Good morning all, sorry if this blog is too late and you get your bets on a few days before the event. I had a bit of a hangover yesterday and for lack of a better phrase 'I could not be arsed' to do my blog. How very unprofessional. Anyway, this midweek we are back to Europe's 2 major club competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League. Personally I'm not really a backer in the Europa League as it is very hard to know what teams are going to do in it. I'll tend to wait until the afternoon and some team news before I have a punt. I'll try and find a couple from the Mickey Mouse Cup of Europe for you though.
Champions League
FC Copenhagen v Barcelona, Tuesday 1945
Barcelona had seemed to be going through something of a tough start to the season with the inevitable fatigue kicking in to their relatively small squad post-World Cup. The injury to Leo Messi also deprived them of the best player in the game and that will hurt any team. All this bullshit about relying on 1 player being a negative, well it's served them pretty well hasn't it? Of course they don't have a player to come in and replace him, he's the best. Well, they seem to have hit their stride now. Messi has scored in their last 3 games and David Villa seems to have gotten over his woodwork hitting curse and the whole team again look irresistable. I can't get that excited about match prices of around 1.6 when they're away. I'm more excited about Stan James quotes of 2.1 on the Barcelona/Barcelona in the HT/FT market. Messi likes an early goal and I think that is the bet for me.
Valencia v Rangers, Tuesday 1945
Now then, I refuse to go back on my previous assertion that Scottish football is about as attractive as that Kat Slater on Enders sans make-up. It's a horrible style and quality of football north of the border and it's little wonder they're all on the Tennents having to put up with it. Saying that, Rangers know how to limit the opposition, as seen at Old Trafford on Matchday 1. They will no doubt go to the Mestalla with the same limited ambitions. I can see Valencia getting the better of them, but I can't see a hiding. I think quotes of around 2.0 generally on this being under 2.5 goals is a great bet.
Tottenham v Inter, Tuesday 1945
This week we should all be praying to our various God's that the FA charge that horrendously droopy faced prick for his comments about Mark Clattenburg's refereeing on Saturday. He has 'threatened' to stop talking after games, and I for one would be glad to hear less from this moron. The man's a tactively naive clown who has been implicated in 3 different clubs being bankrupted as well as having the stench of dodgy transfers clinging to him. But back to the match. Inter haven't exactly been prolific under Rafa, watching them cling to a 1-0 lead at genoa on Friday was a ghastly reminder of the crap football we had to endure during Rafa's tenure at Pool. But, the Spuds can't defend for toffee and Inter will get chances. Samuel Eto'o is their main man and can be backed at 3.2 with Stan James to net anytime, get on!
Chelsea v Spatak Moscow, Wednesday 1945
I was very impressed with the Chelsea performance away in Russia 2 weeks ago in a 2-0 win. Not many teams go to the East and dominate like Chelsea did, especially on Spartak's platic pitch. With this in mind I can only see Chelsea at least repeating the trick tomorrow night. Didier Drogba is the best striker in football today for me, and Anelka is also on a hot streak. Kalou, whilst utter dogshit, also has a knack of coming off the bench and scoring against tiring legs. All this points to a comfortable Chelsea win for me. Back then at 2.4 with Paddy Power with a -2.0 asian handicap, the worst I think will happen is you get a refund.
Basel v Roma, Wednesday 1945
In this fixture 2 weeks ago at the Stadio Olimpico Basel pulled off something of a shock victory. However comma anyone following Ranieri's mens results and performances this season would have seen they were there for the beating. They can't score and don't see, particularly secure at the back, a dangerous combination I'm sure you'll agree? Basel have got to be backed to win the home tie for me as they are decent at home and looked more than a match for the Roman's to me. Odds of 2.75 are widely available for a home win and I'll take that.
Europa League
Lech Poznan v Man City, Thursday 1800
The English press are currently having a field day making up stories about how near Mancini is to the chop at City. I think they may generate enough of a shitstorm to get their wish and have the 'dastardly' foreigner out of ENgland soon too. They seem to be piling the pressure on for him and City are far too reliant on Tevez at present for goals. Balotelli looks an exciting player to me, but will need some time after injury to find his form again. Lech may not be a team that I know a great deal about, but they haven't been outclassed by either Juventus or City in away games so far. I'm a bit fearful of a slight City backlash, and they are generally pretty resolute at the back so I'm going to give the Pole's an extra goal on the match handicap to help them on their way. Bet365 are the best price at 2.2 on that.
Getafe v Stuttgart, Thursday 2005
Getafe aren't exactly world beaters, but they should have enough to overcome a poor Stuttgart team. They are having an awful start to the season, as is their want, and are currently still managerless. Getafe are sitting midtable in La Liga and are a pretty solid outfit. If you're desperate to have a play on Thursday then this one looks the best bet of the night for me in terms of value. William Hill are standout at 2.0 and that's a small punt for me.
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