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Match preview: Arsenal – Marseille

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Having seen his Arsenal FC side continue their revival with a 5-3 weekend win at Chelsea FC, Arsène Wenger is still wary of visitors Olympique de Marseille as the UEFA Champions League Group F leaders look for a victory to book a round of 16 berth. Marseille are a point adrift as they seek a response to the 1-0 home loss to the Gunners a fortnight ago.

Arsenal
Manager Arsène Wenger
I was always very confident. I believe that in football sometimes the lines [between victory and defeat] are very slim, even if it was a big win. We saw that again on Saturday. But I believe from a team who [a few weeks ago] played against relegation, to a team that is now ‘unbeatable’ we have still some progress to make. I’m very positive, of course I believe in the quality. But I see among the players there is also a huge desire to focus, to improve, and good solidarity within the squad – that’s why I was always optimistic.

I believe [Marseille] have a team [better suited to] playing away from home than at home. They have a side that can defend well [and are] very physical and quick on the break. I believe counterattack suits them more than dominating possession in the game. They’ve gained confidence, like we have, since the last game, so it will be an interesting tie. “For us it is an opportunity to qualify tomorrow and we want to take that chance”.

Weekend result
Saturday: Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal (Lampard 14, Terry 45, Mata 80; Van Persie 36 85 90+2, Santos 49, Walcott 55)
Szczęsny; Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos, Djourou (Jenkinson 76); Arteta, Song, Walcott (Rosický 79), Ramsey, Gervinho (Vermaelen 88); Van Persie

• Robin van Persie took his tally to 28 goals in 27 league appearances in 2011 as Arsenal ended a run of eight away league games without a win – their longest in the Premier League. It was their fifth successive victory home and away in all competitions, however, and Wenger’s 500th as Arsenal manager.

Team news
Kieran Gibbs is out with a stomach muscle problem while Marouane Chamakh misses the game with a knee injury. Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Bacary Sagna (broken leg) are long-term absentees. Abou Diaby is nearing full fitness after an ankle injury that has kept him out so far this season.

Marseille
Coach Didier Deschamps
Football is not an exact science. You can play well and control the game and you lose. But you can have the total opposite. The first leg was pretty even. It should have been 0-0, but we cannot turn back time.

Arsenal put in a great performance to score five goals against Chelsea. They have a great attacking trio and of course Robin van Persie is in exceptional form. He’s certainly one of the best players in Europe. What you want from a striker is to score goals, and his return is really impressive. But maybe he plays in a team that likes to help him; he has players like Gervinho and [Theo] Walcott who would rather pass to him than shoot. Maybe marking him is the best thing to do; we need to stop him getting the ball.

A win would be amazing, but a point would also be a big achievement. The most important game might be our next one, at home to Olympiacos. Anything is possible. “The most important thing for me and my players is to believe that we are capable of getting a result”. That’s what we need to focus on.

Weekend result
Saturday: Dijon FCO 2-3 Marseille (Jovial 46, Corgnet 63; Rémy 1, Cheyrou 11, Diarra 82)
Mandanda; Morel, N’Koulou, Diawara, Fanni; Cheyrou (Diarra 61), Kaboré, A Ayew, Amalfitano (Valbuena 61); Rémy, J Ayew (Gignac 78)

• Having taken ten games to notch up their first three victories this season, OM have now won three in a row. Alou Diarra’s winner was his first goal for the club.

Team news
André-Pierre Gignac came on against Dijon despite suffering groin pains. Stéphane Mbia remains out of action with a broken metatarsal suffered on 14 August.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 1.75

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Arsenal – Marseille, free tips Arsenal – Marseille, soccer prediction Arsenal – Marseille, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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01 Nov

Match preview: Genk – Chelsea

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KRC Genk could be eliminated if results go against them on Tuesday but coach Mario Been is urging his squad to think positive as they welcome a Chelsea FC team that beat the Belgian champions 5-0 a fortnight ago. Since then Genk have had an uplifting domestic triumph while the Londoners have had a small crisis of confidence but manager André Villas-Boas stresses his team remain on the right track.

Genk
Coach Mario Been
I have positive feelings about tomorrow’s game, I am a coach who always thinks positive but we know we’re playing against great opponents in Chelsea. In any football game you get chances and tomorrow we will have chances to score and one could go in. “We just have to start better than the game in London where after ten minutes we were two goals down and where we were too timid.” We always played the ball backwards, we have to change that mentality.

