Closing game of the matchday for Italian Serie A and it is the Rome derby!
Both teams are not in a very good shape, especially Lazio are struggling in the relegation zone while Roma having too many up and downs but at least up for the race for a Champions League place.
After the return of the captain Totti, Roma might seem bit more organized and improved but still they lack the team style play and a bit far from being reliable.
Lazio on the other hand are having really hard days both on and off the pitch. They had protests by the supporters after their return from Europa League match.
As for the prediction; I think Roma will have this game in hand if they at least perform above average but as mentioned above they are not reliable. Lazio players are also looking for a way to say sorry to their fans by getting a result here but still they lack the confidence and morale. They will trust the fever of the derby will boost their performance; it will add extra strength to them but definately not a good reasoning enough to back them. Therefore, the wisest choice seems like to go for a goal prediction. I expect some goals here from two teams that are urgently looking to improve their general performance.
Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
Nottingham Forest – Leicester City | Prediction: 1X Double Chance Result: 5-1
Nottingham Forest will host LeicesterCity; Two solid and balanced team’s clash in the English Championship League.
Both teams have an impressive record up to now. Nottinghham Forest is probably one of the most balanced teams in the league while we can’t leave Liecester City out in that list. Their solid defense and balanced midfield are the parts to be underlined.
As for prediction; I don’t think Nottingham Forest will lose this match. There is also a rivalry between these two and both teams will be cautious at the back from the start which might head us to a draw. Home venue and support advantage might put Nottingham Forrest a step ahead and therefore the wisest choice would be to go for Nottingham Forest not to lose.
Prediction
Nottingham Forest | Not to Lose
Extras
Goals | Under 2,5
Quarter Final of the English League Cup brings us a Manchester United – Tottenham clash. Both teams faced in the final of the very same cup last year where Manchester United won the title.
For Manchester United and some other top fliers, these kind of cup matches in the busiest time of the fixtures are a good opportunity to field youngsters. Mostly, these youngsters give more than a regular would give in such games to prove a point and stay in the manager’s plans.
Tottenham on the other hand are taking this cup more seriously than Manchester United do. Club board and manager mentioned they would be delighted to have a cup trophy in their cabinet. League Cup is the most suitable one around, isn’t it?
Manchester United youngsters were pretty useless in their Champions League match against Besiktas which they lost 0-1 at their home venue. They were unable to show their true potential due the opponents solid defensive approach and taking the match more seriously than them, which surprised me a bit actually. Apperantly, similiar kind of situation is awating us here and Tottenham are way more dangerous than Besiktas when it comes to taking games seriously.
As for the prediction; I am expecting Tottenham’s willing to go through will overcome the talents of Manchester United’s youngster. So, it sounds right to say; Tottenham will not lose this one.
Prediction
Tottenham | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | Tottenham at FT
Kaiserslautern – A. Bielefeld | Prediction: 1X Double Chance Result: 1-0
Closing game of the German 2nd Bundesliga 14th matchday with a clash of two top fliers; 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Arminia Bielefeld.
Two defensively impressive teams are flying high in the standings while 1. FC Kaiserslautern sit on he top and Arminia Bielefeld stay on the 3rd place.
Kaiserslautern have been performing quite well up to now and they proved they also have quality in offense addition to their nearly perfect defensive side.
Arminia Bielefeld on the other hand has also nothing less than 1. FC Kaiserslautern when it comes to show some defensive skill but just recently struggling in the offensive side of the game scoring no goals in their latest two encounters. Their lost against 1860 Munich on the last matchdat was one of the examples and concerning the Bielefelders. On th other hand, their impressive defensive record includes a clean sheet for 8 matches in a row before last matchday lost against 1860 Munich.
Kaiserslautern will be without their attacker Lakic and also Mathias Abel due to injuries. Lakic have been not so productive in the offense therefore that shouldn’t be a big blow for the 1. FC Kaiserslautern side.
Arminia Bielefeld will be without defender Schueler due to injury. As he is not a regular starting line-up this won’t effect Bielefeld that much, too.
