Europa League Group J Round 6

White Hart Lane

06-12-2012 @ 20.05 GMT

How is the two teams form?

Tottenham Hotspur took a step towards the European spots in the Premier League, with a 3-0 victory agaoínst Fulham this weekend. The Londoners has not lost in four matches, including the 0-0 draw against Lazio and is two in group J.

Panathinaikos is currently six in the Greek 1. Division after their 2-1 win against Panionios this weekend. The Greek's has won 3 out of their last 5 matches, including the 1-0 win against Maribor. They are currently three in group J, two points after Tottenham.

What is the probable starting XI?

The importance of this match is not to be underestimated, and both teams will be playing with their top players. 

Lloris

Naughton - Walker - Caulkner - Vertonghen

 Sandro - Lennon

Dempsey                                  Bale

Defoe - Adebayor

_____________________________________________

Sissoko

Quincy

Zeca - Katsouranis - Vitolo - Christodoulopoulos

Spyropoulos - Velázquez - Boumsong - Vyntra

Karnezis

What to expect from this match?

We might see a rather defensive Tottenham team as they can settle with a draw in this match. Both teams will be careful from the start, but at some point Panathinaikos will have to come forward and chase the lead. This will undoubtful  create space in their back, and bring Totteham in play.

An early goal will really help this match on its way, and we can hope that it will not just be a boring draw.

What are the odds? 

According to oddschecker.com, Tottenham is favorite in most of the bookmaker's eyes. The best odds on a Spurs victory is 1.33 from Sportingbet, while the best draw is 5.25 from StanJames. The same bookmaker gives 12 back on a Panathinaikos victory.

 

Premier League Round 14

Goodison Park

28-11-2012 @ 19.45

How is the two teams form?

The Blues have surprised many this season and is currently positioned fifth in the Premier League, one point ahead of Arsenal. Everton has so far played six draws, and their matches this season has been very tight. Even so, the Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, is to be found as number six on the top scorer list with six goals.

Arsenal has had yet another disappointing start of the Premier League and is as mentioned positioned six just after Everton. The Gunners have had problems with the mid-table teams so far, but has also made some great wins. The topscorer status in Arsenal is shared between Santi Carzorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

How will the starting lines look?

Everton has a few players that are doubtful for the match on Wednesday. Among them is the striker Kevin Mirallas. Arsenal is also struggling with injuries, as Walcott, Rosicky and Santos is out along with two others. A probable starting line for both teams could be:

Howard

Baines - Distin - Jagielka - Heitinga

Gibson - Osman

Oviedo - Vellios - Pienaar

Jelavic

______________________________________

Giroud

Podolski - Cazorla - Oxlade-Chamberlain

Ramsey - Arteta

Vermaelen - Koscielny - Mertesacker - Jenkinson

Szczesny

What to expect from this match?

Everton has not won against Arsenal in the last ten matches, but with Arsenals current form against teams as the Blues it is hard to say what to expect. Arsenal will probably do what ever they can to close down Fellaini, but it will just open up for other players. The same matters for Everton. They will have to target Cazorla in order to keep him out of the assist role. 

Given Arsenal has problems with teams as Arsenal, and the fact that Everton is not the most scoring team, I would call this a draw.

What are the odds?

According to oddschecker.com, Everton is the most popular bet for this match. Everton as winners of the match gives an average of 2.48 back, while Arsenal gives a 2.9. A draw will give a cashback of 3.5.

 Champions League Group D

Santiago Bernabéu

18-09-2012 @ 19.45 BST

What is the status of the two teams, before the match?

Real Madrid should have all players ready for this Champions League match against Manchester City. However, City is missing at least one of their key players. Micah Richards will be out for this match, while Sergio Aguero seems to be available again.

How is the two teams form?

Madrid has not had the best start of the season, and lost in their match against Sevilla this weekend. Mourinho's team has now lost two out of three matches in the Primera Division and will have to step up against Manchester City. Manchester has startet the season better, with two wins and two draws. The English has shown some great football so far, but has been a bit unstable in the defends.

What to expect from this match?

Both teams has the individuals who can be decisive for this match. We will see a high technical level from both teams, and some great offensive football. None of the teams will stand back and wait for their chances.

Who is going to win?

It is a hard call. Both teams are great in the attacking play, and is good defensive. However, City has been a bit unstable in the back row, and this might be the dividing factor in this match. I would say Real Madrid as the winner, but it is going to be a small victory.

What are the odds?

Spain was entered the match as favorites. However, it was Portugal who was the most dominant team. Spain started best with Arbeloa shooting over the goal, from the edge of the box. Portugal was soon able to handle the pressure from Spain, and prevent the Spaniards from playing their short passes. The high pressure from Portugal gave Ronaldo some chances, but the superstar was unable to score. The score at the break was 0-0 in an even match.

The second half started as even as the first ended. Both teams had their chances, but Portugal seemed to be most interested in winning the match, while Spain looked as a team hoping for extra time. In the 90th minute, Ronaldo was close to ruin Spain’s plan when he suddenly was free in front of goal. However, the captain missed once again. This meant that the match went on to extra time.

While Portugal had been the best team in the first ninety minutes, Spain was suddenly the superior team. After 103 minutes of play, Rui Patricio saved Portugal, after a chance to Iniesta. Portugal managed to avoid the pressure from Spain, and the penalty shootout was up next.

Both Xabi Alonso and Joao Moutinho had their shots saved before Iniesta, Pepe, Pique and Nani scored. Sergio Ramos sent Spain in front before Bruno Alves hit the crossbar giving Fabregas the chance of sending his nation in the final. The midfielder did not miss, and while Ronaldo was annoyed of missing the final, Spain celebrated.

Germany was seen as one of the favorites for the EURO 2012 titel, before the competition started. Italy wanted it different. Mats Hummels was close to bring Germany in front with after a corner. Buffon did not look well in the situation, and the ball was saved on the line by Pirlo. However, after twenty minutes play it was Italy and Barlotelli that scored the first goal. Cassano left three German defenders look very poor before sending a perfect cross into the head of Mario Barlotelli. The Germans had problems after the scoring and looked much shaken. Ten minutes before the break, Barlotelli struck again. The striker was alone with Neuer and with an amazing kick he sent Italy in front by two. This was also the result at the break.

In the break, Joachim Löw substituted both Gomez and Podolski for Marco Reus and Klose. Reus was close to reduce for Germany, but his excellent performance free kick was saved by Buffon. Germany put morer and more pressure on Italy, who began to play more and more defensive. However, the Germans had problems breaking through the defends, while the Italian had one counter attack after the other. Than, two minutes into the overtime Germany were awarded a penalty which Özil scored on. However, it was not enough to bring them back in the match, and Italy will meet Spain in the EURO 2012 final!

Carlsberg Man of the Match Award: Andrea Pirlo, Italy

Top scorer list

  

The first Quarter Final stood between the Czech Republic and Portugal. The Czech's started best and kept Ronaldo out of the match in the first ten minutes. Portugal began to get more and more possesion, but a couple of yellow cards were what we saw from the Portuguese in the first half.

After the break, Portugal took over the match. Early in the second half Ronaldo sent a free kick on the post and shortly after Almeida scored but was offside. The Czech's could thank Petr Cech for still being a part of the match, as he made one incredible save after the other. However, with ten minutes left when Ronaldo headed Portugal in front after a beautiful cross. The Czech's never came back in the match, and Portugal can celebrate a spot in the Semi Finals.

Germany was favorites before the match, and they proved why. Right from the first whistle, the Germans took possesion and had their first big chance after two minutes. A minute after, Klose scored, but was found offside. While Germany had most of the chances, Greece could only defend and hope for some counter attacks. However, they were never close on coming in front in the first half. Instead, Germany scored the first goal after thirty-eight minutes: Lahm recieved the ball just outside the box and smashed the ball into the far corner.

The second half started as the first. Germany was in possesion, but after ten minutes, Greece suddenly equalized. Salpingidis sent a cross into the box where Samaras came first and scored to 1-1. This startet a German offensive. First Khedira first timed the ball into the net. Three minutes later Klose headed the Germans further in front, before Marco Reus scored to 4-1. In the last minutes of the match, Greece could save some honour when they were awarded a penalty. Here, Dimitris Salpingidis reduced to 4-2, which was also the final result. 

