SC Freiburg

Freiburg just advanced to Bundesliga and got themselves some nice transfers with Bundesliga top goalscorer Cedric Makiadi from Wolfsburg and Stefan Reisinger the top assistman from Greuther Fürth.

Freiburg will miss Pouplin most likely, their 1st GK and Julian Schuster, one of the key players of the past season. Both misses are going to be a big blow for Freiburg.

Hamburger SV

Hamburg had probably one of the biggest signings in this transfer window by signing Markus Berg from Groningen,the European Championships U21 top goalscorer.

Bruno Labbadia already said that the crowd is going to see another Hamburg team, instead of those one losing to Randers on Thursday at home. It is highly expected that almost every player is going to be changed as Elia, Rost and Guerrero are back in the squad and therefore travelling to Freiburg.

Prediction

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The Bundesliga returns this weekend and promises to deliver just as much entertainment and excitement as it did last season. As we have promised, GoTipsters will post the first pick tonight for Bundesliga match between Nurenberg and Schalke

Nürnberg

Promoted via the play-off, Nürnberg will want to start the season well as they begin their season at home to Schalke. Promoted sides are always the favourites to go straight back down again, but ‘der Klub’ look like the strongest of the three teams to have come up from the second division.

Schalke

Schalke have championship winner Felix Magath at the helm, but with little summer investment the Koenigsblauen cannot expect miracles from their new trainer this season.

(Source: goal.com)

Facts and Stats

• The last game Nürnberg beat Schalke was in 1998/99 (3-0).
• Nürnberg are unbeaten in 15 matches at home, conceding just three goals in this period.
• Nürnberg have won their last seven home games.
• 42 points Nürnberg were the best home team in the Bundesliga Zwei in 2008/09.
• Nürnberg haven’t won a Bundesliga match on the opening day in 42 years.
• Marek Mintal has scored six times in his last seven home games.

Prediction

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The last time Everton defeated Chelsea was back in November 2000 – a 2-1 triumph at Goodison Park with captain John Terry the sole Chelsea survivor from that match. The recent battles have been very tight with the two encounters in the 08/09 Premier League campaign finishing in 0-0 draws. Last season there was a 1-1 draw in London and a 1-0 Chelsea win at Goodison Park. The Londoners also knocked Everton out of the semi-finals of the League Cup. In fact, David Moyes’ team has only beaten Chelsea twice in their last 34 encounters. This will be the eighth time they have met in the FA Cup with Chelsea winning five times, drawing once and losing twice. The most recent meeting was in the fourth round of the 05/06 competition with Chelsea winning the replay 4-1 at the Bridge.

Chelsea

This match marks Guus Hiddink’s last game in charge at Chelsea and he has suffered just one fall in 21 competitive fixtures losing 1-0 away at Tottenham on March 21. The last eight rounds of the EPL were particularly impressive with seven wins and one draw, scoring 19 goals and conceding two. Chelsea finished the EPL campaign with a 3-2 victory at Sunderland with Nicolas Anelka amongst the scorers to finish with 25 goals in 53 appearances. Anelka has scored four goals during the current FA Cup run. Frank Lampard (56 appearances/19 goals in all competitions) and Didier Drogba (41/13 all competitions) have also made telling contributions. Stability has been the key in team selection with 12 players involved in 40 or more matches. (Source: betshoot.com)

Everton

Everton has been one of the most consistent teams in England and finished fifth in the EPL with 63 points – 20 behind third-placed Chelsea. Everton defeated Fulham 2-0 in round 38 at Craven Cottage with Leon Osman (42/7 all competitions) scoring twice. Everton has lost just three times in their last 28 competitive fixtures and have sat in either fifth or sixth spot since Boxing Day. Their form in May has been outstanding with three wins and one draw in the closing four rounds, scoring seven goals and leaking just one. (Source: betshoot.com)

