results in Champions League. Similar situation is in Barcelona squad. After last Saturday’s defeat against Betis dreams about title in Primera are unreal.
Schalke has had a not too impressive season so far. They have dreamed about title race, but after last season’s thriller in the last round when they lost the almost won title team were demoralized and without enough confidence. However, Blues have played in Champions League this season and with a couple of quality appearances they found way for a last eight. Now, coach Slomka’s team will have a though test against one of the competition favorites – Barcelona. Motivation in German squad is on the high level and all in club believe in good result in Gelsenkirchen.
The main problem for Slomka is injury of Croatian player, Ivan Rakitic, who has been key man in the mid-field. It is expected that Schalke continue with 4-3-3 formation, with Grossmuller instead Rakitic and Kuranyi, Asamoah and Altintiop in attack. Krstajic and Kobiashvilli will be in the team after they rested in the match against Karlsrhue.
The good form at home is a main hope for domestic supporters. They lost against Bayern, but they were better side three weeks ago. Race for the Champions League in domestic competition takes them a lot of energy, but for sure Slomka’s players will be motivated and inspirited to show the best performance in this season.
On the other hand Barcelona will travel to Gelsenkirchen in the bad moment. With a long injury list, Rijkaard will have a real headache to compose a team which will not repeat mistakes from match against Betis. All in Barcelona were in shock after they failed to beat Betis after 0-2 lead. Ronaldihno and Deco are sidelined; Messi is also out of team, while Eto’o picked up minor injury after he scored the second goal at Sevilla. Rafael Marques and Millito will be back, but it is question how they will response after injuries.
The only bright fact in the Barca’s squad is a form of young Bojan who keeps with perfect performances. He will be a main threat for domestic team, alongside Henry and Eto’o.
I believe that Barca will score, but in the same time I think that Schalke have a great chance to beat team from Catalonia. With a fanatic crowd and support from the standings Mirsko Slomka’s players will give everything they can in order to make a victory. Maybe the final result won’t be too permissible for qualification in the next stage, but they could make a victory. Odds are great and I will take home win at 3,65 with Expect.com stake 6.
