Will Chelsea be able to finish the job in Turin?

Juventus/Chelsea, 7.45pm, ITV4, Free Bets, Best Odds

Only 58% of teams who win the home leg of a Champions League knockout clash 1-0 have progressed to the next round, meaning that Juventus are priced far too high at 3/1 with 888sport to qualify. But while the hosts may offer good value, is Guus Hiddink’s honeymoon period really going to end in the worst way imaginable? Here are all the key statistics:

THE FORM GUIDE
Chelsea have won six successive games since sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari. The wins since Hiddink took charge have come by narrow margins though, with three of the last five finishing 1-0, one ending 2-1 and the other being their 2-0 triumph away to Coventry at the weekend. Since losing the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Juventus have beaten both Napoli and Torino 1-0 in Serie A. However, a reasonably weakened Bianconeri side lost 2-1 away to Lazio last week in their Coppa Italia semi-final.

CHELSEA IN ITALY
The Blues hadn’t played away to Italian opposition for five seasons before their 3-1 defeat to Roma in November. What made the manner of the loss even more surprising was that their previous match in Italy had been played at the same ground and they had thrashed Lazio 4-0 on that occasion. Chelsea have made five trips to Italy in the Premier League era and have a mixed record: winning one, drawing two and losing two.

JUVENTUS AGAINST ENGLISH OPPOSITION

Posted: March 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

How do Chelsea fare away to lower league opposition?

Use our interactive Betfair Wizard to find all the answers

Chelsea draw lower league opposition all the time in the domestic cups but what is their record like away from home against them? This interactive wizard that we have produced with Betfair provides all the answers.

There are fish representing the last twenty lower league teams Chelsea have faced on the road. Can you spot a lucrative betting pattern for tomorrow’s match against Coventry. Is there a time where the first goal is often scored? Which team usually scores first? Click here to find out now.

Bonus Stat: Chelsea have won just one of their last nine trips to Coventry.

Posted: March 6th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Coventry look to cause an upset away from the cameras

Previews of Tuesday and Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth round replays

Anyone who saw the initial West Ham/Middlesbrough game will be baffled by ITV’s decision to televise that replay over Blackburn’s potentially dangerous trip to Coventry. Even the clubs were caught off-guard by the decision to move the match for the public’s pleasure, judging by West Ham’s failure to warn fans the date could change and Middlesbrough’s decision to send tickets out saying the game was on Tuesday. Here are all the key statistics about the first three replays:

Coventry v Blackburn (Tuesday 7.45pm)
ITV’s decision to ignore this tie could prove wise however as only one goal has been scored over the course of Blackburn’s last four away games. Paddy Power and Ladbrokes offer 23/10 on the game requiring extra-time and that looks enticing. Sam Allardyce’s side have won just one of their last eight away games - and that was away to Blyth Spartans - but at the same time they unbeaten in four, with three of those finishing 0-0. Coventry have lost just one of their last nine home games and knocked Blackburn out of the FA Cup last season.

Fulham v Swansea (Tuesday, 8pm)

Posted: February 24th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Sheffield United stand a good chance of surprising Hull

Stats on all of the FA Cup games kicking off at 3pm tomorrow

Photo Credit: PA Wire

Sheffield United suffered their first home loss in 44 years to fierce rivals Sheffield Wednesday last weekend but they could bounce back by knocking out Premier League side Hull in the FA Cup tomorrow:

Blackburn v Coventry
Rovers were humiliated by the Sky Blues 4-1 at Ewood Park in the third round last year and haven’t won any of their last four home clashes against the Championship side, losing three. Former Blackburn player Chris Coleman’s side beat league leaders Wolves last week but have won just one of their last five away games, 1-0 against Blue Square Premier side Torquay in the last round. The hosts have lost just one of ten under Sam Allardyce.

Sheffield United v Hull

Posted: February 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Bad news for Blyth: Allardyce rarely suffers FA Cup shocks

Blyth Spartans/Blackburn, 8pm, Setanta S 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

Blyth Spartans beat League Two sides Shrewsbury and Bournemouth to earn their clash with Premier League opposition but despite their giantkilling past, the omens aren’t brilliant for the Blue Square North side.

Sam Allardyce has only been knocked out of the FA Cup once in nine seasons by lower league opposition and that was a loss against Tranmere in 2003-04 with Bolton which required a replay and then extra time. It is also worth noting that in that season Bolton had already reached the last four of the Carling Cup so were prioritising that.

Posted: January 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment