League : English FA Cup
Early Preview from Soccernet:
Swansea defender Marcos Painter is aiming to shake off a hamstring injury in time for the FA Cup second-round replay at home to Ryman Premier League outfit Horsham.
The former Birmingham left-back has been given extra time to recover after Saturday's trip to Bristol Rovers was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Painter picked up a knock in Tuesday's 3-0 win against Northampton and could miss out while long-term absentee Owain Tudur-Jones (ankle) remains sidelined.
Thomas Butler is one of a clutch of players hoping to be given the chance to impress by Martinez, who is unconcerned about a lack of preparation time for the replay with Horsham.
Horsham called off their weekend fixture with AFC Wimbledon to boost their chances of causing an upset on front of the Sky cameras.
But Martinez said: ``I make the non-league side favourites when a league side goes into their environment, but I accept that we have to dictate the game at the Liberty Stadium.''
Horsham boss John Maggs has been dealt a devastating blow after learning that top goalscorer Carl Rook will be ruled out due to suspension.
Hornets striker Rook, who has found the net 12 times already this season and attracted the overtures of Tonbridge Angels, picked up his fifth booking of the season against Harrow two weeks ago.
The prolific striker was due to serve his ban against AFC Wimbledon this weekend but the game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch, forcing Rook to sit out the historical trip to the Liberty Stadium.
Goalkeeper Alan Mansfield will return to the squad having served his three-match ban but Paul Seuke has proven to be a worthy understudy and produced a man-of-the-match performance to keep Horsham in the competition during the original tie.
``I know Alan has played a lot this season but all I can do when I'm given the shirt is go out there and do my best,'' Seuke told the West Sussex County Times.
``I didn't do my chances any harm with the way I played last Friday.''
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FREAKTIPS PREVIEW
Swansea is the obvious favourite to win this tie and they should rightly do so. Sitting at the top of the English League One , Swansea has got a reputation to protect and losing to a non-league club is definitely unacceptable. Oddsmakers know it and place a high AH at -2 for Swansea.
FREAKTIPS PREVIEW
Swansea is the obvious favourite to win this tie and they should rightly do so. Sitting at the top of the English League One , Swansea has got a reputation to protect and losing to a non-league club is definitely unacceptable. Oddsmakers know it and place a high AH at -2 for Swansea.
The question is whether Swansea is able to clear the AH set for them. The fishy thing about this match is that the total goals for this match are offered at 2.75 and 3 balls. If Swansea were to clear the -2 AH, that means automatically the Total Goals should be save as well. With both teams having sufficient rest ahead of this cup clash, I expect to see both teams playing at full strenght to win this match. Horsham for the fame of beating a league team and the cash they would receive if they advance to the next round. As for Swansea, need I say more, it is a must win game for them.
An interesting fact about Swansea playing in the league is that the last 9 matches they played, they won 5 all with a 4 matches ending with a single goal seperating Swansea from the losing team. Their last match though ended with a 3-0 win over Northampton. Will Swansea keep up the momentum? I would say YES and at AH -2 for Swansea, it would be tempting for many to take the underdogs who is already missing their top striker.
I would go with Swansea -2.
Why so:
1. Swansea playing at home ground
2. Horsham is missing their top striker
3. Both teams are well rested, and obviously a league team with well rested players tend to play better and hopefully score lots of goals.
4. Swansea thrashing Northampton City 3-0 should wet the appetite of Swansea strikers to add more goals to their tally.
Odds Status at : 11.30pm(10/12/07)
Current Asian Handicap Odds
2.00
0 : 2
1.90
Current Asian Handicap Odds
2.00
0 : 2
1.90
Current 1x2 Odds
1.18
5.89
12.83
1.18
5.89
12.83
VERDICT : (5 STAR BET) SWANSEA -2
(Skip if Asian Handicap Changes to -1.75) - Check odds changes from Asianbookie.com
1 comment:
Swansea Magnificient!
A league team is simple better then a non-league team for this case.
6 goals rout of Horsham and a place in the next round of the FA Cup is certaintly "sweet chin music" to the Swansea fans. Early Christmas present I would say.
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