Champions League 2nd-3rd OCT

[Chief77]

Originally Posted by Chief77

Verdict:
Sevilla (-1) , CSKA(DNB), Lyon , Kidderminster @5.12/1

Sevilla (-1) , CSKA(DNB), Lyon , Over 46 Points in the booking index in Man Utd Roma game @5.80/1

Wow, to that Rangers result! Unbelievable. Thats the second time in a row i've gone against them and the second time they've proved me wrong. Kidderminster only managed a draw and Utd game was neither dirty nor abundant with goals. A bad night in the Champions League for me.

[Zozo the Duke]

Celtic – Milan

Milan obviously has big problems this season, especially in the attack line where Inzaghi and Gilardino are terrible, softly said. Luckily the midfield is working on their level and Kaka, Seedorf and Pirlo are playing as they should.

Celtic is not so strong like they were in previous seasons. They are nothing special at all this season. Yes, they are still dominating in their domestic championship, but they are playing against teams that they are much weaker than them. The team used to play as favorites against small Scottish teams who are playing all men behind ball and playing with long ball tactics. Now against them they will have much stronger opponent, although not in good form, but technique superior with great midfield that can control the match.

Last season, these teams meet each other in the last 16 stage, where both legs ended with 0:0 and Milan advancing into the next round after the extra time.

Celtic built Celtic Park as hardly beatable fortress in the European matches and there are not many teams that can proudly say that they overplayed Celtic there. But, Milan desperately needs to raise their level of game and the crisis that they are in at the moment, must be excelled.

The main Celtic’s offensive weapon Vennegoor of Hesselink is injured and the key midfielder Nakamura is doubtful for this match, but I think that he will play because this match is of great importance for the team. Milan is without Maldini and Kaladze, but Oddo – Nesta – Bonera – Jankulovski are still good defensive line up, and Ronaldo is still injured. Dida is doubtful.

Celtic will try to lower the talent gap with hard working and a lot of running and they can be very unpleasant team to play against with great support from the crowd behind them. But I still think that Milan will rise back from this lethargy and with control of the game from their superior midfield, they can win this match.

Pick: Milan (0) --> Odds: 1.47 @ 5Dimes --> Stake: 5u

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Werder Bremen – Olympiakos

Werder, despite their huge injury list trashed Arminia with 8:1. After that performance I believe that every team is holding the fear when they will come to play against them on the same place that they put real goal festival. Tonight Werder will host Olympiakos, team who along side Lazio will be main contenders for the second place that will bring ticket for last 16 round. In the next two rounds Werder is hosting both Olympiakos and Lazio and these two matches are the most important if they want to advance. Werder must not allow losing points here because in that case they will have to take points from Athens which is really tough place to play.

Olympiakos drew all three important matches so far, against Panathinaikos and Aris away in domestic championship and with Lazio at home at empty stands in CL. But they still haven’t played against team with so much offensive power like Werder. I expect Olympiakos to played closed tactics and with pace of Lua-Lua, Galleti and Djordjevic to seek their chance through counter attacks.

Werder is used to play against teams that will wait them on counter attacks and Werder is team that likes to attack and after scoring 8 goals in last match and with the returning of one of their indispensable players, Frings, the confidence will be on very high level. Still they have many injured players in the names of Borowski, Carlos Alberto, Hunt, Wome and Baumann. I think that Werder is stronger team than their opponent and I think that the offensive pressure that they will put on Nikopolidis goal will be too much for the Greek champions.

Pick: Werder (-1.25) --> Odds: 1.98 @ Bet365 --> Stake: 5u

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Rosenborg – Schalke 04

Schalke suffered only one loss so far this season, the undeserved one from Valencia in the first round of CL in match that they were much better opponent. They are playing good football, with a lot of running and determination and with the form that the team is having, I see them as favorites for this match.

Rosenborg managed to take a point from Chelsea and to be one of the biggest reasons for departure of Mourinho. Rosenborg defended really well against Chelsea, but I got impression that Chelsea lacks power and determination in the attack to take the win. The reason to believe that Rosenborg brought a point from Stamford Bridge lies in Chelsea inefficiency is that Rosenborg kept clean sheet only three times in their last 10 matches in domestic championship, against weak offensive sides Sandefjord and Valerenga and solid Stabaek.

Rosenborg is enjoying being outsider and on this match they will be that. Their opponent is under big pressure after losing three points at home against biggest contender for the second place and they must recover for that loss of points tonight and they must attack, because the draw will not suit them much. Rosenborg is strong physical side, but Schalke is well prepared team on that field too. I think we will see very close encounter, match with a lot of fight, but I believe that Schalke is in great form and with quality on their side, they can win this match.