Donetsk was ready for the match between two of Europes best football nations. France started defensive and kept Spain away from chances in the first quarter of the match. However, after twenty minutes Jordi Alba sent a cross into the box where Xabi Alonso scored a brilliant goal. France did not seem to be able to answer back, and a free kick from Yohan Cabaye was the only real chance.

After the break, France was more attacking than they were in the first half. First Debuchy headed over the goal and later Menez missed a chance. However, the French was not able to equalize. Instead, Xabi Alonso scored his second goal in his match number 100. Pedro was pushed down in the box and awarded a penalty, which Alonso scored on. The final result is, therefore, 2-0 to Spain.

England and Italy delivered quite a drama in the last quarter final. After just four minutes, De Rossi sent a shot towards the English goal. Unfortunately for Italian midfielder he hit the post. England answered right back, and within the first fifteen minutes, they were close on scoring twice. The match kept a high flow with Italy in most possession of the ball. However, the first half ended in a draw.

Italy started the second half with high pressure on the English goal. Even so, they were not able to score the needed goal. Both England and Italy had their share of chances, but after ninety minutes, the score was still 0-0. That meant extra time for the two teams. The two legs of extra time were equal but still with Italy as the dominating team. Once again, Italy hit the post when Diamanti sent a cross into the box but hit the wood work instead of a player. After 115 minutes, Italy finally scored, but unluckily it was cancelled for offside. After the extra time, the match was still without goals.

Barlotelli started the penalty shootout with a goal, followed by a goal from Gerrard. The second shooter for Italy was Montolivio who totally missed the target, while Rooney smashed England in front. Pirlo scored with a tricky shot before Young sent the ball on the crossbar, making the score equal 2-2. Antonio Nocerino was safe from the spot and scored to 3-2 for Italy.  Ashley Cole was the next kicker for England. The defender’s shot was saved by Buffon, and when Diamanti scored on the next kick, England was sent out of the EURO 2012.

Both teams had the possibility of playing themselves in the Quarter finals with this match. It was Poland who started best and had their first chance after just one minute. Ten minutes into the match, Jakub Blaszczykowski found Robert Lewandowski in a free position. However, unusually for the striker, he missed the target. While the Poland missed one chance after the other, the Czechs were close to bring themselves in front, but Milan Baros missed the pass. The first half ended in a draw.

After the break, both teams were careful not to give away any chances. However, the Czech Republic became more and more controlling in the match, and twenty minutes before time, they scored the winning goal. Milan Baros found a forward rushing Petr Jiráček who sent the ball behind Tyton in the Polish goal. After this, Poland put more pressure on the opponent, but they were not able to come back in the match and are thereby out of the EURO 2012.

Greece went into this match with all odds against them. However, the Greeks surprised everyone. Greece started in control of the match and Salpingidis was close to bringing them in front after eight minutes. After this, Russia took over the match and Kerzhakov was only millimeters from bringing his nation in front. It looked more and more as Russia would score, and they even felt cheated out of two penalties. However, minutes before the break Giorgios Karagounis smashed the ball behind Malafeev in the Russian goal and sent Greece in front by 1-0 at the break.

After the break, Russia was chasing the equalizing goal but missed some luck in their shots. Instead, Greece had their chances, and as Russia, they felt cheated out of a penalty. Instead, Karagounis was shown a yellow card. Twenty minutes before the final whistle, Georgios Tzavellas sent a free kick on the cross bar. This started the Russians again, but they were not able to break down the Greek defensive and are also out of the EURO.

Both Portugal and Holland has the chance of going through to the Quarter finals, if they could win this match. After just eleven minutes, Holland was in front when Van der Vaart scored with a great shot. Minutes after, Portugal was close to equalizing, when Ronaldo hit the post. The Portugal star turned out to be a vital part of the match. After a major chance, the winger came through alone against Stekelenburg and sent the ball in the goal.

