Arsenal de Sarandi vs Argentinos Juniors

After a predictably terrible round of international games, I hope to restore at least partial parity with some club games. Today’s featured game is the Primera Division encounter between Arsenal de Sarandi and Argentinos Juniors. The hosts have started the season well whereas things couldn’t be going much worse for the visiting reigning champions after a summer of departures so already I’m leaning towards the home win here.

Arsenal de Sarandi aren’t generally a side I rate nowadays as they’re a bit of a live wire with a general lack of consistency. However, their start to their current campaign totally contradicts what I’ve just said so I’m happy to ride it for now. Three wins in four games and seven goals scored along the way says that Arsenal are serious about the title this year although I can’t say I personally considered them to win this one! Arsenal owe their form largely to ex-River Plate hitman Luciano Leguizamon, who has already scored three goals for Arsenal in this campaign. Ex-Velez Sarsfield target man Mauro Obolo compliments his pacy strike partner well too, not to mention the fact that he’s already registered twice this season himself. Two out of Arsenal’s last three wins have come on the road, which demonstrates their ability to score goals, not to mention their confidence. They scored two goals in this fixture last season and with minimal pressure on this fairly unimportant side, it’s worthwhile to consider their free-flowing football as a rather potent method of finding the net, particularly as their opponents are under massive pressure as the reigning champions.

Visitors Argentinos Juniors have really struggled to cope without their sold key players in the summer, as you’d expect. They lost Canuto to Maccabi Haifa, Coria to Villarreal, Caruzzo to Boca Juniors, Pavlovich to Necaxa, Peric to Olimpia Asuncion, and Sosa to Gaziantepspor. Without Sosa and Pavlovich, I struggle to see where the Argentinos goals are going to come from and that has indeed proved to be their problem this season with no goals scored for three consecutive games. Only midfielder Ortigoza brings a prominent goalscoring record into this campaign for Argentinos and that’s simply not enough. I can accept Argentinos losing one half of their strike duo; that’s how Argetinian football progresses, after all. However, losing both is a real hammer-blow and you have to feel that they’re going to struggle a lot this season. They played well last match at home to giants River Plate but despite that, they still failed to find the net. They’ve lost back-to-back away games against Velez Sarsfield and Independiente respectively and whereas they’re hardly condemning results, the fact is that they’re not presenting a goal threat so how can they be taken seriously? Rumours are that ex-River Plate attacker Gustavo Oberman may be injured for this game and his absence virtually removes all attacking potency from this side, in my opinion, so I really don’t fancy the reigning champions tonight.

Arsenal de Sarandi are unfashionable and unfancied but let’s face it – their football style produces goals, which is largely due to no weight of expectation upon the minnows. They’ve looked good in recent games too so with Obolo and Leguizamon looking menacing in attack, you have to feel that the hosts will beat their impotent opponents at decent odds of evens.

Verdict: Arsenal de Sarandi to win at evens.

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Ceara vs Vasco da Gama – away win with draw no bet at 6/5.

As expected, Ceara’s games under their new manager have started going over 2.5 goals as their new manager feels that the way to prevent their slump in the table is to attack instead of defend. Whereas that’s a noble aspiration, it’s a very stupid one to take given that Ceara’s sole strength is defence. They don’t have a powerful attack and that’s shown by the number of goals that they score. Admittedly, attacking more will give them more opportunities but in Serie A, if their defence is left exposed, then they’ll be horribly burned and that’s what is starting to happen. Gone are the days of Ceara “under 2.5 goals”, in my opinion – many overs should be coming with their new manager although who knows how long he’ll last? He’s their third manager already this season and he’s not made a good impression on me.

This is a fascinating game for visitors Vasco da Gama as they’re managed by Gusmao, who was in charge of Ceara just months ago. Ceara is effectively his side as he got them promoted and moulded them into an unbeatable unit. They’ve looked incredibly susceptible ever since his departure and it’s no surprise that Vasco look stronger than ever under his reign. Interestingly enough, Gusmao is the only manager in the division yet to lose a Serie A game this season and I don’t fancy that to change tonight as he knows this Ceara side inside out. Ten consecutive games without defeat says that Vasco have a massive momentum boost here, particularly as five of those were away from home against the likes of Flamengo, Sao Paulo, and Gremio, keeping three clean sheets out of those five games. Vasco generally aren’t great away from home so I understand the odds here but they’re by far the better of these two sides under talented Gusmao and with him being fully aware of the hosts’ strengths and weaknesses, you have to fancy in-form Vasco to take advantage of little Ceara here.

What a story it would be is Gusmao was to coach the first side to win at Ceara this season, especially as he’s the predominant reason they haven’t lost at home! Given that I don’t expect Vasco to concede in this game, I have to fancy the away win with here with good odds of draw no bet as if they get a lead in this game then they really should be able to hold it.

Verdict: Vasco da Gama to win with draw no bet at 6/5.

Deportes Tolima vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota – over 2.5 goals at 21/20.