Road To Wembley

Chelsea

3rd Round – Southend (1-1, 4-1 replay)
4th Round – Ipswich (3-1)
5th Round – Watford (3-1)
6th Round – Coventry (2-0)
Semi-Final – Arsenal (2-1)

Everton
3rd Round – Macclesfield (1-0)
4th Round – Liverpool (1-1, 1-0 replay)
5th Round – Aston Villa (3-1)
6th Round – Middlesbrough (2-1)
Semi-Final – Manchester United (0-0, win on pens)

Form Guide

Chelsea
May 24 Sunderland 2-3 Chelsea (Premier League)
May 17 Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
May 10 Arsenal 1-4 Chelsea (Premier League)
May 06 Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona (Champions League)
May 02 Chelsea 3-1 Fulham (Premier League)

Everton
May 24 Fulham 0-2 Everton (Premier League)
May 16 Everton 3-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
May 09 Everton 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
May 03 Sunderland 0-2 Everton (Premier League)
Apr 25 Everton 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)

Team News

Frank Lampard, who suffered a hamstring twinge recently, should be able to play. Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira continue their spell in rehabilitation.

While in Everton, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe and Yakubu Aiyegbeni are all still recovering from long-term injuries.

Prediction

Chelsea and Everton are the teams with rock-solid defences and both teams will hope that their back line will be able to keep a clean sheet in this match and thus make the job a lot easier for the attackers.

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Both sides are already on holiday in this fixture as Inter have had their Scudetto party and Cagliari are destined for a mid-table finish.

Cagliari

Cagliari have done better than expected this season and can now relax during the final weeks as the other sides slug it out at the bottom of the table. Last weekend’s defeat against relegation-haunted Reggina extinguished the Isolani’s faint hopes of securing a Europa League place and there is nothing now to play for.

Revelatory Coach Massimiliano Allegri will be staying put after a superb maiden campaign at the Stadio Sant’Elia and he will hope to build on his success next year. But Allegri will want to enjoy the applause of the home fans after stunning the champions rather than in spite of a defeat. (Source: channel4.com)

Inter Milan

Mourinho will probably give a chance to some of the reserve players but on the other hand he announced Balotelli, Ibrahimovic and several other starters. We are yet to see how big Inter’s motivation will be and if they are tired from celebration. They will try to end the season in style and it would be no wonder if Mourinho demanded his team to win, as it would increase the gap over Milan and Juventus. Champions struggled to take a point against Cagliari at Meazza this autumn, which is enough of a warning to be careful here. They have good tradition on Sardinia and Mourinho’s side played much better away than at home this season. (Source: Freebetting.net)

Form Guide

Cagliari
17/05 (Serie A): Reggina-Cagliari 2-1
10/05 (Serie A): Cagliari-Roma 2-2
03/05 (Serie A): Palermo-Cagliari 5-1
26/04 (Serie A): Sampdoria-Cagliari 3-3
19/04 (Serie A): Cagliari-Napoli 2-0

Inter
17/05 (Serie A): Inter-Siena 3-0
10/05 (Serie A): Chievo-Inter 2-2
02/05 (Serie A): Inter-Lazio 2-0
26/04 (Serie A): Napoli-Inter 1-0
23/04 (Coppa Italia): Inter-Sampdoria 1-0

Facts and Stats

• Inter are unbeaten in their last 17 league meetings with Cagliari, notching up ten wins and seven draws in the process.
• The Sardinians’ last win at home against Inter was back in 1993/94 – since then, there have been six draws and three wins to Inter at the Sant’Elia.
• Inter have failed to win away from home in their last three fixtures – draws against Juventus and Chievo and one defeat against Napoli.
• Massimiliano Allegri’s side have collected seven points from their last three games at home in the league, as result of two wins and one draw.
• The Italian champions are the only side in the league yet to concede a penalty this term.

(Source: premiership.free-bets.co.uk)

Team News

Rafael Acosta, Paolo Bianco, Alessandro Matri, and Daniele Biondini are out injured.

