The Footy Tipster Free football betting tips from an expert on worldwide football

24Apr/1065

Arsenal vs Manchester City

Today's featured game is the Premier League encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City. Arsenal have been in mixed form of late due to Champions League committments and a stretched squad but have been typically dominant at The Emirates this season nonetheless. Manchester City have had a good campaign but don't win enough on the road although they really could do with taking something from today's game.

Arsenal have struggled of late to juggle competing on various fronts with a stretched squad but both of those issues have been partially, if not entirely, resolved by exiting the Champions League and also having some injured players return to their ranks. Arsenal have actually lost three consecutive games currently but it's worth noting that all of those games were away from home. Arsenal have won their last five Premier League games at home, which takes their tally to fourteen wins from seventeen home games this season. They average scoring nearly three goals per home game and don't even average conceding a goal per home game. They're a terrific force at home and as they now welcome back the likes of Robin Van Persie and Andrey Arshavin to their ranks, I can only see a stronger Arsenal emerging today as a result. Arsenal haven't done well defensively of late but their attack has regained some of its potency so I expect them to do the damage by scoring a lot of goals tonight aganist a weak City defence.

Manchester City enter this game on the back of a demoralising but all-too-familiar derby defeat against Manchester United. It wasn't so much the affirmation that United are the bigger and better side in Manchester (or near Manchester for the pedantic City fans that have just muttered that under their breath!) but the manner of the defeat will have hurt them a lot - a last minute goal by a local lad in their own backyard - so I expect them to have been hurt from the outcome. I also feel that the reason they lost the game - aside from being outplayed - was that they bottled it. Their big names didn't turn up and they looked like an inexperienced side in their current position, which is exactly what they are. City are not used to this kind of pressure; Arsenal are. I'm not saying that City have to win this game but the more points they take the better if they intend on playing Champions League football next season. You can rest assured that their Arab owners will be demanding it so the pressure will be visible and I expect that to impact their performance today.

Can we read much into City beating Arsenal 4-1 at home earlier this season? Not for me, no. City played well but it was early season and they wanted to make their mark on the Premier League as a new "big team", which they did. We all know Arsenal cannot defend so they basically crumbled although it's worth noting that Arsenal did have their fair share of chances during that game. Arsenal are not going to want to do anything but beat a side with Adebayor and Toure in and Wenger loves to keep his fans happy at home so I think we'll see the real Arsenal turn up here. If both sides do then it should be a very good and open game of football but I can see City buckling and Arsenal capitalising on their weak defence. Either way, odds of 10/11 on Arsenal to win any game has to be taken into consideration with the quality at their disposal and outstanding manager so I think the home win represents good value today.

Verdict: Arsenal to win at 10/11.

Saturday's Picks

My tips:

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

Lanus vs Arsenal de Sarandi - home win at 10/11.

Hosts Lanus plough relentlessly onwards on their impressive unbeaten run, which now stretches to six consecutive Primera Division games. They've not conceded in any of their last three home games, winning twice, and drawing once. They've already won four out of seven at home in their current campaign and have only lost once during that run so Lanus are generally a good home side. We all know the quality of Lanus is there although their inability to score more than once in a game does concern me as as that's what let them down last match at Colon de Santa Fe. However, Lanus do have a good record against Arsenal de Sarandi in recent times with a 5-2 win at Arsenal in the Apertura and a 2-1 win the last time the two sides locked horns here so they do have the mental edge to boot.

Arsenal de Sarandi are on a dire run of form with no wins in their last four games, losing three times along the way. Arsenal haven't scored in three of those games and only managed to draw with Argentinos Juniors last match by scoring twice. Arsenal have conceded eight goals during those four games - an average of two per game - so their defence is an issue at the moment. Arsenal's away record is quite good with just three defeats in eight away games but it's worth noting that they've lost their last two away games consecutively without scoring so are beginning to find the realistic side of the Primera Division a little hard to handle. Arsenal tend to bail themselves out on the road by scoring goals but if there's one thing that Lanus don't do then it's concede goals - defence is their strongest aspect - so I expect a somewhat demoralised and goal-shy Arsenal to struggle tonight.

