Today’s featured game is the Russian Premier League between Tom Tomsk and Zenit St. Petersburg. Tom Tomsk have had a good start to their campaign but they’re punching above their weight and that should be visible today against arguably the best footballing side in Russia currently.
Tom Tomsk have played two home games this season and haven’t won either game. Bizarrely, they’re unbeaten on the road with two wins in three games but have already lost at home so it seems that a general home side Tom Tomsk is preferring the travelling option of late. However, despite their flattering league placing currently, Tom Tomsk aren’t a particularly good side. They’ll work hard and tend to make home games hard but have little actual ability and pose little threat to strong sides. Tom have failed to score at home to Zenit in two out of their last three games here and have drawn once but lost twice. Tom tend to be outclassed by the likes of Zenit and I fail to see why that won’t be the case again today.
Zenit St.Petersburg have started this season a little slowly but are beginning to gain pace as the season begins to unfold. Zenit hinge a great deal of their success upon their strong defence which is shown with their record of two wins from two away games and just one goal conceded during that time. They won in somewhat machine-like fashion at an injury-hit Krylya Sovetov Samara in their opening away game of the season but won more impressively at moneybags Dinamo Moscow in their last away game. What impresses me most about Zenit is their ability to remain calm and composed against any side – they’ve already faced and beaten both Lokomotiv and Dinamo Moscow in a very assured fashion which serves as a reminder as to why they’re the best team in the Russian Premier League. All that concerns me about Zenit is that they don’t tend to score many goals but against a leaky Tom defence they should have plenty of joy.
I’m surprised the bookies have been quite as generous as they have been with this selection. Zenit should really be 8/13 to win here – I mean, they’ve won two out of their last three visits here without conceding and are comfortably the better of these two sides. Zenit are going from strength to strength with each passing game and their efficiency is growing too. I quite fancy Zenit to win the title this year if they maintain this form throughout the season. Either way, an over-achieving Tom Tomsk really should be outclassed and defeated by a superior Zenit St. Petersburg in a narrow but comfortable away win.
Verdict: Zenit St. Petersburg to win at 5/6.
Saturday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Banfield vs Independiente – home win at 6/5.
These are surprising odds! Banfield may have lost a few players over the transfer window prior to this campaign but they’re still a force as they’ve already proven whereas Independiente are having an unprecedented good campaign but aren’t really good enough to match them. I’m surprised that Banfield aren’t on the bad side of evens, bluntly, but I’m also pleased about it.
Banfield are a strong home side and have been such for some time now. They’ve won five out of seven home games in this campaign, drawing twice, and averaging scoring nearly two goals per game and conceding just three times along the way. Only Estudiantes have conceded as few as Banfield have at home so that shows you the magnitude of the Banfield defence, which plays a massive part in their success. Banfield don’t tend to be amongst the top goalscorers in the division but they’re up there in this campaign so they’re got a lot going for them currently, particularly at home. Banfield have won their last two home games consecutively and have a good head-to-head record against Independiente in recent times with three consecutive wins (twice away and once at home) and Banfield have also beaten Independiente at home for three seasons running.
Independiente are having a good season, as I touched upon briefly before, but they’re not that good a side. I like backing them as they’re generally rather efficient and tend to generate good odds but they’ve nosedived lately with two consecutive defeats against Gimnasia De La Plata and goal-shy San Lorenzo de Almagro respectively – two unthinkable defeats for an in-form Independiente, which shows that their heads are dropping. They’ve not won either of their last two away games and also have a poor goalscoring record with just four goals in seven away games, a record which is an awful lot more evident when luck is against you, which it is currently. I rate Independiente as a good side in this division but not a great side and that’s beginning to filter through. Why the bookies think Independiente will give Banfield such a good run in this game is beyond me but I’m happy to take advantage of it by backing Banfield at extremely generous odds of 6/5.
Verdict: Banfield to win at 6/5.
River Plate vs Godoy Cruz Mendoza – home win at 7/5.
You won’t see this type of bet very often but this call is purely on instinct. River Plate have employed former Huracan manager Angel Cappa to replace sacked manager Leonardo Astrada. It’s taken a lot for River Plate to sack the legendary holding midfielder that is Leonardo Astrada but River Plate are at rock-bottom mentally, they’re not scoring goals, and they face a very real threat of relegation if their form continues. Cappa did a good job at Huracan by getting them to playt unprecedented good football, something River Plate desperately need in their tactics to accomodate for their lack of leading striker since Falcao’s departure. I think we’ll see a bit of a “honeymoon period” with this being Cappa’s first home game in charge and may see the dam burst with River Plate having not scored in such a long time. I genuinely believe that they’re a considerable amount better than Godoy Cruz de Mendoza and have the perfect opportunity to show it tonight both to impress their new manager and avoid the unthinkable relegation. Godoy may be playing well this season but they’re not good enough to be where they are in the table and are due a “bringing back down to earth”, which could well happen tonight, particularly with Godoy having lost two out of their last three away games and having drawn the other.