Inter are without Douglas Maicon, Nelson Rivas, Federico Bolzoni, Hernan Crespo and Maxwell.

Prediction

This fixture ended 1-1 back in January and Inter needed a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal to save a point. David Suazo sank his former side last year as the Nerazzurri managed a 2-0 triumph after a sloppy performance.

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Sevilla

When a team prepare for celebrations before the game is played, they usually have to postpone the party because they fail to record a desired result. Number of teams saw that happening to them and Sevilla fans are preparing the celebrations due to the team’s return to Champions League. The team that have been near the top of Spanish football for years and the same one who won several trophies in the last few years should not be celebrating a Champions League place as that is something that should be expected of them. Considering that they were eliminated from UEFA Cup and Copa del Rey early on, the third place in Primera should not be considered a big success. However, the people in Andalucia are just looking for the reason to have a fiesta, thus the aforementioned party. Sevilla will play very difficult opponents, who usually play very well on the travels. Deportivo will be very motivated in this match and they will try to take advantage of Sevilla’s inconsistency. Sevilla largely struggled last weekend in Pamplona and they were lucky to escape with a draw. The individual quality of the players only helps from time to time and they are likely to have big problems in this match, especially as the visitors are very organized and work well as a team. (Source: Freebetting.net)

Deportivo La Coruna

This is the game of the season for Depor. Their UEFA Cup ambitions depend solely on this match. The good run of results gives them reason to hope for a good result in Seville. Depor have been very good on the travels this season, taking 22 points from 18 away games, which is a solid result. Sevilla, on the other hand, lost 6 home games this season and that is why Deportivo is not without chances in this match. The team from La Coruna missed a great chance to beat Getafe at home as they conceded an equalizer late into the game. Miguel Angel Lotina believes that his players will continue the good run on the travels, having taken seven points from last three away games. Lotina will probably name an unchanged line-up to that which played Getafe. Joan Verdu, Juan Rodriguez and Guardado are in very good form, whereas defence are playing really well lately and that should be the key to the good result in Seville.
(Source: Freebetting.net)

Form Guide

Sevilla
May 16 Osasuna 0-0 Sevilla (La Liga)
May 9 Sevilla 3-1 Mallorca (La Liga)
May 2 Villarreal 0-2 Sevilla (La Liga)
Apr 26 Sevilla 2-4 Real Madrid (La Liga)
Apr 22 Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla (La Liga)

Deportivo La Coruna
May 16 Deportivo La Coruna 1-1 Getafe (La Liga)
May 10 Recreativo Huelva 1-2 Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga)
May 3 Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 Valladolid (La Liga)
Apr 25 Malaga 1-1 Deportivo La Coruna (La Liga)
Apr 22 Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 Almeria (La Liga)

Team News

Freddy Kanoute is in doubt, but the striker did train as normal on Thursday and should be fit to start up front. Romaric is suspended after his red card last weekend and Enzo Maresca may replace him in the starting eleven.

Lassad Nouioui is currently injured whilst Julien de Guzman and Pablo Amo have been left out by the coach. However, Antonio Tomas and Albert Lopo are expected to play.

Prediction

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Tottenham

European qualification would have been a great reward for all the effort the players have put in to make this season a success after all. Spurs were involved in the relegation struggle for the big part of the season, but they managed to improve under Harry Redknapp and they even came close to winning Carling Cup for the second successive year. With just two games to go, Tottenham are locked in the battle for the seventh place with Fulham, West Ham and Manchester City and three points from this match would take them much closer to their goal, as their rivals have got very difficult games this weekend. Tottenham managed to hold Everton to a goalless draw at Goodison Park and they will definitely take heart from that performance as the team managed to keep one of the rare clean sheets this season. Harry Redknapp has had plenty of problems in the last few weeks and he will miss a couple of first team regulars in this match as well.

