AGF Aarhus vs Skive

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Today’s secondary featured game is the Division 1 game between giants AGF Aarhus and flambuoyant Skive. These two sides both love to attack and score goals so I can see plenty of goals in this one.

AGF Aarhus are simply the best side in the division, to be blunt. They’re got some fantastic and experienced players that should still be playing Superligaen football ala Jorgensen, Berg, and Graulund. They’ve got promising youngsters in Devdariani, and Kapidzic and ultimately, they play very well as a unit. AGF have played eight games since returning from the winter break, winning seven times and drawing once along the way so their momentum is strong at the moment. Their instructions today are quite simple; win, and they’re promoted. Realistically, they’re already promoted anyway but they need to win today to have it backed up mathematically. AGF have already won twelve out of twelve at home this season whilst averaging scoring three goals per home games and averaging conceding less than a goal per home game so you can see the foundation for this bet. Additionally, AGF Aarhus welcome back Howard and Sloth today although they have lost midfielder Povlsen to injury. Nonetheless, the hosts have a lot of depth and given that they’ve beaten the handicap in eight out of their twelve home games this season, I have to fancy them to do it again today.

Visitors Skive are a side I have a lot of respect for, however. This Skive team fears nobody, relentlessly attacking at all times of every game. Their tactics would be more recognisable in South America rather than Scandinavia but they’re a good side nonetheless. Skive themselves are on a fantastic run of five consecutive wins, a run which has seen them overcome bitter rivals Viborg and big AB Copenhagen along the way, not to mention difficult wins at Fredericia and Roskilde. Skie are a very dangerous team when they’re in-form, moreso than the average team as they score a lot of goals, so they need to be taken seriously. However, the underlying problem with Skive is that they concede too many goals. Despite being fifth in the table, only three sides in the division have conceded more goals than they have and that’s a big problem ahead of a trip to the undisputed best side in the division. They’re also missing defenders Hansen and Olsen for this trip, which doesn’t make things easy for the visitors whatsoever, so I think we’ll see Skive’s run come to a crashing halt today.

For me, there’s value in taking a home win with -1.5 handicap here. Skive are missing some defenders, they’re not good defensively as it is, and they’re playing the best side in the division. Skive were crushed during their last away game against a side anywhere near as good as AGF Aarhus – HB Koge – and Skive lost 0-2 against AGF Aarhus earlier this season. Therefore, the handicap appeals to me today.

Team news – AGF Aarhus miss Povlsen whereas Skive miss Hansen, Matias Olsen, and Madsen

Verdict: AGF Aarhus to beat the -1.5 handicap at 6/5.

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Sunday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Arsenal vs Manchester United - away win with draw no bet at evens.

What can I add to this game that you don’t know already? Arsenal are traditional bottlers at this stage of the season and they’ve proven that with one win in their last six games. They’ve shipped six goals in their last three games and have scored two goals over their last four home games. They simply aren’t scoring enough goals at the moment and they’re conceding silly goals, which is never a good combination. United, on the other hand, are easing into their groove and should be in 100% condition today following an easy win at Schalke 04 mid-week in which they barely had to get out of first gear. United were in control when they beat Arsenal 2-0 at home in the FA Cup earlier this season despite fielding a bizarre side to say the least and to me, what it demonstrates is that Fergie has the measure of Arsenal. United have won six out of their last seven games against Arsenal with the only exception being a 0-0 draw at home which was all United needed at that time to win the league. United have won 1-3 at Arsenal for two years running and have deserved it both times and although a similar scoreline would surprise me today, I do think an away win is likely here, although draw no bet cover is always advisable in big games like this.

Team news – Arsenal miss Diaby, Fabianski, Mannone, and Vermaelen whilst having doubts over Rosicky whereas Manchester United miss Scholes, Fletcher, and Hargreaves.

Verdict: Manchester United to win with draw no bet at evens.

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Almeria vs Sevilla CF - over 2.5 goals at 4/5.

Almeria aren’t going to stay up – we all know that. It’s not mathematically proven yet, however, and by the looks of things, Almeria aren’t giving up without a fight. I don’t know if it’s to impress new boss Olabe or whether they actually believe they can stay up but after falling behind at Real Zaragoza last match, they absolutely nailed the northern Spain outfit, having attempts cleared off the line, hit the woodwork, and sitters missed. Almeria deserved something from the game, in my view, and it’s that kind of energy and enthusiasm that I admire in them. They’re a lot better at home than they are away too, which helps, although it is worth noting that they did win 1-3 at Sevilla CF earlier this season. Almeria have gone over 2.5 goals in five out of their last seven home games with the only two sides to go under 2.5 goals here were defensive northern sides that came for the draw – everyone else has gone well over 2.5 goals as Almeria concede stupid goals but pose a dangerous threat in attack with Piatti, Uche, and Ulloa a constant threat. Almeria’s defensive woes won’t improve today, however, with defenders Juanma, Silva, and Luna all absent so I see a long road ahead for Almeria today. Sevilla CF miss Zokora for this game, which won’t aid their efforts to nullify Almeria’s attacking 4-3-3 formation. However, they have their own threats with wide men Capel and Navas ready to stretch the game at any opportunity which will hurt Almeria. Sevilla miss Kanoute for this game but the club’s leading goalscorer Negredo has been passed fit and Croatian attacker Rakitic is here too so there’s definitely goals in this Sevilla side. They’re looking to get revenge for their embarrassing defeat against Almeria earlier this season so I think we’ll see a particularly fiery Andaluscian derby here.

