11.-12.12.2010. Bets of the week

11.12.2010. (Saturday)

16:00 Colchester United - Yeovil Town

Colchester have never lost at home or away to Yeovil with an impressive record of six wins and one draw in their last seven meetings, having won each of last three home meetings. They seem to be generally in good form as well having won four of their last six and although they lost last week to Brentford they now have the chance to return to wining ways and establish themselves in play-off positions.
Yeovil are currently in bad form as seven games have passed since their last win in the league and it's worth mentioning that they have lost their last three away games while it is eight games since they forced an away draw. Moreover their defence is leaking goals as Town has conceded 20 goals away from home and two or more goals in 12 out of their 18 games so far.
With just three clean sheets on their name each team this season it seems possible that both could score in the game. More likely is that Colchester will get all three points and continue their good form.
Port Vale are top of the table and impressively they have only lost once in their last ten away games and even more impressively they have not conceded a goal on the road since early October. A double on Colchester and Port Vale looks tasty.

Tip: Double on Colchester -0.75 and Port Vale - 0.25 @ 4.0 Bet Now

 

18:30 Rapid - Wacker Innsbruck

Newly promoted Innsbruck started the season brightly and led the table in September, but their recent form is nothing short of disastrous. They took no points from their last three matches, lost six out of the last eight, and probably more importantly failed to score in the last four away games. With the relegation zone nowhere near them, you might say Wacker’s season is already over.
Rapid’s momentum is completely different. They won four of their last five games, including three n a row, and scored 14 goals in the process. Beating Austria Vienna in the hot derby 1-0 and dismantling the leaders Ried 3-0 in their last fixture closed the gap from the first place to five points, and on current form Peter Pacult’s side can well fancy their chances to reclaim the title they last won in 2008.
The season opened with 4-0 win for Innsbruck over Rapid, and it looks like payback time has arrived. Don’t rule out a big-margin win for the hosts.

Tips: Rapid Vienna to win with -1.5 asian handicap (2.20), with -2.5 asian handicap (4.20)

18:30 Newcastle United - Liverpool

The match with the biggest draw bias this week is Newcastle - Liverpool.
Record of teams of Newcastle's grade when playing at home to teams of Liverpool's grade reads H4 D12 A7. Newcastle's recent home record against teams of Liverpool's grading is W0 D1 L0.
Liverpool's recent away record against teams of Newcastle's grading is W1 D4 L3. Head to Head recent record at Newcastle reads Newcastle 1 Draw 0 Liverpool 3.
Newcastle have drawn three of their last five home matches. Liverpool have drawn one of their last five away matches.

Tip: Newcastle - Liverpool draw @ 3.20

12.12.2010. (Sunday)

14:30  Bolton Wanderers - Blackburn Rovers

For a side that traditionally struggles to win many matches away from home, Blackburn has an amazing recent record at the Reebok. Eleven times since February 2000, Bolton have tried and failed to beat their neighbours at home in League and Cup.
It is also notable that only unbeaten Manchester United has lost fewer Premier League games than Bolton so far. I do expect goals from both sides - 75% of Bolton’s home games and 75% of Blackburn’s away games have produced over 2.5 goals.
However, it is hard to make a strong case for either side to come out on top, so I am looking at a score draw to be the outcome.

Tips: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.80/ Back correct score 2-2 @ 13.0

17:00 Tottenham Hotspur - Chelsea

You are generally guaranteed a few goals when Tottenham play particularly at home. In their last three games at White Hart Lane they have scored nine goals and they have a disturbing habit of conceding soft goals too.On current form, you would fancy Tottenham to give Chelsea a good chasing, as they did here last season, but I am expecting Chelsea to up their game. Tottenham to win after going behind, as they have done numerous times this season, is a whopping 15.0 and certainly has appeal if you fancy a long shot. I would recommend both teams to find the net.

Tip: Both teams to score @ 1.72

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11-12-2010 22:00 Atletico Madrid - Dep. La Coruna

No Rift

A bright start to the season from Atletico Madrid is now long forgotten as they reside outside the European places in the Primera Division. Los Colchoneros are struggling badly for form and need the boost of a win, but Deportivo La Coruna will certainly offer no presents to the hosts come Saturday night.

Last weekend the capital side arguably hit a new low when they went down 2-0 against Levante. Following this loss were an outpouring of media rumours suggesting clashes between the players and coach Quique Sanchez Flores, though these have been denied.