Lanus concern me a little with two consecutive draws leading into this game but frankly they're a better side and they're facing demoralised opponents so they should be able to do damage tonight. Lanus have demonstrated various times already in this campaign how competent they are in keeping other sides out and I expect that aspect to be key in their victory tonight. The odds aren't the best around but whilst they're on the better side of 8/11, I feel they're worth taking.

Verdict: Lanus to win at 10/11.

Sturm Graz vs LASK Linz - lay Sturm Graz at 13/10.

Hosts Sturm Graz are playing like a side who knows their fate is not what they'd like it to be and they've got good reason to be in the state of mind. They're eight points behind Austria Vienna and twelve clear of Wiener Neustadt so Sturm Graz can pretty much kiss goodbye to any other league placing than fourth. They've won just once in their past four Bundesliga games so momentum is dropping rapidly. They've won just once in their past three home games in the Bundesliga and it's that kind of form which has led them to winning less than half of their home games in the Bundesliga this season. They've losing motivation for their remaining games and they're not a good enough side to allow quality to solely propel their form so I think we'll see a somewhat disjointed Sturm Graz display tonight, which shouldn't be enough to see them beat a side that they've only beaten twice in their last four home encounters.

Visitors LASK Linz are starting to scare me. They're not scoring goals, conceding goals, or losing games - three absolutely unheard of characteristics when talking about LASK Linz. They're unbeaten in six consecutive game and have drawn their last two away games consecutively against giants Rapid Vienna and the ever-strong-at-home SV Ried so they're certainly worthy of your respect tonight. Indeed, LASK Linz kept a clean sheet at home to Salzburg last match, which meant that they'd kept back-to-back clean sheets against the two bigger sides in the division - Salzburg and Rapid Vienna - so their defence is bailing them out to no end currently. It's defence that should count here as Sturm Graz aren't big goalscorers so I expect LASK Linz to hold firm tonight with their new dogged momentum and take a draw from this one.

Ultimately, an uninspired and demoralised Sturm Graz side that doesn't score many goals does little to convince me that they deserve to be at such short odds. LASK Linz are poor on the road but have been superb of late, particularly in defence, so the odds on laying Sturm Graz look rather generous tonight.

Verdict: Lay Sturm Graz at 13/10.

Naftan Novopolotsk vs BATE Borisov - lay BATE Borisov at 5/6.

I daresay that most of you aren't accustomed to the Vysshaya Liga in Belarus but those of you that read this blog know that backing Naftan Novopolotsk at home is generally a fruitful bet. They've been dominant at home for some time now and are showing signs of materialising into a force at home yet again with two home games played, both games won, six goals scored, and zero goals conceded already this season. Make no mistake here - Naftan aren't as good as BATE Borisov - nobody in Belarus is - but they're a damn hard side to beat at home and I expect that to show today.

BATE Borisov should win the Vysshaya Liga yet again this year but each year that goes by sees them lose quality that they're not replacing so the gap at the top is getting narrower. Indeed, BATE have made a slow start to this campaign as a result of the above information and have only won half of their games thus far. However, their defence is as rock-solid as ever and they remain the only side in this division that are yet to concede a goal. However, BATE are looking somewhat impotent with just three goals scored in four games so I expect them to face a stentorian test against a strong Naftan side in Novopolotsk today.

The head-to-head games between these two sides are rather inconclusive as it depends when these two sides meet here. If BATE arrive motivated and with good momentum in their arsenal then they'll probably win this game comfortably, which is what happened here last season. However, BATE are looking so short in front of goal that it's worrying, particularly with 66% of their goals scored this season having been against newly-promoted opposition. With BATE not firing on all cylinders and Naftan roaring into their traditional home game style, I fully expect a well-fought battle between these two sides which should see anything but an away win at decent odds of 5/6.

Verdict: Lay BATE Borisov at 5/6.

Cibalia Vinkovci vs Dinamo Zagreb - away win at evens.

Cibalia Vinkovci are unbeaten at home in the Prva Liga this season thanks to their steely resolve in defence. They've only conceded six times at home in thirteen games so it takes a lot to win here. The only other side in the division that has remained unbeaten at home this season is Dinamo Zagreb so the two sides do share a common factor when playing at home. However, what is an unavoidable fact is that Dinamo are twice the side that Cibalia are. Cibalia have performed miracles at home this season but they're hosting a side that has won three out of their last four visits here and knows exactly how to do it. Cibalia will not lie down for this game but they can't afford to sit back and soak up wave after wave of Dinamo attacks as they need to keep pushing with their own European campaign if they intend on playing European football next season so they could be burned by the giants of Croatian football. Dinamo have a good record here already and have already won eight out of thirteen away games this season whilst averaging scoring nearly two goals per away game so they look good to do damage today. A win today guarantees the title for Dinamo and three wins in their last five games says that they've got the momentum to do so today.

