Switzerland (19-21 Aug 06)

[meatman]

Saturday 19 August 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
FC Zürich v Grasshoppers (16:45 BST)	2.37	3.40	3.55	100%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreFirst Team to ScoreHalf-time Correct ScoreHalf-time ResultHandicap ResultLast Team to ScoreOdd or Even TotalOver/Under
Luzern v Schaffhausen (16:45 BST)	2.08	3.40	3.80	104%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreFirst Team to ScoreHalf-time Correct ScoreHalf-time ResultHandicap ResultLast Team to ScoreOdd or Even TotalOver/Under
Sunday 20 August 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Aarau v Young Boys (15:00 BST)	3.55	3.40	2.25	103%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreFirst Team to ScoreHalf-time Correct ScoreHalf-time ResultHandicap ResultLast Team to ScoreOdd or Even TotalOver/Under
Sion v Basel (15:00 BST)	3.50	3.45	2.25	103%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreCornersCorners 1st HalfFirst Corner TeamFirst Goal TimeFirst Team to ScoreHalf with Most GoalsHalf-time Correct ScoreHalf-time ResultHandicap ResultLast Team to ScoreOdd or Even TotalOver/Under
Monday 21 August 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Thun v St Gallen (18:45 BST)	2.10	3.25	3.50	107%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreFirst Team to ScoreHalf-time Correct ScoreHalf-time ResultHandicap ResultLast Team to ScoreOdd or Even TotalOver/Under

[libi71]

Challenge League

Thursday 17 August 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Juventus Zurich v Concordia (18:45 BST)	3.00	3.40	2.40	105%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreHalf-time Correct ScoreOver/Under
Saturday 19 August 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
FC Vaduz v FC Locarno (16:30 BST)	1.55	3.55	7.00	107%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
FC Wil v FC Chiasso (16:30 BST)	2.30	3.20	3.00	109%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
FC Wohlen v FC Baulmes (16:30 BST)	1.95	3.25	3.75	109%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
AC Lugano v Yverdon Sport (18:30 BST)	2.30	3.20	2.90	110%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
Bellinzona v FC Winterthur (18:30 BST)	1.90	3.25	3.75	111%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
Chaux-de-Fonds v SC Kriens (18:30 BST)	3.10	3.15	2.40	106%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
Servette v Lausanne (18:30 BST)	2.45	3.15	2.70	110%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time
Sunday 20 August 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
SR Delemont v Neuchatel Xamax (13:30 BST)	4.70	3.35	1.70	110%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time

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[888]

Just early thought libi, what u think this week of laying Zurich ?

Coz seems they are in a lot of trouble lately with unsettled players. And it is evident costly in their last match. But ofc I don't know too much about Swiss league, so any news on them so far ? Have they settled now ? Or the problem is still going on ?

[libi71]

Well, for the moment, it seems to be quiet. Zurich has signed Alain Rochat to come back from France. He is a talented young defender, but will probably need some time to get to speed again. Despite the quietness, I fully expect at least one more player to leave before end of August.
Zurich will certainly be stronger than last week, with Rafael and Tihinen returning to the squad.
GC are very good at the moment, which would be another reason to oppose Zurich. As a caveat, this is an inner-city derby and therefore is somewhat out of the ordinary. Odds on Zurich are on the high side, because it is a perfectly open match, so there should be some value opposing them.

[Kaiser]

What about Concordia Basel in Juventus Zürich today??? Looks like away win. Any oppinion, libi71???

[libi71]

Originally Posted by Kaiser

What about Concordia Basel in Juventus Zürich today??? Looks like away win. Any oppinion, libi71???

sorry, saw this one too late.
Been thinking about it, but refrained from taking it, because
a) Juventus have only lost to Xamax
b) Concordia is a very young team with lots of potential
c) there was only AH -0.25 available, would have taken an AH (0)

[libi71]

Early thoughts on the CL:
- as usual one can risk a punt on the two league favourites, Xamax and Vaduz. Odds are shortening on them, I still do think that there might be some value (Xamax AH -0.5@1.7, Vaduz AH -1 @1.85)
- Kriens looks for me the bet of the round, with an astonishing AH (0) @1.975
- not touching Servette-Lausanne, the so called Leman derby. Lausanne should be better, but this one is too hard to tell
- Lugano AH -0.25@1.95 might be another possibility, Lugano with the better start to the season than Yverdon

My bets, if any, tomorrow.

[libi71]

Early thoughts on SL:
- Zurich could be opposed, GC with AH +0.25 looks interesting
- Can Lucerne repeat the home win vs Aarau now against Schaffhausen? @1.95 this looks value to me
- not clear about the other matches, YB could be worth a punt. Can St. Gallen repeat home wins now away, missing Gelabert? Thun beaten badly last week, will they bounce back?

Preview and bets tomorrow as always.

[libi71]

Challenge League:
as commented earlier, I like favourites Vaduz, Xamax and surprise leader Kriens, who are 4/4. All face weak opposition with Locarno (13), Delemont (15) and Chaux-de-Fonds (18) respectively. While Locarno and Delemont had been expected at the bottom, Chaux-de-Fonds comes as a surprise, therefore the generous odds on Kriens.
I have taken Vaduz only straight win, as they will play UEFA-Cup coming week; last time, they went to loose their match before UEFA-Cup, so I am a bit more careful there.