Given that Sevilla have only kept once clean sheet away from home this season and that Almeria haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their home games thsi season, I think it’s reasonable to expect goals here. We have a revenge motive for Sevilla and both sides need the points with Sevilla looking for European football and the hosts looking to keep their slim hopes of survival alive. Therefore, over 2.5 goals at 4/5 appeals to me here.

Team news – Almeria miss Juanma Ortiz, Luna, Marcelo Silva, and Feghouli whereas Sevilla CF miss Kanoute, Zokora, and Sergio Sanchez.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.

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Sion vs Basel – away win at 21/20.

Sion are an arising team in the Swiss Super League and they’d be a lot bigger now had they not been penalised by UEFA a few years ago for their suspicious transfer activities. They’ve played well at home this season too, which is why I won’t oppose them often. However, in their last two home games, it’s been made very clear that they’ve still got a gap to breach before they reach the upper echelons of the Super League as they’ve lost back-to-back home games against division giants Young Boys Bern and FC Zurich respectively. Sion still aren’t easy to play against but the bigger sides know how to beat them and that’s what I’m banking on here. With such a tight title race in hand, Basel have to win this game. They can’t afford to slip up, given their dubious form of late and the machinelike wins of FC Zurich, who are just a point behind them at the moment. Basel have already won eight out of fifteen Super League away games this season whilst averaging scoring over two goals per away game so they’re in good stead for this encounter. They miss number one goalkeeper Costanzo but the focal point of their game will be in attack today so I’m not too concerned with the Argentinian’s absence. Basel may have only won twice in their last four away games but they’ve scored eleven goals along the way. Can Sion really match them goal for goal? I don’t see it today, not with Swiss legend Frei in great form.

Basel have won at Sion for three out of their last four visits and given the importance of this game and the firepower that they possess, the away win at 21/20 appeals to me today.

Team news – Basel miss Costanzo.

Verdict: Basel to win at 21/20.

Accumulator fodder:

Levski Sofia, Atletico Nacional de Medellin, AGF Aarhus, Manchester City, AC Milan, Ekranas Panevezys, PSV Eindhoven, Twente Enschede, AZ Alkmaar, Celtic, Red Star Belgrade.

Recommended bets:

AGF Aarhus -1.5, Twente Enshcede, and Manchester City at over 2/1.

Basel, Levski Sofia, and PSV Eindhoven at 2/1.

As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!

Austrian Bundesliga:

Rapid Vienna vs Salzburg (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Anderlecht vs Club Brugge (6) 2-1
Lokeren vs Racing Genk (5) 1-2

Bulgarian A PFG:

Rakovski vs Slavia Sofia (7) 0-1
Levski Sofia vs Sliven (8) 2-0

Colombian Primera A:

Deportes Quindio vs Itagui Ditaires (7) 2-1
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Real Cartagena (8) 2-0
Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Independiente Medellin (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Atletico Huila vs Cucuta Deportivo (5) 1-1

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Sigma Olomouc vs Slovacko (6) 2-1
Slavia Prague vs Usti nad Labem (6) 2-1

Danish Superligaen:

Silkeborg vs Randers (5) 1-0
Lyngby vs Nordsjaelland (5) 2-2
FC Copenhagen vs SonderjyskE (7) 2-1
Brondby vs AC Horsens (6) 2-1

Danish 1st Division:

AGF Aarhus vs Skive (8) over 2.5 goals
Hvidovre vs Hjorring (6)
Vejle vs Roskilde (7)
Naestved vs Fredericia (5) over 2.5 goals

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Deportivo Quito vs Independiente (7) 2-0
Deportivo Cuenca vs Imbabura (7) 2-1
LDU Loja vs Olmedo Riobamba (6) 1-0
El Nacional Quito vs Manta (7) 1-0
Espoli Cayambe vs Barcelona Guayaquil (5) 0-0
Emelec Guayaquil vs Liga de Quito (5) 1-1

English Premier League:

Birmingham City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (6) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Liverpool vs Newcastle United (7) 2-0
Arsenal vs Manchester United (6) 0-1
Manchester City vs West Ham United (8) -1.5 handicap

French Ligue 1:

Olympique de Marseille vs Auxerre (7) 1-0
Montpellier HSC vs Stade Brestois (6) 1-0
OGC Nice vs Stade Malherbe de Caen (6) 0-0
Toulouse vs Olympique Lyonnais (5) 1-1
Saint-Etienne vs AS Monaco (6) 0-0

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Ferencvaros vs Debreceni VSC (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

Icelandic Urvalsdeild:

Breidablik Kopavogur vs KR Reykjavik (6) 1-2

Italian Serie A:

AC Milan vs Bologna (8) 2-0
Sampdoria vs Brescia
Catania vs Cagliari (7) 2-0
Chievo Verona vs Lecce (6) 1-1
Parma vs Palermo (6) 1-0
Fiorentina vs Udinese (5) 1-1
Bari vs AS Roma (5) 1-2

Italian Serie B:

Novara vs Siena (5)

Lithuanian A Lyga:

FBK Kaunas vs Klaipeda (5) 1-1
Atlantas vs Mazeikiai (5) 0-1
Dainava vs Kruoja Pakruojis (6) 1-2
Ekranas Panevezys vs Banga Gargzdai (8) 2-0

Mexican Primera Division:

Puebla vs Morelia (4) 1-1
Pumas UNAM vs America (6) 2-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Excelsior Rotterdam vs FC Utrecht (4) 2-2
Twente Enschede vs Willem II (8) -1.5 handicap
Heerenveen vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (5) 1-1
VVV Venlo vs Feyenoord Rotterdam (7) over 2.5 goals
NAC Breda vs Heracles Almelo (6) 2-1
PSV Eindhoven vs Vitesse Arnhem (8) over 2.5 goals
AZ Alkmaar vs De Graafschap (8) 2-0
ADO Den Haag vs Groningen (6) 2-1
NEC Nijmegen vs Roda JC Kerkrade (6) 2-1

Paraguayan Division Profesional:

3 de Febrero vs Guarani Asuncion (5) 1-0
Independiente FBC vs Sportivo Luqueno (6) 1-1
General Caballero vs Sol de America (5) 1-1
Olimpia Asuncion vs Cerro Porteno (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Libertad Asuncion vs Tacuary (6) 1-0

Peruvian Primera Division:

Union Comercio vs Sport Huancayo (6) 0-0
Sporting Cristal vs Universitario Lima (6) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Cienciano vs Universidad Cesar Vallejo (5) 2-1
Alianza Atletico vs Juan Aurich (6) 1-1

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Ruch Chorzow vs Cracovia Krakow (6) 1-0
Arka Gdynia vs Lechia Gdansk (6) 1-2, at least one red card in this game

Polish Liga 1:

Kolearz Stroze vs Katowice (5)

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Beira-Mar vs Rio Ave (6) 1-1
Naval de Maio vs CD Nacional de Madeira (6) 0-0
Sporting Braga vs Uniao de Leiria (6) 1-0
Maritimo Funchal vs Academica de Coimbra (7) 1-0
Olhanense vs SL Benfica (4) 1-1
Vitoria Setubal vs Porto (7) 1-2

Romanian Liga:

Universitatea Craiova vs Unirea Urziceni (7) 1-0
Astra Ploiesti vs Universitatea Cluj (6) 1-1
Pandurii Targu Jiu vs Rapid Bucharest (5) 2-1
Steaua Bucharest vs Gloria Bistrita (7) 1-0

Russian Premier League:

Amkar Perm’ vs Tom’ Tomsk (6) 1-0
Anzhi Makhachkala vs Rostov-na-Donu (6) 1-1
FK Krasnodar vs Zenit St.Petersburg (7) 0-2
Krylya Sovetov Samara vs Rubin Kazan’ (5) 0-1

Scottish Premier League:

Celtic vs Dundee United (8) over 2.5 goals

Serbian Super Liga:

Red Star Belgrade vs Hajduk Kula (8) 2-0

Spanish Primera Liga:

Almeria vs Sevilla CF (6) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Levante vs Sporting Gijon (6) 1-0
Malaga vs Hercules Alicante (6) 1-0
Racing Santander vs Real Mallorca (7) 2-0
Villarreal CF vs Getafe (6) 2-1
Osasuna vs Valencia CF (5) 1-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Girona vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (5)
Granada vs Tenerife (6)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Trelleborg vs Djurgarden (6) 2-1
Helsingborg vs BK Hacken Goteborg (7) 1-0
Kalmar vs Syrianska Sodertalje (6) 1-0

Swedish Superettan:

Falkenberg vs Vasteras (6)
Varnamo vs Brommapojkarna (6)

Swiss Super League:

Bellinzona vs FC Zurich (7) 1-2
Neuchatel Xamax vs St.Gallen (6) 1-0
Sion vs Basel (7) 1-2

Swiss Challenge League:

Biel-Bienne vs Servette (5)
Delemont vs Lausanne Sports (7) over 2.5 goals

Turkish Super Lig:

Manisaspor vs Eskisehirspor (6) 1-1
Fenerbahce vs Istanbul BB (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Trabzonspor vs Gaziantepspor (7) 2-0
Kayserispor vs Bursaspor (5) 0-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih vs Sevastopol (6) 0-1
Vorskla vs Zorya Lugansk (7) 1-0
Dynamo Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Estudiantes de Merida vs Atletico El Vigia (5) 1-1
Yaracuyanos vs Zulia (7) 1-0
Caroni vs Deportivo Lara (5) 1-1
Monagas SC vs Zamora (6) 1-1
Atletico Venezuela vs Mineros de Guayana (4) 1-2
Carabobo vs Deportivo Petare (6) 0-0
Trujillanos vs Real Esppor Club (7) 2-1
Deportivo Tachira vs Aragua (7) 2-0
Caracas vs Deportivo Anzoategui (7) 1-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Sporting Braga vs SL Benfica

Before I start today’s post, I’d just like to show my appreciation and thank Victor and Kamila for their tireless work in assisting The Footy Tipster behind the scenes – your loyalty will not be forgotten nor overlooked!

Today’s featured game is the Liga Sagres encounter between Sporting Braga and SL Benfica. Joint league leaders Sporting Braga have finally been brought back down to earth after having experienced the dizzying heights of seven straight wins. The culprit for this Sporting Braga experience was little Rio Ave, who held them to a 1-1 draw at home. It’s going to be interesting to see how Sporting Braga react to this result because if I’m honest, I really don’t rate their coach. I still think you’ll see his true colours before too long but that’s simply my opinion. Unfortunately for Sporting Braga, who have now had the wind knocked out of their sails, they’re now hosting a side that has so much wind in their sails that they could run across the Atlantic Ocean purely on the bloody tailwind! Yes, you got it – SL Benfica! They’re beating everyone and everything, usually by a large number of goals too. SL Benfica look to be justifying my pre-season call for them to end up as eventual winners of the Liga Sagres with seven wins from eight games, scoring an astonishing thirty goals, which works out at almost four goals per game on average! SL Benfica have long had a good side but it’s been a long time since they played like a good side. However, finally appointing the correct man for the job has finally steered SL Benfica on the path to success once again. In fact, they’re not a bad bet to lift the UEFA Europa League as long as they don’t have too many hard away games – they really struggle in those games. Returning to this game, however – SL Benfica simply have absolutely everything going for them at the moment, particularly with Oscar Cardozo in such terrifying form. Sporting Braga’s squad may be organised but SL Benfica should be able to tear through it today. Porto struggled at Sporting Braga this season and eventually lost to a very fortunate accidental goal. Even though they struggled, however, they still looked the better side, in my opinion. SL Benfica are in much better shape to face Sporting Braga today, however, and I thoroughly expect it to show. I can’t see odds of 10/11 lasting on the away win here so I advise you to take the away win at the best odds you can find!

