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.
Rangers - Fiorentina
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.
