Barcelona 0:0 Chelsea
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Barcelona vs Chelsea
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
This is about pride, about rivalry, about success. Tonight footballing history will be written.
Barcelona are tipped as favourites to win the most coveted competition of all. They have a very talented squad, a dream team as most pundits will tell you. They scored 130 goals this season alone, with 90 of them coming from the trio playing up-front Messi, Eto'o and Henry. The midfield is also spectacular with talents like Iniesta and Xavi, who provide the avantgarde with assists. Theire real weakness seems to be the defence, where goalkeeper Valdes and centre backs Pique and Marquez are not world class.
Pep Guardiola has managed to control the team's drive for success and keep low the hype surrounding the Blaugrana, who are facing a daunting task this week. On Saturday they play Real Madrid away, whilst next Wednesday is the return leg of this Semifinal at Stamford Bridge.
These teams met several times in Europe in the last seasons. In two cases Barcelona progressed, while Chelsea defeated the Blaugrana under Mourinho, after a thrilling 4-2 show at the Bridge four seasons ago. There has always been balance between these two. Chelsea have scored 9 while Barca scored 7 in the last meetings.
Chelsea have recovered so well under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink. The Blues won 3-1 at Anfield in a scintilating display of power and control against Liverpool, after being one goal down. The way Lampard & Co played that game was extraordinary and must have put Guardiola on guard.
Didier Drogba looks rejuvenated; he has regained his joy, his morale. He knows he plays for the team. He is the spearhead of the Blues. His presence is so overwhelming for the opposite defence. Puyol and Marquez know that, as the Ivorian powerhouse has scored in the last 5 matches against them.
The fact that three of four teams remaining in this competition are English based is enough evidence for everyone to understand that Chelsea are no underdogs tonight. The sheer strength of Terry, Lampard and Drogba will blow Barcelona away.
I tip Chelsea to score away, valued at 6/11.
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
This is about pride, about rivalry, about success. Tonight footballing history will be written.
Barcelona are tipped as favourites to win the most coveted competition of all. They have a very talented squad, a dream team as most pundits will tell you. They scored 130 goals this season alone, with 90 of them coming from the trio playing up-front Messi, Eto'o and Henry. The midfield is also spectacular with talents like Iniesta and Xavi, who provide the avantgarde with assists. Theire real weakness seems to be the defence, where goalkeeper Valdes and centre backs Pique and Marquez are not world class.
Pep Guardiola has managed to control the team's drive for success and keep low the hype surrounding the Blaugrana, who are facing a daunting task this week. On Saturday they play Real Madrid away, whilst next Wednesday is the return leg of this Semifinal at Stamford Bridge.
These teams met several times in Europe in the last seasons. In two cases Barcelona progressed, while Chelsea defeated the Blaugrana under Mourinho, after a thrilling 4-2 show at the Bridge four seasons ago. There has always been balance between these two. Chelsea have scored 9 while Barca scored 7 in the last meetings.
Chelsea have recovered so well under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink. The Blues won 3-1 at Anfield in a scintilating display of power and control against Liverpool, after being one goal down. The way Lampard & Co played that game was extraordinary and must have put Guardiola on guard.
Didier Drogba looks rejuvenated; he has regained his joy, his morale. He knows he plays for the team. He is the spearhead of the Blues. His presence is so overwhelming for the opposite defence. Puyol and Marquez know that, as the Ivorian powerhouse has scored in the last 5 matches against them.
The fact that three of four teams remaining in this competition are English based is enough evidence for everyone to understand that Chelsea are no underdogs tonight. The sheer strength of Terry, Lampard and Drogba will blow Barcelona away.
I tip Chelsea to score away, valued at 6/11.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Hull vs Liverpool
English Premier League, 16h00
Although Hull was 6th in the tables on Boxing Day, they went all the way down having big troubles to retain their place in the top flight for next season. The Tigers really look dreadful in 2008.
Liverpool are hoping to win the title, which is only Manchester United's to lose. The Reds will miss Gerrard, but they had a good season and Fernando Torres will prove his worth today.
I tip Liverpool to win; at 5/11.
English Premier League, 16h00
Although Hull was 6th in the tables on Boxing Day, they went all the way down having big troubles to retain their place in the top flight for next season. The Tigers really look dreadful in 2008.
Liverpool are hoping to win the title, which is only Manchester United's to lose. The Reds will miss Gerrard, but they had a good season and Fernando Torres will prove his worth today.
I tip Liverpool to win; at 5/11.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Farul vs Dinamo
Romanian Liga I, 17h00
These two teams are in opposite situations. Farul are in the relegation zone with little chances of surviving, whilst Dinamo are top of the league day-dreaming of Uefa Champions League football come September.
The fixtures between these two have always been tight, but Farul are awful these days. They have also a very bad pitch that will not suit Dinamo; still I expect the leaders to win even by only one goal and put pressure on the chasers.
I tip Dinamo to win, at 6/11.
Romanian Liga I, 17h00
These two teams are in opposite situations. Farul are in the relegation zone with little chances of surviving, whilst Dinamo are top of the league day-dreaming of Uefa Champions League football come September.
The fixtures between these two have always been tight, but Farul are awful these days. They have also a very bad pitch that will not suit Dinamo; still I expect the leaders to win even by only one goal and put pressure on the chasers.
