Rooney to help Man Utd avoid FA Cup upset against Sheff Utd

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Manchester United v Sheffield United</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">FA Cup third round</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saturday, January 9th</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kick-off: 17:30 GMT</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Old Trafford, Manchester</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live on BT Sport 2</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Man Utd to edge Sheff Utd in third round tie</span></h2> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manchester United will be hoping to carry on their perfect start to 2016, after beating Swansea City in the Premier League to end a woeful eight-match winless run in all competitions, as they host League One outfit Sheffield United in <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">the FA Cup third round</span></span>.</span></span></div> <div> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On top of the obvious gap in talent and the English divisions pyramid, the Red Devils (odds-on 2/7 favourites with Coral) also boast a terrific record against the Blades (10/1), having won each of the last six meetings against them.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last time these two duelled was in the 2006/07 season when both were in the top-flight, where Man Utd won 2-0 at Old Trafford, and you can <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">back the hosts at an enticing 24/5 price to triumph by that scoreline again</span></span>.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Rooney enjoys facing Blades</span></h2> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Current captain Wayne Rooney scored three times in both appearances against the Yorkshire team that campaign, and the forward comes into this clash on the back of finally finding the net, last time out against the Swans.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rooney is odds-on at 8/11 to strike anytime again, but <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">is a more enticing 3/1 to bag a brace or better</span></span>, as he did at Bramall Lane in 2006 in reply to Keith Gillespie’s opener, who played for both.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This match could give under-fire Louis van Gaal the chance to use others in his squad, and Adnan Januzaj may go straight into the side after being recalled from his unsuccessful loan spell with Borussia Dortmund.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fellow academy product Will Keane has also returned to the club, and the striker is a 15/8 shout to score anytime should he feature.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Depay to finally find form?</span></h2> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elsewhere in attack, Memphis Depay will be hoping to finally show the talent that was promised to fans. The Dutchman has been largely ineffective, particularly domestically this season, but is 4/1 to net first against a side two leagues below.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the Blades, meanwhile, Billy Sharp has been their main man in attack this term, smashing in 11 goals. The <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">former Leeds United frontman is 10/3 to hit home</span></span>against the Red Devils too.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nigel Adkins’ men have had to come through two rounds to reach this stage, beating both Worcester City and Oldham Athletic. Jose Baxter and Conor Sammon got amongst the goals in those games, and are respective 4/1 shouts in the anytime market.</span></div> </div> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d21BMHfZqxM/VpDUE0Nr24I/AAAAAAAAFkA/H2tLG4RIf0o/s1600/107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d21BMHfZqxM/VpDUE0Nr24I/AAAAAAAAFkA/H2tLG4RIf0o/s400/107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> </span></div>

Rooney to help Man Utd avoid FA Cup upset against Sheff Utd

Manchester United v Sheffield United FA Cup third round Saturday, January 9th Kick-off: 17:30 GMT Old Trafford, Manchester Live on ...

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La Liga Betting: Solid defence to keep Atletico on top

