MR FIXIT’S TIPS 26 MARCH 2013

It wasn’t the biggest win but on a quiet Sunday it was welcome nevertheless. As usual site regulars will be trawling the world looking for good things on Monday.

The obvious game to punt on the Brazil v Russia friendly at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilians fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Italy last week and there should be goals here with over 2.5 paying 1.9 at WINNINGFT.

Luiz Felipe Scolari will be hoping to put on a show on his return to his former Chelsea hunting ground and I can see Brazil winning. They are 1.58 at SBOBET against a Russian outfit who will be fresh after Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Northern Ireland was postponed.

Fred hit the opener against Italy and this time it could be Neymar.

There are European Championship Under-21 fixtures as well as some friendlies and Scotland should pick up three points from their meeting at home to Luxembourg. However, Scotland should win by three or four and a match containing four or more goals pays 1.87 at Paddy IBCBET.

Stuart Pearce’s England did us turn last week when we backed them minus one to beat Romania. The 3-0 was the Under-21s eighth successive win to nil and they’re lining up another against Austria at Brighton.

England are a best 1.8 with IBCBET, 1.79 at WINNINGFT and 1.77 at SBOBET minus one point twenty five.

Recommendations

Brazil v Russia over 2.5 goals
(1.87, WINNINGFT)

England U-21s -1.25
(1.8, IBCBET)

Scotland U-21s HT -1
(1.73, SBOBET)

Sweden v Republic of Ireland betting odds

Republic of Ireland make the journey to the Friends Arena in Sweden on Friday evening in a World Cup Qualifier between the teams sitting in second and third in their group at the moment.

With Germany topping the group, these two know they are likely to fight for the play-off spot, so this is a huge 90 minutes for both nations and whoever comes out on top would give themselves a great chance of reaching the tournament in Brazil next year.

Looking at Sweden to begin with, they will be full of confidence coming into this one after their stunning 4-4 draw in Germany in their last group match. They were 4-0 down at one stage and looked all but out of the encounter, so the point would have felt like a victory.

They know that a similar performance to the second half in that match would all but guarantee them a victory here and as ever, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going to be the key man for the Swedes.

At the moment, the striker seems like scoring any sort of goal, whether it be from 30 yards of three, so Ireland must keep him quiet.

The Irish sit just one point behind Sweden in the group at the moment, but have struggled when taking on a top team as they were beaten 6-1 by Germany in Dublin last year.

With big name players capable of providing that bit of quality going forward though, Giovanni Trapattoni should be confident his men can take something from this one.

Ireland need a good start and for someone like Robbie Keane to be at his clinical best. In truth, if you offered the Italian a draw now he would take it.

It should be a superb 90 minutes of action on Friday evening between two teams desperate for points.

Match Odds

Sweden are the favourites for this one as they are at 1.45 with Winningft.

You can then back Ireland at 6.41 with Winningft and the draw is at 3.87 with Winningft.

First Goal-Scorer

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leading the way at the moment in terms of first goalscorer betting as he is at 1.70 with Winningft.

Then, Robbie Kean is available at 3.40 with Winningft.

Recommended Bet

We think heading into the correct score market is the way to go for this one and can see a tense affair, but Sweden taking the spoils. A 1-0 win for the home team can be backed at 6.00 over at Winningft.

Owen to retire at the end of the season

Owen, 33, signed for Stoke on a free transfer last summer but has had yet another frustrating season that has been hampered by injury problems, limiting him to just seven appearances for the Potters.

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United forward announced the news on his personal website on Tuesday morning.

"It is with an immense amount of pride that I am announcing my intention to retire from Professional Football at the end of this season," he said.


"Having progressed through the ranks at Liverpool to make my first team debut at 17, before embarking upon spells at Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City, not to mention representing my country on 89 occasions, I now feel it is the right time to bring the curtain down on my career.

"I have been very fortunate in that my career has taken me on a journey that like many young players starting out, I could only have dreamt of.

"None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support I have received from managers, coaches, fellow players, back room staff, the supporters and my own personal sponsors. I would like to thank each and every one for the huge role they have played in helping me reach the top of my profession."

He also went on to thank his wife and family for the important roles they played in his 16-year professional career.

Owen first burst onto the scene at the age of 17 for Liverpool in 1997 and went on to have seven successful years at the club. He was part of the side which claimed a Treble of the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup in 2001 - thanks in part of his late, match-winning brace in the FA Cup final win over Arsenal. That same year he scored a hat-trick in England's 5-1 win over Germany in Munich, and he was rewarded for his exploits by winning the Ballon d'Or.

