Today’s featured game is in the Slovenian Prva Liga and contains sleeping giants Koper and the ever-unpredictable Interblock Ljubljana. Both sides expect (and are expected) to do a lot better than they both have over the past year or two. I don’t know if they’ll manage it or not this year but that’s not what I’m interested in currently. Given that Interblock Ljubljana are playing in Europe and host Ukrainian side Metalurg Donetsk next week, you have to assume they’re resting some players in a hope of turning over their two goal deficit laid down by the Ukrainians in Donetsk this week. Unfortunately for Interblock Ljubljana, their game in between is against a good side in Koper. Both of these sides can be considered “giants” of the Prva Liga in their own right but today you have to feel a home win is approaching. Koper have made an impressive start to the campaign with two wins from two, one of which was away to Drava, who finished well last year. The visitors today have won one and drawn one in their start to the campaign which is partially why the bookies are dubbing this to be a close encounter, and atypically, it would be. Who knows, it may still be because there’s still some rivalry between the two clubs so Interblock Ljubljana won’t just lie down for this game. However, I think Koper have just enough to shade a win here and it’s certainly worth a flutter at evens!
Saturday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Koper vs Interblock Ljubljana – home win at evens – see introduction for full details.
SCR Altach vs Wacker Innsbruck – home win at 21/20. Both of these sides have made impressive starts to their respective Liga 1 campaigns with three wins from three each. They even boast the exact same amount of goals scored and conceded, which is slightly bizarre. There’s not going to be much between these two sides but SCR Altach were demoted to this division last season and have kept some good players, players who showed their worth at least occasionally last season as opposed to not at all. The hosts are more than capable of turning it on is my point, basically, and at 21/20 they’re certainly worth a flutter.
FC Copenhagen vs Silkeborg – home win with -1.75 handicap. Pretty self-explanatory, really! The hosts have been absolutely superb so far this season in their approach to their difficult campaign competing in at least two trophies. They’ve claimed some superb results and seem to have nothing standing in their way at the moment. Newly promoted Silkeborg are ruffling some Superligaen feathers but today they’re travelling to the lion’s den to face a very good side, a side of a different level of class when compared to the rest of the Superligaen. Even if FC Copenhagen rest players for their trip to Stabaek next week, I can still envision a very convincing home win that breaks the handicap. Silkeborg are good but not good enough to withstand the barrage of attacks that they’ll surely get here.
Sillamae Kalev vs Flora Tallinn – away win at 17/10. How times change! The last few years has seen Flora Tallinn named as favourite for almost every game they entered. However, Sillamae Kalev are now staking their claim as one Estonia’s top clubs and find themselves favourites for this game. This is intriguing to me because in my opinion, Flora Tallinn are still the better side. The hosts have a tremendous home record this season and are currently a massive 12 points ahead of today’s visitors. However, don’t let that fool you – they lost their last game 4-1 to Flora Tallinn in the opposite fixture to this, which is pretty significant in my eyes, given what I already believe about the quality of both sides. To top that off, Flora Tallinn have beaten Sillamae Kalev five times from the last six that these two sides have met. I’m pretty damn astounded that the odds for an away win are 17/10 but you can be damn sure I’ll be taking them. This is arguably my favourite tip of the day.
PoPa Pori vs PS Kemi Kings – home win at 4/5. There really isn’t much to go off between these two sides but I can’t pass up on 4/5 for a home win here. Why? Well, it is hard to seperate these two sides but there is one fact that has seriously caught my eye. Basically PS Kemi Kings have a lot of difficulty playing on the road. In fact, they’re conceded more goals away from home than every other side in the division other than lowly TP 47 Tornio. Considering that they’re one of the better sides in the division, you have to be a little surprised at this fact. It also doesn’t help their case that their goalscoring away from home is pretty poor too. PoPa Pori aren’t godly at home; three wins, three draws and one defeat from their opening seven home games. However, they have proven to be one of the biggest goalscorers in the division at home this campaign as they average over two goals per game on average. Aside from that, the visitors have lost two games from their last three and the hosts have won two from their last three. For those reasons, I really like a home win at 4/5. It may even be worth a really cheeky -1.75 handicap if you feel gutsy!!