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="yui_3_1_1_1_145233061789652" style="font-weight: 600;">Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao<br />Saturday 17:15</span> (Live on Sky Sports 3)<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600;">Sevilla</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="11/10" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.10</span>, Athletic <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="11/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.75</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.65</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sevilla will overtake sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao if they beat the Basques in <span style="font-weight: 600;">Andalusia</span> on Saturday evening.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Unai Emery's</span> hosts have a good shot at it too: they've won seven in a row at the <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan</span>, keeping four clean sheets and beating Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia along the way.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Athletic are in decent form, but are W1-D1-L3 on the road to other teams now in the top eight. Football Form Labs data shows that tallies nicely with <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ernesto Valverde's</span> W2-D2-L6 record away to top-half teams (excluding the Big Two) in previous seasons.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An interesting stat from those last 14 games: 12 finished with <span style="font-weight: 600;">Under 2.5 Goals</span>, which is not quite what the market expects this weekend. With Sevilla tightening their defence recently and Athletic failing to score in 6/7 similar matches last season, we're happy to take on an odds-against price.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Under 2.5 Goals @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="11/10" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.08</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna<br />Saturday 19:30</span> (Live on Sky Sports 1)<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Real</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="2/13" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.15</span>, Deportivo <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="6" oldtitle="23/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">24.00</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="7" oldtitle="19/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">10.50</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Zinedine Zidane</span> makes his debut as a coach at home to Deportivo La Coruna.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deportivo are a robust W3-D5-L1 on the road this season (W3-D9-L2 since <span style="font-weight: 600;">Victor Sanchez</span>took over), including a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou not so long ago. But they haven't played anyone else now better than 10th in the table.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real Madrid have been scoring freely at the <span style="font-weight: 600;">Bernabeu</span> and should win with something to spare, but the prices about that don't really appeal.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the other end, Depor are capable of nicking a goal themselves. They've scored in 11/14 away games under Sanchez, while Real have conceded in all of their last five Liga home matches.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Both Teams to Score @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="8" oldtitle="11/10" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.12</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Villarreal v Sporting Gijon<br />Sunday 11:00</span> (Live on Sky Sports 3)<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Villarreal</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="9" oldtitle="1/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.50</span>, Sporting <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="10" oldtitle="7/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">7.80</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="11" oldtitle="7/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.40</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only Barcelona have a better <span style="font-weight: 600;">home record</span> than Villarreal's W7-D1-L1. The <span style="font-weight: 600;">Yellow Submarine</span>have taken all three points from each of La Liga's last five rounds and look well set to make it six in a row on Sunday morning.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sporting Gijon have lost five in a row away from home and 6/7 anywhere. They've failed to score in 4/5 away defeats, while Villarreal have recently shut out both Valencia and Real Madrid at <span style="font-weight: 600;">El Madrigal</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br />Back Villarreal Win to Nil @ <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="12" oldtitle="6/4" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">2.50</span></span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Real Sociedad v Valencia<br />Sunday 15:00</span> (Live on Sky Sports 2)<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Sociedad</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="13" oldtitle="11/8" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.32</span>, Valencia <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="14" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.45</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="15" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.45</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Sunday afternoon game brings together two coaches whose combined La Liga careers add up to just 11 games. So there's not a lot for us to go on here.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Eusebio Sacristan's</span> tenure at Real Sociedad started with a 2-0 win over Sevilla. Since then, however, the Basques have conceded 13 times in six league outings.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Gary Neville</span> is still winless as Valencia coach, but last weekend's 2-2 draw with Real Madrid bought him some credit.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both teams have scored in 6/8 Valencia games and 4/5 Sociedad games, so we'll take the even money about goals at both ends this weekend.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Both Teams to Score @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="16" oldtitle="1/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.00</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Eibar v Espanyol<br />Sunday 17:15</span> (Live on Sky Sports 2)<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Eibar</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="17" oldtitle="21/20" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.06</span>, Espanyol <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="18" oldtitle="3/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.10</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="19" oldtitle="5/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.45</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eibar are W4-D3-L2 at <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ipurua</span> this season, losing only to the two Madrid giants. <span style="font-weight: 600;">Jose Luis Mendilibar's</span> Basques have been leading at half time in 6/9, including 3/4 that they went on to win at full time.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Espanyol have a new man in charge, but <span style="font-weight: 600;">Constantin Galca</span> is yet to confirm an upturn in their form. The <span style="font-weight: 600;">Parakeets</span> held Barcelona to a draw in last weekend's city derby, but lost their only away game 2-0 at Sevilla.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In total, they've lost five in a row away from home, and been behind at the break in all five. Since the start of term, they've lost 7/7 away to teams now ranked 13th and higher. Eibar are eighth and rate a small bet on the best possible <span style="font-weight: 600;">double result</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">0.5pts - Back Eibar / Eibar</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="20" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;">Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid<br />Sunday 19:30</span> (Live on Sky Sports 2)<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Celta</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="21" oldtitle="7/2" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.70</span>, Atletico <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="22" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.92</span>, The Draw <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="23" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">3.60</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atletico Madrid are two points clear at the <span style="font-weight: 600;">top of La Liga</span>, albeit Barcelona have a game in hand. To get there, they've won 7/8, keeping six <span style="font-weight: 600;">clean sheets</span> along the way.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the road this season, <span style="font-weight: 600;">Diego Simeone's</span> men are W6-D1-L2. All six wins have been wins to nil; five of them have been 1-0 or 2-0.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since late October, fifth-placed Celta Vigo have lost 3/3 home matches with teams now in the top 10. This weekend they are missing star attacker <span style="font-weight: 600;">Nolito</span> again. Without him, they were shut out in Malaga last weekend and should struggle to break down La Liga's tightest defence.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s initial initial;">Back Atletico Madrid /Under 2.5 Goals @</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; outline: none; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span aria-describedby="qtip-24" class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="24" oldtitle="5/2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1e1e1e; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s initial initial;" title="">3.50</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXrbbZlxQ70/VpDT0H62E7I/AAAAAAAAFj4/sIJCP8cl9yI/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXrbbZlxQ70/VpDT0H62E7I/AAAAAAAAFj4/sIJCP8cl9yI/s400/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