I tip Dinamo to win, at 6/11.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Barcelona vs Sevilla
Spanish Primera Division, 22h00
Barcelona are top of the league standings, 3 points ahead of Real Madrid. But they'll take next on 4 best teams in Spain: Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid, Villarreal. And also the UCL Semifinal clash against Chelsea. Of course they are close to full strength, as their only absentee is Abidal.
Sevilla are third in the league and trying to stay there as that place takes them to the UCL groups. They have lost 2 in a row at home to Getafe and at Valencia, but both were in the dying minutes of the games. With Jesus Navas fit, as well as Luis Fabiano and Kanoute, the Andalusians are always a heavy proposition for any opponent, including the Blaugrana.
I expect Barca to win, but it could turn into a big surprise.
I tip Sevilla to score, valued at 6/11.
Spanish Primera Division, 22h00
Barcelona are top of the league standings, 3 points ahead of Real Madrid. But they'll take next on 4 best teams in Spain: Sevilla, Valencia, Real Madrid, Villarreal. And also the UCL Semifinal clash against Chelsea. Of course they are close to full strength, as their only absentee is Abidal.
Sevilla are third in the league and trying to stay there as that place takes them to the UCL groups. They have lost 2 in a row at home to Getafe and at Valencia, but both were in the dying minutes of the games. With Jesus Navas fit, as well as Luis Fabiano and Kanoute, the Andalusians are always a heavy proposition for any opponent, including the Blaugrana.
I expect Barca to win, but it could turn into a big surprise.
I tip Sevilla to score, valued at 6/11.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Vaslui vs Timisoara
Romanian Liga I, tomorrow 17h30
The hosts are playing good physical football. They have a young coach and a very solid midfield. They use a 4-4-2 formation with very skillful and quick wings that opens up their game so much. The strikers are powerful and very good in aerial combat.
Vaslui fight for a European spot for the second year in a row and have a very good chance to get it, but they need to win every point to be sure of that.
Timisoara are second in the standings with a chance to win the title. They lost just twice in the league, but the schedule looks to get to them, as this is the 5th game in two weeks and a number of players admitted after Wednesday's Cup game that they are tired.
Last season's corresponding fixture finished 3-0 for the hosts. Don't expect that margin again, but go for Vaslui to clinch it and tighten up things at the top of the table.
I tip Vaslui to win, with a value at about 3/2.
Romanian Liga I, tomorrow 17h30
The hosts are playing good physical football. They have a young coach and a very solid midfield. They use a 4-4-2 formation with very skillful and quick wings that opens up their game so much. The strikers are powerful and very good in aerial combat.
Vaslui fight for a European spot for the second year in a row and have a very good chance to get it, but they need to win every point to be sure of that.
Timisoara are second in the standings with a chance to win the title. They lost just twice in the league, but the schedule looks to get to them, as this is the 5th game in two weeks and a number of players admitted after Wednesday's Cup game that they are tired.
Last season's corresponding fixture finished 3-0 for the hosts. Don't expect that margin again, but go for Vaslui to clinch it and tighten up things at the top of the table.
I tip Vaslui to win, with a value at about 3/2.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Porto vs Manchester United
Uefa Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg, 20h45
After the draw everyone tipped United to progress from this tie. And even now, after the 1st leg most people go with the defending champions. Still, there are some stats that make Porto favourites. The most important are the ones that shows their brilliance in stopping United's attack at Old Trafford a week ago. In doing so, they were very offensive also, managing more shots on goal and more corners than the hosts did. The Portuguese team lead for most of the match, and when they were eventually trailling, they had the strength to pull themselves together and equalise in the final minutes.
So the momentum is really with Porto now. There are also more feats to be taken seriously. Porto are undefeated at home to English clubs in the European Cups. And that means eleven matches. They also managed to defeat United in 2004, when they went to win the most coveted European trophy guided by Jose Mourinho. Also, in the last years, the UCL reigning champions haven't made it to the Semifinal stage the next season.
Rio Ferdinand and Berbatov are back in the squad after injuries, but United players seem to have lost momentum. And if a couple of months ago there were voices that told us of a possible quintuple, now the Red Devils should be scared because they risk losing not only the UCL, but also the domestic title to a Liverpool side that is in-form and seeks the crown for almost 20 years now.
I tip Porto to go through, which is valued at about 10/11.
Uefa Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg, 20h45
After the draw everyone tipped United to progress from this tie. And even now, after the 1st leg most people go with the defending champions. Still, there are some stats that make Porto favourites. The most important are the ones that shows their brilliance in stopping United's attack at Old Trafford a week ago. In doing so, they were very offensive also, managing more shots on goal and more corners than the hosts did. The Portuguese team lead for most of the match, and when they were eventually trailling, they had the strength to pull themselves together and equalise in the final minutes.
So the momentum is really with Porto now. There are also more feats to be taken seriously. Porto are undefeated at home to English clubs in the European Cups. And that means eleven matches. They also managed to defeat United in 2004, when they went to win the most coveted European trophy guided by Jose Mourinho. Also, in the last years, the UCL reigning champions haven't made it to the Semifinal stage the next season.
Rio Ferdinand and Berbatov are back in the squad after injuries, but United players seem to have lost momentum. And if a couple of months ago there were voices that told us of a possible quintuple, now the Red Devils should be scared because they risk losing not only the UCL, but also the domestic title to a Liverpool side that is in-form and seeks the crown for almost 20 years now.
I tip Porto to go through, which is valued at about 10/11.
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