Garcia-Lopez has had a very good start at the U.S. Open, the last Grand Slam of the season. After six weeks without competing due to the ankle injury he sustained in Germany, he was returned to competition with a victory. In two hours and 21 minutes, Guillermo has defeated a Polish Lukasz Kubot in a great match and his ankle has responded wonderfully. He feels very well with his ankle, which is still receiving special treatment. He managed nine aces and two double faults, but more importantly it is that he has kept his unforced errors to a minimum, with only two throughout the match. He will meet for the fifth time his compatriot Almagro and Garcia-Lopez has a perfect record leading him with 4-0 but none of this meeting was on hard.
Solid
Also Almagro looks under injury clouds, complaining by an intestinal virus. “It will be a hard and difficult match, I’ll have to play really well to get to the next round. He is coming back from an injury and he is eager to win and will no doubt really go for it. As for me, my goal for this season is to finish in the top 10 in the world. It is increasingly difficult for me because there are less tournaments to play now.” – said Almagro. He beat Starace in first round firing 31 aces with only 4 double faults and overall he looked good on court.
Fight
Both have a solid serve with a plus for Almagro and both likes to dictate the rhythm from the back of the court and the player who’ll keep his errors low he will take this one, Garcia-Lopez is well too soon to be trusted here especially in a five set match and I back over for this match.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 39.5 games
Odd: 2.02
Bookie: Pinnacle
There is no doubt Shahar Peer is a very good tennis player, she is always hanging around the top 20 spot and is a constant threat to the best tennis players on the tour. This season she had a bit more success on clay, but at the beginning of the year she also had one final and two semifinals on hard, so it`s clear she is a good all-rounder, able to play on all surfaces and having all of her shots developed in the same way. Last year she was knocked out by Kuznetsova in the 3rd round of USO, while this year she had 2 easy matches against out of form Kostanic and Parmentier, but still she struggled quite a bit on both occasions, especially against the Croat, even though the final score might not be showing it.
Wants to do well
Similarly to her today`s rival, Flavia Pennetta is also good at all surfaces and this year she lost two finals, one on each of the surfaces, and even won one title on clay. She played 4 tournaments at this year`s 2nd part of the North-American tour, losing only to top 10 players, after some very tough matches. Otherwise, she was always totally comfortable and won almost all other matches in straight sets. She is usually very good on her own serve, and holds those games quite well, while on the returns she is always very aggressive and her shots are really powerful. She won both of her matches at this USO in two easy sets, despite being 2 games down in the 2nd against Szavay. Once she steps it up, it`s really hard to defend against her.
Peer has nothing to hope for here
Shahar Peer is actually ranked 2 places better than Flavia Pennetta in the rankings but many times I`ve said that the WTA list isn`t always the best indicator of quality as the women are very prone to ups and downs, and thus we can never use that as the main measurement of real quality. Currently, Pennetta is a huge favorite to win this match. I don`t see how can Peer break her with her current game, and even though it`s true Shahar is improving and is close to that top 10 level, the class difference is much bigger right now in Pennetta`s favor, who is almost superb on hard. Pennetta usually finishes these kinds of matches quickly, and I see her stepping up a notch this time and not allowing too many opportunities to Peer during the entire course of the match, which should all result in her easy win. The odds are much better than I expected and that`s why I am going on that with high stakes. Good luck.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 0:2
Odd: 2.10
Bookie: Expekt
Belgium will start its qualifying campaign against the toughest group opponent, Germany. They have a young squad and a lot of individual quality in their squad but, for some reasons, they fail to play together as a team. The last friendly lost against Finland (0-1) in August says it all. They had a disappointing WC campaign and George Leekens was brought as a coach. He re called veteran Timmy Simons to the squad after one year of absence.
The Panzers
Germany made a very nice figure at the WC and ended with the bronze medal. Their game is totally improved from the classic German football machine, with young players like Ozil, Muller or Schweinsteiger who are adding a lot of creativity in the midfield. Central defender Friedrich is injured but he will probably be replaced by Westermann, while Boateng will miss and Badsturber will replace him. They’ve drew against Denmark in August (2-2) after being 2 goals up, after some terrible defensive mistakes.
Goals
For me this game has a clear favorite for the 3 points and this is Germany. But, watching their game against Denmark and seeing so many defensive holes makes me believe they could concede at least one goal against Belgium. Afterall, an offensive line up with Fellaini, Hazard, Dembele and Lukaku could create problems to any defense. (At least on paper). The odds for the away win are low but considering both teams’ attacking potential and defensive issues altogether I find a bet on over 2,5 goals very tempting. Good luck!
