Bayer Leverkusen:

Two games into the Bundesliga season and Bayer Leverkusen are the team to catch. The currently sit at the top of the table following wins against Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin. This, combined with convincing home and away victories against Copenhagen in the Champions League play-off, finds Bayer Leverkusen Players in a rich vein of form and they will be a tough nut to crack. Under new manager Roger Schmidt they will be hoping to get into the top three after threatening to do so for much of last season. Schmidt is a proponent of attacking football and has shown with his previous club, Red Bull Salzburg, that he knows how to get his teams playing consistently well. There could be some hope for Werder Bremen in the shape of Leverkusen’s defence. They conceded two goals against a struggling Hertha Berlin side and had previously lost two goals against a less than stellar Copenhagen team.

Werder Bremen:

Bremen have been underachieving in recent seasons. They finished a disappointing twelfth last season and haven’t troubled the upper reaches of the Bundesliga for some time. Once one of the leading lights of German football they are in danger of becoming perennial underachievers. Their indifferent start to the season is in stark contrast to Leverkusen’s trail blazing performances. A 2-2 draw with Hertha Berlin was followed by a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim on match day two. However, as Hoffenheim currently sit in third place in the Bundesliga their draw may have been a better result than first thought. That said, it would be a surprise if they could get anything against Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen

The stats suggests that this will be nothing other than a Leverkusen win. Both teams have met a lot of times in Bundesliga but this match is different. This match is about a European competition and that changes everything. In this type of matches form is not the most crucial parameter for the final result. Passion is a very important factor that will count. Bremen have only managed to defeat Leverkusen once in their last ten meetings. Indeed you would have to go back to 2008 for the last time Bremen won at Leverkusen’s BayArena. It would take Leverkusen to have an off day and Bremen to exceed expectations for them to get a win this weekend, but if Werder Bremen put early pressure on Leverkusen’s leaky defence they could come away with a point.

Lokeren news:

On Thursday evening they experienced a sweet (2-1) defeat in England from Hull City and in conjunction with the first match 1-0 they qualified for the first time in their history in the groups of the Europa League (facing Metalist Kharkiv, Trabzonspor and Legia Warsaw).

In the league they reminded the famous Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in an away defeat to Cercle Brugge (1-0).

They were languid in the first part and were fairly found back in score in 26′. They reacted in the second part and played Cercle Brugge in the half court, but they were very tenuous at final attempt and therefore they failed to avoid defeat.

Standard Liege news:

On Tuesday they defeated for the second time by Zenit (3-0, they had lost 1-0 in Belgium) and continue in Europa League (located in the same group with Feyenoord, Rijeka and Seville).

In the league they have not tasted the joy of victory in the past three games. They were irritatingly unlucky at home against Westerlo, remained at 2-2 and were removed even more from the top of the standings. The loss of both penalties and the shot at the post were the culmination of their misfortune in second part while the score still was 2-2.

“We keep the positives from the games against Zenit and turn our attention to the league. We will do everything we can to win Lokeren” said coach Luzon.

Club Brugge news:

On Thursday, for Europa League’s playoff, they doubled their wins to Grasshoppers (1-0, 2-1 they had won the first game in Switzerland) and qualified for the groups where they will face Copenhagen, Helsinki and Turin.

In the league, they completed three games without a win. Last week they really suffered their first defeat of the season, losing 3-1 at the headquarters of Mechelen. The final result is fair with Club Brugge unable at any point of the match to impose their rhythm.

The transcriptional activity of recent days is intense. Odjidja-Ofoe (midfielder, 3 app.) will continue in Norwich. A breath away of Genoa is Lestienne (winger, 4 app.). Their last additions from Latin America are the Colombian striker Izquierdo (4 million. Dollars, Once Caldas), the Brazilian winger Gedoz (Sporting Defensor) and the Chilean defensive midfielder Silva (on loan from Osasuna).

“It would not be nice to find ourselves eight points behind Anderlecht. I hope we’ll not be as unlucky as last year. I must admit however that Anderlecht have a very good team, “said coach Preud’homme, who as coach of Club Brugge counts three defeats in equal number of times he faced Anderlecht.

Anderlecht news:

Without impressing once again they prevailed Beveren 1-0 and enjoy the loneliness of the top. The debut of the newly acquired midfielder Defour was satisfactory, indicating to his presence that he is in good condition.

