12pm -
HJK Helsinki v MyPa - 1.3 home
1230pm - Tampines Rovers v Young Lions - 1.3 home
1245pm - Wolves v Swansea - 2.08 home
from www.premierleague.co.uk
Wolverhampton Wanderers are bidding to halt a run of five successive defeats while Swansea City have lost all four away matches this season.
Wolves team news
Wolves will still be without striker Steven Fletcher.
Fletcher is recovering from the calf injury that kept him out of last week's 2-0 defeat to West Brom.
Meanwhile, Ronal Zubar (groin) has not reached match fitness and Kevin Foley (ankle) is also missing.
Swansea team news
Defender Steven Caulker is ahead of schedule in his return from a knee injury, but is still unavailable.
Vangelis Moras could make his debut in defence after receiving international clearance to sign a short-term contract with the south Wales club.
Stephen Dobbie is out thanks to an ankle injury he suffered in last week's defeat at Norwich and Alan Tate (broken leg) and Kemy Agustien (hamstring) are also out..
squads
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Elokobi, Stearman, Craddock, Henry, Ward, Hunt, Ikeme, Johnson, Berra, Jarvis, Vokes, Hammill, Milijas, O'Hara, Doyle, De Vries, Foley, Guedioura, Edwards, Ebanks-Blake.
Swansea City: Vorm, Williams, Taylor, Britton, Graham, Sinclair, Dyer, Moras, Routledge, Monk, Lita, Moore, Bessone, Moreira, Rangel, Allen, Tremmel, Gower, Richards, Lucas.
HEAD TO HEADS - no relevant head to heads
LEAGUE POSITION - 16th v 13th after 8 matches.
HOME TEAM - Wolves
RECENT HOME FORM - WLLL - 2-0 v Fulham then losses to Spurs, Newcastle and QPR. Big trouble upfront. The only goal in those losses was an 88th minute goal and that goalscorer, Fletcher, is out today.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWDLLLLL - losses v Spurs, QPR, Liverpool, Newcastle, WBA. THey have not really played any newcomers so this will be a targeted match by old broken nose.
GOAL TRENDS - have failed to score in 4 of last 6, and again Fletcher the scorer of the 2 goals. He is out. 3 of last 4 matches over 2.5 goals. Have conceded in all of last 5 matches.Average 0.75 goals scored this season.
STREAKS - 5 match losing streak. 3 match losing streak at home.Have conceded in all of last 5.
AWAY TEAM SWANSEA
RECENT AWAY FORM - -LLLL - 4-0 v City, 1-0 v Arse, 4-1 v Chelsea, and 3-1 v Norwich. Perhaps the Norwich result can incentivise Wolves?
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LDDLWLWL - Wins at home v West Brom and Stoke - "championship style" sides. These were at home though. Wolves are another " championship style" side.We can't really weigh up away form for Swansea given the opposition so far - 3 of top 5.
GOAL TRENDS - away overs are going to be influenced by playing the big boys so early in the season but why the capitulation against well matched Norwich.
STREAKS - 3 of last 4 over 2.5 goals. Have now scored in last 4 matches.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - this must have been chalked up as a possible 3 points by McCarthy, and it now takes on added significance as a way of ending that 5 match losing run. My concern with Wolves is where their goals are going to come from? Fletcher scored the last 2 goals and he is now injured. This smells of vulnerability now. Both sides' recent trends over 2.5 goals, but remember the calibre of opponents that Swansea have played, and away as well. Swansea have an opportunity to score again I suspect this afternoon. A 0-1 away scoreline for the ultra speculative if we feel Wolves attack is broken at present. THose who follow the maxim that must wins tend to win will side with Wolves. THe odds of 2.02 suggest this will be a struggle. Perhaps 0-0 is backable early in such an important ( already) match for Wolves.
2pm - Sampdoria v Cittadella - 1.5 home
HEAD TO HEADS - no head to heads since 2002.
LEAGUE POSITION - 5th v 13th after 10 matches. Dusseldorf were 1.5 at home yesterday and won 2-0 so this is something for us to use. Samp are relegated so worth investigating as logically they should find this lower league easier. A win takes Samp 2nd (ish) based on other results . It's a tight head of the league so points, especially at home, is important.
HOME TEAM - Samp
RECENT HOME FORM - DWDLD - immediately we see 2 dropped points on 3 occasions. It must be said that Samp have played top 3 sides at home, losing 1 and drawing 2. Sole win came against current 2nd bottom side.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DDWWDWLDDW - only 1 loss this season at home to top side - all wins have come against the current bottom 7 which tells us that Samp are struggling in this league to turn draws against the better sides into wins. 3 draws against teams near today's opponents in the league.