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.80
Bookie: Expekt
After a somewhat successful spell at the World Cup, when they’ve lost the qualifier in the dyeing minutes of the last group game, Slovenia will start its Euro 2012 qualifying campaign at home, against Northern Ireland. After the World Cup, Slovenia played one friendly game against Australia, winning it 2-0 after enjoying near total domination. Coach Matjaz Kek has all his players at his disposal, only defender Marko Suler being doubtful due to an injury. Also, young starlet and Groningen’s sharpshooter Tim Matavz was called to the first squad to boost their attack.
An average side
Northern Ireland is a team which didn’t evolved too much in the last years, playing the same traditional kick and run from 30 years ago. They are a physical side, with a bunch of ambitious players who put a lot of effort during a game but they lack technical quality. Last month they’ve lost against Montenegro in a friendly game and Montenegro is quite similar to Slovenia in terms of football. Defender Craig Catchart from Blackpool , Corry Evans (Johnny Evans’s younger brother from MU) and Johnny Gorman are the fresh faces from the squad while George McCartney (Sunderland) and Niall McGinn from Celtic will miss the game due to injuries.
Home win
Those two teams also meet 2 years ago in the qualifiers for the WC, with both winning their home games. Slovenia has qualifying dreams but it will be hard in a group who also holds Italy and Serbia. That’s why they need to start in a positive manner and Northern Ireland looks like the best opponent for a perfect start. It won’t be easy for sure but I believe they will snatch the win in the end. Good luck!
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 1
Odd: 1.67
Bookie: Ladbrokes
Coach Vladimir Weiss will have two big problems before this match. First one is about Slovakia and the big success on the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. They managed to eliminate the champion Italy and it was a great success. And it will be very hard to motivate the players against Macedonia. The second problem is fact that two important Slovakian players are injured. Slovakia will be without Stanislav Sestak, the top scorer and possibly Robert Vittek, one of the best players.
Positive atmosphere in the team
Macedonia is starting this qualifications with great expectations. There were some positive results in the preparation period. For example, Macedonia won against Romania and we must respect that result. Macedonian best player is Goran pandev from Inter Milan. He also had a very good season, winning the Italian Scudeto and UEFA Champions League with Inter. His partner in attack will be Ilco Naumovski from matersburg, Austria. Maybe coach Jonuz will play with three strikers, Aco Stojkov from Aarau and Stevica Ristic from Amkar Perm are ready too. In fact all Macedonian players are internationals. Coach Mirsad Jonuz have one problem as goalkeeper Pacovski is injured, but I don`t expect bigger problems as reserve goalkeeper Edin Nuredinovski is also very solid.
Small surprise
I expect a small surprise in Bratislava. Slovakia will probably underestimate Macedonia and this is the first reason for my pick. The second reason is tradition. Macedonia already played two matches as visitor against Slovakia and managed to stay unbeaten once. Macedonia played a 1-1 draw in the match played in Zilina on 10 September 2003. The fact that Slovakian coach Vladimir Weiss will be without Stanislav Sestak and Robert Vittek is another reason. And the positive atmosphere in Macedonia squad is my last reason. As I already wrote, Macedonia won against Romania in preparation period and I am sure the confidence of the players are high at the moment.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (+0.5
Odd: 2.42
Bookie: Bet365
Latvia is on a horrible streak, being winless since October 2009, which is quite a long time, and in their last friendly game they got demolished by Czech Republic by 4:1. They are hoping to repeat their success from 2004. when they qualified for EURO, but I highly doubt it as their group consists of at least 3 much better teams than they are. The majority of their squad comes from the domestic sides Skonto and Ventspils, but there are a few players abroad, such as their main goalie playing for Swiss Sion, and his reserve for Russian Spartak Nalchik. They are a mediocre side and a definite underdog in this match.
Ready
The Croatian squad has started their preparations a few days ago, and from what I’ve read and seen, their players seem ready for the first win in the new qualifying campaign. Coach Bilic and Vukojevic were at the press conference before the trip to Latvia, stating they are sure about the triumph on the road in this game. They have excellent players on all positions, and I think they are strong enough to be the group leaders together with Greece, which is much weaker than in the past years. Eduardo will probably play as well as Rakitic, and there are also a lot of good players such as Pranjic, Petric for example, and the new Tottenham goalie Pletikosa will be on their goal. Modric might be out for this game, which is a big blow, but he’s not irreplaceable of course. The only thing that’s certain is the Croats are a much better team than Latvia.
The visitors are better
The Croatian side is clearly the better rival in this matchup and I expect them to put up a good performance at the start of their qualifying campaign. Latvia is a clear underdog even though they will play at home, due to a simple reason Croatia are better both individually and as a team. I think we shouldn’t be expecting either side to make many calculations, especially Croatia, and to see an offensive game where the visitors will go for all 3 points. My advice is to try with an away win with AH. Good luck!
