AFC Champions League – Play Offs
Al-Gharafa V Al Shabab, 4.45pm BST
HAVING seen his side finish a disappointing season without a domestic trophy for the first time since 2007, Al Gharafa coach Habib Tounsi is hoping his players can revive their spirits by defeating Al Shabab to progress in the AFC Champions League.
Al Gharafa’s hopes of winning any domestic silverware for the 2012-13 season were ended last Wednesday when they lost 4-2 to Lekhwiya in the quarter-finals of the Emir’s Cup.
It compounded the disappointment for their fans who had seen them finish a lowly sixth in the Qatar Stars League during the season, a massive 21 points behind champions Al Sadd.
But their domestic form stands in contrast to their performance on the continental stage where they have reached the last 16 for only the second time after finishing runners-up behind Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia in Group C.
Having overcome Iranian side Sepahan and Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates to reach the knockout stage, Tounsi is hopeful his side can now progress further in the competition, starting with the first leg of their round of 16 clash against Al Shabab at the Al Gharafa Stadium on Tuesday.
Al Shabab topped Group A, finishing two points ahead of Al Gharafa’s Qatari rivals El Jaish and arrived in Doha in confident mood on Monday after a 3-1 win over Al Raed last Thursday which sent them through to a semi-final clash with Al Ahli in the King's Cup of Champions.
The Riyadh-based club reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals in 2010 and while coach Michel Preud'homme hopes his side can improve on that this year, he feels there is little to choose between the teams.
Brazilian midfielder Fernando Menegazzo will return to the Al Shabab line-up after missing the previous match through suspension but fellow midfielder Omar Al Ghamdi is banned after receiving his second yellow card in their 2-1 win over UAE side Al Jazira a fortnight ago.
Recommended Bets
Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 BET365
AL Shabab Riyadh @ 7/4 BET365
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
LAY OF THE DAY
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It’s the second semi-final of the Coupe de France this evening with the winner going on to play Evian TG in the final, we could be in for plenty of goals between Troyes and Bordeaux.
ESTAC Troyes have had a troubled season in Ligue One since their promotion last year and with just two games to go, they are three points and two places adrift of safety. They are battling hard though and, having won three of their last four, have at least given themselves a chance of survival.
It’s been a much more successful story in the Coupe de France though as Jean-Marc Furlan’s side have won all four of their games so far and are just one away from making the final. After despatching minnows, Montceau and Fontenay in the opening rounds, they’ve taken out Ligue One’s Sochaux and Nancy in the last 16 and quarter-finals – winning the latter by a resounding three goals to nil.
Troyes have been involved in some low-scoring games in the league this season – although two of their last four have had three or more – however in the cup, all three of their recent ties have gone over 2.5 and that includes a 5-0 victory.
Bordeaux have struggled to cope with juggling their domestic fixtures along with their European commitments and it’s told in their current league position. After finishing last year in fifth, they are only eighth this time around and that’s been improved by a recent spell of one defeat in nine since they were knocked out of the Europa.
Francis Gillot’s men have been pretty woeful in front of goal in Ligue One this term and their total of 38 scored is the fourth worst in the entire division. Interestingly though, in the cup, The Girondins netted three against Chateauroux and Lens and two against Moulins and Raon-I’Etape. They’ve also failed to keep a clean sheet in the competition to date.
A place in the final would give either side a boost in what has been disappointing campaigns for the pair. They’ve seemingly both played with the pressure off in this competition and I think we could be in for at least three goals inside the 90 minutes. That’s why, with under 2.5 goals trading as low as 1.67, I have to make it my lay of the day.
Recommended Bet
Lay Under 2.5 goals in ESTAC Troyes v Bordeaux @ 1.67
On the BETFAIR EXCHANGE
( Back over 2.5 goals @ 13/10 bet365 )
Milesey
Yesssssss get in there milsey my son
RESULT
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ASIA: AFC Champions League – Play Offs
Al-Gharafa 1 – 2 Al Shabab
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Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 Bet365
AL Shabab Riyadh @ 7/4 Bet365
Milesey
Great shout Milesey
Backed both of them :)
i done a double on youre bet for al Shabab Riyadi 7/5 and over 2.5 goals in the troyes v bordeaux 13/10 first oone has done it im shitting it oan this troyes game now !
Just one goal in the second half will do nicely
Milesey
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Recommended Bet
Lay Under 2.5 goals in ESTAC Troyes v Bordeaux @ 1.67
On the Betfair EXCHANGE
( Back over 2.5 goals @ 13/10 Bet365 )
Milesey
Milesey, you’re favourite for sure. I had to back the overs after that early Troyes goal.
ALL BETS ARE IN ;) ;)
Recommended Bet
Lay Under 2.5 goals in ESTAC Troyes v Bordeaux @ 1.67
On the Betfair EXCHANGE
( Back over 2.5 goals @ 13/10 Bet365 )
Milesey
FRANCE: Coupe de France
Troyes 1-2 Bordeaux
with 25 minutes to spare, ;)
Milesey
Well done.
shoved fifty bucks double on over 2.5 and al shabab witever 276 back both were lookimg dodgy but the lucks in