Friday Friendly Fixtures

[A.M.P]

O.K, I'll might just join in with the madness...

For whatever reason my team (Bristol City) in their infinite wisdom have decided to play 2 friendlies on Saturday at 3 o'clock - Away to both Hereford and Clevedon.

If this isn't bad enough due to injuries and such manager Tinnion has only 16 outfield players to choose from. Star-Striker Lita will not be available for selection as he is negotiating his transfer.

Tinnion says he's probably going to play a lot of academy kids. Also we have no cover for goalkeeper Steve Phillips at the moment. Tinnion has mentioned that he could go for a triallist gk and an academy gk....

Unfortuantely I can't see either fixtures on Betfair but Skybet price Hereford up at 11/4 :yikes so I'm going to have a small flutter now and keep my eye to the screen for further news - especially from the Hereford camp...

AMP

[crowie]

Schalke v Fulham has a bit of interest for me.

Schalke's first competitive game is only 2 weeks away, the semi final of the German League Cup v either Werder or Leverkusen.

They have already had one friendly, from what I could find, with a 2-0 win over SW Essen. Ailton and Lincoln the goal scorers so it was obviously first team players at least getting some match practice.

They are in a training camp this week and injury doubts Lincoln and Bordon have trained.

Fulhams first competitive game is a month away on 13th August v Birmingham. They have played one friendly this season, a 0-0 draw on Monday with St Andrae, who from what I can find, are an Austrian regional league team.

Report HERE

Seems Fulham had a strongish side out, were unlucky on a few occasions but also needed their new Czech keeper to bail them out on one occasion. The friendly was originally due to be played on Friday but a water logged pitch meant it was knocked back and instead played on Monday.

IMO I would have expected a Fulham side of the strength listed to be able to take care of a lower league Austrian side even in a low key pre-season friendly.

The 1.57 at Bet365 wasn't the most appealing but the 1.75 at Globet is. Basically I am thinking that a Schalke side, second in the Bundesliga last year and with a competitive game 2 weeks before Fulham should hopefully have the edge in fitness and will definataly have the edge in quality of players.

The other thing to note about this game is it is not being played at Schalke's home ground, instead its at Stadium Franz Fekete, I would assume near both Schalke and Fulhams training camps.

With it being a pre-season stakes are low but will be having 2pts on Schalke at Globets 1.75.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

I had thought about this game at first glance Crowie.

They are a top side and should dispose of Fulham quite easily. Only problem, as with all friendlies is what side they end up putting out and if they stick to it and dont make wholesale changes at HT or whenever.

Does anyone know of any links where we can get starting line ups before the match begins?

I dont imagine there to be one but it would help a lot of we could find one.

[fasteddy]

Schalke : Ailton won't be playing as he's picked up a groin strain.

Fulham: on another topic entirely..strike me as a side that look great value for relegation at odds of around 4/1 this season.

In a friendly like this I can't imagine that they will be going all out 'physically' so with it being a more ' skill vs skill 'match I'd say that they would have a better shout than if it was really competitive.

Obviously Schalke are the superior side, but if Boa Morte and Malbranque are still trying to catch a bigger club's eye, then they will use these opportunities to do it.
I can see a bigger effort from the Cottagers , as a win here will give them a boost.

I don't care what anyone says about 'games that mean nothing'...nobody likes to lose...doesn't matter what the fcuk you're playing ...when you have competitive personalities involved all that matters is WINNING

[crowie]

3-2 Schalke at FT.

Fulham fielded a virtual reserve side in first half and were 3 down before HT. A few more well known names appeared in the 2nd half but they couldn't get a 3rd goal back.

Match report HERE

Eddy, I think Boa Morte is in some sort of dispute with the club. I read today that he is trying to regain fitness in Portugal and training with a club across there. Why he couldn't do that with Fulham I don't know.

Hindsight is always great but that 1.75 was big in relation to Fulhams first half side. Still it was a friendly and therefore its always wise to keep stakes limited.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Didn't end up betting on the game but well done Crowie.

The dangers were there like i mentioned about the changes at HT. Think im just going to avoid it for future unless i 100% confident.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Like the look of West Brom to do the business. They have won their 2 previous matches so far 1-0 and 10-0. They have been fielding very strong sides and i see no different for this match.

What is the Man City line ups been looking like so far? I know there is a couple of Man City fans that could maybe help me out as that 4/1 on Tranmere looks big - they have a good cup record against the big teams and should be up for this.

[Beanie]

Nothing better to do today, so I'll try and do some research and rustle up some previews this afternoon.

[Beanie]

Well I would if I could find any sort of decent info whatsoever.

Might only really be Killie - Southampton we can get a really good feel for.

Not sure about West Brom Kiko - They only beat MK 1-0, with Darren Purse getting injured, and Crewe look a better side than the Dons. Just signed the prolific Ugarte I think as well.

[kompressaur]

FRIEND: FT Shrewsbury 1-0 Stoke

FRIEND: FT Tranmere 1-0 Man City

FRIEND: FT St Albans 0-0 Brighton

FRIEND: FT Kilmarnock 2-3 Southampton

FRIEND: FT Kilmarnock 1-3 Southampton

FRIEND: FT Mickleover Sports 0-2 Burton Albion

[kompressaur]

FRIEND: FT Wycombe 1-0 Wolverhampton

FRIEND: FT Dag & Red 1-2 Hull

FRIEND: FT Crewe 3-0 West Brom

[kompressaur]

[Beanie]

Cheeky wee win on Southampton there Komp, nice one

[kompressaur]

Cheers Beanie. The wee 4/1 on Tranmere was just as sweet.