ultravires
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March Silva-Nesta partnership remains. KPB made it in midfield. Further to all my chit-chat I'm on Milan. Milan win - 3.00 - 4 points - Bet365. Should be a great game. FORZA MIIIIILAN!
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March Odds are shifting Bet365 prices - Spurs - 2.36 // Milan - 3.00
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Re: UEFA Europa League > 10 March I will play on one match in this set of fixtures. Braga v. Liverpool I'm not a prtuguese expert but I have watched Braga a little and expect them to play a tight counter game despite being at home. I see they won their last match against Benfica at the weekend which is a good result. More and more in European games the focus has shifted toward not conceding at home and then taking things from there in the second-leg. I think they'll be content to feel Liverpool out in this first-leg and perhaps kick on later in the second half. Liverpool are without Gerrard for this match which does effect them going forward - even though he hasn't been playing to his usual standards. As a team they'll be more than happy to feel Braga out and would be quite content with taking a draw back to Anfield - which has been their approach all season long. Carroll may get his first start for Liverpool in which case he'll provide a physical challenge for Braga and he'll have to work hard because I don't think Liverpool will be bombing forward to support him. All in all I can just see this one being a pretty tame draw as Liverpool will be happy to wait and push at Anfield, and Braga happy to counter at Anfield. Draw - 3.00 - 3 points - Bet365
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March Yeah I was just thinking about the other match. I quite like the look of both to score (1.83 - Bet365) purely given how the tie is set up. I'm going to have to flick back through the pages and have a look myself because I'm not well informed regarding either side to be honest.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March I really don't see Tottenham trashing Milan tonight. Milan wont come out gung ho and allow Spurs to pick them off on the counter - it just isn't their style. I think they'll play a considered game and try to keep the ball as much as possible. They'll have to show a damn sight more than they did in the first-leg and I'm sure they will. Their midfield may be 'weaker' in squad status but it will be more dynamic with the ball. Plus Silva-Nesta is so much stronger the Yepes-Nesta it's ot even worth talking about and I think as a defensive 4 Milan will handle Spurs much better than expected and it coud well go under 2.5. Anyway, we've all spoken enough about the game. I'd like to catch Milan on the plus +0.5 line but I don't think I'm gonna get the chane - I thought the Spurs price would move in but it is holding firm. I've taken 1-0 (9.50) and 2-1 (11.00) Milan with nothing serious but I'm waiting for the line-ups. Huge game and I can't wait. May have to watch it on mute though given how commentators act in an EPL v Serie A clash.:lol
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Tuesday 8 March Yeah you had some fun tonight Hast. Nice one. I hope it doesn't carry through tomorrow though...:ok Some nice money made by the looks of things. Shame Roma couldn't score for a lot of us - still 4th place is their objective.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March KPB trained with the squad today. I think if he is anywhere near 'riskable' they will go for it as he is the most obvious link between midfield and attack. Zambrotta, Strasser, Merkel are all in the squad too. I'm just going to wait for a line-up as I'm tired of second guessing this Milan team.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Tuesday 8 March Great points Jamaican. Add that it's supposed to be something like -6 degrees tomorrow and it's goodnight Roma.