GOAL TRENDS- 60% overs overall and there have been 2 recent 1-1 results which have scuppered the run of last 5 overs.
STREAKS - have scored and conceded in all of last 5. No win in 3 at home.
AWAY TEAM - Cittadella
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLLL - have failed to score in last 3 aways.Have drawn against 1st, lost against 3rd and 4th without scoring away and are now playing 5th today.All aways so far against current top 8 .
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WDLLWLLWLW - inconsistent form really. An inability to put a streak together.Wins against 11th , 16th, 19th and 20th at home.
GOAL TRENDS - all unders away from home down to 2-0 losses and a 1-1 draw, so only just.
Have only scored 1 goal away against the current top 8 teams they have played ( remember they are playing 5th today)
STREAKS - 3 match losing streak away. No draw in 8 matches. Have conceded in all of last 4 away.Have kept a clean sheet in 2 of last 3, but those 2 matches were home. 4 of last 5 matches under 2.5 goals.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - 1.5 signals an eventual win, possibly around the 2-0 optimum mark. And this ties in with how Cittadella have been performing against the top 8 they have played away. My concern is in Sampdoria being unable to turn draws into wins against any teams other than the bottom 7. Worse case today for Samp I suspect will be a 0-0 or 1-1. Speculators might like to chance 0-0, 1-1, 2-0 correct score dutch?
230pm - Dortmund v FC Koln - 1.34 home
HEAD TO HEADS
Head to heads perhaps don't reflect the dominance the current market does. 3 tight head to heads recently have, admittedly, seen Dortmund come good just about.
LEAGUE POSITION - 4th v 10th after 9 matches. A win takes Dortmund provisionally 2nd.
HOME TEAM - Dortmund
RECENT HOME FORM - WWLW - wins against Hamburg, Nurnburg and Augsburg ( a pity Koln aren't called Kolnburg) and a loss v Hertha Berlin 1-2 - 0-2 up to the 88th minute.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WLWDLLWWW - 3 match winning streak needed after 3 without a win. All bar 1 of the wins has come v current bottom 6. against 7th, 8th, 9th ( away) and 11th ( home), we see LDLL and remember Koln are currently 10th. This early on can we see a pattern with Dortmund's play against certain sections of the league? Beating bottom third, unable to beat middle third? A bit weak though after only 10 matches.
GOAL TRENDS - -3/4 at home over 2.5 goals, the exception was a 2-0 which was not a winning over 2.5 goals trade as 2nd goal came in 80th minute. 4 of last 5 matches over 2.5 goals. THe exception was a 2-0 win over Werder. Have kept a clean sheet in last 2 matches. Have scored in all of last 5 matches.
STREAKS - 4 without a draw at home. Have scored in last 4 at home.
AWAY TEAM - Koln
RECENT AWAY FORM - LWWL - interesting away form.Either spanking teams away ( 1-4 v Leverkusen and 3-4 v hamburg) or getting spanked away ( 5-1 Schalke and 3-1 Hertha) - obvious alternative here is a neutral goals bet or a lay the draw as these have been rollercoaster rides in play!
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LLDWLWWLW - won 3 of last 4 matches against 7th, 8th and 9th ( 2 home and 1 away). Have yet to play any of the top 5 so we cannot gauge likely result v 4th placed Dortmund.
GOAL TRENDS - easy overs away from home. 6-5-3-7 total goals away from home.All matches this season over 1.5 goals and 3 results ( 2 2-0's and a 1-1) stopped all matches being over 2.5 goals. Have kept a clean sheet in 2 of last 3.
STREAKS - no draw in 4 away and 6 overall.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - -we have one of those sides in Koln who are highly combustible away from home. 6-5-3-7 total goals away from home shows great attacking prowess but also incredibly poor defending. They have won 3 of their last 4, but have not played any of the top 5 yet. Very definite over 2.5 goals congruency between Dortmund at home and Koln away. As if to make our life easy ( not!), what to make of the 1-0 head to head latest? I would note if Koln score first - enhanced bettors take note.
So do we opt for a goals trade here and dismiss recent head to heads in favour of recent form?
3pm - Aston Villa v West Brom - 2.12 home
from www.premierleague.co.uk
West Bromwich Albion are unbeaten in three while Aston Villa aim to bounce back from their first defeat of the season.
Aston Villa team news
Aston Villa central defender James Collins is back in contention for Saturday's Barclays Premier League derby with West Brom at Villa Park.
