Soccer Week 8/16 - 8/22

[coreyschucky]

Soccer YTD: 190-159-5 (+.04 units)
English Premier League: 3-5-1 (-.19 units)
English Championship League: 5-5 (-1.40 units)
English League I & II: 4-3 (+.55 units)
German Bundesliga I: 4-3 (-.78 units)
German Bundesliga II: 1-2 (-3.14 units)
Scottish Premier League: 0-3 (-4.07 units)
Scottish Lower Leagues: 6-4 (+2.13 units)
France Le Championnat: 3-1 (+1.38 units)
France Ligue 2: 0-1 (-1.38 units)
Czech Gambrinus Liga: 2-1 (+.75 units)
Turkish Super Ligi: 2-3 (-2.25 units)
Belgian Jupiler League: 3-2 (+.13 units)
Holland Eredivisie League: 1-1 (-.5 units)


I told myself I was going to layoff the Scandanavian leagues unless there was something I really like. It seems the past two monday's I've played a match I really like in the Swedish league and I've gotten burnt bad. Well this time I'm going back to a league I've had some good success at and a team that is just dynamite in there league. Hopefully this one turns out better then the last two monday plays. Will go over the rest as I'm waiting for some handicaps to open up for a few matches. Best of luck to everyone!!!!

August 16th

Finnish Veikkausliiga

FC Haka (-162) Over FC Hameenlina - 5 units (W) (Haka won 3-1)

Going large on this one. 1st place Haka heads to 14th place Hameenlina. These teams met back on May 30th where Hameenlina managed a 90th minute goal to force a 1-1 draw at Haka. Since that match Haka has turned it up a notch going 9-1-1 outscoring there opponents by 23 goals. On the season Haka is 11-2-4 (W-L-D) with a GD of +25 (34 GF and 9 GA). On the road Haka is 5-0-3 with a GD of +13 (15 GF and 2 GA). All 3 draws on the road were versus the top teams in the league 3rd, 4th and 5th place. Hammenlina looks certain for relegation as they sit in last place with just 9pts on the season. Overall they are 1-11-6 with a GD of -18 (19 GF and 37 GA). At home they are 1-4-3 with a GD of -3 (12 GF and 15 GA). Despite the poor record at home they've played very tough matches at home making sure they are competitive in each match. But still there lone win was versus FF Jaro back on May 16th and except for a draw versus 2nd place TPS Turku (June 6th) they haven't been able to come up with any success against the better teams. Form over the last 6 for Haka has been excellent at 5-0-1 while Hameenlina is 0-3-3. Haka is off a mid week 3-1 loss at Stabaek (Norway) in the UEFA Cup so they are sure to want to get back on track with a win in league play. Haka has clearly been the best team in the V league and should continue there outstanding play. Popovits has been the key man for them being tied for the league lead in goals. Haka has been on a solid run and there is no reason why they shouldn't win at Hameenlina.


Good Luck to All!!!!

[coreyschucky]

ADD:

August 16th

English Coca-Cola League I

Huddersfield (AH-PK) (-111) Over Hartlepool (L) (Hartlepool won 2-0)

France Ligue 2

Sedan (+110) Over Guingamp (W) (Sedan won 3-0)

German Bundesliga II

Energie Cottbus (-125) Over Dynamo Dresden (W) (Energie Cottbus won 2-1)


Good Luck to All!!!!

[coreyschucky]

I was debating whether or not to add a 2nd unit to the Huddersfield play. I decided to do so but the AH line moved a bit. Oh well should have done it earlier. Best of luck to everyone!!!!

ADD:

August 16th

English Coca-Cola League I

Huddersfield (AH-PK) (-118) Over Hartlepool - (2 units total 2 lines) (L)


Good Luck to All!!!!

[coreyschucky]

Phewww....I can breathe now that Haka won there match. Got the week started off on the right note. Hameenlina got another 90th minute goal but forutunately it didn't matter much as Haka managed 3 goals in the first half in winning 3-1....Thanks Haka!!!!