Spurs have got some superb results at home recently, winning 6 of the last 10 games, only conceding in 2 of these matches, keeping clean sheets against Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea. They have won the last 5, beating Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea who have been very hard to beat since he took over.

Manchester City

Manchester City suffered a real blow to their European ambitions, having lost the local derby to Manchester United, although the defeat was very much expected. The Citizens are now three points adrift of seventh-placed Fulham and they have got to get something out of this match in order to keep their hopes alive. That is going to be very difficult to do considering their awful away form, although their opponents will miss several very important players. City are already thinking about the next season and they are searching for new players, hoping that they will manage to lure a couple of world-class players to the club. That is not going to be easy should they fail to qualify for Europe, which is why we expect them to enter this match with great motivation. Mark Hughes’ team did surprise Everton away from home and they will try to do the same when they meet Tottenham. However, Mark Hughes has suffered a big blow in the preparation for this match as two very important players, Robinho and Wright-Phillips look set to miss the match at White Hart Lane through injuries

Man City have contrasting home and away form. They have only won 1 of the last 10 away matches, losing 7 of these matches against teams they would want to be beating especially with their financial backing.

(Source: freebetting.net)

Facts and Stats

• Two of the four clubs involved in the race for seventh spot and Europa League football clash at White Hart Lane. Indeed victory for Tottenham would extinguish the hopes of Manchester City.
• City have won one more Premier League game than Spurs, yet find themselves two places below them in the table.
• While Premier League matches involving the Citizens have yielded more goals than any other club (104 – 56 for, 48 against), top-flight games at White Hart Lane have produced fewer goals than any other ground (28 – 19 for, nine against).
• Tottenham are vying for a fifth successive Premier League win over Manchester City at White Hart Lane. Another victory here would secure their sixth double over the Citizens in this league, and first since 2006-07.

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

Form Guide

Tottenham
Everton 0-0 Tottenham (Prem)
Tottenham 1-0 West Brom (Prem)
Man Utd 5-2 Tottenham (Prem)
Tottenham 1-0 Newcastle (Prem)
Tottenham 1-0 West Ham (Prem)

Manchester City
Man Utd 2-0 Man City (Prem)
Man City 3-1 Blackburn (Prem)
Everton 1-2 Man City (Prem)
Man City 4-2 West Brom (Prem)
Man City 2-1 Hamburg (UEFA Cup)

Team News

Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Didier Zokora will perform after recovering from injury, while Aaron Lennon will miss out with a groin problem together with Darren Bent with his knee injury and Giovanni Dos Santos due to an illness after returning from his loan spell at Ipswich. Jamie O’Hara is also out. Wilson Palacios is back in Honduras due to some tragic personal reasons.

For Mark Hughes’ squad, Robinho will be missing from tonight’s match but Shaun Wright-Phillips should return after battling back from knee and ankle problems. Martin Petrov could win a starting berth on the left hand side for the injured Robinho. Felipe Caicedo and Valeri Bojinov could be place at the starting eleven for City this weekend.

Prediction

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Wigan

Wigan Athletic lost 3-1 on the road to West Brom in their last match, the Latics’ fifth straight match without a win. In their last five, Wigan have drawn one and lost four, picking up only a single point from the available fifteen. The Latics are currently 11th in the league, five points behind 10th placed Manchester City and equal on points with 12th placed Stoke.

Manchester United

Winning each of their last five matches has given Manchester United all fifteen points available from these matches. Man Utd are currently first in the league, three points ahead of second placed Liverpool with a match in hand. The Red Devils need only four points from their remaining three matches to clinch the title for the third successive year.