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Sporting Braga vs SL Benfica - away win at 10/11 – see introduction for full details.

Gimnasia De La Plata vs San Lorenzo de Almagro – away win at 7/5. Hosts Gimnasia De La Plata are currently heading back down to just how they started this campaign – three straight defeats. However, unfortunately for the hosts, I suspect that they’re going to surpass that record as they’re hosting a very good San Lorenzo de Almagro. The visitors have won four from their last five games and frankly look a menace for most sides that they face, if indeed not all of them. They’ve only been beaten once in five away games this season, winning twice and drawing twice. When you also bear in mind that Gimnasia De La Plata have lost more home games in this campaign than any other Primera Division side, you have to feel that all the signs are pointing to the away win at 7/5 so give it some thought!

KVSK United vs Lierse SK – away win at 11/10. With just one win in their past five games, I think it’s fair to say that KVSK United are somewhat under-achieving of late, something that is reflected by their league positioning too. They’ve been performing better away from home than they have at home, especially as they’ve been struggling to score goals at home. Today they host the Tweede Klasse’s most popular side – Lierse SK. The league leaders look every inch the pre-season promotion cadidates that they were expected to be. They’ve not lost any of their eleven games yet and have now won five games consecutively. Only recently-relegated Tubize have won more away games than Lierse SK this season so the game is looking rather daunting for KVSK United. Lastly, with today’s visitors averaging nearly three goals per game, you really have to feel that all the factors support the away win here so taking Lierse SK at 11/10 could prove to be something of a bargain tonight.

Liege vs OH Leuven – away win at 6/4. This is a slightly dubious call as I don’t think there’s much quality difference between the two sides. However, there are a few overwhelming factors here that persuaded me to take the away win today. One is Liege’s home form as they’ve lost four out of five home games already this season, drawing the other game and only having scored one goal in those five games. They’re the joint-lowest goalscorers in the Tweede Klasse so they’re going to have a job to overcome in-form OH Leuven tonight. The visitors are unbeaten in their last five games, winning three of those gamse and drawing the other two. They’ve also already won two away games this season, showing that they are a capable side when they wish to be. Lastly, having inflicted a first defeat of the season for high-flying Eupen in their last Tweede Klasse game, their momentum will be strong and they look to have enough in their favour to secure the away win at 6/4.

Minior Pernik vs Chernomorets Burgas – away win at 6/5. Although it’s highly unlikely that Chernomorets Burgas will maintain their currently outstanding form and gain a European place next year, I’m still quite happy to ride the wave and bet against their opponents for as long as they maintain their unprecented onslaught on the A PFG. The only side remaining unbeaten in the A PFG, Chernomorets Burgas have won eight from their ten games thus far, scoring an average of two goals per game. They’ve only conceded one away goal all season and a run of four wins in five games leaves them with tremendous momentum to add to their good squad. Hosts Minior Pernik are…well, I don’t can’t really put this diplomatically but they’re simply not a very good side. They’ve proven this year after year and would you believe it – this year doesn’t appear to be any different! They’ve already lost three from their four home games so far this year, as well as having lost four of their last five games in general. Although they managed a win last match to obtain some momentum, they still don’t have the actual quality to match Chernomorets Burgas today. For me, the away win shows significant value at 6/5.

Levski Sofia vs Lokomotiv Mezdra – lay Levski Sofia at 5/2. I attempted this bet last week but we were cruelly robbed by late Levski Sofia goal. However, today the troubled Levski Sofia host a more competent side that actually knows how it feels to win a game – Lokomotiv Mezdra. The visitors have actually won four of their last five games, which is astounding to me as I generally don’t rate them very highly as a side. However, they have enough to get a result today as Levski Sofia are still in the disarray I’ve mentioned over the past couple of weeks so I think it looks worthwhile to lay the hosts at 5/2 today.

Cibalia vs Medimurje – home win with -1.75 handicap at 11/10. After a highly-impressive draw at Dinamo Zagreb last time out, I can finally believe that Cibalia are playing well enough to avoid being titled as a “fluke”. They’re unbeaten in five games now and have a good home record of three wins and two draws from five games, conceding just two goals along the way. Cibalia were very much a home side but have now seemingly developed the ability to win away from home too, worryingly enough for all of their opponents! With an average of almost two goals per game, Cibalia are looking good to break the -1.75 goal handicap today against Medimurje from an attacking perspective. This call is furthered when we examine Medimurje’s absymal away form of five losses from five games, an average of over three goals per game conceded, and just three goals scored. The visitors have also lost three of their last four games so in my eyes, the home win with -1.75 handicap at 11/10 was something of a bargain today, a real contender for my previewed game of the day!

