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.
Sevilla - Almeria
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.
