Monday, May 28, 2007

Today's review reads 20 perfect tips from the last 20 published.
My general prediction rate is an exquisite 69.82% (155/222).

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Fiorentina 5:1 Sampdoria
Fiorentina vs Sampdoria
Italian Serie A, 1400 BST

This is the last day of the Italian top flight in the 2006-2007 season.
Fiorentina hosts Sampdoria in a match very important for the hosts.
Viola's win today means they get a UEFA Cup berth for next season,
no matter what the other teams do today. Coach Cesare Prandelli named
the team he will line-up in a press conference on Saturday: Frey; Ujfalusy,
Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Blasi, Liverani, Montolivo; Jorgensen, Pazzini
and Mutu. The Romanian superstar is back after a suspension.
Luca Toni's season is over for some weeks now because of surgery, and 
Prandelli has his faith in Gianpaolo Pazzini, the striker which will lead
Fiorentina's attack next season. The coach also mentioned that is very
important his team doesn't concede today. The stats are on his side, as 
Fiorentina hasn't conceded at home five times in a row. Also, they have a 
great attacking force, as Mutu & Co have scored in every Serie A game
at Stadio Artemio Franchi, but for one, the game against AS Roma.
Sampdoria are at the middle of the table and have no concerns, but
there are quite a few absentees today. Captain Flacchi is suspended for
doping and Bastrini, Bonazzoli, Volpi, Bazzani, Parola and Falcone are out
through injuries. Because of this big number of unavailable players, mostly
in attack, where Quagliarella is the only player available (he will be the
lonely striker), Novellino has brought into his squad no fewer than
SEVEN Primavera squad players.

As these were writen, I will put my money on Fiorentina to win today.
The odds are 2/3.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Milan vs Liverpool
The Uefa Champions League Final
1945 BST, Athens

This will be a replay of the Final of two years ago, which was played
in Istanbul, between these two teams. In that match, Milan was in
front at the break, 3-0, only to be caught by the Reds in space of just
six minutes. It went to overtime and then to penalties, where Liverpool
won. It was the most intriguing Final of recent history of football. 
So, Liverpool have the chance to win it again after just 2 years. They
put out of the competitions great teams like Barcelona and Chelsea. 
Coach Rafa Benitez will most probably choose for a 4-5-1 formation,
in order to contain Milan's attacking force.
Milan will play their third Final in just five years. Besides losing to
Liverpool in 2005, they won in 2003 against Juventus. Ancelotti was
coaching the Rossoneri in all these finals. I think Seedorf, but mostly
Kaka will be Milan's most important players. Kaka is this season
competition goalscorer with 10 goals. Captain Paolo Maldini will play
his 8th Champions League/ Champions Cup Final.

I am going for Milan to get the edge tonight, even if it goes to penalties
again. The odds are 4/5.

Monday, May 21, 2007

From the last 15 tips published on this blog,
15 were successful. That's 100%.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Recreativo 2:3 Real Madrid
Recreativo Huelva v Real Madrid
Spanish Primera Division, 1800 BST

Recreativo Huelva is a good team in Spain.
They're in the top 10 teams, just outside the
European qualification spots, but with no more
chances to get there. They are in a slight bad
form lately, as they drew once and lost twice in
the last three. They managed a big feat in Madrid,
last year, when they beat Real at the Santiago
Bernabeu, three goals to nil.
Real Madrid are in quite a outstanding form now,
both physical and mental. Last weekend they 
managed to go top of La Liga, as Barca stumbled 
at home against Betis. Real are leading on direct
matches rule, as they have the same amount of
points as Los Cules. Real has managed 7 wins
in their last 8 outings. The only absentee tonight
will be Emerson.

I go for a Real Madrid win here, at 4/5.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Inter 2:1 Roma
Inter v AS Roma
Italian Cup Final, 2nd Leg, 1630BST

Last Wednesday, in the first leg, Roma thrashed
Internazionale by six goals to two. The hosts will
surely try to get back into this, but Roma are an 
excellent formation on the break. The only absentee
for Roma is a defensive midfielder, David Pizzaro,
who is actually on loan from Inter and is injured.
Otherwise, the Giallo-Rossi big names will feature,
as Totti, Mancini, Taddei and De Rossi are hungry
for trophies. Complacency is not on Roma's agenda
as their players have admitted they have just 51%
chances of winning the Final.
Inter is missing some important staff, as Materazzi
is suspended, while Walter Samuel, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
and Adriano are out through injuries.
Inter had shown at the weekend that their defensive
woes haven't finished. They finished the Serie A match
with Lazio, 4-3, after conceding 2 goals in the first
4 minutes.
In the previous meeting at the Giuseppe Meazza
Stadium, Roma has won, three goals to one.

