Leeds United – Millwall

Bad blood between these two clubs made from their rivalry a real derby. Their games are followed with incidents, usually outside but sometimes even on the pitch. Previous season, Millwall made a first class surprise and knocked Leeds (hard favorite then) from a play-off. All those facts make from their games wars, when team quality stays in the shadow and win a team with bigger heart.

 

Leeds frozen in “war of the roses” Utd at Trafford and then started their downtrend. Lost first position and even put in doubt automatic promotion. Just two home wins in eight competitive games from then and Charlton have sneaked up to 4 points margin (Leeds have a game in hand). In last round they lost away to Saints 0-1, another failure would bring the problems and pressure. Defender Ben Parker is returning after injury, striker Tresor Kandol and winger Max Gradel as well.

 

Millwall are in a great run of results. They’ve lost just one game in 2010. of 14 competitive games (away to Wycombe, 0-1). That game and FA Cup encounter vs. Derby on the road (0-0) were the only two where Millwall didn’t score. They hold 5^th place and it seems we’ll watch them again in play-off. Club legend, striker Neil Harris, is doubtful.  

 

I didn’t intend to get involved in this game, but odds on home win have been rising whole day and now are around even. I think it worth a shot. Home win.

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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Carlo Ancelotti wants Brazilian superstar Kaka to join him at Stamford Bridge if the Italian coach make the rumoured switch to manage Chelsea next season. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is once again eyeing up a summer move to Real Madrid, despite recently suggesting he would be remaining at Old Trafford. (The Sun) 
Martin O'Neill has warned Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry to be wary of Liverpool's reported renewal of interest in his signature this summer, claiming he should possibly feel "hurt" by the Reds' reluctance to pay the club's asking price last off-season. (The Guardian)
If Liverpool do renew their interest in Barry they will still have to pay at least £10m for the player.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea, Aston Villa and Blackburn are all in the hunt for Manchester City striker Daniel Sturridge after the striker rejected City's offer of a new contract. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester City will relaunch a £10million bid to sign Everton defender Joleon Lescott this summer.(The Sun) 
City boss Mark Hughes has told any potential suitors for midfielder Stephen Ireland they are wasting their time as he will not be leaving the club.(The Sun) 
Hughes has also reportedly switched his attentions to Aston Villa striker John Carew, after finally losing patience with Blackburn's demands for their striker Roque Santa Cruz.(The Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is planning a huge summer clear-out of players, regardless of which division they are in next season.(The Sun) 
Wigan manager Steve Bruce is ready to offer Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant, currently on loan at Portsmouth, a move to the Latics this summer.(The Sun) 
West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has confirmed his club's interest in signing Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson. (The Sun)

Parma have joined Sampdoria and Atalanta in the race to sign Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati. (The Sun)

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OTHER GOSSIP

Former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb says the Gunners must loosen their purse strings if they want to prevent their best players seeking moves to other clubs.(The Times) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger though has told the club's board to "shut up" about spending plans for the summer to prevent selling clubs from increasing their prices. (Various)
Everton boss David Moyes believes the club must make significant moves in the transfer market this summer to keep the club at a high level. (The Times) 
Bolton manager Gary Megson is another who feels his side need to splash out in the off-season, but this is to avoid becoming embroiled in another relegation battle. (The Times)
Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho insists he would not swap his striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for European and World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.(Daily Mail) 
Millwall striker and record goalscorer Neil Harris says that Sunday's League One play-off final against Scunthorpe is a "bigger occasion" than the club's FA Cup final appearance against Manchester United in 2004. (The Times)
The Scottish FA will reject the idea of a Team GB playing at the 2012 Olympics when its board meets on Tuesday. (Daily Express)

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AND FINALLY 

Burnley's Graham Alexander, 37, who will line-up for the Clarets against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on Monday, says the secret to his long career is that he never leaves training without first having an ice bath.(Daily Mail) 
West Ham striker Carlton Cole has declared his intention to be "Selfish, more of a nutter and show aggression" to improve his game after being told by England coach Fabio Capello he had become "too nice".(The Times)
www.bbc.co.uk

