Big soccer day today, I've got several plays locked in and a few others I'm looking at for later on.
My leans:
Inter Milan -1 1/2 vs. Livorno - Maybe they're getting bored with winning Serie A title after Serie A title, but things are getting a little close for comfort at the top. Nothing like an emphatic win over Serie A's worst team to send a message that their heads are back in the right place after some lackluster results recently, especially with a biggie against Roma coming up on the weekend.
Bologna/Roma over 2 1/2 - A real layup this one looks to be. Roma have been involved in a number of goalfests recently, and I don't expect this one to be light on the goals. Bologna's defense is no fortress at home (20 goals allowed in 15 home matches), and even if Roma get a couple, they should be able to get at least one, if not more, into the net themselves.
Genoa ML +110 vs. Palermo - Genoa are one of Serie A's best home sides, and they need this win to keep themselves in the thick of the race for fourth and that last Champions League place, which is currently occupied by Palermo. Palermo have beaten AC Milan and Juventus away, but overall, they aren't very good on the road (three wins, three draws, eight losses). I expect Genoa to take the three points in this one.
One I've got locked in is Portsmouth +1 1/2 vs. Chelsea. Chelsea are looking more than a little vulnerable right now, and Portsmouth are still looking hungry, even with all of the turmoil currently surrounding them. Chelsea only won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in December (needed a late Frank Lampard penalty to win), so things could get very dicey at Fratton Park if they don't bring their best.
My other definites right now:
Monaco -1/2 vs. Sochaux (Coupe de France): I expect a home win for Monaco today. Smallish play for me.
Sheffield Wednesday/Watford over 2 1/2 (English Championship): Wednesday have allowed 26 goals in 19 home matches. Watford have allowed 34 goals in 18 away matches. Should be over well before it's over.
FK Dukla vs. Kosice (Slovakian Super Liga): Dukla beat Kosice 5-0 away earlier this season, and today's matchup shouldn't be close either. Kosice are on a four-match unbeaten run, but three of those matches were at home, and they've been absolutely atrocious on the road (no wins, seven losses, four draws, nine goals scored, 26 conceded). On the flip side, Dukla (who come in with back-to-back road losses) are 8-2-1 at home, with 16 goals scored and only six conceded. Whoop that ass Dukla!
My leans:
Inter Milan -1 1/2 vs. Livorno - Maybe they're getting bored with winning Serie A title after Serie A title, but things are getting a little close for comfort at the top. Nothing like an emphatic win over Serie A's worst team to send a message that their heads are back in the right place after some lackluster results recently, especially with a biggie against Roma coming up on the weekend.
Bologna/Roma over 2 1/2 - A real layup this one looks to be. Roma have been involved in a number of goalfests recently, and I don't expect this one to be light on the goals. Bologna's defense is no fortress at home (20 goals allowed in 15 home matches), and even if Roma get a couple, they should be able to get at least one, if not more, into the net themselves.
Genoa ML +110 vs. Palermo - Genoa are one of Serie A's best home sides, and they need this win to keep themselves in the thick of the race for fourth and that last Champions League place, which is currently occupied by Palermo. Palermo have beaten AC Milan and Juventus away, but overall, they aren't very good on the road (three wins, three draws, eight losses). I expect Genoa to take the three points in this one.
One I've got locked in is Portsmouth +1 1/2 vs. Chelsea. Chelsea are looking more than a little vulnerable right now, and Portsmouth are still looking hungry, even with all of the turmoil currently surrounding them. Chelsea only won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in December (needed a late Frank Lampard penalty to win), so things could get very dicey at Fratton Park if they don't bring their best.
My other definites right now:
Monaco -1/2 vs. Sochaux (Coupe de France): I expect a home win for Monaco today. Smallish play for me.
Sheffield Wednesday/Watford over 2 1/2 (English Championship): Wednesday have allowed 26 goals in 19 home matches. Watford have allowed 34 goals in 18 away matches. Should be over well before it's over.
FK Dukla vs. Kosice (Slovakian Super Liga): Dukla beat Kosice 5-0 away earlier this season, and today's matchup shouldn't be close either. Kosice are on a four-match unbeaten run, but three of those matches were at home, and they've been absolutely atrocious on the road (no wins, seven losses, four draws, nine goals scored, 26 conceded). On the flip side, Dukla (who come in with back-to-back road losses) are 8-2-1 at home, with 16 goals scored and only six conceded. Whoop that ass Dukla!