Round 5 - predictions revealed

Kamran
Schalke 1 - 1 Benfica
Pablo H-------- Van Persie

A very good game with many chances but both goalkeepers were on top form. Benfica took their game to the home side and dominated the midfield and eventually they took a deserved lead through Van Persie. Iniesta and Menez combined and Menez fed RVP who lashed home from 12 yards. Second half was brilliant as both teams went for it and a break away run from Goetze found the pace Hernandez who flew past Abidal and cut in and swerved a beauty past the keeper. Iniesta was denied a winner when Hildebrand tipped his shot onto the bar late on.
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Napoli 1 - 1 Newcastle
Lavezzi ----- Sanchez

Napoli looked down and out for most of the game but only conceded 1 in the first half despite Newcastle creating chances but fluffing them in the end. Napoli were more direct but Pique and Coloccini didnt given Cavani time or space. It was a great run from Cazorla who pulled back his pass for Sanchez and he rammed it home. Newcastle tried to open the floodgates but De Sanctis was in inspired form. Napoli had 10 minutes left and deceided to go for the draw. Hamsik's corner was flicked on by Cavani and Lavezzi tapped home the equaliser. Newcastle players looked stunned and had no time to pressure an equaliser.
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Valencia 2 - 2 Spurs
Drogba -------- Higuain, Defoe
Robben

First half was a stalemate and it didn't look like anyone will score. That all changed on the 2nd min of 2nd half when Drogba headed for the home side but Higuain replied back immediately after pacing past Rami. The goals came flooding in again when Robben played a 1-2 with Navas before nutmegging the keeper. Lennon was replaced by Defoe and he equalised with a low drive arrowed in the bottom corner.
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Roma 1 - 2 Lazio
Lamela ---- Willian, Pirlo

Lazio fans celebrated this derby and they deserved it too. Lamela scored for Roma when they attacked Lazio with the home side egging them on. However, Lazio found their rythm and got their passing going through Pirlo and he assisted the goal for Willian with a 40 yard pass and Willian shot low and hard for opener. Roma still ried to play but Vidal and Pirlo still dominated and it was the duo that surged forward and Pirlo ended up having 2 yards space and he calmy picked his spot and placed it perfectly for the winner.

Cor Blimey Guvnor
Napoli 0 - 0 Newcastle United

A crowded midfield area stifled the match as these two sides played out a goalless stalemate. Both have strong attacking players but both attacks struggled to see enough of the ball to create many clear chances. Napoli smothered Newcastle's threat and prevented them getting much joy down the flanks. In turn, Newcastle handled Hamsik and Lavezzi well leaving Cavani isolated. It made for an intriguing match although ultimately frustrating one for players and fans alike.

Valencia 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Drogba

The old boy is still a potent force up front and supported by a solid midfield marshalled by the ever excellent Xavi, the home side nicked this one by the smallest of margins. Defensively Spurs need to strengthen. Chiellini is quality but the rest of the defence lacks similar quality or is getting old. Spurs wide men can cause havoc on their day but today was not one of those mainly due to them not seeing enough of the ball. Drogba cannot be relied upon to score every week these days so Valencia need to do some business there but today he was the match winner.

Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Porto
Suarez --------------- Tevez
Falcao ---------------- Ribery

Two of the stronger sides in the league met and after a humdinger of a match, both had to settle for a point each. Defensives were creaking as both side possess strong offences but weaker defences. Age is a problem for Atletico where Rio forgot where he was, who he was and what he should be doing, innit. Porto defence is stronger but overall Atletico have greater offensive weapons. It all ended in a high scoring draw. Top entertainment.

Roma 0 - 2 Lazio
------------- Huntelaar 2

Luke has taken over at Lazio and already made a huge impact. Excellent side is now being built with a solid midfield being the base. Hazard provides creativity and, this week, Huntelaar grabbed the goals. Not sure he is a week in, week out scorer but an improvement for the side. Roma have not built hugely on what they started with beyond their front men. Ba is injured and Cisse out of form. They plugged away gamely but failed to create sufficient clear cut chances to seriously trouble the Lazio defence. More work needed there.

CF
Schalke vs Benfica: 2-1 (Mertsecaker, Pablo H) (Gaitan)

Napoli vs Newcastle: 1-3 (De Marco) (Cazorla,Montovolio,Ibrahimaovic)

Valencia vs Spurs: 0-3 (Mata,Bale,Lennon)

Athletico vs Porto: 2-2 (Puyol,Turan) (Toure,Tevez)

CaptainUnited

Schalke 1-2 Benfica
villa
iniesta,menez

Napoli 0-2 Newcastle
cazorla,ibra

Valencia 1-1 Spurs
robben
higuain

Roma 0-1 Lazio
hazard

Marky

Napoli 3-2 Newcastle -
(Cavani x2, Lavezzi) (Cazorla, Ibrahimovic)
A good game, Napoli very attacking and Newcastle with flair in abundance, a very high scoring game, Napoli take chances going forward but Newcastle have very attacking fullbacks so it makes for a very poor defensive display from Newcastle. Not due to personnel, but due to lack of protection from the midfield. Napoli edge the game as Cavani sticks to his form.

Valencia 0-1 Spurs -
(Higuain)
Good to see Spurs improving their defence, even if Chiellini isn't on top form, he is an improvement. I still feel Gallas is the weak link due to age, but they do enough of a job on Drogba. At the other end, Higuain makes the difference after escaping Vidic regularly, he finally takes his chance.