Incidentally, Godoy’s catalyst for this run of form has been star striker Federico Higuain, older brother of Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain. He was a product of the prestigious River Plate academy and can’t help but feel he may not turn up tonight, partially through respect for his old club and partially through desire to see the club stay in the division. It’s just a hunch but Godoy without their top scorer and best player are a weak side and I’m hoping that shows tonight.
Verdict: River Plate to win at 7/5.
Once Caldas Manizales vs Boyaca Chico – home win at 10/11.
10/11 for Once Caldas to win this game? Come on, seriously? Against a side that they’re twice as good as?! It’s amazing what a burst of form does in the Colombian Primera A, isn’t it? Boyaca Chico haven’t been good enough to match Once Caldas for approximately two years now but a sudden burst of form has the bookies convinced that it’ll happen tonight! Madness!
Once Caldas haven’t been too consistent of late due to their Copa Libertadores committments but the fact that they’ve won four out of six home games in the Primera A whilst remaining unbeaten throughout that run should give you some indication of how strong they are at home. They average scoring over two goals per home game and have won their last two Primera A home games consecutively whilst scoring six goals and beating giants Atletico Junior Barranquilla. Once Caldas have won this fixture for four out of their last five times that it’s been played, drawing the other time. They’ve not lost against Chico in their last three games at either ground and the secret behind that is that Once Caldas are the better side! I’ll be really surprised if Once Caldas don’t win this game against a Chico side that is not only not good enough but one that doesn’t travel well as four defeats in six away games indicates all too clearly, as does their record of just seven goals scored during those six games. We should see a real mismatch in quality here tonight and Once Caldas should be 1/2 for this game so I’ll be taking the home win, that’s for sure.
Verdict: Once Caldas Manizales to win at 10/11.
Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota – home win at 11/10.
Now this is a biggie! Two of the biggest and best sides in Colombian football currently lock horns tonight in what is arguably the biggest game that isn’t a derby in the whole country. With that in mind, I can’t put as much reasoning on the outcome as I’d like as we have two quality sides here. However, Atletico Junior are irresistable at home – they always are. They’ve won their last three home games against Independiente consecutively whilst scoring eight times and conceding just three times. They’ve not lost against Independiente in their last seven meetings at either ground and Atletico Junior have already won five out of six home games this season. Home advantage is everything in this league and there isn’t anybody better at home in Colombia than Atletico Junior so the odds of 11/10 on the home win are rather long!
Verdict: Atletico Junior Barranquilla to win at 11/10.
West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough – home win at 10/11.
The game doesn’t mean much to either side, which immediately makes it risky, but I always love backing West Bromwich Albion as their attack-minded manager Roberto Di Matteo always makes them go out to score goals, thus making them dangerous opponents. WBA are already guaranteed Premier League football next season and Middlesbrough can kiss promotion play-offs goodbye despite mathematics going against me – and they know it’s over, too. Boro may be unbeaten in eight games, which looks impressive on paper, but they’ve played a lot of poor sides along the way. However, what happens when they travel to play the harder away games in the division? They lost at Cardiff, at Notts Forest, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Bristol City, and Blackpool. This is because Middlesbrough are now a very average side without Downing and Johnson. I like their manager, Strachan – he does a good job wherever he goes and his players work hard. However, Boro don’t have stars, they have workers, and they’re not good enough to take points off WBA. WBA are superb at home and have been all season long with fifteen wins in twenty-one home games whilst averaging scoring over two goals per home game so I expect a strong display from them irrespective of whether they’re already promoted or not.
WBA will surely at least want to put on a bit of a show for their fans as it’s their first home game since clinching promotion so I expect them to perform as strongly as ever. It surprises me that the bookies have been as generous as they have on the home win here but I’ll be taking it as WBA are simply too good for Boro.
Verdict: West Bromwich Albion to win at 10/11.
Nomme Kalju vs Flora Tallinn – lay Flora Tallinn at 5/6.
Oh dear – this smells of criminal underestimation from the bookies on Nomme Kalju! Flora Tallinn are a bigger side and are probably a shade better but they’re not good enough to take to win this game. The odds of 11/4 on a home win for this game are both laughable and inviting because Nomme Kalju are nobody’s fools. I made the criminal mistake of underestimating them when they were first promoted to the Meistriliiga but I’ve never made that mistake since then. Nomme Kalju are amongst the top four sides in Estonia, in my opinion, but are rarely given credit for being such. They’ve closed the gap between themselves and the top sides whereas the likes of Trans Narva and Flora Tallinn have slipped to meet them half-way. This should really be a very even game between two good sides but I can’t see Flora winning it which is why 5/6 on laying Flora surprises me. Flora haven’t beaten Nomme Kalju in their last five attempts at either ground which should illustrated to you all how they’ve declined lately whereas Nomme Kalju are as solid as ever. These two sides met mid-week in Tallinn in the Estonian Cup where the game went to extra-time before Flora won the game. Four days later they travel to Nomme Kalju for one of the worst away games that they could face after such a tenacious game – a wounded Nomme Kalju that don’t lose against them! I can see a draw in this game or even a home win but not an away win so laying Flora at 5/6 looks to make good sense to me.
Verdict: Lay Flora Tallinn at 5/6.
Empoli vs Padova – home win at evens.
I’m a tad dubious about this one because Italy is bad enough for match-fixing scandals, let alone at the end of the season, but I’ll risk it anyway as it’s one of the few games that most bookies haven’t pulled yet.
The reason I’m ignoring the idea of match-fixing for this game is because both sides need to win it for different reasons. Empoli want to achieve a play-off place to get back into Serie A ultimately and Padova want to avoid the dreaded drop into Serie C so we should see quite an honest game, for a change!
The odds on the home win are hilarious though. Empoli are twice the side that Padova are, particularly at home, so why Empoli are at evens is just beyond me. Empoli are one of the best home sides in Serie B with twelve wins and five draws in seventeen games. In fact, they’re the only Serie B side yet to lose a home game! With an average of well over two goals scored per home game, no side scores as many at home as they do and only Cittadella and Cesena have conceded less at home than they have. Empoli’s form may be patchy but their home form is untouchable, frankly. Padova aren’t idiots but they don’t score goals on the road as an average of just one per away game indicates, as does the presence of just two away wins in seventeen games. They don’t concede excessively but a rampant Empoli side at home will test their rigid defence and I expect them to break it too. I expect a hard-fought game with bookings galore but the odds of evens on the home win are virtually hilarious – Empoli should be at least 4/7 here.
Verdict: Empoli to win at evens.
Vegalta Sendai vs Vissel Kobe – home win at 10/11.
Newly-promoted Vegalta Sendai have ruffled a few J-League feathers following promotion last season, particularly having already claimed the scalp of giants Kashima Antlers this season. The lengthy trip west is proving a tricky one for the J-League faithful with Vegalta having already won their two home games this season whilst scoring five times. They’re in the unusual situation whereby they’re sixth in the J-League table, which is respectable, although I don’t think they’re good enough to make an unprecedented push for the J-League title despite their good start! Vegalta have adapted well to the J-League and immediately recognise the importance of taking points at home, which has impressed me, so I expect them to do so again with the assistance of their momentum taken from just one defeat in their first five J-League games.
Visitors Vissel Kobe look set to be battling relegation yet again this season as four defeats in six games indicates all too clearly. Only newly-promoted Cerezo Osaka can match their dismal record of having not been able to score a goal on the road yet this season so it should come as no surprise to learn that Vissel have lost both away games already this season. Vissel have approached this season completely wrong so far and have suffered as a result with four defeats in their last five games in all competitions so they now have no momentum to use in this game and already find it difficult to score so why they’d do it now with everything against them is beyond me.
This should be a closely-fought encounter between two fairly well-matched sides but there’s only one side showing the desire to win this game and stay in the division currently and that’s in-form Vegalta so the home win looks good value today.
Verdict: Vegalta Sendai to win at 10/11.
Honefoss vs Viking Stavanger – away win at 10/11.
Honefoss have only played five Eliteserien games this season and already look doomed. They’ve lost all five games in emphatic fashion with an average of over three goals conceded per game. With that record in one hand and the record of having scored just twice during those five games in their other hand, it’s easy to see why Honefoss are bottom of the table and why they’re probably going to stay there. They’re just not good enough to be in the division and morale isn’t helping them due to consecutive defeats aat Haugesund and at home to Kongsvinger, the two sides they were promoted with. Things couldn’t be more bleak for Honefoss currently so I can see them succumbing to defeat yet again today.
Viking Stavanger have been out of sorts in their last few games due to injuries and whatnot but they’re starting to reassemble their squad again. They finally fielded an acceptable line-up against Tromso in their last match but were unfortunate not to emerge with three points from their clash with the Gutan with only a horrible defensive error allowing the visitors to score a priceless and rare away goal. There are few sides that dig their heels in more than Tromso so a Viking side with little momentum couldn’t break them down again due to a lack of confidence. However, Viking are a very capable side as any Eliteserien fan will tell you and what bigger motivation than facing the worst side in the division that concedes goals for fun? This is the perfect opportunity for a Viking side that is getting back to full strength to flex their muscles and I fully expect them to do so in this game.
Verdict: Viking Stavanger to win at 10/11.
Gloria Bistrita vs Dinamo Bucharest – away win at evens.
The Romanian Liga has got a bit of bad press on my site of late due to an unpredictable round of games but give it a chance guys – every league has good and bad spells! I wouldn’t cover it if there wasn’t profit there!
Gloria Bistrita have lost four out of their last five games and are basically at rock-bottom mentally. They’re quite solid at home but they’re basically no match for giants Dinamo Bucharest today without anything to bring into the game. They lost their last home game against Dinamo’s bitter rivals Steaua Bucharest and were crushed 3-0 at a strong home side – Otelul Galati – but in an embarassing 3-0 defeat, which was surprising as Otelul aren’t big on goalscoring generally. Things are going from bad to worse for Gloria and although they’re putting the work into their games, they’re not seeing the benefits as they’re not scoring goals and they’re conceding far too many far too easily so should struggle today.
Dinamo Bucharest have let themselves down a little lately with two consecutive 0-0 draws in the Liga at Pandurii Targu Jiu and at home to Brasov respectively before losing at giants CFR Cluj in the Cupa Romaniei. This record may look as if Dinamo were waning but what you have to consider is that both Brasov and Pandurii are very defensive sides and simply rode their luck in those games. Whereas I’ll conceded that Dinamo may have taken a mental blow from such outcomes, the poor fortune of Gloria Bistrita coupled with their inept defending should give Dinamo the perfect opportunity to dispose of their ghosts and get back to goalscoring ways. Gloria play a similar style to the likes of Pandurii but shouldn’t have the momentum and/or confidence to keep out a potent Dinamo Bucharest side that have already scored twenty-two goals in thirteen away games this season.
Gloria Bistrita are one of those sides that will stick all of their men behind the ball and try to grab a draw or even an undeserved win. However, the odds are good enough for me to consider backing Dinamo for this game because they’re the best goalscorers in the division away from home and they’re at generous odds. Besides – Gloria’s anti-football tactics haven’t worked in their last four home games against Dinamo – they’ve lost all of them – so I don’t see why today’s game should be any different. If Dinamo get that first goal then this game really should be over – that’s going to be the key here so it may be worth taking in-play too as Gloria should hang on for a while before conceding.
Verdict: Dinamo Bucharest to win at evens.
Hajduk Kula vs Metalac GM – home win at 5/6.
Sometimes I look at Hajduk Kula and think “Is this really the side that was playing in Europe a few years ago?”. Hajduk Kula now find themselves battling relegation from the Super Liga but their home form reminds me just a little of why they were once a force in Serbia. They’ve only won five out of eleven home games this season but three of their four defeats at home came against giants Partizan Belgrade, Vojvodina Novi Sad, and OFK Belgrade, so only little Smederevo have sprung a surprise here this season by winning here. Hajduk Kula have won their last two home games consecutively against in-form Spartak Subotica and a tricky Rad Belgrade side so they bring momentum into this game and actually look like wanting to avoid the drop so I’ll give them their chances today.
Visitors Metalac GM have done well following promotion last season but they’re simply inept away from home. They’re terrific at home but a record of eight defeats in eleven away games shows their inexperience. Metalac tend to suffer in front of goal as their paltry record of five goals scored in eleven away games (less than a goal per every two away games on average!) indicates all too well. Indeed, only Borac Cacak have scored less goals on the road than they have so it’s safe to say that Metalac aren’t a good away side, particularly whilst they average conceding approximately 1.5 goals per away game.
Kula aren’t great but they’re decent, particularly at home, and they’ve been making it count with some driven displays lately. Metalac consistently fail to perform on the road and if they intend on entering this game and leaving it without scoring then the best that they’ll get is a 0-0 draw but with Hajduk having score four times in their last two home games, I can only see one side winning this game, which is the experienced Hajduk Kula at reasonable odds.
Verdict: Hajduk Kula to win at 5/6.
Osters vs Syrianska Sodertalje – away win at evens.
This bet speaks for itself, really. Yo-yo club Osters have already had a firm “welcome to the Superettan” handshake with giants Norrkoping in which Osters were crushed 3-0 but now face a side that played so well on the road last season that only the eventually-promoted Mjallby Solvesborg had a better away record. Osters couldn’t be less prepared for this game with no momentum and an opening game that left them looking short on defensive composure and innovation, not to mention potency. If Osters don’t shape up rapidly then they’ll find their stay in the Superettan cut short and it’s sides like Syrianska Sodertalje that will demonstrate perfectly a lack of sympathy which aids their relentless push for promotion and keeps them vigilant against all sides, a style that Osters would do well to adopt themselves. Syrianska were superb on the road last season due to their relentless goalscoring form and I expect something similar this season although it’s hard to envision them scoring a similar number of goals or having quite as much success. However, I fancy them as a dark horse for promotion to the Allsvenskan this season if they maintain their form from last season and they’ve started this season well with a 2-0 win over a resilient Ljungskile so they’re well-placed to push for promotion sooner rather than later this season. Syrianska are simply too good for Osters and with both sides at the opposite end of the form table, it’s hard to see why Syrianska are at evens to win this game but I think they’re definitely worth a punt today at such generous odds.
Verdict: Syrianska Sodertalje to win at evens.
Accumulator fodder:
Rapid Vienna, Austria Vienna, KVSK United, Slavia Sofia, Deportes Tolima, Reading, Bournemouth, Notts County, Levadia Tallinn, Sillamae Kalev, Trans Narva, Hamburger SV, Nagoya Grampus, Sporting Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Barcelona, FC Zurich, Winterthur, Caracas, Bangor City, Llanelli, The New Saints.
