Midweek Soccer Analysis For December 13/14
Pinnacle Sports to price Chelsea 1.877 (-1.5) on their Asian Handicap.
Though in public Jose Mourinho has appeared unfazed by the unique position his untouchables find themselves in, he must be secretly contemplating some tough decisions. The Special One has up to now retained faith in striker, Andriy Schevchenko, but the record signing has paradoxically become the club's the weak link, demonstrated with another poor display against Arsenal, where he was replaced by Arjen Robben after 67 minutes.
Mourinho recently said that he has a list of 'untouchable' players, and that Sheva isn't one of them, so he must decide how long the rest of the side can carry the Ukrainian. Though Chelsea have a convincing record against the Geordies - who have lost on their last six visits without even scoring - they cannot afford to drop any more points. It might therefore be the attacking formation that ended the game strongly against Arsenal that starts at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, with the GBP30million man warming the bench.
Newcastle's record away to Chelsea makes sobering reading, and supports Pinnacle Sports's Asian Handicap price of 2.05 (+1.5), but recent results do offer a ray of hope for their supporters. Despite being dogged by a horrendous injury list - ruling out the return of Chelsea rejects, Damien Duff and Scott Parker - the Magpies have won their last three Premiership fixtures and are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions. Nigerian striker, Obafemi Martins, signed for GBP10million from Inter Milan, has shown signs of acclimatising to the Premiership. With three goals in his last two games, his pace will prove a handful for Terry and Carvalho, while Antoine Sibierski has proved a revelation. After his summer move from Manchester City, where he struggled to get a game, the Frenchman has notched six goals from midfield, making him the club's joint top-scorer.
Have Arsenal Turned the Corner?
Though Arsenal's draw at Stamford Bridge extended their win-less away run to four games, Arsene Wenger will have taken a great deal of heart from the manner with which his inexperienced defence rose to the challenge. The Gunners must now translate the intensity of their performance in the London Derby to the JJB Stadium on Wednesday night, where Pinnacle Sports price them slight favourites 1.833 (-0.5) against Wigan 2.1 (+0.5).
Arsenal are one of a handful of sides scrapping for the all important Champions League berths, and must start picking up points on the road or risk missing out on the financially critical European competition next year. The Latics would certainly consider themselves candidates for continental football, as a win here would move them up to ninth. Having previously never met, the sides played each other four times last season, with Arsenal coming out on top on three occasions including both league outings. Arsenal will however, line up without Thierry Henry, Willam Gallas and Tomas Rosicky.
UEFA Cup Group Stages Reach Conclusion
The UEFA Cup group section concludes midweek, and though the fate of all the British clubs is already known - as Rangers, Spurs, Blackburn and Newcastle are all through to the knock-out stage - teams that top their group earn the right to play a third placed qualifying team in the last 32, so there is plenty still at stake. Rovers must avoid defeat at home to Nancy on Wednesday night to qualify in top spot, which is the same position in which Tottenham find themselves, welcoming Dinamo Bucharesti to White Hart Lane on Thursday night.
With both Blackburn and Nancy already through the game at Ewood Park is about finishes top of Group E. Pinnacle Sports rate Rovers slight favourites 2.04 (-0.5), on the strength of their form in this competition rather than the Premiership where they have won just one of their last nine games. The Ligue 1 visitors are priced 1.893 (+0.5) with Pinnacle Sports, but their progress in this competition and the Championnat is founded on home form. Nancy are without a win in eight away games in the French first division, so they could be expected to struggle.
The Lilywhites warmed up for their game against the Romanians with an emphatic 5-1 win at home to Charlton, and though Robbie Keane and Jermaine Jenas are injured, Martin Jol has the services of Dimitar Berbatov, who is currently on fire. Both Spurs and Dinamo are already assured of qualification, but Pinnacle Sports rate the home side 1.877 (-0.5 & -1) while the visitors are 2.05 (+0.5 & +1) on the Asian Handicap.
Elsewhere there are several big clubs fighting for their survival in this competition including PSG, Leverkusen and Feyenoord who must all win to avoid elimination.
