There are 3 big games on Wednesday evening, including 2 crucial games in the Premier League as well as the Copa del Rey Final from Valencia, with Barcelona inevitably taking on Real Madrid in another one of those sexy classicos they hold every 3 months it seems.
Barcelona have taken a mighty hit this year, both on and off the park with scandals a plenty and the complete loss of their form on the pitch. The club has lunged from one controversy to the next, the latest being their 18month transfer ban and having been knocked out of Europe and beaten by lowly Granada at the weekend, things are going from bad to worse for the Catalans. Of course it was only 2 weeks ago that they won a spectacular encounter in the Bernabeu by 4 goals to 3 and Real are significantly weakened by the abesence of Cristiano Ronaldo for this tie, so it is more than likely going to be another close encounter with Gareth Bale expected to step up to the plate in the absence of the Balon D'or winner. Predicting a winner is less than certain, but there is however, 1 certainty in life and indeed, luckily for us, in this match, and that is that both teams always score in this fixture. In the last 12 it has happened and of course now that I have said that...well, at 4/9 odds it looks nailed on and will form the first part of my "Daily Double". This match almost always lives up to it's billing and I expect a closely fought, end to end battle with over 3.5 goals likely (5/4) with extra time a real possibility. However, picking a winner seems too close to call. Had Ronaldo been fit, I would be all over Madrid for this one but with their talisman missing, I cannot be certain they will take the first silverware of the season. In the EPL as the Americans like to call it, high flying Everton entertain Crystal Palace while Man City, smarting after their weekend loss at Liverpool, take on lowly Sunderland who are almost certain to be relegated. I fully expect two home wins for two teams chasing big prizes at the top end of table, however Everton will have to work harder of the two sides to overcome a resolute and revitalised Crystal Palace who look sure to avoid relegation having at one point been considered certainties for the drop. Palace though are not great on the road and Everton should be able to win this one fairly comfortably. Everton are 4/11 to win. Sunderland on the other hand appear to have lost all hope and I strongly fancy Man City to win this one on the handicap of -1 at 1/2 odds. Not a lot of games to choose from but I am confident on a number of different selections for these matches and I will post them later in the day. Early predictions Everton 2 v 0 Crystal Palace Man City 3 v 0 Sunderland Real Madrid 2 v 2 Barcelona Bets to follow.... Comments are closed.
|
Categories |