Weekend Predictions: Barcelona’s Revenge?

By: Daryl | January 23rd, 2009

Last week was another bad one for me predictions wise, with a grand total of zero correct results or scores.

But I’m not going to let that stop me. Even though it probably should. So here are this week’s predictions:

Barcelona vs Numancia, Saturday, Jan 24th, 22:00
You may remember that Barcelona’s season started very very badly, with a 1-0 loss away to Numancia. But that defeat seemed to be just the kick in the arse that Barca needed. They haven’t lost since, and recently became the first Primera División team to take 50 points from the first 19 games. They’re probably the best team in the world right now.

So now it’s time for the return leg, and fourth from bottom Numancia have to come to the Camp Nou to face their punishment. The only question seems to be… how many goals until Barca’s revenge is satisfied?

Odds: Barcelona 7-1, Draw 13-2, Numancia 18-1 (I dare you to bet on a Numancia win. I double dare you.)
Leo Messi and Thierry Henry are both 10-1 to score a hat-trick.
Samuel Eto’o is 13-2.
Barcelona 4-0 Numancia is 8-1.
Barcelona 5-1 Numancia is 20-1.
Numancia 1-0 Barcelona is a stunning 55-1.
More odds here
Prediction: I see a simple 2-0 win for Barcelona.
Bonus Prediction: But if I was a gambling man I’d put a small amount on that 1-0 Numancia win, just because those are some gigantic odds.

Fenerbahce vs Trabzonspor Sunday, Jan 25th, 19:00
What’s this? A big Turkish game that isn’t an Istanbul derby? Trabzonspor (from Trabzon) are the only club from outside Istanbul ever to win the Turkish league, which automatically makes them a big rival for any Istanbul club. They’re currently second in the Superlig (Sivasspor are first) while Fenerbahce (who can boast big names like Alex and Bobby Carlos) are down in fourth but just two points behind.
Odds: Fenerbahce 4-5, Draw 9-4, Trabzonspor 6-5.
2-2 draw is 11-1.
Tranbzonspor leading at h/t, Fenerbahce win at f/t is 22-1.
More odds here
Prediction: Fener to win 2-1 at home

Liverpool vs Everton, FA Cup 4th Rnd, Sunday, Jan 25th, 16:00
You wait ages for a Merseyside Derby and then two come along at once. For last week’s league game I predicted a shock 1-0 win for Everton. I was wrong, and it finished 1-1.

Benitez will no doubt rotate a bit, and though Tim Cahill has form at Anfield Everton are still without the big hair of Marouane Fellaini (suspended)*.

Part of me wants to roll the dice again and stick with a 1-0 Everton win, but the gut says this will finish 1-0 to Liverpool.

Odds Liverpool 8-11, Draw 12-5, Everton 9-2
Robbie Keane 11-2 to score first goal.
Everton 22-1 to come from behind and win.
Steven Gerrard 22-1 to be first player shown a card.
More odds here
Prediction: 1-0 to the Reds.
Bonus Prediction: It won’t be as good as this Merseyside Derby – the legendary 1991 FA Cup fifth round-replay, where Everton came from behind four times to draw 4-4 and then win the second replay the following week: