Greetings Gents,
Empoli at INTER MILAN - First leg of the Useless Cup saw Inter Milan defeating Empoli 2-0 nil in Empoli. Cordoba scoring at the 90+ minute to make it 2-nil, established a couple of scenarios: 1) One, it dented my true under. 2) It created the opportunity for a decent play on the dog for today's match. If one is to summise Inter's campaign so far, objectively one can say it has been 75% skill, and 25% luck, with a few victories pulled out of the rabbitt's hat in the last 5 minutes of the game. No matter, in today's game I will side with Empoli for a few reasons that hold some sense in my crappy opinion. Sunday, Inter will play host to
surging Fiorentina, and MA thinks that the look ahead factor is in effect. Also, the aggregate goal factor, is also in effect; a mere 1-0 nil victory, or a draw of any kind, will be sufficient to advance. Empoli has already lost twice to Inter
(badly 3-0 at home, in week 14, and 2-0 in the above mentioned first leg). I believe today will be somewhat different, as they will be the more focused side. Hopefully I will see more of what they displayed against Parma, a 2-0 victory in last week Serie A action. If this side has regrouped to their defensive prowess, they should be very effective against Inter.
The play: Empoli +1.5 -102 (7.5 units)
AS Roma at PARMA - In the first leg, we saw Parma scoring a goal at match end to make it a 2-1 final. This score trashed my AS ROMA -1.5 pick, and also provided hope for Parma (false hope in my opinion), for the return leg. I don't see anything in Parma's arsenal that convinces me to believe that they will be able to beat Roma, who in essence will require a mere draw to advance. Because of sunday's costly meltdown against Messina at the 92nd minute, Spalletti will take no chances and cast his regular line-up (only absence will be Perrotta). This match will see the debut of Swedish international Wilhelmsson, who could be a factor in the front three. If Parma has intentions of playing an offensive 3-4-3 with a cast of second grade subs, they will fall in the hands of Serie A most dangerous counter-attack team.
The play:
AS Roma over 2.5 goals -114 (5 units)
AS Roma -1 +116 (4 units)
Sampdoria at CHIEVO - Barring any red cards, first leg match (2), Sampdoria should improve from previous 1-0 nil victory produced at home.
The play:
Sampdoria PK -119 (3.5 units)
Sampdoria over 2 and 2.5 +110 (3 units)
Good luck to all,
MA
Empoli at INTER MILAN - First leg of the Useless Cup saw Inter Milan defeating Empoli 2-0 nil in Empoli. Cordoba scoring at the 90+ minute to make it 2-nil, established a couple of scenarios: 1) One, it dented my true under. 2) It created the opportunity for a decent play on the dog for today's match. If one is to summise Inter's campaign so far, objectively one can say it has been 75% skill, and 25% luck, with a few victories pulled out of the rabbitt's hat in the last 5 minutes of the game. No matter, in today's game I will side with Empoli for a few reasons that hold some sense in my crappy opinion. Sunday, Inter will play host to
surging Fiorentina, and MA thinks that the look ahead factor is in effect. Also, the aggregate goal factor, is also in effect; a mere 1-0 nil victory, or a draw of any kind, will be sufficient to advance. Empoli has already lost twice to Inter
(badly 3-0 at home, in week 14, and 2-0 in the above mentioned first leg). I believe today will be somewhat different, as they will be the more focused side. Hopefully I will see more of what they displayed against Parma, a 2-0 victory in last week Serie A action. If this side has regrouped to their defensive prowess, they should be very effective against Inter.
The play: Empoli +1.5 -102 (7.5 units)
AS Roma at PARMA - In the first leg, we saw Parma scoring a goal at match end to make it a 2-1 final. This score trashed my AS ROMA -1.5 pick, and also provided hope for Parma (false hope in my opinion), for the return leg. I don't see anything in Parma's arsenal that convinces me to believe that they will be able to beat Roma, who in essence will require a mere draw to advance. Because of sunday's costly meltdown against Messina at the 92nd minute, Spalletti will take no chances and cast his regular line-up (only absence will be Perrotta). This match will see the debut of Swedish international Wilhelmsson, who could be a factor in the front three. If Parma has intentions of playing an offensive 3-4-3 with a cast of second grade subs, they will fall in the hands of Serie A most dangerous counter-attack team.
The play:
AS Roma over 2.5 goals -114 (5 units)
AS Roma -1 +116 (4 units)
Sampdoria at CHIEVO - Barring any red cards, first leg match (2), Sampdoria should improve from previous 1-0 nil victory produced at home.
The play:
Sampdoria PK -119 (3.5 units)
Sampdoria over 2 and 2.5 +110 (3 units)
Good luck to all,
MA