La Liga Betting: Solid defence to keep Atletico on top

Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao Saturday 17:15  (Live on Sky Sports 3) Sevilla   2.10 , Athletic  3.75 , The Draw  3.65 Sevilla will overtake s...

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Serie A Betting: Milan to add to Roma woes

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Roma v Milan</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Saturday, 19:45<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on BT Sport Europe</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If Roma fans were hoping that the midwinter break may signal a change of style from their team, then they must have been sorely disappointed by the return against Chievo on Wednesday. All of those Roma frailties were on view as they stuttered to a 3-3 draw. No team in Serie A is better to watch than <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rudi Garcia</span>'s side, but much of that is down to their weaknesses, rather than their strengths.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Should <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Roma really be trading at</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="0" oldtitle="21/20" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.06</span></span> for the visit of a team which is only one place and five points behind them? Milan restarted poorly, beaten at home by Bologna, and there's little question that the Rossoneri are a million miles from any kind of contention, but Roma have won only once since the derby victory over Lazio on November 8th, and they haven't beaten anyone of note since they forced their way past Fiorentina at the end of August.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Milan have won their last two away games, and beaten Lazio here at the Olimpico earlier this season, so there's no reason for the occasion or indeed the opposition to strike any kind of fear into them.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And let's face it: Milan should have beaten Bologna. They created chances but simply couldn't score. If they put that right, then they have a <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">big chance of causing what wouldn't really be a shock</span> against a fragile, inconsistent and infuriating Roma.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There'll more than likely be goals, and I'm taking Milan, at a price, to add to the pressure on Mister Garcia. Edin Dzeko lost his appeal, so remains suspended, but Miralem Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan and possibly Francesco Totti are back.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Milan to beat Roma @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="3/1" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">4.10</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Frosinone v Napoli</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 14:00<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on BT Sport ESPN</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It's a far from stellar first weekend back for Serie A, but a familiar friend rears its head in the shape of Napoli away from home against opposition that should be brushed aside.<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Under 2.5 Goals is trading at <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="13/8" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">2.68</span></span> for <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Maurizio Sarri</span>'s trip to one of the worst teams in the division, and while all of the statistics point to goals, I think that it's worth looking the other way.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If you look at Frosinone's matches in isolation, then this will be a topsy-turvy thriller. Their last three games have <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">produced 15 goals</span>, but look at them against teams that like to stifle the opposition, to kill the game, to do everything to just get a result. 0-2 against Chievo, 1-1 at Juventus, 0-1 v Udinese and so on. Frosinone can be kept quiet, and they can keep a certain kind of team quiet when the occasion suits. And I think that this weekend is one such occasion.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Napoli are staying stealthily in the Scudetto race, and will come here very confident of a win. But I think that we'll see the calm and composed Napoli: possession based, lethal and then solid. The one that does well away from home, rather than the version that thrills at the San Paolo.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Remember that this is a team which often struggles against the Division's lesser lights. They drew 0-0 in Carpi, 0-0 in Genoa, beat Chievo 1-0, won 2-0 in Verona. All occasions on which attacking instincts were reined in and eyes firmly on the prize. I expect Napoli to win, but only by a goal or two to nil. <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">The "Unders" is worth a small bet</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Under 2.5 Goals in Frosinone v Napoli @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="13/8" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">2.68</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Inter v Sassuolo</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Sunday, 11.30<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on BT Sport 2</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Finally, a word on the game that I will be covering this weekend for BT Sport. I don't expect Sunday morning to be an out of your seat commentary job, as I can see Inter (who restarted with <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a typical 1-0 win</span>) grinding out another result, this time against Sassuolo.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I think that there's a danger of Eusebio Di Francesco's side fading in the second half of the season, and having dropped points against Frosinone in midweek, I think that they'll struggle to gain momentum against Inter, who are starting to look as if they might hang on in the title race.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It's <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tempting to back Inter to win the game by a 1-0 scoreline</span>, as that is such a regular outcome when they're involved, but I'll play safe and back the Unders. A routine start to a sleepy Sunday at a half full San Siro. Well you've got to dream, haven't you?</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;">Back Under 2.5 Goals in Inter v Sassuolo @</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="1/1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title="">1.98</span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muz-kxq6iJU/VpDS9hFv3YI/AAAAAAAAFjw/e_cC0LLEo_A/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muz-kxq6iJU/VpDS9hFv3YI/AAAAAAAAFjw/e_cC0LLEo_A/s400/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="1/1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><br /></span></span></div>

Serie A Betting: Milan to add to Roma woes

Roma v Milan Saturday, 19:45 Live on BT Sport Europe If Roma fans were hoping that the midwinter break may signal a change of style from ...

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New customer offer: Arsenal and Man City an 8/1 FA Cup double

<div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fancy an FA Cup flutter on teams considered to be bankers? Coral can oblige, as we offer an <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">enhanced 8/1 double on the third round action featuring Arsenal and Manchester City</span></span> for new customers.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sign up for an online, mobile or Coral Connect account with us, staking £5 on this brilliantly boosted bet, and you will receive £40 winnings paid out in cash if both the Gunners and Man City are victorious in their original FA Cup third round ties.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arsene Wenger’s men host Sunderland, while Manuel Pellegrini takes his team on the road to Norwich City, who have a notoriously poor recent record in this competition.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This awesome introductory offer is available from 08:00 GMT on Friday, January 8th until the 15:00 kick-off times the following day.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Coral regularly run promotions like this, and there’s plenty of alternative offers to consider this FA Cup third round weekend</span></span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you like the look of this one or need convincing further, then read on and discover specific reasons why Arsenal and Manchester City are a banker bet and delectable double.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gunners have already battered Black Cats</span></h2> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Across their last five meetings with Sunderland, Wenger’s side have scored a dozen goals winning all but one of those encounters. The Gunners’ France international centre forward Olivier Giroud has a terrific recent record against this opposition with four in his last four.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wales’ box-to-box midfielder Aaron Ramsey has produced some <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">big performances in the FA Cup</span></span> for Arsenal, and has also proved a thorn in the side of the Black Cats with three in as many previous starts against them.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Man City have massive scores in Canaries clashes</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the last five years, Manchester City have mauled Norwich by 7-0, 6-1 and 5-1 scorelines, so they clearly save their destructive best form for facing the Norfolk outfit.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chief among the Canaries’ tormentors has been Sergio Aguero, with the Argentina international striker boasting five goals in as many career appearances against them.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should both Arsenal and Man City fail to win their original FA Cup third round ties, then fear not. Coral will compensate all losing wagers with a £5 free bet which you can use across our mobile and digital platforms.</span></div> </div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--y4GbOxEv08/Vo9utSFRTFI/AAAAAAAAFjg/J2h2zPpQWGw/s1600/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--y4GbOxEv08/Vo9utSFRTFI/AAAAAAAAFjg/J2h2zPpQWGw/s400/102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

New customer offer: Arsenal and Man City an 8/1 FA Cup double

Fancy an FA Cup flutter on teams considered to be bankers? Coral can oblige, as we offer an  enhanced 8/1 double on the third round action ...

