Premiership clubs made a very poor show in the first leg knockout games of the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. Spurs and Everton both lost without scoring, while Bolton were held at home. In contrast Bayern Munich cemented their position as UEFA Cup outright favourites, winning 5-0 at Anderlecht, and only a miracle can stop them progressing to the quarter-finals; but who’ll be joining them?
Can Premiership Clubs Turn the UEFA Cup Tide?
Fiorentina gave Everton a harsh lesson in European football last Thursday night. La Viola were frustrated by an inspirational first half performance by Tim Howard in the Everton goal, but the Serie A side eventually found their way past the American in the second half. The Italians’ 2-0 wins puts them in the driving seat for the return leg at Goodison Park this Thursday night (Mar 13). At least the Toffees should have influential midfielder, Mikel Arteta, in from the start, having recovered from injury, but it will require a tremendous effort from David Moyes’ side to overcome the two goal deficit.
Everton are favourites 1.943 (-0.5)* with Fiorentina 1.980 (+0.5)*.
Tottenham were equally disappointing, losing 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven. The Londoners paraded the Carling Cup before the game, but that decision back-fired, with the Dutch side dominating, displaying the greater experience on the European stage. It is however, just a single goal deficit, and Juande Ramos knows exactly what it takes to negotiate tricky UEFA Cup road trips, from his time with Sevilla.
PinnacleSports.com make PSV slight favourites, off a level handicap, PSV Eindhoven 1.870 (0/scratch)* with Spurs 2.060 (0/scratch)*. Note the game goes ahead despite the Dutch police strike.
Elsewhere Bolton Wanderers will need to produce an even better away performance than even the previous round, when they held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in Spain. The Trotters must overcome the away goal advantage Sporting Lisbon gained from the 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium. The Portuguese side are languishing in fifth place in the Primera table, but are unbeaten at the Estádio José Alvalade.
PinnacleSports.com make them favourites for the return leg on their 1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap market.
*All odds subject to change so check out the latest LIVE bookie prices online here at BookieLabRat.com.
March 11th, 2008
After the weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals, the Premier League is playing catch-up, giving Premiership punters the bonus of three midweek clashes. While Portsmouth will have to get their feet back on the ground after the win at Old Trafford, Chelsea and Middlesbrough need to pick themselves up after demoralising defeats to Championship sides.
Chelsea Likely to Give Rams a Battering
Chelsea’s coach, Avram Grant, has admitted the pressure on his position has ratcheted up several notches after the FA Cup defeat at Barnsley. Grant was already taking flack after losing the Carling Cup final, so having been dumped out the FA Cup as holders, Chelsea now have only the Premiership and Champions League to strive for. The Israeli boss rested Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba on Saturday, but both should return here as the Blues look to keep pace with Man Utd and Arsenal. Derby are all but down with one win all season, so it would be a monumental shock should they end Chelsea’s 76 game unbeaten home league record.
Top handicap bookmaker PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea favourites 1.775 (-2)* with Derby 2.190 (+2)* – a market priced to less than 102%.
Boro Must Bounce Back from FA Cup Misery
With the boos still ringing in their ears after the comprehensive FA Cup home defeat by Cardiff, Middlesbrough’s players will run out at Villa Park on Wednesday night looking to make amends. Boro’s only remaining target for this season is ensuring safety from relegation; they are currently among six clubs separated by just three points. The Teessiders will face a stern test by Aston Villa, who have lost just one of their last dozen games, including draws with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. The Villans are chasing European football next season, for which a win here would be pivotal.
Neither side have any major injury concerns and PinnacleSports.com make Villa favourites 1.806 (-0.5 & -1)* with Middlesbrough 2.140 (+0.5 & +1)*.
Pompey Still on Cloud Nine after FA Cup Win
Portsmouth will still be on cloud nine after beating Man Utd in the FA Cup on Saturday, then seeing themselves installed as favourites after all their main rivals lost. Birmingham will hope to bring Pompey back down to earth on Wednesday night, as they seek safety from survival. They performed a similar job beating Spurs 4-1 last weekend, as they were still recovering from their Carling Cup celebrations. Portsmouth could still qualify for Europe via the league, so Harry Redknapp will be working hard on focus. The Brum are still without Olivier Kapo, while Portsmouth have no fresh injury concerns.
PinnacleSports.com make Portsmouth favourites 1.877 (-0.5)* with Birmingham 2.050 (+0.5)*.
*All odds subject to change so check out the latest best odds compared across the top online bookies here at BookieLabRat.com.
For info on PinnacleSports and why we rate them so highly for Asian Handicap prices read the latest Pinnacle Sports Bookmaker Review here.
March 11th, 2008