I can’t go into this one much more than to say that two of Colombia’s most potent sides lock horns here with the hosts largely unable to defend and the visitors rarely travelling well. Tolima average scoring two goals per home game at the moment and have won all three games whilst Independiente have started impressively away from home with two wins and one draw from three away games, which is a virtually unheard of record in Colombia, scoring nearly two goals per game along the way. Two out of the last three games between these two Colombian giants have gone over 2.5 goals and I fancy this one to tonight for the above reasons at generous odds.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 21/20.

Warta Poznan vs Flota Swinoujscie – home win at 7/5.

This is one of four Liga 1 home wins that I like today, bizarrely!

It’s one of the riskiest too with Warta not playing to their expectied pre-season potential too. New signing Zbigniew Zakrewski hasn’t yet had the desire effect on the team although his quality in this division is unquestionable. Instead, it’s ageing warhorse Pitor Reiss who has been dragging Warta along by the scruff of their necks but the partnership between himself and Zakrewski is always threatening to blossom and when it does, I expect some very good Warta displays. I was impressed with Warta’s win against giants LKS Lodz although truth be told, Warta were outplayed in the first-half and yet came out in the second-half and laid waste to an abject LKS Lodz. I respect the belief in the side after that game and the unquestionable momentum as a result but still approach this game with caution as Warta are not the finished article yet. Since then, Warta surprisingly lost a Polish Cup game at minnows Olsztyn before winning at relegation-threatened Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski but again, winning tough is the only way to get out of this division and two consecutive Liga 1 wins says that they’re beginning to realise that. Their opponents Flota are generally very hard to beat and they’ve actually done very well this year, winning three out of their opening five games. Even more impressively, Flota have won two out of three away games, which is a bizarre record for a side that rarely travels well. However, I would attribute that to the weakness of relegation-threatened Ostrowiec and Dolcan Zabki respectively rather than some new-found away ability of Flota. I read much more into their defeat at a fairly unrecognisable Sandecja Nowy Sacz as to the real Flota as little has changed in this Flota side that lost eight out of seventeen on the road last season, scoring a paltry twelve goals along the way. Flota are good defensively but don’t score enough and I think that even one good half of football from Warta in this game should be enough to see them win it so the home win is my call in this game today.

Verdict: Warta Poznan to win at 7/5.

Gorzow Wielkopolski vs Odra Wodzislaw – home win at 11/10.

I don’t like going against recently-relegated Odra as their financial plight appears to be galvanising their side rather than dismantling it. Nonetheless, it’s factual to point out that Odra have put in some rather poor displays on the road this season and a draw at home to a poor Kluczbork side in their last game showed that reality is starting to hit home as Odra are beginning to struggle. It’s got to worry the visitors that Gorzow Wielkopoloski are finally beginning to play to their potential by finding the net on a much more consistent basis with eight goals scored in five games. Gorzow are the traditional Liga 1 home side as two wins and one draw at home already this season indicates all too well. They’ve struggled a little of late themselves but back-to-back away wins both in the Polish Cup and the Liga 1 gives Gorzow much-needed momentum ahead of this important game today. Gorzow are relying a little too heavily on Drozdowicz’s goals and they need to start contributing more to his tally before their season is ruined. However, for the time being, his goals are enough and they should be today with Drozdowicz having already scored four goals in five games. The difference between these two sides today should be two factors – momentum and finesse, and both favour the hosts, so I call the home win at 11/10 although I expect a real battle between these two today!

Verdict: Gorzow Wielkopolski to win at 11/10.

Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala vs LKS Lodz – home win at 13/10.

Podsbeskidzie have started this season amazingly well with four wins in five games and it’s basically because they score a hell of a lot more goals than anyone else. They average scoring three goals per game currently and that record is virtually unheard of in Liga 1. They won 6-1 at Katowice last match and although Katowice really aren’t playing well, they’re actually a very good side so I was massively impressed with their display in that game, and it’s a result which should give them a massive momentum boost today – not that they needed it! I like the way that the hosts spread their goals around the team as it does show that they’re more than just one man, which makes them a dangerous opponent in any game, really. They’re a tough side to beat at home, Podsbeskidzie, but now that they’ve added potency to their side, they look a very dangerous side ineded to face. Today’s game should show how serious they are or aren’t about Liga 1 promotion as they face one of the favourites, LKS Lodz. The visitors are yet to start firing on all cylinders, partially due to some unlucky games and partially due to some abject displays. Either way, this is not the usual LKS Lodz yet as nervy extra-time win at Olimpia Elblag in the Polish Cup and a nervous home win against a poor Gornik Leczna in their last game indicated all too well. They were abysmal in the second-half against Warta Poznan prior to that and that’s the game that really turned them around and made their heads drop. They’ve not really recovered from that and whereas I cannot deny that they’re a match for their hosts today in terms of quality, I can only observe how much the momentum favours the hosts and feel that they could spring a surprise today. The odds are generous for a reason here so be wary but I do fancy the home win ultimately.

Verdict: Podsbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala to win at 13/10.

Ruch Radzionkow vs Nieciecza – home win at 21/20.

