New Chelsea signing Demba Ba had something of a dream debut when he netted against Southampton, but he’s got to settle for a place on the bench tonight in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Swansea. Fernando Torres has got the nod.
Chelsea XI: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Cole (c), Luiz, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Hazard, Torres.
Swansea XI: Tremmel, Rangel, Chico, s (c), Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Ki, Routledge, Hernandez, Michu.
The full team news will break HERE.
Celta Vigo coach Paco Herrera has said that Iker Casillas’ omission from the Real Madrid side has been done solely for tactical reasons by coach Jose Mourinho.
Los Blancos’ skipper has been ousted in favour of reserve goalkeeper Antonio Adan in recent games and was only recalled to the side after Adan was sent off in the 4-3 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Casillas’ continued omission had lead to speculation of a falling out with Mourinho, however Herrera believes that the choice of stopper has been made by the Portuguese coach to help improve the World Cup winning goalkeeper.
“Mourinho is looking to improve the team,” he told reporters.
“I do not think his decisions go beyond trying to improve the performance of one of its major players. If Mourinho has won so many titles then surely [he is qualified] to make such decisions.”
Herrera also believes that despite Madrid trailing Liga leaders Barcelona by 16 points at the half-way point, the club’s board will not sack the former Chelsea and Inter boss mid-season.
“Even Real Madrid lose, it will not be his last game at the club. The president [Florentino Perez] has made that clear.
“They will not dismiss Mourinho. It seems more external than internal conflict, as if someone was looking for things that are not there. Inside, the club seems to be pretty quiet.”
Benzema abrió el marcador a los 2′ / Getty
Jose Mourinho delivered los Blancos their first Copa since 1993 in his first season in charge and a repeat would seem to be Madrid’s most realistic chance of silverware in the current campaign.
Given the flawed nature of the competition, the draw has been made all the way to the final, with Valencia awaiting in the next round before an expected semi-final clash with Barcelona.
To set up those tantalising ties though, Madrid must overcome a 2-1 first leg deficit against Celta this evening and price them at 1/7 (1.14) to beat the side from Galicia.
Celta meanwhile can be backed at 14/1 (15.00) with the draw which would see Madrid exit the competition priced at 7/1 (8.00).
Yet despite their recent hiccups, Madrid remain extremely difficult to beat in the Bernabeu; no team has managed to do so in La Liga nor the Champions League during 2012 and Celta’s previous visit to Madrid earlier this season saw them beaten 2-0.
Mourinho’s men have looked defensively vulnerable in recent matches though, having conceding at least two goals in each of their last five games.
Both teams to score is offered at 8/11 (1.73) and has paid out in every one of Madrid last six games in all competitions.
The problem for this bet though is that Celta are woeful away from home, having lost eight of their nine away league games and even going down 2-0 at second division Almeria in the previous round.
Therefore instead of backing both teams to score. investing in over 1.5 goals in the first half at the slightly smaller price of 7/10 (1.70) is a more appealing option.
This bet has paid out nine times in Madrid’s home games at the Bernabeu this season, and with los Blancos knowing they must win – and therefore score – to progress, there is every chance they will make a high tempo start to the game.
For a value bet try backing Sami Khedira to follow up his great goal at the weekend by netting at anytime available at an industry best price of 7/1 (8.00). This is a standout price with as some firms have priced up Khedira as short as 2/1 (3.0) to find the net this evening.
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Phil Kitromilides is a sports broadcaster working on radio and TV in London and Madrid. You can also follow Phil on Twitter.
Cristiano Ronaldo / Getty
The prolific attacker made the headlines earlier this season by admitting that he was unhappy with life at the club, and a number of recent reports have suggested that he has no intention to sign a new contract with los Blancos.
“Cristiano Ronaldo? Paris Saint-Germain have become a club where anything is possible,” Leonardo was quoted as saying by L’Equipe.
“However, he still has an ongoing contract with Real Madrid and we have to realise that he will not leave Madrid for just any club.
“When we are discussing a possible transfer for a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, there are only four or five clubs that can be taken into consideration. Paris Saint-Germain are one of those clubs …”
However, Leonardo was quick to rule out a move for Barcelona star Lionel Messi as well as Premier League left-back Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole.
“[Messi] will never leave Barcelona,” he stated. “With [Christophe] Jallet, Maxwell, [Gregory] van der Wiel and [Sylvain] Armand, I think we have what it takes.
“In the future, we will talk about it, but not now. Cole or Evra? No.”
PSG reached the last 16 of Champions League with ease, but the former AC Milan coach went on to say that his current side are not favourites to claim the European title.
“It’s certain that Barca are the favourites,” he continued. “But we can also say that there are seven games until the final …”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a considerable impact since joining the club from Milan in the summer, and Leonardo says his form shows that the player is happy at the club.
“Ibra is not only a great man, he has everything. If Ibra and Thiago [Silva] were not happy here, they would not be playing this way.”
Xabi Alonso believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is happy with life at Real Madrid and does not think that the attacker missing out on the Fifa Ballon d’Or election will hurt his morale.
The Portugal international was beaten to the prestigious award by his arch rival Lionel Messi, but the Spain midfielder is adamant that his team-mate will remain focused.
“Cristiano Ronaldo seems perfectly fine to me. We were together at the Fifa gala and we are just thinking about the Celta match now,” the midfielder said at a press conference.
“I think Cristiano is happy here and the public is delighted with him. I have no doubt at all that he has the club’s support.
“Of course, I would renew Cristiano’s contract.”
The 27-year-old attacker’s current contract with the Santiago Bernabeu side runs until June 2015.