UPDATE 2-Soccer-Real and Barca all square after Cup first leg

* Fabregas fires Barca ahead at the Bernabeu

* Superb Varane nods late equaliser for Real

* Barca host arch-rivals in second leg next month (Adds Karanka quotes)

MADRID, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Cesc Fabregas struck what may prove a priceless away goal as holders Barcelona drew 1-1 at depleted arch-rivals Real Madrid in an entertaining and closely fought King's Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi sent Fabregas clear five minutes after halftime at an electric Bernabeu stadium enjoying the second "Clasico" of the season and the Spain midfielder finished with ease past Real goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Barca missed several clear chances to extend their lead before Real centre back Raphael Varane crowned a fine performance by leaping to head home an equaliser from a Mesut Ozil centre seven minutes from time.

Despite having a slight advantage for the second leg at the Nou Camp at the end of next month, Barca may live to regret not scoring more against a Real team missing regular keeper and captain Iker Casillas and Pepe through injury and the suspended Sergio Ramos.

"These games are always very tough," Fabregas said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Canal Plus.

"Considering how the march went the result could have been more favourable from our point of view," added the former Arsenal captain.

"But we will be at home for the return leg in front of our own fans. We are in a good rhythm and having a spectacular season."

In a game pitting a host of Spain team mates against each other and billed as the latest showdown between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both sides created moments of danger in an ultimately goalless first half.

It was the 223rd meeting between Spain's dominant clubs and their 31st clash in the King's Cup.

Barca knocked Real out in the quarter-finals last season on their way to winning the trophy for a record-extending 26th time and Real beat Barca 1-0 in the 2011 final for their 18th Cup triumph.

Barca went closest to scoring when Xavi curled a 21st-minute free kick against the crossbar and then had a shot brilliantly cleared off the line by Varane three minutes later.

Ronaldo, captaining the side in his 600th official game, had forced a good save from Barca keeper Jose Manuel Pinto with a free kick in the second minute and Karim Benzema volleyed narrowly wide just before the half hour.

PERFECT GAME

After Fabregas put Barca ahead, Ronaldo nodded wide with the goal at his mercy before the Portuguese was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle from Gerard Pique.

Fabregas fired just over the bar from a Daniel Alves cross shortly after and then sent Pedro through on goal but his Spain team mate clipped his shot wide with only Lopez to beat.

Varane's leveller was no more than Real deserved and Lopez, making his debut after joining from Sevilla as cover for Casillas, thrilled the home fans when he palmed away a Jordi Alba strike late on.

Casillas, who broke a bone in his hand this month and is out for up to three months, has not missed a "Clasico" in more than a decade.

Assistant Real coach Aitor Karanka, standing in for Jose Mourinho, was full of praise for the 19-year-old Varane and Lopez at his post-match news conference.

"Varane played a perfect game, he has his head screwed on just right," Karanka said.

"Diego is a keeper who has played in the top flight for many years and he showed the qualities he has."

The biggest surprise of the night was that neither Messi, who had scored at least once in his last 16 starts for Barca, or Ronaldo were on the scoresheet.

Messi is one goal short of Alfredo Di Stefano's record for "Clasico" matches of 18, while Ronaldo's record run of scoring in six straight matches between Real and Barca came to an end.

The winners of the tie will play Atletico Madrid or Sevilla, who meet on Thursday at Atletico's Calderon stadium, in May's final. (Additional reporting by Teresa Larraz, editing by Pritha Sarkar and John Mehaffey)

REAL MADRID V BARCELONA BETTING TIPS 30TH JAN – 3 GOOD REASONS IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GOALS!

Did someone say there is a full midweek Premier League program this week? Guess what…I really don’t care, because if there is one match worth watching this week, its the first leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final between the two best teams in the world. Its el Clasico time!

Madrid are coming into this match in fantastic form having endured rumours of dressing room unrest, a slide down the table and a defensive absentee list that could have you believe they were fielding their youth team.

Barcelona had a bit of a blip (one game!) but came back extremely strongly at the weekend. The two main men are also on fire at the moment, Ronaldo has looked unstoppable lately and Messi, well, he’s Messi. This has all the ingredients of a top match, but I hope to make it even better with a few bets on the side.

The first selection is an absolute no-brainer for me. In the current season, Real Madrid have scored in every single competitive home match they have played in, and not to be bettered, Barcelona have also scored in every single away match.

In Madrid’s home games, 50% have seen both teams score in all competitions, while both teams have found the net in 67% of Barcelona’s competitive away games this season. The run of both teams scoring in fixtures between these two teams stretches to an impressive 10 games, and with the current form, surely this will continue.

The second selection is for goals goals and more goals! As I said, both teams are flying at the minute and the goals must surely come. Madrid have been scoring an average of 3.20 goals per game in La Liga this season, and Barca averaging even higher away from home at a staggering 3.36 goals per game.

In Real’s 18 home games this season, the net has bulged 3 or more times on 14 occasions, with Barca’s away games (again) being a more impressive. I just can’t see how this could turn into a drab game, so I’ll be dipping into the goals markets.

