Europa League - Reports

Liverpool 4 - 1 Benfica (agg 5 - 3)

Fernando Torres scored twice to help Liverpool overpower Benfica at Anfield and set up an Europa League semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid.
The Reds levelled the tie on aggregate when Dirk Kuyt met Steven Gerrard's corner and his header was allowed to stand after initially being ruled out. 
Lucas ran clear to make it 2-0 before Torres added a third on the break. 
Oscar Cardozo's drilled free-kick gave Benfica hope but Torres made sure of victory late on with a cool finish. 
The Spanish striker can look forward to returning to his former club Atletico in the last four after keeping alive Liverpool's last hope of silverware this season but, in the meantime, his side will resume their bid to secure fourth place in the Premier League with added confidence after an impressive display. 
Torres's eventual contribution more than justified Rafael Benitez's decision to replace him during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham to rest a knee injury, but initially he appeared to be struggling against the Portuguese champions and was in some discomfort.
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Wolfsburg 0 - 1 Fulham (agg 1 - 3)

Fulham produced a superb second-leg display to beat German champions Wolfsburg and seal their place in the Europa League semi-finals.
The Cottagers took 21 seconds to make amends for Wolfsburg's late goal in the first leg as Bobby Zamora neatly turned Jan Simunek and slotted his side ahead. 
Grafite saw a shot blocked on the line as the home side pressed late on but Fulham held out for a deserved win. 
They now face Hamburg in what is their first ever European semi-final. 
The success continues a sensational second European campaign for Fulham, who had eliminated defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk and favourites Juventus in the previous two rounds.
It is a fitting reward for an extremely determined and intelligent performance from the London side, who struck with their first attack and then frustrated their talented opponents. 
Wolfsburg came into the game full of confidence following Alexander Madlung's late header in the first leg, which had given them a priceless away goal and a strong foothold in the tie. 
Fulham were punished for a poor final 10 minutes at Craven Cottage last Thursday but it took them all of 21 seconds in the Volkswagen Arena to rectify the previous week's last-ditch lapse in concentration as Zamora gave them the lead straight from the kick-off. 
The in-form striker, who passed a fitness test before the game on an Achilles injury, collected a pass inside the area from fellow forward Zoltan Gera and stylishly set up a cool, side-foot finish past home keeper Diego Benaglio for his sixth Europa League goal of the season and 19th in total.
www.bbc.co.uk

Europa League

Liverpool – Benfica

Rafa made an (for Liverpool’s fans shocking) interview where he stated that Europa League have priority over 4th place in Premier! So, to exit the competition just after that would be stupid in my opinion. On the other hand Torres’ reaction when he realized he’s gonna be substituted at 60th min vs Birmingham while Gerrard at the same time keeps his head down, suggest there’s not so perfect chemistry in the dressing room. Also, Rafa demanded more resources for new players or he’ll go. I think that’s exactly what the board wants. Second solution is to sack Rafa and give hime 18 mill(?).

Benfica are without Saviola, but for me more important is Weldon who scored both goals in the first leg and is in doubt (still hasn’t been confirmed). They played at Monday and should be, at least little, tired. On the other hand they won’t lack in self-confidence. They already were in L’pool this season, humiliated Everton (I had 1 DNB). Their training session was followed by 150 supporters. Don’t know, but it seems they have a little bit better chemistry and desire for progress. Di Maria is a target of leading EPL clubs, he’ll have one motive more.

Too much reasons for both sides. I was about to take Liverpool –1.5, but gave up and will take goals in a double with the second one.

Wolfsburg – Fulham

Until Germans scored their goal at Craven Cottage, I think they were out of competition. Now they’re favorites. They’re strong side with great attacking potential. Dzeko is, as far as I’m aware, fully fit for the game. 

Fulham will play probably their most important game in the modern history. Main problem is they simply can’t defending on the road. Other problem is Dempsey is definitely out. Zamora got a knock against Wigan, will have a late fitness test, but he simply must play.

I see a high scoring game. Personally fancy Fulham to pass (instinct more than reasons), but see goals as a better option. Over 2.5. Something like 3-2, correct score.