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FA Cup Tactical Preview: Spurs v Leicester and other key battles

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Spurs v Leicester</span><br />Davies v Simpson<br />Sunday, 16:00, Live on BBC One</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Successive 0-0 daws suggest that Leicester City's erratic defending has stabilised, but in truth there remains an alarming gap in their defensive formation - on the right hand side, where Danny Simpson is often left to fend without the support of <span style="font-weight: 600;">Riyad Mahrez</span>. Given that Mauricio Pochettino is a reactive manager who adapts his tactics to exploit each new opponent's vulnerabilities, expect Spurs to focus their attacks through Ben Davies.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">39% of Tottenham's attacks come down the left (only Chelsea and Man United attack on this side more frequently), largely because of <span style="font-weight: 600;">Harry Kane</span>'s natural inclination to drift to this flank and Ben Davies' excellent attacking play. Pochettino uses inverted wingers to create an overload centrally, playing virtually with three central attacking midfielders behind Kane in order to maximise short-passing options and overwhelm the opposition defence with bodies. In order to prevent the middle of the park from becoming congested, they stretch the opposition by hitting their extremely wide, attack-minded full-backs as often as possible.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This could prove problematic for Leicester. Mahrez is rarely present as a right midfielder when his team lose the ball in the attacking half, instead remaining high up the pitch and jogging back listlessly. This is undoubtedly their biggest weak point: in Leicester's last five matches, <span style="font-weight: 600;">26 of the 43</span> chances created by their opponents during open play have come down Leicester's right side (61%), and all four goals conceded in that time were created and scored in this area. Davies may give Simpson a torrid time on the overlap, whilst Christian Eriksen, drifting inside, will find plenty of space in Mahrez's absence.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Spurs to win and over 2.5 goals at 7/5</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Wycombe v Aston Villa</span><br />Wycombe aerial strength v Villa defending corners<br />Saturday, 12:45, Live on BT Sport 2</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gareth Ainsworth's side will be quietly confident that they can cause a major upset on Saturday. This is a potential banana skin for Aston Villa, who face a physically combative, fearless side in good form and playing on their own <span style="font-weight: 600;">bobbly pitch</span>. Villa, on a 19 game winless streak, are trying to play short-passing football under Remi Garde and will surely struggle on a difficult surface and against gritty, confident opposition.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15 of Wycombe's 32 league goals this season have been scored by defenders, and given Villa's persistent struggle to defend <span style="font-weight: 600;">set-pieces</span> this season this will be the home side's key focus. It is the traditional path to FA Cup upsets, something that seems plausible given Villa have lost 75% of their last 20 away games, whilst Wycombe have failed to score only twice in their last 20 at Adams Park.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Wycombe to win at 5/2</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Man Utd v Sheff Utd</span><br />United possession v Billy Sharp<br />Saturday, 17:30, Live on BT Sport 2</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sheffield United's season is not going to plan. Now entering their fifth year in League One, they sit eighth in the table and 14 points behind the automatic promotion spots. At Old Trafford, this will be a simplistic <span style="font-weight: 600;">backs-to-the-wall</span> fixture for the Blades, and thus all hope rests on star player Billy Sharp's ability to hold up the ball and instigate the counter.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Man Utd's woeful goalscoring record may appear to favour the away side, but in truth Louis van Gaal has allowed for greater urgency and directness in their attacks in recent weeks. Juan Mata has begun to drop deeper in order to fire quick passes into the channels, whilst <span style="font-weight: 600;">Wayne Rooney</span>is flitting about with greater purpose; his winner last weekend should reinvigorate the England captain.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If Sheffield United are to hold out then they will need Sharp to dominate physically in order to relieve pressure on the back four. But <span style="font-weight: 600;">Chris Smalling</span> has been in exceptional form this season, winning 3.0 aerial duels per match (most in Man Utd squad); he should easily keep Sharp quiet and ensure a comfortable win for Van Gaal.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back Man Utd to win and over 2.5 goals at 17/20</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Oxford v Swansea</span><br />Kemar Roofe v Jack Cork<br />Sunday, 14:00, Live on BBC Wales</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like Villa at Wycombe, Swansea's desire to play attractive, <span style="font-weight: 600;">short-passing</span> football that builds from the back will likely be disrupted by the playing surface in Oxford and by the tenacity of Michael Appleton's team. Oxford United have lost lost just once in 15 games in a run that has seen them climb to third in League Two, whilst Swansea are slipping ever closer to the relegation places.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oxford's most potent attacker is <span style="font-weight: 600;">Kemar Roofe</span>, a central attacking midfielder who has amassed more goals (13) and assists (5) than any of his team-mates. The former Saints midfielder Jack Cork will be charged with man-marking their star player, and this could prove to be the key battle if Swansea struggle to find their rhythm (which seems likely, given that they have won just once in eleven away games whilst Oxford have kept a clean sheet in half of their previous twenty home matches).</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cork makes more tackles and interceptions (3.6 per game) than any other Swansea player, but he could be ruffled by the less glamorous task awaiting him on Sunday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recommended Bet<br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">Back double chance Oxford/draw at 5/6</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qM6xmAkfm4/Vo9t6S_OzkI/AAAAAAAAFjY/WU2NCEdcUKA/s1600/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qM6xmAkfm4/Vo9t6S_OzkI/AAAAAAAAFjY/WU2NCEdcUKA/s400/101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div>

