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
There will be single game played in the Turkish Super League today and it is between the yellow canaries Fenerbahce and Kasimpasa.
Fenerbahce are satying at top and feeling better as their rivals Galatasaray dropped points yesterday, that match was also mentioned in the prediction here. This without a doubt helped the team to recover their morale after a lost on the last match day.
Kasimpasa were named a relegation candidate in the pre season previews but they have been producing some good results lately. They do not have too much quality in the squad but the players seemed to put their hearts out on the pitch. Their last matchday win against Trabzonspor was something to be underlined. Kasimpasa have some effective attackers such as Andre Moritz, Azar Karadas and Gokhan Gulec and these players can produce lot on their good day.
Fenerbahce will be without Colin Kazim-Richards due to suspension and Emre Belozoglu due to injury. Kazim-Richards absence is something that the team can handle but Emre loss is really something and it will definately effect their performance.
There is one thing that has to be underlined; this game will be played without fans as Fenerbahce had a fan suspension and we all know how effective Fenerbahce with fan support behind them. In this match, they have to do without them.
As for the prediction; I think this match will not be a walk on the park for Fenerbahce. There is for sure a quality difference but the missing of Emre Belozoglu and the fan ban Fenerbahce has will make it even harder for them. Therefore I will go for a goals prediction here as I expect Fenerbahce to play a more attacking style after their rivals dropped points yesterday, plus Kasimpasa also has some effective attackers and they will definately have some occasions in the match.
Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
Extras
Fenerbahce | Win
Another important game of the matchday between the two-headed eagle of the south; AEK and two-headed eagle of the North; PAOK.
AEK have been quite disappointing this season. The financial crisis effects the club too much and as the likely consequance; a play-off spot for European Cups is the last realistic aim left and even for that they have a mountain to climb under these circumstances.
PAOK on the other hand are flying high in the standings sitting on the 3rd place and have been playing some good football recently. They have lost only twice in the league and they were narrow 2-1 defeats against Panathinaikos and Olympiakos.
Despite the all negativeness around the AEK, they still have some good points on the pitch. Scoco and Blanco are always dangerous plus the team seemed to have the upper hand in producing goals from set pieces. The bad news for the line-up is they will be missing their important attacker Nemeth in this match.
This one has to be mentioned as well; There will be no away fans allowed for this game according to the rule in the derby matches in the Greek 1st League.
As for the prediction; I am expecting a good performance from PAOK here. This is a good chance for them to win against a rival this season after loosing to Olympiakos and Panathinaikos narrowly. They probably won’t catch AEK in this situation anytime soon. Besides all the facts about AEK’s being in a bad situation; PAOK are in a great shape and they are more than capable of getting a result against any team in any situation this year. I’ll go for a double chance in favor of PAOK.
Prediction
PAOK | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | PAOK at FT
One of the most important matches of the matchday and it is a derby between the red-blues Genoa and blue-ringed Sampdoria.
Genoa are coming from a defeat at Livorno on the last matchday and struggling at the moment. They had some big problems in the team defence and having hard times to keep it together when the things go wrong. These critisims are fair because they have the potential to do a lot better job and they had examples of such games in this season. The thing is; they are not consistent and reliable, at all.
Sampdoria on the other hand are coming from a Chievo win which could have easily gone to the opponents side in another day. The fair outcome should have been something other than a Sampdoria win if to put it straight. Still, they won and winning has always a good effect on the team morale, especially if you are coming from a three-match run without a win and especially without producing any positive approach to the matches.
Genoa will be without Mesta due to suspension while Sampdoria will miss Tissone due to injury. Comparing the missing lists of both teams; Genoa are the side who will suffer more as Mesta is quite an important player for them.
As for prediction; I expect a close game here and unlikely the general view; I am expecting some goals. Genoa’s poor defence and Sampdoria’s fit attackers plus the derby fever can easily produce some goals. If to go for a result prediction; my vote would go to a double chance in favor of Sampdoria.
Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
Extras
Sampdoria | X2 Double Chance
VFL Bochum – FC Koln | Prediction: 1X Double Chance Result: 0-0
Bursaspor – Galatasaray | Prediction: Under 2,5 Result: 1-0
Bursaspor have been performing above the expectations this season and flying high in the standings while Galatasaray are in the title race with their arch rivals Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
Bursaspor as mentioned above are doing pretty well staying on the 4th place in the standings. They seemed to build a balanced and a physically strong team which fits the Turkish Super League.
Galatasaray on the other hand have an offensively powerful squad which lacks quality in defenders and reliable central midfielders. They pay the price against well balanced teams with pacey and quality strikers but in general having an offensive mentality pays back against teams who play defensively with less counter attack ability; which there are more than few in the Turkish league. But up to now, Bursaspor seemed they are not one of those kinds and might cause some trouble to offensively oriented teams.
Bursaspor might be without their talented youngster Sercan Yildirim but they were doing well without him in most of the matches, anyway. (Edit on 18:40 – Sercan Yildirim might be playing.) (Edit on 18:51 – Sercan Yildirim will be on the pitch). By the way, the solid Romanian midfielder Kirita had a good come back to the team with scoring a goal on the last matchday and he will add strength to the midfield.
Galatasaray will welcome flu diagnosed Arda and suspended Keita back in the team; up to manager’s decision. This duo will add more quality to the offensive strength of the team but will lower the resistance in the midfield while it was below average, anyway. Long term injured Milan Baros will not be in the squad.
Bursaspor have a good fan support at home games, and they have been playing an important role in the teams good performance up to now. They will be one of the key factors in this match, no doubt.
As for the prediction; This will be a match between a well balanced team and an offensively oriented team. In these kind of matches when the balanced team are the hosts; it sounds reasonable to back them to cope with their opponents with the help of the home fans and the home pitch. I think there is a value on backing the home side in this one, too, but it would be wiser to go for goals prediction rather than result here. I think Bursaspor will have what it takes to cope with the offensive strength Galatasaray has and even if they lose it should be a narrow one.
Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Extras
Draw at HT | Draw at FT
VFL Bochum is coming from an impressive away win against Hamburg while 1.FC Köln is coming from an upsetting home loss against Hoffenheim. Two teams are in a different type of mood before this match and the one on good form generally are favourites but there should be other reasons to have a reliable prediction. Let’s see if there are any…
1.FC Köln have been trying to cope with some inside problems. Recently Novakovic was dropped from the captain status because of the clash with the manager. There are also some reports pointing that the players are not comfortable with the tactical approach applied by the manager.
VFL Bochum on the other hand are pretty in a good mood with high morale. They have actually one of the weakest squads in the league but they seemed to sort things out and create a team at least fighting on the pitch out of it. The bad news from their side is the World Cup Play-Off heroes Slovenia attacker Zlatko Dedic was diagnoed by flu and reported to be out for this match. The other World Cup Play-Off heroes Algeria defender Yahia will miss this match due to injury, too.
1.FC Köln will be without star player Podolski through suspension while Novakovic might face a drop from the starting line-up; up to managers decision. Team has already a bad reputation with its defensive approach to the games and without creative attackers it makes it even worse from that point of view.
As for the prediction; I expect a solid performance from VFL Bochum even they have a arguable lower squad quality. Few of their players are in a good shape and a 1.FC Köln in crisis can be a good opportunity for them to produce something. The only concern here is as mentioned VFL Bochum have a squad that is below the league standards plus some missings for this match due to injuries makes it hard to rely on them even against struggling opponents. Therefore, I ‘ll go for a double chance in favor of VFL Bochum to cover the risk.
Prediction
VFL Bochum | 1X Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | VFL Bochum at FT
Bordeaux are staying on the top of the group. They are performing well over the expectations and enjoying their lead.
Juventus on the other hand have been in a good shape recently except the last matchday that they played Udinese. They struggled to open the lock and seemed ineffective, although Udinese’s tough defense has to be underlined here.
Bordeaux in this match will probably be without creative attacking midfielder Gourcuff and the attacker Chamakh as they are doubtful. Without this duo Bordeaux’ offensive power would suddenly down to a mediocre quality.
Juventus on the other hand are nearly full squad and Del Piero might find a place on the pitch for this game.
Both teams are looking to advance and they won’t risk to lose a game before the last matchday. Therefore I expect both teams to play a cautious style from the beginning. Bordeaux anyway will be OK with a draw in this match while their best players are named doubtful. Even if they manage to play it is hard to expect a top performance from them. As for the prediction; I’ll go for a double chance in favor of Juventus.
Prediction
Juventus | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Goals | Under 2,5
Draw at HT | Juventus at FT
