La Liga: Celta Vigo-Osasuna
Celta had that Europa League game with Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday, ahead of which I spoke about the strong Spanish record in the competition, but the team from Galica looking a little weary, with a heavier than usual schedule .............
I do have some concerns about the La Liga trio this time round, Athletic and Villa are strong at home, but struggle on the road and that is always likely to catch you out the longer the competition goes. Celta are not as consistent as that pair , they can raise their game and when they do it is good, but, they have already played six games more than at the same stage last season, when I felt they "tired" a little especially defensively after Christmas and this is their first European campaign in a decade and they are drawn against Donetsk and Villa have Roma. I would nominate Athletic as the more likely of this trio, but will look elsewhere on this occasion.
They lost 1-0 and face a daunting trip to the Ukraine and it is hard to know how they will approach it. Today they are without four starters in Facundo Roncaglia, Pablo Hernández, Hugo Mallo and John Guidett, who all played in both midweek and the 3-2 loss at Atletico Madrid last Sunday.That weakens them on both flanks without captain and right back Mallo they are three without a win conceding seven goals and Roncaglia and Pablo Hernández ( missed six games , five of which produced 4+ goals) play on the other side of the pitch. They were run ragged by Villarreal, who rarely cut loose against anyone in a 5-0 defeat earlier this season which both players missed and that day they did have Mallo on the other flank. They certainly look vulnerable defensively today.
Osasuna are in big trouble,bottom of thee table and eight points from safety, they have conceded at the rate of 2.23 goals pre game this season, but do have an offensive threat and have scored six in losses to Sevilla (3-4), Sociedad away (2-3) and Real Madrid (1-3) in three of their last four starts and are prepared to gamble, which I like. I don't think they are coming to sit back for too long, that doesn't appear to be in their arsenal at present and this looks a very offensive minded group Petar Vasiljevic (pictured)has named. The head coach was in pretty confident mood yesterday, he says the squad are playing well both on the pitch and in training and that they have no fear and when the first win comes, "we are going to get addicted" ...........love that quote !
Hard not to see a goal or two for Celta regardless of how well Osasuna play at the other end of the pitch, I do like the chances of the visitors who's sole win this season came away to Eibar 3-2 and that is how I see this playing out. Osasuna by the odd goal in five !
1.25 units "over" 2.75 goals 2.17 asian line/Sportmarket.
0.75 units Osasuna to win 5.0-5.50 general quote.
Celta Vigo: Sergio, Rubén, Fontàs, Pape, Planas, Marcelo Díaz, Radoja, Bongonda, Iago Aspas, Sisto, Jozabed, Wass, Jonny, Sergi Gómez, Hjulsager, Cabral, Rossi ,Señé.
Osasuna: Mario , Sirigu, David García, Oier, Unai García, Fuentes, C. Clerc , Vujadinovic,Causic, R. Torres, Berenguer, Fran Mérida, De las Cuevas , Raoul Loé, Sergio León, Oriol Riera, Riviére , Kenan.
FA Cup:
Fulham- Tottenham Hotspur
I have spoken frequently of Fulham being one of the two best teams to visit Griffin Park this season and I certainly think they are better than both Reading (4th) and Leeds United (5th) and would still not rule out a late promotion push for the Cottagers. All this is painful for me to say, as they are nowadays regarded as Brentford's biggest rival, but I have to be honest with the evidence of my own eyes and they are hugely improved from last season and quite pleasing on the eye.
Their home games here have averaged 3.31 goals and only the top two and Norwich City have scored more Championship goals and only one team in the top half of the table has conceded more. .......
The rest of these notes and eight full match previews were sent to clubgowi subscribers at the scheduled time of 10.00 (UK) today, to find details of how to read them all click here !
Good Luck.
