monday games

[xtremer11]

Milan - Fiorentina

This match was moved to Monday evening due to Milan’s European Super Cup tie with Sevilla on August 31, but Carlo Ancelotti won’t put it in the shade.

These two teams currently share the top spot in Serie A thanks to comfortable Week 1 victories, Fiorentina defeating local rivals Empoli 3-1 and the Rossoneri taking a prestigious 3-0 result away to Genoa. Ancelotti faces a fine line in his tactical choices, as he must preserve sharpness as well as ensure they get full points against a potential front-runner.

Last season they were unable to break their deadlock, drawing 2-2 at the Artemio Franchi and 0-0 at San Siro, but it must be noted Fiorentina have had some terrific thumpings here in recent memory. They lost 3-1 in 2006, a record 6-0 the year before and 5-2 in 2001. In all 67 Serie A trips to Milan the Tuscans emerged with just eight wins, 18 draws and 41 defeats.

Giampaolo Pazzini got off the mark against Empoli and his confidence was no doubt boosted by that goal, taking him out of the shadow of Luca Toni. Teammate Christian Vieri will be eager to get some playing time against the club he only stayed with for six months, netting once in eight appearances.

The real problems for Cesare Prandelli are in midfield, where Franco Semioli is still out injured and could be joined in the stands by Martin Jorgensen and Riccardo Montolivo. The potential loss of the Under-21 international gem would be a particular blow, especially after his sublime chip last Sunday. At least Tomas Ujfalusi returns from a ban.

Over at Milan, Massimo Ambrosini seems to have recovered from his fitness worry. Alberto Gilardino could be used as a lone striker backed by Clarence Seedorf and on-form Kaka. The Brazilian had never before netted in Week 1, but got a brace at Genoa.

Milan (probable): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino

Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Donadel, Liverani, Montolivo; Santana, Pazzini, Mutu

I expect an open game here with both teams scoring. Milan should watch out for Pazzini (a better copy of Toni with far better finishing instinct) and Mutu( one of the best strikers in Europe in my opinion), i think they will for even better partnership than last years Mutu-Toni Viola attack. From the last news that i heard Montolivo is still doubtful and he most likely won't play which is a bad news for Fiorentina, who is playing a key role in Prandelli's tactics.Having in mind last season meeting between these two sides i think it's best to go for over 2,5/3,5 goals or both teams to score in this game. I give a slight advantage for Viola here, and i good option for me is Away win + 0,25 with small stakes.

Pick: Over 2,5( i will try over 3,5)-medium stakes, both teams to score medium stakes, Away win +0,25 small stakes

[xtremer11]

Expect a good performance from the bench by the young boy Kuzmanovic

[xtremer11]

AEK Athens vs Sevilla


Team news:

AEK: AEK have been boosted by the news that Spanish left-back Rodolfo Arruabarrena is fit to play after successfully overcoming a pulled thigh muscle to train on Sunday. AEK coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer will be without central defender Traianos Dellas because of a leg injury, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos likely to deputise

Sevilla:Ramos selected a strong side against Milan including Daniel Alves who underlined his commitment to the club amid transfer speculation with a committed display. The Brazilian faces a late fitness test today due to an injury to his left knee, while goalkeeper Andrés Palop has mild concussion. Midfielders Enzo Maresca, Tom De Mul and Diego Capel, defenders Federico Fazio and Andreas Hinkel and forward Luis Fabiano were all rested, however, and are back in contention for the trip to Greece, although Arouna Koné was not registered in time following his move from PSV Eindhoven. Javi Navarro (knee), Adriano Correia (calf) and Duda (calf) are also missing.



Propable line ups:

AEK: Moreto, Ramos, Arruabarrena, Alves, Papastathopoulos, Zikos, Ensaliva, Manduka, Julio Cesar, Rivaldo, Lymperopoulos

Sevilla: Palop, Hinkel, Dragudinovic, Fazio, Moskuera, Marti, Poulsen, Maresca, Capel, Jesus Naras, Kanoute

Sevilla is a class above AEK and they know how to play direct elimination games (Uefa Cup,Spanish cup), the last example is the Spanish Super Cup clash against Real Madrid. There is a huge difference between the Eastern Europe team and these from Europe's best leagues ( Lazio - Dinamo Bucarest)
Sevilla players know how to defend and they are one of the best counterattackers. I expect even bigger win for Sevilla in Athens than the first round 2-0 home win.
Pick: Away win high stakes, Over 2,5 goals medium stakes

[xtremer11]

Viola should have won the match, if only Kuzmanovic hadn't hit the post

[hunt3r]

yes i know..i had over 2.5 too