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Archive for April, 2011

28 Apr

Match preview: Benfica – Braga

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Having already helped SL Benfica pocket three trophies in his two years at the helm, Jorge Jesus is “convinced” the Eagles will take a step closer to further glory by getting the better of SC Braga in their UEFA Europa League semi-final.

The Lisbon club welcome their domestic rivals to the capital for the first leg on Thursday on the back of Saturday’s Portuguese League Cup final victory against FC Paços de Ferreira, a triumph which followed a Portuguese Cup semi-final loss to runaway league champions FC Porto the previous midweek.

Jorge Jesus has urged fans questioning Porto’s dominance “to see the bigger picture” as he put his spell in charge in perspective. “I’m in my second season and we’ve won three trophies,” he said. “Since 1994 the club have only won six, so half have been under me and this is the way people have to see the situation.”

You need to flick back further in the record books, to 1990, for Benfica’s last continental final – a 1-0 European Champion Clubs’ Cup loss to AC Milan in Vienna – yet they are favourites to eliminate a team sitting a place and 14 points behind them in the Liga.

“I’ve never had a chance to reach a European final before,” continued Jorge Jesus. “I’ve been close with Braga and Benfica, reaching the quarter-finals with both. “A final is a prestigious occasion for everyone involved and I hope and am convinced that I’ll be there for the first time”.

“The important thing is to follow what we’ve done in previous ties by winning at home to set us up for qualification away; if we can do that without conceding then that would be perfect. We’re capable of reaching the final and want to make the dream of winning it a reality.”

The Benfica coach, who is sweating on the fitness of Nicolás Gáitan, Carlos Martins and César Peixoto, noted that Braga are “especially strong on the counter and good in possession”, traits that have helped the northern club achieve two-legged wins against the likes of Sevilla FC, Liverpool FC and FC Dynamo Kyiv this season.

Braga have travelled south without suspended striker Paulo César but otherwise have a full squad to choose from. Coach Domingos Paciência, 42, is confident his team will not miss their forward, saying: “We are Braga, nicknamed the Warriors, and we want to reach Dublin. The team which makes the fewest mistakes will qualify, and a mistake could be fatal to either team.

“My players are very confident that they can grab a win here at Estádio da Luz. “Benfica have conceded goals in 14 games in a row, and my team creates three of four chances per match so I hope we’re effective”.”

This tie guarantees a Portuguese presence in the Irish capital on 18 May, and it could even be an all-Liga affair if Porto overcome Villarreal CF in the other semi. “It’s an immensely proud moment to have three teams left in the competition,” concluded Paciência. “I hope two Portuguese teams make it to Dublin and that one of them is Braga.” We will know on 5 May.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 1.55

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Europa League

TAGS: prediction Benfica – Braga, free tips Benfica – Braga, soccer prediction Benfica – Braga, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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28 Apr

Match preview: Porto – Villarreal

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André Villas-Boas insists there is little to choose between FC Porto and UEFA Europa League semi-final opponents Villarreal CF – even if the newly-crowned Portuguese champions’ 12-game winning run is in marked contrast to the stuttering Spanish side.

“By this stage there is no such thing as favourites,” said the 33-year-old. “Both teams have equal chance of going through, so we’ll just play our own game. “We have a great deal of respect for Villarreal and I really don’t know where they got the idea that we are favourites from”.”

You do not have to think for too long. Through to the Portuguese Cup final, the Dragão have dropped just four Liga points all season and wrapped up their 25th title with five matches to spare – echoes of José Mourinho’s 2003 treble-winning side ring loud. Visiting coach Juan Carlos Garrido is doing his best to drown them out, respectfully disassociating himself from those elevating the aura around this Porto side.

“We dream about going through,” said a breathless Garrido. “Porto are a great team, they are Portuguese champions and have many strong points. I’m full of respect and admiration but we’re going to try to win here, play our own game, and keep the dream of the final alive. “There are no favourites. We are going to work within our capabilities to make a good season great”. We need to be perfect at the back and going forward, have confidence in ourselves and stay true to our style as much as possible.”

Ominously for Villarreal, shorn of Gonzalo, Ángel López and Marcos Senna through injury, far from running out of gas with the end in sight Porto seem to have found another gear. They made it 12 wins from 12 with a 3-1 cup victory at possible UEFA Europa League final opponents SL Benfica last Wednesday, their most recent outing. The Spanish side, meanwhile, slipped to their third defeat in six outings on Sunday, going down 3-2 to a Sevilla FC side Porto eliminated on away goals in the last 32 of this competition.

That means nothing, according to Villas-Boas, who concluded: “Villarreal are doing very well in fourth in the Spanish championship and therefore they’re one of the best teams in Europe. They have already been in a Champions League semi-final [in 2006] and are striving for success – if they don’t have trophies yet, they will one day. Villarreal play with an attacking style, they draw pleasure from doing so; as do we. It’s a privilege to have these two teams playing in this competition.”

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 1.65

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Europa League

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

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27 Apr

Match preview: Real Madrid – Barcelona

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A week on from guiding Real Madrid CF to Copa del Rey glory against FC Barcelona, José Mourinho is anticipating a “different game” when the arch-rivals contest the first leg of a much-anticipated all-Spanish UEFA Champions League semi-final. Though his team won that most recent meeting 1-0 thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s header, the Madrid coach says “my opinion is that there are no favourites” for the tie. Opposite number Josep Guardiola, meanwhile, fears the hosts are in their best form of the season.

José Mourinho, Madrid coach
I don’t know how Barcelona are feeling at the moment, I only know how we are. We would have been in the same state of mind even if we had lost the Copa del Rey, although it was obviously fantastic to win it. The day after that we were all relaxed and focused again, ready for our next Liga match.

Before coming here today I told someone I am the same coach that lost 5-0 to Barcelona a few months ago. I haven’t changed. I don’t possess a magic potion to beat them; I only know that it takes hard work. Since that defeat we played a great game against them in the Liga and drew 1-1. We then won 1-0 in the Copa del Rey final [after extra time] but this is a different game and anything can happen.

My opinion is that there are no favourites in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. We are two rivals who know each other well; two rivals with a lot of history between us. We both have players who know how to play in important games and who have had success.

I am a normal motivator. Like anyone, I have to motivate myself first.
I told my players before the final of the Copa del Rey that there was someone called Albert, Albert Einstein, who said that there is a force more powerful than steam, electricity and atomic energy: will. And this guy Albert was not stupid.

If we play well, create great chances, are the better team and finish with a draw then obviously I will be happy. If they do all of those things and we draw then I’ll be happy, too.

Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
Tomorrow at 20.45 we will go out there looking to win. I congratulate Real Madrid for their victory in the Copa del Rey, which they won deservedly. Andrés Iniesta is out of the game but we hope he will be back for the return. My players know there are no excuses here. If we win it’s because we are better; we will defend that idea until the end.

We are facing a team who are in their form of the season. We are in a UEFA Champions League semi-final and for us it’s a big task facing Real Madrid, one of the best teams in Europe. It’s a great challenge as we are just one step away from Wembley. We will look to do the best we can. We have come here to try to beat a team that has won nine European Cups.

I’m hugely satisfied to be at this stage of the competition, it’s a success. If you come here to defend they will roll over you because the pitch is very wide and they have very good players. We will compete as we know how and with what we have.

Team news
• Madrid
Sami Khedira misses out with a right adductor tear. Lassana Diarra, who returned from a hip complaint at the weekend, may well be the man to provide cover in defensive midfield. Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) and Ángel Dí María (bruised right knee) have also shaken off knocks and make the final cut. Fernando Gago remains absent with a torn adductor.

• Barcelona
Barça are also without a key midfield player after Guardiola confirmed that Iniesta’s calf injury will prevent him from playing. Maxwell also misses out, though Carles Puyol trained in the capital after overcoming knee and hamstring problems and will captain the side. Gabriel Milito (right calf) had to be withdrawn midway through the second half at the weekend but trained on the eve of this game, while Adriano will be out for a month having torn a muscle in his right thigh in the Copa del Rey final.

Weekend results
Saturday: Valencia CF 3-6 Madrid
(Soldado 60, Jonas 80, Alba 85; Benzema 23, Higuaín 31 42 53, Kaká 39 62)
Madrid scored six or more goals for the fifth time this season, although the other four all came at the Santiago Bernabéu: RC Deportivo la Coruña and Real Racing Club were both beaten 6-1 in October while Málaga CF lost 7-0 in Madrid on 3 March. UD Levante were defeated 8-0 in the Copa del Rey on 22 December.

