Midweek Football betting tips

 Champions League Betting - Inter Milan v Liverpool Champions League Last 16 Second Leg (Mar 11)

Inter Milan celebrated their 100th birthday on the weekend, with a special celebration, and the Nerazzurri will need to produce something out of the ordinary on Tuesday night to overturn to the two-goal Champions League deficit to Liverpool. The Italians will certainly have to take the game to the Premiership side, who’s resilience will be severely tested. It promises to be an engaging game, and punters can get up to 60% better Champions League betting odds at PinnacleSports.com.

Reputations at Stake at the San Siro

Reputations will be on the line on Tuesday night in Milan. Inter were emphatic winners of last season’s Serie A, but their achievements were questioned because of the fall-out from Calcio-Poli. This season, Roberto Mancini’s men are on course for a repeat performance, which should help silence domestic critics, but the Nerazzurri are yet to prove themselves of the European stage, and are facing another early exit, unless their star-studded team can pull out a huge performance on Tuesday night. Expectation will weigh particularly heavily on the shoulders Zlatan Ibrahimovich, who is due a big performance, having been criticised for too often goes missing in the big Champions League games.

The Swede’s opposite number, Fernando Torres, also has an opportunity to establish his growing reputation by producing a memorable performance in Europe. El Nino has scored seven goals in his last three Premiership games, including two hat-tricks, but an early strike at the San Siro could prove more priceless than all of those. It is no coincidence that the Spaniard’s sparkling form has coincided with a hot streak for captain, Steven Gerrard, so often the catalyst for Liverpool’s best performances. Vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, another true Red, will play his 100th European tie for the club, hoping to get a step closer to a third Champions League final in four years.

Mancini, Inter’s coach, has admitted ‘we are not in excellent condition’ and that his club need everything to fall right. Marco Materazzi is suspended after dismissal in the first leg, creating problems in central defence given that Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba remain long term absentees. Hernan Crespo is a major doubt, while Cambiasso, Stankovic and Ibrahmiovic have all just returned from injury. PinnacleSports.com make Inter Milan favourites on the night 2.200 (-0.5 & -1)* with Liverpool 1.769 (+0.5 & +1)* – a market priced to less than 102% - but the Scousers are 1.293* to progress to the last eight, with Inter 4.11* underdogs.

*All odds subject to change

 UEFA Cup Betting Preview - Round of 16 Knockout Phase: Second Legs (Mar 12-13)

Premiership clubs made a very poor show in the first leg knockout games of the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. Spurs and Everton both lost without scoring, while Bolton were held at home. In contrast Bayern Munich cemented their position as UEFA Cup outright favourites, winning 5-0 at Anderlecht, and only a miracle can stop them progressing to the quarter-finals; but who’ll be joining them? Go to PinnacleSport.com for 60% better UEFA Cup betting odds.

Can Premiership Clubs Turn the UEFA Cup Tide

Fiorentina gave Everton a harsh lesson in European football last Thursday night. La Viola were frustrated by an inspirational first half performance by Tim Howard in the Everton goal, but the Serie A side eventually found their way past the American in the second half. The Italians’ 2-0 wins puts them in the driving seat for the return leg at Goodison Park this Thursday night (Mar 13). At least the Toffees should have influential midfielder, Mikel Arteta, in from the start, having recovered from injury, but it will require a tremendous effort from David Moyes’ side to overcome the two goal deficit. Everton are favourites 1.943 (-0.5)* with Fiorentina 1.980 (+0.5)*.

Tottenham were equally disappointing, losing 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven. The Londoners paraded the Carling Cup before the game, but that decision back-fired, with the Dutch side dominating, displaying the greater experience on the European stage. It is however, just a single goal deficit, and Juande Ramos knows exactly what it takes to negotiate tricky UEFA Cup road trips, from his time with Sevilla. PinnacleSports.com make PSV slight favourites, off a level handicap, PSV Eindhoven 1.870 (0/scratch)* with Spurs 2.060 (0/scratch)*. Note the game goes ahead despite the Dutch police strike.

Elsewhere Bolton Wanderers will need to produce an even better away performance than even the previous round, when they held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in Spain. The Trotters must overcome the away goal advantage Sporting Lisbon gained from the 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium. The Portuguese side are languishing in fifth place in the Primera table, but are unbeaten at the Estádio José Alvalade. PinnacleSports.com make them favourites for the return leg on their 1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap market.

 Premiership Betting - Matchday 29 Preview (Mar 12)

After the weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals, the Premier League is playing catch-up, giving Premiership punters the bonus of three midweek clashes. While Portsmouth will have to get their feet back on the ground after the win at Old Trafford, Chelsea and Middlesbrough need to pick themselves up after demoralising defeats to Championship sides. Go to PinnacleSports.com and get up to 60% better Premiership betting odds.

Chelsea Likely to Give Rams a Battering

Chelsea’s coach, Avram Grant, has admitted the pressure on his position has ratcheted up several notches after the FA Cup defeat at Barnsley. Grant was already taking flack after losing the Carling Cup final, so having been dumped out the FA Cup as holders, Chelsea now have only the Premiership and Champions League to strive for. The Israeli boss rested Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba on Saturday, but both should return here as the Blues look to keep pace with Man Utd and Arsenal. Derby are all but down with one win all season, so it would be a monumental shock should they end Chelsea’s 76 game unbeaten home league record. PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea favourites 1.775 (-2)* with Derby 2.190 (+2)* – a market priced to less than 102%.

Boro Must Bounce Back from FA Cup Misery

With the boos still ringing in their ears after the comprehensive FA Cup home defeat by Cardiff, Middlesbrough’s players will run out at Villa Park on Wednesday night looking to make amends. Boro’s only remaining target for this season is ensuring safety from relegation; they are currently among six clubs separated by just three points. The Teessiders will face a stern test by Aston Villa, who have lost just one of their last dozen games, including draws with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. The Villans are chasing European football next season, for which a win here would be pivotal. Neither side have any major injury concerns and PinnacleSports.com make Villa favourites 1.806 (-0.5 & -1)* with Middlesbrough 2.140 (+0.5 & +1)*.

Pompey Still on Cloud Nine after FA Cup Win

Portsmouth will still be on cloud nine after beating Man Utd in the FA Cup on Saturday, then seeing themselves installed as favourites after all their main rivals lost. Birmingham will hope to bring Pompey back down to earth on Wednesday night, as they seek safety from survival. They performed a similar job beating Spurs 4-1 last weekend, as they were still recovering from their Carling Cup celebrations. Portsmouth could still qualify for Europe via the league, so Harry Redknapp will be working hard on focus. The Brum are still without Olivier Kapo, while Portsmouth have no fresh injury concerns. PinnacleSports.com make Portsmouth favourites 1.877 (-0.5)* with Birmingham 2.050 (+0.5)*.

*All odds subject to change