Both of these two sides are expected to be amongst the relegation battlers this season and understandably so with both sides having only just achieved Liga 1 status. However, only one of the to sides have demonstrated any kind of ability in this division and that’s hosts Ruch. Both sides have basically been destroyed away from home, as you’d expect, but the ability to stay in this division is drawn from the strength of your home displays and although both sides know that, only Ruch have actioned it. Ruch’s big problem is not scoring enough as their defence is generally rather reliable with no side able to penetrate them at will so far. If they get a goal, however, they’re usually good for the win. Visitors Niecieza really look in trouble, however. They simply cannot defend and although they register the odd goal, it’s generally no use if you concede a lot more than you score! They’ve lost four consecutive games and have conceded ten goals along the way. They’ve failed to score in two out of their three away games so far and although I’m sure they’ll fight Ruch tooth and nail, the hosts simply look more composed and frankly better than the visitors. Although this is far from a dead cert, I still think Ruch are a tad too generously priced here so my call is the home win.

Verdict: Ruch Radzionkow to win at 21/20.

Accumulator fodder:

Zambia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Corinthians, HB Koge, Partizan Belgrade, Tampines Rovers.

Recommended bets:

Again, I don’t like any multiples today – sorry guys!

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below!

African Nations Qualifiers:

Cape Verde Islands vs Mali (4) 1-1
Zambia vs Comoros (9) -1.5 handicap
Mauritius vs Cameroon (8) 1-2
Morocco vs Central African Republic (7) under 2.5 goals
South Africa vs Niger (7) under 2.5 goals
Ivory Coast vs Rwanda (8) -1.5 handicap
Sudan vs Congo (5) 1-1
Uganda vs Angola (7) 1-1
Guinea-Bissau vs Kenya (6) 2-1
Botswana vs Togo (5) 1-0, draw no bet
Tunisia vs Malawi (6) 2-1

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifiers:

Andorra vs Latvia (7) 0-2
Moldova vs Faroe Islands (4) 1-1
Serbia vs Croatia (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Republic of Macedonia vs Greece (4) over 2.5 goals
Azerbaijan vs Albania (5) 1-2, draw no bet
Turkey vs Georgia (7) over 2.5 goals
Hungary vs Wales (6) 1-1

International Friendlies:

Thailand vs India (7) 2-0
Japan vs Paraguay (7) 1-1
Poland vs Ukraine (6) 0-0
Canada vs Peru (6) 1-1
El Salvador vs Honduras (5) over 2.5 goals
Mexico vs Ecuador (7) over 2.5 goals

Argentinian Primera Division:

All Boys vs Olimpo (5) 2-1
Boca Juniors vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (6) 2-1
Arsenal de Sarandi vs Argentinos Juniors (7) 2-0
Newells Old Boys vs Independiente (6) 1-1

Australian A-League:

Melbourne Heart vs North Queensland Fury (7) 1-1
Sydney FC vs Adelaide United (6) 2-1

Brazilian Serie A:

Botafogo vs Gremio (7) 2-1
Ceara vs Vasco da Gama (6) 0-1, draw no bet
Corinthians vs Goias (8) 2-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Sliven vs Beroe (6) 1-1
Kaliakra vs Minior Pernik (3) 1-0

Colombian Primera A:

Deportes Tolima vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (5) over 2.5 goals, both sides to score
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Boyaca Chico (7) 2-1

Danish 1st Division:

Hobro vs Naestved (6)
Bronshoj vs HB Koge (8)

English League One:

Milton Keynes Dons vs Hartlepool United (5)
Notts County vs Yeovil Town (6)
Oldham Athletic vs Bristol Rovers (6)
 Huddersfield Town vs Bournemouth (7) over 2.5 goals
Southampton vs Rochdale (7)
Tranmere Rovers vs Peterborough United (6)
Exeter City vs Charlton Athletic (7)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Leyton Orient (5)
Carlisle United vs Swindon Town (6)
Walsall vs Colchester United (5)

English League Two:

Oxford United vs Morecambe (5) draw no bet
Aldershot Town vs Northampton Town (6)
Barnet vs Cheltenham Town (6)
Stevenage vs Crewe Alexandra (4)
Chesterfield vs Lincoln City (7)
Bury vs Gillingham (6)
Accrington Stanley vs Wycombe Wanderers (6)
Macclesfield Town vs Stockport County (5)
Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham United (6)
Southend United vs Torquay United (4) over 2.5 goals
Bradford City vs Port Vale (5)
Burton Albion vs Hereford United (5) over 2.5 goals

Finnish Ykkonen:

PS Kemi Kings vs TPV Tampere (6) both sides to score
KPV Kokkola vs Viikingit Helsinki (6)
Jippo Joensuu vs KooTeePee Kotka (7) under 2.5 goals
Hameelinna vs FC Espoo (5)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Szolnoki MAV vs Szombathelyi Haladas (6) 2-1

Italian Serie B:

Torino vs Crotone (4)

Paraguayan Division Profesional:

Cerro Porteno vs Rubio Nu (7) over 2.5 goals

Polish Liga 1:

Warta Poznan vs Flota Swinoujscie (6)
Sandecja Nowy Sacz vs Dolcan Zabki (7)
Kluczbork vs Katowice (5)
Gorzow Wielkopolski vs Odra Wodzislaw (6)
Ruch Radzionkow vs Nieciecza (6)
Gornik Leczna vs Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski (6)
Kolejarz Stroze vs Gornik Polkowice (6)
Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala vs LKS Lodz (5)

Serbian Super Liga:

Partizan Belgrade vs Hajduk Kula (8) 2-0

Singaporean S-League:

Tampines Rovers vs Young Lions (8) over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Cartagena vs Elche (5)
Gimnastic de Tarragona vs Girona (6)
Huesca vs Las Palmas (5)
Villarreal II vs Albacete (6)
Recreativo de Huelva vs Real Bets Balompie (5) draw no bet
Cordoba vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (4)

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Miramar Misiones vs Danubio (5) 1-1
Bella Vista vs Rampla Juniors (6) 1-1
El Tanque Sisley vs Club Nacional de Montevideo (4) 2-1, draw no bet

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Banfield vs Arsenal de Sarandi

Well, I’m back in the saddle temporarily guys! I’m computer-hopping at the moment and counting on the generosity of others so I’m very appreciative towards those who have offered their support. I’ll try to resore normality as soon as I can but that’s currently out of my hands. I’ve been able to complete saturday’s update as you can see but I’m 60/40 on the update for sunday so we’ll see how that goes. Previews will naturally be shortened for today’s selected games but feel free to email me if you want further information on any selection.

Today’s featured game is the Argentinian Primera Division encounter between reigning champions Banfield and Arsenal de Sarandi. Although Banfield have weakened their squad following their Apertura success, the champions still boast a strong and capable squad, something which has been visible already this season. Arsenal de Sarandi are as inconsistent as ever but are somewhat more consistent with their lack of ability when it comes down to it.

Banfield have been a dominant home side in recent times so three wins and one draw from four home games already this season is far from unexpected. They’ve scored eight goals in those four games – an average of two per game – and conceded just once. They enter this game on the back of a very respectable and hard-fought 2-2 draw in Montevideo against Uruguayan giants Club Nacional de Montevideo. For a relatively inexperienced Banfield side, this result impressed me immensely. Banfield boast one of the best defensive records in Argentina currently and their strength is unqustionable. They may have lost players prior to the Clausura but all that has suffered as a result is their potency on occasion but make no mistake – Banfield remain one of the best sides in Argentina currently.

Visitors Arsenal de Sarandi amaze me in the sense that they’ve not yet been relegated. They’re a haphazard side and their results tend to indicate this well but there are some sides that outclass them with Banfield being on that list. Arsenal have only lost once in four away games in the Clausura, so their credit, winning twice and drawing once. When Arsenal come up against good sides, they tend to be left on the receiving end of a heavy defeat i.e. losing 3-0 at home to Velez Sarsfield and 3-0 away to Estudiantes De La Plata this season. Let’s not forget that despite Arsenal’s surprisingly convincing hmoe win against a good Colon de Santa Fe side last match, Arsenal were unable to score in their three previous home games, losing all of them emphatically. Although Arsenal are away tonight, the fact is that a side that can lose at home to Tigre and Chacarita Juniors consecutively is a side that can lose against a good side and they really should do that tonight.

These odds absolutely astound me, if I’m honest. Banfield are twice the side that Arsenal de Sarandi are currently and I thoroughly expect that to show tonight. The bookies have either really underestimated Banfield after their success last season or they’ve overrating Arsenal because of recent results but either way I’ll be taking a large slice of Banfield at home tonight, that’s for sure!

Verdict: Banfield to win at evens

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Wiener Neustadt vs Sturm Graz – away win at 11/8.

Wiener Neustadt have impressed me after promotion from Liga 1, particularly at home, with their enthustiastic and potent displays. They’re a difficult side to play against at home and will be well-motivated following an impressive draw at Salzburg. However, there are four big sides in Austria and Sturm Graz are one of them and are arguably the most in-form. Sturm Graz are the best defensive side of all of the “big four” so when they’re in-form they’re hard to break down. They’ve won six out of eleven away games this season and only just average conceding over a goal per game so Wiener Neustadt have a tough task today. If Sturm Graz take the lead in this game then I expect them to win it and the bookies are giving us very good odds on it occuring, which both surprises me and pleases me given their excellent form of late.

Verdict: Sturm Graz to win at 11/8.

Ethnikos Achnas vs Ermis – home win at evens.

Ethnikos Achnas are nothing more than a mid-table side in the Cypriot 1 Division. However, they’re a reliable home side with six wins in twelve games and tend to make a good account of themselves. They’re unbeaten in three games, winning their last two consecutively, a run which was started by an impressive draw against giants APOEL Nicosia. Confidence is high and the hosts should be good enough to make it count. Ermis are a poor side, particularly away from home. They’ve lost three from their last five games and have lost seven out of twelve on the road this season. There are some sides Ermis can take points off but Ethnikos Achnas aren’t one of them, in my opinion – home win for the in-form side.

Verdict: Ethnikos Achnas to win at evens.

Slavia Prague vs Teplice – home win at 5/6.

