Round 8 - predictions revealed

Kamran

Benfica 2 - 2 Porto
Fellani -------- Ribery, Tevez
RVP

Brilliant game from start to finish as both teams looked to attack and did it with great effect. Fellani opened the scoring with a bullet header but Ribery eequalised just before half time with a free-kick. 2nd half was more of the same and Tevez smashed home a poor backpass from Jenkinson. The home side pressed forward and got their equaliser from Van Persie's accurate shot. Van Persie nearly got the winner late on but his effort rattled the bar instead.
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Spurs 1 - 1 Lazio
Higuain --- Huntelaar

This game was dominated by the defenders for most of the game. Both sets of defences were organised but in the end it took a magical piece of play from Wilian to open the scoring. Wilian side-stepped Walker before delivering a stunning ball for Huntelaar to tap home. Spurs had to attack and Lazio thought they could contain Spurs once again but this time they upped their tempo. New boy Menez passed the ball quicker and this one found Higuain who dinked it over the oncoming keeper for an equaliser.
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Newcastle 2 - 0 Roma
Ben Arfa
Sanchez

Newcastle were much the better team and dominated throughout with Iniesta and Montolivio dictating the pace and accelerating when they pleased. Two early goals for Ben Arfa and Sanchez gave them a comfort zone but Newcastle were looking for more. Ibra spurned a decent chance but his shot was blasted wide. Roma did try and to get a grip on this game but Newcastle's defence was alert to the threats and held firm.
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Napoli 1 - 1 Valencia
Cavani ------ Baines

One of the more surprising results but Napoli at home were trying to prove that they are good enough to compete. They knew with a attacking line-up of Valencia they would need to keep them quiet so their 5man defence certainly helped their cause. It was Napoli who scored from a counter-attack after Robben lost the ball and Lavezzi received the ball and pinged it to Cavani who took one touch and blasted it from 12 yards. Valencia now piled on the pressure but were finding no gaps, Cavani was chasing down but then he went too aggressive on Neymar. On the resulting foul, Baines bent in a superb free-kick for a deserved equaliser.



Hodgey
Benfica 1-1 Porto
Silva - Ribery

Interesting game this one as Benfica have a solid side, but are strongest where Porto, the strongest side in the league, are arguably weakest. Silva took full advantage of Gibbs' inexperience all day and crafted many opportunities for an unusually wasteful van Persie, before opening the deadlock himself. Ribery also revelled against Jenkinson, equalising. Strange decision from Porto to put Schweinsteiger deeper and De Rossi advanced imo.

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Spurs 1-0 Lazio
Modric

This was a tense game and incredibly close to call. Lazio's strength is out wide through Hazard and Willian, whereas I feel Spurs would prefer to play centrally with Modric and Mata. Indeed, the Croatian scored the only goal of the game from range, after a great layoff from Mata. Bale is an asset for Spurs but couldn't get into the game. Higuain was also strangely quiet, given he would have fancied his chances against Schmelzer beforehand. Huntelaar lacked proper service throughout.

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Newcastle 2-0 Roma
Michu, Ibrahimovic

Iniesta will not be too keen on Hero's deployment of him deeper in midfield but the Toon got away with it today against a weak Roma team. Michu looks an inspired purchase for Newcastle and opened the scoring with a composed finish. Roma literally made no chances and had Cazorla as their only threat, who was becoming frustrated at the visible lack of talent around him. Ibrahimovic bagged a late goal too for the hosts.

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Schalke 0-0 Atletico
n/a

Interesting combative formation from Guv today and it did the job as Atletico were stifled. Kamran is struggling to accommodate Ozil in his side of stars, and it may be worth considering selling the German for a proper winger as he is ineffectual wide for me. Lampard and Gustavo almost double-teamed Yaya Toure's threat, which was fine today as Atletico's other players could not exploit this man advantage. Falcao was particularly cut adrift from proceedings and struggled from the start. Special mention to Berbatov, who was the perfect striker for Schalke to have today as he was an extra body and kept possession excellently.



Hero
Benfica 3-2 Porto
RVP x 2, Fellaini - Pedro, Ribery
A number of players that for both sides I don't feel are being utilised in their preferred positions. For Benfica the attacking trio of Nasri, Silva and Fellaini doesn't offer a lot of width which gives Porto a lot of space especially for wingers of the quality of Pedro and Ribery. Porto though have Tevez isolated up front, naturally he's a player who works his socks off coming back collecting the ball so don't think that works great with the natural wingers. Also think De Rossi and Schweinsteiger are in the wrong roles, De Rossi needs to sit behind the pair while Schweinsteiger operates a box to box role. Also think that the strong characters in the Porto side still need to be addressed, those personalities would clash.

