BPL – Midweek Games – 5th March ‘08
March 12, 2008
With all the FA Cup upsets over the weekend, it’s time to look at the BPL in this midweek matchday where three matches are being played. With none of the top 4 still involved in the FA Cup, the number of UEFA Cup slots will be only this season and the fight for that sole spot has heated up.
Aston Villa vs Middlesboro
The safest mantra for betting on Villa games is ‘if Ashley Young plays, Villa will not lose” ! .. definitely not against a toothless Boro team. The goals Boro conceded against Cardiff City were so silly that I am confidently predicting that Villa will win this game comfortably without conceding ..
Prediction : Home win, -1.5
Chelsea vs Derby
The FA Cup exit will be a hard blow for Roman Abromovich and Chelsea could end this season without a trophy !! .. They will beat Chelsea but the question is by how many goals ? .. To make matters worse, Derby have nothing to play for and relegation to League Championship is more or less confirmed. Chelsea players would like to make amends to their fans and win this for them even though, they have stopped playing for their coach !! Avram Grant is the unofficial seat warmer for Frank Rijkaard and he has lost the total confidence of his players.
Prediction : Chelsea to win .. by 2/3 goals (They have a long unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge which is due to be broken by Arsenal on Mar 23 or by Man Utd on April 26 !!!)
Portsmouth vs Birmingham
Portsmouth have more or realised that FA Cup is their only logical option to playing in Europe next season and will be trying to avoid any serious injuries to key players while playing the league matches. With Everton and Liverpool fighting neck and neck for the 4th UEFA Champions League spot, the loser of the battle will be the obvious choice for the UEFA Cup place. Defoe and Baros will be playing in most of the league matches from now on so that Kanu is kept fresh for FA Cup matches.
Birmingham have registerd some key results in the last few matches and are slowly moving away from relegation. Even 1 point is good enough for McLeish’s men and they will be playing for a draw.
Prediction : Draw
