92-78-9 on Soccer in 2018 up 8.17 units
6-7-2 on Soccer in 2019 down 3.81 units
Sevilla +2.5 at -167 for 10 units. No Dembele, Umtiti, or Rafinha for Barcelona. Let’s be real, Messi is all that matters. Sevilla won the first leg 2-0, but Messi didn’t play. Sevilla have lost to Barcelona by more than 3 only once in their past 6 meetings. This is going to be an exciting-up-and-down fixture. You know what makes it more exciting? Wagering a lot on it.
In all seriousness, Sevilla have scored 7 goals in their past 2 games (including one against Barcelona), thus it will be hard for Barcelona to keep a clean sheet. Sevilla are arguably the best counter-attacking team in Spain now that Ronaldo is gone. Pablo Machin and his 3-5-2 setup are made for 2-0 second leg leads. If Machin’s men get a goal here, this bet wins. Full Disclosure… I am always nervous betting against the best soccer player ever.. but as an old man told me at a blackjack table on a casino cruise yesteryear “scared money don’t make money”.
Real Betis to advance at -226 for 4 units. Betis got the much needed away goal. Espanyol doesn’t have the defense on the road to move on in this tie. Real Betis will score.
Roma +0.5 at -200 for 3 units. Bryan Cristante and Steven Nzonzi should play for Roma as they are banned because of cards for the weekend clash against Milan. There are two main reasons I like this play today… 1. Roma plays a lot better when Dzeko plays, and they win most games he scores in. He is in-form. 2. Roma needs a trophy. The Coppa may not be as important as a top 4 finish (which Roma is on brink of losing), but Roma is in a trophy drought and anything to pick up morale will help.
Chelsea at -147 for 2 units. Bournemouth have lost their past 5 meetings against top-6 competition at home. Chelsea fits that mold. Hazard has 4 goals in his last 3 visits to Vitality Stadium. Sarri said Hazard can leave Chelsea if he wants, Real Madrid could use him…
Crystal Palace +0.5 at -167 for 4 units. Palace are scoring an average of 1.4 goals away from home. Palace just beat an injury-depleted Tottenham and only lost to Liverpool by 1. I’m not saying injury-depleted to take away from Palace’s win, just saying it has to be taken into account when I look at the matchup. Southampton are hot under new manager Ralph Hasenhüttl, but Zaha and Townsend should do enough for Palace here. I think these teams are evenly-matched, so I will take the value of the underdog.