Monday, December 28, 2009

Tottenham 2:0 West Ham
Chelsea 2:1 Fulham
Wolverhampton vs Manchester City
English Premier League, 20h45
The Wolves are a side that will fight for avoiding relegation, while City with the appointment of Italian legend Mancini tried to send a message to the other title contenders.
In the first game in charge at Eastlands, Mancini masterminded a win without conceding, something City hadn't seen in a while. It is another feat that will be achieved tonight. Manchester City have not won away since August, despite they've only lost twice this season. It is thought Bellamy will step in for Robinho.
I tip City to win, at 9/11.
Chelsea vs Fulham
English Premier League, 16h00
Chelsea have won only once in December, but are still topping the standings. They will lose Drogba and Kalou to the African Cup of Nations and that is why a win today is so important.
Fulham are impressive at home; have beaten Manchester United 3-0, but away they struggle to go on the counter.
I tip Chelsea to win today, at 2/5.
Tottenham vs West Ham
English Premier League, 13h45
West Ham have not won in their last 8 away games and not won any of the last 7 London derbies they were involved in. Tottenham have conceded only once in the last 4 games against the Hammers. The Spurs are in a run of 4 clean sheets kept in a row.
Harry Redknapp's troops have managed a 0-0 draw at Fulham two days ago, while West Ham have beaten Portsmouth 2-0.
I tip Tottenham to win, at 5/11.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Birmingham vs Chelsea
English Premier League,13h45
It's the Boxing Day action in the Premier League and it all starts with two of the best teams. Birmingham are 7th while Chelsea sit on top of the standings. The hosts have kept 7 clean sheets while Chelsea are the only side to have kept more, 9. Birmingham won everyone of the 7 games in which they've scored first. The hosts are unbeaten in 9 games.
Chelsea is the only top flight team to have scored in every game of the season. The Blues have won only one of the last six. Drogba will play his last game ahead of the African Cup of Nations.
I tip Chelsea to win, at 6/11.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sporting Gijon 0:1 Sevilla
Atalanta 1:1 Inter
West Ham vs Chelsea
English Premier League, 17h00
Chelsea has a 3-point cushion over second placed Manchester United with today's London derby in hand. The Red Devils were brushed aside 3-0 by Fulham on Saturday. Drogba returns to the line-up, while Carlton Cole and Valon Behrami will miss out for West Ham.
Chelsea have won their last 4 trips to Upton Park, scoring 12 and conceding only 2. West Ham have conceded 9 goals in their last 3 games at home. The Blues have kept most clean sheets this season, 9.
Didier Drogba has already scored 18 goals this season in all competitions.
I expect Chelsea to win this one, at 5/11.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Sporting Gijon vs Sevilla
Spanish Primera Division, 21h00
The hosts' coach said that Sevilla and Chelsea are the most physical sides in Europe, having great strength, aerial proficiency and speed. Gijon is a good team mostly at home and will count on De las Cuevas to provide the magic again.
Sevilla will play without some injured players, including Luis Fabiano. but the likes of Perroti, Jesus Navas and Renato will provide the assists for Negredo and Kanoute. Sevilla must keep the pace with Real Madrid and Barcelona, after two home draws in the league and a 1-0 win in the midweek UCL action.
I tip Sevilla to win, at 6/5.
Atalanta vs Inter
Italian Serie A, 15h00
Atalanta are placed just above the drop zone. They have a young coach in Antonio Conte, ex Juventus captain. They have lost the last 3 games at home. 
Also Inter lost its last 2 away, at Barcelona and Juventus and will look to bounce back, as they want to keep second placed AC Milan at bay. Inter has won 6 of the last 8 against Atalanta. The Nerazzurri have the best attack in the league with 34 goals. Sneijder will play, as we should mention that Inter have lost only when he could not play.
I tip Inter to win, at 2/3.
Cagliari 3:3 Napoli
Manchester United 0:1 Aston Villa

Friday, December 11, 2009

Cagliari vs Napoli
Italian Serie A, Saturday 18h00
Cagliari are unbeaten in the last 8 matches against Napoli. But Napoli have not lost under new coach Mazzari, 4 wins and 4 draws. Cagliari has won its last 4 at home and has not conceded in the last 3.
Cagliari has lost to Palermo 2-1 in the last match, after defeating Juventus 2-0. Cagliari and Fiorentina are the teams with the most clean-sheets this season, seven. Napoli has scored more than a goal in an away match only once this season, in the 3-2 win at Juventus.
I tip Cagliari to win, at 4/3.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
English Premier League, Saturday 18h30
In the last ten encounters between these two there have been nine wins for United and a draw. The Red Devils have gone to 27 games without defeat against tomorrow's opponents, this being the biggest mismatch in Premier League history. The last time the Villans avoided defeat at Old Trafford was in 2002. But, the guests are the only side to have not lost to a top ten team this season.
Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in his last five starts against Aston Villa. United have scored 11 goals in their last 3 league outings. After a goalless draw in the opening day of the season, Martin O'Neill's men have scored in every match so far, summing up to 14. Aston VIlla have won 99 games away from home.
United seem to be a very lucky side and stroll against the teams outside the top four.