We saw all of Chelsea’s qualities at Stamford Bridge. After Saturday’s game in the Belgian league which we won 5-4 I think the feeling is very positive in the team so let’s hope we can take this feeling with us into tomorrow’s game. I have a lot of confidence in my team and tomorrow we have to do better than we did at Chelsea. A draw or a win for us would be a great result and it would be a surprise.

Weekend result
Saturday: Club Brugge KV 4-5 Genk (Donk 20, Vázquez 47, Meunier 62, Dirar 67; De Bruyne 3 78 86, Hyland 45+2, Vossen 72)
Köteles; Vanden Borre, Nadson, Hyland, Pudil; Buffel (Dugary 73), Camus, Tőzsér, De Bruyne (Limbombe 89); Vossen, Nwanganga

• Genk had lost five of their last six games, their worst sequence since suffering five successive defeats in February/March 2008, before coming from 4-2 down to beat Club Brugge. All Genk’s scorers were aged 22 or younger, with Khaleem Hyland hitting his first goal for the club and rumoured Chelsea target Kevin De Bruyne, who had not previously netted this season, registering his first professional hat-trick.

Team news
Daniel Pudil serves a one-match ban having been booked in Genk’s first three games. Anele Ngongca could return from an illness that kept him out on Saturday along with injured Abel Masuero (calf) and Marvin Ogunjimi (back). David Hubert (stomach) and Jeroen Simaeys (broken toe) have been out for around a month.

Chelsea
Manager André Villas-Boas
For me there are no easy games, especially not in the Champions League and in particular after Genk’s tremendous result at Brugge in the Belgian League. Pudil is suspended and is an important player for them but their recovery of Nadson is also important.

I had experience last year with Porto here in Genk in the play-off of the Europa League – we had a difficult time [albeit Porto won 3-0]. A lot of emotions come from the stands and the environment here is difficult and it can cause problems.

We have analysed the [5-3 loss to Arsenal FC] and there were quick counter-attacks and goals suffered in little defensive blocks and it has nothing to do with playing a high line or not. It is our philosophy and we will focus on getting it right. There is always a learning curve when you are winning or losing and our progress was stopped disastrously in the last week with two defeats in the league, but it doesn’t mean the philosophy is wrong and we are not on the right track. It doesn’t mean our castle fell down but we have to recover from a shake we have received.

The decision with Didier [Drogba] not to be in the squad was regarding [screws] that he had to remove from his arm. We took the risk based on his domestic suspension and the forthcoming international break to remove six of the eight screws from his arm.

Weekend result
Saturday: Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal (Lampard 14, Terry 45, Mata 80; Van Persie 36 85 90+2, Santos 49, Walcott 55)
Čech; Bosingwa, Ivanović, Terry, Cole; Ramires (Lukaku 72), Mikel (Meireles 76); Sturridge (Malouda 62), Lampard, Mata; Torres

• Villas-Boas suffered his first defeat at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea conceded five in a home league game for the first time since Liverpool FC beat them 5-2 in December 1989. It was only Chelsea’s second defeat in 33 matches against London opposition at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 league games and none in the last nine.

Team news
Ramires, out since suffering a knee injury against Everton FC on 15 October, returned on Saturday.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 2

Odd : 1.30

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Genk – Chelsea, free tips Genk – Chelsea, soccer prediction Genk – Chelsea, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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01 Nov

Match preview: Valencia – Leverkusen

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Unai Emery has instructed his Valencia CF players not to think of the consequences when they host second-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen in UEFA Champions League Group E. The Spanish side are one position and four points behind their opponents and know a defeat could end their hopes of reaching the last 16. The importance of the match is not lost either on Leverkusen’s Robin Dutt, who describes the Mestalla fixture as being like a final.

Valencia
Coach Unai Emery
We aren’t thinking about what will come after the game. With the improvements we have made since the last match we are convinced that we will win. We must be together and go for everything.

We’re convinced that tomorrow will be a great night and we appeal to the fans to be part of it. We don’t think beyond the game − we will play for the fans’ enjoyment and to be in the next phase. We respect all of Leverkusen’s players, whether they have [Michael] Ballack available or not. “The important thing is our team. We know what to do to stop them; we have to play with personality”.

