Newfanzone Bookies Corner (Game Week 10)

This is Game week 10 of our Bookies corner where we help Punters forecast on the best matches to put their money on.

Ademola Adejuwon’s (@demydemo) predictions:

Arsenal vs Everton- Arsenal Win:

The Gunners have been in fine form of late and have not conceded a goal in their last 3 games. Alexis,Walcott and Ozil have been fantastic for the Gunners this season as they unlock any defence with their trickery,pace and Intelligence. The Toffees lost at home last time out scandalously to Manchester united and they will look to at least get a point away to Arsenal to show that they can compete for a place in Europe this season. The Gunners might be too good for Everton as I see them taking all three points in this encounter.

Manchester United vs Manchester City-Both teams to score (BTTS):

Manchester United’s Old Trafford a.k.a The Theatre of Dreams, photo credit http://www.guts.com/en https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

The Manchester derby would be fierce this weekend as all three points is important for both teams in the title race. The two teams have a mixture of youth and experience; Sterling, De Bruyne, Yaya Toure & Wilfred Bony for City while Martial, Schweinstieger, Mata & Rooney for the Red Devils. Manchester City have scored 11 goals in their last two EPL Fixtures which shows how deadly they are offensively and with Mata and Martial Manchester too will definitely get a goal or two in this game.

Spanish La Liga

Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid- Both teams to score(BTTS):

Celta Vigo are giant killers and they’ve been doing excellently in the league. The last big side they hosted (Barcelona) were walloped 4-1. Rafael Benitez’s side have been shrewd at the back with good and dogged defending. Nolito have been a handful this season but the firepower of Ronaldo & co might be too for the Celta Vigo side. A safe pick is that Both teams will surely get Goals.

Barcelona vs Eibar- Barcelona win:

Barcelona welcome Eibar to the camp Nou. The Catalans have struggled to get goals after the injury to their talismanic forward Messi. The defending Champions now look to Suarez and Neymar for goals. Neymar was immense last time out in the league and the Brazilian alongside Rakitc and Suarez would definitely ensure Barcelona get all three points against Eibar at the Camp Nou.

Atletico Madrid vs Valencia: Atletico Madrid double chance:

This is the biggest game in the LaLiga this weekend as Champions league campaigners Atletico Madrid and Valencia face each other at the Vincente Calderon. Atletico have not been doing too bad in the league though with the kind of squad they have they ought to be ontop of the league with the dwindling form of rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid. Diego Simeone knows how to prepare his team for big games like this and expect them to at least get a draw against a good Valencia side.

German Bundesliga

Bayern Munich vs Cologne- Bayern Win and over 2.5:

Bayern Unbeaten run finally came to a halt on Tuesday when they were humbled at the Emirates against Arsenal. In the league, Bayern have been invincible and with 7 points above second place Borussia Dortmund they looked to have wrapped up the league title. Pep will want to get back to winning ways after that blip against Arsenal so we might expect a mauling of Cologne at the Allianz Arena.

Borussia Dortmund vs Augsburg– Dortmund win:

Dortmund have been on a relatively poor run after their explosive start to the season. Tuchel’s side welcome Augsburg to the Signa Iguna park and they know that a win against Augsburg will still give them a chance to go at the league title. Aubameyang will once again lead their forward line and the Gabonese have hardly disappointed so far this season.

Moenchengladbach vs Schalke- Both teams to score (BTTS):

Moenchengladbach form in the league have been poor compared to last season when they qualified for the Champions league. They host Schalke this weekend in what might probe to be the game of the week this season. Both sides are inconsistent and very unpredictable. A safe pick would be Both team to score as they would both come out to attack each other from start to finish.

Italian Serie A

Juventus vs Atlanta- Juventus Double Chance:

Juventus have not scored a goal in their last two games which will come has a worry to coach Massimilliano Allegri. The Italian Champions are in the lower end of the table and need to start winning games if they want to defend their title or qualify for the UCL. Atlanta are a bogey side for the big teams but with Dybala,Morata and Zaza Juventus should at least get a draw at home to Atlanta.

