The Sports Bookie Blog

Betting on the Carling Cup? Not as Such…

September 25th, 2007

Just when you thought you were going to have to resort to betting on the Carling Cup – along comes some top La Liga and Serie A action.

Check out this week’s previews from top handicap bookie, Pinnacle Sports.

LA LIGA BETTING – Matchday 5 Preview
Barcelona celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Nou Camp stadium on Saturday with a special ceremony and 2-1 win over Sevilla. Argentine striker, Lionel Messi, scored both goals with Ronaldinho looking on from the stands. The 300 million euro redevelopment of the iconic venue will start in 2009 and be part funded by the sale of the Mini Estadi, Barca’s mini-stadium.

Barca Adapting Without Eto’o & Ronaldinho
Another potential source of funds could be the sale of Ronny. The Brazilian is at the centre of controversy surrounding his partying lifestyle and lack of form. It seems unlikely he will start on Wednesday as Barca host Real Zaragoza, in the first midweek schedule of fixtures. Messi and Henry showed signs against Sevilla of developing an understanding, all the more important with Samuel Eto’o also side-lined for several weeks.

The victory would have given Rijkaard some relief, given the spectre of Jose Mourinho, who has ruled out another job in Premier League. The Dutchman will be encourage by the fact that Zaragoza have taken five points from four Primera Liga games this term, without keeping a clean sheet. They have faced Barcelona eight times in the last two seasons, including meetings in the Copa Del Rey. Zaragoza shocked the Catalans with a 1-0 win at the Nou Camp in that competition last term, before losing 2-1 at home, but have never won a league game there. PinnacleSports make Barca favourites 2.15 (-1.5), with Zaragoza 1.80 (+1.5).

Madrid on Top But Not at Ease
Real Madrid dropped their 100% record on the weekend, salvaging a draw at Vallladolid having fallen behind to a 71st minute Pedro Lopez strike. Though the Galacticos top the Primera Division there appears to be an unusual air of instability in the camp, with much being made of comments made by new manager, Bernd Schuster. Apparently all is not as the German had expected, and his suggestions that he would review his position at the end of the season has been ceased by the Spanish media as a sign he is unsettled. With Jose Mourinho on the market, that appraisal could happen much sooner.

Madrid host Betis at the Bernabeu in a rare Thursday night fixture. The visitors are yet to record a victory this term, drawing two and losing two. This follows on from last term when the Beticos finished just one point above the drop zone, but they seem to save their best for this fixture drawing on the last three visits, including consecutive 0-0 league draws. The sides have played eight times in the last two seasons (including Copa del Rey) with four draws and four draws for Madrid, but an average of less than one goal per game. PinnacleSports make Real Madrid favourites 2.04 (-1.5), with Zaragoza 1.893 (+1.5).

SERIE A BETTING – Matchday 5 Preview
After four games the early suggestions in Serie A are that there will no repeat of Inter Milan’s cake-walk last season. All the main contenders drew on the weekend, showing that every team will have to scrap for three points, though that might also suggest a hang-over from European competition. There is no respite however, as bettors are treated to a full midweek schedule of Italian fixtures, with PinnacleSports offering 60% better Serie A betting odds.

Roma & Fiorentina Defend Unbeaten Records
Luciano Spalletti’s Roma side are widely acknowledged as playing the best football in Italy in the early stages of the season. The Giallorossi are unbeaten and made a successful start to the Champions League but face their fourth game in ten days on Wednesday as they visit Fiorentina’s Stadio Artemio Franchi. La Viola have faced identical fixture congestion, playing in the UEFA Cup, but also boast an unbeaten record which includes a draw away to Inter Milan.

Francesco Totti scored his third and fourth goals of the season in the 2-2 draw with Juve, continuing the excellent form he showed last term. For their part, Fiorentina are adjusting well to life without Luca Toni, and focused on their ambition of qualification for the Champions League. Danish winger, Martin Jorgensen, should return to training this week, but is unlikely to feature. This game has ended drawn on three of the last four occasions, and early evidence strongly suggests another close game. PinnacleSports make Roma favourites 2.19 (0/scratch & -0.5) with Fiorentina 1.775 (0/scratch & +0.5).

Juventus Suffering Defensive Jinx
Claudio Ranieri took plenty of positives from the weekend clash with Roma. David Trezeguet scored his 100th goal in Serie A, as the Old Lady held the league leaders to a 2-2 draw with a gutsy display that might have been even better had Del Piero converted his second-half spot kick. The big negative for Ranieri was losing another defender with Jorge Andrade likely to be out for the whole season after knee damage. He joins Jean Alain Boumsong in the medical room, while Jonathan Zebina is still suspended, and midfielder, Mauro Camoranesi is a long-term absentee.

Reggina make the long trip from Calabria in the tip of the Italy’s boot, to Turin. The Amaranto (Dark Reds) pulled off a near miracle last term, staying up despite the 11 point penalty from Calciopoli, with a creditable away record, losing just one more away game than Lazio who finished third. They are however, still searching for their first win and have already conceded seven goals. PinnacleSports make Reggina underdogs 1.943 (+1.5) with Juventus 1.980 (-1.5). 

>>READ the latest sportsbook review on PinnacleSports.com. (Sorry, no US bettors) 

Entry Filed under: European Football,Sports Betting