Saturday, February 27, 2010

SATURDAY ..............



EPL: CHELSEA- MANCHESTER CITY
CHAMP: READING - SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
CHAMP: LEICESTER CITY- NOTTINGHAM FOREST
DIV 1: BRISTOL ROVERS - COLCHESTER UNITED
BSP: CRAWLEY TOWN- LUTON TOWN

Despite their dismal showing against Liverpool last weekend, I still feel City match up better against the stronger EPL sides and at the moment, I am happy to switch Adebayor for Tevez, as the diminutive Argentine will certain up the energy levels and he has scored in his last three starts against the London side. Defensively, Chelsea look a little fragile and will be without both Cech and Cole and led by a clearly out of sorts and distracted John Terry. City do not play again for 15 days, so I expect a very committed showing from them today.

Manchester City + 1.25 1.95 IBC

Something of a six pointer in the Reading game, with both sides currently sitting just outside the drop zone. Wednesday should come into this much the fresher of the two, having had a full week to mull over consecutive home losses, results which have put them back in the relegation mire, after a series of improved performances look to have had them heading for the promised land of lower mid table !

Reading played a full blooded 120 minute cup tie at WBA in midweek, which they eventually won by the odd goal in five, they are bound to be a little drained after that and will surely have one eye on their quarter final with Aston Villa next week, the first time in 83 years they have reached the last eight. Having said that, the goals are flowing for them at both ends of the pitch and this could also develope into a shootout, especially if , as I expect, the home side tire late in the game.

"over" 2.5 goals 2.11 Sbobet.

Leicester have stepped up their game recently and victory over their near neighbours could take them to within two points of second spot, with a game in hand. They will certainly be out for revenge after a 5-1 thumping at the City Ground in the reverse fixture, that beating has not been forgotten by the City players, who are said to have been very focused this week in training and come here on a seven match unbeaten run and buoyed by a very solid win at Doncaster in midweek. For Forest the goals have dried up and they were fortunate and created little in a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in midweek, that is just 4 goals in six starts and it is clear their performance levels have dropped considerably. City off level ball looks a good shout.

Leicester City level ball 1.90 Sbobet.

A recent win over Charlton aside, Rovers have had a tough time of things, both injury and results wise, they were expected to struggle this season after finances forced them to sell Rickie Lambert, but started the season on fire, but performances have tailed off and they are now finding their true level, which is basically mid table. They been out battled in several recent outings and a visit by the massive and very physical United side, is probably the last thing they need at present. Colchester are a team of giants, probably the biggest in the FL and they take few prisoners, if Rovers go with Kuffour and Heffernanup front, they are only going to be able to play one way and that seems unlikely to work. Kuffour is a player I know well, he is a decent Div 2 player, but not quite up to this level, like his team, he over performed early season.Three key players back for the U's and a real chance to put some pressure on the top two, who both face tricky road games.

Colchester United -0.25 2.14 IBC.

Luton are struggling a bit on home soil, although quite how they lost to Wimbledon in midweek remains a mystery, as they were by far the superior team and completely dominated proceedings, but look very solid on the road, where they have not lost in five months, or even conceeded a goal in 2010.They have terrific quality for this level and at least half, probably more of their squad, are of league level.Crawley were in a decent run of form, albeit mostly against struggling sides, before losing to Wrexham last time out, the goals are starting to dry up and I think star playerCharles Ademeno,is finally starting to get distracted by all these transfer rumours, he will be subject to a late fitness test.

Luton Town -0.25 2.11 IBC.

Just basic notes about the above games, which I wrote last night . Some pitches are going to very heavy today, the surface at Griffin Park, which has been poor for months now, is very wet and despite the best efforts of the groundstaff, is still subject to a second inspection at 12.30..... update, they didn't wait that long............. match off !
Good Luck.

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