Champions League - Wednesday 27th July

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Just been reading about injury problems for Celtics opponents.

It seems striker Gomes is going to be missing for them through injury tonight which can only be a boost for Celtic.

Also funny listening to Strachan in regards to the racist taunts England's black players got when they played Slovakia. Asked if he was concerned for Celtics black players because of what happened with England he replied...

"No, why would i be. England got boo'd because they are England and no one in the world likes them no matter what sport is involved"

[snyena]

Ok, here's some Slovakian info.

1. Artmedia have bought Halenar, a new and rather talented striker who could be a good replacement for Sebo (last season's top scorer, signed for Austria Vienna).
2. Artmedia also have Fodrek and Gomes back, so their striker problem seems to be solved for now (they didn't have any proper striker in the away game against Kairat).
3. The game will be played on Slovan Bratislava stadium, which is also the stadium where most international games of Slovakia are played. I am not sure how many people are coming to the game, but 15k seems reasonable.
4. People read too much into Artmedia's seemingly poor results against Kairat. Artmedia had no strikers in the 1st leg, they were knackered from the long journey and a huge time difference, also a large difference in temperature. And most importantly of all, Kairat are actually a pretty good team if you look at the individual players. They are packed with experienced internationals who play for Lithuania, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan (whover follows their results knows that they are not shits, as the name would suggest). Kairat players also have experience from Russian, Ukrainian, and Romanian leagues and they are very strong on their home ground in Alma Ata. However, Artmedia fought very well to erase KAirat's 2-0 lead from the 1st leg and now they'll be all fired up and ready to prove they are good footballers against Celtic.
5. I wouldn't read too much into Artmedia's two Corgon liga losses either. They were tired from the Kairat game that went into extra time and they had their minds on Celtic.

I am actually laying Celtic tonight, if anyone cares. Small stakes only, just to keep me interested in the game in case I go there.

Edit: Gomes is out then, but that doesn't change much for me, as the expected strikeforce is Halenar and Fodrek anyway.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Nice one snyena. Good to get some decent information on Celtics opponents.

I can see they are a decent side but i still think Celtic are going to have a bit too much for them quality wise.

Strachans seems to be wanting the result tonight of a win and has said they will go attacking looking for the win.

What can of side are Artmedia?

Are they technically gifted side? How well do they cope with sides with a big presence in terms of height and build?

[snyena]

Artmedia are a rather mixed side. This is the expected team:

Čobej - Kotula, Debnár, Ďurica, Hellebrand - Vaščák, Borbély, Kozák, Tchuř - Fodrek, Halenár.

Hellebrand and Tchuř are Czech players. I quite like Tchuř who is a fast and energetic winger with a good shot. Borbély is the midfield boss and Kozák is the creative brain of the team. He provides quality defence-splitting passes but I am a bit concerned about his lack of pace. Halenár had shown moments of brilliance in his previous club (Inter Bratislava) and I think he will benefit a lot from his move to Artmedia. Fodrek can be half-decent on his day too.

You are spot on about big presence, I am curious to see how they'll cope with that myself. Another problem might be lack of pace for this level of football... we'll see.

Vladimír Weiss (the manager) said that Artmedia will use defensive tactic - that is the main reason for my lay bet. But as I said, only small stakes, to spice up the match a bit. It could well happen that Celtic will thrash Artmedia easily.

[kompressaur]

Excellent stuff Snyena Youve convinced me that there aint much value in Celtic tonight and ive a feeling for the under 2.5 and if i was using Betfair the about evens on the under 2.5 would quence my thirst or an interest on tonights game.

Good luck with your bets tonight Snyena

[Beanie]

Rapid -1.5 has moved to evens on Betfair, but I see no reason why it should be a 50/50 bet.

[crowie]

SK Tirana v CSKA Sofia joins the Vilnius v Cluj in being tonights dodgy games.

Original odds of 2.00 and above for the away. Now 1.60 on Betfair, £218k of the £226k on the game has gone on CSKA. Most bookies have taken the game down but 1.67 still available at The Gaming Club.

[snyena]

Originally Posted by kompressaur

Good luck with your bets tonight Snyena

Cheers Komp, good luck to you too in whatever bets you make. Can't wait to see the game. Will be good to see two buddies of mine as well (Strachan and Telfer). I talked to both in the lounge of the Highfield Road stadium some 6 years ago... I remember I couldn't understand what Strachan was saying, but it was fun anyway.

[kompressaur]

you wouldnt Snyena as he's a wee ginger man who talks too fast and has enough self confidence to slow it for anyone. I dont understand him half the time. You got a Coventry City connection Snyena?

Crowie is this THE GAMING CLUB with the CSKA odds and loads a free bets?