Smells to me like the bookies have fallen into the trap of underestimating one of the Czech Republic’s biggest sides – Slavia Prague. There’s a damn good reason that Teplice haven’t won here on their last nine visits and it’s because they’re not good enough to do so, a point illustrated well by the fact that Teplice have lost seven of those meetings. I’ll be the first to admit that Slavia Prague have been a tad dormant this season with the sale of Tomas Necid hitting them quite hard. However, they’ve burst back from the winter break with a bang, scoring goals for fun and looking every inch the giants that they are. I question their defensive ability but if they’re outscoring their opponents then they’re winning games. Teplice are a good side and they’re having a good season but they’re only top of the league due to inconsistency from the two big Prague clubs. Teplice have done well on the road this season, particularly with goalscoring, so I’m a little wary of their threat. However, they’re simply not in the same league (if you’ll pardon the pun!) as Slavia Prague in terms of class. If Slavia Prague are in-form then Slavia Prague win – that’s how the Gambrinus Liga goes and I’m surprised that the bookies have underestimated Slavia Prague here because I think they’ll do the job quite comfortably.

Verdict: Slavia Prague to win at 5/6.

Reading vs Bristol City – home win at 4/5.

Four wins in five games – who can argue with that momentum? Reading are on fire at the moment! They’ve smashed in twenty-three goals in their last nine games in all competitions, which is an average of well over two goals per game. They’ve been enthusastic, tenacious, and clinical of late so it’ll take a braver man than me to go against that. Long ball team Bristol City are a side that irritates me, frankly. They’re short on ability and I often feel that they’re overrated in this division. They’ve been largely unconvincing this season, particularly of late, and look short on confidence. Any Bristol City side that can concede five goals at home to Doncaster Rovers can lose at in-form Reading, ultimately. Bristol will need a lot of luck to take anything from this game today and I think they’re luck’s just about to run out!

Verdict: Reading to win at 4/5.

Sheffield United vs Queens Park Rangers – away win at 11/4.

Riskiest call of the day but boy is it a good one! QPR have employed Neil Warnock as manager and he’s immediately steered them to two wins in two games. The side look fresh, innovative, potency, and grow in confidence with each game. QPR have scored five in their last two games, including three against WBA, so I’m suitably impressed by them currently. QPR haven’t convinced massively on the road this season but they’re good enough to change that today – all they needed was an experienced manager to set them going. They play good football and have some footballers who know how the game should be played i.e. Taarabt so should cause problems. Warnock knows his old club Sheffield United well and that should work well against The Blades today. Sheffield United are on a barren spell in terms of goals and form so will struggle today. They’ve failed to score against both Crystal Palace and Peterborough United in their last two games, both resulting in 1-0 defeats, so morale is low and potency even lower. Sheffield United will not want to lose to a Warnock side so will work hard but I feel the odds are far too long on a good QPR side that are waking up rather rapidly indeed.

Verdict: Queens Park Rangers to win at 11/4.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Swindon Town - home win at 6/4.

Can someone please put a script in place that Brighton can read?! They’ve been the scourge of many punters of late, drawing with the likes of Colchester and Leeds. They’re unbeaten in four games so momentum is good and unlikely to fluctuate. What I do like about Brighton is their incredible potency when they turn it on – it’s always wise to not underestimate these guys. They’re not a great side but they’re good goalscorers which makes them dangerous opponents against anyone. Swindon were what Brighton are now a few weeks ago but no more – at least for the time being. I did wonder when the Swindon ship would crash but figured it’d be a lot sooner than it has been so credit to them for that. They’re without a win in three games, scoring once along the way whilst conceding six times. It’s not a good enough record to take points off a potent and in-form Brighton so the odds look favourable on a home win despite Swindon’s good season so far.

Verdict: Brighton & Hove Albion to win at 6/4.

Bristol Rovers vs Tranmere Rovers - home win at 3/4.

Bristol Rovers are back to basics after a barren spell and have now won three consecutive games. They’re a good home side with eleven wins in seventeen games and have good momentum currently. They’re one of the division’s better sides although they’re not quite up there with the likes of Norwich and Leeds yet. Tranmere are capable of being where Bristol are – perhaps that’s why the bookies are being generous with their odds – but they’ve had an atrocious season. You can tell it’s bad because they actually believed that appointing John Barnes as Manager was a good decision at one point! Anyone who has ever seen his shows on Channel 5 in England during the UEFA Cup will know how bad he is so it’s no surprise he didn’t last long. Tranmere are doing their best to salvage some wreckage after a torrid season but the fact is that they’ve lost ten in sixteen away games – it’s not good enough. They average conceding nearly two goals per away game and have scored just nine away goals all season. Next season could be different but this fixture this season should see a comfortable home win.

Verdict: Bristol Rovers to win at 3/4.

Burton Albion vs Cheltenham Town – home win at 4/5.

Potent Burton Albion have finally done enough to convince me to back them – I bet they’re thrilled(!) They score a lot of goals, they play some good attacking football, and are relatively strong at home with eight wins in seventeen home games. They work hard and although they’re lax defensively, they’re usually a good side to back if they’re facing a side that concedes easily and don’t score many – enter Cheltenham Town. Few sides relegated two divisions in consecutive seasons but if Cheltenham don’t start picking up points then they’ll do just that. They’ve only lost six in seventeen away games in League Two this season but their poor goalscoring record and four consecutive defeats say that if they’re going to lose to Burton Albion during their existence then it’s going to happen today.

Verdict: Burton Albion to win at 4/5.

Lorient vs Racing Club Lens – home win at evens.