FA Cup Tactical Preview: Spurs v Leicester and other key battles

Spurs v Leicester Davies v Simpson Sunday, 16:00, Live on BBC One Successive 0-0 daws suggest that Leicester City's erratic defending...

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Lukaku earns Everton Capital One Cup first leg win over Man City

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Everton 2-1 Manchester City</span></h2> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Stones has first-half goal ruled out for offside</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Romelu Lukaku did too only moments later</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ramiro Funes Mori scored opener before the break</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Substitute Jesus Navas equalised in second-half</span></li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lukaku then tucked in winner only two minutes later</span></li> </ul> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Everton earn first leg win in thriller</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roberto Martinez’s Everton gained the advantage in their Capital One Cup first leg encounter with Manchester City, as Romelu Lukaku netted a late header to earn an impressive 2-1 victory at Goodison Park.</span></span></div> <div> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The in-form Belgium international’s goal came after second-half substitute Jesus Navas had equalised on 76 minutes played on Merseyside, with home defender Ramiro Funes Mori having opened the scoring in the first-half.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both sides will take to the Etihad for the second leg in a fortnight but it’s Everton who hold a slender advantage after an emphatic performance on home soil, on a night they also had two strikes ruled out for offside.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">City make promising start</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitors began brightly as record signing Kevin De Bruyne saw plenty of the ball, with the home rear guard being pressurised straight from the off from his and skipper Yaya Toure’s swift attacking movement.</span></div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sergio Aguero’s inclusion was a clear indication that City were taking this competition seriously as they still battle on all possible fronts this season, and the Argentine was looking instantly sharp as he got caught offside after eight minutes. The menacing marksman squirmed free of John Stones and Mori to latch onto Nicolas Otamendi’s lofted pass, with his run being mistimed but a warning to Everton.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martinez was given an early scare as England international playmaker Ross Barkley had to exit the pitch momentarily following a seemingly harmless tackle from Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, though he was able to return shortly afterwards.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stones goal disallowed as Everton improve</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Toffees were in constant search of bulldozing Belgian frontman Lukaku, but were first finding Gerard Deulofeu, Muhamed Besic and constant threat Seamus Coleman on the wings to whip in dangerous crosses, though quality deliveries were so far lacking.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toure went on a trademark surging run forward with almost half an hour contested at Goodison, but the towering African was impressively dispossessed by a perfectly-timed challenge from close-marker Besic to send Everton on the counter attack.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite having earlier looked likely of coming off injured, Barkley’s influence on proceedings was growing positively, with the England starlet gathering possession in little pockets of space and his movement eventually created a goal. After he was hacked down in the middle, the subsequent free-kick was headed down by Gareth Barry for an approaching Stones who dispatched from close-range, but the creator and former City midfielder was rightly adjudged offside.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Third time lucky for Toffees</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everton saw another goal ruled out by the linesman before half-time, this time Lukaku was the culprit, but Argentine defender Mori made it third time lucky as he pounced instinctively to capitalise on an unconvincing Willy Caballero save.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martinez’s men came out for the second period full of confidence from their deserved lead, and rightly so, having won their previous 17 games after going ahead. Manuel Pellegrini had never lost to Everton as City boss before this clash and he sent Martin Demichelis on for Eliaquim Mangala, who had struggled to deal with the power and direct approach of tormentor Lukaku.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David Silva had so far been unable to make an impact on proceedings and was switched to a central position behind Aguero, as makeshift winger Fabian Delph made way for pacey attacker Navas, though Everton still dominated.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Otamendi had enjoyed a solid night in City’s defence thus far but a lapse in concentration almost led to Barkley doubling the hosts’ advantage, though Caballero was equal to the task and strongly denied him one-on-one.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thrilling finish on Merseyside</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">City were in the process of defending a corner and trying to hold off immense Toffees pressure before their equaliser from a superb counter attack, as Aguero controlled a Fernandinho clearance and perfectly teed-up substitute Navas to finish.</span></div> </div> <div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, the travelling fans’ were swiftly silenced as Lukaku immediately headed in a pinpoint Barry cross form wide left for his 19th goal of an impressive campaign, securing an outstanding first leg triumph on Merseyside.</span></div> </div> <div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMN-_jvKdik/Vo4xEqWpQcI/AAAAAAAAFjI/AJgodYFQ3Mg/s1600/102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMN-_jvKdik/Vo4xEqWpQcI/AAAAAAAAFjI/AJgodYFQ3Mg/s400/102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <br /></div> </span></div>

