News Over-Under

29/12/10

Chelsea vs Bolton Preview

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is a doubt for Wednesday night's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton at Stamford Bridge.

Anelka missed Monday night's 3-1 defeat by Arsenal with a knee problem, while Alex, Yuri Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun remain sidelined.
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti indicated on Monday night there will be few, if any, changes against Bolton.
Bolton are short on numbers for Wednesday's game.
The Trotters had just 19 fully-fit first-teamers available for their Boxing Day win over West Brom but have now lost South Korea winger Lee Chung-yong to the Asia Cup.
Defender Gretar Steinsson is also doubtful with a knee injury while Tamir Cohen remains on compassionate leave.
Joey O'Brien, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel are all still sidelined.
Teams:
Chelsea (from): Cech, Turnbull, Bosingwa, Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Cole, Terry, Essien, Lampard, Mikel, Ramires, McEachran, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka, Bruma, Sturridge, Kakuta, Van Aanholt.
Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Bogdan, Cahill, Steinsson, Knight, Robinson, Holden, Muamba, Petrov, K Davies, Elmander, Blake, Taylor, Klasnic, Ricketts, Alonso, Moreno, M Davies.

Under-2.40
Over-1.53

Liverpool vs Wolves Preview

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury at home to Wolves on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old midfielder's comeback after more than six weeks on the sidelines has been delayed twice after their last two matches against Fulham and Blackpool were postponed because of the cold weather.
Centre-back Daniel Agger has also finally recovered from a complicated calf problem which had sidelined him since September 25.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will again be without a number of key players.
McCarthy will have to again rely on the squad available for Sunday's 2-1 home reversal by Wigan - a result which sent them to the bottom of the table.
Skipper Karl Henry (knee), Jody Craddock (hip), Kevin Doyle (thigh), Michael Mancienne (knee) and Steve Mouyokolo (back) are still ruled out.
The only consolation for McCarthy is that winger Kevin Jarvis and striker Steven Fletcher will be in contention to start.
They were only fit enough to be on the substitutes' bench against the Latics because of a knee injury and illness respectively.
Teams:
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Rodriguez, Gerrard, Torres, Jones, Kelly, Aurelio, Poulsen, Cole, Ngog, Babel, Agger, Shelvey.
Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Foley, Edwards, Milijas, Hunt, Ward, Ebanks-Blake, Hahnemann, Fletcher, Jarvis, Jones, Bent, Mujangi Bia, Doherty

Under-2.10
Over-1.70

Wigan vs Arsenal Preview

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas must serve a one-match suspension at Wigan after picking up his fifth yellow card in the win over Chelsea.

Abou Diaby, fit again after an ankle problem, could start alongside Russian winger Andrey Arshavin, who was an unused substitute against Chelsea.
Striker Marouane Chamakh and centre-back Sebastien Squillaci are also in contention but Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (ankle) and Kieran Gibbs (ankle) are out.
Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa will return for Wigan as the Latics look to halt Arsenal's momentum.
The Honduras pair missed Sunday's win at Wolves through suspension and manager Roberto Martinez is set to freshen up his team despite their much-needed triumph.
Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) and Franco Di Santo (ankle) are still not fit to return while James McCarthy and Victor Moses are long-term casualties.
Teams:
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Wilshere, Walcott, van Persie, Nasri, Szczesny, Rosicky, Squillaci, Arshavin, Chamakh, Bendtner, Vela.
Wigan: Al Habsi, Stam, Alcaraz, Figueroa, S Caldwell, G Caldwell, Gohouri, Watson, N'Zogbia, Diame, Cleverley, McArthur, Thomas, Rodallega, Boselli, Gomez, McManaman, Golobart, Mustoe, Pollitt.

Under-2.00

Over-1.80

20/12/10

Man City vs Everton Preview

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is expected to return in the Barclays Premier League match against Everton on Monday.

Tevez was rested on Thursday night when the team drew with Juventus in the Europa League after missing the West Ham victory through suspension.
Aleksandar Kolarov is also available after a ban but Nigel de Jong sits it out under the totting up procedure.

Under-1.70
Over-2.10

29/11/10

Barcelona v Real Madrid Preview

Pep Guardiola is still sweating on the fitness of Lionel Messi ahead of El Clasico with Real Madrid.