Collins returned to training this week after missing the 4-1 setback at Manchester City - Villa's first league defeat of the season - with foot and groin problems.
Villa manager Alex McLeish may recall midfielder Barry Bannan after leaving him out of the starting line-up at City following his exertions with Scotland. Striker Nathan Delfouneso (hamstring) and on-loan Jermaine Jenas (Achilles) are still ruled out.
West Brom team news
Midfielder Zoltan Gera is in contention to play some part after making his comeback from a long-term ankle problem.
The Hungary international played 45 minutes of the midweek reserve clash with Arsenal - his first action of any sort since rejoining the Baggies from Fulham during the summer.
Defender Steven Reid will be available after undergoing minor hand surgery. Head coach Roy Hodgson has to decide whether to recall Peter Odemwingie after he impressed as a scoring substitute against Wolves.
squads
Aston Villa: Given, Guzan, Hutton, Collins, Dunne, Clark, Warnock, Beye, Herd, Delph, Petrov, Ireland, Bannan, Albrighton, Gardner, Bent, Heskey, Agbonlahor, N'Zogbia, Weimann.
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Fulop, Reid, Jones, Jara, Olsson, McAuley, Dawson, Tamas, Mattock, Shorey, Brunt, Morrison, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Thomas, Gera, Tchoyi, Odemwingie, Long, Cox, Fortune.
Key stat from Racing Post - West Brom have scored in 11 of last 12 away matches.
HEAD TO HEADS
Remember this is a local derby of sorts so that must be accounted for in final analysis. Head to heads point towards a naturalised over 2.5 goals with Villa conquering last 2 head to heads. Changes in management in both sides may change this head to head dynamic.
LEAGUE POSITION - 8th v 12th after 8 matches.
HOME TEAM - Aston villa
RECENT HOME FORM - WDDW - Wins against Blackburn and Wigan and draws against Newcastle and Wolves. Likely we may see a match similar to the 0-0 Wolves match?
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWDDDDWL - loss v Man City inevitable really as they are clicking at present. Too many draws scuppering any serious move up the table.last 3 draws have all been score draws.
GOAL TRENDS - only 3 matches over 2.5 goals down to the drawitis. Draws against 11th, 14th, 15th and 16th and WBA are 12th. Expectation for another draw?
STREAKS - unbeaten in 4 at home. Have scored in all of last 5.
AWAY TEAM - WBA
RECENT AWAY FORM - LWLD - unlucky to lose to Chelsea, but a fair capitulation against Swansea 3-0. 0-1 win over Norwich and 2-2 v Sunderland. These final 3 sides are again " championship" style sides. We cannot accuse Villa of being "championship style" though.
RECENT OVERALL FORM- LLLWLDDW - unbeaten in 4 of last 5 matches. Questionable opponents though - again that phrase " championship style " opponents - Stoke, Norwich, Swansea, Fulham, Wolves, Sunderland all likely mid-lower table and all with very much a lower league mentality.
GOAL TRENDS - 3/4 over 2.5 goals away. the exception a 1-0 v Norwich. Have kept a clean sheet in 2 of last 3 matches. Only 2 of last 6 overall over 2.5 goals.
STREAKS - no defeat in 3 overall.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - WBA have been playing, largely, "championship style" sides, and we cannot accuse Villa of that. I like Villa. Defensively they are strong and have a world class keeper. Upfront they are exciting and have 3 strong strikers. Unbeaten at home. The last midlands match saw a 0-0 with Wolves and WBA , under Woy, are well capable of widing out the storm and wemaining tight at the back. So a 0-0 back to lay trade perhaps? Head to heads have been over 2.5 goals last 3 matches. Villa certainly have the forward line to score, WBA less so if Odemwingie does not play. If a goal were to be scored, I feel Villa are better equipped to score said goal .
3pm - Bolton v Sunderland - 2.32 home
from www.premierleague.co.uk
Bolton Wanderers aim to kick on after ending a run of six successive defeats while Sunderland have taken one point from a possible nine.
Bolton team news
Owen Coyle is hoping to be able to pick from the same squad against Sunderland on Saturday as the Trotters look to build on last week's Barclays Premier League win over Wigan.
Coyle left out Gretar Steinsson and Fabrice Muamba altogether and picked David Wheater ahead of Zat Knight as Bolton ended a run of six successive league defeats at the DW Stadium, and he may well be tempted to stick with the same line.
A couple of players are battling knocks but Coyle is hopeful they will be fit while defender Marcos Alonso returned to training today after eight weeks out with a broken foot.
