After 18 rounds passed, Shelbourne hold the first place with two points more than the chasers Waterford and UCD Dublin. Team definitely has enough quality for direct promotion (first place, only), while main sponsor “Cab 2000” gives them financial security. Home record (on the road, also) is impressive. Seven wins from nine games, with just one draw (Longford Town 2-2) and one defeat (UCD Dublin 1-3). Players have on their mind painful memories from last season, when they lost promotion by conceding a 93rd minute goal on the final day of the season. So, I don’t expect any kind of relaxation or loosing the focus, till the end. In the previous round, they played only a draw against Athlone Town, on the road. After leading by two goals after 30 mins, skipper (and key defender) Damien Brennan was red carded just before half time and the pressure of playing with a man short took it’s toll with the home side getting one back on 79mins and the equaliser deep into stoppage time. For tonight’s game, the Reds will have to plan without the suspended Brennan and also without the injured defensive trio of Stephen Quigley, Kevin Doherty and Alan Keely. Into the reckoning come two new signings Robert Douglas (signed from Crumlin United) and Ray Scully (formerly of Waterford United)
After they spent a year at the Premier Division, Harps were relegated. Budgetary cuts that caused many players had to leave, judged club to being in the middle of the second league. Team won only 19 points from 18 games played and although they’re safe from relegation, they’re also safe from any idea about promotion, as third UCD Dublin have 42 points on their balance. Their away record doesn’t promise anything good for tonight’s game. Six draws and three defeats from nine games and not a single win. At the previous round, Harps suffered a heavy defeat at RSC stadium against second placed Waterford Utd.. Team resisted full 70 minutes, but in last 20 got four hits and 0-4 at the end. Boss James Gallagher has a problem in the center of his defence for today’s trip to Tolka Park. Packie Mailey, who was sent off in Waterford, sits out the through suspension while other central defender, Johnny Havlin is still injured. Sean Houston (another defender) misses out again, while forward Conor Gethins is long time injured. Midfielder Christy Conaghan, who missed the last three games, could return.
Shelbourne is always the big favorite at Tolka Park, but tonight will have to cope with missing of four players in defence. Probably will try to cover the hole with attacks. Harps don’t need any problem to be outsider against tonight’s opponent, but also have damaged defence line. I think the home win isn’t so safe as bookies try to explain with odds around 1.30 and can not say I’m smelling surprise, but see bet on goals as much better bet. Bookie Mybet offer 1.80. Over.
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Dinamo is one of the Russian giants, team with the rich history. In the previous season, they reached the third place (behind Rubin and CSKA) and got the chance to fight for Champions League group stage. This will be the first time that the club has taken part in the competition since its re-branding from the European Cup in 1992.. And the lack of experience playing in Europe will be the additional problem for the visitors. The biggest advantage is they’re in full competition shape. Dinamo played the half games in Russian league, while Scottish starts at August 15th. After 15 games played in domain competition, Dinamo hold 5th place with real chance to qualify for Europe, again. In the last round, in city’s derby game against Locomotiv Moscow, they played a draw (1-1), with another goal by Alexandr Kerzakhov (seven goals in 11 appearances, so far), who definitely will be the biggest threat for home’s net. The captain and very important midfielder, Dmitry Khokhlov is suspended, while the acquisition from Portugal side Braga, Luis Aguiar still isn’t fully fit and won’t appear. It is expected the talented youngsters Smolov, Kokorin and Svezhov get the chance tonight, but the big question is how they’ll react on hot atmosphere on Celtic Park.
In the previous season, Bordeaux made a first class surprise and conquer the French Ligue 1. Thankfully to amazing streak of twelve competitive wins in a row, they finished as the champions, leaving behind Olympique de Marseille and hard favorites Olympique Lyonnais. Now, nobody dares to say anything about retaining the title, but ambitions are highest and 24.5 million euros has been already spent on transfer market. Only important player who left the squad is centre-back Souleymane Diawara (signed for Marseille) and boss Laurent Blanc is looking for his replacement. UK press have been writing a lot about Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh and his expected move to Premier League. For now he stays at the club, but will have additional motive in this game, to show himself in the best shape. Bordeaux already played three games in the preparation for new season. First a 1-1 draw against Brest, then defeat against Toulouse 0-1 and in the third game lads showed something from the last season shine, defeating Olympique de Marseille 2-1. Blanc will have all squad available, which means killer trio Gourcuff, Cavenaghi, Chamakh in attacking line.
If Bordeaux made a surprise winning a title, than in Guingamp’s case we can talk about sensation. Club last five years compete in second league, finished the previous season at 13th place with just ten victories in 38 games. It seems they still try to recover from 2003., when four big stars, Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, Nestor Fabbri and Juan-Luis Montero left the club. However, Guingamp made a big victory at the Stade de France in the Cup final, over Stade Rennais FC 2-1 with two goals by excellent Brazilian Eduardo Ribeiro (went to RC Lens). Beside the opportunity to compete in UEFA Europa League, Guingamp will face the national champions in Super Cup. Game will be played in Montreal – Canada and it attracted very big interest from foreign broadcasters. So, beside the sport’s motives, club officials see a nice opportunity for a free advertising. This will be their first game in preparation for the new season. Boss Victor Zvunka has no injury concerns. 
Rudar is small Slovenian club from Velenje. Before two years, they progressed from the second league, to first. The best player is ex Slovenian international Cipot. All players are few years in the club, playing together and team looks very compact. Beside the luck of experience in European competition, Rudar trashed Estonian side Trans Narva in the previous round. 3-0 win in the first game away and 3-1 in re-match at home. Before the clash with Belgrade team, Rudar was declared from the audience as the outsider, public expected two easy victories for Serbian squad. But, in the first game, Slovenians introduced themselves as a tough opponent and just because the huge respect to ex European and World champion, they didn’t make the better result. Now they’re full of optimism. Boss Marijan Pusnik said they don’t afraid of the hot atmosphere at “Marakana” and they’re capable to win and progress in the next round. Considering all their talks to the Serbian press, impression is they really believe in victory. That optimism (real or fake) will certainly affect on their decision to attack from the start. No injury, or suspended players, Pusnik will be able to send best eleven on the pitch.