He moved to Real Madrid in 2004, but after a single season in which he scored 13 goals in 36 Liga appearances he moved to Newcastle. It was at St James' Park where his fitness problems really began to hamper his career. After four injury-hit seasons he moved onto Manchester United, where he won his only Premier League title in 2011. He was released from Old Trafford last summer as his injury problems continued to limit his appearances, and he joined Stoke as a free agent.

In all, Owen represented England on 89 occasions, scoring 40 goals which put him fourth in the nation's all-time list behind Jimmy Greaves (44), Gary Lineker (48) and Sir Bobby Charlton (49). The only England player to date to score in four different international tournaments, Owen also captained his country on eight occasions.

However, an international career which included his individual wonder goal against Argentina and his treble in Munich never recovered from an injury picked up against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup.

Frank Lampard, speaking at an England press conference on Tuesday, paid tribute to the striker.

"Fantastic player, the kind of player you are very proud to play alongside," he said. "I played with him quite a few times, watched him score goals for England in World Cups when I wasn't there, so I think he will go down in our history in England as one of the greatest goal-scorers and strikers we've had. He deserves very high praise.

"The hat-trick in Munich was obviously fantastic, but to come on at the age that he did against Argentina with a bang and score a goal of such eye-catching quality was something very special. It is one of those moments that sticks in everyone's mind. Not just Michael Owen moments, but England in general.

"Without maybe some injury problems at the latter end, he would have gone on and broken all the goal-scoring records and probably get 100 caps, but he should not have any real frustrations because his career was absolutely top drawer for club and country."

Scotland v Wales Prediction 22nd March 2013

Scotland v Wales Betting Preview

Sadly this may not have very much qualification bearing on Group A on the road to Brazil 2014. Scotland are bottom of the pile with just two points from four games, with Wales right above them on three points. That is a long way back off Belgium and Croatia who are occupying the top two spots with ten points each. After Wales struck back from a goal down in the first meeting to beat Scotland, will Scotland be able to strike back themselves on home turf and drag themselves off the bottom of the table?

Scotland v Wales Betting Odds at WinningFT (BETMY)
Scotland 1.76, Draw 3.41, Wales 4.26

Scotland v Wales Recommended Bet:

Can Scotland stop Gareth Bale? That could be the factor that decides this match. The Spurs winger scored two goals in Cardiff to guide Wales to victory when they met last October. With the immense form that he has been showing, he could be the key to the game. Scotland don’t have a particular plan to man mark him, Gordon Strachan’s men just want to take firm control of the game and push Wales back. Strachan has only had one game in charge, leading Scotland to a 1-0 friendly win over Estonia, a game which they should have won by a bigger margin. Still, a win is a win, but it highlights again their problems in front of goal. Scotland have netted just twice in their four matches in Group A so, which has left them struggling at the foot of the table. Do they have enough to edge to a win? If so, it will likley be only by a one goal margin.

Scotland may take confidence from Wales having lost both of their away matches so far in the group. The Welsh lost away to Croatia and took a 6-1 hammering in Serbia. The Welsh defence is probably the weaker of the two nations, but then they have a genuine match winner in Bale, something that Scotland will be envious of. Wales themselves have scored just three goals in heir four matches for far, and have a far worse defensive record than the Scots. With neither really going to make an impact in qualification after such poor starts, there is at least some pride to play for, and a chance to get some momentum going. Wales won their most recent match, 2-1 win over Austria in an international friendly. Following Friday’s match, Wales then host the powerful Croatian side while Scotland go to Serbia.

Scotland v Wales Head To Head

A nice long history to look back over between these two sides. There have been 106 meetings played between the two before and Scotland lead commandingly with 61 wins to 22 by Wales. There have been seven previous FA Cup qualifying matches, with Scotland leading the way against with three wins to two. The most recent coming together was that 2-1 win for Wales in Cardiff in October of 2012. The last meeting between them in Scotland was in 1997, an International Friendly held in Kilmarnock, wich Wales won 1-0. That was the same result in their last World Cup qualifier held in Scotland, a 1-0 win for Wales in Glasgow during the the 1986 World Cup qualifiers.

MARCH 13: CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIPS

ARSENE WENGER says reaching the last eight of the Champions League by overturning a 3-1 home deficit would be his greatest achievement – and he’s not wrong.

However, the Arsenal boss has more chance of turning rain into rum than seeing off Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena.

Wenger wants his men to go for it but that could be asking for more trouble from a side who were impressive winners at the Emirates.

I can see the Germans extending their lead and are 1.34 with WinningFT to do so.