We need to read the game in every way. In Germany we conceded two goals in 15 minutes due to the fact that we didn’t read the game properly. We are prepared for all situations. We will give our all from the first minute to the last, plus whatever the referee adds on.

Weekend result
Saturday: Valencia 3-1 Getafe CF (Feghouli 12 25, Aduriz 76; Castro 23)
Guaita; Miguel, Rami, Víctor Ruíz, Mathieu; Pablo Hernández, Albelda, Banega, Feghouli (Alba 56); Jonas (Piatti 77), Soldado (Aduriz 62)

• Sofiane Feghouli scored his first league goals for Valencia, who moved onto 21 points from ten league games – four more than at the same stage last season. It is only the third time in 13 outings this term that Valencia have scored more than one goal.

Team news
Sergio Canales is expected to be sidelined for up to six months after partially tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last week. Hedwiges Maduro is out with torn ankle ligaments.

Leverkusen
Coach Robin Dutt
We have worked very hard to get here with this [four-point] advantage. Against Chelsea it was very hard, as it was versus Valencia, which was perhaps one of our hardest matches at home.

Victory is the main objective but we’re expecting a very tough game. We haven’t had to work on making sure the players are extra motivated. “This is like a final because if they win they’ll still have a chance of being in the next round − if we win we’ll be through”.

We have prepared thoroughly for dead-ball situations because we struggled a lot from them in the last match against Valencia. They caused us a lot of problems, but Valencia have many options and we will need to be very focused to counter their strengths.

Weekend result
Friday: SC Freiburg 0-1 Leverkusen (Ballack 2)
Leno; Schwaab, Toprak, Friedrich, Kadlec; Bender, Castro, Ballack (Rolfes 65), Sam, Schürrle (Reinartz 83); Derdiyok (Kiessling 74)

• Ballack scored his first Bundesliga goal since the last day of 2005/06 as Dutt oversaw victory at the club he coached for four seasons before taking the reins at Leverkusen this summer.

Team news
Ballack went off on 65 minutes against Freiburg after breaking his nose in a challenge with Jan Rosenthal. The midfielder trained today wearing a lightweight protective mask and Dutt has confirmed he is fit to play. Tranquillo Barnetta, René Adler, Renato Augusto and Michael Ortega are all out with knee injuries though Bastian Oczipka is poised for his first game since breaking an ankle in February.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 1.75

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Valencia – Leverkusen, free tips Valencia – Leverkusen, soccer prediction Valencia – Leverkusen, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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01 Nov

Match preview: APOEL – FC Porto

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APOEL FC maintained their surprise position at the top of UEFA Champions League Group G with a 1-1 draw at FC Porto a fortnight ago, and home coach Ivan Jovanovič knows every point is priceless in a tight section as the sides reconvene in Nicosia. A point adrift of APOEL in third, Vítor Pereira’s Porto know they have a tough game in store.

APOEL
Coach Ivan Jovanovič
Tomorrow’s game will be crucial for us, like all the other games in this competition. I believe that this group will go down to the wire and that we will only know who will go through after the final matchday. We do not feel any pressure going into this game; we feel motivation. “The more games we play in this competition, the more motivated we feel, but there certainly isn’t an issue of pressure”"”"” – for us at least; I cannot speak for Porto.

Both teams will play to win. Porto are traditionally an attacking side and I am certain that they will not alter their strategy at the GSP Stadium. We know that we will need to play even better than we did at the Dragão if we want to get a positive result.

Weekend result: APOEL 0-0 Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Pardo; Poursaitides, Alexandrou, Paulo Jorge, Oliveira; Morais, Pinto, Adorno (Jahić 46), Manduca (Charalambides 68); Tričkovski, Aílton (Solari 61)

• Aílton and Anorthosis’s Ricardo Laborde hit the woodwork as a full-strength APOEL side were held by the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League group stage participants. Urko Pardo, who made his APOEL debut on matchday three, is yet to concede in three appearances for the club.

Team news
William Boaventura has been ruled out with a sprained ankle. First-choice goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis has not featured since being taken off with bruised ribs at Porto and will also miss the match, as does Marcinho due to a thigh injury.

Porto
Coach Vítor Pereira
Every game in this group is important. Every point is important for our future in the competition. We have been working hard; we are ready now. We have had some good wins in our domestic league which have helped us psychologically, and that can only be positive going into the game against APOEL.

