6th-8th Jan: Spanish Cup

[Radoslav]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Poli Ejido v Espanyol @ 3.55 (Betfair) 4pts

Poli Ejido to score v Espanyol @ 1.35 7.5pts
Poli Ejido to score 2 or more v Espanyol @ 3.1 2.5pts (both Sporting Odds)

Two teams with very different momentum here - Poli Ejido 2nd in group 4 of the Segunda B, and have just opened up a 6pt gap over Jaen in 3rd by beating them last weekend. Went through a brief blip at the start of December, losing two in a row (although one was against leaders Cadiz), but they've since bounced back with 2 straight wins either side of the winter break, and those 2 defeats were their only defeats in their last 12.

Espanyol, meanwhile, after winning their first two games of the season, have since won just once in 15 (in the league, although they also beat Celta 3-0 in the Cup).

Poli Ejido have absolutely nothing to fear from this one, having beaten Villarreal 6-1 on aggregate in the previous round, hammering them 5-0 at home and then drawing 1-1 away (and missing a penalty, IIRC).

Ejido have a very strong home record, 7-1-1, and were also reasonably strong at home in the Segunda last season - despite finishing bottom and getting relegated, their home record was still 9-7-5.

Ejido will be missing a couple of defenders, Azcarate and Roberto, plus striker Cañadas, although it seems (although I can't find stats) that only Azcarate is a first teamer. In any case, none of them were available at the weekend against Jaen. Other than that, they're expected to be at full strength. Given that their next league game is just about the best game they could possibly have hoped for - home to rock-bottom Linense (just 1 win in 19 games, and 9 points from safety) - they can afford to concentrate fully on tonight's game.

Espanyol have no such luxury, being in the relegation zone and with a game against another team in the relegation battle, Almeria, at the weekend. As a result they've decided to rest quite a few first teamers - Jarque, Beranger and Sergio (3 of their first choice defence), Coro and Rufete are all rested, while Tamudo, De La Peña and Finnan are injured.

The tie is played over 2 legs, so won't be decided tonight, but I can definitely see Poli Ejido getting themselves an advantage to take back to Barcelona next week.

Great job my friend.thanks for the winners...keep it up

[engineer]

Incredible stuff, RC

[lurieroy]

didn't jump on ejido but great pick any way! took sevila instead!
well done!http://thedailypunt.com/forum/images/smilies/beer.gif

[MicPick]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Thanks Petrous and Bert

Full-time Poli Ejido 3-2 Espanyol, and a profit of around 17pts for the night

Always Coca Cola? No guys always rcgills

Thanks a lot man

[kompressaur]

Your the man for all things Spanish RC. Nice tips as ever

Mallorca is being backed in at most bookmakers. Starting to be odds on with most. 11/10 still available at Ladbrokes and Betfred. Anyone intereste din backign them tonight?

[rcgills]

At the prices available, I think I'd be more tempted (well, in fact, I have been tempted) to take the X2 in that one, Komp. Both sides struggling of late, involved in the relegation battle, and both sides are resting quite a few players.

In terms of motivation, though, I think Almeria probably just shade it - a new manager in Hugo Sanchez, which means the fringe players that get a run out tonight will be thinking that if they put in a good performance they've got the chance to force their way into his plans for the first team.

Have laid Mallorca on Betfair at 2.04 for a liability of 2pts - not one to stake big on, as no result would really surprise me, but close to evens on the double chance looks a pretty decent price.

Wouldn't go near the Osasuna- Bilbao game tonight, not got a clue which way that one will go, really can't see any decent options there.

[bromsgrovegreen]

nice tips rc, wish i had backed it instead of maure!
any thoughts for tonight?

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by bromsgrovegreen

any thoughts for tonight?

Only what I posted above, Bromsgrove

[Ajaxhamburg1887]

Awesome tips rcgills!
But I am an idiot I did not believe you and I did not bet for Ejido..