Form Guide

Wigan Athletic:
3rd May vs. Aston Villa (A) won 2-0 (Premier League)
26th April vs. Reading (H) drew 0-0 (Premier League)
19th April vs. Tottenham (H) drew 1-1- (Premier League)
14th April vs. Chelsea (A) drew 1-1 (Premier League)
5th April vs. Birmingham City (H) 2-0 (Premier League)

Manchester United:
3rd May vs. West Ham United (H) won 4-1 (Premier League)
29th April vs. F.C Barcelona (H) won 1-0 (CHAMP LG)
26th April vs. Chelsea (A) lost 2-1 (Premier League)
23rd April vs. Barcelona (A) drew 0-0 (CHAMP LG)
19th April vs. Blackburn Rovers (A) drew 1-1 (Premier League)

Facts and Stats

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

• Last May, Manchester United won this corresponding fixture 0-2 at the JJB, and thus gained the points they needed to retain the Premier League title. Twelve months later, Wigan again entertain a Red Devils outfit, this time in need of four points from the last nine available to claim a second hat-trick of Premier League crowns, and an 11th title in this league.
• If United avoid defeat here they could clinch a record-equalling 18th English top-flight championship, home to Arsenal on Saturday or away to Hull on Sunday week.
• United have won their last six Premier League games; Wigan are chasing their first win in six.
• This is the 150th Premier League game, and 75th at home for the Latics, who are still searching for their first Premier League victory over a member of the ‘Big Four’.
• The two managers, Steve Bruce and Sir Alex Ferguson, share the same birthday (31 December), but were born 19 years apart. Both were appointed to their current clubs in the same month (November), 21 years apart.
• Bruce, who is 48, has never beaten his old boss as a manager. He has drawn two and lost 10 of 12 games against Ferguson’s United, when in charge of either Birmingham or Wigan, 11 of those being Premier League games.
• Ferguson has only been beaten five times in 55 Premier League matches against clubs managed by one of his former players.
• Manchester United have won all eight league and cup matches they have played against Wigan.

Team News

Midfielder Kevin Kilbane will be rested for this game. He will join defenders Mario Melchiot (groin) and Erik Edman (knee) on the sidelines. Wigan will also be without Cho Won-hee and Amr Zaki.

For Man Utd, Wayne Rooney should be fit enough start from bench after recovering from hip injury. Nemanja Vidic should also start after recovering from the concussion. However, Nani is suspended after receiving a crazy red card against West Ham, and Louis Saha is out for the season with a hamstring tear. Rio Ferdinand and Johnny Evans are also doubtful for this match.

Prediction

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Atalanta

The season is over for Atalanta, who cannot qualify for Europe now, but who are also 15 points above the relegation zone and in no trouble whatsoever. Last weekend Atalanta looked jaded and uninterested as they lost 0-3 at 8th placed Udinese. Add in the fact that Atalanta have lost three of their last four home games, two of them against Reggina and Chievo.

Genoa

Genoa are battling hard for a Champions League spot, and sit just one point away from 4th placed Fiorentina. Genoa also have an easy looking run-in with Chievo, Torino and Lecce to come but it’s important for the Grifone, to pickup points from EVERY game as they chase Champions League football. Away form has not been the greatest asset for Genoa, but the last few months have brought a better return and a 3-1-1 record in the last five road games, suggests that coach Gian Piero Gasperini has found a way to get Genoa performing on the road.

Prediction

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West Ham

It is more than clear that Gianfranco Zola have done a marvelous job at West Ham and not even the most optimistic fans could have predicted that their team would be fighting for European places, when the Italian took over the reigns. The boss had plenty of problems with injured players along the way, which makes his success even bigger. He was forced to rely on some very young players in the last few weeks but they did really well and that is one of the reasons why West Ham are still in seventh place. Unlike most Premiership managers, Zola wants his team to play in Europa League next season as he feels that it would benefit the youngsters a great deal. This is why the Hammers will give their best against Liverpool but we are yet to see if that will be enough for the positive result. The team beat Stoke last weekend thanks to the great strike by Diego Tristan although the game could have gone other way as Stoke had dominated the proceedings. Zola faces big selection problems before the Liverpool game and that could damage their chances of getting a positive result from this match. Cole, Gabbidon, Ashton, Collins, Dyer, Savio and Behrami are all out, whereas Scott Parker remains an injury doubt. The injury crisis hasn’t caused a lot of problems against the weaker sides in the league but this is something Liverpool will know how to exploit. (Source: freebetting.net)

