Getafe vs. Espanyol

Getafe vs. Espanyol / La Liga – We can say for this match that is much more important for the hosts, because Getafe is very close to the relegation zone and have only four points more than teams in the zone, while Espanyol is eighth and has six points more than Getafe but on the other hand is very far from European position. Both teams came a long way in the Cup; Getafe was eliminated in the quarter-finals, while Espanyol is in the semi-finals. Both teams played away in the last round and Getafe lost, while Espanyol won. Espanyol won their match played in the first part of the season by 2-0 and it is interesting that Espanyol didn’t lost last eight away matches against Getafe. Begins: 20.02.2015 – 20:45 CET

Getafe
Although their position in the standings is bad, it can be that Getafe even plays well lately. They had a tough schedule but they nevertheless managed to win several points against stronger teams. First of all it applies to the victory at home over Sevilla two rounds ago and over Celta in late January. Their last four losses were by the minimal result of 1-0, two in the Cup to Villarreal, and two in the championship in away matches to Almeria and Valencia.

They are going to be sorry about the last match against Valencia for a long time, because they successfully resisted to the favoured hosts till unjustified penalty, but despite that misfortune they had a great chance to equalise in the finish of the match. They, however, didn’t and now want to play a good match, however, they have paid dearly for being combative in Valencia as even two standard starters have gotten the fifth yellow card and now cannot play. These are Escudero and Diego Castro and they will not play, as well as injured Roberto Lago. From before Lafita and Baba are out of action, while goalkeeper Guaita is still recovering.

Probable lineups Getafe: Jonathan – Alexis, Naldo, Velazquez, Vigaray – J. Rodriguez, Lacen – Sarabia, Pedro Leon, Alvaro Vazquez – Sammir

Espanyol
Espanyol is obviously completely relaxed when it playing matches in La Liga, largely thanks to very comfortable position in the standings since they are far and away from the relegation zone and also from the European positions. Additionally, they raised their self-confidence when they qualified for the semi-finals of the Cup on top of which came an excellent draw with Athletic 1-1 in the first leg of the semi-finals so the door of the final is wide open. It was expected that after that draw will eased a bit in the championship, however, it happened quite the opposite and they routinely defeated Malaga in the away match by 2-0.

The team was naturally changed a bit compared to the Cup match but now it is a common practice as they play a large number of matches and must preserve their strength. Now, new changes are inevitable but they are forced to make some of them. Large number of disciplinary cards was shown to Espanyol players in Malaga, even red one, because of which stopper Colotto is suspended now. Midfielder Victor Sanchez and captain Sergio Garcia received the fifth yellow card so they will miss this away match. The good news is that midfielder Canas has recovered and he returns in the team which will surely see more changes.

Probable lineups Espanyol: Casilla – J.Lopez, A.Gonzalez, Moreno, Fuentes – Canas, Abraham – Montanes, S. Sevilla, Vazquez – Stuani

Getafe – Espanyol PICK
We have already said that this match is much more important for the hosts, who at home knows and can play a very good match, which they proved with several victory over stronger opponents or at least draws. They can do that and against traditionally unpleasant Espanyol, who is significantly weakened and is now more focused on the Cup.

Pick: Asian handicap 0 Getafe

Stake: 5/10

Odds: 1.73

AS Saint-Etienne vs. RC Lens

AS Saint-Etienne vs. RC Lens / Ligue 1 – The first match in the 24th round of Ligue 1, which is traditionally played on Friday night, brings us two completely unequal opponents, since the host St. Etienne is currently at high fourth place in the standings and has 19 points more than the penultimate Lance. In addition, their autumn duel ended with an away win of St. Etienne, while five season’s ago both teams celebrated at home. Begins: 06.02.2015 – 20:30 CET

AS Saint-Etienne
But since then, the circumstances have changed drastically in favour of St. Etienne, which is best confirmed by the current standings of the two teams in Ligue 1. However, the fourth place just does not reflect properly the current form of this team, because they are welcoming lance after a series of three defeats, one draw and just one victory, which was achieved in the fourth round of the French Cup against Tours. On the other hand, in the quarterfinals of League Cup they were eliminated by PSG, while they later experienced a home defeat by the same team in the championship, and it all finally culminated last weekend when they were defeated in the championship match against Caen.

