Bayer Leverkusen vs Borussia Dortmun

 
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Borussia Dortmund / Bundesliga – Big derby that is that only because of the clubs’ name as the standings suggests something completely different. Bayer is exactly where it was expected to be and this is the third position, but according to all forecasts Borussia should have been right above them. Instead, the Millionaires are in the second place but measured from the bottom of the table, after a surreally bad first part of the season. The difference is 13 points in the Factory Squad’s favour who in accordance with that have ended the first part of the season with four matches without defeat, including the Champions League where Borussia also plays, but it didn’t win in the last four matches. In the first season Bayer won in Dortmund by 2-0, but in the last seven matches played it didn’t defeat Borussia at home. Begins: 31.01.2015 – 18:30 CET

Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer had a very good first half of the season, especially if we consider all the competition where it played, as they qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League. In the Bundesliga are third although they don’t have enough points to feel safe and noticeable lag behind the second placed team. Their weakness is a large number of draws and it is especially pronounced at home, where they drew even five times, once more than they won, and we know that Bayer always played better at home.

What can console them is that they never lost, but they did lose away. They didn’t change the team and the only thing they did is that they bought defender Jedvaj from Roma, but he is one of injured players on whom coach Schmidt cannot count. Donati and Reinartz have recovered but they will have to play without a very important player, Korean Son, who is at the Asian Cup, so Drmi? will get a chance.

Probable lineups Bayer Leverkusena: Leno – Hilbert, Toprak, Spahic, Wendell – L. Bender, Castro – Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Drmic – Kiesling

Borussia Dortmund
No team in the league was happier than Borussia when Bundesliga went on the winter break, as it totally underperformed in the first part. They are not the last only because of one goal but they are the only team that have lost ten league matches. They have the worst results away totalling just four points. That is why they draw a line in this club and now start the second part like it is the beginning of the season, as the pressure could become too strong and then could face the relegation, which would be a real shame. They didn’t sacked coach Klopp and the only reinforcement was midfielder Kampl from Salzburg.

Striker Ji Dong has returned to Augsburg, but he didn’t play in the first part. Even without these changes Borussia had a good team but something didn’t work and it had to be changed. Two strikers, Ramos and Real, are still not in the right form so the returnee from the African Cup of Nations, Aubameyang, could get an advantage in the attack. Reus has recovered and it is great news, but there are no goalkeeper Langerak, left back Durm, and midfielders Blaszczykowskog, Kehl and S. Bender.

Probable lineups Borussie Dortmund: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Sokratis, Hummels, Schmelzer – Sahin, Gundogan – Kampl, Reus, Mkhitaryan – Aubameyang

Bayer Leverkusen – Borussia Dortmund PICK
Despite Borussia’s position this is a duel between two top teams and their places are not that important. Bayer wants to stay in the top but Borussia wants even more to escape from the bottom and we believe that they have consolidated their ranks during the winter break. This away match traditional suits them so we expect that can return undefeated from Leverkusen, especially because Bayer is not so dominant at home.

Pick: Asian handicap 0 Borussia Dortmund

Stake: 5/10

Odds: 2.15

Getafe – Real Madrid

Early Sunday afternoon football in Primera Division, as Getafe hosts Real Madrid.


Getafe did not change much after selling manager Cosmin Contra to Guangzhou and hiring Quique Sanchez Flores. Hosts have the same defensive style game and in the last three matches since Sanchez Flores took over they have 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss … but they lost the only game in Primera 1-2 vs. Eibar … the second consecutive loss in the competition. Getafe did not win in Primera since October and that was also the last time they scored more than 1 goal in a game, so hosts are in a precarious situation … only 1 point above the relegation line. Lafita, Guaita and Baba are missing for Getafe, the first two being key players, so an important handicap for Getafe.

Real Madrid is not having the best time at the moment … knocked out from the Cup by Atletico after the 2-2 home draw midweek and overall only 1 win in the last 4 matches … not good for a team of Real’s quality. On the bright side Real had a marvelous season until this short loss of form and they are expected to come back guns blazing. For sure visitors are 100% focused on getting a win in this game, they can not afford any more wrong steps and also want to bounce back after the heartbreaking cup elimination to Atletico. Pepe, Coentrao and Modric will not be in the lineup today for Real.