The Barcelona coach however believes his side can win with or without the Argentina winger.
Messi picked up a thigh injury in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao and was missing as Barca beat Inter Milan 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
"I will decide tomorrow whether Messi plays or not," Guardiola said.
"I would rather he is playing than not playing, of course, but we can beat Real Madrid with or without Messi."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic also faces a race against the clock to be fit as he recovers from a muscle problem picked up in Barca's 4-2 win at home to Mallorca a fortnight ago.
Yaya Toure could also return after recovering from a bout of swine flu, but Gabi Milito is still on the way back from a long-term knee injury.
Barca led the Primera Division until last weekend's draw in Bilbao, which saw them drop to second, a point behind Madrid.
"There is a general consensus that we are the better team, that we play more attractive football, but they are the ones who are leaders," Guardiola said.
And the former Barca captain knows Manuel Pellegrini's side poses the biggest threat yet to his side's perfect league record at the Nou Camp.
"They have only let in four goals away from home and historically, they have always come here to win," he added.
"I can't imagine they will come here and sit back, they will look to dominate and try and beat us."
Pellegrini confirmed that Madrid will set out to attack.
"We are going to the Nou Camp to attack. We will play with our weapons, which are different to those of Barcelona, but which are just as good as theirs," he said today.
Pellegrini praised Guardiola's Barca side, but claimed the Catalans are not the better of the two teams.
"Pep Guardiola's team plays football very well and has a lot of quality, but they are not superior to us," he said.
"We wouldn't be happy with a draw, we know exactly what we are going to do at the Nou Camp."
Pellegrini will make a last-minute decision on centre-back Raul Albiol, who has been struggling with a knee ligament strain picked up against Zurich in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Christoph Metzelder, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Guti are all sidelined.
One player likely to start tomorrow night is Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portugal winger was recently sidelined for almost two months, but made his long-awaited comeback in the 1-0 win over Zurich, playing 20 minutes.
"There is no set amount of time for Cristiano to play at the Nou Camp, so let's see how long he plays," Pellegrini added.
Barcelona won the corresponding fixture 2-0 last season, thanks to late goals from Samuel Eto'o and Messi, in what was the first game in Juande Ramos' brief reign as Madrid coach.

Under-2.10

Over-1.70

El Clasico: Clash of the Titans!

It’s the 159th showdown between La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona and it promises to be a cracker!

Barca take on the mega-money cast of Real for the first time this season, knowing that their quest for a second treble rests of their ability to keep Los Blancos at bay in the League. La Blaugrana have the added motivation to win so as to prove that big spending does not equate to wins and titles.
The Bernabeu boys will go into the game with the best record in La Liga so far, with nine wins, one draw and one loss. Barca are just one point behind Manuel Pellegrini's men, with 28 points from eight wins and three draws.

Barcelona news ahead of El Clasico:
Xavi has demanded Barcelona remain faithful to their attacking philosophy by dictating the game against bitter rivals Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has signed a contract extension with Barca to keep him at the club until 2015.
Carles Puyol believes that Sunday's El Clasico will be a close affair but added that Barcelona are high on confidence after their victory over Inter, while Gerard Pique is in a confident mood ahead of this weekend's showdown against Real Madrid.
Finally, former Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson reckons the Catalans are playing the best football on the planet, and Gary Lineker has lent his support to La Blaugrana, adding that El Clasico transcends football in Spain.
Real Madrid news before the Nou Camp showdown:
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be involved in his first El Clasico and claims he will be undaunted by the hostile reception at Barcelona's Nou Camp.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso heads into his first 'clasico' insisting the showdown with Barca "will be important but not decisive" in the title race.
Centre-back Pepe insists that Real Madrid do not fear Barcelona as both sides clash this Sunday.
Fellow defender Sergio Ramos has told realmadrid.com that Barcelona were lucky to win three titles last season.

24/11/10

Rangers vs Man Utd Preview

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson goes into Wednesday's clash with Rangers promising that the return of Wayne Rooney will bring about a settled strikeforce.