The last statistical selection revolves around, you guessed it, goals! If the above are anything to go by, then surely both teams will contribute to a high total, but the value might actually lie in the team goals markets in this game.

Taking a look at both teams records this season will surely back this one up as well. Real have scored at least 2 goals of their competitive home games this season, and Barcelona have done the same, so the prices on offer for the teams to do so again are pretty attractive.

So there are my bets for what should be a cracker, but who will win I here you say! As I said, both teams arrive in fantastic form, but Madrid have some injury concerns at the back that Barca could exploit.

However, the replacements are equally as experienced, and I expect they will handle the occasion. Real’s last home defeat was in January 2012 to, you guessed it, Barcelona! But, given that Madrid have all but flew the white flag on the league, I think Mourinho will have them absolutely stoked for this one, and I honestly think they can pull it off.

I will keep my stakes small and save for the goals bets. Good luck and enjoy some proper footy!

Reading v Chelsea Prediction 30th January 2013

Reading v Chelsea Betting Preview

A very interesting match in prospect between third from top and third from bottom. Surprisingly, carrying the better form into the match isReading, who have won five of their last six matches in all competitions. Chelsea can’t match that as they have been creaking and suffered some poor cup performances recently. There is just the air of a lack of belief creeping in at Stamford Bridge under Rafa Benitez, but their away form under the Spaniard hasn’t been all that bad. Is the time right for the Royals to pounce?

Reading v Chelsea Recommended Bet:

It’s all smiles and good form at the Madejski at the moment. Four straight wins on the bounce in all competitions, including a good 4-0 home win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup on the weekend. They are trending well at the moment and can’t be ignored in this one. The Royals have lost just three home games all season and that, along with their current form, suggests that they may be good enough for a point at least in this one. They are on a two match winning streak in the Premier League alone, beating West Brom and then Newcastle in big games for them. Three wins in four Premier League matches has suddenly seen Premier League survival look much more realistic.

A win over Chelsea could be massive for them. The Royals haven’t beaten Chelsea in any of their five previous Premier League meetings, taking one draw and four losses. While they have turned the corner at the moment, the Royals have lost a league high 20 points from winning positions this season, and three of them came when they blew a 2-1 lead at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. Their two recent victories were achieved coming from behind and on the eight occasions which they have scored first this season, they have won just once. They really could cause Chelsea some problems on Wednesday night.

Chelsea stuttered to a 2-2 draw at Brentford in the FA Cup on the weekend, needing a late strike from Fernando Torres to save them. It was a strong side which Rafa Benitez fielded too, but they looked a bit dejected. They bowed out of the League Cup semi final against Swansea last week and the games look to be catching up with them. The Blues don’t seem to create enough clear cut chances for some reason, but still usually enjoy plenty of possession. Still, put the cup games aside and Chelsea’s league form paints a different tale. While they have dropped points at home recently in the league, they have won their last four on the road, which says something about them.

Chelsea have won six of the last eight Premier League matches, and have been good on the road, including wins at Everton and Stoke. Chelsea’s away record this season stands at W7 D2 L2 so isn’t bad. They have scored at a rate of 1.9 goals per game, having conceded at a rate of exactly 1 per game. They have also scored in each of their last nine away games, so they are going to be a threat. But they could get outworked by the spirited Royals if they aren’t careful. 

Form
Reading WLWWWW, Chelsea LWDWDD

Stat Attack

Reading are on a four match winning streak in all competitions
The Royals have taken just one point from five previous EPL meetings with Chelsea
Chelsea have been awarded more penalties than anyone else in the top flight this term
Reading have lost a league high 20 points from winning positions this season

Goodbye Mr Alvin Gentry , Phoenix Suns has a new coach .

Finally , Phoenix fired coach Alvin Gentry and replaced him with player development director Lindsey Hunter, who won his debut against Sacramento on Wednesday night. Hunter’s hiring led to one assistant coach leaving and another could be following suit.

Back on the road for the Clippers, not easy to play 10 of its next 11 games away from home. Paul has missed four of the last six games with a bruised right kneecap, including Tuesday’s loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I like the PHO in this position as home underdog 6 points , on a 2nd night of a b2b, after last night’s win vs Sacramento.
Paul is still missing for the Clips who have not been the same team without him.
M Beasley always had good games against the Clips, looking forward to keep the same trend tonight.
Expecting also the change of coach for PHO to shake some things around and get some guys to loosen up a bit. The SUns are the typical NBA underdog that will win , when nobody expects. Quite sure tonight it won’t be a walk in the park for the Clippers.

A few NBA trends to consider this betting selection:

Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points.
Suns are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Clippers are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Phoenix.
Beasley has averaged 20.2 points in 11 career games against Los Angeles.
Phoenix is attemping to avoid its first five-game home losing streak since March 2004.

Naturally, the choice tonight is on the NBA underdog, our  free NBA tip is Phoenix  +6

Arsenal v West Ham Wednesday 23rd Jan – Gunners Have Historical Edge Over Goal Shy Hammers

The Gunners welcome London rivals West Ham to the Emirates on a cold Wednesday night in this Premier League encounter, but can Arsene Wenger’s charges be relied upon to produce a performance that gives fans some hope that they are actually a top 4 side that are down on their luck, or are they on the road to confirming that they are just not competitive enough to be considered one of the league’s big hitters any more?

