After a big weekend like the last, it's always a downer when searching for sport in the midweek. Well not to fear, as it's all here in our Midweek Preview! There's huge emotion running in the AFCON semi-finals, as a predicted final of Ivory Coast and Ghana could well be on the cards if everything goes according to plan. There's also big cup football in Europe with FA Cup, Coppa Italia, German Cup, French Cup, and Copa Del Rey on the go. Sri Lanka will look to avenge their World Cup final loss in the Commonwealth Banks series, while Zimbabwe will look to save face in their final ODI against New Zealand. All articles are pulled from our bi-weekly newsletter - Hollywood NewsFlash!Emotions To Run High In Bata
Zambia vs Ghana, AFCON 2012, Wed 8th Feb, 18:00
After failing to live up to expectations on Saturday, Sunday's quarter-finals provided the sort of drama that one expects from a continental competition. The Black Stars progressed thanks to a goal-keeping blunder and now they face one more hurdle before securing their place in the final. Zambia are currently brimming with confidence and will offer stern resistance to the Ghanaians, who will have little time to recover from their bruising encounter with Tunisia. Zambian coach Herve Renard will hope to use his knowledge of the Black Stars set-up, having been assistant to Claude Le Roy before taking over the Chipolopolo. The Black Stars have yet to impress me at this year's tournament, while Zambia have been a refreshing breeze sweeping across African football. The Chipolopolo are tipped to progress, and not because they have the better nickname.
To Win (90 Min)Zambia 32/10
Ghana 17/20
Draw 21/10
To Qualify
Zambia 2/1
Ghana 7/20
Ivory Coast to Continue Meticulous Run
Mali vs Ivory Coast, AFCON 2012, Wed 8th Feb, 21:00
Mali achieved an incredible feat by reaching the semi-finals of AFCON 2012 with a penalty shootout victory over hosts Gabon, but their title dreams might just hit a brick wall when they meet the relentless Ivory Coast on Wednesday night. The Might Elephants have yet to concede a goal in AFCON 2012, and have been meticulous in achieving each of their victories under the captaincy of Drogba (who himself has slotted three goals in this year's competition). They have won both recent meetings with Mali, which included a 3-0 victory in AFCON 2008. The best bet would be for Ivory Coast-Ivory Coast on the Halftime-Fulltime double at 11/10.
To Win (90 Min)Mali 5/1
Ivory Coast 4/7
Draw 28/10
HT Result
Mali 11/2
Ivory Coast 11/10
Draw 12/10
Sheffield to Hold Strong at Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool, FA Cup, Tues 7th Feb, 21:45
Two teams that are pushing for promotion from their respective leagues will redo battle on Tuesday night as Sheffield Wednesday (League 1) and Blackpool (Championship) clash in their 4th Round FA Cup replay. Sheffield were as good as through to the 5th round of the FA Cup, but a penalty in the 93rd minute was all it took for Blackpool to equalise and stay in the competition. Sheffield has had the upper hand when playing at home against Blackpool, with the visitor's last win at Hillsborough coming in 2003. Feeling is they'll go the full 90 minutes in a stalemate, and settle it in extra time.
To Win (90 Min)Sheffield Wed 29/20
Blackpool 18/10
Draw 22/10
1st Team to Score
Sheffield Wed 19/20
Blackpool 11/10
No Goals 10/1
Southampton Hope To Sink Millwall
Southampton v Millwall, FA Cup, Tues 7th Feb, 21:45
Promotion hopefuls Southampton will turn their attention from the Championship to the FA Cup this week as they host relegation threatened Millwall in a 4th Round replay at Saint Mary's Stadium. The winner of this tie will host Bolton for a place in the quarter-finals, but in truth neither team really needs the added matches brought about by a lengthy cup run. The Saints have struggled in recent weeks, winning only 1 of their last 6 league matches, while their opponents have fared no better. Manager Neil Adkins will be hoping to repeat the 1-0 victory from earlier this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was settled in the Saints favour by the odd goal.
To Win (90 Min)Southampton 15/20
Millwall 4/1
Draw 28/10
Total Goals
Under 1.5 Goals 11/4
Over 1.5 Goals 1/4
Under 2.5 Goals 15/20
Over 2.5 Goals 15/20
Northwest Rivals In Another Epic Battle
Middlesbrough v Sunderland, FA Cup, Wed 8th Feb, 21:45
The North of England can be bitterly cold so doubts linger whether this tie will be replayed on Wednesday night. For our sake I hope it goes ahead, as there are few better sights than a full-blooded derby match, and in the FA Cup to boot. Middlesbrough are another team struggling for form in the Championship, with their last win coming on Boxing Day. Sunderland on the other hand have proved neigh unstoppable under Martin O'Neill and managed to scrape a 1-0 win in a blizzard at the Britannia, which is no mean feat. One feels their North-West rivals to be up for this one though, and this one could be destined for extra-time. A draw after 90, with the Black Cats to progress.