Sunderland team news
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is boosted by the return of key men Phil Bardsley and Nicklas Bendtner.
Full-back Bardsley has completed his four-match ban, while loan signing Bendtner was ineligible to play against parent club Arsenal last weekend.
Titus Bramble is suspended pending police and club investigations, while Craig Gordon and Fraizer Campbell (both knee) continue to work their way back to fitness with the keeper due to return to training at the end of next month and the striker likely to be missing until March.
squads
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Wheater, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Eagles, Robinson, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Petrov, K Davies, Klasnic, Tuncay, Bogdan, Gardner, M Davies, Pratley, Ngog, Blake, Kakuta, Boyata.
Sunderland: Mignolet, Westwood, O'Shea, Brown, Bardsley, Richardson, Turner, Laing, Cattermole, Gardner, Vaughan, Larsson, Colback, Elmohamady, Meyler, Sessegnon, Bendtner, Wickham, Ji, McClean, Cook.
I gave myself a pat on the back last week, noticing that Bolton's beginning of the season was extremely tough and a win was due against the right opposition. That happened.
Key stat from the Racing Post - 9 of Bolton's last 10 home games have featured 3 goals or more.
HEAD TO HEADS -
Post transfer - slight changes to Sunderland to bolster their defence.
LEAGUE POSITION - 18th v 17th -Bolton's poor start hardly a shock given their opponents.
HOME TEAM - -Bolton
RECENT HOME FORM - LLLL - the shock here was the 1-2 loss to Norwich. Chelsea/Man Utd/MAn CIty the other 3 teams.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WLLLLLLW - final recent win v Wigan was expected after a torrid fixture list start to the season. Are Sunderland another side Bolton can add a positive result against?
GOAL TRENDS - all matches over 2.5 goals, but put into context, they have played, Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal. Non top teams? QPR - win, Norwich - loss, Wigan - Win.
Have conceded in last 7 matches.
STREAKS - no draw this season. no win at home.
AWAY TEAM - Sunderland
RECENT AWAY FORM - DDLL - draws against Liverpool and Swansea, losses v Norwich and Arsenal.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DLDLWLDL - losing alternate matches. Sole win 4-0 v Stoke at home quite a surprise.
GOAL TRENDS - -considering Sunderland seemed to have signed some good defensive footballers, they have conceded 2 goals in 4 of their last 5 matches. Last 5 matches have been over 2.5 goals. 3 most recent losses all 2-1.
STREAKS - no win in 4 away. Have scored in all of last 5.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - put this into context. Bolton have had a herculean task to get anything from the fixture list dealt them at the start of this season, but are now playing teams ( Wigan last, Sunderland now) well within their compass. This is a good chance for a 4 match home losing sequence to come to an end. Sunderland Draws with Swansea and a loss to Norwich should be a positive sign for Bolton . Over 2.5 goals the congruent goal trends between both sides but I must remind you to put the Bolton trend in the context of having played the top 5 . Not a match for me I think, but a feeling Bolton must have it targeted to get a positive from.
3pm - CFR Cluj v Ceahlaul - 1.33 home
3pm - Newcastle v Wigan - 1.61 home
From www.premierleague.co.uk
Newcastle United defend their unbeaten record against a Wigan Athletic smarting from five consecutive defeats.
Newcastle team news
Manager Alan Pardew has virtually a full squad to choose from.
Skipper Fabricio Coloccini has had a minor toe problem, but is expected to be fit, while Haris Vuckic (broken hand) and Alan Smith (hamstring) are available again.
Only central defender Mike Williamson, who has recovered from surgery on an arm fracture, but is now battling an ankle injury, remains on the sidelines.
Wigan team news
Striker Hugo Rodallega is set for a return to the Wigan starting line-up after making his comeback from a knee injury as a substitute a week ago.
There could be changes elsewhere as Steve Gohouri had 45 minutes to forget out of position at left-back in the 3-1 defeat at home to Bolton.
That could signal a return for Maynor Figueroa, who was dropped to the bench at the weekend.
squads
Newcastle United: Krul, Elliot, Harper, Simpson, R. Taylor, Santon, Ferguson, Coloccini, S. Taylor, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Marveaux, Obertan, Gosling, Guthrie, Ben Arfa, Abeid, Vuckic, Smith, Ba, Best, Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Sammy Ameobi.
Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi, Boyce, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, Moses, Gomez, McCarthy, Di Santo, Jones, Pollitt, Stam, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Lopez, Thomas, Sammon, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri.