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Re: UEFA Europa League > 10 March They look like a horrible set of fixtures all-round really. I think I'll swerve this first-leg.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Tuesday 8 March I wholeheartedly agree with Barca brushing Arsenal aside. I think even the most ardent Gunners fan would admit that they were lucky to win 2-1 last time. I don't think they will even see enough of the ball to mount many serious attacks. I think I'll follow on the -1.5 line with a little cash. Shakhtar/Roma has also been discussed a lot. Even as a Roma fan I don't fancy their chances of toppling Shakhtars great home run. I think we'll see a very similar game as the first-leg with goal and a Shakhtar victory. I've taken both teams to score (1.72) and over 3 goals (2.375). Both at Bet365. Nice analysis thus far guys, let's hope we all come out with some dough.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March It's no secret that I'd love to see Milan trash Spurs and shut those English journo's up momentarily - but I'm also not fond of losing money. There is one tactical factor that Allegri must get 'right' for me to bet on them in any way in this match - Silva must play CB with Nesta. Together they are one of the best partnerships and Silva will deal with Spurs' pace a lot more than Yepes will. This is an absolute must for me. Obviously their main issue is the midfield options. Here are the available/semi-available options: Flamini, Seedorf, Merkel, Strasser, Jankulovski, Silva. It's not good by any means. One thing Milan have handled well in their past two games is wing play. Napoli and Juventus both play down the wings and Milan countered that very well by using the two wider CM's as additional cover for defending the wings. Granted Tottenham's wingers are better, but the principle is the same. It would only be logical for Allegri to follow this approach through into this game. The personnel is not ideal but Flamini will certainly be one of those covering players. Two more slots left and Jankulovski may be the other covering player. Jank is a natural LB but has played the LCM position before - but this is dependent on Zambrotta playing which is possible (he has been in training). Could still be done with Antonini as LB. If Jankulovski plays LB anyway then Merkel could play that role. He is an attacking player and it would really test his discipline but he is young and energetic. Seedorf or Strasser could also play that same position. The DM position is widely touted as being Seedorf's due to the fact that he wont be able to run fast enough to cover either wing. That is all too true and his lack of pace (if he plays) will be the biggest danger to Milan's D. I'd like to see Strasser play there myself, but everyone expects Seedorf. He is a vastly experienced and intelligent player but his lack of pace could be too much given that the other CM's when defending will be primarily concerned with locating Lennon and Bale. Personally I would like to see a Flamini, Strasser, Merkel midfield. It may not even be possible as it seems every Milan players is in a last-ditch rush for fitness. However I would expect it to go two ways: If Zambrotta is fit - Flamini, Seedorf, Jankulovski. If not and Jank is LB - Flamini, Seedorf, Merkel. The front three haven't actually been setting the world alight for quite some time. Ibra hasn't looked himself for a month or so but being who he is he will always take the majority of defenders attention. That's beneficial for Pato who has been electric for a couple of weeks. Suffered from flu at the weekend but will definitely play, though he may not be full condition. Whether Tottenham do attack from the off (which I doubt they will), or take a defensive counter approach they will operate through the wings. I think Allegri has options to better cope with that this time and Milan will have to adapt with either their own counter game, or play with the ball depending on how Spurs play. I do expect a to and fro sort of game. Milan's biggest weapon could be that Tottenham have everything to lose. They came to San Siro and won 1-0 and now are heavy favourites to progress. Milan have nothing to lose (in a sense) and will like that. Milan will not be nervous at all. 7 CL titles etc. is not that relevant but Nesta, Seedorf, Zambrotta, Jankulovski and Ibra to a lesser degree are all vastly experienced and have won lots of big trophies. Spurs have some individual experience but as a unit I think they could get a little nervy IF Milan show they are able to handle their wing play. I'm pretty sure Milan wont get trashed, but it is all up to Allegri. Abate and Flamini covering Tottenham's left flank with Jank and one more covering the left AND Silva/Nesta as CB's will mean they'll cover Spurs a lot better than people are expecting. From there it is only 1-0 and I'm pretty sure Milan will fancy themselves scoring against Tottenham. I apologise for the amount of rambling in my post, along with many ifs and buts. I have been thinking about this match so much for the last few days. I probably wont know my bets for sure until tomorrow at the earliest if Allegri lets us in on some details but maybe not even until I see the line-ups. MIIIIIIIIIILAN! MIIIIIIIIIIILAN! MIIIIIIIIIIIILAN!
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March This will be a huge test of Allegri's ability as a manager - or at least his balls. Milan are in the strange situation of not having anything to lose. Flamini, Strasser, Merkel midfield would be very interesting. Have to see what gets said over the next two days. I don't think Spurs will comfortably win at all.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March Not sure if Strasser and Merkel are in Milan's CL squad - I'll have to check. Not sure if Allegri has the bottle to play both of them anyway - but I'd play them both.