Update:

August 16th: 1-0 (+5 units) with 3 still pending


Good Luck to All!!!!

[emericj]

Corey - great call on the Haka game. Your later picks are looking good as well.

Good fortunes!

[coreyschucky]

Thanks emericj.....Hopefully Cottbus and Sedan will hold on. Still very early but both lead 1-0 in the 30th minute. Huddersfield kicks off in 10 minutes so I'm looking for at least a draw in that one so I could push.

Good Luck!!!!

[emericj]

It's looking good for you now - that red card in the Bundesliga II should allow you to hold on to that one....good luck with the H v H matchup....

[coreyschucky]

Solid day. Got nice wins from Energie Cottbus and Sedan. But unfortunately I had a bit more on Huddersfield as they dropped a 2-0 game to Hartlepool after giving up 2 goals towards the back end of the match.

Recap:

August 16th: 3-1 (+4.81 units)

Soccer YTD: 193-160-5 (+4.85 units)


Good Luck to All!!!!

[coreyschucky]

Soccer YTD: 193-160-5 (+4.85 units)
English Premier League: 3-5-1 (-.19 units)
English Championship League: 5-5 (-1.40 units)
English League I & II: 4-4 (-1.74 units)
German Bundesliga I: 4-3 (-.78 units)
German Bundesliga II: 2-2 (-2.14 units)
Scottish Premier League: 0-3 (-4.07 units)
Scottish Lower Leagues: 6-4 (+2.13 units)
France Le Championnat: 3-1 (+1.38 units)
France Ligue 2: 1-1 (-.28 units)
Czech Gambrinus Liga: 2-1 (+.75 units)
Turkish Super Ligi: 2-3 (-2.25 units)
Belgian Jupiler League: 3-2 (+.13 units)
Holland Eredivisie League: 1-1 (-.5 units)


Yesterday was good overall. Pretty quiet week overally in terms of league play. Tomorrow a bunch load of friendlies and some World Cup qualifying matches go off. Going to play a bunch of English Nationwide Conference matches today. This is the 2nd round of league play. Best of luck to everyone!!!!

August 17th

English Nationwide Conference

Morecambe (-120) Over Accrington Stanley (L) (Accrington won 2-1)
Hereford United (+125) Over Crawley Town (L) (Game tied 1-1)
Canvey Island (-138) Over Gravesend (L) (Game tied 1-1)
Carlisle United (+100) Over Northwich (L) (Game tied 2-2)
Aldershot (+170) Over Stevenage (W) (Aldershot won 1-0)
Dag & Red (+160) Over Forest Green Rovers (W) (D&G won 4-1)
Barnet (+120) Over Farnborough (L) (Game tied 0-0)

France Ligue 2

Grenoble (+110) Over Amiens (L) (Game tied 1-1)

Southern League Premier

King's Lynn (-162) Over Bedford Town - 2 units (W) (King's Lynn won 2-0)


Good Luck to All!!!!

[emericj]

Corey - if you're out there - about 1:15 to kick off in the Conf. games - but are you playing these games after capping them? Or kind of gut feel from past experiences? Just curious...also, no Olympic plays?

That -150 on Argentina looks mighty tempting.

[coreyschucky]

Emericj- I played everyone of the matches above. Capped them all. Some are value plays and some I believe are just better teams. Still early in the Nationwide Conference but I think all these matches have some good value. I looked at Argentina and it is tempting but they are already through to the next round and there head coach will be making changes for this match. One can argue that the guys he's bringing into this match Rodriguez and Saviola might be better then the guys they are starting over in Tevez and Gonzalez. Just not sure how they'll come out in this game. This is a big game for Australia so far me it's a no play. But Argentina should win the game.

Good Luck!!!!