Atletico Madrid 3- 2 Porto
(Falcao, Suarez, Turan) (Pedro, Tevez)
The game was won in the AM department, Sneijder isn't even playing for Inter at the moment and his form wouldn't just magically reappear today, he may need upgrading if Porto are to be a force. At the other end, Falcao, Suarez and Ozil are all on fire, and Ozil destroys Gibbs at LB, creating chances galore. Porto do hit back through their wingers and Tevez, but it's too little too late.

Roma 1 -3 Lazio
(Cisse) (Huntelaar, Willian, Pirlo)
Roma haven't improved in the slightest, and are lambs to the slaughter as Lazio's front three take Roma's defence to pieces. Roma have the attacking threat but they need to improve at CM and in defence. Lazio off to a flier, with Vidal and Pirlo on top form.

Hero

Schalke 1-2 Benfica
Draxler – RVP, Gaitan
The combo of Iniesta & RVP will be hard to stop and I can’t see Mertesacker being up to that task whilst Hummels will know the game of fellow Dortmund player Goetze well. Schalke have a decent side, it’s just missing something which I can’t quite put my finger on.

Valencia 1-0 Spurs
Drogba
Very well matched sides and there’s quality in both, some great battles going on all over the pitch with Navas v Evra, Robben v Walker, Xavi v Modric etc. For me the game is decided by the one weak link which is Gallas, with Walker being quite adventurous at times down the wing it left gaps for Gallas to cover and Robben exploited it.

Atletico 3-2 Porto
Suarez, Falcao x2 – Pedro, Tevez
Fantastic attacking game from both sides, whilst both sides though like to big up their teams of ‘galacticos’ there are still several areas in which to improve, Godin is not a fullback, Rio is half the player he was and the same can be said regarding Cambiasso, Ozil needs to come into a more central role. Maicon is a shadow of his former self, M’Vila is hype and Sneijder is dropped at present and not going to be getting a game until January it seems.

Roma 0-2 Lazio
Hazard, Will.I.An
What should have been a passionate Rome derby turned instead into a procession for Lazio, Lamela being the one shining light for Roma against waves of superior play. Pirlo dictated the game from the off feeding the two wingers and they caused no end of trouble throughout the game.

Pullthestrings

Schalke 1 - 0 Benfica
Villa

Napoli 1 - 3 Newcastle
Cavani : Sanchez, Cazorla, Ibrahimovich

Atletico 2 - 2 Porto
Falcao, Ozil : Yaya, Pedro

Roma 0 - 1 Lazio
Terry

Hodgey

Schalke 1-1 Benfica
Villa
Iniesta

Napoli 0-1 Newcastle
Ibrahimovic

Atletico 1-2 Porto
Falcao
Ribery, Tevez

Roma 0-2 Lazio
Huntelaar, Pirlo

Sodhat

Schalke 1-1 Benfica
Gotze; Van Persie

Good balance to Schalke and the only weak spot perhaps at RB. Benfica are strong through the middle but the wings aren't quite as classy. If they can get improved FBs and WGs then they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Valencia 2-2 Spurs
Drogba x2; Higuain, Bale

Spurs are set up to attack teams directly and I can see them doing damage against whomever they play. Valencia have an equally impressive line up, but the key battle in the middle is split and on the wings they both have aggressive players that will create.

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Porto
Suarez; Tevez, Ribery

Porto have an excellent attacking unit and they will get the goals to win the game. With a powerful midfield two, Madrid may struggle to get a foothold in the middle. Ozil won't be at his best on the wing in my opinion.

Lazio 3-1 Roma
Vidal x2, Huntelaar; Lamela

Roma lack the strength in the middle and the wide areas need improving. Lazio have the energy of Vidal in the middle and the tricky wingers that will be the difference.

LukeLovesLuka

Schalke 1 - 2 Benfica
Pablo -------- RvP
-------------- Felliani

These two side are very tough to split. Both have solid defences and strong attacks. I just about prefer Benfica's midfield three, with a little bit of everything there, and with RvP way over Villa in terms of form, I think Benfica have enought to nick a really good away win here.


Napoli 2 - 3 Newcastle
Cavani (2) -- Ibrahimovic
------------- Sanchez
------------- Marchisio

Have debated whether I think Napoli's formation is the right one, it does let them play a very strong front three that will no doubt cause trouble. But it's maybe a bit defensive at home, and Newcastle have a front four that will really cause all sorts of trouble. See goals, and with a strong back line, think newcastle will concede less.


Valencia 2 - 1 Spurs
Tello --------- Mata
Robben

Two very good teams here, credit to both managers. Both sides to pass very well, and both very danagerous on the counter. Two decent back fours too, although my issue lies with form in Spurs' back four, with Walker, Gallas and Evra all not having great seasons. Think Valencia, especially at home, can take advantage. Not sure on Drogba anymore Hodgey.


Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Porto
Falcao -------------- Tevez (2)
Suarez

Two very strong sides again here. I prefer Atletico's defence, but not sure on the balance of their midfield. They really lack out and out width, and not sure on Ozil on the right in a 442. Kam - a front 3 of Ozil, Suarez and Falcao might be an idea. Porto's front 4 is terifying, despite form issues for Sneijder. I'm struggling to pick a winner, so going for a score draw.