Pick: Schalke (0) --> Odds: 1.50 @ FonBet --> Stake: 7u

[Zozo the Duke]

Lazio – Real Madrid

Lazio, despite good results in the preparation period, started this season really bad. They played against Dinamo Bucharest in last qualification round for CL and they qualified with much luck, mostly because they were given penalties in both legs. Lazio played only one good match so far, the match against Cagliari one week ago and that is their only win so far this season. Bad temping of the form and hard battle on two fields with limited squad is the main reason why Lazio is not showing the performances that they showed last season.

Real Madrid played pretty bad match against Getafe in previous round of their domestic competition, despite the win of 0:1. Their midfield lost the battle with the opponents completely and Schuster is angry on his midfielders because they are not covering well in their defensive tasks. I believe that his anger will teach his players to do what he wants from them. Real played great so far this season with small exceptions of last two visiting matches against Valladolid and Getafe.

Lazio will probably be without their best player Rocchi, who is under big question mark for this match. Pepe, Metzelder and Robinho are out for Real Madrid.

Lazio is having average team and their strength is not even closer to the opponent’ strength. The motivation in the team will be huge and great support from the crowd is expected. But, I think that Schuster will lead his team in another three points and securing the next round with this win. Lazio’s GK, Ballota, will be biggest disadvantage for the home side and Real’s attacking power can profit from, not so well organized Lazio’s defense this season

Pick: Real Madrid (0) --> Odds: 1.55 @ FonBet --> Stake: 7u

[junior98]

PAIR FIGHT FOR PENNANT SPOT

Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun are competing for a place in Liverpool's
Champions League side against Marseille at Anfield on Wednesday due to Jermaine Pennant's suspension.

Pennant was sent off in the draw with Porto last month in Liverpool's opening Group A match and must sit out the visit of the French league runners-up.

Benayoun, who has come off the bench to score in each of his last two games, has the edge on Dutch youngster Babel.

Boss Rafael Benitez has long-term injury problems concerning Harry Kewell, Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso but reports no new injury worries.

The French side will have former Liverpool men Djibril Cisse and Boudewijn Zenden in their squad, as well as a new coach in Belgian Eric Gerets, taking charge of Marseille for the first time after replacing Albert Emon last month.

Benitez said: "Marseille have had 10 days to prepare for this, and although they have not been doing well in their league, we know they will see this game as one that is vital to them particularly because they have already got one win in the group.

"A new manager makes it more difficult. You do not know what he will do, we knew him from Galatasaray, but it is difficult for us to know how he will alter things.

"They are more dangerous because their form in the French league is not good. They will be determined to produce their best form in the Champions League because of that and to get themselves back on track."

Marseille president Pape Diouf insists his side will not be intimidated on their visit to Anfield.

He told his club's official website: "We're obviously not taking it easy, but we're certainly not overawed. It's the first match of a new era and we want to make a good fist of it.

"It's an important match for us, for the coach, and we have to remain optimistic."

Diouf appreciates new coach Gerets could have had an easier debut at the helm.

"It's obviously not the best match to bounce back because Liverpool are one of Europe's biggest clubs," said the OM supremo.

"In that respect, getting a positive result at Anfield would be a stunning result. And we will be trying to stun a few people on Wednesday."

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Lucas, Torres, Voronin, Kuyt, Crouch, Hobbs, Itandje.

[junior98]

DIDA WINNING FITNESS FIGHT


AC Milan goalkeeper Dida is expected to be fit to face Celtic in tomorrow's Champions League Group D clash at Parkhead.
Dida has missed the last two matches with a shoulder injury but coach Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic the Brazilian will be passed fit.
However, Ancelotti has been forced to rule out Kakha Kaladze with a thigh injury with Ronaldo, Serginho and Paolo Maldini already missing.
Ancelotti is confident his struggling side will find their feet in the Champions League clash.
The Italian giants are languishing in 11th place in Serie A and stumbled to a 1-1 home draw with Catania on Sunday.
In contrast Celtic returned to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at the weekend with a 3-0 win over Dundee United.
However, Ancelotti shrugged off his side's current slump and remains confident of a victory to follow up their 2-1 win over Benfica in Milan last month.
He said: "We are not at the top of our form at the moment but every game is different and we hope that we will be able to turn it around against Celtic.
"We're prepared for the game, we are coming to play at a beautiful stadium and we want to do our best.
"It's normal that we will be criticised when we are not at our best but we will work hard to get better game by game."
One player facing his former employers will be Massimo Donati, who joined Gordon Strachan's side in the summer in a deal worth around £3m.
The 26-year-old midfielder has been critical of Ancelotti and claims he did not get a fair chance at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
But the former Parma and Juventus boss was keen not to enter into a war of words and accepted Donati will be trying to prove a point.
He said: "Donati is a very good player and he basically wanted more time on the pitch than on the bench and to play regularly in the Champions League.
"I am very happy that he is getting what he wanted with a team as good as Celtic. It's only natural that he is looking forward to the game but I'm sure all the Celtic players will be."
The visitors will come up against a Celtic side without main striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink who picked up an injury at the weekend and that is likely to land Scott McDonald and Chris Killen a huge chance.
Ancelotti acknowledged that the Dutchman's absence is a boost for his side but insists he will now have to be aware of the other threats.
He said: "I don't know either of them that well but I have followed them in the past couple of games and they will be dangerous. We will have to keep an eye on them."