[emericj]

I guess I don't understand the Olympic set up - I thought Argentina had to win to advance to the quarters...is it just Aust. that needs the win to advance. I saw a writeup at

http://www.australiansoccer.com.au/p...48&menuItemID=

and they didn't mention that Arg. would be sitting players. Where'd you get the info? Would love to read the report. ( I just went back and noticed that both winners and runners up qualify for the quarter's...sorry about that - it does make Arg a less desireable play now)

Good luck today on the plays. I may just be tailing you on a few...will let you know if I do.

[coreyschucky]

Top 2 teams in each group move on to the Quarterfinals. For the most part both teams have advanced. Argentina has 6 pts so they are definetly through as Tunisia (3rd) has just 1. Australia will most likely advance regardless of the outcome of this match. The only way they don't advance is if they get absolutely thrashed by Argentina and Tunisia is able to get ahead in Goal Differential but that seems unlikely with Australia ahead by 6 goals at the moment. Actually what's best for Australia in this match is for them to lose or draw since it would set up a meeting with Iraq in the quarters. I can't remember where I read that they were sitting some players but regardless who Argentina puts out there it's still probably the best team in the Olympics. Over 2.5 seems good for this game as both teams are capable of putting up goals. I'm sure there is a little extra motivation for Australia since to qualify for the World Cup they must face the 5th place South American for the right to earn a spot. So I'm sure they'll want to prove there might with and U-23 squad.

Good Luck!!!!

[coreyschucky]

Just briefly my views on the matches to give you an idea.

Morecambe - one of the top teams in the Nationwide league. Should be a tight game but I think they'll overcome Accrington at home.

Hereford- also one of the better teams in the league. Difficult game at Crawley but if they want to promote this is a game that they shoudl win.

Canvey Island- facing one of the poorer sides in the league. Home advantage should be key for them.

Carlisle- HUGE value. Carlisle is one of the better teams facing Norwitch who is only in this league due to a team not being able to promote from the league under due to field problems. Norwitch was terrible last season.

Aldershot- Two very good teams but Stevenage is missing as many as 8 starters for this game and it showed last week dropping a 3-1 game. Nice value for an away win

Dag & Red- Done very well in the past vs Forest. Good value. Two mid table teams.

Barnet - one of the better teams in the league facing one of the poorer sides.

Grenoble - great start to the season. Seems like good value based off Sedans win yesterday. Similar line. Amiens has struggled to start this year.

King's Lynn- great start to the year with a 5-0 win last weekend. They are the favorites for promotion and should do extremely well at home.


Good Luck!!!!

[emericj]

I didn't lay any money on the Arg-Aus game - but I placed some change on ties in both the Greece- Mex & Mali-SK games - no writeup, just think this will both be very close. Just a hunch.

Still reading about the Conference games...

GFTA

[emericj]

Corey - I know I'm late, but I tailed you on a few. Took Canvey Island (behind right now 0-1) Carlisle, up 1-0 right now, and King's Lynn.

Do you have any idea where I could find live scores on the King's game?

[coreyschucky]

Emericj - King's Lynn won 2-0. Two 2nd half goals in the 53rd and 79th minutes. Really suprised neither Canvey or Carlisle didn't come in. A bit annoyed that Carlisle blew two leads and tied the match. I actually hit the two big dogs but missed everything else with every match ending in a draw.

Big day tomorrow for National teams as alot of European squads play Friendlies. Also tomorrow kicks off a few meeting in the opening of World Cup Qualifications for a few European teams.

Recap:

August 17th: 3-6 (-1.28 units)


Soccer YTD: 196-166-5 (+3.57 units)

[emericj]

Yeah, I was surprised as well that Carlisle blew a 2-0 lead in the 2nd half. I played heavy on the King's, so I broke just about even for the day..lol. I actually found a board where an admin was posting updates on the game...so was relieved to hear about the 2nd goal later in the match.

I hit 1 of 2 on the ties (SK v Mali) and should have listened to myself with the Arg. game - but as the old cliche goes, no guts, no glory.

Talk at you later....

GFTA

[emericj]

Oh yeah, not that I'm a big fan, but the US Women's team played today, yet NBC didn't show any of the match. Makes you wonder who makes the programming decisions - there was a time with that team was the US's 'darlings'....albeit a 1999 world cup - but still, get them on the air live when you have the chance!