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March They still have to play Napoli and may incur some injuries but looking at their options they may have to play a midfield 3 of Flamini (holding), flanked by Seedorf and KPB. It's a sorry state of affairs that it is so, but this may be an improvement. Compared against a MvB, Gattuso and Flamini midfield there is a lot more going forward. It's not going to make Spurs poo their pants but it will mean Ibra, Robinho and Pato see more of the ball and in better sitautions. Ibra may not have to drop back as a midfielder to collect the ball. Spurs will probably go with three CM's themselves and battle outright in the middle of the pitch. This is by no means a great Milan squad but that midfield will be far more effective getting the ball forward which is their main problem with the previous midfield mentioned. Still a question of whether they can break them down though...
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March
I just can't see where Milan are going to score from. Ibrahimovic has never done anything when playing against English teams' date=' Robinho is similar as he never adjusted to playing in England while at Man City. Of course on paper Milan have plenty of match winners, but so do spurs and I think the pace of Spurs players versus an ageing Milan is ultimately what will decide the game in their favour. The goal spurs scored in Milan is a good example of the damage spurs pacier players (Lennon and Bale if fit) will do to the Milan defence.[/quote'] That is of course the primary weakness that Spurs will try to attack. The goal in the first leg shows that. As Milan were pushing and Ibra gave the ball away the full-back was nowehere to be seen leaving a 2-on-2 with Lennon running at Yepes from about 30-40 yards away from goal. That is the absolute worst possible situation and Milan paid the price. Spurs will undoubtedly hope for these counter-situations again, but Milan can try to protect against given them opportunities that are foregone conclusions and minimise the danger of the gulf in pace. Defensive full-backs may have to be the way to play as even though Lennon poses a threat 1-on-1 they'll have to take their chances in containing him, so long as they aren't caught up the pitch. I'm aware there are a lot of tactical if's and but's involved but Lennon is not unstopable - far from it. Milan need to be smart and maybe give up the width from the full-backs attacking as they are whack as fcuk on the ball anyway. Ibra divides opinion but the fact is he is a top class player and he can win matches. He was left all too isolated by the rest of his team (mainly the midfield) and Spurs were pretty intent on defending and breaking - which worked in the end. By no means am I writing Spurs off - I'm well aware of the danger they pose. However I'm going to be thinking a lot about this Milan team and whether they can possibly get a result in London. -
Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March I'm warming to a bet on Milan. It may be in the 'to qualify' market rather than an outright win. This is the biggest game for this Tottenham team as a whole and I think they may be in two minds on how to approach the game. Milan know they must win - but that doesn't mean they will of course. Milan's main problem was the midfield 3 of Seedorf, Flamini and Gattuso not being able to create anything to even try and break down Spurs. We'll see the team news around that midfield and that will determine my bet.
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Re: UEFA Europa League > 22-24 Feb Regarding Villarreal - Napoli tonight, I can't help but think Villarreal are worth taking on at that price. Mazzari has been pretty cleat that Cavani will start from the bench tonight - as will Cannavaro and Maggio. Napoli have played a lot of games thus far with a pretty thin squad so this is good long term management. Lavezzi will take his place up front with Sosa and Hamsik behind him. Napoli do lose their best asset in Cavani but Lavezzi has been rested due to suspension and being the type of player he is I'd expect a big effort from himself. A back three of Campagnaro-Cribari-Ruiz is also weaker than usual - and this would be a bigger concern for me. Rossi and Nilmar can certainly score playing against those three. The midfield will function as usual with two balanced CM's and two wing-back's. I don't see that much difference in motivantionally speaking between the two - neither would care all that much if they get knocked out. Napoli aren't throwing the game by any means, the changes they have made are necessary. I don't know Villarreal that well this season given that I don't watch La Liga much at all but I presume they'll have more emphasis on attack being at home - though I doubt they'll play gung-ho. I think they may be a little short and will still have to beat Napoli who are dangerous. Napoli +0.5 - 2.05 - 3 points Both teams to score (yes) - 2.00 - 6 points Both Bet365
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Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 24th November I don't really see how relevant Benitez's supposed preference the CL at Liverpool matters for Inter tonight. Unless he is somehow saying to the players before the Chievo match "don't worry too much about this game, because Twente on Wednesday is the match I really care about", or maybe "forget about the last match with Chievo, because this is match I really care about". He may well have a personal preference but how do you get that across to the players positively? He doesn't have the backing of the players right now, they just don't seem motivated. Rumoured that if they fail to win tonight Benitez could be sacked. I can't really speculate how that will effect the players or the manager but I'd say he has 3 or 4 ish games to keep his job. Inter are superior and should win, but any reasoning based on Benitez preferring the CL is a skewed in my opinion.