We are up against a competitive team. We are used to the pressure which comes with these kinds of games so it is nothing new for us. APOEL are a good side, a very efficient side, and they will do their best against us. “Four teams are in contention in this group and APOEL have shown that they deserve to be in the mix to qualify”.

Weekend result: Porto 3-0 FC Paços de Ferreira (Melgarejo og 45+1, Kléber 64, Moutinho 84)
Helton; Pereira, Rolando, Mangala, Săpunaru; Fernando, Belluschi, Defour (Moutinho 46); Hulk (James Rodríguez 59), Varela, Walter (Kléber 56)

• Unchanged from the 5-0 defeat of CD Nacional on 23 October, Porto secured a fourth successive domestic win. They have scored 19 without reply in that run. The Dragons are 48 games unbeaten in the Liga (42 wins, six draws) since 28 February 2010 and a 3-0 loss at Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Team news
Jorge Fucile returns from his matchday three suspension.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 2

Odd : 1.80

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction APOEL – FC Porto, free tips APOEL – FC Porto, soccer prediction APOEL – FC Porto, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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01 Nov

Match preview: Viktoria Plzeň – Barcelona

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Pavel Vrba would like to see an improvement on FC Viktoria Plzeň’s 2-0 matchday three defeat at Camp Nou when FC Barcelona come to Prague, hoping for an appropriate result to mark coach Josep Guardiola’s 200th game in charge.

Plzeň
Coach Pavel Vrba
What would be a good result for us? We want to get at least a point. We have a good home record. We want to win at home, although we are aware that in this case it will be extremely hard. However, we want to show more than we did in Barcelona where we did not manage a single attempt on goal.

We must play aggressively, although we cannot play open football against them. I would be happy if we reproduced some of the good moments from our recent league matches. “We want to please a full house in Prague. It will be a very special night for all of us to host such a great team”. I’ve showed the players our game in Barcelona – the things we did well, and the things we could have done better.

We know the [Matchday 5] game in Borisov will be crucial for our final position but we want to go into that match in the best possible situation. My players said before the group stage that they wanted to enjoy the special taste of the Champions League. I would add that we want to enjoy it but at the same time we want to play decently against all these teams.

Weekend result
Friday: Plzeň 5-0 FC Hradec Králové (Čišovský 11, Bakoš 60 79, Petržela 65, Fukal og 71)
Pavlík; Rajtoral (Řezník 85), Čišovský, Bystroň, Limberský; Petržela, Horváth, Jiráček, Kolář (Darida 80); Ďuriš (Fillo 61), Bakoš

• With on-loan Václav Pilař ineligible against his parent club, Vrba’s side claimed only their third win in their last seven outings in all competitions. Marek Bakoš and Milan Petržela each scored for the third successive league game, the latter with a stunning solo effort that began inside his own half.

Team news
Marek Čech has not played since injuring his knee in Barcelona. The first choice before suffering ligament damage at Rosenborg BK on 27 July, Roman Pavlík has returned between the posts.

Barcelona
Coach Josep Guardiola
A win would mean a place in the round of 16 and we would have nothing to worry about until February. It would also mean the pressure would be off when we visit Milan [on matchday five] so we could give some other players a chance to impress and focus for a while on the league and the Copa del Rey.

[Plzeň] are a strong, fast team; they defended very well against us [on matchday three]. It is easier once you have played against each other, but our most important task for tomorrow is to adapt our tactics to how Plzeň defend.

I know it will be my 200th match in charge of this great team. I did not expect to be Barcelona coach for such a long time. N”ot everything has been perfect during these four years, but we have won lots of trophies together, and that speaks for itself”. I am proud of the players I have and I think we have achieved good results together. They constantly improve and they push me forward as well. They have made me a better coach.

Weekend result
Saturday: Barcelona 5-0 RCD Mallorca (Messi 13pen 21 30, Cuenca 50, Alves 90+2)
Valdés; Alves, Mascherano, Abidal (Piqué 46), Adriano; Cuenca, Thiago, Busquets (Puyol 59), Keita; Messi, Villa (Deulofeu 64)

• Lionel Messi’s third hat-trick of the campaign − his 13th for Barcelona − and Isaac Cuenca’s first goal for the club helped Guardiola’s side to their seventh win in eight fixtures. Barcelona are 22 games unbeaten in all competitions, since a 2-1 loss at Real Sociedad de Fútbol on 30 April.