The Hammers are hardly in the form of their life, but when it comes to these intense local derbies, just a small nugget of hope can transform into a match winning performance, and with Arsenal winning just one of their last five games in all competitions, can Sam Allardyce snatch 3 points away from North London?

West Ham have only picked up 4 points in their last 5 games, and with just 1 point gained from their last 5 away days to boot, it’s going to take an almighty effort for them to emerge victorious. But Arsenal are vulnerable and Big Sam knows it.

If you use head to head history as part of your betting research, then I assure you that backing West Ham simply won’t be part of your agenda. The Gunners have won 8 of the last 10 meetings between these two both home and away, their only dropped points being two draws in 2009.

The question has to be asked though. Do Arsenal represent good value? I would say it’s on the stingy side on current form. The return of Jack Wilshere from injury is a huge boost for Arsenal, but performances this season leave plenty of question marks over their ability to close out games.

However, the bet I feel give a little bit of value is Arsenal to win to nil. When you consider that West Ham have failed to hit the back of the net in 5 consecutive away games leading up to this clash, and that they haven’t scored in their last 4 visits to the Emirates, I think we may be on to something. Not a bet to have your mortgage on, but a definite value bet.

Ivory Coast v Togo betting tips and analysis

Ivory Coast are current favourites for overall tournament victory and they have some stars that should see them easily escape Group D. Didier Drogba may have the influence that Seydou Keita gave Mali in their victory over Niger; he is an experienced player in his twilight days playing in China. Drogba was a supreme player for Chelsea and he should link with ex-team-mate Salomon Kalou and be inspiring in this game. 

Yara Toure is perhaps the midfield stalwart that could most be associated with Ivory Coast’s nickname of the Elephants. He is a long way from retiring to the Chinese league or the riches of Major League Soccer – he will be sorely missed by Premier League Champions Manchester City for the next couple of weeks. He has been inspirational for his club and you can see him doing the same for his country. He gets a few goals but his presence is what wins matches instilling confidence throughout a team.

Ivory Coast are favourites in this tournament for a reason – they have the history and they have the talent. But this is tournament football and having been beaten in the final last year they have shown they are not Hannibal’s army and have weaknesses; they won’t be evident in this match. No injury worries means Togo should be worried…

Togo are not in contention for the tournament or this match according to the bookies but returning to play in this competition after the tragedies of 2010 will make them favourites in the hearts of many neutrals.

Whilst not boasting the talents of the opponents they do have a gifted played in Emmanuel Adebayor who has the experience to match any of the Elephants. He will be the inspiration for his team, if they indeed need any more than memories. With a manager named Didier Six the Hawks are already surreal enough and could provide an upset; but that will more likely come in later games.

Togo scraped through the first qualification match on away goals and it was Adebayor who clinched their appearance in this match with two goals ensuring they beat Gabon to contend the Cup. They do have some other names to watch out for though with Abdoul-Razak Boukari in the striking force. That won’t be enough to fly away with this one; perhaps the safest way of earning from Togo in this fixture is betting they have the first red card of the tournament!

The Elephants will get through this game with a solid performance; little bit nervy in the first half as the Hawks passion creates some swoops at goal. Too many nerves for a stampede, but enough talent for victory by at least two goals. Toure to be the star performer. Expect a sending off as passion will be high.

Betting Brian Says…

Purely because I support Chelsea this will be an Elephant march all the way to victory.

Mystic Mongrel Predicts a…

Both teams will score the same. I still need feeding Daddy!

Spurs 1 vs Man Utd 1 & Chelsea 2 vs Arsenal 1

LONDON (AP) -- Clint Dempsey scored during stoppage time Sunday, giving Tottenham a 1-1 draw against Premier League-leading Manchester United.

The American, who sent Tottenham to its first win at United in 23 years in September, offset Robin van Persie's first-half header to give the fourth-place hosts something to show for their dominance at snowy White Hart Lane.

''Before (this season) I'd never scored against them, so it's good to help the team get results,'' said Dempsey, who joined from Fulham in August. ''We've got a win and a draw now (against United).''

United's lead has been trimmed to five points this weekend after second-place Manchester City beat Fulham 2-0 on Saturday.

While United managed just five shots, Tottenham scored with its 25th shot in the third minute of stoppage time. Dempsey was set up by Aaron Lennon, who had pounced on the ball after goalkeeper David de Gea inadvertently punched a shot by Benoit Assou-Ekotto to him.

Despite salvaging a point, Tottenham fell four points behind third-place Chelsea after its London rival beat Arsenal 2-1 earlier in the day.

Juan Mata's excellent finish and a penalty kick from Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a two-goal lead after only 16 minutes. The other score came in the 58th minute goal by Theo Walcott.

Arsenal, which lost to Manchester City last Sunday, remains sixth, but is now seven points behind Tottenham in the fourth Champions League spot.

''We have lost two big games in the last week,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. ''That's damaging for us. We can't afford to lose more points. It's a concern.''

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