Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th

[Aidymac]

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[TR=class: row0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao (19:45 GMT)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.66[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]6.25[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.67 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th Shakhtar to win @ 1.70 Matchbook Shakhtar will be disappointed to be sitting 2 points behind Porto in the group especially considering the way the match day 1 showdown happened. Shakhtar were 2-0 up at home when the Portugese managed to draw 2-2 in the 90' minute. So a win here for the Ukrainians sets up a final showdown at the Dragao for first position which they believe should be their right now. For Bilbao, it's a case of too little too late. With 1 point, sitting bottom, and 2 points behind BATE who are third, I truly don't believe Valverde wants to stretch the club out to play Europa League this season (despite what he tells the media) he wants to get as high up La Liga table as possible now that his side have stopped the rot somewhat and doesn't need a whole new unwanted competition to jeopardise that. Whereas for a side like BATE, it may be an attractive prospect for them. The following is a quote from the Bilbao manager: Valverde added that he might rest some players like Aritz Aduriz, who have had issues with discomfort over the past several weeks. “It’s possible I will rest some players who might have been overloaded in recent matches. http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/136715/valverde-our-goal-is-to-play-good-football-against-a-very-strong-team/ The Spaniards have lost their last 3 CL matches, Shakhtar have hit form and have a good combination of a hard industrial defense coupled with many Brazilian weapons who can score against anyone in Europe. The highlight is Luiz Adriano who has risen to international prominence recently and what that has done is added confidence to the already present talent and this equals goals. I am going for the straight forward win here as I suspect we may have a motivation mismatch. Good Luck! :ok

[NoFear]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th toto, isnt EL now a possible route since it awards a CL place? In the la liga table, they are 9 points behind valencia and 8 behind sevilla, both teams who could be hard to peg back. Surely, if Athletic was my club I would also keep my options open in europa league. Sevilla won it last year so Bilbao should see themselves are challangers at least, now that they are starting to hit some form.

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th

toto' date=' isnt EL now a possible route since it awards a CL place? In the la liga table, they are 9 points behind valencia and 8 behind sevilla, both teams who could be hard to peg back. Surely, if Athletic was my club I would also keep my options open in europa league. Sevilla won it last year so Bilbao should see themselves are challangers at least, now that they are starting to hit some form.[/quote'] Point taken. However qualifying through the league, you guarantee a week's rest in between matches and not having to travel outside of Spain. If Valverde wanted to put half his eggs in the EL basket, he would take on board all the extra mid-week matches which may sabotage his efforts in both competitions when a team like Bilbao are forced to play every 3 days. Not to mention travelling all over Europe and not even being sure of a place in the final with some very strong sides in the comp. Imagine if they make the final and lose it. All that work and wins for nothing, whereas in the league every win gives you 3 points. Also do they have the squad for it? I think this is why the manager has adopted this tone. He wants it to be done with while appearing determined and ambitious.

[Mindcrime]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th

toto' date=' isnt EL now a possible route since it awards a CL place? In the la liga table, they are 9 points behind valencia and 8 behind sevilla, both teams who could be hard to peg back. Surely, if Athletic was my club I would also keep my options open in europa league. Sevilla won it last year so Bilbao should see themselves are challangers at least, now that they are starting to hit some form.[/quote'] My thoughts exactly. Add the fact that since they are back in form, the managed a 0-0 draw at Valencia, away. That Valencia is similar in strength and style to the Shakhtar. Initially (some weeks ago when I started wondering about the 5th CL matchday) I also thought of backing the Ukrainians, but now I qualify this as a nobet. Spanish teams are regularly very good in EL, Bilbao last time they were there, reached the final which they lost against Atlético. If today the wouldn't catch a point, I definitely see them butcher BATE at home and secure the 3rd place.

[Mindcrime]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th

Point taken. However qualifying through the league, you guarantee a week's rest in between matches and not having to travel outside of Spain. If Valverde wanted to put half his eggs in the EL basket, he would take on board all the extra mid-week matches which may sabotage his efforts in both competitions when a team like Bilbao are forced to play every 3 days. Not to mention travelling all over Europe and not even being sure of a place in the final with some very strong sides in the comp. Imagine if they make the final and lose it. All that work and wins for nothing, whereas in the league every win gives you 3 points. Also do they have the squad for it? I think this is why the manager has adopted this tone. He wants it to be done with while appearing determined and ambitious.

