Sunday, September 20, 2009

Cagliari vs Inter
Italian Serie A, 15h00
Cagliari started this season badly, the Sards finding them selves 18th with just a point from 3 games. Still, Allegri's men are the only who are not beaten last season against Inter, drawing at Giuseppe Meazza and winning at Sant'Ellia. They've lost striker Robert Acquafresca in the summer, who was on loan from Inter.
Inter are only on 7 points and have to win in order to keep pace with Juventus, who are on a 4 wins out of 4 start. Eto'o, Milito and Motta are great additions to the squad asa they scored five times between them some far this season. Sneijder is also a great transfer. They've drawn 0-0 in mid-week at home with Barcelona.
I predict a win today for Inter, valued at 3/5.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Maccabi Haifa vs Bayern Munich
Uefa Champions League, 20h45
This I reckon to be a walk in the park for the Bavarian outfit. They have a very good coach in Louis van Gaal and managed to keep Frank Ribery while signing Arjen Robben from Realmadrid. The hopes are high, as general manager Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wants his side to win the competition. Bayern managed an average of 2.5 goals in last season's run in this same competition, the best in the world.
Maccabi has lost both previous meeting with German sides, while Bayern have scored in 14 of their last 15 away games in the UCL.
I tip Bayern to win at a huge price for me, 1/2.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Tottenham vs Manchester United
English Premier League, Saturday 18h30
Manchester United had a rather mediocre start of the campaign, with 3 wins and a loss. They lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Realmadrid in the summer and that is a definite minus in my eyes. Last season they have struggled away at Spurs even with the Portuguese on the pitch. I think they will suffer all evening as they take on a very talented team, a mixture of English internationals and talented foreign players.
Harry Redknapp has always tried his hardest to win against Ferguson and that will be the case again on Saturday. Another advantage for the Spurs is their current form, as they stand up-front with a 100% record four days into the season.
I tip Tottenham to upset Manchester United (X2), at 3/5.
Stoke vs Chelsea
English Premier League, Saturday 16h00
It has been a perfect start for Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea. The Blues have won the Charity Shield against Manchester United and the first four matches in the Premier League. The last win was the most convincing (3-0 at home against Burnley), but all were impressive because of the manner they played. Chelsea had more than 20 shots at goal every single game, with the full-backs always pushing forward.
Stoke had a good start of the campaign finding themselves 5th with 2 wins, a draw and a loss. They were strong at home last season, mostly at set pieces. They play typical English football. I reckon they will find in Chelsea a formidable adversary which they will not know how to crack.
I tip Chelsea to win this one, at 5/11.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Steaua 0:1 Dinamo
Portsmouth 0:1 Manchester City
Steaua vs Dinamo
Romanian Liga I, 19h45
This is the Derby in Romania. It brings up all the passion, all the excitement of football. It will be a feast as the two teams are in very good spirit. They've just qualified for the groups of Europa League. Dinamo did it in some spectacular fashion. They've ousted Slovan Liberec after losing 3-0 at home (the match was abandoned due to crowd invasion on the pitch), winning 3-0 away and then going through on penalties.
It will be also a Italian affair as the two coaches are both from the Peninsula. Dario Bonetti (Dinamo) played for Roma, Juventus and Milan (appearing in two Champions Cup Finals), while Cristiano Bergodi was captain at Lazio.
Both teams possess great attacking forces and questionable defensive options. That's why I think it will be an even more entertaining game of football.
I predict that Dinamo will not lose, which is valued at 6/11.
Barcelona 1:0 Shakhtar
Portsmouth vs Manchester City
English Premier League, 14h30
Portsmouth have started this campaign in a dreadful manner. They managed to score just once, conceding six as they won none and lost three in the process. They were bought by a sheik this week, but nevertheless I do not think they have time to steady themselves just yet.
City have made big spendings in the transfer market. They caught the imagination of their fans by bringing in Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure and Emanuel Adebayor. They won both matches they've played this season, scoring three and conceding none in the process. I think the Sky Blues will have too much for the hosts today.
I predict a win for City, valued at 3/5.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Barcelona vs Shakhtar
European Super Cup, Monte Carlo
Tonight it's the Uefa Champions League Winners against the Uefa Cup holders. Pep Guardiola has won all competition he entered with Barca last season, while Mircea Lucescu has already won this fixture once, with Galatasaray ten years ago.
The Spaniard said that his players should be aware that Uefa Cup winners have won this fixture seven times, as Champions League winners won it just four times.
Lucescu will have all his Brazilian attacking players as his disposal. They will come up against the most feared attacking force in Europe last season, Messi, Henry & Co.
I am expecting a surprise tonight, but my bet will be a safe one.
I tip Shakhtar to score at least once. The value is 7/11.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009

Liverpool vs Aston Villa
English Premier League, 21h00
Liverpool are tipped alongside Chelsea with a good change of claiming the Premier League honours come the end of the season. They didn't do well at all in the transfer market as they lost Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. This was one of the arguments of the loss at Tottenham in the opening day of the season. Since then, the Reds managed a 4-0 thumping of Stoke at Anfield and seem back on track. Aston Villa had a poor transfer market also. They've lost captain Gareth Barry to Manchester City, while they captured still injured Stewart Downing. The Villans lost 0-2 at home to Wigan and then 0-1 at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League play-off. They'll play the return leg of that one on Thursday at Villa Park.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 16 top-flight games against Aston Villa. The Reds have won more points against the Villans than any other club (62). The corresponding fixture last season finished 5-0, with Steven Gerrard netting a hat-trick. The Liverpool captain managed to score 10 times against Villa in his career, his biggest tally against any one club.
I tip Liverpool to nick this one. The value is decent at 5/11.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Sunderland vs Chelsea
English Premier League, 20h45
Sunderland has a new boss Steve Bruce and two good signings in Bent and Cana. They managed to win away at Bolton 1-0 at the weekend.
Chelsea didn't spend much in the summer but appointed Italian Carlo Ancelotti as manager. He won Uefa Champions League twice as coach of Milan and the Champions Cup as player of the same team. The Blues will rely on the power of Drogba, Terry and Essien and the magic provided by Lampard & Co.
I tip Chelsea to win at 1/2.

Monday, August 03, 2009

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Ceahlaul vs Steaua
Romanian Liga I, 19h45
The hosts are a promoted team to the Romanian top-flight. Still, they do have some experience as they have been in the 2nd Division only for one year after 10+ years in Liga I. Ceahlaul has the home advantage, but Steaua had a great start of the season.
It's early days in the league, this being the first game for the two sides, but the guests have already played three games this season in the preliminary rounds of the Uefa Europa League. Steaua managed to score 7 without conceding and played fairly well in the process. The credit has to be given to new coach Cristiano Bergodi who inspires passion for the game and a positive approach to the tactical side.
I tip Steaua to win this one, with values around 1/2.

Friday, June 19, 2009

I have to brag about an extraordinary success rate of 70,63%
(303 successful tips out of 429 made) .