Saturday: Barcelona 2-0 CA Osasuna
(Villa 24, Messi 87)
Before opening the scoring on Saturday, David Villa had not scored in 11 games for Barcelona, though he did hit two for Spain against the Czech Republic on 25 March. Lionel Messi has scored 53 goals in 55 games for club and country this season; his goal against Osasuna was his 50th for Barcelona in 2010/11.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1x

Odd : 1.45

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Real Madrid – Barcelona, free tips Real Madrid – Barcelona, soccer prediction Real Madrid – Barcelona, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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26 Apr

Match preview: Schalke 04 – Manchester Utd.

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FC Schalke 04 coach Ralf Rangnick has described his team’s semi-final against Manchester United FC as the biggest game of his, and many of his players’ careers. By contrast Sir Alex Ferguson pointed to his squad’s experience of this stage as a cause for confidence, along with their freshness, but admitted there was always apprehension with the final just one step away.

Ralf Rangnick, Schalke coach
Nothing will be decided tomorrow. We know Manchester are much better organised than Inter, so it will not be as easy for us to score. We have to try to be compact as well. A close result will leave everything open for the return leg in Manchester.

We know United have lots of attacking players at their disposal, especially on the wings; there will be at least five attacking players in their lineup, six if you count [Patrice] Evra. We have to find a good balance between defence and attack.

Who knows how many of these players will play in a match like this in the coming years? The same goes for me. This is my biggest game so far judging by the attention it is getting in general and from the media. Surely, over the course of these two games, Manchester have more to lose than us. We have to stay focused but also enjoy this.

Sir Alex Ferguson has won more games and titles at this level, but United will have a very experienced team, much as Inter did. Our team is a bit younger and hopefully hungrier to make up for their lack of experience. Our passion and discipline has helped us against Inter and I hope it will do so again against United.

Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager
Wayne Rooney’s form has been fantastic these last two months but the most important thing for us is the freshness has come into the team in the last few weeks with players coming back like [Antonio] Valencia, [Rio] Ferdinand, Anderson and Park Ji-Sung.

In terms of the quality of the team, you saw it on Saturday again that this is a team that will not give in, there is absolutely no chance this team will ever give in and that’s a great quality.

I think the present group have enough experience now in Europe, it is where we should be. The expectation from my point of view has always been high as regards the European scene, because you do get envious of other clubs’ record in Europe and we are trying to come to parity with that – in other words, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Liverpool, and we need to progress quickly to get to that level again.

You always get apprehensive at this stage of the competition. We’ve had this situation over the years. [When] we played Barcelona away from home in the first leg [in 2008] and got the result we wanted, in the second leg the last two minutes were absolute agony. Semi-finals are never easy.

[On seeing Schalke against Inter] The first thing is they never looked like losing the game, and that is quite a credit to them given the experience of Inter. There was never any stage where I thought they were going to lose that match, most of the time they were in complete control and even in the good moments Inter had they dealt with it easily. It was a good impression.

Team news
• Schalke
Benedikt Höwedes is struggling to be fit after sitting out much of Monday training with a stomach strain, though Rangnick is hopeful Kyriakos Papadopoulos (calf) and Peer Kluge (abdominal muscle strain) will be fit. Mario Gavranović (ankle) has missed recent games while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (knee), Christoph Moritz (knee) and Christian Pander (toe, cold) are longer-term absentees.

• United
United have confirmed that striker Dimitar Berbatov will not feature on Tuesday having failed to recover from the groin problem that meant the Bulgarian sat out his side’s last two Premier League games. Midfielders Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves are also missing, along with Bébé and reserve goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, prompting a call-up for Sam Johnstone, 18, as third-choice keeper. John O’Shea also made the flight to Germany despite carrying a knock.

Weekend results
Saturday: Schalke 0-1 1. FC Kaiserslautern
(Lakić 42)
Rangnick suffered the first defeat of his second spell in charge of Schalke after four wins and a draw. The coach was without the injured Höwedes while Sergio Escudero, Junmin Hao, Vassiliss Pliatsikas and Edu came in for Atsuto Uchida, Papadopoulos, Anthony Annan and Angelos Charisteas.