You'll rarely find generous odds of evens on the away win for Dinamo Zagreb which is partially what has swayed me. Truth be told, the bookies love to over-price Dinamo so I'm surprised they've not gone for the 4/7 option here today. I'm also pleased by that decision because Dinamo now look a good value bet to beat a side that they know they're better than to win the title. Cibalia are no mugs but backing Dinamo at evens against anyone in the Prva Liga is always worthy of consideration!

Verdict: Dinamo Zagreb to win at evens.

Cardiff City vs Sheffield Wednesday - home win at 4/5.

First of all - approach with caution as Cardiff have nothing to play for. However, Cardiff City are a very good side, in my humble opinion, and odds of 4/5 for them to win any home game as worthy of your consideration.

Cardiff have already won eleven out of twenty-two home games this season, losing just five times along the way whilst averaging scoring approximately 1.5 goals per home game. Their home record isn't the most flattering when considering their league placing but that generally shows you just how close quality-wise that the sides are in the Championship. However, what's impressed me most of all about Cardiff of late has been their confident and assured displays, displays showed only by a side with experience, which Cardiff have on various levels. They've won four out of their last six home games and are unbeaten in nine consecutive games and have kept clean sheets for three consecutive games despite facing in-form Reading, Nottingham Forest, and the unenviable trip to the unpredictable Queens Park Rangers. Cardiff haven't scored as many as they'd have liked to of late but should have the perfect opportunity today to do so to improve their momentum ahead of inevitably difficult play-off games so I expect an assured and efficient display from them today.

Sheffield Wednesday are in deep shit, make no mistake here. Every game is a cup final for them at the moment if they intend to avoid the unthinkable relegation but a record of three wins out of twenty-two on the road this season suggests that playing away from Hillsborough is not their favourite pastime. Only Derby County and already-relegated Peterborough United have scored less on the road than Sheff Wed have, hence their problems. A defeat here doesn't condemn them officially to relegation but it's not far off as they have one game remaining at home to fellow relegation battlers Crystal Palace and even if they win that game they have to hope on other results favouring them. Bluntly, I cannot see Sheff Wed approaching this game with anything other than the desire to win or else they're really going to struggle to stay in the division. However, it's just not happening for The Owls at the moment with two defeats in their past three games and it's largely due to having scored just once during those three games. Their defence is usually quite sturdy by one goal is enough to seal a defeat if you're not scoring goals which is what I expect to undo Sheff Wed today.

With the above in mind, I have to favour Cardiff for this game. They might not have the same motivation level as Sheff Wed but they need to keep up their momentum and Jones always has his side locked in battle-mode in their efficient manner so I expect an assured Cardiff side to eventually wear down a determined Wednesday side and beat them at good odds of 4/5.

Verdict: Cardiff City to win at 4/5.

Brentford vs Yeovil Town - home win at evens.

Brentford have slipped under most peoples' radar this season with their impressive displays but I've enjoyed seeing their astute tactical approach to games, an approach that has seen numerous big sides fail to beat them this season. They've only lost twice in twenty-one home games and had they won more than nine times at home then you'd probably find them competing for promotion so they're really not far off being a very good side, in my opinion. All that lets Brentford down is their occasional goal-shy displays but I'm prepared to overlook those in light of favourable odds on the home win today. Brentford have won their last two home games consecutively whilst scoring five times so they're worth being wary of. They're unbeaten in ten League One games and appear to be one of those sides that are perpetually motivated for any game so I have faith in their level of professionalism to try to take three points today despite the cause being somewhat redundant.