So, double for me:
Liverpool - Benfica, Over 2.5
Wolfsburg - Fulham, Over 2.5

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Fulham 2-1 Wolfsburg

Fulham will take a narrow lead to Germany for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final following a hard-fought victory over Wolfsburg.
After a drab first half, Bobby Zamora curled in from 20 yards just before the hour to give the home side the lead. 
Four minutes later, Zamora turned provider for Damien Duff to smash in a superb second from 12 yards. 
Alexander Madlung's late headed goal changed the complexion of the tie ahead of next Thursday's return leg. 
It was a late blow that Fulham could have avoided after seemingly being in control courtesy of their two-goal salvo in the space of four second half minutes. 
However, Wolfsburg were rewarded for their persistence in the final 10 minutes and will now be confident that they can progress to the semi-finals. 
The reigning German champions, may not be having as successful season as last campaign but they remain a potent foe, who came into this match having lost only one of their last 10 matches. 
Their strength is built on the formidable attacking duo of Edin Dzeko and Grafite, who overcame injury and illness respectively to start this match, which may partly explain why they were largely anonymous throughout. 
The best opportunities the pair had were presented to them by the home side - in particularly an off-colour Brede Hangeland - but these they spurned. 
The most notable of these was a headed chance from Dzeko, which took the striker by surprise after Hangeland had completely missed his clearing header.
Fulham have a potent attacking threat of their own in the shape of Bobby Zamora and the big striker once again showed why he is so often mentioned as a potential England striker. 
It was he who broke the deadlock in the match in the 59th minute, collecting an infield pass from Zoltan Gera before manoeuvring himself into a shooting position on the edge of the box and curling a superb shot past keeper Diego Benaglio. 
Four minutes later he turned provider as the home side doubled their advantage, holding up a pass from Danny Murphy in the box with his back to goal before teeing up Duff to emphatically slam home from 12 yards. 
It was a burst of attacking precision that had until then being completely lacking from the home side, who had the best chances of the first half but saw them spurned by Zamora, from a tight angle, and Clint Dempsey, who fired wide just before the break. 
That Fulham did not see out the game with their two-goal lead in tact is largely due to their own failings. 
They gifted the visitors too much possession in dangerous areas and despite the Germans spurning two chances through tame shooting from Grafite and substitute Obefami Martins their quality eventually shone through.
In the 88th minute, Zvjezdan Misimovic's quickly taken corner was returned to him and his cross was headed home by Madlung to give Wolfsburg more than just hope to take with them back to Germany.

www.bbc.co.uk

Fulham – Wolfsburg

Fulham started to think about this game just after the humiliating of Juve. They have every right to be optimistic, knocking out Italian giant and ex competition winner - Shakhtar give them enough reasons for it. At the same time, they should be aware of their shape on the road. In Premier, they have a single win of 16 games. In Europe played a 1-1 draw in Ukraine which could be characterized as a miracle, more than a luck (19 attempts for Shakhtar and 17(!) corners) and 1-3 defeat in Italy. So, their chances are in this game, not in re-match. Zamora is rested, in fact all squad has been rested and they’ll give their best shot tonight.

 

Ex German champion eliminated Villarreal and Rubin in past two rounds. They have three consecutive wins in domain league (with three clean sheets) and their self confidence should be very high. They gain an attacking style of play and I doubt they’ll change it for tonight’s clash. From their point of view, they’ll play against average English team and won’t give them too much respect. Main problem is appearance of their best striker Edin Dzeko who is rated 50-50 to play. Even without him, Wolfsburg have huge attacking potential.

 

Both sides have reasons to believe in progress. Maybe I could give a small advantage to the hosts, but at the same time expect an open game from the start and goals. 888sport offer 2.00. Over 2.5.

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One fast pick

UEFA Europa League

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Villarreal - Wolfsburg 1, 1.80 at 888sport

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Champions League

Well, I still think betting on CL last round is just looking for a trouble, but would like to hear some reasons why Juve-Bayern shouldn't be an over. What,Juve will keep a goalless draw?Doubt so. They can practice it in Serie A, not against raging Bayern. Odd 2.20 is definitely value for me.

Carrick will act central defender and keep the eye on Dzeko? Yea, sure. Another over.

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Juventus - Bayern Munchen, Over 2.5

Wolfsburg - Manchester United, Over 2.5

Small bets, however.

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Schalke 04 1-2 Stuttgart

Stuttgart remain hot on the heels of league leaders Wolfsburg after notching a rare 2-1 (1-1) victory at Schalke 04.

In the absence of top scorer Mario Gomez due to a last-minute adductor problem, strikers Cacau (15.), and Ciprian Marica (57.) bagged the goals that gave VfB a timely first win in eleven years in Gelsenkirchen, to make it 22 points out of a possible 24 in their last eight games for the team from the south west.

Schalke's third successive defeat meanwhile rules out any slight remaining hope they had of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.

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VfB on the offensive

Stuttgart attacked from the off and were rewarded with a top-quality opener on the quarter-hour mark. Cacau pounced on a mistake by Mladen Krstajic and hammered home into the corner from the edge of the box.
Schalke tried to match their opponents in open combat and four minutes later Jefferson Farfan missed a great chance to equalise, heading over the bar from four metres out.
In the 37th minute, VfB keeper Jens Lehmann tipped over a long-range effort from Heiko Westermann and two minutes later the home side were level, Ivan Rakitic netting direct from a free kick.