Saturday: United 1-0 Everton FC
(Hernández 84)
United closed in on a record 19th league title despite making five changes, captain Nemanja Vidić and Chris Smalling left out altogether and Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs on the bench. Ferdinand, Jonny Evans – his first league appearance since 19 March – Darron Gibson, Fabio and Valencia came in.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : x

Odd : 3.25

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Champions League

TAGS: prediction Schalke 04 – Manchester Utd., free tips Schalke 04 – Manchester Utd., soccer prediction Schalke 04 – Manchester Utd., free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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15 Apr

Real Madrid – Barcelona preview 2011

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Real Madrid – Barcelona will be held Saturday April 16 at 20.30 Live on LiveMatches.co.uk

The biggest football derby in the world will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. The two teams come after they won the semifinals at the Champions League double header going in the Tottenham team that Lucescu Romans and Razvan Rat, Shakhtar Donetsk. During the three weeks the two teams will meet 4 times. The first “El Clasico” between the four is scheduled for Saturday, from 23:00, Santiago Bernabeu, and will be sent will be broadcast live online LiveMatches.co.uk

Real Madrid comes after British qualification obtained easily in front of Tottentham Hotspor, winning both sleeves. Coach Jose Mourinho declared himself satisfied after two matches, having played all valid group with great rivals Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed in an interview with Corriere dello Sport that he is “nervous” before the four matches “El Clasico” between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, and how important these meetings to Madrid.

Line-up:

Real Madrid: Casillas – Ramos, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo – Alonso, Kaka, Di Maria – Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo

On the other side I come Guardiola’s students after a victory in the Champions League double header, getting in ahead of Shakhtar. The goal marked shift from Ukraine, Leo Messi became the best scorer of Barcelona (47 goals) brazilian Ronaldo beating him other successful 1996-1997 season, 46 goals and winning the Golden Ball as the that season.

Lineup:

Barcelona: Pinto; Adriano, Pique, Milito, Alves; Xavi, Busquets, Pedro; Messi, Villa, Iniesta

Tip : Over 2.5

Odd : 1.70

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Primera Division

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14 Apr

Match preview: FSV Mainz – Borussia M`gladbach

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Friday starting at 9:30 p.m. will be the inaugural match of the stage with the number 30.Mainz leading ranks last in Europe (No. 5) will meet in its own stadium “red lantern”, Borussia M `Gladbach (No. 18).FSV Mainz last round they lost 2-0 at Hannover 96, but the team has not practiced a poor game, but when you get a red card is difficult to change the fate of the match, Allagui actually had a chance to match the enormous But he missed the one with the other side portarul.De M `Gladbach comes after a great result against the 5-1 in Cologne.

FSV Mainz plays poorly> very weak on their own land, is in 15th place in a ranking of matches played on its own arena, the 14 steps she accumulated 17 points (15GP 16GM 5W 7L 2D). In the last five home matches played hosts have accumulated only two points. Borussia M `Gladbach comes with a morally superior, but I think this match will start with the second chance. In this season it just like Mainz is a team of “movement”-n accumulating more points on foreign land.
In Mainz tour at the end of a game has become “crazy” with the score 3-2.

Tip : Both team to score

Odd : 1.70

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Bundesliga

TAGS: prediction FSV Mainz – Borussia M`gladbach, free tips FSV Mainz – Borussia M`gladbach, soccer prediction FSV Mainz – Borussia M`gladbach, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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13 Apr

Match preview: Braga – Dynamo Kyiv

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With two of SC Braga’s domestic rivals all but through to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, Domingos Paciência is hoping his side can contribute to a hat-trick of potential Portuguese celebrations by eliminating FC Dynamo Kyiv.

While FC Porto and SL Benfica recorded handsome home wins in the first leg of their last-eight ties − 5-1 and 4-1 respectively against FC Spartak Moskva and PSV Eindhoven − the Arsenalistas drew 1-1 in Ukraine. Should the top three in the Liga progress, Paciência knows it would be a considerable boost for Portuguese football.

“It is important to have three teams in this phase of the Europa League,” said Paciência, whose charges could play Benfica in the next round in what would be the first meeting of Portuguese sides in a UEFA club competition tie.

“At the moment we are in the most fragile position,” he added. “Respect for our opponents, motivation and remembering what is at stake − which is not only our position, but the country’s reputation as well − will assume most importance when looking at this match.”

With an away goal in the bank, Paciência dismissed suggestions that his team might be tempted to play a containing game. “We will not play to get a goalless draw,” he said. “Each team we play requires a different strategy. We’re playing at home, with our fans supporting us and knowing that 0-0 is enough, but our main goal remains: to be in the next phase.”