Ferguson has rotated his attacking options regularly this season with Rooney struggling with form, fitness and personal problems.
Dimitar Berbatov began the season in exhilarating style but has regressed recently. But Ferguson has pledged that the Bulgarian will be united with Rooney on a consistent basis from now on in a bid to improve results.
"We have been changing the strikers quite a lot recently and I have to accept responsibility for changing it too much," Ferguson said.
"Now we are going to have a more consistent look about our team.
"We have a lot of good young options but hopefully we can get Wayne Rooney back to his best and Dimitar is suited to playing with Wayne."
If the return of Rooney to the starting line-up dominates debate over Ferguson's team selection, Berbatov's slump in form is not that far behind.
During a stellar first month of the campaign, United's £30.75million record buy was in outstanding form, capped by a brilliant hat-trick against Liverpool.
But he did not even make the bench for the weekend win over Wigan and doubt is again being raised about his long-term future.
"It has not taken Dimitar back to square one," Ferguson insisted. "In our game it is very difficult to play well every week.
"We are in a competitive league. The results themselves tell you something. Getting consistency of performance from front players is very difficult.
"Look around at other clubs. They are finding it much the same as us."
Opposite number Walter Smith is praying Rooney is not yet up to speed - but knows his side could find themselves up against a revitalised Rooney instead in what is a vital game for the Scottish champions.
The 25-year-old is set to start in Glasgow after making his comeback from injury as a substitute against Wigan, having completed a period of rehabilitation in the United States for an ankle problem.
And Smith said: "Once you get rid of all the stuff that was going on in the background, they will be looking forward to getting him back playing again.
"I can only hope tomorrow that he's a little bit rusty through lack of activity in terms of games.
"From a Manchester United point of view, they will be delighted to have him back."
Smith has worries over his own team selection, with Madjid Bougherra and Maurice Edu both sidelined and Sasa Papac rated doubtful, meaning he will have to rethink the ultra-defensive formation which has served him well in the majority of European outings so far.
He said: "The squad is weakened, I don't think there is any doubt about that.
"We've lost not only them. If we lose Papac, they are three players who have started for us regularly.
"The injuries to Andy Webster and James Beattie are also causing us a little bit of a problem in terms of players to come in and fill the breach for us.
"There is no doubt that losing Bougherra and Edu will be a problem for us. We don't have a big squad of players and we find ourselves down to more or less the 11 players tomorrow night.
"We have to change our way of playing in this game by the nature of the fact that we've got a few injury problems that will cause us to do that. We will see how we handle it. Hopefully we can still get together and do well."

Under-1.95
Over-1.85

Panathinaikos vs Barcelona Preview

Barcelona will take on Panathinaikos looking to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Barcelona must first put all thoughts of next week`s mouthwatering Primera Division showdown with Real Madrid to the back of their minds.
Barca host arch rivals Madrid at the Nou Camp next Monday and will be looking to replace Jose Mourinho`s side at the top of the standings, with one point currently separating the two Spanish giants.
However, before then Barca have the chance to not only progress through to the knockout stages of the Champions League but also guarantee top spot if they can beat Panathinaikos in Athens and the other Group D match goes their way.
With two matches remaining, Pep Guardiola`s side are a point clear of FC Copenhagen at the top of the table, with Rubin Kazan five points behind and Pana six adrift.
Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta acknowledges there is great interest in the clash with Madrid, but is confident Guardiola`s men will be focused solely on their European challenge.
"It`s true that since we started the season it seems everyone has been waiting for this game (against Madrid), but the clasico would mean nothing without all the other matches," he said.
"The Champions League is a vital part of the season for us, and so this game is very important for qualification, for first place and everything that happens later in this competition."
He added: "I`ve never seen this team hold anything back. They like competing. They are very good at focusing on the important aims. The game with Almeria was a good example of that, if you don't get caught napping in the league then it's difficult for that to happen in the Champions League."
Barca warmed up for the trip to Greece by thrashing Almeria 8-0 on Saturday - equalling the club`s biggest-ever away win in La Liga.
Lionel Messi struck a hat-trick in that match, which was his sixth treble of 2010 for Barca and took his tally to 15 goals in his last 10 appearances for the club.
Panathinaikos also enjoyed a victory at the weekend, beating Iraklis 4-2 to move joint top of the Greek standings with Olympiacos.
Jacek Gmoch was in charge for that match following the departure of coach Nikos Nioplias, but Jesualdo Ferreira was named as Pana`s new coach on the same day.
Ferreira was recently sacked as coach of Barca`s Primera Division rivals Malaga just a few months into a three-year contract.
Pana are not in such good shape in the Champions League having recorded just two points and one goal from their opening four games, but nevertheless Zubizarreta is anticipating a testing time for Barca at the Spiros Louis Stadium - where Pana have lost only three of their last 58 league games.
"Whenever we go to Greece we expect highly competitive teams, and a lot of noise and pressure from the stands. I don't know what we`ll find, but that`s what we're expecting. We have the utmost respect for an important ground and a great, historic team, with good, experienced players."

Under-2.20
Over-1.65

22/11/10

Sunderland vs Everton Preview

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is hoping that leading scorer Darren Bent can return for Monday night's clash with Everton.

The 26-year-old has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, but is back in training and may be available once again.
Danny Welbeck, who has partnered record signing Asamoah Gyan in Bent's absence, is expected to recover from a tight hamstring, but John Mensah (shoulder) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) will be missing once again. David Meyler is working his way back towards full match fitness following a serious knee injury, but Fraizer Campbell (also knee) remains on the sidelines.
Everton are again without midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgium international is serving the second match of a three-game suspension for his sending off against Bolton earlier this month.
Manager David Moyes has reported no fresh injury concerns following this week's midweek internationals.
That leaves Leon Osman (ankle), Victor Anichebe (knee) and Ross Barkley (broken leg) as the only major absentees.
Teams
Sunderland (from): Mignolet, Gordon, Onuoha, Bardsley, Richardson, Angeleri, Turner, Bramble, Da Silva, Cattermole, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Zenden, Bent, Gyan, Welbeck, Adams.
Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Cahill, Pienaar, Heitinga, Arteta, Saha, Rodwell, Yakubu, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Gueye, Hibbert, Baxter, Duffy, Mucha.

Under-1.60
Over-2.30

13/11/10

Inter Milan vs AC Milan Preview

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fired up to face his former club Inter Milan for Sunday's city derby.

The Sweden international joined AC Milan on loan from Barcelona having quit Inter last year after winning three Serie A titles.
Ahead of the encounter at the San Siro which will see Milan acting as visitors, Ibrahimovic took a swipe at his old club.
"When you feel that you can no longer grow in a team, that you no longer have the right motivation, you look for something else," said Ibrahimovic."At Inter I had arrived to that point.
"I needed the change and then, of course, I joined a stronger team."
Ibrahimovic is not concerned by the frosty welcome he will get from the Nerazzurri supporters.
"I welcome their jeers as they fire me up even more," he said.
"It just adds to the motivation.
"Inter are now a rival team for me. I play for Milan and I will do everything to beat Inter."
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri hopes Ibrahimovic can deliver up front with team's top scorer Alexandre Pato and veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi out of action through injury.
Pato will be sidelined for six weeks with a muscle problem while Inzaghi's campaign is all but over with a serious knee injury.
Despite those setbacks, Milan go into the game leading the Serie A table for the first time in two years.
Wednesday's 3-1 triumph over Palermo saw the Rossoneri go one point clear of Lazio and they are three ahead of Inter after 11 games played.
Inter, meanwhile, have dropped to fourth place after draws against Brescia and Lecce this week.
However, Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic is convinced his team can return to winning ways on Sunday.
"We are very motivated to do well," he said.
"I'm not worried because even though we have lost a few points in recent weeks, Milan are just three points clear of us.
"I'm sure we will turn things around on Sunday.
"Motivation will not be lacking because the derby is always a beautiful and important game."
Inter suffered a huge blow this week when a knee injury ended Argentina defender Walter Samuel's season, but the Nerazzurri welcome back Dutch international Wesley Sneijder.
Sneijder was rested for Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Lecce.

Under-1.66
Over-2.15

Sampdoria vs Chievo Preview

Sampdoria coach Domenico Di Carlo admits his team are "hungry" to halt their slide down the Serie A table when they take on Chievo.

The Blucerchiati have clinched just one win in their last four games and Thursday's 1-0 loss at Parma dropped Samp to seventh in the table.
Moreover, they have failed to score in their last two league matches and Di Carlo is aware it is a downward spiral they need to get out of quickly.
"We're hoping to reverse our fortunes," he said.
"The last few weeks have been difficult not only in terms of results and we have tried to understand what went wrong without forgetting what we have done before."
Samp have been distracted by Antonio Cassano's ongoing saga.
The Italian striker was dropped from the team for indiscipline last month and his future at the club remains uncertain.
"I cannot say anything regarding Cassano's situation until the club speaks out," said Di Carlo.
In the meantime, Di Carlo knows Chievo, whom he guided for two years before joining Samp this summer, will be no pushovers.
Chievo are level on 15 points with Samp after 11 games.
"Chievo are very dangerous when playing away from home," he said.
"They have won at difficult grounds like Genoa and Napoli.
"But my players are hungry after Thursday's defeat and I hope they will raise their game in order to clinch three points on Sunday."
Chievo go into the encounter at the Luigi Ferraris stadium on the back of a goalless draw to Bari.
Stefano Pioli's side have won just once in their last seven games.
The visitors will be without defender Bostjan Cesar and midfielder Kevin Constant, both suspended.
The only consolation for Pioli is that striker Cyril Thereau and defender Marco Andreoli will be available having shaken off muscular injuries.

Under-1.60
Over-2.30