Visitors Yeovil Town are only five points clear of the drop zone and whereas I don't expect them to be crying with fear yet, the fact remains that they do need at least one win to assure them of League One football next season so they won't be just sitting back today. Yeovil are particularly poor on the road, unfortunately for them, as eleven defeats and just four wins in twenty-one away games shows all too well. Yeovil don't even average scoring a goal per game on the road but tend to manage to concede approximately 1.5 goals per away game on average, which is a record that will get them nowhere fast. Yeovil have only won once in their last seven games and that was against a doomed Stockport County so they appear to be suffering from a lack of morale currently. Whilst being a dogged side defensively, luck appears to be against them at the moment and in a game that they could with taking something from, that luck couldn't have arrived at a worse time.

I expect Yeovil to attempt to take the game to Brentford today because there isn't much between the two sides quality-wise. However, Brentford have impressed me immensely this season with some assured displays and I expect a professional display from them to result in a home win at generous odds of evens.

Verdict: Brentford to win at evens.

Torquay United vs Macclesfield Town - home win at 5/6.

I'm absolutely dreading this bet! You know what it's like, backing the over-achieving but in-form side and knowing full well that they'll crumble the moment that you back them!

However, I simply cannot overlook Torquay's recently outsanding displays. They're unbeaten in five games and have won four of those whilst conceding just once during that time. They've hammered Rochdale 5-0 at home during that run and smashed in five goals in their last two away games despite one of those games being against an atypically-strong Aldershot Town side on their own turf so I'm pretty much dumbfounded at Torquay's turnaround. They're all but assured of a place in League Two next season now so do approach with caution but a side in this vein of irresistable form in both defence and attack has to be worthy of consideration at 5/6.

Visitors Macclesfield Town are playing well enough themselves to halt Torquay United, to be fair. There's little between these two sides and Macc are unbeaten in six consecutive games so this won't be an easy game for either side. What I will say about Macc's run is that they've faced easier opponents en mass but nonetheless an impressive run grants strong momentum so don't underestimate the visitors today. However, they're coming across a Torquay side in great form that aren't conceding goals today and the long trip south-west may just appear a tad daunting for a driven Macclesfield Town side today.

Although I do expect a close game between two massively in-form sides, I simply cannot overlook backing a driven Torquay United at 5/6 today.

Verdict: Torquay United to win at 5/6.

Lorient vs Girondins de Bordeaux - home win at 5/2.

This is a bold call but it does have method to it. We all know how strong Lorient tend to be at home as just two defeats in sixteen Ligue 1 home games indicating that fact all too well. They average scoring nearly two goals per game at home and only LOSC Lille have a better goalscoring record at home than they do as a result. Lorient have only conceded once during their last four home games in Ligue 1 and will be eager to use this newfound momentum to gain revenge for Girondins de Bordeaux's emphatic 4-1 win here in the Coupe de la Ligue back in February by dealing what would be a crusing blow to Bordeaux's hopes of European football next season. Lorient stand an outside chance of getting into Europe themselves next season so they'll be up for this game and I expect them to have a lot of joy against Bordeaux in this game.

There's no denying that Bordeaux are the better of these two sides - or at least they are under tactical genius Laurent Blanc - but you wouldn't know it from their recent form. Without a win in their last four games, Bordeaux have stuttered massively and have even lost three times during that run. Their squad is running on empty after competing on so many fronts and injuries to the likes of Cavenaghi and Fernando have hindered them massively as Bordeaux are a side that relies upon consistency within the starting eleven but they've not been able to have that for some time. Bordeaux have lost six away games in Ligue 1 this season and three of those have been in their last four away games. Indeed, Bordeaux haven't won in their last four away games so momentum is well and truly dried up at the moment for Les Girondins.

However, Bordeaux need to win this game - fact. They're good under Blanc but their stretched squad could be horribly exposed by a determined Lorient side today in a very difficult away game. Bordeaux lost at Le Mans last match and are more than capable of losing at Lorient by that logic. They have a great head-to-head record against Lorient but it's hard to see that continuing today barring an inspired display. Ultimately, 5/2 on the home win looks too long to me so there could be value in it.

Verdict: Lorient to win at 5/2.

Palermo vs AC Milan - home win at 10/11.

I'm not happy that the odds for this outcome are below evens because it means that bookies are a bit more in-tune at the moment than I'd like them to be. Palermo are rapidly establishing themselves as a very good side as they tend to do every few seasons or so but they're always good when playing in their beloved Sicily so this game becomes even harder today given Palermo's impressive displays since the winter break. Palermo are unbeaten at home in Serie A this season and have won twelve out of their fifteen home games whilst averaging scoring nearly two per home game so they're always a force here. They stand a very good chance of securing European football next season and a win tonight puts them in a very good position for obtaining it too so they'll be up for this game. They've won nine out of their last ten home games and the only side to interrupt that bountiful flow was the ever-irritating Internazionale, as all champions are, so Palermo have done bloody well at home and should not be underestimated.