Having conceded Oleh Gusev’s own goal last week, Dynamo coach Yuri Semin knows the Ukrainian outfit are the underdogs. “Braga are favourites, for sure,” he said. “We are well prepared and there is a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. Braga are playing very well. We are expecting our fans that live in Portugal to come to the match.”

Dynamo played the last 28 minutes of the first leg with ten men after half-time substitute Andriy Shevchenko was sent off for receiving two bookings in quick succession. “That game was very difficult, and we prepared this match by taking that into consideration,” added Semin, who is in his second spell in charge. “We’re all ready to play except for Shevchenko.”

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1

Odd : 2.20

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Europa League

TAGS: prediction Braga – Dynamo Kyiv, free tips Braga – Dynamo Kyiv, soccer prediction Braga – Dynamo Kyiv, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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13 Apr

Match preview: Twente – Villarreal

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Michel Preud’homme accepts FC Twente have it all to do if their European adventure is to continue following last week’s 5-1 UEFA Europa League quarter-final loss to Villarreal CF, but on Sunday Valencia CF showed all is not lost for the Eredivisie leaders.

Three days after Villarreal overwhelmed Twente in the first leg, the Yellow Submarine were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat of their own, 5-0 at neighbours Valencia. Realistic to know lightning is unlikely to strike twice after Villarreal’s biggest reverse in 14 months, Preud’homme is simply keen for his players to restore some of the pride dented at El Madrigal.

“There’s very little chance of qualifying and it’s very difficult to win 4-0 against Villarreal, but we have to try and play well and get a victory,” said Preud’homme. “”It will be important to improve confidence and show that we will not make the same mistakes we did in Spain”.”

Twente’s task is not helped by the absence of their three-goal leading scorer in the competition, Luuk de Jong, as well as goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov, Nicky Kuiper, Rasmus Bengtsson and the suspended Roberto Rosales. Should Twente’s European participation come to an end, then Preud’homme can always reflect on a memorable campaign.

“We’ve had some good results in Europe this year,” he said. “We’ve played great clubs like Inter Milan, Tottenham and Werder Bremen in the Champions League group stage, and Rubin Kazan and Zenit in the Europa League. We have to learn from the experience achieved against top clubs like Inter Milan and use this in the future.”

Juan Carlos Garrido, meanwhile, is looking for one last “push” from Villarreal in order to secure a likely semi-final with FC Porto, who also lead 5-1 in their tie against FC Spartak Moskva. Though the scoreline tells a different story, the coach maintains the first leg was closer than the result suggests.

“We need to go to the Netherlands and finish the job,” Garrido, who has Nilmar suspended and Gonzalo out for the season, told UEFA.com. “The first leg was a good performance simply because that was what was required. To get to the Europa league semi-finals isn’t easy and needs a huge push.

“To beat them in the first leg we needed to work very hard because they pressed us well and it took us a while to impose ourselves. When we did we produced some very good football, which was converted into the 5-1 lead. We need to play that well again.”

Following Sunday’s five-goal loss, Garrido will be drilling his side on the merits of a disciplined performance in Enschede. “”The defensive side of our work in the Netherlands will be very important because we know they have at least five very good attacking players” and we will need to cope well with them in order to go through,” he added.

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1x

Odd : 1.35

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Europa League

TAGS: prediction Twente – Villarreal, free tips Twente – Villarreal, soccer prediction Twente – Villarreal, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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13 Apr

Match preview: PSV – Benfica

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Fred Rutten is urging PSV Eindhoven to “make the impossible possible” as they welcome SL Benfica needing to overturn a three-goal deficit to reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

Rutten’s side went down 4-1 in Lisbon last Thursday and, though they are unbeaten in 12 games in Eindhoven – winning nine since a 3-1 loss to Liverpool FC in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League group stage – their coach knows a positive start will be crucial. “”We’ll try and score an early goal, as that would give us a confidence boost against a very tough side”,” he said. “It’s not easy to do that though so we must stay sharp and alert.”