Fiorentina vs Roma- Fiorentina Double Chance:

In form Fiorentina hosts Roma in the Serie A this weekend. Montella’s team would want to bounce back from their defeat to rivals Napoli in the league by defeating another title contender Roma who have been inconsistent this season . Fiorentina are good as a unit and it would be difficult for Roma to break them down especially away from home.

Paul Ayorinde’s (@el_pauleta) predictions:

Italian Serie A

Fiorentina V Roma- Both teams to score(BTTS):

This match promises to be a cracker and the game of the week in Serie A. Fiorentina lost 2-1 in Naples last weekend while Roma thrashed Empoli 3-1 in Rome. I am tipping both teams to score in an entertaining match at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

Palermo V Inter Milan- Double chance on Inter:

Palermo recorded their third win of the season last weekend while the Nerazzurri played out a 0-0 draw with rivals Juventus. Inter Milan has been in top form this season and i expect Mancini’s men to get at least a point at Renzo Barbera on Saturday night.

Spanish Liga BBVA

Barcelona V Eibar- Barcelona win and over 2.5 goals:

Eibar played a 1-1 draw against Sevilla last weekend while Barcelona defeated Rayo Vallecano 5-2 at the Camp Nou. Barcelona are getting their “groove” back and I expect them to get an high-scoring victory against Eibar on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid V Valencia- Double chance on Atletico Madrid:

Atletico Madrid got a vital win against Real Sociedad away from home last weekend while Valencia thrashed Malaga 3-0 at the Mestalla. Atletico Madrid are very strong at home and i expect them to get a least a point at home when they play Valencia on Sunday.

German Bundesliga

Bayer Leverkusen V Stuttgart– Bayer Leverkusen win:

Bayer Leverkusen’s last two games have ended in draws and expect them to step it up this weekend and get a win against struggling Stuttgart. I tip Bayer Leverkusen to get a win at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon.

Borussia Dortmund V Augsburg- Dortmund win:

Borussia Dortmund got back to winning way last weekend, Augsburg are struggling this season and have won just one match in the last 5 matches. I am tipping Borussia Dortmund to win at home on Sunday.

French Ligue 1

Reims V Monaco– Double chance on Monaco:

Reims have lost their last two matches and it will be difficult game for them when they host Monaco at home on Sunday. I tip Monaco to get at least a point at Stade Auguste Delaune II

English Premier League

Leicester City V Crystal Palace– Double chance on Leicester:

Leicester City fought back from 2-0 down to rescue a point against Southampton in Gameweek 9 while Crystal Palace lost 3-1 at home against West Ham. I expect Leicester City to continue their good form this weekend. I tip the home team to get at least a point on Saturday.

Chelsea’s Eden Hazard takes on Norwich City’s Jonny Howson
photo credit: Ben Sutherland
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

West Ham V Chelsea- Both teams to score(BTTS):

West Ham picked up an impressive win at Crystal Palace last weekend while Chelsea won at home against Aston Villa. This match promises to be an exciting one with lot of goals. I predict both teams to score at Upton park on Saturday.

Bournemouth V Tottenham– Tottenham win:

The Cherries lost 5-1 away from home last weekend while Tottenham played a 0-0 draw at home against Liverpool. Bournemouth have been struggling in the past weeks, so i expect Tottenham’s attack of Kane, Njie and Eriksen to be too strong for the BPL newcomers. I predict Tottenham to get a slim win away from home on Sunday.

Balogun For Surgery In Germany…Vows To Bounce Back For Mundial 2014

Newly invited Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany right back, Leon Balogun, will undergo surgery in Germany, when he returns to his base by this weekend after he suffered a fractured foot in the highly explosive international friendly between Nigeria and Mexico on Wednesday in Atlanta Georgia, United States.