But travelling in all palces of Europe means that the players get more complex, people get to know them and never forget that Bilbao in their essence are a grower and seller club. It's not a bad advertisement for their players that they reached a EL final. (Ander Herrera and MU's case for example)

[NoFear]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th

Point taken. However qualifying through the league, you guarantee a week's rest in between matches and not having to travel outside of Spain. If Valverde wanted to put half his eggs in the EL basket, he would take on board all the extra mid-week matches which may sabotage his efforts in both competitions when a team like Bilbao are forced to play every 3 days. Not to mention travelling all over Europe and not even being sure of a place in the final with some very strong sides in the comp. Imagine if they make the final and lose it. All that work and wins for nothing, whereas in the league every win gives you 3 points. Also do they have the squad for it? I think this is why the manager has adopted this tone. He wants it to be done with while appearing determined and ambitious.

yeah in the end its not what you or I think, its what the coach thinks. If he wants to go only one way (la liga) to qualify, it certainly could be a good call given their squad limitations. But 9 points behind Valencia was what had me look into this carefully, since it wont be easy to get that 4th place even though we have a long season ahead. But you also dont wanna be in a situation where you are engaged in both and dont succeed in either. So I think you may have a point there. In the end if you know what this manager wants, your play on shakhtar is certainly a good one.

[NoFear]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th

But travelling in all palces of Europe means that the players get more complex' date=' people get to know them and never forget that Bilbao in their essence are a grower and seller club. It's not a bad advertisement for their players that they reached a EL final. (Ander Herrera and MU's case for example)[/quote'] Good point but not if a limited squad like bilbao is struggling at both. Bilbao can still attract interest if they finish 4th in la Liga. But like you say, they are a developer club and their fringe players may not be bad and will try to prove their worth every chance they get. Makes it a NO BET for me.

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th It's not about advertising players for Valverde it's about keeping his job and picking his battles. Seeing the way BATE were pulverised by Shakhtar it's very likely Porto beat them to keep 1st position. So if Bilbao lose and Bate lose also. Then they just need to beat BATE at San Mames to go through. So the question for us is. Does he want to go and have a battle in the Ukraine? Or does he want to do the job in Spain vs a little team from Belarus?

[mijkel]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th There might be some value in the Cards market in this match. Shakhtar has 3 players on 2 yellows in the group stage and since they are most likely through to playoffs they might want to start the playoffs clear. Srna, Kucher and Luiz Adriano have each earned 2 cards. They are starters for Shakhtar and wouldn't want to risk suspension in 1/8th finals. So that is 3 cards we could possibly count on. I've searched through most reliable bookies online and haven't seen anyone offering yellow card bets for any of those three players( except for Betsson where you can bet Srna to be booked for 1.20, which is ridiculously low) Unibet had 1.60 for over 10,5 booking points to Shakhtar earlier, but this is gone now too. Most yellow cards: Shakhtar or equal @ 1.80 is still available in Marathon though. So maybe some of you guys have local bookies that still offer good odds on cards or even for the named 3 players. If so, lucky you.

[Trespas]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th Even if BATE take a point in their match against Porto, Athletic would go through with a 1-0 win in the last matchday. I think betting on Shakhtar in the most obvious move here. You can get them at 1.75 with BetVictor. Still I would wait untill the BATE-Porto match is decided, in case Belorussians produce a surprise.

[owenclass]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th Luiz Adriano to score first 5/2 paddy power He is in the form of his life and i think Bilbao are going to struggle to handle him on this form He is top scorer in the champions league this season and can add to his tally tonight

[TotoSchillaci]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th Had two very high percentage chances to score in the first half. Missed both, and then sh&t the bed from then on.:@

[mijkel]

Re: Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao > Tuesday November 25th Surprise surprise: Kucher, Srna and L.Adriano all took an "accidental" yellow today. Convenient.