as great as we are, we tipsters gotta eat too

Saturday, October 4, 2008

VFB STUTTGART vs WERDER BREMEN (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA)

clashes between these two sides have always been packed with goals, and last season's encounter resulted in a 6-3 win for stuttgart. with key defenders unavailable, (boulahrouz for stuttgart and mertesacker for bremen), surely everyone's gonna go for a goal-fest in this one. however, i believe in the heavy boat, and i firmly believe that if everyone goes for a goalfest, this might turn out to be rather boring actually. as such, i've chosen to go against the trend, and i'm going for under.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on under 3/3.5 goals @ 1.85 = $9.25

AC SIENA vs AS ROMA (SERIE A)

Quick tip because i have to go soon. Roma have finally rediscovered their form. Siena are a shite. Roma welcome back De Rossi from his suspension and he is really influential. Roma win, and hopefully me going 5-0 in the Serie A ^^

Roland's prediction: $5 on Roma -0.5 @ 2.010 = $10.05

yup de rossi back from suspension. add that to juan coming back from an injury, and roma look a stronger outfit. totti is still missing though, while vucinic sustained an injury in their away win at bordeaux. julio baptista looked good in midweek and i think roma have just enough quality to see off siena tonight.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on Roma -0.5 @ 2.010 = $10.05

REAL VALLADOLID vs VALENCIA (LA LIGA)

Valencia have started really well this season and sit at the top of the table with 4 wins and a draw. Villa has been banging in the goals regularly and has netted 6 so far, helping Valencia maintain a 5 game win streak. Valladolid do not have any quality players and I think Valencia will win this.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Valencia -0/0.5 @ 1.860 = $9.30

EVERTON vs NEWCASTLE (EPL)

2 clubs in crisis. 1 has been uncharacteristically leaky at the back, the other has lost 5 games in a row and lost the faith of their fans. Who to back then? I'm going with Newcastle, as they have to stop their horrible run, and I'd expect the new-manager-syndrome to kick in. Owen has been able to score even with his team lacking confidence and shape, so I think he'll step up during this match when the new-manager-syndrome kicks in. Everton have had trouble scoring - 1 goal in 3 games tells you that much - and are a side without confidence and most importantly, Tim Cahill. I don't think that Newcastle will lose this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Newcastle +0.5/1 @ 1.880 = $9.40

Friday, October 3, 2008

CHELSEA vs ASTON VILLA (EPL)

Drogba, Essien, Joe Cole, Carvalho, Deco out. Terry and Alex were injured in midweek. Villa rested players in their match against Litex Lovech and will be fresh for this match, whereas Chelsea were held out by CFR Cluj and are probably jet-lagged and tired. Aston Villa on the handicap looks to be of good value to me.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Aston Villa +1 @ 1.950 = $9.75

BLACKBURN vs MANCHESTER UNITED (EPL)

Without Brad Friedel making 50 world class saves against Man Utd, Blackburn will be easy opponents. United do have a problem in the centre of midfield with Scholes, Hargreaves and Carrick out, which means Anderson (I picked him up in fantasy football last week and he got me 7.5 points! Woot!) and Giggs should start in midfield, but Giggs played well in midweek so I think there shouldn't be a problem there. Attack wise, Berbatov has finally scored, and Ronaldo is getting his form back, so United win here.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Man Utd -1 @ 2.000 = $10.00

blackburn have been my jinx team this season, but i think that getting any points against manchester united, will be very tough. manu might be light in midfield, but blackburn are not much better off. steven reid, vince grella, and david dunn will be missing. meaning blackburn will be unable to take full advantage of united's weaknesses in the centre of the park. however, i still see this match as being very tight, but with man utd winning it, so i'll go for straight win.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on man utd win @ 1.65 = $8.25

WIGAN vs MIDDLESBROUGH (EPL)

Boro do not have Andrew Taylor, Gary O'Neill, Pogatetz, Huth, Tuncay and Arca. That's a lot of important players out for them. Jonathan Grounds will start for Boro, which means that Amir Zaki is going to have a field day and bag a hat trick. The JJB is a tricky place for teams to visit as the pitch is shite and quite small, which means Boro will have a tough time counterattacking. Together with Palacios dominating the midfield, and Downing missing penalties, Wigan will win this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Wigan -0.5 @ 2.075 = $10.375

boro might be missing a whole host of players, but wigan's defence is not the best in the world. they will face aliadiere, afonso alves, and mido, who on their day, can create some real havoc. didier digard has also shown signs of being a rather useful player for boro, and i think his combative nature will be brilliant when dealing with the monster himself, mr wilson palacios. seeing that the handicap means a draw would win full, i think boro are worth backing.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on boro +0.5 @ 1.825 = $9.125

WEST BROM vs FULHAM (EPL)

West Brom have proven that they can get goals in their last few matches. Fulham have shown that they are shitty away from home. With Andy Johnson suspended, and with Carson in goal for West Brom, I think that Fulham will have a tough time breaking West Brom down. West Brom to win, as they will be coming into this game with sky high confidence after a great win over Middlesbrough last weekend. However, Kim is out, and he has been a creative spark in their attack, so I think the handicap is safer.

