Champions League
2007-12-12 - Slavia Prague vs Sevilla
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Group stage
12 December 2007 20:45 (CET)
Evzena Rosickeho - Prague
Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague are assured of 3rd spot and a place in the UEFA Cup before the visit of Sevilla. After losing in Spain on match day 1, they beat Steaua at home but only picking up 1 point from their double header with Arsenal meant they had to win their last 2 matches in the group to have any hope of qualification.
It took a late equaliser last time out in Bucharest from Zdenik Senkerik which completed a place in the UEFA Cup. They have gained 4 points from a possible 6 at home so far. Slavia have struggled on their travels with 12 goals conceded from their 3 games, but they have only breached 1 time at home.
Slavia Prague have control of their domestic title as the Czech league moves into its winter break. They lead from city rivals, Sparta Prague, by 5 points. At home they have managed a 5-3-0 record with 15 goals scored and 2 conceded. Recent form has not been so good for Prague as, although unbeaten in 8 games since their 7-0 loss at Arsenal, they have drawn 6 of those 8 games.
They should also be concerned with their lack of goals as they have scored 6 goals in those 8 games. Slavia have not been beaten at home this season, but they have drawn their last 3 there in all competitions, and have only scored 1 goal in those 3 games.
The lack of goals scored recently can be attributed to the loss of their captain, and top scorer, Stanislav Vlcek and he will miss out again. Senkerik is going to be a game time decision but he might just recover in time and is likely to partner Milan Ivana up front.
Sevilla
Sevilla have not really recovered from the sudden death of Antonio Puerta earlier this season. However their Champions League campaign has put them in a position to finish as winners of the group with 1 more win in this game.
A draw or a loss could also be sufficient as long as Arsenal fail to win at home against Steaua but that is a long shot for Sevilla. Since losing at Arsenal 3-0, they have won 4 straight Champions League games, including a 4-2 win over their opponents at home.
Domestically they sit in 9th in La Liga with an awful 1-1-5 record on their travels. They have scored 9 times in those away matches but have conceded 13. Sevilla have only managed 2 wins from their last 7 games since winning in Bucharest.
They have also lost 2 of 4 away games in all competitions since that win. An interesting point to note is they have only failed to score in 1 game from their last 13. They have also managed at least 1 goal in 6 of their last 7 away games.
Sevilla lost their starting goalkeeper, Andres Palop, for 3 months at the weekend and his position will be taken by Morgan De Sanctis. Christian Poulsen was rested at the weekend as Sevilla beat Murcia at home and he will be back for this match. Freddie Kanoute has also overcome a knock and will partner Luis Fabiano up front as the Spanish side look to secure top spot. Seydou Keite and Adriano will both miss out as they are suspended.
PREDICTION :
This match is one that Sevilla are obviously taking seriously judging by their decision to rest players at the weekend in anticipation of it. They have enough up front to score goals and very rarely fail to.
With Slavia Prague suffering for goals at the moment and missing their top scorer, I dont think they will have enough in them to both contain Sevilla and score more than 1 goal themselves.
Sevilla should win and thus win the group.
The Pick :
SLAVIA PRAGUE 1-2 SEVILLA