Recommended bets:
Austria Vienna, Notts County, Nagoya Grampus, and Zenit St.Petersburg at 6/1.
KVSK United, Reading, Dinamo Bucharest, and Barcelona at 6/1.
Slavia Sofia, Empoli, Red Star Belgrade, and Hajduk Kula at 8/1.
Levadia Tallinn, Trans Narva, and Sillamae Kalev at 2/1.
Banfield, Once Caldas Manizales, Caracas, and Deportes Tolima at 11/1.
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
Argentinian Primera Division:
Chacarita Juniors vs Atletico Tucuman (4) 1-0
Tigre vs Estudiantes De La Plata (5) 1-1
Banfield vs Independiente (7) 1-0
River Plate vs Godoy Cruz Mendoza (6) 2-0
Austrian Bundesliga:
SV Ried vs SV Kapfenberg (5) 1-0
SV Mattersburg vs Sturm Graz (6) 1-2
Rapid Vienna vs Wiener Neustadt (8) over 2.5 goals
Austria Karnten vs Austria Vienna (8) 0-2
Austrian Liga 1:
Wacker Innsbruck vs Admira Wacker (6) over 2.5 goals
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Sint-Truiden vs Kortrijk (5) 1-0
Westerlo vs Cercle Brugge (5) 2-1
Lokeren vs Mechelen (6) 1-1
Belgian Tweede Klasse:
Tubize vs Mons (7)
Eupen vs Lierse SK (5) over 2.5 goals
Turnhout vs Liege (7)
Red Star Waasland vs Antwerp (7)
Oostende vs Standaard Wetteren (6)
KVSK United vs Ronse (8)
Dender vs OH Leuven (4)
Bulgarian A PFG:
Slavia Sofia vs Cherno More Varna (8) 2-1
Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (7) 1-0
Levski Sofia vs Sportist Svoge (7) 2-0
Colombian Primera A:
Once Caldas Manizales vs Boyaca Chico (7) 2-0
Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Deportes Tolima vs Deportivo Pereira (8) 2-0
Croatian Prva Liga:
Istra 1961 vs Slaven Koprivnica (6) 1-1
Zadar vs Inter Zapresic (5) 2-1
Osijek vs Rijeka (6) 1-0
Croatia Sesvete vs Lokomotiva Zagreb (7) 1-1
Medimurje vs Varteks Varazdin (6) 1-0
Dinamo Zagreb vs NK Zagreb (7) over 2.5 goals
Karlovac vs Cibalia Vinkovci (5) 0-0
Sibenik vs Hajduk Split (6) 1-1
Cypriot Division 1:
APOP/Kinyras vs Ermis (7) 2-1
Ethnikos Achnas vs AEL Limassol (5) 1-1
Doxa vs Aris Limassol (5) 1-0
A.E.Paphos vs Enosis Neon Paralimni (6) 2-1
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Viktoria Plzen vs Jablonec (6) 1-1
Slovacko vs Bohemians 1905 (6) 1-0
Brno vs Sigma Olomouc (5) 0-0
Danish Superligaen:
Midtylland vs FC Copenhagen (7) 1-1
Danish 1st Division:
Hvidovre vs AC Horsens (7)
Ecuadorian Primera A:
Barcelona Guayaquil vs Deportivo Cuenca (5) 0-0
Deportivo Quito vs Olmedo Riobamba (7) 1-0
English Premier League:
Manchester City vs Manchester United (5) 2-1
Birmingham City vs Hull City (7) 2-0
Blackburn Rovers vs Everton (7) 1-1
Fulham vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (5) 1-1
Stoke City vs Bolton Wanderers (4) 0-0
Sunderland vs Burnley (7) 2-1
Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea (5) 1-1
English Championship:
Blackpool vs Nottingham Forest (6)
Coventry City vs Preston North End (5)
Derby County vs Crystal Palace (6)
Ipswich Town vs Doncaster Rovers (5)
Leicester City vs Watford (6)
Queens Park Rangers vs Cardiff City (6)
Reading vs Peterborough United (8)
Scunthorpe United vs Bristol City (6)
Swansea City vs Barnsley (6) under 2.5 goals
West Bromwich Albion vs Middlesbrough (7) over 2.5 goals
English League One:
Bristol Rovers vs Brentford (7)
Carlisle United vs Oldham Athletic (6)
Charlton Athletic vs Norwich City (5)
Gillingham vs Leeds United (6)
Hartlepool United vs Colchester United (5)
Leyton Orient vs Stockport County (7)
Milton Keynes Dons vs Wycombe Wanderers (7) over 2.5 goals
Southend United vs Brighton & Hove Albion (4)
Swindon Town vs Walsall (6) under 2.5 goals
Tranmere Rovers vs Exeter City (6)
Yeovil Town vs Southampton (6)
English League Two:
Accrington Stanley vs Hereford United (6)
Aldershot Town vs Crewe Alexandra (6)
Bournemouth vs Darlington (8)
Bradford City vs Barnet (4)
Bury vs Port Vale (5) over 2.5 goals
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Burton Albion (6) over 2.5 goals