Rijeka vs Slaven Koprivnica – home win at 10/11. Hosts Rijeka look set to maintain their fortress as they host Slaven Koprivnica today. Although both sides are in good veins of form, visitors Slaven Koprivnica are particularly woeful away from home with three wins and two draws from their five away games, scoring just once over all of those games. They average conceding two goals per away game, which is a dangerous record to take to Rijeka for any side. The hosts have typically won four of their six home games and drawn the other two games, leaving them undefeated at home so far this season. The hosts have not only conceded just three goals in those six games but also average scoring nearly three goals per game at home. With all this in mind, you have to feel that the home win at 10/11 shows considerable value today.

Pribram vs Slavia Prague- away win at 4/5. Despite some good performances this season, Pribram now find themselves on the receiving end of three consecutive losses. Regardless of how averagely Slavia Prague have been playing in the Gambrinus Liga this year, the visitors are still not a side that you can afford to play against with no form behind you. Slavia Prague have only won two of their last five games, drawing once and losing twice. However, they do boast a better squad than Pribram, to be blunt, and I expect that to grant the visitors a narrow win today. History is also on our side as Pribram haven’t even managed to score a goal against Slavia Prague in their last three meetings so the away win at 4/5 looks an interesting bet today.

Fulham vs Liverpool – home win with draw no bet odds of 7/4. Tenacious Fulham host an unimpressive Liverpool side at Craven Cottage today with a three-match unbeaten run to their name. The tricky hosts are entertaining a side that although managed to win against a despondant Manchester United last weekend, they still don’t look a good side. Liverpool are always motivated for their “cup final” rivalries but it’s sides like Fulham that they struggle against. With the additional knowledge that Steven Gerrard will not be playing in this game and the fact that Fulham managed to a claim an impressive 2-2 draw at Manchester City last match, you have to feel that the hosts have a good chance of doing what Sunderland did a couple of weeks ago (minus the beach ball, sadly!) and beat an average side that over-achieved last season. Liverpool have already lost three out of their five away games this season and I can’t really see that changing today. Fulham impressed at home to Arsenal a few weeks back and were unlucky to lose the game. I don’t think they’ll make the same mistake this time around, however. Therefore, the home win with draw no bet odds of 7/4 looks a real bargain today.

Stoke City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – home win at 5/6. Stoke City have only lost twice out of the five games they’ve played at home this season and those two games were against the two best sides in the Premier League – Manchester United and Chelsea. The other three games all resulted in home wins because Stoke City are a very good home side and are extremely well-organised. Today they host newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Britannia Stadium, a side that have already lost three out of five away games, winning just once. Wolverhampton Wanderers will most likely be one of the few sides that match the enthusiasm of Stoke City this season but they lack the quality, efficiency, and experience to truly match their fellow Midlands outfit. Unbeaten in their last three games now, Stoke City enter this game on the back of two consecutive wins. When you compare that to the fact that Wolverhampton Wanderers haven’t tasted victory in their past four games now, losing twice and drawing twice, then you have to feel that the home win at 5/6 for a very strong home side looks very likely indeed.

West Bromwich Albion vs Watford – lay West Bromwich Albion at 5/4. With just one win in their past five games, it’s fair to say that West Bromwich Albion are currently out of form. The main reason for that is that they’re misfiring. Defending hasn’t been a big part of their game under Roberto Di Matteo, which is surprising for an Italian. However, what was a big part of their game was goalscoring, something they’ve only managed to do in two of their last five games. They’ve struggled against lesser sides than Watford lately so hosting an in-form Watford could and probably should prove rather troublesome for them today. The visitors are unbeaten in their last three games and have only been beaten once on their travels all season. With six goals in their last three games, it’s safe to say that Watford are scoring goals, unlike their hosts currently, which could prove fatal if the hosts don’t rectify that today. Either way, I feel there’s value in laying the hosts at 5/4 due to the above information.

Milton Keynes Dons vs Bristol Rovers – home win at 5/6. After a crushing 4-0 home defeat against Leeds United mid-week, Bristol Rovers have now truly reached the biggest downpoint of their campaign as they’ve now lost four consecutive games. Goalscoring has been their forté this season but if they’re not doing that then they’re conceding goals and not responding. With a complete lack of momentum and form in general, Bristol Rovers will be dreading the trip to a plucky and in-form Milton Keynes Dons, a side that has won three of their last four games. The hosts have already won four games from seven at home this season and given the momentum and motivation problems that Bristol Rovers are clearly encountering currently, it’s hard to look beyond the home win at 5/6.

Stockport County vs Norwich City – away win at 10/11. Four wins in five games says that Norwich City have form. You only have to pick one of their recent games randomly to see just how well they’re playing their football, something which has impressed me immensely considering their atrocious start to this campaign. Norwich City appear determined to re-enter the Championship next season and if their current form is anything to go by then I’m sure they’ll be there too. Hosts Stockport County are coping with their financial issues as well as can be expected and their side are doing ok when you consider that fact. However, the fact remains that they’ve lost three of their last four games and have already been beaten four times in their seven home games so far this season. Nobody in League One has conceded more home goals than today’s hosts and only bottom-placed Wycombe Wanderers have scored less home goals than Stockport County. With all of the above in mind, you have to feel that the away win at 10/11 looks like a good bet today.