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Re: FIFA International Friendlies > 16th - 18th November Romania vs. Italy The Romanian squad is provided by senk above. I do not possess any in-depth knowledge of the Romanian national team, though I am not familiar with many of the players in their selected squad. A few notable players are missing for them. Italy's squad is as follows: Goal: Mirante (Parma), Sirigu (Palermo), Viviano (Bologna); Defence: Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Bonucci (Juventus), Cassani (Palermo), Criscito (Genoa), Gastaldello (Sampdoria), Ranocchia (Genoa), Santon (Inter); Midfield: Aquilani (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Brescia), Ledesma (Lazio), Marchisio (Juventus), Mauri (Lazio), Pirlo (Milan); Forward: Balotelli (Manchester City), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pazzini (Sampdoria), Quagliarella (Juventus), Rossi (Villarreal). By all accounts this is a nice squad to see. It is a 'friendly' squad, but every players is deserving of the call-up. Today Prandelli has come out and announced his starting XI: Viviano, Santon, Bonucci, Ranocchia, Balzaretti, Mauri, Ledesma, Aquilani, Diamanti, Rossi, Balotelli. The 'keepers were a given and do not warrant much discussion. Viviano and Sirigu will be the two to play, with the former starting. The D is an interesting area. That is a dynamic looking foursome. Balzaretti looks a bit rough around the edges sometimes but deserves his call and is a powerful player and loves getting forward. Santon is a bit more adept on the ball and is a more complete full-back. Bonucci and Ranocchia reunite as CB's. They were great at Bari together for half a season and have some experience playing together. Both great on the ball and will be exceptional players. With this foursome there is of course negatives. All are inexperienced. Balzeretti gets his first call, but is mature and should cope. The others are young. Santon can be an exceptional player and it is absolutely right he gets his chance. However he will have nerves as he has had little playing time for Inter thus far. The CB's should handle themselves well. Both are good players and know each other which will help. Overall they are a physically and technically good set of players. Inexperience may be the only issue. The midfield looks interesting too. Ledesma gets his call to the Azzurri. The man of which it is rumoured he once misplaced a pass in training, though it cannot be proven. He has been on good form for Lazio this season and is a very dependable player. He will sit in the middle as the deep-lying playmaker. Mauri and Aquilani will be either side. They will have a little more say going forward. Both have been playing well thus far and are creative players. Neither are particularly adept defensively so the balance will need to be found. As a three they should do well. Ledesma will know his role and the other two will have to do a bit of everything in and around him. There are good passers of the ball and creative minds most importantly. Diamanti has been given the role in the hole behind Rossi and Balotelli. I don't think he can ultimately cut it at this level, but he deserves a crack in this friendly. He does have magic in him as his goal against Juventus shows. He is a hard worker and will die for this call-up I'm sure. He will be the focal point of which the play runs through so he will see a lot of the ball. Against this opposition I think he'll be able to handle himself and do some damage. Rossi has been waiting for a fair chance for a while. I haven't seen a lot of him this season but I hear he has been doing his thing pretty well. He is a little dynamo that has a bit of everything in him. Balotelli will don the number 10 shirt for this game and all eyes will be on him. Crazy to think he is 20 years old and has a nation watching him, but we all know what he can do. He will be the main man of this XI so will need to step up. It is a fine line with him in terms of who turns up, but his talent alone will mean he causes problems for Romania. These players are not that familiar with each other and some are inexperienced with Italy, but all are talented, and most importantly all are in form (minus Santon). This is a team that has been chosen on merit and I think they'll all enjoy themselves. Importantly the CB's have experience playing together, Ledesma is dependable in CM and Balotelli and Rossi are not strangers. It is a talented XI and when you consider the bench players it looks good for changes too. Pirlo, DDR, Pazzini, Cassani, Quagliarella are all exciting players. This is as happy as i've been when looking at an Italy squad for a long time. Against this standard of opposition I'm happy to back them outright. Italy win - 2.00 - 5 points - Bet365
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Re: UEFA Europa League > Thursday 4th November Yeah, wish I'd put thought into it earlier. It would have been sweet to get on a 2.00. I have little faith in Palermo tonight, they just don't care much really, along with the absences as well.