Lukaku earns Everton Capital One Cup first leg win over Man City

Everton 2-1 Manchester City John Stones has first-half goal ruled out for offside Romelu Lukaku did too only moments later Ramiro Funes...

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Against All Odds: Sky Sports viewers to be entertained

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wigan v Gillingham</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Thursday January 7, 19:45 GMT<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on Sky Sports 1</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The hosts are trying to fight their way back into the <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Championship</span> following their relegation last season. They are in fifth place and while they have a game in hand over Coventry above them, even a win here would only see them close the gap to three points.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It won't be easy for them to gain a 12th victory of the campaign though as <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gillingham</span> are in town today and they are second in the table. A draw would be good enough to see them go top, but it is worth noting that they would have played two more games than Burton.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It's the goal-side of things we're interested in however and with 49 scored and 29 conceded, The Gills are seeing their matches average <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3.12 goals</span> each time. A total of 16 of their 25 have seen under 2.5 backers paid out and that includes their last five on the road.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The stats aren't quite as much in our favour for <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wigan</span> as their fixtures are only averaging 2.38 goals each time. Just nine of their 24 have ended with three or more scored but they have netted half a dozen themselves in their last three outings.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I can definitely see goals in this one so with under 2.5 trading at around the <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.89</span></span> mark, I have to make it my <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">lay of the day</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Lay Under 2.5 goals in Wigan v Gillingham @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""></span><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.89</span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rrn0q_I4xbw/Vo4wi7-NTFI/AAAAAAAAFjA/7IAPi_7FmB4/s1600/99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rrn0q_I4xbw/Vo4wi7-NTFI/AAAAAAAAFjA/7IAPi_7FmB4/s400/99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>

Against All Odds: Sky Sports viewers to be entertained

Wigan v Gillingham Thursday January 7, 19:45 GMT Live on Sky Sports 1 The hosts are trying to fight their way back into the  Championship...

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Man City can enjoy Everton trip again in Capital One Cup clash