1. FC Kaiserslautern fans are taking this match seriously and they will probably fullfill the stadium.
As for the prediction; I am expecting a tactical battle especially in the midfield. These two defensively well built teams will not leave so many gaps in the defense no matter the result is. Therefore, it wouldn’t be that realistic to predict a high scoring game on a Monday night. With the help of the huge support of the fans, 1. FC Kaiserslautern has the upper hand here without a doubt and a narrow win for them is likely but wiser choice would be to go for a double chance in favor of 1. FC Kaiserslautern, considering that a draw also won’t be a bad outcome for both teams plus Arminia Bielefeld will be more than happy with a possible draw and thus going out on the pitch with that in their minds.
Prediction
1. FC Kaiserslautern | 1X Double Chance
Extras
Goals | Under 2,5
Atletico Madrid are at a place that they are not familiar with. They are at the bottom of the Spanish Primera Division and things have not been going well, up to now.
Espanyol on the other hand are also struggling especially in the recent weeks. They have some serious problems in their attacking organizations and this made them suffer on the matches against Getafe and Gijon where they lost without scoring a single goal.
Atletico Madrid will give all they got here and try to turn things around and looking to make this match a new beginning. Espanyol seems a suitable opponent for a such come back.
As for the prediction; I expect Atletico Madrid to play their hearts out and finally get the win they have been looking for to turn things around. I’ll go for an Atletico Madrid Win.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid | Win
Extras
Goals | Over 2,5
Lyon had an impressive Champions League campaign considering the fact that they qualified from a tough group leaving Liverpool out of the picture. Now they are fully focused to the domestic league where they had some unexpected point losses recently.
Rennes are known to cause trouble to Lyon especially in the recent years. They are an unpredictable team which has ups and downs in the matches.
As for the prediction; I expect Lyon too fully concentrate on this match leaving the Champions League group stage out of their mind which they already qualified. There is a squad quality difference between Lyon and Rennes and this is kind of a situation where the quality makes the difference. I’ll go for a Lyon win.
Prediction
Lyon | Win
Extras
Draw at HT | Lyon at FT
Getafe are having up and downs this season. They are playing above average at their home games but have never been consistent and reliable at all.
Xerez on the other hand are struggling in the standings. They have a solid defence comparing to the league average but they seemed not able to turn their defensive efforts to results up to now. In their last two matches they were again pretty solid at the back, and they were also a bit more effective in the midfield as well comparing their earlier matches.
As for prediction; I am expecting a good defensive performance from Xerez, again. Considering the fact that Getafe is also not that reliable, this match may not produce many goals and even the score can be an upset for the hosts. I ‘ll go for an under prediction but if to search for a more valuable pick; a draw worth a try with those odds.
Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Extras
Correct Score | 0-0
Important derby between the rivals Olympiakos and Panathinaikos. Two teams placed in the top; Panathinaikos with 29, Olympiakos with 27 points.
In Greece, derbies mostly end in an under and football wise bit of boring. General view is that we will be watching a same kind which I am not so sure about.
After Zico appointed Olympiakos coach there were some beliefs that he would add a lot more creativity in the team offence. He did a bit but still he can’t beat the general football mentality in the Greek league; first defend.
Olympiakos are in a good position in the Champions League with a big chance to qualify on the last match day. Their coach Zico may not be a very experienced coach but he had an excellent run with Fenerbahce in the Champions League two seasons ago. He know how to prepare his team for big matches and this is one of them.
Panathinaikos on the other hand have been producing some positive results lately. They seem a balanced team with some effective attackers including the Frenchman Cisse. Brazilian Gilberto, midfielders Leto and Katsouranis are doubtful but they are expected to be in the squad, starting lne-up is up to managers decision.
Olympiakos have some important missing before the game. It is reported that Stoltidis will definately miss the game while Torosidis and Galletti are doubtful but expected to be in the squad list.
As for prediction; I think we will see another tactical battle especially in the midfield. Zico’s best skill is to prepare his team for big matches and and get the best out of the team while Panathinaikos is very good at team play with some quality in their offensive line. I will go for a goals prediction and think that this time the derby of Greece will produce some goals with the Zico’s offensive minded approach in such games which will also leave gaps to Panathinaikos attackers.
Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
