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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
12/6/2014
Newcastle United vs Chelsea
Home - Newcastle United
Last away matches - D-L-W-W-W-D
After winning three of their last five matches, Newcastle are pleased with cracking the top half of the table (9th place; 20 points), but they know that a win at home against the frontrunners would catapult them above Liverpool and Swansea City. In their most recent match, Newcastle drew with Burnley, who are dragging along at the bottom of the table at 18th place. This is a very fragile point in the Premiere League season because, at this point, teams are beginning to find out whether or not they will fall off or pull away from the pack. Newcastle needs to earn points at home to stay in the top half of the table and Chelsea are about to find out just how long they can hold their unbeaten streak.
Away - Chelsea
Last away matches - D-W-W-D-W-D
The league leaders will look to keep a steady pace in their first meeting with Newcastle in this year’s EPL campaign. With Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard, Loic Remy, and Diego Costa all healthy, Chelsea are an extremely intimidating attacking side. They displayed this in their most recent match against Tottenham, which concluded in a 3-0 bashing. Though Newcastle is one spot ahead of the Hotspurs on the table, the teams are even on points. This could be a strong indicator of how Saturday’s match will play out because Chelsea are attacking viciously and they will certainly not give up points against low ranking teams
Asian Handicap
Home - (+1.00)
Away - (-1.00)
Pick - Newcastle United (+1.00)
Odds - 1.99
Stakes - 10/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
12/6/2014
Hull City vs W.B.A
Home - Hull City
Last away matches - D-L-L-D-D-L
Hull have suffered a big blow with the news that Senegal international Mohamed Diame could be out for up to six weeks with tendinitis in his knee, joining long-term absentee Robert Snodgrass and the suspended Gaston Ramirez on the sidelines.Bruce will hope club-record signing Abel Hernandez will return after the Uruguayan missed Hull's last two games due to the birth of his first child.
Away - W.B.A
Last away matches - L-W-L-L-W-L
West Brom sit just a point above Hull in 16th after they were beaten 2-1 at home by West Ham in result that marked their fourth consecutive defeat - though Craig Dawson's 10th-minute goal ensured they scored for the first time in that run.The visitors' unwanted streak has ramped up the pressure on head coach Alan Irvine, who is now the bookmakers' favourite to be the next boss to leave his post.That dip in form has tied in with that of top scorer Saido Berahino. The 21-year-old has eight goals to his name this term but has not netted since the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace back in October, leaving West Brom with no potent threat up front. Chris Brunt is unavailable with a hamstring injury and Claudio Yacob is suspended but midfielder James Morrison and defender Sebastien Pocognoli have both returned to training.
Asian Handicap
Home - (0.00)
Away - (0.00)
Pick - W.B.A (0.00)
Odds - 2.00
Stakes - 8/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
12/6/2014
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Home - Liverpool
Last away matches - W-D-L-L-L-W
The London club will Nathan Ake with a hamstring injury, while Diego Costa’s situation is 50-50, the striker having an issue with his thigh. Some will argue this should be Steven Gerrard, particularly Steven Gerrard himself. Others will suggest Simon Mignolet’s ability to lose games on his own right now could single him out. But we’re suggesting that what Liverpool need at this moment in time, besides Luis Suarez, is the quiet efficiency of the little Brazilian.From cast-off in the summer to to key man right now, of the 10 games Leiva has appeared in this season, Liverpool have won seven and lost just twice, and one of those was against Real Madrid. In the 11 games he hasn’t featured in, they’ve won just twice and lost seven.
Away - Sunderland
Last away matches - D-W-L-D-L-W
The home side will miss winger Emmanuele Giaccherini with a knee injurury and left-back (and former Chelsea prospect) Patrick van Aanholt is out for upto three months with a shoulder injury. Sunderland come into the match on the back of a 0-0 draw with Leicester. But all is not good as they seem to have a problem scoring—the Black Cats have found the back of the net in only three of their last eight matches in the league, and their net goal tally is just one more than Diego Costa.
Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.00)
Away - (+1.00)
Pick - Sunderland (+1.00)
Odds - 2.13
Stakes - 9/10