The home side will welcome back the likes of Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov and Vidic, while Aston Villa have no new injury wories.
I tip United to win it, at 1/2.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Olympiacos 1:0 Arsenal
Stuttgart 3:1 Unirea
Inter 2:0 Rubin
Lyon 4:0 Debrecen
Olympique Lyonnais vs Debrecen
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
Debrecen has conceded the most goals in this competition 15 and the overall record is set at 19. Lyon defeated Debrecen away 4-0.
Lyon will finish top of the group if they win and Fiorentina loses at Liverpool or win by 2 or more goals and Fiorentina manages to draw. Lisandro Lopez has scored 7 goals in his last 6 games played.
I predict Lyon to win by more than a goal, at 6/11.
Inter vs Rubin
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
Both teams have the same record in this group: 1 win, 3 draws and a loss. The reverse match finished 1-1 in Russia. Inter has not won at home in the last four games of this competition, drawing the last 3, while Rubin is undefeated in 4, the last two finishing goalless.
To assure qualification, each side must win because either of the four teams from this group has its faith in its own hands.
The big fact of this game is that Sneijder is back from injury and his presence will be essential for Inter tonight.
I tip Inter to win, at 7/11.
Vfb Stuttgart vs Unirea
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
Stuttgart is one of the few teams that have scored in everyone of the five games played in this year's UCL. But, they've conceded in the last 6 played at home in the UCL. The Germans are 2 points behind Unirea in the standings and need to win in order to progress to the knock-out stage of the competition.
Unirea is a lowly team even in Romania. The team's central figure is coach Dan Petrescu, a Chelsea favourite. They have managed two wins in this competition, 4-1 at Rangers and 1-0 at home to Sevilla, and two home draws. It's players are hard working and will fight for every yard tonight.
I tip Unirea to qualify, at 13/10.
Olympiakos vs Arsenal
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
Olympiakos have won both matches at home in this season's UCL. Still are yet to be sure of qualification. The Greek side still needs a point. Zico has some injury problems but can field an experienced team that can put down Arsenal's young guns.
Arsene Wenger has brought to Athens a very young squad, in which the most experienced are Walcott and Song. The Gunners are already qualified and assured of first position and will play Liverpool on Sunday.
I tip the home side to win, at 6/5.
Astra 1:1 Dinamo
Wolfsburg 1:3 Manchester United

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Wolfsburg vs Manchester United
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
Wolfsburg are for the first time in this competition, still they have a big chance of qualifying for the next round. They need to win against Manchester United tonight or to get at least the number of points CSKA Moscow manage to gain at Besiktas. Martins will be out, but the Wolfs have managed good results at home, beating CSKA 3-1 and drawing 0-0 with Besiktas; while they winning their match at United only for two late goals from Giggs and Fletcher to deny them collecting points.
United are already qualified and are hit by a huge injury crisis. No less than 15 first squad players are out with injury. That means the only natural defender left in the squad is Patrice Evra. Carrick and Fletcher will deputise along the Frechman in a defensive line that will have to feature another of the 13 midfielders that have made the trip to Germany. Giggs is rested, while up front there will bo no Rooney or Berbatov, Michael Owen being the most important attacking player that is in the squad.

They lost the last game in the competition 0-1 at home to Besiktas.
I tip Wolfsburg to win this game, at 6/5.
Astra vs Dinamo
Romanian Liga I, 19h00
Dinamo has defeated Astra 2-1 in the Romanian Cup last month, also away, so it won't be that much of a surprise if the Red Dogs manage it again.
Astra are placed just above the relegation zone with 16 points and wil be missing a host of players that are on loan from today's opponents.
Dinamo has to close the gap on the leaders to 3 points, in order to have a chance at the championship.
I tip Dinamo to win, at 4/5.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Fiorentina 2:0 Atalanta
Vaslui 1:1 Otelul
Fiorentina vs Atalanta
Italian Serie A, 15h00
Atalanta has not won against the Viola  in the last 7 games and has lost the last 2 by the same 2-1 scoreline. Still, Fiorentina has lost the last two games and four of the last six in the league, as they dropped to 10th spot. 
Atalanta has lost 4 of the last 5 and find themselves just above the drop zone. 
Jovetic could make his long awaited return, while Mutu and Gamberini are still short of fitness. Fiorentina plays at Liverpool next week in the UCL.
I tip Fiorentina to win this one, at 3/5.
Vaslui vs Otelul
Romanian Liga I, 15h00
Vaslui has won the last 4 consecutive encounters with Otelul. The home side has a far superior form, as they've won 8 from their last 9 outings and are level on top of the standings.
Otelul has won its last game, but they've won only two of the last 8 games played in all competitions.
I tip Vaslui to win, at 1/2.
Deportivo 1:3 Barcelona

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Manchester City 2:1 Chelsea
Aston Villa 3:0 Hull
Aston Villa vs Hull
English Premier League, 16h00
Aston Villa have drawn 4 of their last 6 league games, but have won in midweek 4-2 at Portsmouth in the League Cup. The Villans have only lost once at home this season, in the first day against Wigan. Aston Villa have not kept a clean sheet in their last 9 games, but have won in their last 5 matches against Hull without conceding a goal.
Hull have a 4 match unbeaten run, their second best since they promoted to the top-flight. Ian Ashbee is still missing for the guests. The Tigers are one of the two teams that have not won away in this season's Premier League. They have managed only a clean sheet in their last 12 games.
I tip Villa to win, at 1/2.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Barcelona
Spanish Primera Division, 22h00
Deportivo has not lost at home to Barca in 4 games. They are also very strong this season having won 4 and drew 1 in 6 home games. The hosts are fifth in the standings and will have to do without Riki tonight.
Barcelona will have their minds set on the crucial UCL match in Kiev next week where they mustn't lose.
Busquets could be on for Toure Yaya and Iniesta for Henry. Barca have won 4 and drew 3 away games this season.
I tip Deportivo not to lose, at 9/10.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
English Premier League, 18h30
Carlo Ancelotti said that the most important matches of this week are the ones against Arsenal and Manchester City. That meant the team against Blackburn was experimental and that game turned out to be a very entertaining one. Now, Chelsea will be at full strength again at the City of Manchester Stadium. The Blues are top of the table, five points clear of second placed Manchester United. Chelsea have won in 10 of the last 12 away games at City. The Sky Blues have not scored in 12 of the last 14 overall against Chelsea, also losing the last consecutive 8 in the process. In their last 5 league games, Chelsea have scored 17 goals and conceded none.

These two are the most disciplined sides in this Premier League season. 
Manchester City have drawn their last 7 games in the Premier League, an English record. Mark Hughes has lost just once in 17 games this season, away at Manchester United.
Bellamy, Ireland, Petrov and Shaun Wright-Phillips are doubtful for the hosts.
I tip Chelsea to win, at 9/10.

Friday, December 04, 2009

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Dinamo Bucuresti vs Sturm Graz
Uefa Europa League, 21h05
The Austrians managed only one point in the group stage of this competition. That was gained in Istanbul after a 1-1 draw with Galatasaray, which is the best team in the group. The Turks have dismantled Dinamo 3-0 and 4-1.
Dinamo has won in Austria 1-0 and seem to have regained their momentum in the domestic league. The Romanian side has far more technical quality in their squad and must be favourite to win this game.

I have to tip Dinamo tonight for a win, at 4/5.
Manchester City 3:0 Arsenal
Blackburn 2:2 Chelsea
Sheriff 1:1 Steaua

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Sheriff vs Steaua
Uefa Europa League, 19h00
As strange as it sounds, a team from Moldova is favourite against a Romanian side. I've lived to see this. Awful.
Sheriff beat Twente and lost to Fenerbahce, having drawn away at Steaua in between.
Steaua are leaders in the domestic league and have to win if they want to have a chance of qualifying further in the competition. I believe the Romanians will have enough to put the hosts down. Mihai Stoichita is a gifted coach and I trust him.
I tip Steaua to win, at a huge value of 2/1.
Blackburn vs Chelsea
English League Cup, 21h00
Blackburn have put together a couple of wins to get out of the relegation zone. They lost heavily at Stamford Bridge and will be without on-loan player Franco di Santo tonight.
Chelsea are at full-strength and I think Carlo Ancelotti will shuffle his troops a little bit as he did all season. Nonetheless the Blues are far to strong and will go through.
I tip Chelsea to win, at 1/2.
Manchester City vs Arsenal
English League Cup, 20h45
Manchester City lost just once in 16 games this season. But they've drawn their last 7 games in a row. They've received good news as Robinho and Micah Richards are match fit after long spells on the sidelines.
Arsenal have recorded 3 of their 4 losses away from home, as they will have to do without van Persie for the next five months. Eduardo will lead the attack for a wounded Arsenal, who just lost 0-3 at home to Chelsea.
The corresponding match from the league finished 4-2 for City.

I tip City to win, at 9/10.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009