Tag: "goal"

Europa League Betting: Benfica v Marseille

Both teams are in very good form domestically but the Portuguese are defending an especially fine home record and Richard Aikman doesn’t see that coming to an end on Thursday night “Aside from leading the Portuguese standings by three points and being on course for a first title in five years, Jorge Jesus’ side have a goal difference that is 28 goals better off than their nearest rivals – and if the concern is that domestic form doesn’t translate onto the European stage then tell that to Hertha Berln, who were crushed 4-0 at the Estadio Da Luz last time out.” This is a clash between two sides who last met in the European Cup semi-final two decades ago – and, like that 1990 encounter, Benfica can be expected to edge out their French visitors once again . With both sides still in contention for domestic titles each will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals at the other’s expense but Benfica’s home advantage and rude health makes them worthy 2.02 favourites to come through the first leg on top

Mar 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Europa League Betting: Lille v Liverpool

Rudi Garcia’s side boast one of the strongest home records in European football and Rafa’s Reds may encounter the second tricky away match of the week, says Richard Aikman “Rudi Garcia’s men, as Ligue 1’s top goalscorers, will almost certainly find a way past Pepe Reina, while a rare attacking approach from Liverpool may well produce a goal flurry at the Lille Métropole.” Liverpool know that this tournament represents their only hope of silverware this season and coach Rafa Benitez, who has twice won this trophy, will throw everything at it in order to silence his growing legion of detractors. However, if the Reds think the trip to Lille will be any more straightforward than Monday’s disappointing trip to Wigan, which ended in 1-0 defeat, they’ve got another thing coming. The French side are lying just four points behind leaders Bordeaux in Ligue 1 and have already shown their pedigree in Europe, overcoming Genoa 3-0, knocking six goals past Genk, firing eight goals past Slavia Prague and eliminating Fenerbahce in the last round

Mar 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting: Real Madrid v Lyon

Many were surprised by Real’s demise at the hands of Lyon in the first leg and the French outfit know that an away goal at the Bernabeu would really set the cat amongst the pigeons. Dave Farrar talks us through what might happen on the night. “So I’ll tentatively suggest that Lyon may be able to keep things quiet until half time, and that they’re certainly overpriced to do so, and also that the Frenchmen can stay within range of Real and possibly do enough to put the Spanish giants out.” Given Real Madrid’s frightening form at the Santiago Bernabeu , it’s awfully tempting to take the 1.6 about them qualifying against Lyon. Lyon thoroughly deserved their 1-0 first leg win, but it was interesting to see them going all out for a second goal. Claude Puel and his team know that you need a significant advantage to hold on to if you’re heading for a Wednesday night date at one of Europe’s most imposing stadia

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting: Manchester United v AC Milan

AC Milan have a mountain to climb in the second leg after their 2-3 reversal at the San Siro and despite the fact that Leonardo’s side are likely to crash out at this stage, they are over-priced to win on the night, says Dave Farrar. “United are a good football side, but not a great one, and they have thrown in some shocking performances this season. If they aren’t at their best on Wednesday, then they could be caught cold, particularly given that Marco Borriello will be back to lead the line for Milan.” We’re left with an interesting conundrum ahead of Manchester United’s attempt to seal their quarter final place against Milan. By far and away the likeliest outcome on Wednesday evening is that United will end up qualifying, but they are unbackable to do so at 1.09 , so we have to ask ourselves where the value may lie. Milan’s second goal at the San Siro made a big difference to this game. If the task facing Leonardo’s side had been a three goal win, then you’d have felt that the Rossoneri would have pretty much given up the ghost, but now they know that a 2-0 scoreline would take them through, Milan’s very experienced squad can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Classic World Cup: The perfect finish to the perfect move

A goal that reflected the sheer beauty of a side which even to this day has no equal… If ever a goal was fitting of the team that created it, this was it.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

World Cup Team Profiles: Group G: Brazil

The Spanish might be favourites, but Brazil are still the team that everyone will want to beat in South Africa… What’s particularly scary about this Brazilian side is that whereas in the past optimistic opponents could always point to a weakness, this time around there appears to be none. What’s more, their coach has drilled the type of discipline into the team which served him so well as a player, and the relatively new-found virtue of solidity, coupled with their devastating creativity, makes the [ 6.2 ] on them to triumph look like a safe place to put your money. Nation: Brazil Also known as… ‘A Selecao’ or “O Escrete” Route to South Africa… All together pretty painless. Yes, consecutive home draws against Argentina, Columbia and Bolivia did cause some consternation. However, after going on a five-match winning spree from April onwards, Dunga’s men qualified for South Africa with three games to spare, and crucially, they secured their place with a magnificent 3-1 win over Argentina in Rosario. World Cup Pedigree… No nation matches Brazil in this category. They are the only side to have taken part in all 19 editions of the event, and they are the only nation to have won it on five different occasions. Regardless of the personnel at their disposal or their form going into the tournament, Brazil always enter their first match heavily favoured to reach the final at least.

