FIFA World Club Cup - 7/12 to 16/12

[Napoleon Solo]

FIFA.com

[ONEDUNME]

Milan are likely to have been priced up on reputatin and weight of money expected on them arent they?

How are Boca doing these days. Anyone know anything about S Amercan footy?

Maybe they are worth a bet

[ONEDUNME]

And is it on Sky?

[Napoleon Solo]

Apparently it's on the Fox Soccer Channel ODM!

And no, I don't know where to watch it!



Sepahan v Waitakere United

The opening match of the 2007 FIFA World Club Cup pits AFC Champions League runners-up Sepahan against OFC Champions League winners Waitakere United.

Sepahan are in this competition as the Japanese are already represented as the host nation, Sepahan having finished second in the AFCCL to Urawa Red Diamonds.

Part-timers Waitakere come into the competition having won the OFCCL, which consisted of beating a team from New Caledonia twice (amateurs), drawing with Auckland City twice (part-timers) and beating Fijian side Ba (amateur) on away goals.

Auckland City took part in this competition last year and lost 0-2 to African Champions Ahly Sporting Club and 0-3 against Koreans Jeonbuk Hyundai. Sepahan are as good as both these teams, whilst I'd rate Auckland on a par with Waitakere.

As much as Auckland are talking themselves up, I cannot see past a comprehensive Sepahan victory. This is a new experience for the majority of the Waitakere players and the excitement may just get the better of them.

Bet365 are offering 2.10 for Sepahan -1 on the European handicap, which I'd gladly take. I'm expecting Sepahan to score a couple at least and I just cannot see Waitakere replying.

Sepahan -1 v Waitakere United @ 2.10 - 3 points

Conquering The World

[Peter Orchard]

Good bet that -1 AH.
I watched both legs Sehapan-Urawa and the Iranians stayed with the Japanese in long periods and well worth the Asian bet this morning against a Danny Hay inspired side who have an enthusiastic wish not to be humiliated but little else.

Hay used to be a decent utility player with Leeds but today he looks more like Laurence Dallaglio and his other ex-English pro buddies look like they spent too much time in the sun.

That the New Zealanders scored a goal is only due to Iranian boredom.

[ONEDUNME]

Nice pick Napoleon

[Napoleon Solo]

Cheers ODM!


Etoile Sportive Sahel v Pachuca

I really don't think think there's as big a gap between the teams tomorrow as is indicated by the odds.

Etoile became CAF Champions just one month ago, though they were maybe slightly fortunate to beat Al Ahly Cairo in the final, Al Ahly having a player sent off when 1-1 and laying siege to the Etoile goal. That's not taking anything away from Etoile though, they've reached the final in two of the last three season, having been beaten by Al Ahly in the 2005 final, so they're not a team to be taken lightly.

Pachuca got here by winning this seasons CONCACAF Champions Cup back in April, however recently they've been on a terrible run of form, winning just three of their last fourteen league and cup games. A major factor in this could be fatigue, as the team have played 90 games in the past year, which includes games in the Mexican Primera Liga, Copa Sudamericana, CONCACAF Champions Cup and the inaugural Super Liga competition.

Etoile have been in Asia since the 28th of November in order to acclimatise to the conditions and the time difference, firstly in Korea before moving to Japan. Pachuca only traveled to Japan on the 4th of December and may still be getting used to the difference in climate and time zones.

As I've already said, I feel Etoile may be overpriced for this, considering Pachuca's run of form and the fact that Etoile are a well established team in African football. I'll be willing to take a chance on a Etoile victory at a current best price of 7.25 (Unibet). However, even if they don't win I can see them either holding Pachuca to a draw or, at the very least, going down to the odd goal. For that reason, I'm also going to risk a bet on the Asian Handicap.

Etoile Sportive Sahel v Pachuca @7.25 (Unibet) - 1/10
Etoile Sportive Sahel AH(+1) v Pachuca @ 1.925 (Bet365) - 2/10

[Napoleon Solo]

Etoile Sportive Sahel 1 - 0 Pachuca

+8.10 points!


10/12/07 10:30 Sepahan v Urawa Red Diamonds 3.80 3.40 1.95


Not looked at this in depth yet, but I could once again be tempted with a bet on Sepahan.

As with Pachuca, Urawa have been feeling the burn of a large number of games, and a large amount of travelling, this season. They threw away the J-League title, winning none of their last six league games, losing to the bottom placed Yokohama FC on the final day of the season, a team which had won just 3 times all season. Despite putting out a decent squad in the Emperors Cup, they went down 0-2 to J2 side Ehime, though they did beat Sepahan in the AFC Champions League final just one month ago. It still may be worth backing against them though!

[Napoleon Solo]

12/12/07 10:30 Etoile Sportive Sahel v Boca Juniors 10.51 4.25 1.28

[Napoleon Solo]

Sepahan v Urawa Red Diamonds

Sepahan come into the game after a straightforward win over minnows Waitakere, this achieved without their best player Navidkia who is due to return for this match, though the Sepahan squad list has yet to be announced. Anyway, they were in good form domestically before this competition began and have been in Japan long enough to get adapt to any differences in time zone.

Urawa have been in dreadful form since the Asian Champions League victory over Sepahan, having failed to win or even score in their four games. As a result they missed out on the J-League title and were humiliatingly beaten in the Emperor's Cup by J2 team Ehime. It seems that a long season has taken it's toll on the Urawa players. The Reds will be without their playmaker Robson Ponte and I've been told will be missing a few more first team players, though these are yet to be confirmed.

Whatever team Urawa put out though, I feel they will be pushed extremely hard by Sepahan. Urawa are out of form and likely tired from a long season of domestic and continental football. Sepahan will be out for revenge after defeat to Urawa in the ACL final , they're currently in very good form and are only in the middle of their domestic season. The odds available on the Sepahan win are also too big to ignore in what should be a very close game.

Sepahan v Urawa Red Diamonds @ 3.92 (10Bet) - 2/10

[Beanie]

Bloody ell Nap - these have been well hidden. Congrats so far!

[Napoleon Solo]

You're a jinx, Beanie!



Down to the semi-final stage now!

12/12/07 10:30 Etoile Sportive Sahel v Boca Juniors 10.00 4.60 1.40
13/12/07 10:30 Urawa Red Diamonds v AC Milan 9.00 4.30 1.40


Etoile Sportive Sahel v Boca Juniors

I've just watched the highlights of the Etoile v Pachuca match and I've got to admit I was rather lucky to land my AH bet, never mind my 7.25 Etoile bet. Pachuca dominated the game from beginning to end and were unlucky to go down to a deflected goal late on.

Boca go into the tournament missing Juan Riquelme as he wasn't registered in time, which may cost them when it comes to the final against Milan. However, they should still be far too strong for Etoile. They've been playing 4-3-1-2 with Riquelme but will likely revert to 4-4-2 without him, which should suit them more than trying to play with a different playmaker.

From what I saw of Etoile's first game, I can see naught but a comfortable Boca win. There are a few bets I'm tempted with at the moment, Boca AH(-1.5) @ 2.14 (10Bet), Boca Ht/Ft @ 1.83 (Bet365) or possibly Over 2.5 goals @ 2.00 (Bet365). Not quite sure which I'll go with at the moment!

[ONEDUNME]

Bloody Beanie eh

[Napoleon Solo]

Decided not to have any bets on this game, not really too sure about anything tbh!

[jimmyt]

Are Milan certain to whip Urawa ?? Anyone know of team news etc ??