To Win (90 Min)Middlesbrough 9/4
Sunderland 11/10
Draw 9/4
First Team To Score
Middlesbrough 15/10
Sunderland 17/20
None 13/2
Top of the Table Clash at the San Siro
AC Milan vs Juventus, Italian Cup, Wed 8th Feb, 21:45
It's a top of the table clash in the 1st semi-final of the Italian Cup, as Serie A leaders Juventus take on AC Milan at the San Siro in the 1st leg on Wednesday night. Juventus, the only unbeaten team in all the top 5 leagues in Europe in the 2011/2012 season, were held to a goalless draw by Siena this past weekend, despite having 70% possession and 20 shots on goal. AC Milan could have used that opportunity to go top of the Serie A, but they had their league title dreams halted by a goalless draw with Napoli. When these sides met in October, the game was goalless until a double strike by Claudio Marchisio in the 87th and 92nd minute sealed a 2-0 victory for Juventus. The draw looks the safe option here, and the progressor can be decided in Torino in the 2nd leg.
To Win (90 Min)AC Milan 23/20
Juventus 23/10
Draw 9/4
1st Team to Score
AC Milan 17/20
Juventus 14/10
No Goals 7/1
Napoli Look To Draw First Blood
Siena vs Napoli, Italian Cup, Thur 9th Feb, 21:45
It's the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-finals this week and Napoli will be hoping to build an advantage as they travel to Stadio Artemio Franchi to face Siena. Both teams were involved in tepid 0-0 draw over the weekend with title contenders, however it was Siena's result that was more of a surprise. They managed to hold the league leaders and will be hoping to keep things as tight in the first leg. These teams played to a draw just 2 weeks back as Napoli fought back to grab a deserved point. This should prove a tense affair, with a low scoring draw the most probable result.
To Win (90 Min)Siena 19/10
Napoli 14/10
Draw 22/10
1st Team To Score
Siena 19/20
Napoli 5/4
No Goals 7/1
Lazio Look To Down Cesena
Lazio v Cesena, Serie A, Thur 9th Feb, 21:45
Lazio will look to put their disappointing performance against Genoa behind them as they host relegation threatened Cesena on Thursday. Having played one game more than their rivals, nothing short of a win will do for Eduaordo Reja's men as they look to tighten their grip on a Champions League spot. Cesena enter the match with only 1 win in their last 7, however they did manage a commendable draw last time out in Naples. They currently find themselves 4 points adrift of safety and have conceded 13 goals in their last 4 away matches. Despite a lengthy injury list, Lazio should still have enough to see off their visitors here.
To Win (90 Min)Lazio 9/20
Cesena 66/10
Draw 31/10
HT Result
Lazio 9/10
Cesena 6/1
Draw 5/4
Monchengladbach to Advance to Semi's
Hertha Berlin vs Monchen'bach, German Cup, Wed 8th Feb, 20:00
Bundesliga title contenders Borussia Monchengladbach will look to carry on their great 2011/2012 form when they take on Hertha Berlin in the German Cup quarter-finals. Monchengladbach enter this game on the back of a goalless draw with Wolfsburg, but are unbeaten in their last ten league matches. Hertha Berlin, a team that is reportedly experiencing a club crisis, are currently on a three match losing streak, and very close to hitting the relegation zone after working so hard for promotion last season. When these sides met in November, Monchengladbach dominated possession, and a brace from Marco Reus sealed a 2-1 victory for the visitors. The feeling is 13/10 is a top bet here for Monchengladbach to advance to the semi-finals.
To Win (90 Min)Hertha Berlin 2/1
Monchenglad 13/10
Draw 9/4
1st Team to Score
Hertha Berlin 12/10
Monchenglad 9/10
No Goals 9/1
Bayern To Keep Treble Dreams Alive
Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich, German Cup, Wed 8th Feb, 21:30
Bayern Munich will look to extend their cup run when they travel to struggling Stuttgart for a quarter-final tie at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. These two sides met in December with a Mario Gomez brace separating the two, as 10-man Stuttgart put up a valiant effort. Stuttgart however have gone 7 straight games without a win in the league, drawing 2-2 over the weekend against Leverkusen. They came from behind twice in that match and coach Bruno Labbadia will be hoping his team show similar grit against a star-studded Munich team. Having won there already this season Munich should safely book their passage through to the last 4 here.