[junior98]

Originally Posted by Galilee

I don't usually bet heavily on the Ch. League but some favourites seem quite ok this time so I may give it a go. My choices have already been mentioned so I am in agreement with everyone that has posted on these games.

Werder Bremen should beat Olympiakos. The Greeks have a terrible away record at the Champions League. Furthermore they look like they can not control possesion and they will need loads of luck to avoid defeat in this one. Bremen scored 8 against Arminia, 3 will do it for me this time.

Sevilla also looks good based on what I've read above. I watched some of their last game against Zaragossa (Sevilla lost 2-0) but this one is a different story altogether and I find it hard to believe that they will not win against Slavia.

I will also consider handicap bets in these two games. I also consider Lyon but more info will be needed for this one.

fully agree W.Bremen favorite tonite GL

[Mister X]

Hi guys, i take a combo

Liverpool+Real 2DnB@1.90 Bet365

Liverpool no comment, Real Madrid has a great squad in their starting eleven and in the bench. And also there has more experiences players than Lazio in the big competition.Rocchi (striker key player Lazio, is a big doubt, if he play, will be 70%)

[martini]

HY! Real -ok! but liverpool? i don´t think that Livpool win Marseille is on the first Place in group strong motivation ...victory Marseille!

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by martini

HY! Real -ok! but liverpool? i don´t think that Livpool win Marseille is on the first Place in group strong motivation ... victory Marseille!

Fair enough if you don't think Liverpool will win, Martini, but a group table based on 1 game (a game in which Liverpool were away and Marseille were at home) can hardly be taken as a form guide

[johnnybgood]

Cheers

Dont like Cl much, but Schalke looks great there. Team plays now some years together, most constant team in Germany last maybe 5 years. Unbeaten this year playing all hot guns in Germany including mighty Bayer away. Lost against valencia first round, but Valencia were second best there. Schalke has got new demension and looks even stronger then last year, with replacing they last year playmaker Lincoln with young Rakitic. Lincoln is for sure beter then Rakitic, but he was simply to moody for one team with european aspirations. lincoln when not the best on the field, then did all posible to be the worst. With Jones Schalke also did the right thing and already great midfield improved further. If Bayern have best attacking line in Germany, then for sure Schalke has the best defence line.
I went far away from what I want to say in the beggining. I cannot see why teh folks all around the world easily back Werder which is imo class below Schalke for some time now and nobody ever talk about Schalke. Just want to say for all which planing bet on Werder it is always bit better invets that money on Schalke.
Dont know much about Rosenborg and would like to know more about them, but one draw against in deep crises Chelsea wont put me off schalke.
As I said I dont know real strenght of Rosenborg, but asume they are nothing special, I will just sell my car and place bet on Schalke. If someone can confirm that Rosenborg a pish, than I am selling the house.

Maybe I lean myself way out the window, but thats just what I think and feel. Say some bad words to me tomorrow if I am wrong.

[charly1]

Rosenborg is lying at the 7th place in domestic championship and it clearly reflect their current strenght. I was also surprised when thay managed to taka a point from Stamford Bridge, but as johnnybgood said, it was more question of Chelsea's weakness than Rosenborg's great performance.
Maybe it's not the best way to compare league games with these one in Champions League, but I must say that Rosenborg received 4 goals in last match vs. Frederikstad (8th placed) so their defense is pretty vulnerable.
I hope that Schalke will take advantage and prevail at the end.

Milan is not going to loose tonight in Glasgow.
Ask me why.
I don't know, they're just not going to loose...cause that's probably the most experienced team in this competition, and they will take charge of their superior technical skills against hard working Celtic.
Lack of fire power due to mentioned absents for hosts are too much for them and a great advantage for Milan.
Milan will play as always, cautiously , controlling the midfield and waiting for Pipo to score.

