|
European Football
Preview - 30 Sep 2007
Villarreal vs Athletic Bilbao
Opposing in-form sides isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'm going
to suggest that Villarreal are worth opposing at Estadio El Madrigal
this afternoon.
Manuel Pellegrini's side could go top if things go their way
tonight, but a visit from Athletic Bilbao will be no walk in the
park. The Basque outfit have experienced a mixed start, with a
victory in Levante the only real bright spot. They did put up a
strong showing in the Nou Camp however, eventually undone by some
highly-suspect refereeing. On the basis of their two away
performances thus far, they have a fair chance here. New coach
Caparros will adopt the kind of away-day spoiling tactics that made
Deportivo so tough to beat in the second-half of last season. In
fact, a 2-0 victory at El Madrigal was the highlight of Depor's
spring renaissance.
Everything is going right for the 'Yellow Submarines' at present,
but I don't expect them to be challenging for a Champions League
place come the end of the season. Three of the four sides Villarreal
have beaten this season could have legitimate excuses. Valencia
(0-3) self-destructed, Mallorca (0-1) were robbed of an equaliser
late-on, whilst Racing (0-2) found visiting goalkeeper Viera in
outstanding form, denying Munitis and Smolarek on numerous
occasions, before Aldo Duscher, like David Villa and Sanchez Joaquin
before him. lost his head and his team's chances with it. The other
beaten side, Murcia, looked comfortable for 85 minutes last week
before eventually succumbing to a late Guiseppe Rossi double.
Take a chance on a well-drilled Athletic side inflicting a dose
of reality on the optimistic Madrigal faithful.
Recommendation: 1pt Athletic
Bilbao @ +0.75 at 2.08. Betdaq.
Ilunga
|