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Koper vs Interblock Ljubljana

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!

Wiener Neustadt vs SV Ried

Today's featured game is in the Austrian Bundesliga between newly-promoted Wiener Neustadt and SV Ried. As I've mentioned previously, the hosts were notoriously good in the Austrian Liga 1 in the previous year and appear to have carried on where they left off last season having already claimed a convincing 3-1 home win over Austria Karnten. Today they face a better side in SV Ried but a side that consistently struggled on the road last season. Put those two sides together and we have an interesting game on our hands. In fact, bookies rate the visitors so poor on the road that they've made Wiener Neustadt favourites from the two sides to win the game. Whereas I agree with them for this game, that's still quite an interesting move given that the visitors did manage a 5th place finish last year. However, the odds on a home win are 11/10 and I still think there's some good value here. I fancy a home win and Wiener Neustadt should have enough to see it happen

Friday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Wiener Neustadt vs SV Ried - home win at 10/11 - see introduction for full details.

Salzburg II vs Admira Wacker  - away win at 5/6. This is quite simply; Admira Wacker are simply the better side from these two outfits. They proved that last season and they're beginning to do so again this season with two straight wins. The hosts had a decent campaign last season but are yet to claim three points in this one. There's some decent value in an away win here providing the visitors turn up as they should.

Standard de Liege vs Sint-Truiden - home win with -1.75 handicap. Again, another pretty self-explanatory pick - the hosts are the best side in Belgium despite losing kingpin defender Onyewu to AC Milan over the summer. They're playing at home to newly-promoted minnows Sint-Truiden and are frankly just too good for them. All that puts me off a bigger handicap is that it's the first game of the season which is notorious for shocks in any league so approach with some caution but this should still be a winning bet.

Sparta Prague vs Bohemians 1905 - home win with -1.75 handicap. Sparta Prague are a side I'm eyeing with some caution and suspicion this term given their poor last campaign. However, a morale-boosting and convincing victory at home to Greek giants Panathinaikos mid-week has done some good in changing my mind a little. However, what has convinced me on this bet is not only the home side's ability to convincingly win the game but the away side's ability to lose this game convincingly. Bohemians 1905 have just been promoted to the division and this is a real "welcome to the Gambrinus Liga" game for them, a game I expect to be too much for them.

Vasas Budapest vs Gyori ETO FC - away win. This is a very interesting game, potentially. Vasas Budapest had a phenomenal start to last season before fading to dust in the latter half of the campaign. Gyori ETO FC had a fairly disappointing campaign by their standards but I do rate them as a better side. This season, Vasas Budapest obtained a rapturous welcome to the campaign with a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of mid-table Nyiregyhaza Spartacus, a game they should never be losing by that scoreline, if indeed at all. The visitors have made a quiet but respectful start to the campaign with a draw against title challengers Ujpest. I quite fancy Gyori ETO FC to have a good season this year and I think it'll start today. However, it is still an early stage of the season so do approach with caution but this could turn out to be a nice little earner.

Lechia Gdansk vs Arka Gdynia - home win, under 2.5 goals. I sometimes wonder if I'm crazy, backing a side in a derby on the first game of their season but here I go! There really isn't a lot between these two sides in terms of quality, and certainly not in geographic terms either. These two sides hate each other with a vengeance. Both sides are pretty poor in footballing terms but I think Lechia Gdansk just shade it in terms of being able to win games. After some additions over summer, the hosts have bolstered their squad at a much-needed time to try and avoid the drop from the Ekstraklasa again this term. However, make no mistake, this is a risky call. I expect an aggressive game from the players and the fans but I think a home win is on the cards. I would especially recommend taking under 2.5 goals if you can find good odds for it, perhaps even under 1.5 goals because neither side are big scorers at the best of times.

