Sunday, November 18, 2007

ENGLAND .... DIVISION 1


HARTLEPOOL UNITED - BOURNEMOUTH


No surprises here, I am firmly in the home camp. United are a decent side and winning their two matches in hand, will take them into the playoff zone, which is about where I rank them, top 6-8 in the division. The visitors have suffered terribly with injuries and travel without nine players today, through a combination of injury/suspension and international call ups. Most of these are senior players, who would have started, in addition, they are forced to name two players, who, are not fully fit and in an ideal situation, would not even be on the bench.

The players that are available are feeling the effects of a terrible playing schedule that has seen them play in the far North West (Barrow) last weekend, at home, which is as far South as you can get, on Tuesday and then back up to the far North East today. With money very tight, they would not have seen much more than the motorway from the seat of a bus this week and little of their families and the training pitch. They would have completed the best part of 3000km in the last 8 days and anyone that has driven in the UK, will know what an ordeal that can be. They face a cup replay in midweek too !

Hartlepool are playing some nice football and will be well rested for this vital fixture, just cannot see anything other than a home win.

6.5 points Hartlepool -1/2 ball ... 1.60 + general.


Good Luck.

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