Oita Trinita vs Nagoya Grampus – away win at evens. I’m not a big advocate of away wins in East Asia so approach with caution. However, the overwhelming fact behind my reasoning today is that Oita Trinita are shit, to be blunt. They’ve lost sixteen games from nineteen this season, four games from their last five and are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table. Nagoya Grampus aren’t a great side but they’re decent, and certainly decent enough to take three points here, particularly as they enter this game on the back of a win. Seeing that the odds are evens makes me feel inclined to take the away win here.
Pachuca vs Queretaro – home win with -1.75 handicap. Pachuca are one of Mexico’s better sides but it’s still not often I’ll take them on the handicap. However, they are playing newcomers Queretaro at home in their first game and I can’t see anything other than a convincing home win here.
Heracles vs AZ Alkmaar – away win with -1.75 handicap at 7/5. Despite them avoiding relegation last season, Heracles remain one of the worst sides in the Eredivisie in my opinion. They just don’t have anything to trouble reigning champions AZ Alkmaar. The visitors have lost manager Louis Van Gaal to Bayern Munich in the close season which will affect them. However, the players at the club still have the ability and efficiency to win this game, and what’s more, to win it comfortably, even if they are away. Frankly, 7/5 on a handicap away win looks a bargain for this encounter. All I would emphasise some caution on is that it is the opening game of their respective seasons but it should still happen.
Wisla Krakow vs Ruch Chorzow – away win with double chance at 9/5. The bookies are massively overpricing a Wisla Krakow win here in my view. I’ve seen odds of 1/5 on a home win here. However, I’m just not buying this at all. The whole club is in complete disarray, particularly after their embarassing exit from Europe to Estonian side Levadia Tallinn. The hosts played very poorly, there’s no cohesion amongst them and the players don’t look interested. The manager is all but fired from their team and there’s a lot of unhappy people here. For me, this is the perfect opportunity for Ruch Chorzow to spring a surprise. There’s no doubt in my mind that the hosts have better players. However, Ruch Chorzow are a decent side on their day and will smell blood against a lacklustre and disgruntled Wisla Krakow and could conceivably claim a point, or possibly three. Frankly, odds of 9/5 for a double chance away win does look pretty damn tempting, I have to say!
Spartak Moscow vs Kuban Krasnodor – home win with -1.75 handicap. After watching their last game with CSKA Moscow, I have to admit that Spartak Moscow will have the Russian Premier League running scared. Their attacking and defending was immaculate and their pace on the counter attack was absolutely terrifying. They have options all over the field and whilst Alex is in the squad, they have a good chance of beating anyone. Today’s game is with defence-minded Kuban Krasnodor. The visitors have frustrated some good sides this season but that effect is beginning to wear off as the season continues. In actual fact, they’ve conceded seven goals in their past three games. Their one strength is beginning to wane as they face their biggest test yet. I can’t see anything other than a convincing home win here.
Tom Tomsk vs CSKA Moscow – home win at 3/1 or double chance at 4/5. Now these are very interesting odds! CSKA Moscow were absolutely woeful and impotent against Spartak Moscow and frankly deserved to lose the game. To make matters worse, top goalscorer Vagner Love was sent off and will miss this game. CSKA Moscow struggle enough against the weaker sides in the Russian Premier League as well as struggling to score but now they’re missing arguably their best player? This can only spell disaster as they travel to Tom Tomsk. The hosts aren’t great but they know how to get their points at home. They’re unbeaten in their last three games and to take them to win with a double chance at 4/5 looks a real bargain. In fact, I’m even tempted to just take the home win at 3/1.
Dukla vs Artmedia Petrzalka – away win at 3/1. I can’t quite fathom why Artmedia Petrzalka, the better side from these two outfits, are 3/1 to beat Dukla. I’m racking my brains to think of why but I just can’t. They’re still the better side with bigger aspirations and whereas I don’t by any means recommend this as a certain win, I do think that it will occur despite their poor season last year. Dukla are in the Corgon Liga to make up the numbers; the visitors are trying to win it. I rather fancy this but do approach with caution; bookies have the reasons for giving such odds, usually.