Leeds United - Millwall

Great club, with a great history and fans, is struggling in English third league. From Champions League semi-final, they dropped into League One. Because, as Milan Mandaric (owner of Leicester City) said once:”They spent the money they didn’t had.”. However, this is their third participation in play-offs, after relegation from Premier. Lost against Watford (the final for return in Premier, 0-3) and last year defeat against Doncaster Rovers (another final at Wembley, 0-1). They’re in excellent shape (excluding the first game at the New Den), with just one defeat (mentioned Leicester City at the Walkers' Stadium, 0-1) from last 15 league games! Straight 11 (eleven) wins at Elland Road, with 8 clean sheets! In the first game, they were controlling the match, but one big mistake by skipper Richard Naylor was punished and Leeds is a goal behind. United's manager has a message to the 37 000 fans who will support the lads:“Let’s take the roof off Elland Road!”. Atmosphere in Leeds best reflects (on loan) key defender Sam Sodje, who had already expressed his determination to play, despite suffering a shoulder injury. Manager Simon Grayson is selecting from a full strength squad.

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It's the third time in last ten years that the Lions have reached the play-offs, the previous times in 1999/2000 and 2001/02 ended in disappointment. Despite being ahead of their opponents for most of the season a sticky run in saw Millwall finish one place and two points below the Elland Road side. They go into this game in the middle of an indifferent run of form, having won last four home games and lost last three games on the road. In Saturday’s game, Millwall performed a tremendous desire and spirit that ensured their first play-off win in nine attempts. Club’s legend Neil Harris (came as a substitute in 16th min.) struck a second-half winner and gave to Millwall a slender advantage. Btw. the goal sparked a mini pitch invasion from a section of the home supporters and one fan was arrested on suspicion of assault after an incident involving Leeds keeper Ankergren. Jason Price is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury, but winger James Henry could start after impressing as a substitute in the first leg. Lions skipper Paul Robinson was on the bench in the first leg after recovering from four months out with a metatarsal injury and will stay on the bench. No other worries for boss Kenny Jackett

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If we consider the animosity between the fans of these two clubs, this game would be equal with a Champions League final. On the pitch, Leeds is a slight (not clear) favorite. I expect nervous game with many tough tackles (and bet on red card(s) seems as a proper choice) and I go for a home win rather than Leeds to pass. Odds are decreasing, at this moment the highest is 1.73 at 888sport.Home win.

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Millwall - Colchester Utd.

Millwall holds third position in League One. It seems they can't drop under the play-off line, 10 points more and a game less than 7th Tranmere. But, they see their chance for direct promotion. Five points and game less than 2nd Peterborough Utd., if they win Colchester will be two. Plus, Peterborough will face Oldham away for the weekend, Millwall will host Walsall. Millwall won six from last seven games, loosing only against Leicester City (at home 0-1). Very interesting fact is all games they won with a goal difference (four times 1-0). Maybe it says something about the mental strength, surely I don't think it is a luck. Big problem for tonight's game is missing Neil Harris (club's legend) because of a facial injury, meaning on-loan striker Jason Price should step in. Defender Richard Duffy faces a late fitness test while midfielder Nadjim Abdou (personal reasons) is doubtful.

Colchester Utd. lies on 13th position with no real chance to move up or down. But, the problem with this squad is their crazy spirit. In one round they loose against Crewe at home 0-1, in the next game play excellent and grab a point against the best league team away, Leicester City 1-1. They have no motive, play for fun. They are bad against outsiders, but thirsty for blood against favorites. Typical team for avoiding. Boss Paul Lambert could name an unchanged starting eleven. They will be without midfielder Johnnie Jackson (hamstring) while defender Chris Coyne is still on international duty with Australia.

Usually, I would skip this one, watching my own business, but poor football offer forced me to think about it. Pinnacle offer 1.88, Expekt 1.80 for home win. I don't think it worths of serious bet. I will gamble, small stake. Odd for handicap win is about 3.00 and I'll take it. Last han. win was against Leeds United 18.10.2008.! (Yes, I have crazy spirit, too.) Anyway, what else you can do on tuesday night?!