Team news
Pedro Rodríguez (ankle) and Ibrahim Afellay (knee) are unavailable, Xavi Hernández trained today despite has minor calf problems. Alexis Sánchez came to Prague with the team, having not played since tearing his hamstring in September, but he is unlikely to feature.

“We will definitely not risk the players who are not fully fit,” explained Guardiola. “We have other players who are ready, like [Seydou] Keita, Thiago [Alcántara], Adriano and Maxwell.”

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : UNDER 3,5

Odd : 1.70

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Viktoria Plzeň – Barcelona, free tips Viktoria Plzeň – Barcelona, soccer prediction Viktoria Plzeň – Barcelona, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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18 Oct

Match preview: Barcelona – Viktoria Plzeň

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FC Barcelona, “the strongest team in the world”, are overwhelming favourites to defeat FC Viktoria Plzeň in UEFA Champions League Group H on Wednesday but Josep Guardiola believes they are just the sort of underdogs that could trip the holders.

Barcelona
Coach Josep Guadiola
“The biggest problem for this match is that this is the Champions League and smaller clubs always pose problems for us”. This team have surprised me a lot because they play very well, with real intensity. If you give them time they have the ability to play very well. We have to try to win tomorrow and get as many points as possible before going to San Siro.

Jakub Hora is a second striker, a great player; he’s a powerful guy with great vision. Also [Milan] Petržela and the other two left and right wingers are also very dangerous. I have to tell my players about the level these guys are at and to pay attention.

Weekend result
Saturday: Barcelona 3-0 Real Racing Club (Messi 11 68, Xavi 27)
Valdés; Alves, Piqué (Abidal 9), Puyol, Maxwell; Thiago, Xavi, Iniesta (Keita 72); Pedro (Adriano 74), Messi, Villa

• Lionel Messi moved ahead of László Kubala into second place on the club’s all-time scoring list as Barcelona stretched their unbeaten run to 18 games, going back to 30 April. Messi has registered 196 times for Barça and is now chasing César Rodríguez, who scored 235 club goals between 1942 and 1955.

Team news
Gerard Piqué limped off after nine minutes on Saturday with a hamstring complaint on the day Andrés Iniesta returned from a similar problem. Cesc Fàbregas and Alexis Sánchez have torn hamstrings and Ibrahim Afellay is out until the new year after suffering a knee ligament injury in training.

Plzeň
Coach Pavel Vrba
We’re up against the strongest team in the world and I hope we don’t concede too many. But we can’t go into the match thinking about how many goals we are going to let in. Messi is the best player in the world but Barcelona are not just about Messi – there’s also Xavi, Iniesta, lots of others. It’s going to be tough.

I watched the Racing match and it was typical Barcelona, with nine players going forward before switching to defence. It doesn’t matter who they face, they are always offensive and always want to win in style. Yet we’re capable of attacking and creating chances ourselves. We will try to take them by surprise. I have explained to the players that we can do it.

If we play with our heads held high we can have a good match. Every side wants to beat Barcelona and it serves as extra motivation. “Any Barcelona player would adapt to our team but I don’t think we can afford to sign any of them unfortunately”.

Weekend result
Friday: 1. FC Slovácko 1-3 Plzeň (Ondřejka 27; Bakoš 4, Petržela 39, Kolář 78)
Čech; Rajtoral, Čišovský, Bystroň, Limberský; Horváth, Jiráček (Ševinský 90), Petržela (Fillo 85), Kolář (Trapp 89), Ďuriš; Bakoš

• Vrba’s side claimed their first win in four games.

Team news
Václav Pilař missed Friday’s win after suffering concussion and a head wound in the Czech Republic’s play-off clinching 4-1 win in Lithuania last week.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1/1

Odd : 1.20

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Barcelona – Viktoria Plzeň, free tips Barcelona – Viktoria Plzeň, soccer prediction Barcelona – Viktoria Plzeň, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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18 Oct

Match preview: AC Milan – BATE Borisov

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It may only be matchday three, but AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is already thinking about winning UEFA Champions League Group H. However, he is determined not to underestimate an FC BATE Borisov side whose visit to San Siro offers a trip down memory lane for the Belarusian champions, and their boss Viktor Goncharenko.