To Win (90 Min)Stuttgart 47/10
Bayern 11/20
Draw 28/10
Handicap
Stuttgart (+1) 13/10
Bayern (-1) 29/10
Draw 5/2
Mirandes to Give It All on Big Stage
Athletic Bilbao vs Mirandes, Spanish Cup, Tues 7th Feb, 23:00
Segunda B leaders Mirandes will have the opportunity to showcase their stuff on the big stage when they take on Athletic Bilbao in the 2nd leg of their Copa Del Rey semi-final. Mirandes fought back well in the 1st leg, where after conceding two early goals by the 27th minute, a 91st minute strike earned them a vital goal on aggregate. They have sunk Villarreal, Racing Santander and Espanyol on their way to this semi-final, but these sides have all been struggling in the Primeria Division. Athletic Bilbao on the other hand have been a form side at home in La Liga, with their last loss coming in early November. Athletic should progress easily here, but expect Mirandes give a good show of themselves.
To Win (90 Min)Ath Bilbao 3/10
Mirandes 87/10
Draw 43/10
Handicap
Ath Bilbao (-1) 8/10
Mirandes (+1) 24/10
Draw 5/2
Injury Ravaged Catalans Precariously Poised
Barcelona vs Valencia, Spanish Cup, Wed 8th Feb, 22:00
Barcelona head into the second-leg of their cup tie with Valencia with cause for concern as their injury list continues to grow. Having drawn the first leg 1-1 Valencia will be hoping to spring an upset as they seek their first victory at the Camp Nou since a 1-0 win back in 2003. Now is as good a time as any, with Barca short of a number of stars and seemingly dependent on a jaded looking Messi. Their record at the Camp Nou is unparalleled though and Valencia will need to provide something miraculous to sneak a win here. Valencia have yet to win in the league in 2012, but this is cup football and anything is possible. Barca should progress, with the draw on the handicap tipped.
To Win (90 Min)Barcelona 1/4
Valencia 10/1
Draw 47/10
Handicap
Barcelona (-1) 6/10
Valencia (+1) 28/10
Draw 3/1
Lyon Lament Lack of Consistency
Lyon vs Bordeaux, French Cup, Wed 8th Feb, 21:50
Lyon managed to salvage a point against Marseille over the weekend after trailing 2-0 and coach Remi Garde will be looking for his team to take that fighting spirit into their cup tie with Bordeaux on Wednesday night. Bordeaux will be looking to book their place in the last eight and enter the match in decent form having only lost once in their last seven outings. They have scraped through to the round of 16, progressing from both previous rounds on penalties. Lyon have struggled with consistency in recent weeks, as reflected in their performance against Marseille. I wouldn't be surprised if this one went to extra-time, with the draw looking a decent bet at 22/10.
To Win (90 Min)Lyon 9/10
Bordeaux 31/10
Draw 22/10
Both Teams To Score
Yes 1/1
No 13/20
Sri Lanka to Avenge World Cup Final Loss
India v Sri Lanka, Commonwealth Bank Series, Wed 8th Feb, 06:20
After saving face on their recent tour to South Africa by winning their last two ODI's, Sri Lanka will hope they can carry on the upward trend when they take on India in their first match-up of the Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series. These two sides last met in an ODI in the World Cup final at Mumbai in 2011, where despite a hundred from Jaywardene for Sri Lanka, big nineties from Gambhir and Dhoni sealed the title as world champs for India. India's dismal run in Australia continued as they went down to the hosts in the 1st ODI, where the top order failed once again to make a contribution. Feeling is that India might have the majority crowd support which should give them the edge, but Sri Lanka could just sneak this one.
To Win MatchIndia 6/10
Sri Lanka 13/10
Draw 50/1
Most Match Sixes
India 9/10
Sri Lanka 13/10
Draw 6/1
Black Caps In No Mood For Mercy
New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI, Thur 9th Feb, 03:00
After being soundly thumped in the first 2 ODI's, Zimbabwe will look to save some face in Napier on Thursday. In Whangerai on Monday the Zimbabweans had only themselves to blame after a performance in the field that more closely resembled a mini-cricket team than a bunch of international cricketers. They offered some resistance with the bat, but the game was long gone by then after Rob Nicol had dispatched the Zim bowlers to all corners of the park, and Jacob Oram had bludgeoned them into submission. Although this is a dead rubber, the Black Caps will be taking this match seriously, with an eye on the upcoming visit by South Africa. I'm going stock standard here, New Zealand to win at a canter, and Brendan Taylor to top score for the Zimbabweans.
To Win MatchNew Zealand 1/16
Zimbabwe 9/1
Draw 50/1
Top NZ Batsman
M Guptill 26/10
R Nicol 26/10
B McCullum 4/1
J Oram 11/2
K Williamson 7/1
Previews taken from Hollywoodbets NewsFlash bi-weekly newsletter! If you wish to subscribe to Hollywood NewsFlash click here now!
Compiled by @DevinH21 and @CommodoreVegas for @Hollywoodbets.
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