Roland's prediction: $5 on West Brom -0/0.5 @ 1.900 = $9.50

west brom got an unexpected win last time out, while fulham also crashed to a rather unexpected home defeat to west ham. they have lost the last two, but i really don't see them losing this one, despite andy johnson missing out. if anything, he hasn't really set craven cottage alight yet, so his suspension might actually be a good thing. fulham will not lose 3 in a row, and given their very strong midfield of murphy, bullard and gera, i think they will at least draw this game.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on fulham +0/0.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00

Thursday, October 2, 2008

STANDARD LIEGE v EVERTON (UEFA CUP)

quick quick tip. buy everton! i really don't see them losing.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on everton +0/0.5 @ 1.92 = $9.60

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

SHAKHTAR DONETSK vs BARCELONA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

barcelona head into this game after a fortuitous win against espanyol in the catalan derby. performances have been bad all round, but one point to note is that they have generally come up against sides looking to contain them and restrict them to few chances. shakhtar is not a side capable of such tactics, as they are generally quite offensive in nature. the likes of ilsinho, darijo srna and fernandinho will look to attack, especially at home, and i predict barcelona will take full advantage. furthermore, barcelona's last two visits to ukraine have ended in one loss and one draw, so i fancy it's time for them to get that win.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on barcelona -0.5/1 @ 1.925 = $9.625

and today's multiplier will be:
roma level (1.83)
chelsea win (1.36)
andreas seppi v adrian mannarino (adrian seppi: 1.20)
panathinaikos -0/0.5 (1.970)

$4 pays $23.59

LAZIO vs ATALANTA (COPPA ITALIA)

Read Eddy's Torino vs Lazio post to find out why Lazio will win. Read my Roma vs Atalanta post to find out why Atalanta will lose. I'm feeling really lazy.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Lazio -0.5/1 @ 1.910 = $9.55

ATLETICO MADRID vs MARSEILLE (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Atletico have started their campaign well. After winning 3-0 against PSV, they've recorded another 2 wins in the Primera Liga, and then lost unluckily to Sevilla. They will look to bounce back from that. Marseille are having a SHIT run at the moment, and I think it'll continue. They've drawn 2 and lost 1 since having lost to Liverpool 1-2. Their away record is shit, having 3 draws and 1 loss so far. Atletico have Sergio Aguero, and City want to buy him, so that speaks of his quality. I think Atletico will win this one.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Atletico -0.5/1 @ 1.800 = $9.00

Champions League multiplier for today (small one):
Liverpool @ 1.33
Chelsea @ 1.40
Atletico Madrid @ 1.55

$5 on above multiplier = $14.46

BORDEAUX vs ROMA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Roma have had a stuttering start to their campaign, but they have finally gotten it back on track with a 2-0 win over Atalanta (thanks!). They will head into this game knowing that they have to get at least a point out of it after they lost to CFR Cluj in their opening match. Bordeaux, too, crumbled to a 4-0 defeat by the hands of Chelshit, and their domestic form hasn't been all too brilliant. Roma don't have Totti for this match but welcome back influential De Rossi after a 1 match ban. Roma have lost all away matches so far and will look to change that record. Roma level for me, as I think it'll either be a Roma win or a draw.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Roma level @ 1.830 = $9.15

gonna have to agree with roland. roma are on a bad run of form, and haven't won away from home, but they have to sometime. i think it's tonight, and i really don't see them losing, which means level ball is a great option to bet on here.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on roma level @ 1.830 = $9.15

CFR CLUJ vs CHELSEA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Chelsea have won all 4 away games so far, with a total of 1 goal conceded and 10 goals scored. They do, however, have several injuries to contend with - the likes of Deco, Joe Cole and Carvalho are all set to miss this match. However, they will be boosted by the fact that Drogba is back and fit to play, and Scolari "knows about Cluj" and he actually "follows them", so he must have something up his sleeve. I think that Chelsea have too much quality for Cluj.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Chelsea -1 @ 1.800 = $9.00

agreed. chelsea should have too much quality for cluj. however, i don't think they will be able to triumph by more than one goal, given that they have already achieved that in their last few matches (stoke and pompey). i'm a great believer of the law of averages which states that average guys like me and roland end up getting all the hot chicks. oh shit, wrong one. excuse me. LAW OF AVERAGES meaning they won't keep thrashing their opponents, sometimes it will be tighter. So, i'm going for a straight chelsea win.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on chelsea @ 1.36 = $6.80

LIVERPOOL vs PSV (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Afellay is out, which means PSV has zero creativity in midfield. Liverpool will be on a we-beat-Everton high, are on a we-are-finally-"top"-of-the-table-in-20-years high, and will welcome back Maschercunt to complete a full strength squad. Torres has found his goalscoring boots last week with 3 brilliant finishes, albeit 1 being ruled out. Also, it's Liverpool at HOME in the Champions League - you don't get any teams as lucky (or consistent, if you want to put it that way) as them. I think all signs point towards a Liverpool win. Berbatov scored a brace so his ex-partner Keane might score too. Haha. As I previously mentioned, PSV have lost their creative spark, so I'd expect Liverpool to keep a clean sheet and thus I'm putting money on that special bet as well.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Liverpool -1.5 @ 2.00 = $10.00
$5 on SPECIAL Liverpool 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 @ 2.30 = $11.50