Milan
Coach Massimiliano Allegri
Finishing top of the section is a bonus as it means you play a runner-up from another group in the round of 16, but for now we have to focus on this game; that is the most important thing for us. “BATE are well-organised and defend in an orderly manner. They have a young team which knows how to strike on the counterattack. Mateja Kežman is playing well and is a key player for them. We won’t underestimate them”.

We played well against Palermo on Saturday, with a good attacking dynamic and defensive movement. That game has revitalised our team after a difficult start to the season. Kevin-Prince Boateng has to prove his worth; he’s very important for Milan, but he may become even more crucial. No team has a player quite like him.

Weekend result
Saturday: Milan 3-0 US Città di Palermo (Nocerino 39, Robinho 55, Cassano 63)
Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva (Bonera 34), Antonini; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Aquilani; Robinho (Emanuelson 66); Ibrahimović, Cassano (El Shaarawy 79)

• Facing his former employers, Antonio Nocerino scored his first goal for Milan as the Rossoneri extended their unbeaten run at San Siro in Serie A to 14 matches, since a 1-0 defeat by AS Roma on 18 December 2010. Robinho scored in his first appearance of the season after shaking off a toe injury

Team news
Gennaro Gattuso serves the third game of a four-match suspension. Robinho is back in contention but Mathieu Flamini is out with damaged knee ligaments. Thiago Silva did not train on Monday and Clarence Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini are unlikely to start. Mark van Bommel was rated fit by Allegri, who hinted that Antonio Cassano will start up front on Wednesday. “He’s playing really well,” said the coach.

BATE
Coach Viktor Goncharenko
We will need to be very aggressive, well-organised in defence and courageous in attack. We will have to play as well as we can. Milan have many top-class players, with Zlatan Ibrahimović one of the best in their squad. When we played against them ten years ago [a game Goncharenko played in and only BATE's fifth European tie ever] it was a great experience – our first major experience, and the basis for building our club’s reputation in Europe.

“It was a seminal day. We didn’t know how to compete against those great players, like Maldini and Shevchenko. However, we have definitely gained more experience in European competition in the intervening years”. It’s not a ‘rematch’ and we can’t compare that game with tomorrow’s because each challenge has its own story.

Weekend result
Friday: FC Dinamo Minsk 0-2 BATE (Loshankov og 16, Bressan 69)
Gutor; Yurevich (Rudik 46), Radkov, Simić, Bordachev; M Volodko (Gordeychuk 58), Likhtarovich; Kontsevoi, Bressan, A Volodko; Kežman (Skavysh 79)

• Despite a host of injuries and Dmitri Baga missing through suspension, BATE claimed only their second win in eight league games, drawing five during that run. Renan Bressan forced the own goal before scoring the second.

Team news
Aleksandr Yurevich started against Dinamo Minsk, his first appearance since tearing ankle ligaments on 28 August. Goncharenko confirmed his availability and also said Yegor Filipenko had recovered from a back problem, and that Aleksandr Pavlov (torn adductors) is back in contention. However, Vitali Rodionov (knee ligaments) and Evgeni Kuntsevich (knee) remain out.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1/1

Odd : 1.50

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction AC Milan – BATE Borisov, free tips AC Milan – BATE Borisov, soccer prediction AC Milan – BATE Borisov, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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18 Oct

Match preview: FC Porto – APOEL

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FC Porto coach Vítor Pereira warned his side not to let their guard down as they prepare to welcome surprise Group G frontrunners APOEL FC to the Estádio do Dragão. The Dragons narrowly won both fixtures when the sides met in the group stage two years ago, but having beaten FC Zenit St Petersburg and drawn at FC Shakhtar Donetsk, the Cypriot champions are not being taken lightly.

Porto
Coach Vítor Pereira
This is important, but for Porto every match is important; this is just one more game to win. APOEL surprised Zenit at home, then Shakhtar away. They have had the same coach for five years now and are gaining experience in the Champions League. “They are good on the counterattack and make the most of their opponents’ mistakes, as we saw against Shakhtar”.

Winning games is the ticket to the next phase of this tournament, so they are all important. Our objective is to win every match, but for now we’re only thinking about tomorrow’s match.

Weekend result
Saturday: CA Pêro Pinheiro 0-8 Porto (Defour 30, Walter 33 35 45 90+1, Djalma 40 57, Varela 61)
Bracali (Kadu 81); Săpunaru, Maicon, Mangala, Alex Sandro; Souza, Belluschi, Defour; Djalma (Cristian Rodríguez 65), Walter, Iturbe (Varela 46)

• Kadú, still more than a month off his 17th birthday, came on to become Porto’s youngest ever player as Pereira’s side coasted into the Portuguese Cup fourth round. Steven Defour and Djalma scored their first goals for Porto.