[coreyschucky]

US match was on TV. I think either MSNBC or Bravo. They played ok but certainly missed Albach (suspended). But the game really didn't mean anything for the US since they had advanced. They should win the Gold. There top rivals Norway is not in the tourney.

[emericj]

Sheister! Man, I *know* I flipped through the channels - I guess I just missed it somehow..oh well. I don't see them winning it, but their keeper, Scurry, I used to know - she grew up here in MN. Would like to see her do well...

[coreyschucky]

Emericj- This site is pretty good for power ratings for National teams. Also gives you the results of every match that country has played. Definetly a good tool for tomorrow's International Friendlies and World Cup Qualifications. Although lineups are important as well...LOL

http://www.eloratings.net/

[emericj]

Thanks Corey - great info on the site...call me crazy, but the 1 match that jumps out at me immediately is Italy -188 at Iceland. I was doing some searching on lineups, but haven't found anything at this point. Wondering if Italy even sends a decent squad to Iceland of all places...

Also, the Czech Rep over Greece -150. I notice Greece at #8 in the rankings...is that a typo? lol

I found this lineup for the Icelandic squad - don't see any really big names..but they are at home..

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/040812/7/1zba.html

I've never played International's - anything you look for specifically?

[coreyschucky]

It's certainly not a typo. It's based off rating and cause of there success and the teams they beat with much higher ratings they moved up alot. But I don't believe it either. Actually Czech Republic is sending a very strong squad with revenge in mind. Haven't gotten a whole lineup on Greece yet. For the most part the same lineups that featured in the Euro 2004 game. This is what I found.

Czech Republic

Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Petr Cech (Chelsea)

Defenders: Rene Bolf (Auxerre), Zdenek Grygera (Ajax), Tomas Huebschman (Shakhtar Donetsk), Marek Jankulovski (Udine), Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow), Pavel Mares (Zenit Petersbourg), David Rozehnal (Club Brugge)

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax), Karel Poborsky (Sparta Prague), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Libor Sionko (Austria Vienna)

Forwards: Milan Baros (Liverpool), Marek Heinz (Banik Ostrava), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund), Vratislav Lokvenc (Bochum)

Greece

The players called up are: Georgios Seitaridis (Porto), Nikos Dabizas (Leicester), Traianos Dellas (Roma), Theodoros Zagorakis (Bologna), Stelios Giannakopoulos (Bolton Wanderers), Angelos Charisteas (Werder Bremen), Takis Fyssas (Benfica), Zisis Vryzas (Fiorentina), Michalis Kapsis (Bordeaux) and Georgios Karagounis (Internazionale).

[coreyschucky]

Iceland has 3 very good strikers in Helgi Sigurdsson (AGF, Denmark), Eidur Gudjohnsen (Chelsea, England), Heidar Helguson (Watford, England) but that's about it for there team. They do however get some good results at times but are a rather poor European side. Not sure on Italy's lineup for this game. I haven't found much.

Friendlies are certainly tricky. Motivation is key and so is the lineups. Coaches try to implement new things into there teams so it can have some adverse effects. Form of players are also key. As for tomorrow. Not sure yet for which games I'm going for. I want to see what some AH look like. Bet365 pulls them till 1 AM so I won't see till the morning. I might make a parlay or two with some of the high lines.

[emericj]

Corey - good luck to you tomorrow. I can't find a game I really want to take in the Friendlies - and I'll be up to work early...so won't be able to peek at your picks...but good picken'!!!

GFTA

[emericj]

Corey -

Decided to parlay these 3 before hitting the sack -

France -400
Turkey -350
England -175

1 unit to win 1.44

GFT you tomorrow....

[coreyschucky]

Thanks Emericj......Good Luck to you as well....That parlay looks solid....Good Luck!!!!