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (-1)
Odd: 2.19
Bookie: Canbet
After failing to qualify for the World Cup, coach Lagerback was replaced by Erik Hammren and the team suddenly started to play some football. Young and promising talents like Berg, Bajrami or Toivonen were promoted to the first squad and their enthusiasm seems to be blending well with the veterans’ experience. Ibrahimovic changed his mind about quitting the NT and he came back with a goal in their last friendly game against Scotland (3-0).
Unpredictible side
Hungary is under a reconstruction process as well with many young players amongst the regulars. Young midfielder Koman was promoted from the u21 team after impressing everyone at the u20 WC and he might just be the playmaker they were lucking for. Dzsudzsak’s speed and skill along with Huszti’s experience could create a lot of problems to any defense in the world. Also Gera decided to come back to the NT after an exile.
Goals
These two teams meet many times in the past years in qualifying stages and Sweden won 5 of them. It’s true, there’s a difference between Swedish football and the Hungarian one but in the late years many positive things happened with Hungarian football who is on a rise. I believe in an entertaining game Friday on Rasunda between a new (and attacking minded) Sweden and a very unpredictable Hungary side. Both teams have good options in midfield and attack while the defense is their Achilles’s heel. The price for over 2,5 goals is very tempting under these circumstances. Good luck!
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.98
Bookie: Ladbrokes
Jeremy Chardy was in strong form in first round given no chance to Gulbis. His serve was solid with 18 aces and 5 double faults winning 84% points behind that and didn’t lost his serve from 8 break opportunities. It is just the second win for the Frenchman in US Open but he looked in strong form prior to US Open and if he will play like he did in first round he can be a hard nut to crack in this quarter. He will meet Spaniard Gimeno-Traver.
Underdog
Gimeno-Traver beat Nieminen in three sets in first round for the first win in US Open. The Spaniard too full control of a poor serve by the Finn and also some poor retrieving and simply failed to put some pressure in the match against Gimeno-Traver. He came here after he won the title in Segovia Challenger but overall the Spaniard enters with 1/5 in ATP matches on hard courts and usually tends to lose against powerful hitters on tour, losing to Troicki, Djokovic, Karlovic only this year.
Chardy without a doubt
The Frenchman has a powerful serve to win cheap points and he will make his own game easier while the Spaniard will not have same comfort on retrieving like in the first match, he looks better from the back of the court but he needs to keep the ball in play and force Chardy to play an extra ball. The Frenchman looked solid recently and I back him to take this one with 3 sets.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 3-0
Odd: 2.45
Bookie: Expekt
Medkila are currently 8th in the standings and their aim is to reach the top 6 places, cause they will ensure them a stay in the section for the next season. This change in the system surely keep all sections interesting and we will see many motivated sides until the end of the season. Medkila are one of them and by not losing in their last 4 games, they somehow prove that. Wins over Leknes and Ballstad are all but impressive, but draws against Grovfjord and Morild showed the fighting spirit of Medkila and now a home outing against Melbo seems appropriate for another 3 points.
Playing for nothing
Alongside Ballstad and Leknes, Melbo are surely going down and that`s thanks to their illustrious season. The team lost 12 of their 16 games and it comes as no surprise that Melbo had to fight bravely in the last round against minnows Ballstad, in order to get a win (3:2). An awful 1-0-6 gives no optimism ahead of the clash against Medkila team, which will be much more motivated.
Medkila to secure an important win
I see a clash between one motivated team and another one playing for its pride. Medkila are brimming with confidence after notching 8 points from their last 4 games and winning against Leknes and Ballstad (teams of Melbo`s class) should allow them to throw more people forward. Melbo are finishing the season now, they will try to win some points, but this could be done only at home against Leknes.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 1 EH (-1)
Odd: 1.77
Bookie: Nordicbet
Qualified for second round of the U.S. Open against Feliciano Lopez, the Frenchman Benoit Paire imposed in the elite of the tennis. He is a qualifier here and managed to beat Schuettler in first round, a success more memorable as the German has served twice to gain the match. “It`s great!” – said Paire. “First victory at the U.S. Open, which is over five sets, I remember all my life.” He has an atypical play, sometimes is dormant on court but also a tricky player, he looks like Mathieu even that he likes more Safin. His serve not clicked as he landed only 48% of first serve in and hit 13 aces with 9 double faults. Still he kept his head and game and managed to be in the second round of a Grand Slam. He meets now Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.
Very strong
Feliciano Lopez is a left hander and who plays a lot serve and volleys something that Paire doesn’t see too much on lower circuit. Lopez beat Giraldo and needed only one break in all sets to advance further while he didn’t lost his serve.
Demonstration of power
The Frenchman isn’t used too much with the hard courts, only 1/1 on Challenger circuit, he has a solid baseline display but he needs to focus here as the balls will come faster to him from the other side of the net. If the Spaniard will not suffer a let down he should close this one easily in three set and back Feliciano Lopez to win with handicap.
———————————————————————————————-
Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (-5.5 games)
Odd: 1.95
Bookie: Bwin
Recent Comments