Week-end Football Preview

River Jetez won and Here To Win came out placed for 3rd. So all 3 recommendations for the Friday card at Meydan, won. For those who are not aware, the Dubai Carnival races are shown live free on the Daily Racing Form website (the U.S equivalent of the Racing Post), at www.drf.com.

The FA Cup takes centre-stage this week-end in England. There are bound to be surprises as usual, but I don't think non-leaguers Crawley can spring one at Old Trafford. It just won't happen. I think I mentioned earlier that I don't like analyzing FA Cup matches because league form does not play a substantial role in there, and it's hard to formulate an informed analysis. Good thing that the other leagues have something on offer.

In Spain, Barcelona cannot afford any more missteps for fear of shifting any momentum back to Real Madrid. They host Athletic Bilbao and should be winning this game. I expect Real Madrd to do the same against Levante, so I recommend both leaders as Wins. I also like Valencia and Villareal to do well at home, and are fancied as draw-no-bets against average Sporting Gijon and Malaga.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund is another good draw-no-bet against St Pauli, who won in midweek against Hamburg. Mainz host Bayern Munich, and the hosts are really laboring currently. This might be a good opportunity for Bayern to climb the table, and I fancy a draw-no-bet for the visitors.

In Italy, Inter should have too much firepower at home to Cagliari. Leonardo's men went to win in Fiorentina and because of their midweek exertions, a draw-no-bet on them is a safer bet. I like Lazio's chances as it hosts Bari as well as Napoli's chances against Catania. I like both of the hosts as draw-no-bet punts.

Win: Barcelona, Madrid
Draw-no-bet: Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Inter, Napoli, Lazio