Thursday, February 17, 2011

THURSDAY ...... AFTER THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW !


After the excitement of Arsenal- Barcelona yesterday, when the Gunners fought back to earn what looked an unlikely victory at the break, we are left with slightly less thrilling fayre today. Five of my six early bets have won this midweek and I hope that you/we enjoy similar luck with number seven. It is an unusual one for me, as I rarely bet "under" the goal line, but someone has to bring the excitement levels down a peg or two and Rangers at home in europe usually fit the bill !


Europa League
Glasgow Rangers- Sporting Lisbon

Rangers have normally played a very defensive 4-5-1 formation in europe, even in ties at Ibrox and in their last 13 european games here, have failed to score seven times, scored a single goal on six occasions and a brace just once . Even three years ago when they reached the UEFA Cup final, three of their five home games ended 0-0, including a quarter final meeting between these two sides. They have pledged to be a little more adventurous tonight, but I am not so sure, they have the Old Firm derby with Celtic at the weekend, a match which is going to go a long way towards deciding the SPL title and one, given the rivalry between the two clubs, that has to always take priority. Sporting also have a derby game with Benfica, but as they trail the big two by a distance and are seemingly booked for third spot in the table, almost regardless of what they do between now and the end of the season, for them, the match this evening will surely take precedence.

Both these "big" clubs are struggling financially and each sold their top striker in the transfer window, the Rangers squad is a little thin and still fighting on four fronts, something is going to give sooner or later. I like the draw tonight, all the while the score is 0-0 I do not expect Rangers to be too concerned, or too push too hard, they have usually found a goal on the road in europe and are confident in their ability to stop their opponent scoring twice in the return leg. However, maybe the "under" bet is better, very hard for me to see either team scoring twice, unless we get a very early breakthrough and given that Rangers have only conceded once inside 25 minutes all season at Ibrox and kept Manchester United at bay for 87 minutes here and 90 at Old Trafford, that seems unlikely.


So, under 2.25 goals for me, I must admit that the 9.50 about 0-0 or no goalscorer was tempting, as was the half time draw at a juicy 2.10, but the less adventurous option for me this time.

"under" 2.25 goals 1.92 .

Good Luck.

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