[kompressaur]

Aye it is that. 8/15 they have CSKA now

[fasteddy]

Malmo vs Haifa :

(AH away +0.5 @ 1.92 Pinnacle)
( away win @ 5.00 betoto, 4.70 @ 24hbet, 4.50 @ stanjames)

This appeals from the point of view that Malmo are not performing at a high level in their domestic league (3rd place : P 15: 8-2-5 ), with scoring appearing to the biggest problem area: they have a GF 17, less or equal to 6 of the 11 teams below them.

Of note is their 16 June home loss to Djurgarden 1-3, after being 1-0 up at HT.
This obviously stayed with them as the following week they lost again, away to Elfsborg, 1-1 at HT , only to concede 2 more and lose 3-1 FT.
Slight steadying of the ship followed with 2 home wins and an away draw, but last week they travelled to Hacken and came away with 0 ppts and a 1-0 loss.
Very inconsistent; lacking in self belief, and with a very difficult and experienced Israeli squad to overcome tonight...all looks a bit too much for the Swedes.
They do have match fitness and should be sharper as well, but for this bet to win all we need is a draw, and that looks extremely likely given the recent Malmo displays.

Haifa have a very strong team of players, with a number of nationals amongst them: Davidovitch, Saban , Tal and Katan, to name but a few. They have Brazilians , Chileans and Argentinians on their books as well, so there is a good mix of styles and ability thru the squad. NOT an easy team to beat at any stage of the season.

Team news: uefa.com 22-7-05

Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa FC have signed two South American players ahead of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie against Malmö FF.

International pedigree
Haifa have snapped up Chile captain Rafael Olarra from CD Universidad Católica on a two-year deal. The 27-year-old has 24 international caps and appeared at the 2004 Olympic Games. The former CA Osasuna and CA Independiente defender should bolster Maccabi's back line following 21-year-old Wescley Gonçalves's departure on loan to South Korean outfit Chunnam Dragons.

Boca midfield colt
The Israelis have also recruited 20-year-old midfielder Víctor Ormazábal from CA Boca Juniors. The Argentinian, who played 19 times for the Buenos Aires side, will link up with compatriot and former team-mate Roberto Colautti in the engine room.

South American quintet
The pair's arrival increases Haifa's South American contingent to five, with Brazilians Xavier Dirceu and Gustavo Boccoli also on the club's books.

All looking good for Haifa, and it shows that they can still attract the young talents from S.America.

The Israeli Ligat Al starts on 28th Aug, so the timing of these matches fits in well with their training, and as they cruised thru last season with an impressive P33: 21-8-4 GF 66 GA 27 and 11pt winning margin, it shouldn't be that hard a task to make sure they come away with the minimum of a draw in Sweden.

Malmo will know how hard it will be to take a win in Israel, so they might be forced to be more attacking than they would like., leaving opportunities for the pacy Haifa forwards to take advantage.

I think the bookies are being to over optimistic with Malmo, and the odds of 1.92 +0.5 for Haifa is too good to ignore.

[kompressaur]

I waqs and still am tempted to go against PTDSEI and look at Steau. Maybe its just my age but that price sure caught my eye.

Reading Shelbourne beat Hadjut Split 2-- and drew 0-0 with Deportivo though

Steau lost their goalie and also playmaker Munteanu from last seasons squad. They aint kicked a ball in ernest this season either. Steaua still waiting to pay their players for winning the championship last year. Saying that the manager should have them fired up for this one though. Reading that Steaua might enjoy playing British opposition as it could suit their still of play even though Shelbourne are quick attacking.

Looks like its all down to how the game is gonna pan out. If Steaua open up a bit and pressure the Shelbourne defence then i reckon they'll win. Shelbourne could nick one but i still see Steaua (who i cant even spell) winning this 1 or 2 goals to nil. Im tempted by the 5/4 @ Totesport who are also offering a free £25 bet. Im tempted by the under goal line at Ladbrokes @ 1.75 but i dont understand it

[Peter Orchard]

CSKA chairman, who is said to own some dodgy book in Bulgaria, has travelled to watch the match tonight.

Having drinks with his Albanian counterpart as we speak.

Anyone want any more of this crap?
I thought not.

4p on the Bulgars.


And a couple of kroner on the Israelis to get a point in Malmø tonight.
Low scoring affair I shouldn't be surprised and for those who don't have the pictures they'll be broadcasting live at 8 here:
http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/webbradio/f...ks&intplugin=2

It's also in-running at the Exchange.

[Bigkegman]

Not looking too good on the Celtic chances - just in but commentators seem to be praisning their opponents.........

[kompressaur]

Bad time to lose a goal.

EUROQ1: FT F91 Dudelange 1-6 Rapid Vienna

Nice one Beanie. You were confident mate