International vs Otelul Galati - home win at 6/5. International are a newly-promoted side in this division and are still favourites to win this game. That should tell you something about the quality - or lack of quality - of Otelul Galati. The visitors barely managed to avoid the drop last season and had it not been for the woeful first half of the season from Otopeni, they may well have actually gone down. International are fresh to this league and no doubt buoyed by last season's finish as champions and will be raring to go. They know they have to win this game, too - Otelul Galati could well be a side they're vying with to stay in the division this season so every point counts. I expect them to win the game by carrying on their momentum from last season and the visitors aren't the best on the road at any point of a season so 6/5 could be a steal here.

Olimpija Ljubljana vs Rudar Velenje - away win at 9/5. This is possibly my most interesting call of the day. Arguably Slovenia's most popular club are hosting last year's high-flyers Rudar Velenje. The hosts have just arrived back in the Prva Liga following their promotion and they face an interesting campaign ahead of them with no side particularly taking the bull by the horns and dominating the league. Rudar Velenje have made a good start to the campaign with two wins from two games. In fact, they're still yet to concede a goal. The hosts have won one and lost one so far in this campaign. However, this is their first real test against a good side in good form so the game should be interesting regardless of the outcome. However, I'm yet to find reasoning for the bookies to back a home win here other than Olimpija Ljubljana's convincing home form last season in the division below. However, against a good side like Rudar Velenje, is that really enough to make them favourites? Not in my eyes. It will be a daunting atmosphere for the visitors to be sure but they're more than capable of taking three points here and at 9/5 it's certainly worth a gamble.

Le Mont vs Wohlen - away win at 6/4. Newly-promoted Le Mont have already indicated they have no desire to stay in the Swiss Challenge League by losing to one of the worst sides currently in the division - Locarno. Unfortunately for them, they're now actually playing a good side - Wohlen. The visitors had a good campaign last year and are more than capable of emulating their achievements this year. True, they lost their opening game promotion candidates Wil 2-1 but they're still got more than enough to win this game. Approach with some caution but Le Mont are poor enough to lose this game with ease.

As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!

Austrian Bundesliga:

Wiener Neustadt vs SV Ried (6) 2-1

Austrian Liga 1:

Austria Vienna II vs Dornbirn (6)
First Vienna vs Lustenau (6)
Salzburg II vs Admira Wacker (7)
Hartberg vs St.Polten (5)
Austria Lustenau vs Gratkorn (7)

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Standard de Liege vs Sint-Truiden (9) -1.75 handicap

Croatian Prva Liga:

NK Zagreb vs Inter Zapresic (7) 2-1

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Sparta Prague vs Bohemians 1905 (8) -1.75 handicap

Finnish Veikkausliiga:

TPS Turku vs Tampere United (6) 1-1

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Vasas Budapest vs Gyori ETO FC (7) 1-2

Irish Premier League:

Cork City vs Bray Wanderers (7) 2-0
Drogheda United vs Bohemians (7) 1-2
St Patrick's Athletic vs Dundalk (6) 1-0
Galway United vs Sligo Rovers (6) 2-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Heerenveen vs Roda JC (8) 3-2

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Polonia Bytom vs GKS Belchatow (6)
Lechia Gdansk vs Arka Gdynia (7) under 2.5 goals

Romanian Liga:

International vs Otelul Galati (7) 2-1
Rapid Bucharest vs Politehnica Iasi (8) 2-0

Russian Premier League:

Rubin Kazan vs Spartak Nalchik (8) -1.75 handicap

Singaporean S-League:

Geylang United vs Gombak United (6) 1-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Olimpija Ljubljana vs Rudar Velenje (7) 1-2
Domzale vs Gorica (6) 1-0

Swedish Superettan:

Vasby United vs Vasalunds (5)

Swiss Challenge League:

Kriens vs Schaffhausen (6)
Lugano vs Thun (8)
Le Mont vs Wohlen (7)
Winterthur vs Locarno (7)

Ukrainian Premier League:

Tavriya Simferopol vs Chernomorets Odessa (8) both sides to score

Enjoy your free betting tips!