Spurs 1-2 Lazio
Bale - Hazard, Pirlo
A close game between two very decent sides but decided by the continued insistence from the Spurs manager to play M'Vila who for me is possibly the most overrated player in entire Europe. Parker would have been the better option in that role especially with the chemistry already there with Modric and Bale.

Schalke 2-1 Madrid
Gotze, Villa - Falcao
Godin once again fills in at right back which is not his position at all, he's played that position once in the past two seasons in RL and as a result that's where Schalke exploited. I'd also like to see Ozil brought into a more central role and I feel the balance of Madrid just isn't right at present.


Napoli 1-1 Valencia
Cavani - Neymar
An intriguing battle between two decent sides, Napoli have a very strong core of a team with the wonderkid Verratti pulling the strings in the centre but he's up against possibly the best puppet master the game has seen in Xavi, Valencia possibly could have had a couple more if they'd had a striker with more of a physical presence to connect with the crosses from Navas and hold up play for Neymar to conjure some magic.



Captainunited
Spurs 2-1 Lazio
Mata,higuain
huntelaar
The hosts led through midfielder Mata in the 15th minute after good work by Bale on the edge of his own half, playing in his fellow midfielder to fire past Carrizo .The visitors equalised early in the second half thanks to a good strike by Huntelaar before Higuain restored spurs lead with a header from a Bale cross.

Newcastle 3-1 Roma
ibra,michu,iniesta
Cazorla
Ibrahimovic's measured finish started the rout and Michu's superbly guided strike gave Newcastle a 2-0 half-time lead, before Iniesta added a third from close range on the hour.Roma still looked threatening going forward, and in the the 67th minute Cazorla rose at the back post to head Marchisio's deep cross into the net. Despite the late pressure though, Newcastle held firm to claim another three points.

Schalke 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Falcao
A 75th minute half volley goal from Falcao bags Athletico three points against Schalke. A good defensive display from Schalke side for the majority of the game but Falcao broke the deadlock late into the second half.Schalke did not just roll over and let Athletico control the game, they had threats of their own through Villa but he blazed his shot over the bar. Goetze caught Cambiasso in possession and spotted Jaaskelainen of his line and tried a cheeky 40-yard effort only to see the effort hit the top of the net.

Napoli 1-2 Valencia
cavani
hernandez,navas
After dominating the early stages of the match,Napoli's defence capitulated for the rest of the first half as Valencia’s attacking players came to life. And the visitors eventually took the lead after some clever play between Robben and Neymar left Hernandez with a tap-in.The visitors were eventually gifted a second, as a Robben corner was met with a powerful header by Navas.Napoli started the second half much like the first, putting Valencia under pressure from the off. And they were soon rewarded for their efforts, as a poorly-cleared corner was flicked back in to the penalty area by Inler and cavani nodded the ball passed an onrushing Buffon.



Pullthestrings
Benfica 1 - 2 Porto
RVP : Luiz, Tevez

Newcastle 4- 1 Roma
Iniesta, Pique, Ibrahimovich, Sanchez : Pjanic

Schalke 0 - 0 Atletico

Napoli 1- 1 Valencia
Hamsik : Neymar


Marky
Spurs v Lazio - Spurs improve their attack with Menez, Lazio make zero changes to their defence and continue to play a LB at RCB in Schmelzer. Higuain destroys Schmelzer and there's only so much Terry can do, which is where the game is won. Lazio's midfield and forward line are one of the best in the league so while they score a couple, their defence lets them down.
Spurs 3-2 Lazio
(Mata, Higuain, Bale) (Hazard, Huntelaar)

Newcastle v Roma - Newcastle, mega attacking, but the lack of an out and out DM leaves them open to Cazorla and Pjanic. Fortunately for Newcastle, Roma don't play an out and out DM either, and it's a stupidly high scoring game, won easily in the end by Newcastle.
Newcastle 7-4 Roma
(Ibrahimovic x2, Michu x2, Sanchez x2, Ben Arfa) (Cazorla x2, Pjanic, Osvaldo)

Schalke v Atletico Madrid - It looks like Schalke went with 3 midfielders to combat Atletico and it worked, as Gustavo and Lampard were able to limit the impact of Suarez and Ozil from deep, Ozil still out of position isn't at his best, while at the other end Gotze, Villa and Berbatov cause problems for the CB's of Puyol and Ferdinand. Falcao still on fire for Atletico but a change is needed.
Schalke 3-2 Atletico Madrid
(Berbatov, Villa, Gotze) (Falcao x2)