That is why coach Galtier announced that his team urgently needs one win to restore the self-confidence, because already this season they lost almost all the chances to reach the one of the positions that lead to Champions League. As for absences due to injuries we have defenders Clerc, Pogba and Sall, midfielder Cohade and striker Monnet-Paquet, while midfielder Diomande and striker Gradel are still at the African Cup of Nations.

Probable lineups AS Saint-Etienne: Ruffier – Theophile-Catherine, Baysse, Perrin, Tabanou – Lemoine, Clement – Hamouma, Corgnet, Mollo – van Wolfswinkel

RC Lens
Unlike St. Etienne, which each year has the highest possible ambitions, for the team of Lens this is the first comeback season after three seasons in the lower rank so it is quite clear that their main objective is the survival in the French elite rank, especially because they have one of the smallest budgets in the league. Consequently it is not surprising that they are currently at the penultimate place in the table, along with the fact that they are for five games without a victory, while in addition they were recently eliminated from the French Cup by Lyon.

However, what is somewhat encouraging for coach Kombouare is the fact that they after three straight defeats in the last two rounds of Ligue 1 recorded two draws, and it was away against Reims and at home against Bastia. All this tells us that now they are with a lot more confidence coming to this match against the favoured St. Etienne, but they will probably limit themselves on a solid game in defence and quick counter-attacks. We should also add that defender Landry, midfielder El Jadeyaoui and strikers Touzghar and N’Diaye are all out of action due to injuries.

Probable lineups RC Lens: Riou – Cavare, Gbamin, Kantari, Baal – Cyprien, Le Moigne, Valdivia, Nomenjanahary – Chavarria, Coulibaly

AS Saint-Etienne vs. RC Lens PICK
Although the team of St. Etienne is at the moment in a crisis, they are now playing against one of the worst teams in the league which creates an ideal opportunity to restore their self-confidence and therefore we expect that they will on Friday night do their best to come to new three championship points.

Pick: Asian Handicap -1 St. Etienne

Stake: 5/10

Odds: 1.98

Southampton – Swansea

With Manchester United winning yesterday and Arsenal likely getting three points against Aston Villa, Southampton really needs a win here if they are to hold on to that Top 4 spot. The Saints are looking rock solid lately, winning 3 games on the spin before falling 2-3 to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last weekend. In the league Southampton won 5 and drew once in the last 6 games, despite meeting teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton or Manchester United.

Swansea lost Wilfried Bony to Manchester City and with their recent form the season is pretty much gone, they are looking mainly at a strategy for next season. The Welsh side has 2 points in the last 4 Premier League matches and suffered two horrible defeats in the last 2 games: 0-5 at home with Chelsea and 3-1 at Blackburn in the FA Cup. The defense was shredded and the offense can`t do much to make up for that, not without Bony – poor football overall from Swansea right now.

Bet on Southampton vs. Swansea and claim your 100% welcome bonus at Bet365!

Team news & lineups:

Long, Alderweireld, Rodriguez, Wanyama, Schneiderlin and possibly Mayuka are out for Southampton. Not the greatest news for the Saints, but Yoshida and Mane are set to come back and luckily for them Swansea has big absentees as well – besides Bony, they will not be able to count on Routledge, Sigurtsson, Bartley, Sung-Yueng and possibly Williams.

Southampton: Forster – Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand – Reed, S Davis, Ward-Prowse – Tadic, Elia, Pelle

Swansea: Fabianski – Tiendalli, Fernandez, Williams, Naughton – Carroll, Shelvey – Dyer, Oliveira, Williams – Gomis

Southampton has the quality and form to get the three points at home against a team that is in total disarray. The Saints have been brilliant at the back lately, playing top defensive football, holding United or Arsenal scoreless. Looking at this Bony-less Swansea, they are not expected to score (especially with Routledge and Sigurtsson out). Southampton does miss Alderweireld at the back, but Yoshida will likely return to the lineup – if he doesn’t, there is still a first team defender available in Gardos. My tip is Southampton to win to nil. Prediction: Southampton – Swansea City 1-0.

Pick: Southampton to win to nil
Odds: 2.38