I go for Roma scoring at least once, at 1/2.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Sevilla p2:2(1:1) Espanyol
Sevilla v Espanyol
The UEFA Cup Final, Glasgow, 1945 BST

This time around we're talking about a all-Spanish final
of the UEFA Cup.
Sevilla are the holders. They won last season after a 
spectacular brushing-aside of English outfit Middlesbrough.
The Andalusians are now fighting on three fronts, as they
are third in La Liga, within touch of leaders Real Madrid and
have qualified for the King's Cup, where they wil face Getafe.
Coach Juande Ramos wants to change his tactical plan for
tonight in order to contain Espanyol's attacking options.
Sevilla has lost in the domestic Championship at Espanyol,
two goals to one.
If they win, Sevilla will be just the second team to retain
a European Trophy, after Real Madrid managed this feature
in 1985 and 1986.
Espanyol are undefeated in the UEFA Cup. Walter Pandiani
is the competitions best goalscorer, with 11 goals. Espanyol 
come in to this one after a thrilling  performance 
at the Santiago Bernabeu, where they've lost Saturday night
by 4 goals to three. Coach Valverde sent a second string eleven
for that match. Pandiani scored a hat-trick in the first half.
Raul Tamudo, Luis Garcia, Ivan de la Pena, Coro are the other 
threats for Sevilla's defence for tonight's encounter.
Espanyol seeks its first European triumph, after they were
beaten in the 1988 final, after falling from 3-0 up, against 
German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

I bet 10000 units on Espanyol to score tonight, at 4/9.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Tottenham 2:1 Manchester City
FC National vs Steaua
Romanian Liga I, 1800 BST

Steaua are cruising at the moment, and will
qualify for the Uefa Champions League.
National are relegated.

Steaua to win, at 1/3.
Tottenham vs Manchester City
English Premier League, 1500 BST

This is the last day of the season. The hosts need just
one point to ensure European qualification for next season.
Spurs are always fierce at home.
City are playing dreadful football at the moment.
They are missing several players, as the likes of
England internationals Micah Richards and Joey Barton
are on the sidelines for different reasons.

Tottenham to win, at 3/5.



Saturday, May 12, 2007

Getafe 4-0 Barcelona

Real Madrid vs Espanyol
Spanish Primera Division, 1900 BST

Espanyol will play the Uefa Cup Final on Wednesday
against Sevilla, on Wednesday. That's why the coach
will rest several players tonight.
On the other hand, Real Madrid have a great chance
to win the title in Spain. If they get the three points
tonight, the Merengues will go top of La Liga.
Beckham and Robinho are suspended for Real Madrid,
as Roberto Carlos comes back from a lengthy injury.

Real Madrid to win, at 2/5.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Getafe 4:0 Barcelona
This is out of this world!!!
Getafe vs Barcelona
Spanish King's Cup Semifinal, 2nd leg, 2000 BST

Barca has won the first leg by five goals to two.
Getafe has never played in the final of this competition.
The team from Madrid has a injury free squad for tonight.
Barca will field a weakened team, as Victor Valdez, Thuram,
Zambrotta and Lionel Messi haven't made the trip.

Getafe to win, at 2/1.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Steaua 2:0 Ceahlaul
Marseille 2:1 Nancy
Dinamo 1:0 Slaven
My prediction rate on this blog is a staggering 68.09%
(143 corect predictions out of 210).
Today, I am going for a combined bet:
Steaua vs Ceahlaul 1 (1/4).
Steaua is aiming a Champions League spot.
Ceahlaul will be relegated.

Olympique Marseille vs Nancy 1 (1/2).
OM  seeks the podium and wants to play Champions
League football next season.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Slaven 1 (1/3).
This is the first leg of the Croatian Cup Final. Dinamo
had beaten Slaven 3-0 away, just a couple weeks ago
in the League.

The total odds are 3/2.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

DINAMO 1:0 cfr
Dinamo Bucuresti vs cfr
Romanian Liga I, 1800 BST

Despite the fact the guest are favourites in many eyes 
tonight, I'll go for Dinamo. The Red Dogs are already
champions in Romania. Niculescu and Danciulescu, the
club's top goalscorers, will miss this match through
suspension.
cfr is fighting for second place with Steaua. They have
a minuscular edge, of just one point ahead. They won
3-2 against Rapid at the weekend, but I felt that they
are an average team with mediocre players, mostly at
the back.
Last season, Dinamo thrashed cfr in Bucuresti,
five goals to nil; while two seasons ago it was four goals 
to nil between these two outfits.