Team news
Kléber has not featured since injuring his left shoulder at Zenit, though Pereira expects him to be fit for Wednesday.

APOEL
Coach Ivan Jovanovič
“We won’t compromise our style. Porto will cause us problems, a team with a very fast attack, and we have to find solutions”. We’re happy to be back after two years and we’ll be up against a great team at a great stadium. At this point of the group stage it is very important. We’re in first place after two matches but it is still way too early. We’re happy with our first two games and want a good result tomorrow too.

[In the past two years] Porto have lost Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles and Falcao, but many of the other players are the same. Porto are a very important team on the European stage and we have to respect them. They are the strongest team in the group, and favourites to go through in first place.

Weekend result
Saturday: APOEL 0-1 AEL Limassol FC (Monteiro 56)
Chiotis; Poursaitides, Kaká (Belaid 64), Oliveira, Boaventura; Jahić, Nuno Morais, Hélio Pinto, Adorno (Charalambides 71); Aílton, Solari (Trickovski 58)

• APOEL were replaced at the top by AEL after their first defeat in nine games. Esteban Solari had a 40th-minute penalty saved by Matías Degra, meaning APOEL have still scored only two of their 25 goals this season before half-time.

Team news
Marcinho sat out the AEL defeat because of a thigh injury sustained in training last week and is unlikely to return. Paulo Jorge and Gustavo Manduca should recover from hamstring injuries to play.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 1.30

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction FC Porto – APOEL, free tips FC Porto – APOEL, soccer prediction FC Porto – APOEL, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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18 Oct

Match preview: Shakhtar Donetsk – Zenit

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FC Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu is confident his team can make an impact in the UEFA Champions League this season despite taking just a point from the first two Group G matches. Though he knows the pressure is on against FC Zenit St Petersburg, Lucescu has seen enough since matchday two to give “me confidence that we can succeed in this tournament”.

Shakhtar
Coach Mircea Lucescu
“I don’t need to repeat how important this match is for us. It’s always difficult to play when you’re under pressure because of the importance of the game. Shakhtar need to win every match”. On Saturday, in the league against Tavriya [Simferopol], we showed extraordinary character to win in added time. Of course you can speak about luck, but the key to success was the unwavering confidence of my players.

We lost points in our previous Champions League matches because of mistakes. At the same time, the high quality of our play gives me confidence that we can succeed in this tournament. Our luck will return. Zenit are well prepared physically, that allows them to play quickly. They have excellent attacking players such as Danny.

Because Zenit try to play quickly, they often lose the ball. As for Shakhtar, we leave a lot of space in behind when we’re going forward. That gives the opposition the chance to counter, so we need to take fewer risks and be effective in attack.

Weekend result
Saturday: SC Tavriya Simferopol 1-3 Shakhtar Donetsk (Nazarenko 36; Luiz Adriano 28 90+5, Shevchuk 90+2)
Rybka; Srna, Rakitskiy, Chygrynskiy, Shevchuk; Hübschman (Fernandinho 67), Mkhitaryan, Douglas Costa (Seleznyov 62), Jadson (Alex Teixeira 56), Willian; Luiz Adriano

• Mircea Lucescu’s side extended their unbeaten start to their Super League defence to 13 matches with their third win in six away games. They have won seven out of seven at home.

Team news
Yaroslav Rakitskiy serves the second game of his two-match suspension.

Zenit
Coach Luciano Spalletti
It’s difficult to say which team has the best attack. I’ve spent two years at Zenit, and this side has scored more goals than anyone else in the Russian league. When I came to St Petersburg, there was already a strong team here, so I didn’t need to do a major overhaul.

“It’s very difficult to predict the result, but I’m sure my players will use their ability to try and control the game, and dictate the tempo. Shakhtar are a very skilful team, so Lucescu is right when he speaks about their commitment to attacking football” as they usually have five Brazilians in starting XI.

It was five years ago when I came to Donetsk with Roma. Shakhtar have maintained their style of play since. Back then, they already had many Brazilians in their squad and they played attractive football, as they still do. Now they have a new big advantage – this great new stadium. Shakhtar have always shown their best at home and in Europe since Lucescu has been in charge.