“We have to accept criticism when things like this happen. The coach is very experienced, and we listen to him,” Diego Forlan told the press. “There are things that appear in the press, but the relationship with the coach is as strong as ever, and this has not changed.

“In the league, we still have options. Sometimes, the fans do not have patience but this is understandable. Most of us have been through this. We must be calm.”

Only twice over the course of their last seven top flight matches have Atletico claimed maximum points, and to make a difficult situation even more awkward, they lost embarrassingly to Aris in the Europa League last week, keeping their progression in that competition in doubt.

The excitement of two back-to-back 3-2 losses at the Vicente Calderon is unlikely to be repeated against an organised visiting unit, but there will be tension in the air for a very different reason come kick-off.

Concentrated And Consistent

Deportivo La Coruna, meanwhile, are a side who have successfully come through their own period of problems. At the start of the campaign Miguel Angel Lotina could not get his men to fire at all, and they were languishing with just three goals and four points after eight matches. They’ve since won four of their last six matches, illustrating just how quickly things can be turned around.

Victory on Saturday evening could even allow the Galicians to overhaul Atleti in the standings, which would have been unthinkable after a few weeks of action.

Involved in the Monday night game, Deportivo got back on track after a defeat against Racing Santander. Against newly promoted Hercules, the Riazor side executed a performance that was typically measured, running out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Niouoi Lassad as the game entered its dusk period.

“We had to be strong and we won against a quality opponent,” Lotina stated. “It is another step forward and we must continue like this. Mostly I liked our concentration and consistency.”

Solidarity and organisation have been the watchwords for Depor over the course of the last 18 months and there is little to suggest that will change when they meet Atleti on Saturday. Keeping a clean sheet will be of paramount importance, and from that basis the northerners will attempt to strike one single, decisive blow.

TEAM NEWS

Atletico

Quique Sanchez Flores may have the luxury of a full squad to select from in this encounter, with the one exception being Paulo Assuncao, who is banned. Tiago is training normally and should be fit for the encounter.

Deportivo

Andres Guardado finally makes his return for the Galicians. Ruben Perez will not face his parent club, however.

Juca won’t be back in action until next week, which is the same as Riki. Adrian may also miss out after taking an awkward knock to his ankle on Monday.

Prediction

Atletico Madrid may be capable of outstanding matches, but too often this season they’ve fallen well short of those expectations. At the Vicente Calderon they have been a little stronger, but against a solid Deportivo La Coruna side they certainly should not expect to take three points given their mediocre recent form.

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Deportivo

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11-12-2010 21:00 Auxerre - Olympique Marseille

Forget About Europe

As Auxerre’s Champions League campaign came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday evening as they were trounced by Real Madrid, Olympique de Marseille’s continued at pace as they defeated a confidence-shot Chelsea side 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome. The time for concentrating on such festivities is over and it’s back to Ligue 1 business at the weekend as the duo go face-to-face.

AJA’s goals in Europe were always humble after being placed in arguably the toughest group. After competing well in the opening matches, they found themselves outclassed by los Blancos in midweek. Though the Burgundy side created openings, they were unable to score as the hosts struck four unanswered goals.

Jean Fernandez was typically thoughtful after the match, commenting to Canal+: "We knew it was going to be difficult. We will keep a positive view. [Finishing] last is anecdotal. Against Real Madrid we knew it was going to be complicated, and it was.”

Virtually any game for AJA is tough at the moment because of a horrendous injury position. This was made more acute at in midweek as midfield orchestrator Benoit Pedretti was struck by a hamstring complaint that will keep him out of action until after the Christmas break.

Off the back of five successive losses, the visit of les Phoceens promises to be a difficult affair and it is a match AJA will do well to take anything from given their present state, but with a steady rearguard don’t discount them.

Confidence Boosted

Olympique de Marseille may not be in their pomp, stumbling their way to a series of decent results rather than playing with the poise of champions, but they are certainly confident. Despite being without a number of first team starters when they hosts Chelsea they managed to record 1-0 victory as the unlikely source of Brandao struck the only goal of the match.

“It's good for confidence even if it does not earn us points in Ligue 1,” Deschamps explained to the media. “I don't like singling out a player, but if I must I would pick out Brandao. Tonight, he was the difference. I'm sure we'll need him in the future.

“It's a good thing my players won. After a draw and a loss [in the league] it will give us more confidence.”