I bet 3500 units on Dinamo, at 2/1!!!

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Real Madrid 3:2 Sevilla
Real Madrid vs Sevilla
Spanish Primera Division

Tonight, there's a big battle at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
in Madrid.
The team who will win tonight is going to keep fighting for the
title alongside Barcelona.
Sevilla managed a big feat on Thursday. They've qualified for
the second season in a row for the Uefa Cup Final, where the
Andalusians will face Espanyol. For tonight, coach Juande
Ramos will miss several players: Javi Navarro, Jesus Navas
and Adriano for sure, while Kanoute's presence is very doubtful.
Real Madrid had an entire week to prepare before this derby
for second place (for the moment). Fabio Capello has a full
squad to pick his first eleven from.
The only (long-term) absentee is Brazilian left back Roberto
Carlos. Los Merengues will have David Beckham on the pitch,
as he was forgiven from a suspension from the Spanish FA.

I will go for Real Madrid tonight, at 6/5.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

cfr 3:2 rapid (lost 7500 units)
Unirea 1:2 Steaua (won 6000 units)
Schalke 1:0 Nurnberg (won 1500 units)
Fulham 1:0 Liverpool (won 6000 units)
Unirea Urziceni vs Steaua Bucuresti
Romanian Liga I, 1600 BST

Unirea Urziceni has a coach with great footballing experience.
As a player, Dan Petrescu qualified with the national team for 
the quarterfinals of the Fifa World Cup in 1994, played in the
United States. Also, he played for big teams like Steaua, Foggia,
Southampton and Chelsea Football Club, at the end of the
nineties. He managed with his current team a great feat,
as Unirea hasn't conceded eight times in a row, a record that
was set some 13 years ago by Steaua.
But today, Steaua is in search of the 2nd spot (they're 1 point
behind cfr), which means playing for a place in the Champions
League. That is enough motivation for them.
So, these teams play at a different level, and we will see a win
for the visiting outfit today.

I bet 5000 units on Steaua, at 6/5.
I'm gonna analize a bit the match between cfr and rapid:
These two sides will meet in two hours time in Gruia. Last year's
corespondent result is 0-3. cfr is second in the table, a place that
guarantees a place in the 2nd preliminary round of the Uefa
Champions League 2007-2008. But, the hosts have had a lot
of problems since losing 1-2 against Steaua, also at home.
4 players were disciplined by the club for not playing at their full
potentialin that game - which was decisive for the 2nd spot-
three of whom won't play today. And if I mention that these three
are the most influential players in the team, you should draw the conclusion that the board action is a managerial mistake.
So, Coroian and Adrian Anca, the team's joint goalscorers won't be
on the pitch today.
Rapid will fancy their chances today and win against a weakend cfr.
Their have big experience having thought for the European berths
almost every season and also having reached Uefa Quarterfinal
stages in 2006.
I give you some quick tips for today:

Schalke 04 vs Nurnberg
German Bundesliga, 1430 BST

With their passionate crowd behind them, Schalke will get a priceless win which could mean winning the title this season.
I pick Schalke to win. 3000 units. At 3/5.

cfr vs Rapid Bucuresti
Romanian Liga I, 1400 BST

Rapid to win. 7500 units. At 2/1.

Fulham vs Liverpool
English Premier League, 1500 BST

Fulham wants to avoid relegation. Liverpool can relax after earning a spot in the Uefa Champions League Final in Athens.
3000 units on Fulham to win, at 2/1.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Here are the line-ups for tonight's clash:
Liverpool: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise; Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Zenden; Kuyt, Crouch.
Chelsea FC: Cech; Ferreira, Essien, Terry, Ashley Cole; Mikel, Makelele, Lampard; Kalou, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba.
COME ON CHELSEA!!!
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Uefa Champions League Semifinal, 2nd leg, 1945 BST

Liverpool are at full strength and have been quite impresive at home this season.
But when big teams travel to Anfield, the Reds became nervous. Barcelona and Manchester United won at Anfield, both 1-0. While Arsenal beat them twice, 6-3 and 3-1.
Liverpool will have to overcome a 1-0 deficit in order to defeat Chelsea.
Chelsea has travelled to Liverpool without Ballack, Shevchenko and Carvalho, with the last one being the most important absentee.
But Mourinho, who stated that this is "Chelsea's most important game in its history", believes that
his striker Didier Drogba is feared by Liverpool.

I bet 5000 units on Chelsea to score at Anfield tonight, at 2/5;
And reinstate my prediction that Chelsea will qualify to the Uefa Champions League Final.