AC soccer plays 2012

[achandicap]

SUNDAY

ENGLAND (Carling Cup)
Cardiff +1.5 -122/Liverpool, 2 units

ITALY
Atalanta PK +128/Roma, 2 units

Like Cardiff getting 1.5 in what should be a tight, defensive, conservative match. Liverpool has said they won't overlook the Championship side, but Liverpool also doesn't need this win to reach Europa League (They would only be four points out if they lose this opportunity.) as much as Cardiff. Cardiff had an easy draw, beating only one Premiere side (Blackburn) to get here, but they have the experience to fluster Liverpool. And, as much as they say they aren't looking past Cardiff, there must be a bit of a look-ahead to next weekend's match against Arsenal. Liverpool may win, but it won't be easy.

Atalanta has been tough at home, losing only twice, to Milan and Juventus, so neither says they aren't a talented side. Roma has six road losses on their record, including Cagliari and Siena most recently. Atalanta was docked six points at the beginning of the season as part of the ongoing game-fixing investigation, so they are better than their standings suggest.

 

[achandicap]

Back from the national break, and a new league kicks in for me. Ireland is a fun league with games on Fridays. Two for today.

IRELAND
St. Patrick's -1 131/Bray, 2 units

COLOMBIA
Itagui +.5 -116/Junior, 1 unit

St. Patrick's faltered down the strewcth last season after making play for the title early. Bray was a scrappy club that finished mid-table. Both have put a lot of new players on their teams, but while St. Pat's went for experience, Bray went for youth. At least initially, I see St. Pat's being the stronger side.

Itagui is at the top of the early standings, and did so while playing some tough opposition. They've Le Equidad and Once Caldes, and beat Atletico Nacional. They played well last year after moving up from the second division, and finished second in last season's Clasura. They are not a fluke. Junior also has a Libertadores match to look forward to Thursday.

Record: 26-27, +1.05

 

[rolltide]

nice comeback with 6 straight! keep it going

 

[achandicap]

SATURDAY

ENGLAND
Arsenal +.5 -120/Liverpool, 1 units

ITALY
Palermo +.75 -115/Milan, 4 units

Liverpool might just pack it in after winning the Carling Cup. They're already in Europa next season, and obviously can't win league. They're still seven points away from Arsenal for the final Champions League spot, but I just don't see them being that talented or being able to sustain off that Carling Cup win. Arsenal does have Champs League on Tuesday, but already trailing Milan 4-0, they must put their effort here. It's simply two teams looking at this match from different directions.

Palermo is 10-0-2 at home. They've beaten Inter and Lazio at home this season, and only Udinese has a better home mark. Milan is coming off the big match against Juventus and has the trip to Arsenal on Tuesday. Getting .75 is amazing, as even if Milan gets a one-goal win we'll get half the bet back. Palermo is a very talented team at home, and Milan's focus is not here. Palermo is also available at +.5 +118, but the extra bump is worth the price.

Record: 26-28, -0.11

 

[achandicap]

Ewww... Palermo loss was ugly. One more tonight.

COLOMBIA
Deportivo Tolima -.5 -134/Once Caldes, 3 units
Don't like having to lay this much in Colombia, but this looks like Once is still being looked at by their reputation. Caldes hasn't won in their last 11 matches overall (0-5-6), while Tolima started the season well with a home win over Sante Fe, a home draw vs. La Equidad and a road win over Atletico Nacional. Home field is huge in Colombia, and the home team is better even on a neutral site.

Record: 27-29, -3.71

 

[achandicap]

SUNDAY

ENGLAND
Tottenham PK +109/Manchester United, 1 unit

ITALY
Cesena +1 +115/Fiorentina, 1 unit
Catania +.5 +116/Inter, 1 unit

 

[achandicap]

COLOMBIA

LaEquidad +.25 -125/Ind. Medellin, 2 units

 

[achandicap]

TUESDAY
CHAMPS LEAGUE
Arsenal -.5 +113/Milan, 3 units
Milan has a 4-0 lead here. They don't need to win, and Italian teams rarely play well outside Italy to begin with. Arsenal needs to look decent in front of the home fans and at least save face.