West Ham have 5 wins out the last 10 home games, drawing 1 and losing 4. The 4 losses were to Spurs, Aston Villa, Man Utd and Chelsea, only 1 of these matches was by more than a 1 goal deficit, 0-2 against Spurs. This was the only time the Hammers conceded more than 1 goal. (Source: bettingexpert.com)

Liverpool

Liverpool have certainly made a lot of progress this season, especially in the Premier League and if they were to win the league title, that would be completely deserved. However, that is unlikely to happen as Manchester United are three points clear at the top, with a game in hand, although the Reds will fight till the very end. Rafa Benitez’s side have been in excellent form lately, having won seven of the last eight league games. The team are out of the Champions League which gives them enough time to focus on the league campaign and that has produced great results. Liverpool will probably win all the remaining games but they will have to wait and see if United will make some slip ups. Steven Gerrard has stated that this team were too good not to win Premier League and he may have a point there. The Reds played really well this season, even against the direct title rivals but few unexpected slip ups are likely to cost them title. Nevertheless, they will enter this match on a high and we cannot see how West Ham will stop them from winning this match, especially in the state the Hammers are in. (Source: freebetting.net)

Liverpool have only 1 loss in the last 10 away games, winning 6 and drawing 3. The solitary loss was to a struggling Middlesbrough which goes to prove that they can be got at. The wins come against Blackburn, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Man Utd, Fulham and Hull. Apart from Man Utd and Fulham, the other 4 teams were all struggling when they played Liverpool and are battling relegation. (Source: bettingexpert.com)

Facts and Stats

• Three points for Liverpool at West Ham will see the Merseysiders knocking Manchester United off the top of the table for the last time, unless the Red Devils drop points in their final four games. This match comes 20 hours before the defending champions entertain City in a Manchester derby and four days before United play their game in hand at Wigan.
• West Ham go into this clash in possession of seventh spot and a possible place in Europe, but they hold a slender one point lead over Manchester City, Fulham and Spurs.
• This match brings together one of the clubs to have scored the fewest goals in the last 10 minutes of Premier League games this season, and the one to have netted the most; West Ham have knocked home five in that time sector, Liverpool 18.
• Liverpool have lost only one of their last six Premier League visits to West Ham.
• The Hammers are looking to notch successive home league victories over Liverpool for the first time since 1999.

Form Guide

West Ham
May 02 Stoke City 0-1 West Ham
Apr 25 West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
Apr 18 Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
Apr 11 Tottenham 1-0 West Ham
Apr 04 West Ham 2-0 Sunderland

Liverpool
May 03 Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Apr 25 Hull City 1-3 Liverpool
Apr 21 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (Champions League)
Apr 11 Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn

Team News

Striker Carlton Cole is expected to remain on the sidelines and Scott Parker is likewise afflicted, while James Collins and Kieron Dyer have calf and hamstring problems respectively. January signing Savio is back in the squad after illness, while Jack Collison is pushing for a start here. Dean Ashton, Valon Berhami and Danny Gabbidon are all out for the season.

In Liverpool, Xabi Alonso will miss today’s game after he picked up a foot injury when he was the victim of a Joey Barton’ lunge at him. Brazilian Lucas Levia is expected to deputise. Former West Ham man Javier Mascherano will take on his former team after he was passed fit. Fernando Torres who was a spectator in the win over Newcastle where the Reds won 3-0, will also be back.