Although you can never be certain in the Premiership, Newcastle have a solidity about them at present. It is unrealistic to think their unbeaten run will continue indefinitely, but logic would dictate that Wigan are not the side to end this sequence. As to the Racing Post key stat it is "Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 13 fixtures"
HEAD TO HEADS
Newcastle unbeaten albeit a small sample.
LEAGUE POSITION - 4th v 19th after 8 matches. QUite contrasting starts to the season.
HOME TEAM - Newcastle
RECENT HOME FORM - DWWD - wins against Fulham and Blackburn and draws with Arsenal and 2-2 v Spurs ( lucky for Newcastle with an 86th minute equaliser). I would suggest Fulham and Blackburn are the results to look for when comparing with Wigan.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWWDDWWD - last 2 draws score draws and saw Newcastle come back from behind on 3 separate occasions. This is a bad habit and will come to bite them on the arse some time! 4 wins out of 4 against bottom 7 sides ( yes I know only 8 matches gone so this might be coincidence, or it might show an ability against the weak starters this season)
GOAL TRENDS - last 3 of 4 matches over 2.5 goals. Have scored and conceded in last 4 matches.
STREAKS - unbeaten this season
AWAY TEAM - Wigan - I argued last week that Wigan are ok against Championship type teams but are found out against Premiership regulars. Newcastle premiership regulars?
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLLL - draw against Swansea ( Championship type?) and losses against Everton, Villa and Man City ( Premiership regulars?) without scoring in 3 of those 4 matches.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DDWLLLLL - guess what? Draw Draw win against Norwich , Swansea, QPR ( CHampionship types) and losses since then against Premiership regulars.
GOAL TRENDS - 4 of last 5 matches over 2.5 goals. The exception, a 2-0 loss to Villa, was a successful over 2.5 goals trade with the timing of the 2nd goal at around the hour mark.
STREAKS - 3 match losing streak away.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Unbeaten sequences will end, and tend to end against the right opposition. I do not feel Wigan are that opposition. They have a 5 match losing streak to end too, but seem very vulnerable against other than Championship type sides such as the newly promoted. Wigan have conceded 6 in the last half hour so may be vulnerable late on. Newcastle have scored 3-2-2 in their last 3 matches and could be capable again. Faith in Newcastle to open the scoring? The opponents have scored first in only 25% of matches.
530pm - Liverpool v Norwich - 1.33 home
from www.premierleague.co.uk
Liverpool have taken seven points from nine while Norwich City have won three of their last four matches.
Liverpool team news
Midfielder Lucas Leiva serves a one-match suspension.
The absence of the Brazil international may give a chance for Jordan Henderson, dropped to the bench for the last two matches, to regain his starting place.
Defenders Daniel Agger (rib) and Glen Johnson (hamstring) are fully fit again after playing in the midweek friendly defeat to Rangers.
Norwich team news
Steve Morison is available for Norwich after suffering cramp and being replaced in last week's 3-1 win over Swansea City.
Out again with knee injuries, though, are defenders Elliot Ward and Daniel Ayala, while Zak Whitbread's hamstring problem keeps him out and long-term absentee James Vaughan is not expected to challenge for a place again until the New Year.
The Canaries lie ninth on their return to the Barclays Premier League, four places behind Liverpool.
squads
Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Gerrard, Adam, Downing, Kuyt, Suarez, Doni, Johnson, Coates, Aurelio, Flanagan, Spearing, Rodriguez, Bellamy, Carroll.
Norwich City: Ruddy, Rudd, Naughton, Russell Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Bennett, Pilkington, Fox, Johnson, Hoolahan, Morison, Crofts, Holt, Jackson, Surman, Wilbraham, De Laet.
Key stats from the Racing post - Liverpool have conceded exactly one goal in all of their last 4 matches.
HEAD TO HEADS - no recent relevant head to heads.
LEAGUE POSITION - 5th v 9th after 8 matches.
HOME TEAM - Liverpool
RECENT HOME FORM - DWWD - draws against Sunderland and Man Utd, wins against Bolton and Wolves. Liverpool scored first in all matches.Suarez the top scorer at home so far.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DWWLLWWD - -Losses were away to Stoke and Spurs. Wins against Arsenal, Wolves, Bolton and Everton.
GOAL TRENDS - all home matches over 1.5 goals. 2 1-1 draws scuppered the over 2.5 goals successes. Have scored and conceded in all home matches. Have kept a clean sheet in only 2 matches this season.
STREAKS - have scored and conceded in last 4 at home. No defeat at home .