The PSV coach has several selection dilemmas, with Erik Pieters – an ever-present in the competition this season – and Orlando Engelaar both banned while Wilfred Bouma and Ola Toivonen have hamstring problems. “Bouma is not 100% fit and he’ll have a late fitness test before a decision is made,” Rutten said. “Toivonen is not playing. I’ve said we need a fully fit squad to get a good result, and in Lisbon we conceded two clumsy goals on the stroke of half-time and deep into added time.”

PSV have won only one of their four home matches against Portuguese opposition but will be able to draw inspiration from the presence of several members of the team who beat Benfica on penalties in the 1988 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final. “That’ll be extra motivation because those players gave such a lot to the club and won that cup,” Rutten said. “We have to be realistic with our injuries and suspensions, but sometimes players who have been used less have more motivation. We have to battle with Benfica, give our fans a good feeling and try to make what’s almost impossible possible.”

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is missing only striker Nuno Gomes, who has a knee injury, yet despite a seven-match unbeaten away record in the competition he refuses to accept the tie is over. “I expect a different PSV from last week,” he said. “They will play attacking football and will be hunting for goals, so we’ll have to be careful in certain periods. “We’ll defend the lead with great care; we’ll play as we usually do, just in a slightly different fashion”.”

Should Benfica make it through they could face Portuguese rivals SC Braga in the last four, and Jesus believes the long-term planning of Liga clubs is paying off: “The trainers, business practice and worldwide scouting all contribute to the current quality of the teams.” Furthermore, there is still the possibility of a final meeting with fierce rivals FC Porto, although the coach is concentrating on the matter in hand, adding: “I’m not thinking about that. Let’s reach the semi-finals first, then we’ll see.”

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1x

Odd : 1.35

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Europa League

TAGS: prediction PSV – Benfica, free tips PSV – Benfica, soccer prediction PSV – Benfica, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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13 Apr

Match preview: Spartak Moskva – Porto

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With a UEFA Europa League semi-final berth seemingly out of reach following a 5-1 first-leg defeat, FC Spartak Moskva coach Valeri Karpin has told his players to show their true colours in Thursday’s return meeting with FC Porto.

A pair of late goals from hat-trick hero Falcao gave the newly crowned Portuguese champions a healthy advantage last week, and Karpin does not expect his charges to be able to fight their way back. “We will try to prove that the first game was below our usual standards and put in a worthy performance,” he said.

“I don’t need to motivate the team. “If anyone needs a motivating speech from the coach after a defeat like that, they’d be better off not taking to the pitch”. To think about winning 4-0 isn’t right; we just have to show that what happened in Porto wasn’t up to our usual standard, except for the first 20 or 25 minutes.”

Porto boss André Villas-Boas took a similar view, stressing that 5-1 was not an accurate reflection of the difference between the teams. “Spartak were very strong for the opening 25 minutes and created a couple of good chances before we more or less took control,” he added. “I think Spartak were very, very unlucky to concede those two late goals.

“Tomorrow won’t be a walk in the park: Spartak are a serious team and they will be highly motivated so we are taking our preparations very seriously,” said Villas-Boas, whose side stretched their winning run to nine games on Sunday with a 3-2 victory at Portimonense SC, though at the cost of a calf injury which rules out Fernando Belluschi. “”We may have some freedom in how we play, a chance to improvise; but our task is simply to advance to the next round”.”

Karpin says he will be satisfied with a victory, any victory, but more importantly he wants Spartak to “discover our old selves” after a run of three defeats and the weekend 0-0 draw at home to FC Terek Grozny in their last six matches. “We have to restore confidence because we’ve suffered a few losses. We can compete with Porto, but only if we follow our game plan closely with sufficient discipline and spirit.”

Source: Uefa.com

Tip : 1x

Odd : 1.50

Bookie : Bet365

Competition: Europa League

TAGS: prediction Spartak Moskva – Porto, free tips Spartak Moskva – Porto, soccer prediction Spartak Moskva – Porto, free soccer prediction, soccer predictions and tips, soccer predict, soccer picks, free soccer picks, free picks

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Archive for April, 2011

Match preview: Benfica – Braga

Match preview: Porto – Villarreal

Match preview: Real Madrid – Barcelona

Match preview: Schalke 04 – Manchester Utd.

Real Madrid – Barcelona preview 2011

Match preview: FSV Mainz – Borussia M`gladbach

Match preview: Braga – Dynamo Kyiv

Match preview: Twente – Villarreal

Match preview: PSV – Benfica

Match preview: Spartak Moskva – Porto

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