I see Real coming back with a win after the draw with Atletico, big teams always do that. Visitors are playing some great football and they should be able to easily break down one of the worst teams in the league – maybe even the worst if we talk about the quality of players. Guaita, who saved Getafe many times this season will not be in the lineup so that is also a plus. My tip will be Real Madrid to win and also cover the 1,5 goal handicap.

Note that Getafe managed to get a 0-0 draw from Barcelona this season at home, but they were in much better form back than and Barca played a horrible game. Real has more killer instinct and a more direct style of football so in my opinion they are not prone to an upset from a team like Getafe, who is in poor form. Correct score prediction: Getafe – Real Madrid 0-2.

Pick: Real Madrid -1,5
Odds: 1.63

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool / Premier League – This weekend, on the program we have the matches from the 22nd round of the English Premiership, and we will start our analysis with this Saturday’s duel between the 13-ranked Aston Villa and the eighth Liverpool, which currently has a 10 point lead. In addition, the Reds are welcoming this match after a great series of five wins and two draws, while on the other hand the Villans have not celebrated in six games in the championship. However, Birmingham totally unexpectedly celebrated in their autumnal duel at Anfield, which also broke the Reds advantage of two wins and one draw in their mutual clashes. Begins: 17.01.2015 – 16:00 CET

Aston Villa

This is why the hosts are hoping that they can again get to one good result against the Reds, especially if they manage to fix their offensive game at least a little bit. Specifically, they are aware that the guests from Liverpool this season have a lot better offense than defence and therefore it is difficult to expect that their network will remain intact on Saturday, but their trio Weimann-Benteke-Agbonlahor will also this time have a lot more space in front of the opponent’s goal.

Otherwise, Aston Villa was in the last round defeated away at Leicester, which extended their championship series to three draws and three defeats, while in the meantime they celebrated in the FA Cup at home against Blackpool. However, in the Premiership they still have only three points more from the relegation zone, provided that they have by far the worst offensive performance of all the teams in the league so it is not surprising that they a few days ago brought the young offensive midfielder Gil from Valencia. However, they will this time probably remain on the bench, while defender Vlaar and Senderos and striker Kozak are all out of action due to injuries, their central defender Clark is suspended, while defender Herd  is at the Asian Cup.

Probable lineups Aston Villa: Guzan – Hutton, Okore, Baker, Cissokho – Delph, Sanchez, Cleverley – Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor

Liverpool

Unlike the Villans, Liverpool is awaiting this match after a good series of five wins and two draws so their fans now quite rightly expect a good result in Birmingham. Especially because Aston Villa ows it to them after they at the start of the championship won all three points in Anfield, while we also got the impression that the Reds throughout the season play much better on the side rather than at home.

It is certainly best confirmed by their last home appearance, in which they played only 2-2 against the last Leicester, while they won all three points in four consecutive away games, celebrating in the Premiership against Burnley and Sunderland and in the League Cup against Bournemouth and in the FA Cup against Wimbledon. But what at the moment is most concerning for coach Rodgers is an increasing number of absences and so goalkeeper Jones, defenders Johnson and Flanagan, midfielders Allen and Lallana and striker Sturridge will all have to miss this match due to injuries, and defender Kolo Toure is at the African Cup of Nations.

Probable lineups Liverpool: Mignolet – Can, Skrtel, Sakho – Henderson, Gerrard, Lucas, Moreno – Markovic, Sterling, Coutinho

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool PICK

Of course that Reds after four consecutive away triumphs are now coming to Villa Park with the intention to take all three points, but we also expect that the Villans will after a long time finally improve their attack and we therefore here and go for a guy with a lot of goals.

Pick: over 2.5 goals

Stake: 4/10

Odds: 2.20 

Empoli vs Inter

Empoli suffered narrow 1:0 defeat away to Genoa against Sampdoria last weekend. The team had their share of ball possession in the game, but were more passive and didn’t create many chances, finally conceding a goal in 49th minute with a goal from Eder, being unable to generally respond later on and deservedly lost the points.