AWAY TEAM - LETSBEAAVINGYOU
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLWL - a look at goals conceded away and we see a 21st minute penalty v Wigan, 6th, 82nd and 90th minute goals v Chelsea, 64th minute penalty v Bolton, and 68th and 87th minute goals v Man Utd. A clear sign that Norwich are capable enough for a period especially against the big teams. Look at Chelsea anad Man Utd and their 4 late goals , 3 of which were scored in the 80th+ minute.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DDLLWWLW - 3 wins in last 4 cannot be discounted but it is the 2-0 loss to Utd which is perhaps where we should get indicators for this match.
GOAL TRENDS - 3 of last 4 matches over 2.5 goals. All bar one match over 1.5 goals .Have conceded in every match this season.
STREAKS - 3 away without a draw, 6 overall without a draw.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Liverpool have not played any of the promoted sides yet so we cannot get a comparative angle in. What we can see is Norwich's performances against Chelsea and Man Utd whose feature was late late goals on both occasions. Norwich are likely to be tough to break down initially, may even score, and should eventually capitulate. Don't be surprised if this becomes a late show. Gerrard changes the Liverpool dynamic though, this is only the 2nd match of the season with him in the side, so form might not be accurate to date. Chelsea's 6th minute goal v Norwich seemed anomolous. Look at the 2nd and 3rd goals ( 82nd and 90th minutes) and United's goals ( 68th and 89th minutes). Will Norwich cope with Suarez, gerrard , et al? This match might be a 1-1 at some stage. If so, and especially if it is a draw going into the last 20 minutes, it might be worth laying the draw or whatever the current score is at the time?
PART 2
530pm - Panathinaikos v Ergotelis - 1.35 home
HEAD TO HEADS
Pretty comprehensive head to heads. Any reason to think differently?
LEAGUE POSITION - 1st v 10th - Pana have played 4 matches, Ergo have scored 6 - ergo ergo are worse that their current position might indicate.
HOME TEAM - Pana
RECENT HOME FORM - 3-1 win against Giannina
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWDW - have scored 2-3-3 in the wins and 1 only in the draw
GOAL TRENDS - only 4 matches played - all over 1.5 goals.Have conceded and scored in last 3.
STREAKS - unbeaten this season.
AWAY TEAM - Ergotelis
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLL - last 2 losses 1-0 losses
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DWLLLD - lost 2-3 at home to Olympiakos perhaps a shot across the bow for PAna to not be complacent?
GOAL TRENDS - 3 of last 4 matches a 1-0 score line which is as Greek as it gets. Have conceded in all matches this season.
STREAKS - 3 without a win away.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Panathanaikos should be careful here if Ergo can run Olympiakos so close, albeit at home. 3 1-0 scorelines in their last 4 should also sound as a warning. But Pana have scored 2 or more in 3 matches this season and have scored 3-4-4-2 in head to heads.
SO what's it to be? Tight Ergo recent form hinting at an eventual Pana win, or head to heads and current Pana form hinting at 2+ goals scored?
6pm - Marseille v Ajaccio - 1.3 home
HEAD TO HEADS
Both in friendlies and not really applicable to the league.
LEAGUE POSITION - 15th against 19th after 10 matches - 2 teams it would seem who have struggled this season
HOME TEAM - Marseille
RECENT HOME FORM - DDLWD - quite clear why Marseille are in their current berth - DRAWITIS!
RECENT FORM OVERALL -DDDLLLWDDD - again there's those draws. Always look to see if today they can break a 3 match draw sequence and the odds suggest so. There have been 4 score draws and 2 no score draws. Have lost against current 3rd, 4th and 5th which suggests Marseille should cope against the others ( well not lose at least!)
GOAL TRENDS - 20% overs at home ( albeit only 5 matches to go by)The last 6 matches have all been under 2.5 goals.
STREAKS - 4 without defeat overall
AWAY TEAM - Ajaccio
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLLDD - oh no, not more draw specialists! Aston Villa will be looking on in envy. 3 1-1 draws but 2 losses were significant, conceding 3 and 4. Which Ajaccio turns up today? Well the odds point one way don't they?
RECENT OVERALL FORM - LDDLWLLDDL - a single win this season and the best hope, I suppose is the draw isn't it given both sides' propensity for seeing the D in their form lines.
GOAL TRENDS - 5 of last 7 over 2.5 goals but 2 of last 3 unders .
