UEFA Cup 06/05

Odds form bet365:

6 May-20:00 Marseille v Newcastle 2.00 3.20 3.75
6 May-20:45 Valencia v Villarreal 1.57 3.50 6.50

I would luv to see Newcastle get a result in this one but I just can't see it happening.

Watched the 1st leg and without the pace of Bellamy, Dyor & co they looked a very ordinary side that night. Ameobi tried his best and had one or two half chances but sometimes there the chances you have to take.

I think the best thing is to wait for team news but if its a similar side to the 1st leg I'm going to leave this one alone. Infact I'd be tempted to take Marseille but I won't because I don't want them to win.

Under 2.5 goals has to be the shout with Newcastle's game. Marseille will either win it 1-0 or it'll go into injury time.

I'll be interesting to see if any players are returning from injury.

ok, from what i hear from some spanish friends of mine, it seems there are rumours in Spain that Valencia and Villareal made a deal. Valencia is going for the spanish championship and are facing Villareal the 16th of May. They are being trailed by Real Madrid and Barca. Real has two home games left and one away to Murcia, so probably they get the 9 points. The same goes for Barca.

Rumour is Valencia have arranged with Villareal that Villareal could go through to the final of the uefa-cup while Valencia will get the three points in the competition.

Take if for what you want, but I'm having a small wager in Villareal tomorrow.

I've read some horse-shit on this site (in fact I've posted quite a bit of it myself ) but that's got to big the biggest load I've read so far.

A team who's favourites for the 2nd biggest club competition in Europe would give it up on the promise of a return favour which MAY win them the league.



As it happens, I'll be betting for Villareal to go through anyway but not on this information but because I've seen them play some decent football and feel that they can score one goal against a team with one eye on the League, which can put them through.


Thanks anyway

[bagehot]

I have to agree with that, I've dismissed match-fixing rumours in the First Division in Portugal in the past few weeks and I have to reinforce that position regarding Spain. Incidentally I'm not having a bet on the match, suspect Villareal will threaten but expect Valencia to come through in the end. It's about time they won a European competition after all...

[Tulenos]

These rumours are probably those typical wishes of punters and claiming they have to do it this way. That said, there is not that much between the teams as the odds suggest. Odds for the home team are nearly @ 50 per cent of the odds for Marseille - team in the very same situation after they registered an identical result in the first leg.

Newcastle without Jenas, Dyer, Woodgate, Bellamy

Can only see one winner here. Two English clubs going out at the semis in successive days

Marseille v Newcastle
Newcastle have been handed a boost with midfielder Lee Bowyer shrugging off a hamstring injury.
That is some compensation for Robson who is without Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Andy Griffin, Jonathan Woodgate and Jermaine Jenas.
Marseille are confident French international striker Steve Marlet will recover from a back injury.
Senegal defender Habib Beye is undergoing intensive treatment on a twisted ankle to be fit.
Bowyer has not played in Europe since December 2002 because of suspension and injury.
Magpies central defender Steve Caldwell was also drafted in after being recalled from his loan spell at relegated Leeds.
Laurent Robert is expected to recover from a dead leg as Newcastle look to end a 35-year wait for a major trophy.
Marlet missed the first leg for the French club but could return to form a formidable strike force with Didier Drogba.
Drogba was named French Footballer of the Year and is keen to get the former Fulham striker alongside him.
"It would be great if Steve were back up front with me because we've missed him a lot," said Drogba.
"He was not in Newcastle with us and that was a handicap because he brings a lot of speed and consistency to our game.
"We also get on really well on the pitch. Steve is a very talented and intelligent player," he added.

Newcastle: (from) Given, Harper, Caig, Hughes, Bernard, Taylor, Elliott, O'Brien, Bramble, S Caldwell, Speed, Robert, Viana, Ambrose, Bowyer, Orr, Brittain, Shearer, Ameobi, Bridges, Chopra.

Newcastle should be taking a similar approach to todays'
match as they did the first clash between these two,
which netted them a 0-0 draw. Newcastle is still riddled
with injuries, and must put forth a conservative game plan
if they want any shot of moving to the UEFA Final to face
Spanish side, Villareal, or Valencia.

One could field a nice team with Newcastle's injured players.
The following players will be sidelined for todays match....
Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer, Andy Griffin, star defender Jonathan Woodgate,
and most importantly, Craig Bellamy who has scored 5 goals
in UEFA play, is still sidelined with a hamstring tear. Midfielder
Lee Bowyer should return from a hamstring injury, but may be
playing at less than 100% fit.

Getting Marlet back is huge for Marseille. Combine this with their strong defense, giving up only 2 goals in 7 UEFA Fixtures, and the plethora of injuries on the Newcastle side, I am making the following recommendations:

MARSEILLE TO QUALIFY FOR FINAL -137 (CanBet) (2 UNITS)

UNDER 2 1/2 Goals -151 (Olympic) (1 UNIT)

enjoy.

What a goal by Drogba?

This is definitely one of the best goals this season,if not the best!

On a season where I have made very few football bets, this was a nice touch.:b