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Re: UEFA Europa League > Thursday 4th November Here is my take on three games that interest me tonight: Juventus vs. Salzburg Someone has kindly posted the Juventus line-up on the previous page. Not sure if it is confirmed, but it is what I expected. Main absences are Chiellini who has formed a nice partnership with Bonucci recently. A right-back, where it looks like Pepe is going to have to play. The CM generally looks weak. Sissoko was rumoured to be in a race to play this match, and it may be more out of necessity that he actually is. I have never seen his partner play, but he is a youth player who is going to be in new territory tonight. Krasic is cool on the right and will be the main threat fo course. Marchisio on the left will do what he always does out there and be pretty solid. De Piero up front with Amauri is not bad, but the latter hasn't got going and the energy of Quagliarella will be missed tonight. In terms of substitutes there is little going on either, that is the strongest XI Juve could put out tonight. It isn't great and really unless the youth player has an absolute blinder (I don't know what type of player he is), the only threat going forward is Krasic, and Del Piero. They alone will create chances but they are all Juve have tonight. I don't know much of Salzburg. I watched a little of the last match against eachother and Salzburg had a great chance to get the win late on. They are away tonight, but they are playing against a real frankenstein of a Juve line-up. If they go for it, which I hope they will, they have a great shot to take something. Salzburg +1.25 - 1.95 - Bet365 - 5 points CSKA vs. Palermo CSKA can go through tonight with a win. Palermo are not having agreat time at the moment. They have lost both their away EL matches so far and are playing the strngest team in the group. CSKA haven't had the best time recently, but whereas Palermo see this as an inconvenience, I think CSKA value it a little more. At home as well I can only presume they will really go for it. Palermo are missing Pastore, Illicic and Bacinovic. The former two players have been the driving force recently. They welcome back Miccoli in some capacity tonight, but he hasn't played since the last game of last season. He is a fantastic player but I am not sure he can do much tonight. The midfield is ordinary really and if Honda and Vagner Love play well, they alone should be able to see of Palermo tonight. CSKA - 1 - 1.725 - Bet365 - 6 points Liverpool vs. Napoli This one I am less sure of. I have placed my faith in Napoli a few times for them only to let me down in the past. I don't doubt that Liverpool will really want to win this game at home. I do doubt whether their players are good enough to do so. The line-up I have seen looks ordinary. It is more a case of how much Napoli want this. Importantly, Lavezzi has been playing well recently. I had begun to get very frustrated with watching him - he is unbelievably selfish sometimes. As good as Napoli's attack is I haven't really seen them blow me away thus far. However the pressure from Liverpool, and their lack of good attacking players will mean Napoli will have good chances on the counter. Dossena, Maggio, Hamsik and Lavezzi are great players to have on the counter. All fast, and all direct. With Cavani up top I think Napoli can catch Liverpool out a couple of times at least. Not entirely sure how this will play out, but I think Napoli could threaten Liverpool, if they are smart tonight. Napoli +0.5 - 2.05 - Bet365 - 3 points Quite a busy night considering it is EL. GL everyone.
