wwheng
1475
2014/12/28 05:04
#314635
wwheng wrote:
UEFA Champions League
9/18/2014
Barcelona
Out of the squad, new keeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Douglas, Sandro, Pedro, Marc Bartra, Martín Montoya and Gerard Piqué arguably have the most to gain from added minutes. Whether Lucho thinks it is necessary to instill that in his players at this point in the season is up to him. But it’s something that needs to be addressed before injuries start to make Lucho’s choices for him. Piqué’s lack of confidence against Athletic Bilbao was smellier than a rotting gazelle on the Serengeti, and any poacher of a forward worth his mettle will put as much pressure as possible on the out-of-form defender. By the same token, a rusty Adriano and Montoya could prove shaky cover for Jordi Alba at left back once his swashbuckling tendencies inevitably get him a hamstring injury.
Home - Barcelona
Last away matches - W-W-D-W-D-W
APOEL Nicosia
With a Cyprus Supercup and two victories in the first two rounds of the Cypriot Championship in the back pocket, APOEL is off to a usual good start. And considering manager Giorgos Donis made off with a league and cup double last season, he certainly knows how to get the better of his opponents.Defensive veteran John Arne-Riise is perhaps the most recognizable name in the Cyprus squad, but his fitness will prevent him from taking the field. Greek central defender Anastasios Papazoglou has just returned from injury and will bolster the back line tasked with marking Barcelona’s pesky strikers.
Away - APOEL Nicosia
Last away matches - W-D-D-W-W-W
Asian Handicap
Home - (-3.00)
Away - (+3.00)
Pick - APOEL Nicosia (+3.00)
Odds - 2.26
Stakes - 10/10
____________________________________________________
UEFA Champions League
9/18/2014
Bayern Munchen
Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich experiment has thus far been largely characterised by a free-flowing, dynamic style that can only be praised. Yet, despite their utter dominance of German domestic football, there can be no mistaking that Champions League glory is the ultimate prize for the Bavarian giants. They seem likely to miss the talismanic figure of Arjen Robben this week due to injury, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara are also set to miss the action. Javi Martinez is also unavailable, which will almost certainly necessitate the inclusion of Xabi Alonso in the holding role alongside Lahm.
Home - Bayern Munchen
Last away matches - D-W-L-L-W-W
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini will be banned from the touchline on Wednesday following comments he made in the wake of their Champions League exit to Barcelona last season. Pablo Zabaleta is also suspended, which will see the vastly experienced figure of Bacary Sagna charged with the unenviable task of marking Franck Ribery. I’m certain that Pellegrini will opt for one striker up front, considering the talent at Munich’s disposal. Fernandinho and Toure will offer a muscular force in midfield, while Pellegrini would be wise to utilise the electrifying pace of Navas on the counterattacks.
Away - Manchester City
Last away matches - D-W-L-W-W-L
Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.00)
Away - (+1.00)
Pick - Bayern Munchen (-1.00)
Odds - 2.16
Stakes - 10/10
Source : UefaChampionsLeague
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2012/06/06
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1475
12/28/2014
Hull City vs Leicester City
Home - Hull City
Last away matches - W-L-D-L-L-D
Steve Bruce’s two-month wait for a Premier League victory came to an end after Hull City beat his former employers Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light. The Tigers now officially find themselves in a relegation dogfight, but things could still get better for them before the new year if they manage to get three points against rock-bottom Leicester City. In addition to the poor form, the growing injury list is another concern for worry for manager Steve Bruce. He has made the necessary steps already to soften the blow by recalling two of his players on loan to bolster his squad in Figureoa and Tom Ince. With them back and probably available for selection, Steve Bruce will be looking to turn the fortunes of the side ahead of 2015.
Away - Leicester City
Last away matches - L-L-L-L-L-L
Leicester City have now gone 13 games without a win after their stunning 5-3 victory against Man Utd back in September. Eleven of those games have ended in losses with two draws, keeping them at the foot of the table six points from safety. The Foxes started the season brightly but have hit a brick wall with no way around it. Chris Wood and Matt Upson will undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability for the final clash of 2014 but keeper Kasper Schmeichel could miss the next month due to a foot injury. Leonardo Ulloa was one of the main reasons for Leicester’s impressive start to the season with five goals in his first five games. But since those first five games Leicester have not managed a single win and Ulloa has only scored one goal, showing the impact he has on the team.
Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.25)
Away - (+0.25)
Pick - Hull City (-0.25)
Odds - 2.16
Stakes - 9/10
____________________________________________
English Premier League
12/28/2014
Stoke City vs W.B.A
Home - Stoke City
Last away matches - W-D-L-L-W-L
Stoke City traveled to Liverpool on Boxing Day to take on Everton at Goodison Park, and the result couldn’t have gone any better, as manager Mark Hughes hailed their perfect team setup as the main catalyst behind their 1:0 upset victory. Bojan Krkic calmly collected another goal to his tally with a first-half penalty kick, and the Potters now find themselves in 11th place and 7 comfortable points above the relegation zone. However, they’ll need to correct some recent woes at home if they hope to continue in their vein of form, as just 1 win at the Britannia with 3 defeats in their last 5 competitive fixtures will not sit well with Hughes or the fans. They conceded at least 2 goals in all 5 of those matches, though the clean sheet last time out will have them confident of returning to typical form at home where they have established a fortress in recent years. Against a team that has scored just 4 total goals in 10 Barclay’s Premier League meetings with the hosts, it’s probably wise to place your money on the Potters this weekend.
Away - W.B.A
Last away matches - L-D-L-W-L-L
West Bromwich Albion have slipped back into familiar territory just above the relegation zone. After finishing in 17th place last season, the Baggies find themselves back in the dreaded fight to stay alive. At 2 points above the drop, they will be eager to find points on the road this weekend when they travel to the Britannia Stadium. Extra motivation won’t be necessary as the players know of their woes against the Potters since the Premier League’s inception in 1992, but that doesn’t always translate into success, and the Baggies will need to sure up a defence that has conceded 6 goals in their last 2 Premier League outings. They allowed Manchester City into their own net 3 times in the first half last time out, and while Stoke are admittedly nowhere close to having the offensive firepower of the Citizens, it’s still a cause for concern this matchweek. The travelers will take confidence from the fact that record-signing Brown Ideye scored his first Premier League goal on Boxing Day, but defeat nevertheless appears imminent for the Baggies.
Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.75)
Away - (+0.75)
Pick - Stoke City (-0.75)
Odds - 2.36
Stakes - 10/10