Weekend result
Saturday: Zenit 0-0 FC Dinamo Moskva
Malafeev; Anyukov (Luković 64), Lombaerts, Alves, Criscito; Denisov, Fayzulin, Shirokov; Danny, Bukharov (Rosina 83), Lazović (Zyryanov 58)

• Despite the goalless draw, Zenit have scored 21 goals in their last seven league matches and won 13 of their last 19 games in all competitions.

Team news
Aleksandr Anyukov came off against Dinamo with a knee problem and Aleksandr Kerzhakov has an ankle injury; neither have travelled to Donetsk. Sergei Semak was an unused substitute against Dinamo having not featured since July after breaking his fifth metatarsal.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 2.10

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Shakhtar Donetsk – Zenit, free tips Shakhtar Donetsk – Zenit, soccer prediction Shakhtar Donetsk – Zenit, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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18 Oct

Match preview: Olympiacos – Dortmund

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There were contrasting opinions from the coaches ahead of the meeting of the bottom two in UEFA Champions League Group F. While Olympiacos FC’s Ernesto Valverde said the match is a “decisive one for both teams”, Borussia Dortmund counterpart Jürgen Klopp believes it is “not a final” as he worries over his paucity of options in attack for the visitors.

Olympiacos
Coach Ernesto Valverde
Tomorrow’s match is crucial, a decisive one for both teams. We’re playing at home and want to win our first points of the campaign. We have great respect for Dortmund, they are a very good side. They are the German champions and are equally as effective in defence and attack. They have the spirit of champions and it will be a very difficult match for us.

They attack and defend with 11 players. They take risks and we expect a free-flowing game. They have very good players, especially their forwards. Mario Götze is a special player, as is [Robert] Lewandowski. They were very unlucky to take just a point from their previous two matches. We have some injuries after Saturday’s match so we only have 18 or 19 players available.

Weekend result
Saturday: AEK Athens FC 1-1 Olympiacos FC (Leonardo 43; Mirallas 23)
Costanzo; Modesto, Marcano, Papadopoulos, Holebas; Orbaiz, Ibagaza (Makoun 90+1); Abdoun (Fetfatzidis 64), Fuster (Mellberg 46), Mirallas; Djebbour

• Olympiacos’s 100% start to the Super League campaign ended in a game both sides finished with ten men after François Modesto and Grigoris Makos were dismissed two minutes from time. The Greek champions have not kept a clean sheet in six outings this season.

Team news
David Fuster fractured his rib on Saturday and joins Francisco Yeste on the sidelines. Giannis Maniatis (groin) and Francisco Fejsa (ankle) are back in training while Vassilis Torossidis is recovering from a rib injury suffered on international duty.

Dortmund
Coach Jürgen Klopp
Olympiacos are experienced, technical and like to pressurise opponents. Individually they may not be that strong, but they are a good team. We only have one experienced forward. I can’t look anywhere else and I’m worried − I will field the players that are available.

It will be difficult but we’re not bothered by Olympiacos’ previous results against German opposition. Dortmund have one point and Olympiacos have none, but they were good against Marseille in their opener and could have won it. We have to start winning points and remain in contention, but tomorrow’s match is not a final. We don’t fear the atmosphere, we’re used to it.

Weekend result
Friday: SV Werder Bremen 0-2 Dortmund (Perišić 42, Owomoyela 71)
Weidenfeller; Owomoyela, Subotić, Hummels, Löwe; S Bender, Gündoğan (Kehl 74); Grosskreutz, Götze (Leitner 89), Perišić; Lewandowski (Barrios 88)

• Ivan Perišić opened the scoring but was then sent off two minutes into the second half as Dortmund won their third successive Bundesliga game. Former Bremen defender Patrick Owomoyela marked his maiden appearance this season with his first top-flight goal since 13 December 2009.

Team news
Marvin Bakalorz, who has not played this season because of an Achilles problem, is available but Mohamed Zidan and Marcel Schmelzer have not played since matchday one and two respectively due to thigh problems. Lucas Barrios (back) did not travel, while Owomoyela is sidelined with a groin injury.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : OVER 2,5

Odd : 2.00

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Olympiacos – Dortmund, free tips Olympiacos – Dortmund, soccer prediction Olympiacos – Dortmund, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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