Ancona vs Cesena - home win at 5/4. League leaders Ancona have won their last three games consecutively, taking their total to seven wins from eleven Serie B games so far this season. The hosts seem virtually unplayable at times, although this seems far more prevalent when they play at home as they’ve won all five of their home games so far this season, averaging over two goals per game. Ancona are the only side in Serie B that can still say that they’ve won ever home game and I expect them to be able to say it after this game too. Visitors Cesena have done well since promotion from Serie C and currently boast that they’re the only side in Serie B yet to lose an away game as they’ve drawn four of their five away games played so far this season. Cesena are unbeaten in five games and generally enjoy frustraing their opponents rather than blowing them away. However, Ancona are a very potent and in-form side so although I’m a little surprised by odds of 10/11, I’m still more than happy to take them for the home win here today.

Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Polonia Warsaw – home win at 4/5. One of Poland’s most prestigious home sides today hosts Polonia Warsaw in a bid to finally jump clear of the bottom of the Ekstraklasa. The hosts have won four from six home games so far this season and this looks likely to increase today as they host a demoralised Polonia Warsaw side that are missing key defender Jodlowiec and essential defensive comrade captain Mynar. For a side that have already lost four away games from six games, these two losses are very big indeed. Jagiellonia Bialystok may have a reputation of being one of the worst away sides in the Ekstraklasa but they also bear one of the best home records in the league too, currently. With no defeats in their past five games, you really have to fancy Jagiellonia Bialystok to overcome an out-of-sorts Polonia Warsaw today at 4/5 through momentum alone, let alone with their actual ability. Lastly, look at the Ekstaklasa table because it shows a record that few leagues/sides can boast these days for obvious reasons – bottom-placed Jagiellonia Bialystok have conceded less goals than anyone else in the Ekstaklasa excepting Legia Warsaw and Ruch Chorzow.

St.Mirren vs Hamilton Academicals – home win at 5/6. I don’t normally venture into Scottish football but I feel I’m a winner with this one today. Hosts St.Mirren are unbeaten in their last three games, winnnig twice and drawing once. Momentum is stronger in the Scottish Premier League than most other factors because there’s so little of it in this dog-eat-dog division. Visitors Hamilton Academicals have lost three of their four away games so far this season, drawing the other game. They’ve also only managed to score three goals in the process, conceding ten goals on the road so far, a worse record than anyone else in this division. With the additional information that visitors Hamilton Academicals have lost three of their last four games, you have to feel there’s value in the home win at 5/6.

Real Madrid vs Getafe - away win at 6/1, lay Real Madrid at 7/4. Whichever of these two bets suit you, go for it! Why? Well, Real Madrid are nothing without Cristiano Ronaldo. He knows it, they know it, and now even fans know it. They’ve not scored in any of their last two competitive games and that looks less likely than normal to change today as they face bogey side Getafe. Real Madrid have only won once in their last three attempts to beat Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu, and that was the fortunate game last season which saw Pepe dismissed for his brutal assault. They’ve lost to Getafe twice in their last three meetings and haven’t managed to beat their fellow Madrid rivals by more than a solitary goal since 2004. A misfiring Real Madrid will struggle aganst a plucky and determined Getafe today. I mean, hell, Real Madrid got battered 4-0 by lowly Segunda B outfit Alcorcon mid-week in the Copa del Rey and they fielded what can only be described as 80% of their first team. Real Madrid are utterly inept at defending in general but particularly when balls are played in behind their full backs. Frankly, I can’t see the under-pressure hosts coming out and putting on a good display against bogey side Getafe today but I can see the opposite occurring. Therefore, I feel that laying Real Madrid at 7/4 looks a great bet today.

Osasuna vs Barcelona – both sides to score at 4/5. This bet is a bit of a no-brainer, really! There’s only one game Osasuna haven’t scored in this season out of the nine competitive games they’ve played and have also managed to score against Barcelona in their last two meetings too. I don’t feel I need to explain why Barcelona will score in this game because they simply always do score. Therefore, taking both sides to score at 4/5 looks a great bet to me today!

Cordoba vs Huesca – home win at 21/20. Cordoba are very much the home side that they were last year as they’ve won three of their four home games played this season, drawing the other game. Although their recent form has dipped and left them winless in three games, the hosts still have everything they require to win this game at their fortress as their record clearly indicates. Visitors Huesca are enduring a poor season thus far just one win in nine games so far. They’ve not won in their last five games, drawing three times and losing twice. Although they’re not the worst side in the division, Huesca will stil have a very difficult task to take points off a side that very few sides take points off when they’re playing them away from home. Frankly, taking Cordoba to win this game at 21/20 may have its risk elements but it’s still very much worthwhile in my eyes.

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

Argentinian Primera Division:

Velez Sarsfeld vs Godoy Cruz de Mendoza (8) 2-0
Racing Club Avellaneda vs Atletico Tucuman (5) 2-1
Gimnasia De La Plata vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (7) 1-2

Australian A-League:

Central Coast Mariners vs Adelaide United (7) 2-1
Gold Coast United vs North Queensland Fury (7) over 2.5 goals

Austrian Bundesliga:

Sturm Graz vs Austria Karnten (8) 2-0
Salzburg vs SV Mattersburg (8) -1.75 handicap
Wiener Neustadt vs Austria Vienna (6) 1-2
Rapid Vienna vs SV Ried (8) over 2.5 goals

Austrian Liga 1:

Austria Lustenau vs Wacker Innsbruck (8)

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Club Brugge vs Sint-Truiden (9) -1.75 handicap
Anderlecht vs Lokeren (8) 2-1
Zulte-Waregem vs Charleroi (7) 2-1
Kortrijk vs Mechelen (5) 1-2
Westerlo vs Roeselare (8) 2-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Beveren vs Brussels (6) draw no bet
KVSK United vs Lierse SK (7)
Liege vs OH Leuven (6)
Tubize vs Red Star Waasland (7)
Turnhout vs Standaard Wetteren (5)
Ronse vs Tournai (6)