2/10 Vaduz @1.57 (Bet365)
3/10 Kriens AH (0) @2.0 (Bet365)
3/10 Xamax AH -0.5 @1.7 (Bet365)

[libi71]

Luzern - Schaffhausen (no matches last season)
Missing: Mehmeti;

Lucerne come from loosing 2-0 at GC last week, but had their first win of the season a week earlier, at home against Aarau.
Lucerne does play decent football and young GK Zibung has surprised so far. What is breaking there neck against the bigger teams is the lack of concentration in the back.
Against Aarau, they went 1-0 down as well, but then where helped by a stupid foul, giving them the equaliser through penalty. Cantaluppi and Mettomo are definately good players, but offense has still to prove it can strike regularly at this level (Tchouga, N'Tiamoah).

Schaffhausen have their worst season since being promoted couple of years back. They are last, with only a draw in their oppening match to their name. Last week, they even last (deservedly) against Aarau at home. From the away strength that saved them last season, not a lot seems to be left. They have just scored once this season (as well in the opener) through a dubious penalty, so offense is nearly inexistant.

Lucerne will need to win this kind of matches to stay up and they proved against Aarau, that they can do so at least at home. Their defensive problems should not weigh so hard against a really harmless Schaffhausen, so I am willing to risk some money on them.

3/10 AH -0.5 Lucerne @1.975 (Bet365)

[libi71]

Zürich - GC (4:2, 0:1, 0:0, 2:0)
Missing: Schneider, Rochat; Denicolà

Zurich lost its first match after 28 undefeated ones last weekend to St. Gallen, despite the opponents having to play with 10 men for more than one half-time. They will welcome back central defender Tihinen and attacker Rafael, but they will still miss gone Keita and additionally captain Schneider, which weakens their defense. Cesar might not start as well.
Their bench is way to thin, which was shown last weekend. They showed a very good match though the week before against YB, so they can still look good against everybody.

GC is the team at the moment, unbeaten in the league and Intertoto and UEFA-Cup this season. They come from a very good away win at Basel and a comfortable win at home against Lucerne, where they showed some lack of concentration in the 2nd half, giving Lucerne too many chances. The team is complete, except for Denicola and all new transfers have been integrated well and perform above expectation.
They proved their ability to score and overcome big opposition (like Basel).

This is a derby and funny enough, it will be played in GC's stadium with Zurich as home team, creating a lot of frustration among the fans (who have to switch sides).
GC have impressed me more this season than Zurich (despite their good start) and I think they want the win more eagerly than Zurich. But, it is a derby with a lot of emotion, so I am playing it low

2/10 AH +0.25 GC @2.025 (Bet365)

[libi71]

rest of SL previews tomorrow, with Thun - St. Gallen only played on Monday.
At the moment, I do think I will give the rest of the matches a miss, don't really like the look of any of it.

[davidmphill]

Nice work as ever libi, good luck with the picks.

[888]

yeah I'm jumping on anti Zurich as well tonight, lets see if they can get their old form back or not.

[libi71]

not a good start for once, 0 from 3, all lacking just one goal.
Vaduz proved to be f...cking w... again, drawing 2-2 against poor Locarno, can't believe it

[aircooled]

libi today was a surprising day, didnt expect Zurich to do so well given their current situation, feel gutted i wasnt on them bcoz we'll never see odds like that ever again for a Zurich home win!
i fancy Basel tomorrow for a win at Sion, do you have any major team news for them?
fancy the win but might go for some cover with the draw

[libi71]

Originally Posted by aircooled

libi today was a surprising day, didnt expect Zurich to do so well given their current situation, feel gutted i wasnt on them bcoz we'll never see odds like that ever again for a Zurich home win!
i fancy Basel tomorrow for a win at Sion, do you have any major team news for them?
fancy the win but might go for some cover with the draw

bad day just getting worse, Kriens loosing 3-0 against last placed Chaux-de-Fonds - aaarghhhh

No major team news for Sion - Basel. Ba for Basel cannot play, as well as the long-term injured ones, major player missing for Sion is Chihab.
I am a bit reluctant to go for Basel. Sion are strong at home and Basel has not shown a lot of strenght abroad this season.

Will look into it in more detail tomorrow.

[meatman]

not the best of days in switzerland

head up though Libi you will hit back matey

[libi71]

After looking through all information, yesterday does not look so bad. The punts on Kriens and Lucerne were correct, both teams dominated their opponents neatly and should have gotten the wins.
Zurich has obviously come back nicely from the little dip and GC has shown that the young team is still lacking consistence.

[libi71]

Aarau - Young Boys (0:0, 1:0, 1:2, 1:5)
Missing: Berisha, Bieli, Carlos; Yakin
Doubtful: Burki; -

Aarau has had a difficult start to the season. Their only win comes from last week vs Schaffhausen. Against stronger opponents (Zurich, Sion), they have lost clearly.
Weakness is still defense, even though Carreno will give them more stability again. Attack and especially midfield seem to be vastly improved this year, even though they have managed only four goals this season.

YB has not convinced as of yet. They come from a good win against Sion, but had mixed results before. The team has certainly loads of potential, but still needs some time to click.

YB is certainly the vastly superior team, but as stated before, have not convinced as of yet. Away from home they have only one 0-0 draw against Thun and lowly Lucerne was beaten at home only 3-2. YB's offense should be too much for Aarau's defense and their midfield should be able to control the match. I will put small stakes on YB here.

2/10 AH -0.25 YB @1.8 (Bet365)