“Neither of the two teams are in the best possible condition. It will be a good test for us in view of the Champions League matches. Club Brugge will definitely want to avenge their defeat in last year’s playoffs that substantially cost them the title stated the coach Hasi.

Right defender Colin signed (Troyes – he is not available for tonight) while goalkeeper Kaminski was given on loan to Anorthosis.

Chateauroux vs Orleans Preview

Chateauroux

They decided to line up with basic eleven in the League Cup against Clermont, they took the lead before the 20 minutes were completed by Thil and had a chance to double the score but the post stopped them.

They were equalized in the 35′ and were left with ten just after the completion of an hour because of the red card shown to the defender Boyer.After this point they logically collapsed (1-3 final result).

Two new additions were announced, midfielder Zola (Le Havre, 31 app./0 goals) and central defender Udoji (Rennes, 13 app./1 goals).

Orleans

Although they are newly promoted in the category, they continue to show professionalism and cynicism.

Third consecutive three-pointer for the surprise of this year’s League 2 with the same score.

The result of the home match against Brest was 1-0 with the goal been scored by Ponroy just in the second minute. Later, many battles were given in the game and the toughest team (Orleans) managed to get the result.

On the plus is that they had no obligations in League Cup and managed to rest a few days more.

New transcriptional acquisition is the good striker Benmeziane who is expected to make his first participation.

Laval vs Ajaccio Preview

Laval

They still are in very good condition. After a goalless draw which they gained in the headquarters of the pioneer Troyes, they qualified for the third round of the League Cup, winning 1-0 at home against Dijon.

The first half was bad, they took an early lead in the second scored by the veteran Diallo after a mistake of the defense. They were not threatened especially until the end.

“It is a great success for the club as it has not become accustomed to proceed to the Cups,” coach Zanko stated.

They have an excellent defense, in six official games, they have conceded just three goals, while keeping the zero for 180 minutes.

Ajaccio

They have begun to show samples of the team we expected.

Third consecutive victory, this time with an emphatic 1-4 at the headquarters of Troyes, all scored in the second half. The score was opened by Madri in 52′, followed by Fauvergue in 54′ and two goals were scored by Oliech in the 59′ and 65′. The only thing that the hosts were able to do was to reduce the score in the 67′.

“We managed to finish the game in 13 minutes, which is something very important,” the statements of coach Bracconi showing the good psychology in the team.

Hull City find themselves tantalisingly close to making their first appearance in the Europa League proper. Standing between them and the big time stand a Lokeren side who will be hoping for a repeat performance of their victory in the first leg. The history books show that things are in Hull’s favour having won at home in their previous qualifier and the small matter of Lokeren never having won on English soil. 

Europa League Play Off: Hull City v Lokeren Preview

Hull City

With very little experience of European football, it is difficult to predict how Hull City will handle the tie against Lokeren. They have never played European football and may come unstuck against a side who will look to play on the counter attack. Often the underdog in England, Hull will find themselves in the unusual position of having to control the game from kick off. However, while Hull City as a club are newcomers to this level of football, they have a squad full of players who should be comfortable playing in the Europa League. Domestically, Hull have started the season reasonably well. A win against QPR followed by a draw at home to Stoke City will have given them confidence and they should win tonight.

2014/2015 Form

Played: 5
Won: 2
Lost: 1
Draws: 2

Lokeren

While Hull have never played at this level, Lokeren have been fairly consistent performers on the European stage. Unfortunately for them their record isn’t anything to write home about. After ten years in the European wilderness they were knocked out at the play-off stage last season. They have endured an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign having lost the Belgian Super Cup and their opening league game. They had looked to have picked up some form after that though with a draw and two victories, but defeat at the weekend sees them stuck in seventh place. They were perhaps a bit fortunate to beat Hull in the first leg as the English side had more possession and more shots on target and I would be surprised if they were in the draw tomorrow.

2014/2015 Form

Played: 7
Won: 3
Lost: 3
Draws: 1

Sparta Praha and PEC Zwolle will meet in the second leg of the Europa League play-offs on Thursday night at the Stadion Letna in Prague, with each side hoping to secure a place in the group stages of the competition. With the score sitting at 1-1 from the first leg it promises to be another close encounter with an away goal tipping the advantage slightly in favour of Sparta Praha. However, PEC Zwolle will be keen to progress in what is their first ever season in the Europa League.