Brazilian Serie A:

Avai vs Atletico Paranaense (7) 2-1
Sao Paulo vs Gremio Barueri (8) over 2.5 goals
Flamengo vs Santos (8) 2-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Botev Plovdiv vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (5) 1-2
Minior Pernik vs Chernomorets Burgas (7) 1-2
Montana vs Sportist Svoge (7) 2-0
Levski Sofia vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (5) 1-2, draw no bet

Chinese Super League:

Shenzhen FC vs Henan Jianye (6) 1-2
Tianjin Teda vs Guangzhou Yiyao (7) 2-0
Qingdao Jonoon vs Dalian Shide (6) 1-0
Beijing Guoan vs Hangzhou Lucheng (8) 2-0
Changchun Yatai vs Chongqing Lifan (8) 2-1
Shanghai Shenhua vs Changsha Ginde (7) 1-0
Shaanxi Zhongxin vs Jiangsu Shuntian (6) 0-0
Shandong Luneng vs Chengdu Blades (7) 2-0

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Atletico Huila vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (5) 1-1
Envigado vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (6) 1-2

Croatian Prva Liga:

Lokomotiva Zagreb vs Zadar (7) 2-1
Cibalia vs Medimurje (8) -1.75 handicap
Hajduk Split vs Dinamo Zagreb (6) under 2.5 goals
Rijeka vs Slaven Koprivnica (8) 2-1
Varteks Varazdin vs Osijek (6) 1-1
NK Zagreb vs Croatia Sesvete (5) 0-0
Sibenik vs Karlovac (7) 2-1

Cypriot Division 1:

Nea Salamis vs Ermis (6) 2-0
Ethnikos Achnas vs APEP (5) 1-1
Doxa vs Anorthosis Famagusta (9) 1-3
AEL Limassol vs Enosis Neon Paralimni (7) 2-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Pribram vs Slavia Prague (7) 0-1
Sparta Prague vs Banik Ostrava (7) under 2.5 goals

Danish Superligaen:

AGF Aarhus vs Midtylland (5) 1-1

Danish 1st Division:

Braband vs Vejle (6)
Vestjaelland vs Viborg (6)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Deportivo Quito vs Manta (8) 2-0
Macara Ambato vs Liga de Quito (6) 1-2

English Premier League:

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur (5) 1-1
Bolton Wanderers vs Chelsea (6) 0-1
Burnley vs Hull City (7) 2-0
Everton vs Aston Villa (5) 1-1
Fulham vs Liverpool (6) 1-0, draw no bet
Portsmouth vs Wigan Athletic (6) 1-1
Stoke City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (8) 2-1
Sunderland vs West Ham United (4) 1-1
Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers (9) -1.75 handicap

English Championship:

Bristol City vs Sheffield Wednesday (7)
Coventry City vs Reading (6)
Doncaster Rovers vs Blackpool (5)
Ipswich Town vs Derby County (7)
Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle (8)
Peterborough United vs Barnsley (6)
Preston North End vs Crystal Palace (7)
Scunthorpe United vs Swansea City (6)
West Bromwich Albion vs Watford (6)

English League One:

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Hartlepool United (5)
Carlisle United vs Charlton Athletic (4)
Exeter City vs Brentford (6)
Leeds United vs Yeovil Town (8)
Leyton Orient vs Southampton (6)
Milton Keynes Dons vs Bristol Rovers (7)
Millwall vs Colchester United (8)
Stockport County vs Norwich City (8)
Tranmere Rovers vs Swindon Town (5)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Walsall (5)

English League Two:

Bournemouth vs Rochdale (7)
Burton Albion vs Bury (6)
Cheltenham Town vs Crewe Alexandra (6)
Chesterfield vs Barnet (7)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Port Vale (8)
Hereford United vs Darlington (6)
Macclesfield Town vs Bradford City (6)
Morecambe vs Lincoln City (7)
Notts County vs Shrewsbury Town (7)
Rotherham United vs Aldershot Town (6)
Torquay United vs Northampton Town (6)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Kuressaare vs Tallinna Kalev (5) 0-1
Flora Paide vs Tulevik Viljandi (7) 1-2
Trans Narva vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (9) -1.75 handicap
Levadia Tallinn vs Nomme Kalju (9) over 2.5 goals
Flora Tallinn vs Sillamae Kalev (5) 1-1

French Ligue 1:

Auxerre vs Montpellier HSC (7) under 2.5 goals
Girondins de Bordeaux vs AS Monaco (8) 2-1
Boulogne vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (5) 1-1
Grenoble Foot vs LOSC Lille (7) 0-1
Racing Club Lens vs Lorient (6) 0-1, draw no bet
Olympique de Marseille vs Toulouse (8) 2-1
Saint-Etienne vs Olympique Lyonnais (5) 2-1

German Bundesliga:

VFL Wolfsburg vs FSV Mainz 05 (7) over 2.5 goals
VFB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich (7) 1-2
Hamburger SV vs Borussia Moenchengladbach (8) 3-1
FC Koln vs Hannover 96 (6) 1-1
FC Nurnberg vs Werder Bremen (8) over 2.5 goals
Schalke 04 vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (6) 1-2, draw no bet

German Bundesliga 2:

Arminia Bielefeld vs Energie Cottbus (8)
Rot-Weiss Ahlen vs Greuther Furth (8)

Greek Super League:

Larissa vs Aris Salonika (7) 1-1
PAOK Salonika vs Xanthi (7) 2-1
Atromitos vs Olympiakos Piraeus (8) 0-2

