Rotation may upset Sundowns’ rhythm
If you were ever in doubt that the FA Cup is the most notorious club competition in the world for producing upset results, then this past weekend’s round of 16 would have finally extinguished all those doubts. Fifth-tier team Lincoln City did the seemingly impossible by beating an in-form Burnley on their home soil at Turf Moor, something which Chelsea could not do a week earlier.
And then League One team Millwall advanced to the quarter-finals by eliminating EPL champions Leicester City.
In South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns became the undisputed kings of African club football by beating CAF Cup winners TP Mazembe to add the CAF Super Cup to their CAF Champions League trophy.
The featured Soccer 6 pool is today and involves a mixed bag of fixtures from around the globe.
M1 Caen v Nancy: Two struggling teams in French Ligue One meet in a crucial match for both relegation-threatened clubs.
M2 Platinum Stars v Mamelodi Sundowns: Sundowns have a strong squad of players and Pitso Mosimane will no doubt rotate his team after the gruelling 1-0 victory over the weekend. This may affect the rhythm of the team so go as wide as possible.
M3 Strasbourg v Tours: Promotion-chasing Strasbourg look too good for the French Ligue Two bottom team.
M4 Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid: This Champions League first-leg encounter is not easy to predict with both teams in good domestic form.
M5 Gillingham v Wimbledon: Two struggling teams face each other in an important League One encounter. The home form of Gillingham leans me in their favour.
M6 Manchester City v Monaco: French log-leaders Monaco are sure to provide a tough test but I think that playing at home will give City the advantage.
Suggested R324 permutation for the Soccer 6 Pool Tuesday 21 February S6 V3 P1: M1 = 1, 2, 3; M2 = 1, 2, 3; M3 = 1; M4 = 1, 2, 3; M5 = 1, 2; M6 = 1.
The featured Soccer 10 pool is also today. Stay with the Soccer 6 selections in the five games common to both pools. One additional banker is in M6 with Derby County to put their recent slump behind them and beat visiting Burton Albion in the Championship.
Another is in M9 in which Sheffield Wednesday can continue on their fine run of form and make it five straight wins in a row in the Championship against Brentford.
Suggested R432 perm for the Soccer 10 pool on Tuesday S10 V3 is: M1 = 1, 2, 3; M2 = 1, 2, 3; M3 = 1; M4 = 1, 2, 3; M5 = 1, 2; M6 = 1; M7 = 1, 2; M8 = 1, 2; M9 = 1; M10 = 1.
For all TAB’s soccer pools this week go to www.soccer6.co.za