TFT Issue 261!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
As always, be sure to keep checking this page throughout the day as it will be updated with bits of information as they come in!
Featured game
APOEL Nicosia vs Shakhtar Donetsk – away win with draw no bet at 7/5.
Today’s featured game is the UEFA Champions League game in Cyprus between APOEL Nicosia and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Is it time for APOEL’s superb run of form in this competition to come to an end? I think so. They’ve done fantastically well to have already progressed to the next round of the competition but they’ve done it through being hard to beat rather than being a superb attacking force. However, they are a very efficient side and they’re hard to face in Cyprus – no doubt about it. If this game mattered to them then my views may be different but the fact is that it doesn’t matter. In fact, looking at their fixture list, I’m going to be somewhat surprised if they prioritise this game with Shakhtar over their massive derby with Omonia Nicosia at weekend! They’ve already ruled Ailton out of this game through injury – he’s been their best player in this competition thus far, in my view – and that harms their attack. APOEL are not an easy side to play against; we all know that. However, their motivation can’t be all there tonight and they do miss a very important player in Ailton so I think they may come unstuck here.
Of course, a lot of this bet hinges on what side Shakhtar decide to field. I’ve not been able to find out what side they’ve taken to Cyprus as this game doesn’t matter to them. However, based on the depth and experience they have in their ranks, I fancy them to win this one quite a lot, really. They’re good passers of the ball, Shakhtar – they’re not easy to beat. They’ve got some fantastic attacking players and a wily old coach who knows this competition well by now. Try as I might, I just don’t think Shakhtar will lose this one – not unless they bring a squad full of kids and I don’t see why they’d do that. They may rest a few regulars as their trip to Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih at weekend isn’t the easiest of games but they should still field a good, strong squad here and if they do then I fancy their chances of winning this one with their excellent passing game.
Wait until the line-ups are out for this one, if you wish. I just don’t envision Shakhtar losing this one tonight and think that they look generously priced with draw no bet cover at 7/5.
Verdict: Shakhtar Donetsk to win with draw no bet at 7/5.
Additional game
Racing Genk vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen – away win with -1 Asian Handicap at 9/10.
This is rapidly becoming something of a public bet but I have to admit that I do think it has value. I wouldn’t say Leverkusen are light years ahead of Genk. Indeed, the reversal of this fixture in Germany was a close game! However, a lot has happened in Genk since then – new manager, loss of confidence, and a lot of absentees have cropped up. For this game, not only do Genk miss playmaker De Bruyne and engine Hyland but their backline is still struggling with the continued absence of Joneleit and Masuero, not to mention Hubert and forward Benteke. Genk don’t have the depth to deal with those absentees, especially with star striker Vossen reportedly a doubt for this one. Leverkusen don’t need to win here although they would avoid some of the harder sides in the next round if they did so there should be some motivation here. Leverkusen aren’t world-beaters, as I’ve mentioned, but they should at the very least win the game. The Asian Handicap insurance should kick in, ultimately, and you have to fancy Leverkusen to score a few tonight against a demoralised and crippled Genk side. Therefore, taking Leverkusen with a -1 Asian Handicap appeals to me at 9/10.
Verdict: Bayer 04 Leverkusen to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 9/10.
Team news
UEFA Champions League:
Viktoria Plzen – No absentees.
AC Milan – Nesta, Gattuso, Cassano, Abbiati, Zambrotta, van Bommel, and Aquilani are absent. Ibrahimovic won’t complete the full ninety minutes.
Porto – C.Rodriguez, Walter, Guarin, Rafael, and Sandro are absent. Mangala returns.
Racing Genk – De Bruyne, Hyland, Masueiro, Hubert, Joneleit, and Benteke are absent. Vossen is a doubt.
APOEL Nicosia – Ailton and Boaventura are absent. Pindo is a doubt.