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

MTK Budapest vs Gyori ETO FC (6) 1-1
Kaposvari Rakoczi vs Kecskemeti TE (7) 2-1
Zalaegerszegi TE vs Szombathelyi Haladas (7) 2-1
Nyiregyhaza Spartacus vs Budapest Honved (6) 1-0
Paksi SE vs Papa (7) 2-0
Ferencvaros vs Diosgyori VTK (7) 1-0

Italian Serie A:

Juventus vs SSC Napoli (8) 3-1
AC Milan vs Parma (7) under 2.5 goals

Italian Serie B:

Albinoleffe vs Gallipoli (6)
Ancona vs Cesena (7)
Crotone vs Piacenza (6)
Frosinone vs Sassuolo (7)
Grosseto vs Ascoli (6)
Lecce vs Empoli (7)
Modena vs Vicenza (7)
Reggina vs Salernitana (5)
Triestina vs Torino (6)

Lithuanian A Lyga:

FK Siauliai vs Banga Gargzdai (7) 1-0
FK Taurus Taurage vs Kruoja Pakruojis (7) 2-0
Suduva Marijampole vs LKKA Teledema Kaunas (8) 3-1
Vetra Vilnius vs Ekranas Panevezys (6) 1-1

Mexican Primera Division:

San Luis vs Monterrey (6) 2-1
Cruz Azul vs Atlante (7) 1-0
Indios vs Puebla (6) 0-1
Tigres UANL vs Estudiantes Tecos (7) 2-0
Atlas vs Pachuca (6) 1-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Heerenveen vs ADO Den Haag (6) 1-0
Roda JC Kerkrade vs FC Twente Enschede (8) 0-2
PSV Eindhoven vs Vitesse Arnhem (9) -1.75 handicap
Groningen vs AZ Alkmaar (5) 1-1

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

RBC Roosendaal vs De Graafschap (7)
Excelsior vs Fortuna Sittard (8)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Arka Gdynia vs Odra Wodzislaw (5) 1-0
Lech Poznan vs Slask Wroclaw (8) 2-0
Legia Warsaw vs Ruch Chorzow (6) under 2.5 goals
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Polonia Warsaw (7) 2-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Naval de Maio vs Leixoes (5) 1-0
Sporting Braga vs SL Benfica (8) over 2.5 goals

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Portimonense vs Santa Clara (6)

Romanian Liga:

Astra Ploiesti vs Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt (6) 2-1
Unirea Urziceni vs Universitatea Craiova (7) 1-0

Russian Premier League:

FK Moscow vs Zenit St. Petersburg (5) 1-1
Dinamo Moscow vs Amkar Perm (6) 1-0

Scottish Premier League:

Celtic vs Kilmarnock (8) 2-0
Hibernians vs Aberdeen (7) 1-0
Motherwell vs Hearts (6) 1-1
St.Johnstone vs Falkirk (6) 0-0
St.Mirren vs Hamilton Academicals (8) 2-0

Serbian Super Liga:

Vojvodina Novi Sad vs Mladi Radnik (8) 2-0
Borac Cacak vs OFK Belgrade (5) 1-1
Javor Ivanjica vs Red Star Belgrade (7) 1-2
Hajduk Kula vs Smederevo (7) 1-0
Cukaricki vs Metalac GM (6) 0-0
BSK Borca vs Rad Belgrade (6) 1-1
Spartak Subotica vs Jagodina (5) 1-0

Singaporean S-League:

Young Lions vs Sengkang Punggol (8) 2-0

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Ruzomberok vs Nitra (6) 1-1
Spartak Trnava vs MSK Zilina (7) 1-2
Dubnica vs Senica (5) 0-0
Artmedia Petrzalka vs Dukla Banska Bystrica (6) 1-2, draw no bet
Tatran Presov vs DAC Dunajska Streda (7) 1-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Nafta Lendava vs Domzale (6) 1-1
Olimpija Ljubljana vs Koper (7) 1-1
Gorica vs Interblock Ljubljana (6) 1-0
Rudar Velenje vs Drava (8) 2-0
Maribor vs Celje (7) 2-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Real Madrid vs Getafe (5) 1-2
Deportivo Xerez vs Sevilla CF (8) -1.75 handicap
Osasuna vs Barcelona (7) 1-2
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid (7) 2-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Recreativo de Huelva vs Gimnastia de Tarragona (7)
Cordoba vs Huesca (7)
Albacete vs Real Murcia (6)
Cartagena vs Las Palmas (7)
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Elche (8)
Real Union Club de Irun vs Celta de Vigo (6)
Castellon vs Cadiz (5)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Osasuna II vs Racing Club de Ferrol (6)
Athletic Club de Bilbao II vs Lemona (6)

Group 3:

Valencia II vs Villajoyosa (6)

Swedish Superettan Relegation Play-Off:

Skovde AIK vs FC Trollhattan (6) 1-1

Swiss Super League:

FC Zurich vs Sion (7) 2-1
Basel vs Grasshoppers Zurich (8) 3-1, at least one red card in this game

Swiss Challenge League:

Kriens vs Wohlen (7)
Stade Nyonnais vs Yverdon Sport (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Antalyaspor vs Bursaspor (6) 1-2
Besiktas JK vs Ankaragucu (8) 2-0

Ukrainian Premier League:

Vorskla Poltava vs Zorya Lugansk (6) 0-0
Dynamo Kiev vs Karpaty Lviv (9) 3-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Danubio vs Montevideo Wanderers (7) 2-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!