Besikats is a struggler in a Turkish league and they have not enough quality for this level.
Porto could make a good result in Istanbul.
Not so sure about away win, but previous round and tough time they have given to Liverpool makes me more sure to place a X2 bet.

Games in Valencia and Rome are tricky ones, and I'll skip it even I think that Real and Valencia are not going to loose.

Liverpool and Werder are new bankers for tonight....

...hope not like Lyon last night

[Martens]

Celtic vs Milan

it is unbeleivable how the famous players of milan are behaving at the moment

watched them against Catania last sunday, shame shame nothing else, all of them kaka pirlo gattuso inzaghi ....like bodies not players

here i come to the tonight's clash. first question is : celtic is better than catania? my answer is NO, because is impossible for any scottish team to be better from any of the italian serie a league team, its matter of quality

second question is : should they find all of a sudden the magic formula those great players tonight? the answer is YES, they are borned to be champions, and nothing less is to their satisdfaction

they have hundred plus one ways to score against this poor scottish side ( poor in terms of champion league)

MILAN all the way for me, the value bet of the day

good luck

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Originally Posted by Martens

Celtic vs Milan

it is unbeleivable how the famous players of milan are behaving at the moment

watched them against Catania last sunday, shame shame nothing else, all of them kaka pirlo gattuso inzaghi ....like bodies not players

here i come to the tonight's clash. first question is : celtic is better than catania? my answer is NO, because is impossible for any scottish team to be better from any of the italian serie a league team, its matter of quality

second question is : should they find all of a sudden the magic formula those great players tonight? the answer is YES, they are borned to be champions, and nothing less is to their satisdfaction

they have hundred plus one ways to score against this poor scottish side ( poor in terms of champion league)

MILAN all the way for me, the value bet of the day

good luck

You are having an absolute laugh here Martens.

Celtic not better than Catania? Give me a break. They are obviously not on a level with the big ones but the rest of the league i would rate Celtic as a better outfit. Only aspect the Italians would be better is in terms of technical ability.

Milan @ 2.10? No thanks. Absolute terrible price imo.

Celtic are most definately a value bet tonight at 4.30. Look at their home record in the CL. Its as good as anyone around. Only lost once at home in 15 games and thats with sides like Milan, Juve, Man Utd to name a few coming to Celtic Park.

Hesselhink out for Celtic and I actually think this plays into their hands to be honest. Big name and all that but he is so pedestrian and slow i think he hampers Celtic a lot of the time.

Hartley will play the holding role to put the shackles on Kaka and I can see him doing a decent job there.

McDonald is a striker that Italian defenders will hate. Similar to Kenny Miller that he won't give their defence a seconds peace and his pace should trouble an ageing backline also.

I fancy McGeady and Brown for big games tonight too.

Seen the last few games of Milan and they are a very poor side just now imo. Kaka is single handedly carrying them right now.

Upfront they are absolutely woeful. Inzaghi, Gilardino...Neither of them have impressed so far.

Defensively they are pretty vulnerable also i thought.

Dida missing is a blow. Many people say he is a poor keeper but bar the odd mistake i rate him highly. Great shot stopper.

Milan failed to beat Celtic over 90 mins in both games last season drawing 0-0 both times. I rate Celtic a better and more dangerous outfit now than last season and Milan a poorer side so the odds are a bit silly.

I also feel Milan would be happy to come away with a point too.

Backing Celtic or laying Milan is definately the bet to take tonight.

No value in MiLAN.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Not much value elsewhere to be honest.

I know Chelsea are in a bad way at the minute but they are still going to be a difficult team to beat regardless of their poor form attacking wise. I couldn't back Valencia with any confidence.

Shakthar look big at 4.10 also. Benfica a shadow of the side they have been over the past few seasons coming up against a side who have spent close to £40m in the summer.

They were great against Celtic and what I did notice about them was the pace they had at their disposal when attacking and i remember thinking they will be very dangerous away from home playing counter attacking football.

Definately worth a nibble laying Valencia and backing Shakthar.

Now i have completely cut out my gambling but am sticking on little accys each week.

Todays one is Chelsea, Celtic and Shakthar to win. Pays around 65/1. Easy stuff this betting malarky

[Parag0n]

Good evening gents,

Having a nibble at a few punts on the champs league...

Real Madrid @ 2.2

Celtic @ 4.4

and a quaddie...

Valencia, Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Liverpool @ 9's