Soccer YTD: 196-166-5 (+3.57 units)
English Premier League: 3-5-1 (-.19 units)
English Championship League: 5-5 (-1.40 units)
English League I & II: 4-4 (-1.74 units)
German Bundesliga I: 4-3 (-.78 units)
German Bundesliga II: 2-2 (-2.14 units)
Scottish Premier League: 0-3 (-4.07 units)
Scottish Lower Leagues: 6-4 (+2.13 units)
France Le Championnat: 3-1 (+1.38 units)
France Ligue 2: 1-2 (-1.28 units)
Czech Gambrinus Liga: 2-1 (+.75 units)
Turkish Super Ligi: 2-3 (-2.25 units)
Belgian Jupiler League: 3-2 (+.13 units)
Holland Eredivisie League: 1-1 (-.5 units)

I'll get to the rest of the International Friendlies in the morning. But since this one kicks off at 6 AM EST I figure I'll give it a go. Best of luck to everyone!!!!

August 18th

International Friendly

Argentina (+100) Over Japan (W) (Argentina won 2-1)

Tough game for both squads. The value in this match is actually a Japan victory or anything Japan on the Handicap. But I still think Argentina can manage a victory at Japan. Argentina comes to this game without many of it's key players as some are getting rest while a few others are playing for the Argentinian Olympic squad. They will be lead by Assistant Coach Vivas. Still Argentina features a pretty good squad which will be spearheaded in defense by Samuel and Placente anchored in the midfield by Rodriguez and Riquelme and attacking with Galleti up front. Still a pretty good squad with plenty of International experience. Japan will feature the same team that won the Asian Cup just a few weeks ago. It was a good tournament for them but the competition was slightly beneath top level standards IMO. Japan's roster in that tournament and in this friendly are missing some top stars but this is still a very talented team who relies on it's technical play. The Argentinian players have been on record saying this is a very important match for some since it's there chance to earn a spot in upcoming qualifying matches. Japan and Argentina have met twice in the last few years with both meetings coming in Japan with Argentina winning both 4-1 and 2-0. At even money on Argentina I figure it's worth a shot. Not the best of squads but still a sufficient one.


Good Luck to All!!!!

[coreyschucky]

It's always nice to start the morning out with a good win. Two first half goals for Argentina was enough to get them past Japan 2-1. Still going over the rest of the friendlies and qualifying matches. Be back later....Best of luck to everyone!!!!

Update:

August 18th: 1-0 (+1 unit)


Good Luck to All!!!!

[coreyschucky]

Still going over a bunch of things trying to find the latest lineups for this afternoon's matches. Best of luck to everyone!!!!

ADD:

August 18th

4 Team Parlay (+158) (L)

Turkey (-350) Over Belarus (L) (Belarus won 2-1)
France (-400) Over Bosnia & Herzegovina (L) (Game tied 1-1)
Spain (-400) Over Venezuela (W) (Spain won 3-2)
Russia (-350) Over Lithuania (W) (Russia won 4-3)

European World Cup Qualifying - Group 1

FYR Macedonia (-150) Over Armenia (W) (Macedonia won 3-0)

Both teams are pretty similar in talent. Macedonia holds a slight edge overall and has a pretty solid run of late. Macedonia is 3-2-1 this year in friendlies with wins over Estonia, Ukraine and Bosnia & Herzongovina. They tied China and lost to China and Croatia each by 1 goal. Not bad results overall. Team wise they enter the match w/o any major injuries or suspensions. Armenia is 2-1-1 this year with wins over Georgia and Turkmenistan while losing to Hungary and drawing Kazakhastan. Not the best of matches for them. Armenia will be w/o the #1 keeper and there top playmaker for this match. This is the first match of the Group 1 qualifying. Neither team is expected to qualify. But this certainly could be a nice victory for Macedonia at home. Overall they are tough team who fight every play so this should continue at home. In a group with the Czechs, Holland, Romania, Finland and Andorra both teams can only look at each other and Andorra for wins. So I'm taking the stronger home team in Macedonia. I think they'll be able to get all pts at home and escape a draw.


Good Luck to All!!!!