Record: 29-31, -2.55

 

[achandicap]

TUESDAY
LIBERTADORES

Universidad de Chile (Chi) PK +121/Peneral (Uru),1 unit
Union Espanola (Chi) PK -130/Universidad Catolica (Chi), 1 unit

U de Chile is still a solid team and has Libertadores as a main goal. Peneral lost its first two matches by a 0-5 aggregate and may already be packing it in. I expect a good effort from Peneral here, perhaps for the last time in Libertadores, but it won't be enough. Espanola I think wants to be in this competition more, and has also shown better form so far this season than their countrymate.

 

[achandicap]

WEDNESDAY

CONCACAF
Seattle PK +100/Santos Laguna, 1 unit

LIBERATDORES
Boca Juniors (Arg) -.5 -132/Fluminese (Braz), 1 unit

Seattle tends to put everything into the CONCACAF matches. At home, with a raucous crowd, they will be tough. Santos, however, seems to have prepped for this match, which is the only reason I can see they lost to Guadalajara this weekend. But traveling to Seattle might be too big a task.

Boca Junior, back in the international scene after two years away, has its biggest match yet against a tough Brazialian side. Boca is focused on Libertadores redemption, and Fluminese has been busy (sixth game in 14 days) and may be a little winded.

Record: 30-31, +0.84

 

[achandicap]

THURSDAY

EUROPA
Atletico Madrid -1.5 -103/Besitkas, 2 units
Metalist Kharkov -.5 +105/Olympiakos, 3 units
Valencia -1 +107/PSV, 3 units

LIBERTADORES
Bolivar +1.5 -119/Junior, 2 units

 

[achandicap]

FRIDAY

ITALY
Chievo PK -104/Inter, 1 unit

IRELAND
Cork City -1 +144/Drogheda, 1 unit

COLOMBIA
Cucuta +.5 +105/Once Caldes, 2 units

Chievo has been on a nice run, and Inter has far more important Champs League ahead of them on Wednesday. Cork was a very solid First Division team last season, probably much better than Drogheda even then. Now Cork could be a title contender if things break well for them. Once Caldes has scored once in five games. Cucuta isn't the most solid team on the road, but Once Caldes' issues are enough to think a draw is possible.


Record: 33-32, +5.05

 

[achandicap]

SATURDAY

ENGLAND
Sunderland +.5 -107/Liverpool, 2 units
Blackburn +.25 -121/Wolves, 2 units

Record: 33-35, +1.01

 

[achandicap]

SUNDAY

ENGLAND
Swansea +1 -125/Manchester City, 3 units

ITALY
Catania -.5 +114/Fioretina, 1 unit
Genoa +.5 -105/Juventus, 1 unit
Novara +.5 -110/Udinese, 1 unit

Record: 35-35, +5.01

 

[achandicap]

TUESDAY

Nothing for Champs League, but a play on England.

Everton +.5 +119/Liverpool, 3 units

Might have some Libertadores plays this afternoon.

Record: 39-35, +11.15

 

[achandicap]

WEDNESDAY

Nothing in Champs League, but two in Libertadores.

Boca Juniors -.5 +112/Arsenal, 2 units
Vasco da Gama +.25 -117/Libertad, 1 unit

Like last time I bet Boca Juniors, Libertadores is the main goal. A slip up last time out just means this is an even bigger match for them. Vasco should play well even on the road, as they have nothing else to play for at this point in the season.

Record: 39-36, +8.15

 

[achandicap]

TUESDAY

Back from vacation and four days of college hoops. Now back to soccer.

LIBERTADORES
Bolivar -.75 -115/Junior, 1 unit
The Bolivian teams are actually pretty good this year, and the trip from Colombia will be tough for Junior.

Vasco da Gama was half win/half draw Wednesday.

Record: 40.5-36, +10.89

 

[achandicap]

WEDNESDAY

LIBERTADORES
Vasco da Gama -.5 -127/Libertad, 2 units

Record: 41-36, +11.39

 

[achandicap]

THURSDAY

LIBERTADORES
Atletico Nacional (Col) -1 +112/Godoy Cruz (Arg), 2 units
Atletico may be a special team this year on the international level, and Godoy is going to have issues with travel an altitude.

Record: 42-36, +13.39

 

[achandicap]

FRIDAY
COLOMBIA
Quindio PK -123/Once Caldes, 1 unit

Two bottom dwellers, but while Quindio is consistently close, Caldes is playing horribly on the road and decent at home. The home team at pick is a nice gift here considering Colombia's overall tough home field advantage.

Record: 42-37, +11.39