You can have 8.13 at WinningFT for an Arsenal win on the night but it’s not for even if Barcelona fought back from 2-0 down to knock out AC Milan last night. But they had Messi.

If Wenger does push forward there is the potential for both teams to score. And if it’s wide open it could be a goalfest with over 3 paying 1.94 at WinningFT.

Mario Gomez has netted three in his last four and is 1.7 at WinningFT to break the deadlock.

Tonight’s other tie between Malaga and Porto is much tougher to call and in the end the Spaniards could pay for not nabbing an away goal.

Malaga are 2.62 at WinningFT to reach the last eight after losing 1-0 in Oporto, with the away side 2.71 at WinningFT to progress.

A 1-0 was the best it could have been for Malaga whose form has dipped with no wins in four games and just one goals.

That must be a worry for Manuel Pellegrini who knows in Jackson Martinez and sshsh that Porto have men who can do damage on the break.

Porto are unbeaten in a weaker league since the first leg but haven’t convinced but I reckon they’ll qualify . They are the more experienced outfit and have been beaten in the tournament just once this season.

However, it promises to be tight and a draw on the night, 3.11 at WinningFT, can’t be ruled out.

Top scorer Martinez is 2.4 first-scorer favourite at WinningFT to net at anytime. He has 23 strikes this season and hit the target in Porto’s previous Euro road trip to PSG.

Recommendations

Over 3 goals at Bayern

Malaga v Porto draw

Arsenal v Bayern Munich Prediction 13th March 2013

Arsenal v Bayern Munich Betting Preview

A tough night ahead for Arsenal who need to try and overcome a 3-1 deficit from the first leg. It means that they need at least three goals on the night in Munich, which is not going to be an easy thing. The Gunners don’t have any winning form away in Europe at the moment, not by the margins needed anyway, and dreams of silverware this season could come to a rapid close for them.

Arsenal v Bayern Munich Betting Odds at WinningFT
Bayern Munich 1.4, Draw 4.56, Arsenal 6.94

Arsenal v Bayern Munich Recommended Bet:

Can Arsenal dig themselves out of a massive hole? They were completely overpowered in the first leg, and there could be worse to come back out in Germany. Arsenal have never overcome a first leg deficit in Europe and progressed and only twice before in Champions League history have teams overturned a situation after losing at home in the first leg. So history certainly isn’t on the Premier League side’s side, but they have nothing to lose now and have to go for broke. The last time that they were out in Munich, they lost 3-1 at this stage of the 2004/05 Champions League. Arsenal are in the round of 16 for the 13 successive season but haven’t been to the quarter finals since 2010 now.

Arsenal hold a W12 D5 L8 record against sides from Germany overall, and away from home their record stands at W3 D4 L5. They are actually unbeaten in their last three visits to Germany, taking two draws and one win. Here are the stats which make this incredibly difficult for Arsenal. They have won just four of their last 16 away matches in the Champions League, losing nine of those sixteen. They have won only one of the last 22 away matches in the tournament by a big enough margin that they would need to progress on Wednesday night. Against the might and power that last season’s losing finalists have, the Gunners have a massive test ahead of them. They go into the game rested after taking the weekend off though.

Bayern have faced plenty of English opposition lately, losing in a shoot out against Chelsea in last season’s final, after facing Man City in the group stage. Against sides from England, Bayern Munich have a W14 D13 L10 record and at home, not including last season’s final, they hold an impressive W10 D5 L1 record. They have won their last four in a row at home against English sides (again not including last season’s final). In the group stage of this year’s competition, Bayern netted 12 goals in their three matches. Only once before in 22 UEFA competition ties have Bayern failed to progress after winning the first leg away from home. Everything is on their side. At home in the Bundesliga they average exactly three goals per game and have conceded just nine goals in thirteen league home matches. Power personified.

Because of their power, it’ll be worth a Bayern/Bayern Half Time/Full Time bet for a price of Evens at online bookmaker Ladbrokes

Form
Bayern Munich WWWWWW, Arsenal WWLLWL

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GOALS GALORE 6TH MARCH – GRECIAN’S TO BRING GOALS TO BRISTOL

We missed out narrowly on last nights treble with just Stirling Albion letting us down for another winning Goals Galore coupon, but I fancy the look of 3 games today and will be investing a bit of my hard earned on it.

The Champions League games don’t look too encouraging in my opinion, so I’ve dropped down to the depths to find my idea of a decent treble tonight:

Dundee v St.Mirren 3.45am

Dundee are resigned to the fact that they will be playing their football back in the 1st division next season, such has been their dismal season, but I definitely feel that they can at least bag a goal against 2nd bottom side St. Mirren at Dens Park.