<h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Everton v Manchester City</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; list-style-type: none; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Capital One Cup</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Wednesday, January 6th</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kick-off: 20:00 GMT</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Goodison Park, Liverpool</li> <li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Live on Sky Sports 1</li> </span></span></ul> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Toffees host League Cup favourites Man City</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roberto Martinez’s Everton welcome Premier League title-chasers Manchester City to Goodison Park <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">for the first leg of their Capital One Cup tie</span></span>, with the host searching for their first fixture win since March 2013.</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Manuel Pellegrini’s Sky Blues have already overcome the Toffees this season in their domestic league meeting on the blue half of Merseyside, claiming a comfortable victory and unbeaten in five previous match-ups with their opponents.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">City are in hot pursuit of the top-flight crown this season but are also 6/1 favourites with Coral to clinch the League Cup. Though they must get past a stuttering Everton side first <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">and are 3/1 to secure a first leg win to nil</span></span>.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Contrasting form for cup contenders</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pellegrini’s Citizens have kept up their chase for silverware on all fronts so far this season, including in Europe, and will look to edge closer to their second League Cup coup in two years with success on Merseyside.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitors’ recent form of six wins from their last nine outings in all competitions is a stark contrast to that of Martinez’s Everton, as they have struggled of late, gaining four victories from the previous 15 games on all fronts.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although, anything can happen in the League Cup, with City potentially set to field a more youthful looking set-up, meaning the Toffees could take advantage and are 13/5 for a surprise home ruling.</span></div> <h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.375em; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Forwards threats on either side</span></h2> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Man City prospect Kelechi Iheanacho has taken his chances well in former outings this season and could be set for another this time out, with the talented teenager 7/4 to strike anytime or 6/1 to grab the game’s last goal.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> </div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, usual goal scoring suspect <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Sergio Aguero is 5/1 for a brace or more</span></span>after recently firing in a late winner over Watford, with Kevin De Bruyne 2/1 to<span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">overcome his struggles on the road</span></span> and dispatch anytime.</span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24.5455px;"></span></span><br /> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the hosts, in-form frontman Romelu Lukaku is always a danger and will undoubtedly be key to any cup success over the tournament favourites. The <span style="color: #004191;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.298039); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">big Belgium international is 5/4 to add to his incredible 11 goals in as many matches anytime</span></span>.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6oQFGa-s1Y/VozhCdP8leI/AAAAAAAAFiw/JK6MB4c-kDs/s1600/98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v6oQFGa-s1Y/VozhCdP8leI/AAAAAAAAFiw/JK6MB4c-kDs/s400/98.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-font-feature-settings: 'liga' 1, 'dlig' 1; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24.5455px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div> <div> <br /></div>

Man City can enjoy Everton trip again in Capital One Cup clash

Everton v Manchester City Capital One Cup Wednesday, January 6th Kick-off: 20:00 GMT Goodison Park, Liverpool Live on Sky Sports 1 ...

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Against All Odds: Villarreal to give us a late morning boost

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal</span><br />Wednesday January 6, 11:00 GMT</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the first leg of a last 16 <span style="font-weight: 600;">Copa del Rey</span> tie and it's arguably the pick of the bunch. The hosts are sixth in La Liga and come into the match on a four match undefeated streak while the visitors haven't lost in seven and have won five on the bounce.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wouldn't imagine that either club will field their strongest XI but it shouldn't be too far off, especially in Villarreal's case as they have an <span style="font-weight: 600;">easier fixture</span> at the weekend, and they play on the Sunday, whereas Bilbao travel to Sevilla on Saturday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no doubting the home record of <span style="font-weight: 600;">Ernesto Valverde's</span> side but they have been beaten twice this year in front of their own fans. Admittedly they did come against Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the latter especially have looked wobbly on the road this season.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Marcelino's</span> men have won their last two on their travels and while they have been turned over three times away from home in the league this year, they couldn't come into the game in better form.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two last met in September and <span style="font-weight: 600;">Villarreal</span> ran out 3-1 winners, so with Athletic Bilbao trading at around the <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); font-weight: 600; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.91</span></span> mark, I have to make them my <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">lay of the day</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 600;">Recommended Bet</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: 600; transition: color 0.2s;">Lay Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal @</span> <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""></span><span style="font-weight: 600;"><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="10/11" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; transition: color 0.2s;">1.91</span></span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MALCi2u2pw4/VozgzAy8qkI/AAAAAAAAFio/jpMYvnQoCbk/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MALCi2u2pw4/VozgzAy8qkI/AAAAAAAAFio/jpMYvnQoCbk/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"> <span style="font-weight: 600;"><br /></span></div>

Against All Odds: Villarreal to give us a late morning boost

Athletic Bilbao v Villarreal Wednesday January 6, 11:00 GMT This is the first leg of a last 16  Copa del Rey  tie and it's arguably t...

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