Bellinzona vs Aarau – home win at 5/4. There’s not much between these two sides. Both have made dismal starts to this campaign and look to have a long season ahead as they battle against relegation. However, if last season taught us anything then it’s that Aarau are woeful on the road and Bellinzona are pretty decent at home. This is by no means a definite but it should happen and at 5/4 it’s worth a punt.
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih vs Dynamo Kiev - away win with -1.75 handicap. The odds on an outright away for this game are outrageous and rightfully so. Dynamo Kiev plus new manager Valery Gazzaev is a potential weapon of mass destruction. Dynamo Kiev are beginning to look frighteningly good these days, particularly with rising Brazilian sensation Guilherme up front. Despite having half their squad missing for their first two games, Dynamo Kiev managed to score a massive eleven goals without conceding a single goal. What’s more, those games were against good sides, namely Tavriya Simferopol and Chernomorets Odessa. Considering just how bad Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih actually are, this game should be a complete whitewash. The only thing that keeps me at -1.75 handicap instead of -2.75 is that Dynamo Kiev are away, not at home!
Vorskla Poltava vs Shakhtar Donetsk – home win with double chance at 9/5. Shakhtar Donetsk endured a pretty poor result mid-week, drawing at home to Romanians Poli Timisoara in their UEFA European Champions League Qualifier, drawing 2-2. They’ve now got a very tough trip to Romania next week in a game they simply have to win. For that reason, they’ll be fielding a depleted squad on their trip to Vorskla Poltava. I can’t understand why the bookies underrate Vorskla Poltava so much. This side won the Ukrainian Cup last season against Shakhtar Donetsk so they’re nobody’s fools. Don’t get me wrong, Shakhtar Donetsk are the better side. However, in light of the above information, you do have to favour a home win at double chance odds of 9/5!
As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!
Austrian Bundesliga:
Salzburg vs LASK Linz (5) 1-1
Austrian Liga 1:
SCR Altach vs Wacker Innsbruck (7)
Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:
Dinamo Brest vs FC Smorgon (7) 2-1
Dnepr Mogilev vs BATE Borisov (8) 1-2
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Racing Genk vs Excelsior Mouscron (8) 2-0
Lokeren vs Zulte-Waregem (6) 1-1
Kortrijk vs RSC Anderlecht (8) 1-2
KV Mechelen vs Westerlo (7) 1-2
Roeselare vs Germinal Beerschot (5) 0-0
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premijer Liga:
Velez Mostar vs NK Travnik (6)
Olimpik Sarajevo vs Modrica (6)
FK Sarajevo vs Sloboda Tuzla (7)
Laktasi vs Borac Banja Luka (7)
Leotar Trebinje vs Rudar Kakanj (6)
Celik Zenica vs Zeljeznicar Sarajevo (5)
Siroki Brijeg vs Slavija Istocno Sarajevo (6) at least one red card in this game
Zvijezda Gradacac vs Zrinjski Mostar (5)
Brazilian Serie A:
Botafogo vs Gremio Barueri (7) 2-1
Sport Recife vs Palmeiras (7) 1-2
Croatian Prva Liga:
Istra 1961 vs Lokomotiva (5) 1-1
Sibenik vs Osijek (7) 2-1
Karlovac vs Croatia Sesvete (6) 0-0
Dinamo Zagreb vs Medimurje (9) 2-0
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Viktoria Plzen vs Teplice (6) 1-1