Visitors St. Mirren appear to be on the decline again after a period of impressive results, and the combination of both teams lack of defensive ability should pay dividends in the both teams to score market.

Statistics never tell the full story when it comes to bottom of the table clashes, and I’m relying on my experience to tell me that both sides will see this game as a winnable one. Goals galore looks the answer.

Bristol Rovers v Exeter 3.45am

Bristol Rovers picked up their first win in 4 when they beat Burton Albion 3-0 at the weekend but tonight they face an in-form Exeter side that have lost just 1 of their last 9 games on the road, and are fresh from beating two high-flying teams in succession (Port Vale 2-0 and Northampton 3-0), making them a team to follow.

However, Bristol Rovers are a tough nut to crack at the Memorial Stadium- failing to score just twice in their last 12 at home, which isn’t bad for a team sitting in 15th place in the league.

Bristol Rovers won the reverse fixture 2-1 at St. James Park, and will be confident of doing the season double over the Grecians. I’m not totally convinced of that, but can see both teams hitting the onion bag without too much hassle.

Woking v Mansfield 3.45am

Woking are making real progress recently after a hopeless first half of the season and should give Mansfield plenty to think about here.

The visitors are in red hot form-winning 9 of their last 10 games- and look very likely to make the play-offs at least, however the Blue Square Championship title is still within sight (they occupy 5th position, just 6 points behind leaders Wrexham but have 2 games in hand).

Hosts Woking have lost just 1 of their last 6 at the Kingfield Stadium, but it’s safe to say that the Stags of Mansfield will find the net at some stage ( they have drawn a blank only twice in away games this term).

Mansfield won the reverse fixture 3-1 back in October when Woking were abysmal, and the hosts will give them a much tougher battle this time around. I’m predicting a 2-2 draw which means just one thing.. Get on Goals Galore!

Championship Tips Tuesday 5 March 2013

In the division where anyone can beat anyone there’s no real thing as an upset in the Championship. Saturday’s games saw four of these six teams taking part in five-goal thrillers, with one of them hitting four. Only Bristol City failed to score, and they’d put the ball in the net in their previous four games.

Burnley v Barnsley 7.45pm

Burnley have been going through a bit of a drought recently with three matches in a row without scoring, but a 1-0 victory over Charlton on Saturday has bucked the trend. Championship second-highest goal-grabber Charlie Austin found scoring ways again to make it a nice round 25 for the season. The Clarets may not do high-scoring matches but they’ve still got play-off aspirations so we should expect an open game. Barnsley are pulling themselves away from the bottom of the Championship and they’ve recently decided to risk all or die and try to outscore the opposition; they’re without a clean sheet since way back in January. With the signing of former Ipswich striker Jason Scotland, they’re hitting more than two goals a game at the moment and this is going to be down to whether Burnley can get one in the other end.

Bolton v Blackburn 8pm

This one could be a draw as two upper-mid table sides cancel each other out, but they’ve both got goalscorers who can change games so let’s hope they’re all on form. Bolton have hit eight in three including four against top-two Hull and are rarely doing the clean sheet thing. Blackburn’s away form has dipped and they haven’t won on the road in 2013, but a four-goal-clear win would see Rovers leapfrog Wanderers on goal difference. That’s highly unlikely and we reckon it’s a home win, but if Jordan Rhodes has got his scoring boots on, expect at least a 1-1 draw.

Bristol City v Brighton 7.45pm

Bottom of the table they may be, but City can knock them in at home as well as concede them. They’ve scored in their last four games at Ashton Gate and, apart from Saturday’s 0-0 with Blackpool, they’d been involved in 14 goals in their previous three games, including an eight-goal chiller-for-both-managers with Barnsley at the end of last month. They’re only two points from safety and there’s just the one point between Brighton in the play-off zone and Middlesbrough in seventh. So this could be a case of two teams being incredibly defensive and settling for a point each, but at this stage of the season they’ll probably both be sniffing for a win because the potential rewards are so much bigger. Brighton have scored in every game they’ve played in 2013 and with Craig Mackail-Smith in the side there’s no reason why they should draw a blank on this one, especially if Argentine striker Leonardo Ulloa can repeat the hat-trick performance that he put in against Huddersfield on Saturday.

Catania 2-3 Inter: Palacio inspires incredible Nerazzurri comeback

Inter Milan recovered from going two goals down inside 20 minutes to snatch a 3-2 victory against Catania in an entertaining Serie Aencounter at Stadio Angelo Massimino, with Rodrigo Palacioplaying the hero with his winner at the death.