This defeat broke the streak of four consecutive draws, as the team continues to be outside of the relegation battle for now – being three points away from it, something that is their goal for this season. Their biggest problem seems to be in attack, as the team has scored only one goal in last four matches, being one of the least effective sides overall. Left defender Mario Rui (17/0) will not be available for coach Maurizio Sarri, as he is suspended for this game. Substitute defensive midfielder Tiberio Guarente (1/0) is sidelined with injury, but anyway won’t be any kind of a blow for the hosts. The team is expected to be lined up in a bit more defensive 4-3-1-2 formation.


Inter finally comes from an easy victory, having no problem to overcome Genoa at home last weekend with a 3:1 result. Palacio brought them into the lead in 12th minute, while Icardi double up the lead before the halftime whistle. Izzo reduced the deficit in 85th minute, but Vidic sealed the victory with a goal two minutes before the full time whistle.

This was another positive result for Inter, as the players also did well to get a point away to Juventus week prior to this game. They are now undefeated in four matches, but the team still remains in the middle of the table being five points away from the European positions. Central defender Andrea Ranocchia has served his suspension, but might be benched here as Nemanja Vidic seems to be getting in a desired form. Other central defender, Juan Jesus (22/0) is banned for three more matches, unless he wins his appeal. Right midfielder Jonathan (3/0) is injured, while Xherdan Shaqiri is likely to start on the bench still not being 100% fit. Right defensive midfielder Yuto Nagatomo (11/0) is out at international duty.

Inter have won their last 6 matches against Empoli.
Empoli have failed to score in 5 of their last 6 home matches in Serie A.
Inter have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches against Empoli.
Results are still not showing it fully, but Inter is in constant up rise in their performances and it’s just a matter of time when the team will start getting victories in consecutive way. No doubt that games against Juventus and Genoa are a good path and I believe they will continue in the same manner, getting all three points against traditionally easier opponent for them.

Bet: Inter Wins @ 2.25

QPR vs Manchester United

QPR failed to get a positive result last weekend away to Burnley, even though it was a game against a rival that was in the same situation and surely beatable in some way. However, team from London left the field with empty hands suffering 2:1 defeat. It was their tenth defeat in as many games away from home this season.

Even today’s victory over Manchester United won’t save much of the season for them, but at least it would be a great morale boost for the roster. Biggest problem remains with the away matches and in case the team doesn’t improve that, it will be very hard for them to get the salvation this time. The team simply looks like having different psychology from one match to another, being unable to play in the same, reliable and confident way for consecutive matches. Central defender Rio Ferdinand (8/0) remains doubtful and might not play here with Richard Dunne who is under heavy criticism taking his place, while participation of defensive midfielder Sandro (8/0) is also questionable. Left back Yun Suk-Young (10/0) is surely out with an injury, same as offensive midfielder Alejandro Faurlin (2/0)/.



After a great run of undefeated matches where the team also had significant number of draws, Manchester United had quite poor game at home against Southampton and suffered narrow 0:1 defeat. They were slightly better, but without great goalscoring chances and without imposing fast paced tempo, but got 1:0 down in the scoreline in 69th minute, without responding correctly later on.

It was their first home defeat since the premiere game when they lost to Swansea, while the team broke a streak of eleven undefeated matches. They have a very good recent tradition playing against QPR and are surely much more superior side in many aspects, aiming nothing but the victory here. Van Persie and Falcao are expected to take their positions, while doubtful remain right back Rafael (9/0) who was missing for many weeks due injury. Ashley Young (13/0) is the only sure absentee for this game, as their injury list may be at it’s healthiest level all season. Falcao and Rooney are sure to lead their attack in a 3-5-2 formation.

Man Utd have won their last 6 matches against QPR.
Man Utd have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches against QPR.
Manchester United is slowly going into better and better form, even though they are not yet to be trusted fully. However, QPR is simply not at the same level and the moment and it will be very hard for them to stop offensive players from visiting side. Easy or hard, United should get the three points and bounce back to winning ways immediately.

Bet: Manchester United Wins @ 1.6