Again, the odds puzzle me for this one. Lorient are an established Ligue 1 side, particularly at home. They’ve won six out of thirteen home games this season and although their defending has been questionable in places, the fact that they’ve only lost two home games this season speaks volumes about their strength. With an average of nearly two goals scored per home game, only LOSC Lille have scored more goals at home than they have in Ligue 1 so Lorient look a good threat for today’s encounter. Racing Club Lens are another home side but the natural downside of that is that they’re poor on the road. They’ve lost eight in thirteen away games, average conceding approximately 1.5 goals per away game, and barely manage to score a goal per every two away games. Irrespective of how either side is faring at the time, logic dictates that the better side – Lorient – will simply outscore Lens and I fully support this logic too!

Verdict: Lorient to win at evens.

Paksi SE vs Vasas Budapest – home win at evens.

Although I don’t have a lot of faith in Paksi’s goalscoring, five wins in seven home games this season is good enough for me to back them. A lot of their success comes from clean sheets – they’ve conceded just four goals at home in seven games – but success is success. Paksi have made their ground a fortress and only one side has won here this season besides themselves. Paksi tend to draw more than they win but they’re a strong home side and have a good opportunity to further that reputation today. Vasas Budapest have already lost four out of eight away games this season and average conceding nearly three goals per away game, a record matched only by Kecksmeti TE. They’ve been decent since returning from the winter break but this is such a tough away game that I just don’t feel that the financially-troubled club are ready for currently.

Verdict: Paksi SE to win at evens.

Chernomorets Odessa vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih – home win at 11/10.

These odds look too long to me. Chernomorets have had a poor season, don’t get me wrong, but underestimating their ability to this level surprises me. There’s a lot of ability in this side but they’re lacking in leadership and experience – two key aspects. However, a good side they remain and should be back to relative normality next season with a bit of luck. They’re a capable side and have enough to do damage today against a weak Kryvbas side. Kryvbas should fill in the blanks on a potentially uneasy Chernomorets display as they’ve already lost seven out of eight away games this season, scoring just three times whilst conceding fifteen times. They’ve lost both games since returning from the winter break and although they’re not conceding many, they’re just not scoring goals. It should be a tight game as a result but I fancy Chernomorets to edge this one.

Verdict: Chernomorets Odessa to win at 11/10.

Neath Athletic vs The New Saints - away win at 5/6.

Neath Athletic had a great start to their campaign but ultimately aren’t good enough to be on the same field as one of the “big three” in Wales. Their recent form is symptomatic of a club realising that they can’t compete at the level that they were at and I expect that to be rammed down their throats today by TNS side that are growing in confidence with each passing game. Neath may have only lost once at home this season but a defensively-strong TNS are getting stronger and stronger on the road with six wins in eleven games. No side has conceded as few goals on the road as TNS have and TNS have won three out of their last four away games in the Premier League, drawing the other encounter whilst conceding just once. TNS won here 4-1 last season and although I don’t think the scoreline will be the same, I do fancy TNS to teach Neath a lesson today.

Verdict: The New Saints to win at 5/6.

Accumulator fodder:

Banfield, Salzburg, Eupen, KVSK United, Lokomotiv Sofia, CSKA Sofia, Dinamo Zagreb, Cibalia Vinkovci, Hajduk Split, OB Odense,  Chelsea, Arsenal, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion, Northampton Town, Levadia Tallinn, Sillamae Kalev, Nomme Kalju, Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich, Olympiakos Piraeus, Fehervar, Gyori ETO FC, Debreceni VSC, Empoli, AZ Alkmaar, Brann Bergen, Red Star Belgrade, Spartak Trnava, Maribor, Rudar Velenje, Dynamo Kiev, Rhyl, Llanelli.

Recommended bets in no particular order:

Banfield, Hajduk Split, Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich, and Empoli at 6/1.

Chelsea, Coventry City, Reading, and West Bromwich Albion at 6/1.

Bristol Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Burton Albion, and Northampton Town at 11/1.

Cibalia Vinkovci, Slavia Prague, Arsenal, Levadia Tallinn, Sillamae Kalev, and Lorient at 11/1.

Eupen, KVSK United, OB Odense, Nomme Kalju, Paksi SE, and Gyori ETO FC at 11/1.

Salzburg, Lokomotiv Sofia, CSKA Sofia, Dinamo Zagreb, Fehervar, Maribor, and Debreceni VSC at 4/1.

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 Independiente (6) 0-1
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Newells Old Boys (5) 0-0
Colon de Santa Fe vs Gimnasia De La Plata (6) 2-1
Banfield vs Arsenal de Sarandi (8) 2-0

Australian A-League:

Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix (7) 2-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

Salzburg vs SV Kapfenberg (8) 2-0
SV Ried vs SV Mattersburg (5) 1-0
Wiener Neustadt vs Sturm Graz (7) 1-2

Austrian Liga 1:

Wacker Innsbruck vs Lustenau (7)

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Turnhout vs Antwerp (5)
Tubize vs Oostende (7)
Eupen vs OH Leuven (8)
Beveren vs Mons (6)
Ronse vs Brussels (6)
KVSK United vs Standaard Wetteren (8)
Liege vs Tournai (6)
Tienen vs Lierse SK (7)