Europa League Play Off: Sparta Praha v PEC Zwolle Preview

Sparta Praha

Sparta definitely have more of a history in European competition than Zwolle. This will be their 239th appearance in European football and they have gained a respectable reputation in that time. They reached the semi-final of the old European Cup back in 91-92 season and can also boast of reaching the same stage of the Uefa Cup back in 1972. For their fans, competing in the Europa League is demanded after Sparta crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers to Malmo. They will be hoping a win tonight can kick start their season both domestically and in Europe. After starting the season well with three wins, their form has slumped of late losing two games on the bounce. They will need to quickly regain their early season form to overcome a Zwolle side in good form and with nothing to lose.

2014/2015 Form
Played: 11
Won: 6
Lost: 3
Draws: 2

PEC Zwolle

Zwolle enjoyed something of a fairytale season last year. They won their first ever major trophy when they defeated the mighty Ajax in the final of the KNVB Cup. This victory granted them qualification for the Europa League for the first time in their history. The have gone on to prove this victory wasn’t a fluke by beating Ajax again, this time in the Super Cup. Indeed, they have started the season in impressive style having won their first three games and are currently sitting joint top of the Eredivisie. If there is a concern about Zwolle it is their inexperience at this level. They may find it tough against a seasoned Sparta side who will have a partisan crowd backing them.

2014/2015 Form
Played: 5
Won: 4
Lost: 0
Draws: 1
[feather_share]

Make profits out of European football

Champions League is host to the best standard of football in the world.
Recent times have meant that unlike in previous years, there are a number of candidates that could win the competition.

The super power of Barcelona are not expected to win, this will no doubt mean fantastic odds. The Spanish way of playing football seems to die slowly. Bookmakers have pretty much discounted Barcelona to advance to a high stage of the competition. Can you ever really count out a team with Lionel Messi in it? They will also have Luis Suarez to bolster their attacking force in this year’s campaign.

Competition For Money Making

Real Madrid will also have very good odds. For a team to win the champions league back to back, they really do need to be exceptional and the pressure will be on, they could be well worth a bet. The odds will be sky high and chances for profit are a lot. There is no doubt they have some of the best players in the world, with world cup sensation, James Rodriguez joining the ranks, they really do look irresistible.

Bayern Munich absolutely cruised to victory in the Bundesliga last season but never really hit their highest gear in the Champions League. Yet again, the odds on this giant of European soccer, with players like Arjen Robben who shone in the world cup and world cup winners, like Mario Goetze, Bastien Schweinsteiger, and Toni Kroos, who will be high in confidence.

The favourites for the Champions League are pretty much non-existent. Nobody knows whether the German style that won the world cup, can triumph in club football and that means that betting on the Champions League could be hugely profitable for those who are bold and bet before the competition starts. Once the season gets underway, the odds will not be as good, it is better to pick now and maximise your profit.

In recent years, Manchester City really have become a force to be reckoned with in English football. There was a time when, under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United were pretty much nailed on to win the title, but a new era may have begun. Manchester City may just have become the team that always wins the league, even when they don’t seem to play well and could really be on the top of everyone’s soccer predictions list.

The premier league has become wide open since the downfall of Manchester United, making soccer predictions very hard to come by. Their dominance is no more and this has left the others to fight for the title. Last season, it was first of all Arsenal who were thought of as the favourites for the Premier League title early on. Inevitably, their lack of experience in those situations fell and they were knocked off the perch by Liverpool, who were the next target of people’s soccer predictions of who they thought would win the league.

Last season everybody ranted and raved about Liverpool. Their fast paced, high adrenaline football created a mist around the club that made everybody think they would run away with the league title. For all the world, it looked like they would, until, inevitably, they blew up. A soccer prediction was easy mid-season as Liverpool went through a record 11 wins on the bounce. Liverpool simply didn’t have that cutting edge, killer instinct when it came to winning the league. When Liverpool failed to get the job done, Manchester City were there.

The other major competitor was Chelsea. Chelsea were everybody’s soccer prediction to win the league from the start. People fell for Jose Mourinho’s arrogant bravado and thought that this excellent squad of players would be the ones to life the trophy, especially when they beat Liverpool towards the end of the season. While people were speculating Chelsea and Liverpool, Manchester City were quietly racking up points and before anyone knew it, they were in the driving seat.

That is why you can simply never count out Manchester City when it comes to winning the Premier league, not just this year but for years to come. They are a sensible soccer prediction. The owner’s immense riches will no doubt keep a constant supply of world-class players coming into the club and now, they have the experience of winning league titles.