STREAKS - no win in 5 away and have conceded in all of last 10.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - this looks like lay Ajaccio to cover the draw although this will not be the value call. Back 1-1, 2-0, 2-1 to Marseille perhaps might offer better odds. As a sequential bet, well the odds point to the end of Marseille's recent draw sequence. Dare we be so bold as to lay the draw? In play traders - watch out if Ajaccio score first as they will likely be unable to keep the lead.
645pm - Excelsior v Heracles - 1.62 away
HEAD TO HEADS
Excelsior managed a win at home between 2 away defeats.Heracles did score first in the defeat
LEAGUE POSITION - 18th v 7th after 9 matches and Excelsior have only 2 points to show
HOME TEAM - Excelsior
RECENT HOME FORM - LDLL - losses against current 4th, 5th and 10th
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LLDLLLLDL - no win this season -draws randomly 2-2 against the might of Twente and 1-1 v 15th
GOAL TRENDS - 3 of the last 4 matches under 2.5 goals. 0-2 losses ensure the goal trend is unders at home. Have conceded in all matches this season and failed to score in 3 of the last 4 matches.
STREAKS - no win in 9, no win in 4 at home.
AWAY TEAM - Heracles
RECENT AWAY FORM - DLDD - all draws score draws ( 2 were 2-2) -draws against 9th, 10th and 12th.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DWDLLDDWW - 3 wins all at home. Losses v Ajax , perhaps no shock there, and against 16th NEC
GOAL TRENDS - 75% over 2.5 goals away from home. 6/9 overall overs. Have scored in all matches this season and only kept one clean sheet, but what chance an Excelsior side so poor so far scoring 1 at least?
STREAKS - 4 away without a win but only the single loss.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - logic points to opposing Excelsior and with Heracles scoring 2 in 2 score draws, we may have an angle in at a reasonable 1.63 for Heracles to score first? Overs incongruous between the 2 , given that Excelsior have tended to lose 0-2!
7pm - Malaga v Real Madrid - 1.44 away
HEAD TO HEADS
0-1 and 1-1 and then 1-4 - I would have expected the Real struggle in Malaga to have continued, but have they laid this to bed? After all they have scored 11 in their last 2 head to heads against Malaga and are arguably even better upfront with Higuan scoring regularly, Benzema finding his feet, Ronaldo being Ronaldo, and Ozil chipping in too.
LEAGUE POSITION - 6th v 3rd - after 7 matches so Malaga must have had a good start to the season.
HOME TEAM - Malaga
RECENT HOME FORM - WWW - 4-0 v Granada, 1-0 v Bilbao, and 3-2 v Getafe - some good scoring there and 2 clean sheets.
Yet to play the top teams at home.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - LWWWDWL - losses, both away, against current 2nd and 4th. Is this indicative of a struggle against the top teams ( I acknowledge this is away form and malaga are at home today)
GOAL TRENDS - 2/3 overs at home. Last 2 overall overs. BUT only 2 of last 5 overs. Remember though that Real Madrid and BArca are to be treated wholly separately.
STREAKS - 3 match winning streak at home.
AWAY TEAM - Real Madrid
RECENT AWAY FORM - WLDW - a ropey mid section for Real saw concern from the Specialneeds One. 3 clean sheets though in 4 sees a solid defence.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WWLDWWW - loss was 1-0 v Levante and that's not the first time Levante did that!
GOAL TRENDS - Bar that loss and draw it's full steam ahead with overs. 6-6-8-4-5 are the more usual goal totals we would equate with Real.
STREAKS - 3 match winning streak scoring 6-4 - 4 - 4 overall without defeat. 3 clean sheets in 4 away , infact only conceded the one goal away.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - the question we have to ask ourselves is whether Real have banished those tight matches when they top up their tans in Malaga? 4 and 7 scored in last 2 head to heads would suggest so. 1.44 away though has within it an element of caution. So what's it to be? Another huge scoreline in keeping with over 3.5 goals Madrid, or a slightly laboured eventual win with Malaga frustrating like the good old days.
745pm - Juventus v Genoa - 1.62 home
HEAD TO HEADS
I don't normally go back to 2008 for head to heads as teams change and personnel change. But these 2 seem to love the goals when they meet. 5-5-4-5-2-5 in the last 6 head to heads any coincidence?
LEAGUE POSITION - 1st v 11th after only 6 matches
HOME TEAM - Juventus
RECENT HOME FORM - WDW - draw v Bologna saw Juve 1-0 up.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WWDDWD - unbeaten this season. Would like, I suspect, to see those draws end.
GOAL TRENDS - last 5 matches under 2.5 goals. Have kept a clean sheet in their last 2 matches. Have only failed to score in their last match.
STREAKS - no defeat in 6 - have kept a clean sheet in last 2 matches.
AWAY TEAM - Genoa
RECENT AWAY FORM - WLL - losses against current 7th and 9th - last 3 aways were over 2.5 goals.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DWWLLD - losses both away.
GOAL TRENDS - all bar the last match over 2.5 goals. Last match a sudden 0-0 shut out.
STREAKS - have scored and conceded in last 3 away.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - this is one of those tricky ones. Head to heads historically point to over 2.5 goals., But what to make of Juve's recent form which indicated unders. A closer look and 2 results were 1-1 and there was a 2-0 and at home it was 4-1, 2-0, 1-1. So maybe the traditional Juve v Genoa goal fest is a goer?
815pm - Beira-Mar v Benfica - 1.36 away
HEAD TO HEADS
Only 2 head to heads but Benfica won and conceded in both matches.
LEAGUE POSITION - 10th v 7th after 7 matches.
HOME TEAM - Beira Mar
RECENT HOME FORM - DLD - 2 0-0;s and a 0-1 at home - tight defensively. They have managed to shut out Sporting Lisbon at home too.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - DDWLLDD - sole win 0-3 away to Guimareas
GOAL TRENDS - 4 0-0's, 2 1-0 losses and a 0-3 away win. The latter scoreline somewhat out of place but it is another clean sheet for Beira Mar. 2 0-0's at home, 2 0-0's away.
STREAKS - only conceded 1 at home - only conceded 2 all season. Have failed to score in 6 of 7 this season. no win in 4
AWAY TEAM - Benfica
RECENT AWAY FORM - DWD - Benfica have scored 2 in all away matches this season so goals do not seem to be a problem.
RECENT OVERALL FORM - DWWWWDW - solid unbeaten form - draws both 2-2 v Gil Vicente and Porto.
GOAL TRENDS - 6/7 over 2.5 goals -the exception a 2-0 win. Have scored 2 or more in all matches this season. How will they fare against the immovable object Beira? Have only kept 1 clean sheet this season.
STREAKS - 7 matches undefeated and have scored in all of last 7
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - Beira Mar have a defence to envy it would seem. They shut out Sporting Lisbon . Benfica though have scored 2 or more in all matches this season. Beira have scored a rather random 3 all of a sudden away and then nothing in the remainingmatches. Back Benfica and the 0-0 cover I would suggest. If 0-0 at half time, I would be laying said 0-0 expecting an eventual benfica goal. This could be tight initially .
9pm - Barcelona v Sevilla - 1.17 home
HEAD TO HEADS
Odds point to what? You know, sub 1.2 equals 3/4 goal possible win to nil, not quite a 1-1.At home Barca have been ruthless though with 9 scored to no reply in 2 meetings.
LEAGUE POSITION - 1st v 4th after 7 matches - unbeaten both sides.
HOME TEAM - barca
RECENT HOME FORM - WWWW - 5-0, 8-0, 5-0, 3-0 - scoring 5 against Villareal and Ath MAdrid - majestic home form and perfect match to a 1.17 quote. No goal concession at home yet.
RECENT FORM OVERALL - WDWDWWW - draws both 2-2 and should have beaten Soceidad as were 0-2 up at half time.
GOAL TRENDS - total goals this season in matches - 5-4-8-4- 5-1-3 -illustrates capabilities far better than saying6 over 2.5 goals matches. We can speculate usually on over 3.5 and over 4.5 goals ( but I have not analysed goal times of 4th and 5th goals.
STREAKS - no goals conceded in 4 at home. No goal conceded in last 3. Have scored 2 or more in 6/7 matches.
AWAY TEAM - Sevilla
RECENT AWAY FORM - DDD - 2 0-0's last 2 draws. Have played Villareal and Ath Madrid away and drew 2-2 and 0-0 ( and remember Barca beat these 2 5-0!!)
RECENT OVERALL FORM - WDWDWDW - drawing alternately and if this sequence continues, it heralds a draw tonight. 2 0-0 draws in last 2 but are Sevilla really able to shut out Barca?
GOAL TRENDS - only 1 of last 5 matches over 2.5 goals Have kept a clean sheet in 4 of the last 5 matches.
STREAKS - 3 match drawing streak away. No defeat in 7. 2 0-0s consecutively away.
CONCLUSION/NOTES/STANDOUT STATS - best case for Sevilla is a 0-0 it would seem. The odds and Barca's home form thus far does not agree with this assessment. Any involvement on your part , I suggest, could include a 0-0 insurance bet? 1.17 signals the usual Barca massacre.
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