Home and Away: Turkish delight for Gala in Germany

12Mar 2013

Bajnokok Ligája

Jonno Turner looks at action across the continent as he looks to pick out two winners from this evening's footballing calendar.

We're off to South Yorkshire for our first pick of the day - as League One leaders Doncaster Rovers aim to put more space between themselves and second placed local rivals Sheffield United by taking another three points at the Keepmoat Stadium against Carlisle United this evening.

The home side go into this one having won three of their last four games, and that will give them much confidence ahead of this clash, as they look to consolidate their place at the summit of the division.

Brian Flynn's side secured a cracking results at Bournemouth on Saturday - winning 2-1 - and that will have boosted confidence in the Rovers camp ahead of this tie.

Just one loss from seven on their own patch is exactly the kind of form that Flynn will be looking for his side to maintain as they enter the last nine games of the campaign eyeing promotion back to the second tier.

And the home boss will have been delighted that captain Rob Jones came through that game on the south coast unscathed - as he is expected to line up in the heart of defence once again for the hosts.

Visitors Carlisle travel south in mixed form - and are without a win in four games on their travels, a run which has seen them languishing 16th in the table.

With nine points grace between the Cumbrians and the relegation zone, it would take a drop in form of epic proportions for Greg Abbott's side to be dragged into the mire at this relatively late stage of the season - but they will be desperate to improve upon that disappointing placing nonetheless.

The away side have managed just one clean sheet in the league since November 2011, and that suggests that they are likely to gift their hosts a few chances this evening - and a Doncaster side which has hit 16 goals in 10 at the Keepmoat Stadium will be looking to take advantage of that.

Abbott's side are without Lee Miller, who sits out the last of his three game suspension, and new signing Mathieu Manset may not be eligible due to delays with his international clearance - which could see the visitors turn to teenage striker Mark Beck up top once again.

Bet 1: Doncaster Rovers (HOME) @ 1.91

Turning our attentions to slightly more glamorous climes now - and it's time for the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg tie between Schalke and Galatasaray, with a 1-1 stalemate in the first fixture leaving this tie finely balanced.

The Germans will be in confident mood ahead of this clash, and many are backing them to secure their place in the next round of this competition at 1.72 - but I don't think it's as cut and dried as that.

Schalke are without key striker Klaus Jan-Huntelaar, who partially ruptured a knee ligament on Saturday, and the top scorer will be a big miss to the hosts, along with influential midfieler Jermaine Jones.

Home boss Jens Keller will be desperate for his side to put in a positive performance here, but five without a win from their last eight at the Veltins-Arena suggests that they are most definitely beatable, and just one clean sheet from 11 on their own patch points to the Turks having their fair share of chances this evening.

Gala travel to Gelsenkirchen in good form themselves, and just one loss from their last 12 games on the road will have them high in confidence.

The visitors sit top of the Super Lig, and their last outing on Friday has given them an extra day to recover for this all important clash - in which they know they must score at least one.

Terim's side were unlucky to draw the first tie between these sides, with Hamit Altintop smashing a shot against the bar, and with the likes of Burak Yilmaz, Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder amongst their ranks, they are always likely to nick a goal.

The Turks have won their last two Champions League outings away from home, and I think they are cracking odds here - at 5.5, as a goal for the visitors would throw this tie wide open.

Bet 2: Galatasaray (AWAY) @ 5.5