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UEFA Champions League
9/18/2014
Barcelona
Out of the squad, new keeper Marc-André ter Stegen, Douglas, Sandro, Pedro, Marc Bartra, Martín Montoya and Gerard Piqué arguably have the most to gain from added minutes. Whether Lucho thinks it is necessary to instill that in his players at this point in the season is up to him. But it’s something that needs to be addressed before injuries start to make Lucho’s choices for him. Piqué’s lack of confidence against Athletic Bilbao was smellier than a rotting gazelle on the Serengeti, and any poacher of a forward worth his mettle will put as much pressure as possible on the out-of-form defender. By the same token, a rusty Adriano and Montoya could prove shaky cover for Jordi Alba at left back once his swashbuckling tendencies inevitably get him a hamstring injury.
Home - Barcelona
Last away matches - W-W-D-W-D-W
APOEL Nicosia
With a Cyprus Supercup and two victories in the first two rounds of the Cypriot Championship in the back pocket, APOEL is off to a usual good start. And considering manager Giorgos Donis made off with a league and cup double last season, he certainly knows how to get the better of his opponents.Defensive veteran John Arne-Riise is perhaps the most recognizable name in the Cyprus squad, but his fitness will prevent him from taking the field. Greek central defender Anastasios Papazoglou has just returned from injury and will bolster the back line tasked with marking Barcelona’s pesky strikers.
Away - APOEL Nicosia
Last away matches - W-D-D-W-W-W
Asian Handicap
Home - (-3.00)
Away - (+3.00)
Pick - APOEL Nicosia (+3.00)
Odds - 2.26
Stakes - 10/10
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UEFA Champions League
9/18/2014
Bayern Munchen
Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich experiment has thus far been largely characterised by a free-flowing, dynamic style that can only be praised. Yet, despite their utter dominance of German domestic football, there can be no mistaking that Champions League glory is the ultimate prize for the Bavarian giants. They seem likely to miss the talismanic figure of Arjen Robben this week due to injury, while Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara are also set to miss the action. Javi Martinez is also unavailable, which will almost certainly necessitate the inclusion of Xabi Alonso in the holding role alongside Lahm.
Home - Bayern Munchen
Last away matches - D-W-L-L-W-W
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini will be banned from the touchline on Wednesday following comments he made in the wake of their Champions League exit to Barcelona last season. Pablo Zabaleta is also suspended, which will see the vastly experienced figure of Bacary Sagna charged with the unenviable task of marking Franck Ribery. I’m certain that Pellegrini will opt for one striker up front, considering the talent at Munich’s disposal. Fernandinho and Toure will offer a muscular force in midfield, while Pellegrini would be wise to utilise the electrifying pace of Navas on the counterattacks.
Away - Manchester City
Last away matches - D-W-L-W-W-L
Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.00)
Away - (+1.00)
Pick - Bayern Munchen (-1.00)
Odds - 2.16
Stakes - 10/10
Source : UefaChampionsLeague
11/19/2014
Goias vs Corinthians
Home - Goias
Last away matches - L-L-W-D-L-L
The Goiás will also present changes after the 1-0 defeat against Internacional. The center back Jackson and Pedro Henrique are back from suspension, but the midfielders David and Tiago Real received the third yellow card in Porto Alegre.Ricardo Drubscky welcomes back his first choice centre-back pairing this weekend. Both Pedro Henrique and Jackson were suspended against Inter and should start. David and Tiago Real are both suspended.
Away - Corinthians
Last away matches - W-D-W-L-L-W
The Corinthians started the week in the fifth place, with the same 60 points won by Internacional and Grêmio, but they are in disadvantage to their opponents due toi the number of wins. Also behind the leader Cruzeiro (70) and the rival São Paulo (66). With 44 points and far from the relegation zone, the Goiás is just playing for fun in this final weeks of the league.Mano Menezes must do without a number of key players here. Romero and Guerrero are away with Paraguay and Peru respectively, while Petros is suspended. Defenders Fábio Santos and Anderson Martins are also likely to miss out.
Asian Handicap
Home - (+0.50)
Away - (-0.50)
Pick - Corinthians (-0.50)
Odds - 1.88
Stakes - 10/10
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Brazil Serie A
11/19/2014
Botafogo RJ vs Figueirense
Home - Botafogo RJ
Last away matches - L-L-L-L-L-D
All this tells us that Botafogo will now be highly motivated to come to another triumph over Figueirense, especially since they are playing on their field, where they this season already provided much better performances than away. However, they have not justified this epithet of the host team two rounds ago against Atletico Paranaense, when they lost with 2-0, while they before that suffered two defeats against Cruzeiro and Fluminense away, so it is no surprise that they have after a long time again fallen in the danger zone.
Away - Figueirense
Last away matches - D-L-L-L-L-L
Figueirense is much more relaxed before this duel since they won four very important points after the last two rounds, first at home against Chapecoense and then they played a draw away with Atletico Mineirao. Specifically, in this way, coach Argel’s players have again managed to flee a few points from the teams that are in the danger zone, which actually means that they in the remaining four rounds only need points from the matches with Victoria and Internacional to survive in the league.
Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.25)
Away - (+0.25)
Pick - Figueirense (+0.25)
Odds - 2.28
Stakes - 10/10