Bristol City – Barnsley

Season of great expectations started as a nightmare for City. First were trashed at home soil by Millwall (0-3), then maybe even bigger shock was when Steve Coppell left the club. Ex care-taker (now should be permanent boss), Billy Sharp, took the charge and seems managed to stabilize the club. They were good on the road vs. Doncaster and missed to win thankfully to additional time penalty (1-1). Big injury list has been decreasing. Defender Carey is back in the contention, but key man Nicky Maynard is out, as well as defender Kalifa Cisse. The Robins made a double last year against Barnsley and won 4 of their 5 last meetings.

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Barnsley did defeat Palace in the previous round (at home 1-0), but still have big problems with scoring. Even that one was an own goal. Departure of their key striker Daniel Bogdanovic (to Sheff.Utd.) seems to be a bigger blow than they expected. Beside a netting problem, they have a terrible record away from home. Barnsley haven’t won on the road for six months (at Ashton Gate for 17 years). The Tykes will be without two midfielders (both new signings) Jim O'Brien and Goran Lovre.

 

If home side wants to carry high ambitions (in my opinion City could be fighting for a play-off), they simply have to win games like Barnsley at home.

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Bet: Bristol City -0.5ah

Odd: 2.03 188bet

Stake: 7/10

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Red Bull Salzburg - Bohemians

Salzburg is the most dominant club in Austria, thankfully to main sponsor Red Bull. With a very big budget for Austrian conditions, they kept the best player in the club and even strengthened the squad. The biggest signing is new boss, Huub Stevens (ex Dutch side Roda), who was outside European football for a while. Four players came to the club. Thomas Augustinussen (ex Aalborg skipper), Franz Schiemer (from Austria Vienna), Simon Cziommer (from Utrecht) and Dusan Svento (Slovakian from Slavia Prague). Interesting fact is all counted players are defenders. But, it doesn’t mean hosts will have any problem to score. Attacking line is leaded by Marc Janko who scored 39 goals in the previous season in domain league. The aim for this season is group stage of the Champions League and Salzburg will try to finish the job in the first game in front the own fans. The only problem could be this will be the first competitive game in season, while in Irish league 19 rounds have passed. New signing Franz Schiemer isn't available for tonight's game, while striker Zickler is in doubt, but is expected to appear.

Bohemians play in excellent shape, have eight competitive wins from last nine games, have five points more than the chasers and march with the huge steps to another champions title. But, black clouds appeared over the club. Irish press published the story about club’s disaster financial situation. Club is spending about 1.6 million pounds on players’ wages which is over the limit. So, the finance director Chris Brien informed the club’s members they need urgent cash injection, otherwise hard sanctions and move to First Division are already seen. However, the calculation is defending the title in domain competition and progress in Champions League over Salzburg would be enough to cover the debt. Therefore, this game for Irish side means do or die happening. The Gypsies will miss skipper Owen Heary who is suspended and Graham Carey which loan deal couldn’t be extended because the mentioned club’s finance. Lack of quality, visitors will try to compensate with fighting attitude and save the club from bankrupt.

For home side, this game is just warming up before the decisive games. They’ll try to make convincing victory and travel to Ireland without a pressure. Artificial grass won’t be a problem for Bohs, they played last league game (Dundalk, 2-0 away) on it. For them, this is a battle for life and I think they will be able to save the net in the first half. My bet x-1, ht/ft. Odds arround 4.20.

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Bohemians - Sligo Rovers

At the half of competition, future champions still can’t be predicted. Bohemians is the main favorite (as usual), but Derry City (a point less) and Cork City (two less) are breathing on the neck. At home, Bohs is more than dominant. Six wins from eight games (one draw and defeat from Cork 0-1), with 16 goals scored and just two conceded! After the unexpected disaster against St. Patricks Athletic on the road (1-3), team reacted positively and scored eight goals in cup victory over Mayfield United last week. Manager Pat Fenlon has almost a full squad to choose from, with no injuries, and only midfielder Graham Carey is out of contention due to a one-match suspension. Tonight’s win would erase the St Pats defeat from their memory. And additional motive is the fact Derry will very probably take three points from their game against Bray Wanderers.

After 16 games played, Sligo sit seventh in the Premier Division table, 15 points behind today’s opponent. They have picked up just nine points from a possible 24 away from home this season, winning just twice, beating Dundalk 2-0 and Derry City 2-1. Into this game lads come after two excellent FAI Cup displays against Cork. After a 2-2 draw on the road, at tuesday, they defeated at home the big favorite 2-1, with both goals scored by excellent Rafael Cretaro plus some fantastic goalkeeping from Richard Brush. But, the victory after the extra time brought a plenty of problems. The missing list is very long. Stephen Parkhouse is long time injured and still out, Gavin Peers and Shaun Holmes injured too, while Jason Noctor and Richard Ryan are suspended! Boss Paul Cooke said in the paper he’ll have only eleven fit players. True or not, five certainly won’t play. And the rest of the crew is exhausted. 

Sligo proved many times that they can fight with the best, but tonight “won’t be their fault”. On the other hand, Bohs is nervous (and focused) because they can’t make a convincing advantage on the table. I don’t think Sligo can put some serious resist here, and going on home win with two, or more goals difference. The best odd is at 888sports, 2.15.

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