Football - Thursday 08.05.08

[fianna]

NEC vs Groningen - NEC

NEC are flying atm, 11 wins in their last 13 games in the league, only suffering defeat once back in mid feb an holding PSV to a draw.

Groningen lost 6 of their last 8 league games, with only 1 win coming at the start of March an a draw at De Graafschap.


In the play offs so far NEC beat Roda both legs without conceding while Groningen got past Utrecht by drawing away then winning the return leg at home!

NEC @ Evens

[hornybaby90]

Tampere Utd v TPS Turku - Tampere Utd WIN @ 2.32 - Betfair

This is the third round of matches in the Finnish Veikkausliiga and my suggestion for the day is Tampere Utd to see off TPS Turku. Tampere won the league last season and have failed to win in the first two matches (1 draw at home and an away loss) but do have the quality in their team to once again challenge for the title. Their opponents TPS have had an indifferent start to the season winning their first game 3-0 before losing in their last game 4-0. On the back of that defeat running into one of the strongest teams in the league is not good news and I expect (all be it early in the season so small stakes) a home win.

Good Luck

Edit: It is a cruel game, TPS Turku equalised in the 88th minute.

[welshie1]

AIK to beat IFK Norrkoping @ 2.1

Its not been a good start for IFK Norrkoping as they are still without a win in the Allsvenskan and I expect that to continue tonight. Norrkoping have played 4 home matches this season, losing 2 and drawing 2 and when they have faced some of the top teams this season they have looked a bit starstruck and given teams too much respect which isnt good. AIK on the other hand are playing some good football now after a slowish start to the season. They have won their last 2 away matches, one in the Cup and one in the league against Gefle and they are a team who Norrkoping will find it hard to score against.

FC Nordsjaelland to beat FC Copenhagen @ 4.5

I watched FC Copenhagen against AC Horsens on Monday and I was very surprised at how poor they played at times. Copenhagen untill this season were the dominant force in Danish football but now they arent feared and teams think that they can beat them. I think Nordsjaelland will take heart from that game as Copengahen were very poor at the back and their Keeper seemed very dodgy to me. Nordsjaelland have won their last 4 home matches and like Horsens on Monday they dont have anything to play for which can help them or go against the. In their last 3 home matches they have scored an unbelievable 11 goals. Copenhagen have lost their last 3 away matches in all competitions and they didnt look convincing enough to me, some players just seem to be past it the likes of Sionko, Gronkjaer and Allback are struggling to show their class. Nordsjaelland have won 2 of their last 3 home meetings with FC Copenhagen and I do think they can win tonight.

Espanyol +0.5 v Atletico Madrid @ 1.82

Espanyol have been inconsistent recently and have gone 3 home matches without a win but they can turn it on if they want to and tonights match could be one they do that. Atletico have struggled on the road recently and have won just 2 of their last 10 away from home in all competitions which is hardly inspiring form. They know this is a potentially tricky match and they have struggled when having to play the teams lower down in the league. Espanyol have won their last 3 meetings with Atletico all 2-1 wins, and have also won 3 of the last 4 meetings in Barcelona which sets them up well heading in to this one.
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[pjbrowne]

Just saw the Espanyol line up, they are without Jarque, de la pena, captain Tamudo and Hurtado all key players. Atletico need the win to move back into champions league places. With virtually a full strength team they look a value bet at 11/10