Danish Superligaen:
FC Copenhagen vs Silkeborg (9) -1.75 handicap
SonderjyskE vs Esbjerg (5) 1-1
Estonian Meistriliiga:
Sillamae Kalev vs Flora Tallinn (7) 1-2
Tallinna Kalev vs Kuressaare (7) 1-1
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Trans Narva (9) -1.75 handicap
Nomme Kalju vs Levadia Tallinn (6) 2-1
Tulevik Viljandi vs Flora Paide (8) 2-1
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
Inter Turku vs RoPS Rovaniemi (7) 2-1
Finnish Ykkonen:
Kiisto Vaasa vs Hameenlinna (6)
PoPa Pori vs PS Kemi Kings (7)
KooTeePee Kotka vs TP 47 Tornio (8)
AC Oulu vs Jippo Joensuu (8)
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Debreceni VSC vs Papa (10) -1.75 handicap
Fehervar vs Diosgyori VTK (8) 2-0
Paksi SE vs Nyiregyhaza Spartacus (5) 1-2, draw no bet
Ferencvaros vs Zalaegerszegi TE (7) 1-1
Japanese J-League:
Kawasaki Frontale vs FC Tokyo Verdy (6) 1-1
Yokohama F Marinos vs Kyoto Purple Sanga (7) 2-1
Albirex Niigata vs Omiya Ardija (6) 2-1
Jubilo Iwata vs JEF United Ichihara (7) 1-0
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Kashima Antlers (7) 1-1
Oita Trinita vs Nagoya Grampus (7) 1-2
Latvian Virsliga:
Daugava Riga vs Blazma Rezekne (6) 1-0
Republic of Macedonia First League:
Teteks vs Makedonija Gjorce Petrov Skopje (7)
Rabotnicki Skopje vs Metalurg Skopje (8)
Milano Kumanovo vs Renova Dzepciste (8)
Sileks vs Vardar Skopje (6)
Pelister vs Sloga Jugomagnat (7)
Turnovo vs Pobeda (8)
Malaysian Super League:
Perak vs UPB (7) 2-1
Kuala Lumpur Plus vs Kuala Muda (7) 2-0
Perlis vs PDRM (9) -1.75 handicap
Johor vs Kelantan (7) 3-1
Negeri Sembilan vs Terengganu (8) 2-0
Kedah vs Pulau Pinang (9) -1.75 handicap
Mexican Primera Division:
Pachuca vs Queretaro (9) -1.75 handicap
Jaguares vs Toluca (6) 1-1
Monterrey vs Atlas (7) 2-1
Guadalajara vs Tigres UANL (7) 2-0
Dutch Eredivisie:
Willem II vs Vitesse Arnhem (6) 1-1
Heracles vs AZ Alkmaar (8) -1.75 handicap
Sparta Rotterdam vs Twente (7) 1-1
RKC Waalwijk vs FC Utrecht (6) 0-0
Norwegian Tippeligaen:
Molde vs Start Kristiansand (8) 2-1
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Wisla Krakow vs Ruch Chorzow (4) 1-1
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Odra Wodzislaw (6) 1-0
Slask Wroclaw vs Cracovia Krakow (7) 2-1
Romanian Liga:
Unirea Alba Iulia vs FC Brasov (6) 0-0
Poli Timisoara vs Gloria Bistrita (7) 2-1 NO HANDICAPS!
CFR Cluj vs Unirea Urziceni (4) 1-1
Unitersitatea Craiova vs Dinamo Bucharest (6) 1-1
Russian Premier League:
Spartak Moscow vs Kuban Krasnodor (9) -1.75 handicap
Tom Tomsk vs CSKA Moscow (4) 1-0
Khimki vs Dinamo Moscow (6) 0-1
Terek Grozny vs FK Moscow (6) 1-1
Slovakian Corgon Liga:
Senica vs Dubnica (6) 0-0
Dukla vs Artmedia Petrzalka (7) 1-2
Nitra vs Ruzomberok (7) 1-1
DAC Dunajska Streda vs Tatran Presov (5) 1-0
Slovenian Prva Liga:
Koper vs Interblock Ljubljana (8) 2-1
Maribor vs Nafta Lendava (6) 1-0
Celje vs Drava (5) 1-1
Swiss Super League:
Bellinzona vs Aarau (7) 2-0
Neuchatel Xamax vs Sion (6) 2-1
Ukrainian Premier League:
Zorya Lugansk vs Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (5) 1-1
Arsenal Kiev vs Obolon Kiev (8) 2-0
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih vs Dynamo Kiev (9) -1.75 handicap
Vorskla Poltava vs Shakhtar Donetsk (6) 1-1, home win/double chance
Enjoy your free betting tips!