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

FIORENTINA vs STEAU BUCHAREST (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

fiorentina should have way too much for steau bucharest, who look to be the whipping boys of the group. gilardino is fit as well, so expect steau to crumble.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on fiorentina -1 @ 1.890 = $9.45

Multiplier for today:
fiorentina -1 @ 1.89
arsenal -1 @ 1.90
roma level @ 1.83
chelsea -1 @ 1.85
barcelona -0.5 @ 1.81

$5 pays $110

ARSENAL vs FC PORTO (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

arsenal surprisingly lost their last match 2-1 to hull city, but i'm pretty sure that was a case of the bookies doing something with the game. i'm being perfectly serious here. think about it, when was the last time you saw all the big 4 teams in england win? as soon as chelsea, manu, and liverpool won their matches, i immediately thought hull would hold/beat arsenal. but that's another topic for a separate post. right now, i think arsenal have a great chance to bounce back against fc porto, one of the weaker sides in the competition. lucho gonzalez is their ONLY good player, after quaresma and bosingwa left for greener pasturs. i think arsenal will have no problems here, especially with samir nasri back.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on arsenal -1 @ 1.900 = $9.50

AALBORG vs MANCHESTER UNITED (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Fergie has already said that he will put out his strongest side, which means Ronnie, Rooney and Berbatov and Tevez will all feature. I don't see United losing this with a full strength squad, and Ronaldo has looked to be regaining his top form. Aalborg will lose, and by a lot, as United cannot afford anymore slip ups in their campaign.

EDIT: With the strain of like 3 matches in 1 week on the players, there will be an impetus to finish the game off early so that players can be rested, so I'm also going for United to be winning on half time.

Roland's prediction: $5 on on Man Utd -1.5 @ 1.925 = $9.625 (Edited due to change in handicap)
$5 on Man Utd HT -0.5 @ 1.700 = $8.50

Multiplier for today:
Villareal @ 1.44
Man Utd @ 1.33
Juventus @ 1.33
Fiorentina @ 1.44
Arsenal @ 1.44

$5 on Multiplier = $26.41

ZENIT vs REAL MADRID (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

Zenit will, in their first home match in the Champions League, look to impress. They lost unluckily to a crazy free kick against Juve, and will look to get their first points in the Champions League. Coming into this match on the back of a 3-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow, they should be high on confidence and they do have a full strength squad. Real, on the other hand, haven't hit top gear and have looked out of sorts in their past few matches (bar the 7-1 trashing of sporting gijon, who are SHIT). Real haven't had the best away form too, and will be missing Guti, Gago, Sneijder, Salgado and Metzelder, although they do welcome back Cannavaro. Russia is a tough place to visit, and I fancy Zenit to get at least a point here.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Zenit +0/0.5 @ 1.8 = $9

BAYERN vs LYON (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)

After scraping through with a 1-0 win against Steaua, Bayern have lost their next 2 league games, losing 5-2 to Werder Bremen and 1-0 to Hannover over the weekend. Lyon, on the other hand, are top in Ligue 1 with Karim Benzema scoring 6 goals in 7. They also welcome back Juninho, who is deadly at dead ball situations (hur hur hur). I would take Lyon to win as they're the form team at the moment, but as it's on Bayern soil and Ribery might feature in this match, I think Lyon on the handicap looks great.

Roland's prediction: $5 on Lyon +0.5 @ 1.990 = $9.95

quite the opposite for me then. i think lyon, as a team, are really kinda sucky, and going down 2 goals to fiorentina shows that. the only thing stopping me from putting $64882392 on bayern is the fact that they are inconsistent, as shown by their 2 consecutive league losses. but inconsistency means that a win will come soon, as they have already lost two in a row. they will win this one at home, with borowski and ribery starring.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on bayern munich -0.5 @ 1.880 = $9.40

Sunday, September 28, 2008

TORINO vs LAZIO (ITALIAN SERIE A)

torino head into this game seeking their first win of the season, but they'll have it all to do, against a lazio side that smacked fiorentina 3-0 earlier this week. goran pandev and mauro zarate look like one of the best strike-forces in the serie a, and torino look like they're gonna fall victim to them again. lazio though, have a bad away record, and that is something they'll surely look to fix this season. torino will be missing the services of aimo diana, and possibly corini and rosina as well. rosina in particular will be a huge miss if he doesn't make it, his guile and quality service from the left one of torino's threats. i fancy lazio level in this one, as i don't see them losing.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on lazio level @ 1.75 = $8.75

CONSADOLE SAPPORO vs FC TOKYO (J LEAGUE)

fc tokyo are in scintillating form. they won their last match 5-1 without even breaking sweat, while consadole sapporo have been working very hard in the past few matches, without reward. i think their tired legs will show today, and i think fc tokyo will win. seeing that i'm on a bad streak, i won't go for straight win, and i'll take handicap.

Eddy's prediction: $5 on fc tokyo -0/0.5 @ 1.75 = $8.75