Prediction

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Chelsea

Chelsea have shown great defensive quality last week at Camp Nou. Of course, the experienced Dutch coach Guus Hiddink contributed to that a lot cause he prepared hiw team very well for the game against Barcelona. The goal has been accomplished, his team held mighty Barcelona to a goalless draw and with a huge confidence is awaiting them at home in London. Great news for the Blues’ coach is that left-back Ashley Cole is returning to the squad after a longer break and will most probably replace Bosingwa. It’s expected that at their Stamford Bridge Chelsea will have the same approach and focus to the game in stopping Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, but also their other dangerous players like in Barcelona last time. Hiddink is famous for setting up great defense, which he demonstrated in the first leg. Players of the English representative will again focus on the aggressive and tough defense, where they won’t allow Barcelona’s technique to reveal much. They will be seeking for their chance through set pieces, which is the worst part of their opponent’s play. Of course, Chelsea also proved they can play great on counterattacks, as they will surely have a few of them due to very open visitors’ play. We remember that great Drogba’s chance when he came up to Valdes face to face but didn’t react quickly enough so a great chance for the Blues failed. (Source: 365tip.com)

Barcelona

Barcelona have recorded a bit unexpected result at home, not managing to score a single goal against a team from London, which hasn’t happened on Camp Nou for almost a year. Guardiola didn’t expect such aggressive and defensive-minded game of the Blues. His game creators such as Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, and even offensive right-back Dani Alves, didn’t have enough space and time to present the play they’re displaying in Spanish Primera all the time, so it can freely be said that some of them were almost invisible on the pitch. Barcelona can’t play defensive football so therefore they will be very offensive-oriented in London. (Source: 365tip.com)

Facts and Stats

• FC Barcelona and Chelsea are playing against each other for the 10th time in the Champions League.
• They also met in the semi-finals of the 1965-66 Fairs Cup. Barca proceeded to the final after a 5-0 win in the decisive match at home. Both clubs had won their regular home ties 2-0.
• In total, Barcelona have won five of the 12 matches played against Chelsea with the Londoners winning four.
• Both clubs have progressed twice in their four previous knock-out match-ups in the CL.
• Barcelona have failed to beat Chelsea in their last four matches. This is their joint longest current winless run against a club in the Champions League/Champions Cup. They have also not won in their last four matches against Manchester United.
• Barca’s last win against Chelsea was on 22 February 2006; 1-2 at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea’s only home defeat in 11 matches against Spanish clubs; seven of those matches have been won.
• Chelsea’s last two home matches against Spanish clubs resulted in draws, 1-1 and 0-0, both against Valencia.
• Barcelona have lost 15 of their 29 away matches against English clubs. They have won six and drawn eight. Their last win on English soil was on 6 March 2007, at Liverpool (0-1).
• In the last four CL seasons Barcelona have been eliminated by Chelsea (2004-05), Liverpool (2006-07) and Manchester United (2007-08). In the 2005-06 season they won the CL final against Arsenal 2-1.
• In the 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Chelsea on 31 October 2006, 10 players received a yellow card. The record number of yellow cards in a CL match is 11.

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

Form Guide

Chelsea
May 2 Chelsea 3-1 Fulham (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 28 Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Apr 25 West Ham United 0-1 Chelsea (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 22 Chelsea 0-0 Everton (PREMIER LEAGUE)
Apr 18 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (FA CUP)

Barcelona
May 2 Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Apr 28 Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Apr 25 Valencia 2-2 Barcelona (LA LIGA)
Apr 22 Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla (LA LIGA)
Apr 18 Getafe 0-1 Barcelona (LA LIGA)

Team News

Ashley Cole will come back from suspension and most likely he will replace Jose Bosingwa even though his performance at left-back last week was amazing. Michael Ballack will also return after being rested. Hiddink will again be without Deco, Joe Cole and Paolo Ferreira. From last week’s crowded midfield, John Obi Mikel is likely to miss out.

For Barca, Milito is carrying a long-term injury; Marquez got injured in the last match and will be out for the next couple of months, while captain Carlos Puyol will miss the game due to accumulated yellow cards. Thierry Henry’s phantom knee-knock has seemingly cleared up and he has travelled with the squad.

Prediction (will be sent to GoTipsters Subscribers ONLY, right before the match starts)

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