Mar 09, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Champions League Betting: Fiorentina v Bayern Munich

Tobias Gourlay saw enough in Bavaria a fortnight ago to think there might be a Florentine renaissance on Tuesday evening.

Recommended Bets: Back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.95; back Fiorentina at 3.55 To Qualify

Ahead of the first leg of Fiorentina’s Last 16 tie with Bayern Munich, the Italians were in no sort of form. In the end they got no sort of result, but that’s not to tell the full story. With just over a quarter of an hour left, Massimo Gobbi was sent off, when he might easily not have been. It was 1-1 at that point, but if anyone deserved to be ahead it was the visitors. With a minute left, Bayern’s Miroslav Klose scored from an offside position. The goal was allowed to stand and the Germans had a 2-1 win to take to the Artemio Franchi this week.

Just a fortnight after he played ‘the biggest game for us in five years,’ La Viola’s captain, Riccardo Montolivo, is preparing for ‘truly the game of our lives.’

Mar 08, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Football Results Round-up: Pompey haven’t got a penny but they might win silverware

French striker fires Pompey into semi-finals with quick brace as cash strapped club prepare for Wembley return… “Those who matched the South Coast club at 500.00 will be celebrating with the Portsmouth fans, having see their odds come in to 13.0 after today’s win.” The road may not be paved with gold but crisis-club Portsmouth are going to Wembley after beating Birmingham 2-0 in their FA Cup quarter-final. Pompey touched 3.8 at Fratton Park before striker Frederic Piquionne scrambled the ball into the visitors’ net after 67 minutes. Three minutes later, Piquionne latched on to the impressive Jamie O’Hara’s killer pass, bamboozled his marker and fired a right foot shot past Joe Hart and into the net. The goal-line technology debate was re-ignited with 10 minutes remaining when Liam Ridgewell thought he’d scored. The referee judged that the Birmingham defender’s close range shot had not crossed the line before David James caught it; television replays showed it had. Birmingham were frustrated to be denied a goal which could have altered the course of the tie but neutrals with an ounce of compassion will be delighted for Portsmouth . After going into administration a fortnight ago the club have now won two games on the trot and are going to Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final.

Mar 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

FA Cup Betting: Reading v Aston Villa

There’s nowhere Richard Walker would rather be on Sunday lunch-time than the Madejski Stadium. But is he backing Martin O’Neill’s men to make it to Wembley again or can Reading’s run continue?

Best Bets:
Back Villa clean sheet @ 2.66;
Lay Over 3.5 goals @ 3.9;
Back Agbonlahor to score @ 2.32.

The tie of the round for me, I’d take getting involved in this one over the procession that’s likely to be Chelsea v Stoke later on this FA Cup Sunday afternoon.

Reading are the only non-Premier League side left in the competition. Ladies and gentleman, we are already past the stage where the top-flight sides pretend they don’t care too much about the cups. They all want to win this now.

Mar 06, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Serie A Betting: Roma to win and put serious pressure on Inter

Dave Farrar looks ahead to the weekend’s action in Serie A where Claudio Ranieri’s Roma are closing the gap on league favourites Inter Milan and could really turn up the heat on Jose Mourinho’s men by getting the better of the “other Milan” this weekend. “Claudio Ranieri’s side had won eight in a row in the League before throwing away a two goal lead in Naples last week, and even though they’re still troubled by injuries, I think that Roma at home will be too good for Milan.” ROMA v MILAN Milan have the tantalising prospect of waking up on Sunday morning just one point behind Inter in the race for the Scudetto, but first they’ll have to beat Serie A’s in form team in the shape of Roma. Claudio Ranieri’s side had won eight in a row in the League before throwing away a two goal lead in Naples last week, and even though they’re still troubled by injuries, I think that Roma at home will be too good for Milan. Francesco Totti is still out, but there’s a chance that Luca Toni may be fit enough for the bench, and Roma’s strength of will without those two players has been really impressive. They give you the impression of being a squad in the true sense of the word, and the likes of Julio Baptista and Mirko Vucinic have stepped up to the plate in the absence of Totti and Toni. Their chances of winning the midfield battle will be helped by the absence of Gennaro Gattuso from the Milan team, and Roma still have title ambitions of their own, in the knowledge that they alone, among the top teams in the division still have the chance of taking points off Inter. If Roma can win on Saturday night and then beat Inter in three weeks time, then their comfortable looking run in will give them a real chance of a shock title win, and the 18.5 which is available about them winning Serie A isn’t the worst bet in the world

Mar 05, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
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