After the break, Portugal was controlling the match, and with thirty minutes left Ronaldo found Postiga who scored – but was offside. Fifteen minutes later Ronaldo was playing with the Holland defends before sending the ball in the back of the net. 2-1 was the final score, which sent Portugal in to the next round.

Denmark needed a victory – not an easy task against a strong German team. The Germans started the match best, and Thomas Müller had a great chance after just five minutes. However, the Danish keeper Stephan Andersen was safe in the goal. Germany continued to put pressure on the Danish defends, and after twenty minutes came the first goal. A loose ball ended in the feet of Lukas Podolski who easily kicked the ball in an empty net. However, five minutes later the Danes equalized by Michael Krohn-Dehli. Lars Jacobsen sent a corner kick in to the box. Here, Bendtner headed the ball in front of the goal, where Krohn-Dehli could score to 1-1. This was also the result of the first half.

Early in the second half, Denmark was close to bring themselves in front when Jakob Poulsens longshot went just outside the post. Germany dominated the second half and had their share of chances, but Denmark had a few contras. One of them resulted in an incident that looked as a penalty. Bendtner was alone in the box when he was pulled down by a German defender. However, the referee saw nothing. Five minutes later Lars Bender sent Denmark out of the EURO when he scored to the final result 2-1. At this time, Denmark seemed too tired to try anything, and Germany won the match.

Spain lived up to their status as favorites, even though they did not play at their best. Spain was most dominating in a match where Croatia was focusing on defending. However, there should go twelve minutes before Spain had their first chance when Iniesta took a shot on target. Croatia allowed the Spaniards to play as the like, which resulted in a number of chances, but they were unable to score on any of them.

In the second half, Croatia had to be more offensive as Italy was in front against Ireland. This gave the Croats a great chance, which Casillas saved in a superb way. Croatia was making ready for an attacking end of the match, which gave room for the Spanish attackers. Just three minutes before time, Spain could finally celebrate a goal when a great set up left Jesus Navas with the ball. The wing only needed to run the ball into the goal.

Ireland’s EURO had already ended before this match, but the players fighted as where they in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Italians had everything to play for, as a victory was needed to qualify for the quarter finals. The match started in a high tempo, and the Irish showed a lust to attack, while the Italians had problems making their own play. However, after thirty-five minutes Cassano brought Italy in front on a corner kick. Nothing more happened in the first half, where Ireland was best.

Italy was more offensive in the second half and had a couple of chances right from the start. The match also became more violent, and a few hard tackles were given from both teams. In the last minutes of the match, Keith Andrews was shown his second red card and sent off. Shortly after Italy ended the match, with Barlotelli as goal scorer. The striker scored a magnificent goal sending the Irish home with a 2-0 loss.

Wayne Rooney was back for England, in a match where they could settle with a draw while Ukraine needed a win. This was easy to see in the first forty-five minutes where Ukraine was dominating while England had trouble defending. Especially the two wings Yevheni Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko were creating chances for the Ukrainians. However, the score at the break was 0-0.

England started better in the second half and scored the match only goal. A corner kick from Steven Gerrand was struck by another player and goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov misjudged the ball completely allowing Rooney to score. This started a Ukrainian offensive while England started playing defensive once again. In the middle of the second half, Marko Devic scored a goal that was cancelled by the referee as it seemed it had not crossed the line. However, television pictures show that the ball clearly was behind the white line. The Ukrainians needed two goals and sent Shevchenko on to his last match for the national team. However, this did not help, and England can celebrate their position as the number one in the group.

France had the chance of taking the top position in Group D, but missed it against a strong Sweden. Les Bleus tried to control the match and had a lot of shots during the first half of the match. However, only one of them was on target. Instead, Sweden and Ola Toivonen had a shot on the post.

Ten minutes into the second half, Sweden came in front by Zlatan Ibrahimovich. The Swedish striker scored a stunning goal, which really started the team. Meanwhile, France turned out to be anything else than dangerous in front of the goal. Instead, Sweden scored once again when Holmen hit the crossbar, but Sebastian Larsson sent the return in the net. 2-0 was the final result of Swedens last match in the EURO.