Napoli v Valencia - Napoli still playing their 3-4-3 with their three amigos upfront, and they cause problems for Valencia's back four, even Chiellini and Rami struggle to keep Cavani under wraps. Neymar is a beast for Valencia today but the back three and wingbacks of Napoli do well to limit Valencia's forwards, a good game, plenty of goals but a draw the outcome.
Napoli 2-2 Valencia
(Cavani, Lavezzi) (Navas, Neymar)


LukeLovesLuka
Benfica 2 - 1 Porto
RvP, Fellaini ; Pedro

I think Benfica have the better defence here, with more proper 'defenders' - see Porto lacking real leaders at the back. The midfield battle is sensational, might edge to the home side based on Sneijder's form. Both front 3's are going to score goals, real talent on display. Deciding factors for me are home advantage, and Fellaini and RvP having too much for the likes of Luiz.


Newcastle 3 - 1 Roma
Ibra, Michu, Pique ; Cazorla

Think newcastle have the stronger defence here, and think they can deal with Roma's attack today. Midfield battle is decent, and see Roma holding their own in the middle of the park. Newcastle lack defensive options, which Cazorla could exploit. Roma's attack a little pedestrian compared to the home side, which looks very dangerous.


Schalke 1 - 2 Atletico Madrid
Berbatov ; Falcao, Suarez

Two strong defences that will work together well - both could be undone by genuine pace but neither side has that in attack. Schalke outnumber their opponents in midfield, but not crazy about that trio combo, and think Atletico cope well. Attacking wise I think Atletico hold thew advanatge with great form and quality. But Schalke will score here - but not quite enough.


Napoli 2 - 3 Valencia
Cavani, Hamsik ; Neymar, Robben, Rami

Valencia have a very well balanced back four that looks stronger than Napoli's defence. But I think Napoli's 3 will snuff out Hernandez well. See Xavi having quite a lot of space here, and think he can dominate the midfield. Napoli have a very dangerous duo up top that will link well. Bug area for me is Valencia's left, where Baines and Robben vs Abate a mismatch. Think the away side will nick this.


Cor Blimey Guvnor
Benfica 1 - 2 Porto
RvP ----------- Tevez, Lucio

These are two very evenly matched sides in terms of their starting XIs. Porto have a very powerful midfield but Benfica are combative in that area and were able to contain the visitors for the most part. Hpwever, Porto have quality out wide and the better defence. They also had some substitutes, not many, but some whereas Benfica did not field a bench at all and that played a crucial role as Porto nicked it late on with a goal from a corner, substitute Lucio heading powerfully home.

Tottenham 2 - 1 Lazio
Mata -------------- Hazard
Higuain

Tottenham have the stronger side overall for me and although Lazio have some very talented players, such as Hazard who scored a late consolation for the visitors, but overall the home side have the greater quality, especially going forward where they caused the Lazio defence problems all match. Tottenham scored either side of half time but sat on their lead and almost paid when Lazio pulled one back and gave the home fans a few moments of concern near the end but they held on for victory.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Roma
Ibra

Newcastle made hard work of this but eventually came through for a narrow home win. Despite some improvements made by the Roma manager, they remain weaker than their opponents and being away from home as well, although working hard, failed to create enough chances to take anything from the match. Newcastle have some world superstars in their side and although that in itself is not enough to guarantee victory, their superior overall quality proved decisive in the end.

Napoli 2 -2 Valencia
Hamsik ----- Neymar
Cavani ------ Hernandez

High scoring and highly entertaining match in Naples. Both sides have excellent attacking players and both sides played some excellent football. Napoli's front three are a well tuned unit who work well together and caused problems for the Valencia defence with excellent movement off the ball. Valencia's front players will cause problems for any side and they took an early lead through Neymar. Napoli equalised on the stroke of half time with Hamsik sweeping home after a neat build up. They then took the lead themselves on the hour mark through a Cavani header before poacher Hernandez ensured a point would return to Spain on 75 minutes after an excellent run and cross from Navas.


Sodhat
Benfica 1-2 Porto
Fellaini; Tevez, Sneijder

Spurs 2-2 Lazio
Bale, Higuain; Vidal, Willian

Newcastle 2-0 Roma
Ibra x2

Schalke 3-1 Atletico Madrid
Villa, Gotze x2; Falcao