Bulgarian A PFG:

Lokomotiv Sofia vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (9) 2-0
Slavia Sofia vs Pirin Blagoevgrad (5) 1-1
CSKA Sofia vs Sportist Svoge (9) -1.75 handicap

Croatian Prva Liga:

Istra 1961 vs Croatia Sesvete (6) 1-1
Medimurje vs Osijek (5) 0-1
Dinamo Zagreb vs Zadar (9) -1.75 handicap
Karlovac vs Slaven Koprivnica (6) 1-0
Sibenik vs Inter Zapresic (7) 1-0
Cibalia vs Lokomotiva Zagreb (8) 2-1
Hajduk Split vs Rijeka (8) 2-0

Cypriot Division 1:

Ethnikos Achnas vs Ermis (7) 2-0
Doxa vs Aris Limassol (6) 2-1
A.E.Paphos vs Nea Salamis (7) 1-0
APEP vs Enosis Neon Paralimni (6) 1-1

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Slavia Prague vs Teplice (7) over 2.5 goals

Danish Superligaen:

OB Odense vs SonderjyskE (8) under 2.5 goals

English Premier League:

Tottenham Hotspur vs Blackburn Rovers (7) 2-1
Birmingham City vs Everton (5) 0-1
Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic (6) 0-0
Burnley vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (7) 1-1
Chelsea vs West Ham United (8) over 2.5 goals
Stoke City vs Aston Villa (6) under 2.5 goals
Hull City vs Arsenal (8) over 2.5 goals

English Championship:

Barnsley vs Crystal Palace (6)
Coventry City vs Plymouth Argyle (8)
Doncaster Rovers vs Derby County (6) under 2.5 goals
Ipswich Town vs Scunthorpe United (7)
Leicester City vs Cardiff City (6) under 2.5 goals
Middlesbrough vs Newcastle United (6)
Preston North End vs Nottingham Forest (6)
Reading vs Bristol City (7)
Sheffield United vs Queens Park Rangers (6)
Swansea City vs Sheffield Wednesday (7) under 2.5 goals
Watford vs Peterborough United (6) over 2.5 goals
West Bromwich Albion vs Blackpool (8) over 2.5 goals

English League One:

Brentford vs Milton Keynes Dons (5)
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Swindon Town (6)
Bristol Rovers vs Tranmere Rovers (8) over 2.5 goals
Carlisle United vs Colchester United (6)
Huddersfield Town vs Norwich City (5) over 2.5 goals
Leyton Orient vs Walsall (6)
Millwall vs Charlton Athletic (5)
Oldham Athletic vs Wycombe Wanderers (5)
Southampton vs Leeds United (6)
Southend United vs Exeter City (6)
Stockport County vs Gillingham (7)
Yeovil Town vs Hartlepool United (6)

English League Two:

Barnet vs Accrington Stanley (6)
Bradford City vs Aldershot Town (6)
Burton Albion vs Cheltenham Town (7) over 2.5 goals
Chesterfield vs Port Vale (7)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Rotherham United (5)
Macclesfield Town vs Bury (7)
Morecambe vs Grimsby Town (6)
Northampton Town vs Darlington (8)
Shrewsbury Town vs Rochdale (5)
Torquay United vs Crewe Alexandra (6)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Viljandi Tulevik vs Flora Paide (7) 2-0
Lootus vs Sillamae Kalev (8) over 2.5 goals
Levadia Tallinn vs Kuressaare (10) -1.75 handicap
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Nomme Kalju (8) 1-2
Trans Narva vs Flora Tallinn (6) 1-1

Finnish Liiga Cup:

FC Lahti vs Inter Turku (6) 0-1
KuPS Kuopio vs Haka Valkeakoski (5) 1-2
MyPa Anjalankoski vs TPS Turku (6) 0-0
Tampere United vs Jaro Pietarsaari (6) 1-1

French Ligue 1:

Montpellier HSC vs Auxerre (6) 0-0
AS Monaco vs Girondins de Bordeaux (4) 1-1
AS Nancy-Lorraine vs Boulogne (6) 2-1
Lorient vs Racing Club Lens (8) 2-0
Le Mans vs OGC Nice (6) 1-0
Paris Saint-Germain vs Sochaux (6) 2-1
Olympique Lyonnais vs Saint-Etienne (8) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game

German Bundesliga:

Borussia Moenchengladbach vs VFL Wolfsburg (6) 1-2
VFL Bochum vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (6) 1-1
FSV Mainz 05 vs Koln (6) 1-0
Hannover 96 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (5) 1-1
Hertha BSC Berlin vs Nurnberg (6) 1-0
Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg (8) 2-1

German Bundesliga 2:

Karlsruher SC vs Augsburg (6)
FSV Frankfurt vs Fortuna Dusseldorf (7)

Greek Super League:

Atromitos vs Iraklis (6) 1-1
AEK Athens vs Kavala (4) 1-1
Olympiakos Piraeus vs PAS Giannina (8) 2-0

Greek B Ethniki:

Ethnikos Piraeus vs Agrotikos Asteras (6)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Paksi SE vs Vasas Budapest (7) 2-0
MTK Budapest vs Szombathelyi Haladas (4) 1-1
Fehervar vs Lombard Papa (9) 3-1
Kaposvari Rakoczi vs Zalaegerszegi TE (6) 2-2
Gyori ETO FC vs Kecskemeti TE (8) 2-1
Debreceni VSC vs Budapest Honved (8) over 2.5 goals

Italian Serie A:

SSC Napoli vs Fiorentina (6) 1-1

Italian Serie B:

Sassuolo vs Ascoli (4)
Salernitana vs Cesena (6)
Lecce vs Cittadella (6)
Padova vs Crotone (7)
Empoli vs Gallipoli (8)
Reggina vs Modena (6)
Frosinone vs Piacenza (5)
Ancona vs Torino (6)

Japanese J-League:

Yokohama F Marinos vs Shonan Bellmare (8) 2-1
Albirex Niigata vs Jubilo Iwata (7) 1-0
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Montedio Yamagata (5) 1-1
Vegalta Sandai vs Omiya Ardija (6) 1-0
Nagoya Grampus vs Kawasaki Frontale (6) 1-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Queretaro vs Morelia (6) 1-2
Jaguares vs San Luis (6) over 2.5 goals
Tigres UANL vs Atlas (5) 1-1
Guadalajara vs Pumas UNAM (7) 2-1
Pachuca vs Santos Laguna (6) 1-1
Atlante vs America (6) 0-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

NAC Breda vs Groningen (6) 1-1
VVV Venlo vs FC Utrecht (6) 0-0
AZ Alkmaar vs RKC Waalwijk (8) 2-0
NEC Nijmegen vs Roda JC Kerkrade (5) 2-1

Norwegian Eliteserien:

Brann Bergen vs Haugesund (8) over 2.5 goals

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Cracovia Krakow vs Korona Kielce (7) 1-1
Polonia Warsaw vs Ruch Chorzow (6) 1-1
Polonia Bytom vs Legia Warsaw (5) 1-1
Slask Wroclaw vs Lechia Gdansk (6) 2-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Sporting Braga vs Rio Ave (7) 2-1
Academica de Coimbra vs Porto (5) 1-1

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Santa Clara vs Portimonense (6)

Romanian Liga:

Universitatea Craiova vs Brasov (6) 1-1
International vs Pandurii Targu Jiu (7) 0-0
CFR Cluj vs Dinamo Bucharest (6) 2-1

Russian Premier League:

Krylya Sovetov Samara vs Zenit St.Petersburg (7) 1-1
Anzhi Makhachkala vs Spartak Nalchik (6) 2-1
Alaniya Vladikavkaz vs Saturn Moscow Oblast (6) 1-1
Rostov-na-Donu vs Terek Grozny (6) 0-0

Scottish Premier League:

Hamilton Academicals vs St.Mirren (6) 0-0
Falkirk vs St.Johnstone (6) 1-1
Motherwell vs Hearts (6) 2-1

Serbian Super Liga:

Javor Ivanjica vs BSK Borca (7) 2-1
Red Star Belgrade vs Napredak (9) 2-0

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Ruzomberok vs Tatran Presov (6) 2-1
Slovan Bratislava vs Nitra (7) over 2.5 goals
Spartak Trnava vs DAC Dunajska Streda (8) -1.75 handicap
Kosice vs Dubnica (5) 1-1
Senica vs Artmedia Petrzalka (6) 2-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Rudar Velenje vs Interblock Ljubljana (8) 2-1
Olimpija Ljubljana vs Celje (6) 1-0
Maribor vs Drava (9) -1.75 handicap
Domzale vs Koper (5) 1-2

Spanish Primera Liga:

Getafe vs Real Mallorca (6) 2-1
Sporting Gijon vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Sevilla CF vs Deportivo La Coruna (6) over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Numancia vs Huesca (5)
Levante vs Gimnastia de Tarragona (6)
Cordoba vs Real Murcia (4)
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Villarreal II (5)
Real Union Club de Irun vs Real Betis Balompie (6)
Castellon vs Girona (7)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Kalmar vs IFK Goteborg (6) 1-2

Swiss Super League:

Aarau vs FC Zurich (6) 0-1
Bellinzona vs Neuchatel Xamax (6) 1-2

Swiss Challenge League:

Yverdon Sport vs Locarno (6)
Le Mont vs Stade Nyonnais (6)
Thun vs Lausanne Sports (7)

Turkish Super Lig:

Genclerbirligi vs Fenerbahce (6) 1-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Chernomorets Odessa vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (7) 1-0
Dynamo Kiev vs Vorskla Poltava (8) under 2.5 goals
Metalurg Zaporizhya vs Metalurg Donetsk (6) 1-1
Karpaty Lviv vs Arsenal Kiev (4) 1-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Montevideo Wanderers vs Racing Club Montevideo (6) 0-1
Cerro Largo vs Defensor Sporting (5) 1-1
Atenas vs Club Nacional de Montevideo (7) 1-2

Welsh Premier League:

Rhyl vs Cefn Druids (9) -1.75 handicap
Airbus UK vs Port Talbot Town (6) 1-1
Caersws vs Llanelli (10) -1.75 handicap
Connah’s Quay Nomads vs Carmarthen Town (6) 1-2
Neath Athletic vs The New Saints (7) 0-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!