Tuesday night

Roma V Bordeaux

This is not normally a night i get involved as many teams already know their fate and dont send out their strongest sides. However i like the look of this game as both still have a lot to play for and both need a win to be sure of progressing to the knock out stages. Roma have overcame a poor start to lead the group from Chelsea by 1 point. This in no small way has been down to the recovery of injuries and the return to form of Totti. A draw would be good enough for Roma but in order to finish first they need to win which means they will avoid drawing the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.
Probable Starting Team – Doni; Cicinho, Juan, Mexes, Riise; Brighi, De Rossi, Perrotta; Menez, Baptista; Totti

Bordeaux need the win full stop. Anything less and they are looking at Uefa Cup for the rest of the season. Laurent Blanc's side need to show the same desire that they did against Chelsea last time out and definately have what it takes to get on the scoresheet and make this one interesting. Roma won the reverse fixture 3 - 1 in Bordeaux so a little payback should be in order. They have a few injury problems though and Valverde will be trying to prove himself in goal and they will look to Diarra and Gourcuff in midfield for some creativity
Probable Starting Team – Valverde; Jurietti, Diawara, Chalmé, Planus; Diarra; Fernando, Wendel, Gourcuff; Cavenaghi, Chamakh

Verdict
Both need the win so we should see some good open football. Roma have been playing well of late and i expect them to win but they do look dodgy at the back sometimes and i expect to see Bordeaux get on the scoresheet at some stage. A 2 - 1 or 3 -1 home win is my call but i prefer to go with the overs bet hers and hopefully we dont have to wait to long for it to come in. There were plenty of goals and chances for more in the first clash between these two and im looking for the same tonight.

PICK
Roma V Bordeaux 0ver 2.5 goals ( 1.99 @ canbet) 5 points

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Championship football

Wolves V Derby

1st against 16th here and im fully expecting Wolves to bounce back from a dissapointing 1 - 0 defeat to QPR at the weekend. In that game Wolves looked surprisingly disjointed and didnt look like the side that has been banging in goals for fun since the season started. To top off that bad result, Reading and Birmingham both won to cut Wolves lead to just 3 points at the top. At home Wolves have been generally solid with 8 wins from 10 and 22 goals scored. Molineaux is usually a tough place to go, especially midweek when not so many away fans ten to make the journey.
Derby were beaten 2 -1 at the weekend by Palace and really need to get a few points together to avoid being dragged near the bottom and the christmas period is going to be a busy one for them. They have only taken 1 points from the last 4 games and have looked very poor in their last 3 away games losing Reading Ipswich and Burnley failing to score in these games.

Verdict
Wolves need 3 points here and its important for the teams confidence that they bounce back with a win. They have thrown away big leads at the top of this league before and they will hope not to do so again this year. They are a good side at home and i dont see that Derby have enough up front to trouble them.

Wolves -1 asian (1.98 @ canbet) 5 points



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Burnley V Cardiff

This one is based on the strengths and weaknesses of two sides. Burnley are a very good outfit on their own turf and look to extend a 12 game unbeaten run tonight.
Burnley are full of confidence at home and have sent Premiership big boys Arsenal and Chelsea crashing from the Carling Cup at Turf Moor. They have not conceded in the last 4 at home and in just over 9 hours in all competitions, a remarkable achievement.
Last 4 home

Burnley	1	0	Reading	28/10/2008
Burnley	2	0	Norwich	01/11/2008
Burnley	0	0	Doncaster	22/11/2008
Burnley	3	0	Derby	29/11/2008

Cardiff on the other hand have been reliant on their home form and have only won once in the last 8 on their travels, that coming against strugglers Nottingham Forest. They have drawn a good share of away game but have yet to face any real quality and still face trips to the top 3.Tonight will be a big test of their credentials.
Cardiff have the division’s second top scorer, Ross McCormack but unfortunately for them he is injured tonight and with his absence goes the only real threat they had coming into this game. Skipper Stephen McPhail is still suspended and Michael Chopra is expected to lead the line in attack.
Last 4 away

Nott'm Forest	0	1	Cardiff	25/10/2008
Q.P.R.	1	0	Cardiff	08/11/2008
Plymouth	2	1	Cardiff	22/11/2008
Swansea	2	2	Cardiff	30/11/2008

Verdict
Burnley are on fire at home at the moment and why not jump on board. Cardiff are not the best visiting side and have a poor record in midweek games. I really like the odds on the home win here and cant help having a bit o Burnley to win to nil prices up at 3.6 at Paddy power, a feat that has happened in their last 4 home games

PICK
Burnley win ( 2.15 @ canbet) 4 points
Burnley win to nil ( 3.6 @ paddy Power) 3 points