Mere days earlier the emotions had been very different as OM were hit by a sucker punch from Nice in a derby encounter. After dominating the second half, Deschamps men had failed to put the ball in the net and would be struck by an undeserved winning goal deep in stoppage time.

Given how many games les Phoceens have managed to get through by their fingernails, critics would argue that such a result was perhaps a long time in coming for the Provence giants, but their ability to bounce back in midweek was impressive.

When Marseille tend to slip unexpected, the Stade Velodrome is normally the venue, so though the trip to Auxerre will by no means be simple, it’s not one that they’ll fear.

TEAM NEWS

Auxerre

Beset by injury problems, the last thing Jean Fernandez needed was another problem, but that’s exactly what he go in midweek as Benoit Pedretti won’t feature for a month because of a hamstring issue.

Key players Cedric Hengbart, Ireneusz Jelen and Delvin N’Dinga are all sidelined, while squad men such as Jeremy Berthod, Alexandre Licata and Yaya Sanogo are out.

Marseille

While Auxerre suffer problems on the injury front, OM’s issues are clear. Andre-Pierre Gignac will return to action on Saturday evening, while Stephane M’Bia is back after Champions League suspension. Lucho Gonzalez and Edouard Cisse will start after being benched in midweek.

Only Cesar Azpilicueta and Hilton are missing.

Prediction

This may not be the most free-flowing Marseille side, but in general over recent weeks they’ve shown that they know how to win. With many of their most important players rested in midweek, Didier Deschamps’ side also have the luxury of fielding a far fresher squad than their hosts. It won’t be easy – it rarely is with OM this season – but they should take the points.

AJ Auxerre 0-2 Marseille

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11-12-2010 20:45 Genoa - Napoli

Recovery In Progress

Former Lazio coach Davide Ballardini seems to be weaving a new era at Genoa as the Grifone are going from strength to strength. The former Italian champions were struggling when Ballardini took over but they are now back in contention for a European place.

Last weekend's 3-1 victory over Lecce away from home was the Rossoblu's third in Serie A under the 46-year-old and their fourth in all competitions. It kept them in ninth place in the table but inched them to just two points off a Europa League place.

Genoa have lost just one competitive match since Ballardini became in charge of the first team and that was against rejuvenated Juventus. However, the former Italian champions have a rather poor record at home as they have lost three of their seven league matches at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris so far this campaign.

Genuine European Contenders

Since Walter Mazzarri took over the coaching responsibilities at San Paolo in October 2009 Napoli have gone from strength to strength. Last season the Partenopei missed a place in the top four in Serie A but this campaign they are in full throttle to accomplishing just that.

After 15 round of matches, Napoli are currently fourth in the league table with 27 points. Mathematically it's not improbable that the Azzurri can launch a Scudetto challenge as they are just three points behind Lazio, who are second, and six behind leaders Milan.

On Monday night the former Italian champions registered an encouraging 1-0 win against fellow Champions League contenders Palermo in Naples and will be confident going into Saturday night's encounter against Genoa. Interestingly, the Neapolitans have won half of their away games in the league and this will only inflate their confidence. 

TEAM NEWS

Genoa

Sculli, Kaladze and Palacio are injured and will miss the visit of Napoli. The Grifone will follow a 4-3-1-2 system that will see Kharja playing behind Palladino and Toni as the creator-in-chief.

Napoli

Lucarelli, Gianello and Lavezzi are injured and will miss the trip to Genoa while Grava is suspended. Mazzarri will deploy a 3-4-2-1 system that will have Cavani as the targetman with Hamsik and Sosa as the creative midfielders behind him

Prediction

Genoa will be no pushovers as under Davide Ballardini the Grifone have recovered their winning mentality. However, Napoli have a strong record on the road and will manage a draw in the least.

Genoa 1-1 Napoli

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11-12-2010 18:30 Newcastle United - Liverpool

How Not To Run A Football Club

It has been a whirlwind of a week for Newcastle. They parted company with their manager Chris Hughton due a perceived lack of experience, only to replace him with Alan Pardew – whose CV hardly embarrasses his predecessors’. Mike Ashley clearly is a man who aspires to be pantomime villain No.1 in the North East this Christmas.

Murmurs of discontent abound, with fans promising to demonstrate against the appointment ahead of the game on Saturday. Suffice to say, if Pardew can deliver three points on Saturday there will be a heavy sigh of relief within the corridors of power at St James’. Newcastle are sliding down the table, and don’t have much breathing space before they are sucked into the mire.

