Very basic notes about three of today's games.....
FA CUP: TOTTENHAM- BOLTON WANDERERS
DIV 2: CREWE ALEXANDRA- CHESTERFIELD
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: CSKA MOSCOW- SEVILLA
Bolton missed their chance in the first game, now they have to focus on EPL survival and have a massive game in that regard at the weekend, when they host fellow strugglers Wolves. Owen Coyle made it clear in his time at Burnley that he would always give the league priority and he will surely rest several of his key players this evening. Defensively, his side were very poor in the 3-0 loss at local rivals Blackburn on Sunday and I understand that there has been some harsh words said at the club since then, with Kevin Davies in particular being very outspoken about the defending in that game. Spurs got back on track with a big win at Wigan and ended the first meeting much the stronger of the two sides, with Huddlestone missing a penalty . They also have a big game at the weekend, when inform Everton arrive in town, but with a much stronger squad, at home and in better shape, they will be looking to win a tournament that is up for grabs this year. Tough handicap for a cup tie, but Wanderers mood is such , that if conceding one, the floodgates could again open.
Spurs -1.5 goals circa 1.98 IBC
I expect an open encounter at Gresty Road, the visitors are closing in on a top three spot, have most of their quality up front and will be looking for all three points visiting a club who are stronger on the road. Chesterfield have few away draws, just two in fifteen starts and will be looking for a fourth straight road win. Crewe, as we have discussed many times, are better than their league position suggests, they like to play football and really only go one way and that is forward, creating and conceding plenty of chances. Only league leaders Rochdale and highflying Notts County have had more attempts on goal than Alex and I think a repeat of the five goal thriller these two produced in the reverse fixture is on the cards.
"over" 2.75 goals 2.23 SBO
It will be tough for CSKA to defeat one of La Liga's best this evening, with this match coming at the end of their off season and their new domestic campaign not starting for another couple of weeks. However, they have some "previous"in this respect, overcoming this obstacle to win the UEFA Cup fairly recently and they will lack little in preparation. They have played a number of prep games, but that is not the same as truly competitive fixtures. Having said that, they have a talented squad, who managed to outplay Manchester United at Old Trafford in the group stage and never even considered selling any of their star players like Milos Krasic, Igor Akinfeev or Alan Dzagoev, all of whom have been tracked by the biggest clubs in Europe. Also, on the plus side for them is the fact that Sevilla travel without both Fabiano and Capel and one of the worst winter's in recent Moscow history, is still hanging on in there, with snow and sub zero temperatures forecast. Considering the visitors left a warm and dry Andalusia behind "basking" in 18 degrees, that is going to be a shock to the system, as might the synthetic playing surface. Huge game for CSKA, who will be looking for a lead to take to Spain, the visitors will come with damage limitation more in mind and all things considered, including the fact that I feel the hosts will get any 50/50 decisions in their favour from the match officials ,suggest the Russians should be backed off level ball.
CSKA level ball 1.95
Good Luck.
DIV 2: CREWE ALEXANDRA- CHESTERFIELD
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: CSKA MOSCOW- SEVILLA
Bolton missed their chance in the first game, now they have to focus on EPL survival and have a massive game in that regard at the weekend, when they host fellow strugglers Wolves. Owen Coyle made it clear in his time at Burnley that he would always give the league priority and he will surely rest several of his key players this evening. Defensively, his side were very poor in the 3-0 loss at local rivals Blackburn on Sunday and I understand that there has been some harsh words said at the club since then, with Kevin Davies in particular being very outspoken about the defending in that game. Spurs got back on track with a big win at Wigan and ended the first meeting much the stronger of the two sides, with Huddlestone missing a penalty . They also have a big game at the weekend, when inform Everton arrive in town, but with a much stronger squad, at home and in better shape, they will be looking to win a tournament that is up for grabs this year. Tough handicap for a cup tie, but Wanderers mood is such , that if conceding one, the floodgates could again open.
Spurs -1.5 goals circa 1.98 IBC
I expect an open encounter at Gresty Road, the visitors are closing in on a top three spot, have most of their quality up front and will be looking for all three points visiting a club who are stronger on the road. Chesterfield have few away draws, just two in fifteen starts and will be looking for a fourth straight road win. Crewe, as we have discussed many times, are better than their league position suggests, they like to play football and really only go one way and that is forward, creating and conceding plenty of chances. Only league leaders Rochdale and highflying Notts County have had more attempts on goal than Alex and I think a repeat of the five goal thriller these two produced in the reverse fixture is on the cards.
"over" 2.75 goals 2.23 SBO
It will be tough for CSKA to defeat one of La Liga's best this evening, with this match coming at the end of their off season and their new domestic campaign not starting for another couple of weeks. However, they have some "previous"in this respect, overcoming this obstacle to win the UEFA Cup fairly recently and they will lack little in preparation. They have played a number of prep games, but that is not the same as truly competitive fixtures. Having said that, they have a talented squad, who managed to outplay Manchester United at Old Trafford in the group stage and never even considered selling any of their star players like Milos Krasic, Igor Akinfeev or Alan Dzagoev, all of whom have been tracked by the biggest clubs in Europe. Also, on the plus side for them is the fact that Sevilla travel without both Fabiano and Capel and one of the worst winter's in recent Moscow history, is still hanging on in there, with snow and sub zero temperatures forecast. Considering the visitors left a warm and dry Andalusia behind "basking" in 18 degrees, that is going to be a shock to the system, as might the synthetic playing surface. Huge game for CSKA, who will be looking for a lead to take to Spain, the visitors will come with damage limitation more in mind and all things considered, including the fact that I feel the hosts will get any 50/50 decisions in their favour from the match officials ,suggest the Russians should be backed off level ball.
CSKA level ball 1.95
Good Luck.
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