Oracle of DelphiUEFA Cup , March 15
March 15th 2007 01:26
Shakhtar – Sevilla
Shakhtar made good result in first leg. Sevilla have scored first , but then with two goals Shakhtar bounced back. Two minutes before end , Sevilla leveled game from penalty spot. Shakhtar showed good performances and played at least at same level like Sevilla. They are favorites to advance to next stage , but we must have on mind good Sevilla’s performances lately. Shakhtar have two important missing today. Striker Brandao is suspended as well as influent midfielder Darijo Srna. Brandao will have adequate replacement in Romanian striker Marica , but Srna is really big blow for home side. Also , previously suspended Lewandowski and Kucher will be in squad for this match.
Sevilla have played first match without best striker Kanoute as coach Ramos decided to rest him. I expect him today in team in this important moment for guests. However, Renato, David Castedo, Kerzhakow and Navas will not be in squad. I think Sevilla have enough strength to win this one and I will go for Sevilla AH 0 (1.75 @ interwetten) .
AZ – Newcastle
AZ conceded 3 fast goals in first match and they could be satisfied with final 4:2. AZ is well known team in European competitions, They play full attack football , but often they know to sleep in defense. If they can improve their defensive performances I believe they could eliminate Newcastle. Certainly, they will be strongly motivated and I think they could win today. They will be without (usual) players GK Didulica, Da Silva, Schaars, Sinouk, and Cziommer.
Newcastle had rest for the weekend as they didn’t have any match on schedule. They are good team , but I think they will meet very hard opponent in Alkmaar. They probably could play even better but during whole season they had lot of injured players. Some of them like Carr and Emre are back in squad , while Craig Moore, Celestine Babayaro ,Peter Ramage, Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi are still injured. Also, Onyewu is cup-tied and he will not play too.
I think AZ could win this match , but much more safer looks over 2.5 goals. (1.65 @ interwetten).
Benfica – PSG
PSG have won first leg match 2:1. Both teams performed well and draw woudn’t be undeserved. In my opinion Benfica is best bet today. They are very strong team , with great defense and good strikers abilities. Benfica is especially strong at home ground and it’s kinda normal to expect their return win today. Benfica could have possible problems in defense as two regulars Silva Quim and Luisao are missing , but I think they have enough good players for their replacement. Also Rui Costa will not play , but he was absent in the firs leg too.
PSG is very poor this season and it’s mystery for me how they play in Round of 16. They are just above last team in France 1 and they are in serious danger from relegation. That’s why I think they are not too interested in this match. But , even they want to play with full strength I think they have lack of quality compared to Benfica. They have long injured Yapes and Clement. Also Rodriguez will not play.
Call it revenge or whatever you like , but Benfica just must win today. Benfica AH -0.75 , (1.80 @ bet365).
Espanyol – Maccabi Haifa
Espanyol did half of job in first match. After 0:0 in Tel-Aviv they have all rights to believe to success at home. Espanyol perform good this season and they are one of the best teams in UEFA Cup. Before last match they had 7 wins in a row and they’ve won against many better teams than Maccabi. On first match they’ve played without first choice goalkeeper Kameni and captain Tamudo , but today they will help to make quarter-finals for Espanyol. They don’t have any injured or suspended player and I believe they will win against Maccabi.
Maccabi is not great team , they didn’t win in domestic championship for a long time and against Espanyol they have slight chances. Maccabi will be without two regular midfielders Dirceu Xavir and Abas Suan who got yellow cards in first leg and for today they are suspended. Definitely, not good situation for visitors. So, Espanyol to win . ( 1.45 @ 5dimes)
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Charles.
Comment by Daressi
For my bet 2:1 would be just perfect