Grimsby Town vs Torquay United (7)
Notts County vs Morecambe (8)
Rochdale vs Northampton Town (4)
Rotherham United vs Cheltenham Town (6)
Shrewsbury Town vs Lincoln City (3)
Macclesfield Town vs Chesterfield (5)
Estonian Meistriliiga:
Levadia Tallinn vs Viljandi Tulevik (9) 3-1
Flora Paide vs Sillamae Kalev (8) 0-2
Kuressaare vs Lootus (5) 1-0
Trans Narva vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (8) over 2.5 goals
Nomme Kalju vs Flora Tallinn (6) 1-1
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
FC Lahti vs Jaro Pietarsaari (7) 1-1
French Ligue 1:
Valenciennes vs Le Mans (6) 1-1
OGC Nice vs Racing Club Lens (5) 1-0
Auxerre vs Lorient (7) 1-0
Boulogne vs Olympique de Marseille (7) 1-2
Stade Rennais vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (7) over 2.5 goals
Grenoble Foot vs Sochaux (6) 0-0
Girondins de Bordeaux vs Olympique Lyonnais (5) 1-1
German Bundesliga:
VFB Stuttgart vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (6) over 2.5 goals
VFL Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen (6) 2-2
Schalke 04 vs Borussia Moenchengladbach (7) 1-0
Hamburger SV vs FSV Mainz 05 (8) 2-0
Freiburg vs Nurnberg (5) 1-1
Bayern Munich vs Hannover 96 (7) over 2.5 goals
German Bundesliga 2:
Union Berlin vs St.Pauli (6) over 2.5 goals
Hansa Rostock vs FSV Frankfurt (6)
Greek B Ethniki:
Kalamata vs Pierikos Katerini (5)
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Paksi SE vs Fehervar (7) 0-1
Kecskemeti TE vs Szombathelyi Haladas (6) 1-1
Budapest Honved vs Diosgyori VTK (7) 1-0
Nyiregyhaza Spartacus vs Ujpest (5) 1-2
Kaposvari Rakoczi vs MTK Budapest (7) 1-1
Vasas Budapest vs Lombard Papa (5) 1-0
Italian Serie A:
Chievo Verona vs Livorno (6) 1-1
Italian Serie B:
Modena vs Albinoleffe (6)
Ancona vs Ascoli (7)
Lecce vs Brescia (7) under 2.5 goals
Mantova vs Gallipoli (5) under 2.5 goals
Salernitana vs Grosseto (6)
Empoli vs Padova (7)
Cittadella vs Triestina (7)
Frosinone vs Vicenza (5)
Torino vs Cesena (6)
Japanese J-League:
Vegalta Sendai vs Vissel Kobe (6) 1-0
Montedio Yamagata vs Yokohama F Marinos (5) 1-1
Nagoya Grampus vs Albirex Niigata (8) 2-1
Gamba Osaka vs Shimizu S-Pulse (5) 2-1
Tokyo vs Kyoto Sanga (6) 2-1
Jubilo Iwata vs Omiya Ardija (6) 1-0
Latvian Virsliga:
Jauniba vs Blazma Rezekne (7) 1-1
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Taurus Taurage vs Siauliai (5) 1-1
Mexican Primera Division:
Monterrey vs America (6) 2-1
Queretaro vs Estudiantes Tecos (6) 1-1
Jaguares vs Indios (7) 1-1
Guadalajara vs Atlas (7) 2-1
Pachuca vs Toluca (5) 2-2
Atlante vs Tigres UANL (5) 1-0
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Honefoss vs Viking Stavanger (6) 1-2
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Pacos de Ferreira vs Naval de Maio (6) 1-0
Sporting Braga vs Leixoes Matosinhos (8) 2-0
Portuguese Liga de Honra:
Sporting Covilha vs Feirense (6)
Romanian Liga:
Gloria Bistrita vs Dinamo Bucharest (7) 1-2
Russian Premier League:
Tom Tomsk vs Zenit St.Petersburg (7) 0-1
CSKA Moscow vs Lokomotiv Moscow (7) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Amkar Perm vs Rubin Kazan (6) under 1.5 goals
Alaniya Vladikavkaz vs Sibir Novosibirsk (6) over 2.5 goals
Scottish Premier League:
Celtic vs Hibs (7) over 2.5 goals
Aberdeen vs Falkirk (5) 1-0
Hamilton Academicals vs Kilmarnock (6) 1-1
St.Johnstone vs St.Mirren (6) 2-1
Serbian Super Liga:
Javor Ivanjica vs Smederevo (6) 1-0
Borac Cacak vs Red Star Belgrade (8) 1-2
BSK Borca vs Jagodina (4) 0-1
Mladi Radnik vs OFK Belgrade (5) 1-1
Cukaricki vs Napredak (6) 0-0
Hajduk Kula vs Metalac GM (7) 2-0
Slovakian Corgon Liga:
Dukla Banska Bystrica vs Dubnica (7) over 2.5 goals
Nitra vs Tatran Presov (6) 2-1
Slovan Bratislava vs Artmedia Petrzalka (9) over 2.5 goals
Spartak Trnava vs Kosice (3) 1-1
Senica vs DAC Dunajska Streda (6) 1-1
Slovenian Prva Liga:
Koper vs Gorica (8) over 2.5 goals
Drava vs Nafta Lendava (5) 1-1
Celje vs Interblock Ljubljana (7) 2-0
Domzale vs Rudar Velenje (6) 1-1
Spanish Primera Liga:
Sevilla CF vs Sporting Gijon (6) 2-1
Espanyol vs Barcelona (7) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid (5) 2-2
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Huesca vs Recreativo de Huelva (6)
Real Sociedad vs Albacete (6)
Gimnastic de Tarragona vs Cartagena (5)
Swedish Superettan:
Osters vs Syrianska Sodertalje (7)
Vasby United vs Falkenberg (6)
Swiss Super League:
Neuchatel Xamax vs Bellinzona (5) 2-1
FC Zurich vs Aarau (8) 2-0
Swiss Challenge League:
Le Mont vs Wil (6)
Winterthur vs Gossau (8)
Turkish Super Lig:
Istanbul BB vs Genclerbirligi (6) 2-1
Manisaspor vs Galatasaray (6) 0-1
Venezuelan Primera Division:
Caracas vs Real Esppor Club (8) 2-0
Welsh Premier League:
Bangor City vs Caersws (8) -1.75 handicap
Llanelli vs Welshpool Town (9) -1.75 handicap
Newtown vs Connah’s Quay Nomads (6) 2-1
Porthmadog vs Port Talbot Town (7) 1-2
Rhyl vs Aberystwyth Town (5) 1-1
The New Saints vs Haverfordwest County (8) over 2.5 goals
Enjoy your free betting tips!
Hi ian,
in reference to the Estonian league.
Home field advantage doesn’t seem to be a major factor in this league un like most leagues.
is this the case?
Thanks
Estonia is a small county so home advantage generally doesn’t mean much unless it’s trans narva.
Ian about Dinamo Bucharest…….5-6 players have left 2 days ago the training camp:
Adrian Cristea, Zicu, Margaritescu,Marius Alexe,Bostina along with Bratu they said that they refuse to enter in the match against Bistrita.
The club said that those players except Alexe don’t exist anymore for Dinamo
Also N’doye have been sent to second team for partying after the defeat in the Romanian cup.
Dinamo convocated 5 players for the second team
Dinamo’s midfield is going to be a little “patched” if you know what I mean
Maybe I hurried yesterday when I layed Dinamo…they still their attack and midfilder Torje and against CFR Cluj they played well (they started playing well when CFR was left in 10 men but they still took two goals)
Against Pandurii Dinamo played very very bad …but Pandurii is generally a megadefensive team against big teams form Bucharest, CFr or Poli Timisoara
Against an out of form Brasov they played bad at home
Bistrita doesn’t have the same defense as Brasov and Pandurii so if Dinamo manages to score first probably they will win…but like I said their midfield is really going to be patched 3 of the 4 midfielders will not be so good
Bostina,Marius Alexe and especially N’doye are a big blow for Dinamo and also win the second half in order to replace the tired midfielders coach of DInamo will send in the field some second team players
I took last night Inter with Gloria 1x,Schalke and TNS hopefully for me Dinamo will be affected by this
Fair points mate, news I hadn’t heard, unfortunately! I still think dinamo can do the job though so fingers crossed
J-League Likes taking my cash.. looks like I’m going 0-4 last 4 weeks. Nagoya Grampus looks flat and uninterested
Nagoya grampus 1-0 now. I hope nagoya win
1 bet is sure. Tezez to slam the mancs.
I really fancy Wolves away to Fulham today. Fulham will be thinking about their Semi-Final against Hamburg on Thursday and I expect Hodgson to rest a few players like he did against Hull prior to the Quarter Finals against Wolfsburg (Hull won that game 2-0)
I’m throwing them in with Leicester, Bournemouth and Leyton Orient @ 11.77
Alright lads, after enjoying a somewhat unusual success the other day with Molde and Valerenga i’ll be using the same method tonight of “if I win the first bet, I’ll lump the winnings onto the next”..
First bet of the night:
Union Berlin vs St.Pauli – under 2.5 goals.
I cannot be asked due to lazyness to give an explanation so don’t follow blindly :)
Hey guys!
