Champions League 28-29th Sep

[ONEDUNME]

Barca 1-0 down. 38 mins played

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by tee1

A few games caught my eye as follows:

1. Basel at home to Bayern are a big price, bearing in mind Bayern have had an awful start to the season. Basel have had an Ok if unspectacular start, but the odds on a home win look tempting, or possibly a DNB.

2. Shaktar away to Braga also looks a big price. Shaktar top of the league in Ukraine and on a rich vein of form. Braga league form looks Ok, but I am going on how awful they looked against both Celtic and Arsenal.

3.Bursaspor away to Rangers. Bursaspor top of the Turkish league and in great form (apart from the drubbing by Valencia in the CL). Rangers, although in great form on paper are playing in a second rate league. I also think that if Steven Davis does not play (he is doubtful) that they are very beatable at home. This is my pick of the 3 for an away win.

Nice picks mate. One out of two so far so good luck with tonight's. Any idiot can pick Barcalona to win but some actual thought has gone into yours.

Barca 1-1 and unlucky not to bet 2-1 down after the home side hit the post on 87 mins.


RC was right to urge caution.

[7HEGR1MR3AP3R]

Dont want to say I told you so tyke, but I told you ! 1-0 Man Utd

[yorkieacermark2000]

Originally Posted by The Grim Reaper

Dont want to say I told you so tyke, but I told you ! 1-0 Man Utd

You didnt really Grim You actually never said United to win as far as i can see

[SuperTyke]

Originally Posted by The Grim Reaper

Dont want to say I told you so tyke, but I told you ! 1-0 Man Utd

No, fair play, you alluded to the fact that United are consistently great at grinding out wins and did so again last night, whilst, let's face it, looking poor once again. Valencia did nothing of any sorts also. Soldado should've had them in the lead early doors when Van Der Sar misjudged the cross in from the far side and save a few half chances, the game was as drab as I've seen for a while.

The introduction of Hernandez and Macheda seemed to spark United into a little bit of life and Hernandez produced a fine, fine finish to snatch the points.

Valencia lack any sort of cutting edge, and I think I may have to revoke my statement that they could have a productive campaign. Unless they find someone within the ranks who can hit the net, nay, hit the target, then they aren't going to do anything show-stopping.

Cheers,
ST

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by SuperTyke

Valencia lack any sort of cutting edge, and I think I may have to revoke my statement that they could have a productive campaign. Unless they find someone within the ranks who can hit the net, nay, hit the target, then they aren't going to do anything show-stopping.

I know he didn't have the best of games last night, but I still think Soldado is going to prove a very good signing for them. His record compares pretty favourably to David Villa's when he joined Valencia. Villa joined them at 23 having scored 95 goals in 218 games for Sporting Gijon (first team and B team, B teams do play in the professional leagues here though, so still a decent level) and Zaragoza. Soldado is 25 (about 18 months older than Villa when he joined Valencia) and has scored 105 goals in 226 games for Real Madrid (first team and B team), Osasuna and Getafe. He also has a better record at youth international level than Villa had - Villa has only played for Spain at U21 and senior level, and at U21s he didn't score in 7 appearances. Soldado has 6 goals in 9 games at U21 level, plus 20 in 32 at levels below that (all the way down to U15).

It's pushing it to say he'll be the next David Villa, but I certainly think he's got 20+ goals a season in him (he missed a month of last season at Getafe through injury and still scored 16 in 26), and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him overtake the likes of Negredo, Guiza, Llorente, etc. as next in line behind Villa and Torres in the international squad within the next couple of seasons.