Consistency Is The Key For Hodgson’s Reds

It’s been a peculiar season for Liverpool, by all accounts they’ve been far from brilliant thus far - yet they sit in eighth position in the league. The problem has been securing back-to-back wins in the league, with the victories against Blackburn, Bolton and Chelsea the only consecutive triumphs the club have tasted this term.

The trip up to Tyneside is as good an opportunity as any to put this right. Newcastle’s home form has been unspectacular this season, and with new boss Alan Pardew promising an attacking brand of football, there could be ample opportunity for Liverpool to strike on the counter. The Reds will be hoping three points would start to see them pull away from the middle of the Premier League pile and towards the coveted Champions League spots.

TEAM NEWS

Newcastle

Alan Pardew will be able to call upon Joey Barton as the midfielder returns from suspension, but it looks as if captain Kevin Nolan (ankle) will remain sidelined.

Steve Harper (collar bone) returned to action this week, saving a penalty as his side cruised to a 7-1 victory in a specially arranged practice game against Middlesbrough. Despite featuring for 65 minutes, it’s expected that Harper’s deputy Tim Krul will keep his place in goal against Liverpool.

With centre-backs Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson still suspended, expect Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor to start at the heart of Newcastle’s defence. Other absentees include Ryan Taylor (ankle), Hatem Ben Arfa (leg) and Dan Gosling (knee).

Possible starting XI: Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Campbell, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Tiote, Gutierrez; Carroll, Ameobi.

Liverpool

Captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring) and Daniel Agger (calf) are on the verge of returning to the first team squad but manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that both will miss out on the trip to Tyneside.

With Jamie Carragher (shoulder) out for the next few months, Liverpool will continue with the powerful combination of Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Martin Skrtel at centre-back.

Fernando Torres missed last weekend’s 3-0 win against Aston Villa as his wife gave birth to their child, meaning that the Spaniard will return to the starting line-up for the visitors. Jay Spearing (ankle) is the only other absentee for Liverpool.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky; Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi; Ngog, Torres.

Prediction

Liverpool haven’t been good enough away from home this season, and in normal circumstances you wouldn’t back them to take three points back to Merseyside, but it’s difficult to see Newcastle putting their troubles to one side to see out the victory. Alan Pardew badly needs to get his tenure off to a good start, but may well end his big day in disappointment.

Newcastle 1-3 Liverpool

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11-12-2010 18:00 Palermo - Parma

Striving For Europe Again

Palermo's Europa League campaign has already come to an end as the Sicilians were knocked out of the group stage. On Monday night the Rosanero appeared to be depressed still over the exit as they exhibited a woeful performance to go down 1-0 to fellow Champions League-chasers Napoli.

The defeat in Naples put flight to Palermo's three-match winning streak in Serie A and placed them seventh in the standings with 23 points from 15 matches, level with fifth-placed Inter but four points behind Napoli, who are currently fourth.

Delio Rossi's side will be desperate to win not just to claw their way up the table but also to please club president Maurizio Zamparini, who blamed playmaker Javier Pastore for their defeat to Naples and also defined their performance as "a horror film". The Aquile will hope to exponentially improve their performance and add to their current tally of four home wins in the league from eight matches.

Eluding The Relegation Octopus

Parma are still in danger of sliding down the table in the Italian first division and getting trapped in the relegation quagmire, but the Gialloblu have shown signs of improvement and are pulling themselves away from the bottom three. Last weekend's 2-1 victory over Udinese at home propelled them to 15th in the league standings on 18 points from 15 matches, a healthy six points above the relegation zone.

That win saw Parma bounce back from a 5-2 defeat to Inter in Milan and was their third win in five league fixtures. In fact, Pasquale Marino's side have lost just three times since October and will head into their game in Sicily riding on the wave of optimism.

However, the Crociati need to keep their feet on the ground as they have won just once on the road all season and have conceded 13 goals in seven away games.

TEAM NEWS

Palermo

Hernandez, Darmian and Joao Pedro are injured while Carrozzieri and Cassani are suspended.

Parma

Marques, Paloschi and Galloppa are injured while Valiani is suspended.

Prediction

A win for Palermo at home is the most likely outcome. Parma are struggling and have won just once on the road, and with Palermo's superior class and quality they will be fortunate enough to garner a draw.

Palermo 2-0 Parma

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