I’ve just read some info about the Norwegian fixtures:
Due to the airspace closure, most of the Norwegian sides have to take long bus trips to face their oppositions this weekend. For example Viking has to take a 9 hours bus trip to Honefoss – who will certainly be a fresher side, they didn’t have midweek fixtures. Viking is a poor away side so far, and maybe it’s time for Honefoss to claim their first points. I took Viking on Thursday, but today I backed the 0-0 , 1-1, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1 scores also. GL to all
That sounds about right mate but beware that Honefoss are atrocious and Viking are a good side. Norway is full of long journeys and Viking are used to it i.e. the long trip north to Tromso so I wouldn’t read too much into it in this instance – Viking should still win.
They’re Vikings :D
Good info – it’s just unfortunate they were playing a shitty Honefoss else I’d have backed it with you. Unlucky mate! Mind you, you backed Viking anyway so hopefully you didn’t lose anything?
Yeah, but taking a plane to Tromso, and taking the bus there is a different story. Anyway, normally this Honefoss side is way too weak for the league, and Viking should beat them comfortably. But due to the circumstances I decided to insure my selection. Those, who want to take Viking straight, can back them at higher prices then before.
Well atleast you’re covering your bet mate :) So long as you beat the bookie and make a profit I don’t think many will complain.
Taken Union Berlin under 2.5 20 minutes ago @ 1.86 and the same bookies are offering that @ 1.72 now..what has changed I haven’t a clue but let’s hope it works in my (our) favour.
Good luck lads.
what a goal by Union! even Ronaldo would be proud of that one..
well there’s that fucked..
89th minute wounder. 2-1 bet VOID.
Cheers Bundesliga II..
wow gota give it to united ian they keep on getting them last gasp winners in important games i went for city in the end only small stakes tho so not too gutted but man united do it again guna be a intense end to the season for you now m8 lol
Manchester City vs Manchester United (5) 2-1??
Come on Ian! Ur a United fan!
U should have known better! B E L I E V E!
UNITED!
UNITED! woohoo
Very easy to say after the game mate. I pride myself on not allowing my bias to affect my selections and frankly you have to favour a side that has scored thirteen goals in three games over a side not scoring goals in the worst 2 weeks they’ve had for four years. I’m over the moon we won the game but this game before kick off could have gone either way. United deserved the win but if you’re telling me we should back united when they’re not scoring goals then you’re a madman ;)
Unchanged West Brom team, agree with you Ian must be worth a punt @ 10/11, (the more you put on the more you win lol)
Thank God for Penaltys! Viking came in at higher odds – Get in!!!
couldnt of gone much better for united today ian m8 big suprise for me at tottenham my next bet after city is small stakes on Pacos de Ferreira hope it goes well im not too informed about them but everything looks in order so any pointers as late as they would be lol id be happy to hear them
I wasn’t surprised Chelsea dropped points there but I was surprised that they lost it and had JT sent off – what a great way to show you’re bottling it!
Well, Pacos de Ferreira are a pretty tenacious side, just like Naval de Maio, their opponents. Pacos are decent at home and have won two out of their last three at home whilst remaining unbeaten throughout so they’ve got momentum. Naval are atrocious away from home because they don’t score on the road and had a tiring 120-minute game with Liga de Honra side Desportivo Chaves in the Portuguese Cup just a few days ago, which they eventually lost, so they should be demoralised. Pacos should therefore win the game in a boring and narrow fashion
that will do for me m8 just wish your prediction about charlton had come true we had chance to go level on points with leeds today an still got them to play at home still a few games to go what you thinkin about man united taking league now you recon its worth a punt
Yeah, you and me both mate – anything to see Leeds in the play-offs again!!
Honestly? Yes, I think it is. Chelsea are missing Terry next match, they’ve not been playing well during their winning run so luck going against them could hurt them badly. Chelsea won’t win at Anfield on the last day although Liverpool fans en mass would no doubt enjoy that. I can’t see United failing to win any of their remaining games although we’ll get battles in all of them ’cause we have the experience and now have the motivation. It’s gonna be close but Chelsea needed to not lose today so I’d lean more towards United at the moment.
lol 0-1 to naval already not my lucky day
learnt a lesson today dont bet on foriegn teams i no nothing about lol
Eh you were unlucky. Naval nearly doubled the number of away goals they’ve scored this season in this game, which is a tale in itself. If it was 0-0 then I’d hold up my hands and say fair enough but this was pure misfortune mate.
Ian great admirer of your site and your picks… Just hope you’re right about Once Caldas tonight, I need them to win to cash in. Fingers crossed. I’ll be donating if it comes in. Cheers
Cheers mate! You had a good acca?
I’ve gone big on Atletico Junior and Banfield later on so we’ll see how that goes. I’ll be really surprised if Once Caldas don’t win that one mate!
2-1 at the moment so fingers crossed! Crazily open game though, one end to the other stuff.
I had Dag and Red, Southampton, Empoli, Auxerre and Once Caldas. (22-1)
Not bad if if it comes off… Only had a fiver on though. Good luck with your bets mate, I’ll keep an eye out tonight.
Unlucky mate – I can’t believe they conceded three goals to such an average side!!