The hosts raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gonzalo Bergessio and Giovanni Marchese, before Ricky Alvarez reduced the deficit just after halftime.

Palacio, whose introduction inspired Inter's second-half revival, got the equalizing goal before striking for the winner deep into added time.

Coach Andrea Stramaccioni was without a number of first-team players, with Italy international Antonio Cassano dropped for the trip following a dispute between the pair. His absence was felt in a notably sluggish start to proceedings for the Nerazzurri, who struggled in all facts and especially in defense, as Bergessio's half-volley was hurriedly blocked by Juan Jesus. The Rossazzurri would soon be in the lead, though.

An error from Jesus, who attempted to safely see the ball out of play, instead saw him dispossessed by Bergessio, who proceeded to swivel and fire past Samir Handanovic to hand Rolando Maran's side an early lead inside seven minutes.

The visitors struggled to deal with the Sicilians' bright counterattacks, though Zdravko Kuzmanovic's strike from distance only just cleared Mariano Andujar's post. Moments later, however, Inter was 2-0 down to compound a rather embarrassing opening.

A free kick delivered in by Francesco Lodi picked out Marchese in acres of space in the penalty box, with the defender calmly glancing his header past Handanovic and into net to double his side's advantage.

Inter was largely lethargic up front, with Tomasso Rocchi - making his first start for the club - distinctly isolated up front, and it could have been a three-goal edge for Catania as Bergessio spurned an angled strike.

Stramaccioni then brought off the ineffectual Rocchi and Kuzmanovic, and sent on Palacio and Dejan Stankovic. 

Palacio's impact was telling almost immediately, as the Nerazzurri emerged a much improved side after the break. Ezequiel Schelotto and Fredy Guarin were both denied, before Palacio's superb run and cross saw fellow Argentine Alvarez loop a header past Andujar to begin a dramatic revival.

The impetus was clearly with the visitors, who looked a different team as the second half wore on, though Catania continued to pose a danger as Bergessio failed to connect with a ball up against Handanovic, an incident which the hosts would rue minutes later.

Alvaro Pereira held off his marker down the left flank and found Palacio with a fine cross, who got in front of the defender to head past Andujar and complete a remarkable turnaround on 70 minutes.

Esteban Cambiasso then volleyed narrowly wide, but there was still to be one last twist in this encounter, deep into injury-time. With 93 minutes on the clock, Palacio turned in from the midfielder's cut-back to steal victory and consign the hosts to just their third home defeat this season.

Inter remains in the race for the Champions League following its late heroics, and travels to London to face Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday. Catania missed the chance to leapfrog Stramaccioni's side and remains in seventh in Serie A.

Conte promises attacking Juventus at Napoli

Antonio Conte has promised that Juventus will be on the attack when it plays Napoli on Friday night.

The Bianconeri are six points ahead of the Azzurri heading into the top-two tussle, but a defeat at the San Paolo would see the Scudetto title race blown wide open, though the Italian champions’ head coach denied they would be playing defensively as a result.

“Our style of play doesn’t change whether we play at home or away,” Conte told reporters on Thursday. “We always look to play pro-active football.

“Sometimes that happens, other times our opponents don’t allow us to. But, at the San Paolo, we’ll look to play with our ideas and organization.”

Walter Materazzi’s side has surprised many by keeping pace at the top of Serie A - though Juve’s struggles in 2013 have helped - and Conte praised the strength of Friday’s opponents.

“We went into last season off the back of two seventh-place finishes,” he added. “Napoli, meanwhile, were set for a Champions League campaign. Now, with the Scudetto shield on our shirts, the roles have been reversed.

“Napoli, though, strengthened in the summer and in January, so they can target the title. They prematurely exited the cup and the Europa League, but they can get the only objective left for them.”

But Conte resented that much of the build-up to the tie has focused on Daniele Orsato refereeing the match, and condemned his own outbursts at officials in the past.

“It’s not nice to talk about referees. It’s a shame that people always find something to stir up controversy,” he said.

“We have faith in the referees, we know that they can make mistakes and you can get angry with them as we have in the past. I have and paid for it, but it is ugly to start insinuating things.”

The 43-year-old was resilient in his insistence that, whatever the result, the Friday night fixture will not be the deciding moment of the Serie A season.

Conte added: “It’s one of the many games that we’ll have to get over to reach the finish line. The championship will not end tomorrow.

“More important games will follow against Milan, Inter, Lazio… There is certainly a lot of media attention, but that is what happens when two important sides meet.”