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Re: UEFA Europa League > Thursday 4th November
Juventus have a massive ammount of missing players tonight. Aquilani, Quagliarella, Grosso, Salidhamidzic are unavailable for EL. Martinez, De Ceglie, Manninger and Melo are also missing on top of everyone else already injured. Krasic will have to play, and might as well do as he is suspended in Serie A at the moment. Chiellini seems to be missing from the squads I find - but nowhere says why. Sissoko was said to almost miss this match so may not be in the best shape. the team will probably be something like this (4-4-2): Storari, Pepe, Bonucci, Chiellini/Legrotagglie, Motta, Krasic, Sissoko, [Youth player], Marchisio, Del Piero, Amauri Far from ideal. Right now they are a confident squad though and a win does them all sorts of good. For me it is a question of how much Salzburg want to go for this match. It is certainly there for them if they want to - and god knows they need to. Will they really go for it, or do they already think they are out? In my opinion you'd have to be mad to back that Juve team at 1.36 (Bet365) and Salzburg on a handicap could be a good look.Any toughts for Juventus ? Will Krasic play ? Or any more news ? Juve if they want to take at least secodn place they have to win hear ! -
Re: UEFA Europa League > Thursday 21st October Bookies worst enemy - that is ridiculous to even suggest racism with regard to Babel. He has achieved very little, for whatever reason. I think you are showing Napoli disrepect tonight. Liverpool right now are a mess. People can try and put a shine on the team tonight by saying 'Ngog etc. will be more hungry' - whatever. Liverpool are bringing a weakened 11 to Napoli tonight and run agreat risk by doing so. I haven't been blown away by Napoli by any means this year. They have looked good at times, and bad at times - they weren't that great at the weekend. They are a team that has great potential for one night performances and with 50,000 fans tonight screaming them on, and a strong 11 they can do the business. Unfortunately for me, I missed a line I would have been happy with and will have to just watch. I think the match will be pretty even for the most, but Napoli have a great attacking trio that have been playing together all season. Liverpool's players tonight are of less quality and are not as accustomed to eachother. I am actually convincing myself to go for Napoli as I type. I can't seem to shake the draw out of my head though. I think I have thought about this match too much yesterday and today...
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Re: UEFA Europa League > Thursday 21st October While I have missed Napoli I am going to bet on a match involving Juventus. It is true that I don't know much about Salzburg and they may not be in the best shape domestically. They also lost to Lech 2-0 in their last game in Europe. I don't watch them and know nothing beyond what stats can tell me, but this isn't the same Juventus that beat Lecce 4-0 - at least probably not. That Juventus had a starting midfield of: Krasic, Aquilani, Melo, Marchsio. Tonights Juventus will likely have a midfield of: Martinez, Sissoko, Marchisio, Pepe. This changes the strength of the team so much. Krasic has been their best player so far this season, and Aquilani will become their best player this season. Thonights midfield is the Juventus one of a month ago when everybody was complaining and results weren't being obtained. Marchisio/Sissoko means no creativity in CM. Martinez/Pepe are average wingers. The only threat creatively is Del Piero. A player capable of great things, but at 1.7 for the win - I'm willing to go against him. Motta, Bonnuci, Chiellini, De Ceglie is their standard D and has a strong CB partnership. The full-backs should be solid enough for this game tonight. This team has little going forward and if Del Piero isn't performing miracles then they will struggle to create. If Salzburg decide to have a go at home then they can cause Juve problems in defence - namely Motta and De Ceglie. Juventus at 1.7 need to be taken on I think. Salzburg win - 4.5 - 1 point Salzburg +0.75 - 1.95 - 4 points Both Bet365
UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March
in Champions League Predictions
Posted
Re: UEFA Champions League > Wednesday 9 March Milan gave a far better account of themselves and Spurs played a very smart game and got the result they needed. Seedorf rolled back the years but it's a real shame Milan didn't really test Spurs defenders enough. A loss for me tonight though.