Clinical finish from Marica

Schalke's Kevin Kuranyi twice failed to find the net from close range against his former club shortly after the restart (49., 50.), and the hosts would soon have cause to regret those misses. 
In the 56th minute VfB skipper Thomas Hitzlsperger let fly from distance and Royal Blues keeper Manuel Neuer could only bat the ball to the feet of Marica. 
The Romanian forward, a late replacement for Gomez, gratefully accepted the gift - and the points were Stuttgart's.
www.bundesliga.de

Schalke 04 - Stuttgart

It seems I took Your attention. The biggest attendance on blog, since establishment. If You made some decent income in recent days and feel grateful, be free to make some donation for blog development. He he. Or, simply click some links on the page. Seriously, thanks to all who find my corner as an interesting place. Also, be free to post comments. Although, I'm experienced bettor, I'm absolute beginner in this blog stuff, posting, web design and such things. Will really appreciate any opinion, good or bad. Won't tolerate only abusive tones, everything else will be published.

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Cheers,

Dule

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Schalke had very good run of results with four straight wins (last one was in Munich, against Bayern 1-0), with no goal conceded. But, first came totally unexpected home defeat against Bayer 04, 1-2. After that, they traveled in M'gladbach to face relegation contender. Cautious performance through the entire game was punished in the last seconds. 1-0 for the hosts and Schalke’s hopes about Uefa Cup sank. 7th place with six points less from 5th Dortmund. Theoretically, it is reachable, but I think the players’ minds will be on summer vacation, more than on Europe chase. Three more games and their terrible season will be finished. It is expected that Mike Bueskins will set defense oriented tactic to face motivated visitors, with Kuranyi in front and Farfan and Sanchez on the sides. Marcelo Bordon (partial muscle tear) and the persistently unlucky Christian Pander, who injured a knee in the last-minute loss at Mönchengladbach, will both miss this one, with Pander out for the rest of the season. Only good fact for a home side is tradition. Their home record against Stuttgart is at any rate better than against any other side in the Bundesliga - 25 wins in 38 games and they haven’t lost at home for eleven years!

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Stuttgart is in great run with no defeat from last seven games, six win and a draw. In the last round, they smashed the league leaders Wolfsburg at home ground 4-1, with all four goals by Mario Gomez! This guy obviously has a problem. First he can’t score for a dozen games (for the national team, usually), then against the title contender writes a history and hits four times. Hope, he’ll keep it up, however. Stuttgart is 4th with four points less from Champions League spot (Hertha made an (un)expected win against FC Cologne on the road, previous night), but just five points from the first place! They’re focused and fully motivated. Boss Markus Babbel made a statement that their aim is and will remain to stay ahead of all those sides they're ahead of at the moment. It is true, Stuttgart can finish from first till sixth place, but I see Babbel’s talk just as a way of relaxing players before the decisive battles. After this game, they’ll host Cottbus. With six points, they’ll probable have a chance to win a title at the last round in Munchen against Bayern. Some problems with missing players, Ricardo Osorio, Serdar Tasci and Yildiray Bastür, all injured or in post-operative recovery. Matthieu Delpierre returns from suspension. Additional problem is six players have four yellow cards and if they get the fifth, will miss one of the last two games.

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Will be very hard for home side to find any motive tonight. Will play just for fans and will try to avoid defeat. Definitelly, would be satisfied with 0-0. Visitors have their chance to conquer the country and with a performance, even little worse than against Wolfsburg, they can win this and ruin the tradition. Odds are very high and I go for away side with a small bet. 888sport offers 2.75. Away win.

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Hamburger SV - Manchester City

Hamburg, who are managed by former Tottenham boss Martin Jol, have enjoyed a productive season to date and will fancy their chances of claiming an English scalp. After a fourth win in a row (1899 Hoffenheim, 1-0 at home), they surprisingly became one of the main title candidate, with the same number of points as Wolfsburg. Whole season, they have problems with injuries, but Jol always finds a competent substitutes and resulst are stabile. Defenders Alex Silva and Guy Demel are still injured, while Paolo Guerrero and Collin Benjamin have returned to training after ankle and thigh problems, respectively, and could be involved. Anyway, these four are not the standard members of first eleven and will be replaced easily. Their good run of results and home ground make of them a big favorites tonight.

Mark Hughes' side required a penalty shoot-out to see off AaB Aalborg in the last round. They perform very well at home, but away games look like nightmare for The Blues. Four competetive defeats in a row with no scored goal! 2-0 defeat against Arsenal hasn't increased team morale. Vincent Kompany and Nigel De Jong will not have the opportunity to play against their former club. Midfielder Kompany suffered the setback at the weekend and has remained at home for treatment. De Jong is not registered for Uefa Cup. Stephen Ireland and Wayne Bridge have joined to injury list. Stilian Petrov made his comeback for the reserves against Newcastle on Monday and travelled to Germany. 

Hamburg is in excellent run of results, leading by Martin Jol. Their performance looks good and consistent. Visitors are without a few very important players. Even with them, they would be in subordinate position. Expekt and the most of others offer 2.oo for Hamburger. I have no dilemmas. Home win.

Werder - Udinese

I expect an open game and goals. Over.

Greuther Furth - Hansa

Home side is fighting for promotion, but doesn't have the stadium that requires the standards for Bundes Liga. Visitors are two points under the relegation line. Like to play 3 for 3 in mutual games. Away win is 4.70 at Expect. Gamble bet for me. Away win.