Super Eagles doctor , Ibrahim Gyaran told Head Coach Stephen Keshi, that it was the best option open to the young defender and the surgery will effectively rule him out for up to 8weeks. That may give him enough time to quickly bounce back and rejoin the national team ahead of preparation for the World Cup in May if invited.

The medics explained that they if he does not carry out any surgery, it will take him a longer time to return to action (up to 4months) hence the surgery option. His club medics have already been briefed about the development even as Keshi says his immediate concern for the player is about his health.

Balogun was involved in a horrific fall with a Mexican striker near the dug house of the El Tri midway into the second half of the encounter and hit his legs against objects in the technical area, forcing the Nigerian bench to replace him even when he came on only in the second half of the game.

The player himself said it was painful that he copped the injury but added that he has no regret making a decision to play for Nigeria. “I am a Nigerian, my father is from Ijebu Ode and my mother is half Italian and half German so I chose to play for my fatherland and I am enjoying it so far. The only thing at the moment is that I don’t understand Pidgin English, which many speak in camp but I will soon catch up because I like the atmosphere in the Eagles camp”.

The players who bonded faster with Balogun in camp include John Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi. “But am in tune with all my teammates and I’m happy the way I was received as if I have been with them for a very long time meanwhile I never met any of them till now. I pray my injury heals on time so that I can return to playing football for my club and country”.

Eagles Get Conduct Code Booklet …Team Returns Friday

The Nigeria Football Federation is taken nothing to chance as it seeks a decent performance at this year’s World Cup in Brazil and better conduct by players and officials of all national team in the future.

Towards this end the federation during the week in faraway, Atlanta Georgia, United States handed out the much-hyped hand book on code of conduct while in the national team to players and officials of the Super Eagles. The 18page document clearly outlines what is expected of players, officials and even the federation during camping and major tournaments.

NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, in the company of Chairman, Technical Committee Barr Chris Green and NFF Director, Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme came with the documents and handed them over to the team through Team Adminstrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, who has since distributed them to the players and officials of the team. “The document is done in good faith and to ensure that players and officials know their obligations and how to properly conduct themselves, while the NFF will ensure that it also fulfils its own part of the bargain during major tournaments”, Maigari said.

The Nigerian delegation to the United States is expected back in Nigeria on Friday evening after playing a goalless draw against the El Tri of Mexico in an international friendly preparatory to Mundial 2014 in Brazil. The team will arrive through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

Eagles Players Arrive Atlanta For Mexico Friendly as Mikel, Echejile Headline Arrivals

Eagles Arrive Atlanta For Mexico Friendly as Mikel, Echejile Headline Arrivals

…Nigerian Envoy Wants Victory

Wednesday’s international friendly between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and their Mexican counterparts is the talk of the town here in Atlanta city as both teams and their officials arrived the American city for the World Cup preparatory game.

The Nigerian delegation which left Lagos on Sunday night arrived the Atlanta International airport at about 5:05 am local time, which is 12:05pm in Nigeria. After airport formalities, the team of officials and four players were taken to the W. Hotels in the city centre where they will stay for the encounter.

At the hotel, the Nigerian Ambassador/Consul General, Ambassador Geoffrey I. Teneilabe, was on hand to receive the team and assured that the Nigerian community will come out to back the team on Wednesday against Mexico. He believes the team has the ability to overcome the opposition.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi joined the team at lunch time and to his delight most of his foreign based invited players for the encounter had arrived. First to arrive Atlanta, was John Mikel Obi of Chelsea of England who was soon joined by Monaco of France new boy, Elderson Echejile and Emmanuel Emenike. All invited players were being expected before the team departs for training. The team will have its first training session on Monday evening at 8pm local time which will be 2am in Nigeria.

On Tuesday, the team will have a feel of the Atlanta Dome in its last training session before the game on Wednesday at the same venue. At 8 degrees celcius , the weather in Atlanta is rather cold for those who came from Nigeria but the foreign based stars seem to like it that way.