AC Milan are sinking rapidly and a demoralising defeat at Sampdoria in their last away game will not have helped them. Their injury crisis has virtually destroyed their season with a lack of depth and potency in their line-up tearing holes in their results list. The inconsistent Ronaldinho isn't bringing the same level of consistent quality that Kaka brought to this assured AC Milan side and as a result they look somewhat unconvincing, particularly without starlet Pato bringing youth and innovation to an ageing attack. AC Milan have missed Nesta at the back this season and it has ultimately cost them as he record of having conceded six goals in three games indicates all too clearly. It's wise never to underestimate AC Milan but they've won just once in six Serie A games, which is the hallmark for an out-of-form side. AC Milan need to win this one tonight but they've not done so here since 2006 and I fail to see why that record will change tonight.

Palermo won 2-0 at the San Siro earlier this season with an assured display and have won their last two home games against AC Milan. With that in mind, plus the motivation of Palermo to get their name back into European football, it's hard to overlook good odds of 10/11 on the home win, much as I'd like them to be at evens!

Verdict: Palermo to win at 10/11.

Viking Stavanger vs Stabaek - home win at 11/8.

This is a risky call as neither side are setting the Eliteserien on fire currently with neither side scoring many goals. However, Viking are beginning to look the more likely of the two sides to launch a more convincing attempt for the Eliteserien title now they've got a few of their many players back from injury so I'm hoping that they'll build on that for this game. They don't concede many goals, to their credit, but one win in three home games this season says that they don't score enough. However, they were a bit unlucky to draw at home to Tromso in their last home game and managed to grind out a 1-0 win at newly-promoted Honefoss in their last match so Viking at least have some momentum to work with here and they also have a damn good record against Stabaek here as the visitors haven't won here since 2000, losing four out of their last five visits.

Stabaek are a good side but they're at rock-bottom confidence-wise as an unthinkable defeat at home to ten-men, newly-promoted Honefoss proved last match. When luck is against you, it's against you - simple as that. Stabaek are generally a tough side to play and a constant title threat due to their goalscoring ability but that has abandoned them somewhat this season and it's starting to show as Stabaek really aren't very assured in defence at all. A nightmare head-to-head record here won't help Stabaek with their low confidence levels at the moment and a lack of goals being scored won't help them either. Defeat at home to Honefoss makes defeat at Viking look all the more likely today and although these two sides are capable of cancelling each other out, Viking are looking better as we enter this game so I'm backing them today at good odds of 11/8.

Verdict: Viking Stavanger to win at 11/8.

Aberystwyth Town vs The New Saints - away win at 11/10.

I can't praise Aberystwyth enough for their superb campaign this year thanks to some superb displays on the road. However, they tend to lose a footing on their own turf with too many goals being conceded and their usually pinpoint counter-attacking not nearly as effective due to the pressure being on the home side. Indeed, today's hosts have won three more games on the road than they have at home this season which illustrates my point perfectly. They've conceded more goals at home than any of the eight sides surrounding them in the table have and I fully expect that to be their downfall today against a superior The New Saints, particularly as the hosts have to win this one to achieve European football next season.

The New Saints have long been the daddies of the Welsh Premier League. Llanelli and Rhyl have joined them in recent times but they're still the big name in the Welsh Premier League. A win today guarantees them the title so they've got the biggest motivation that they could possibly require today. The New Saints have only lost two away games this season, which is less than any other side in this division thus demonstrating their ability on the road. They've got a lot of experience in this type of position and have only conceded six goals on the road in seventeen games, which is a phenomenal record and by far the best in the division. TNS don't exactly fill you with confidence in front of goal but five consecutive wins, three of which were on the road, says that momentum supports their cause today. TNS have kept clean sheets in all two out of those three away games with Rhyl being the only side to break through their stubborn resolve and have scored five times during the run so they appear to be finding their shooting boots just in time.

Both sides need to win this game but TNS are the ones with the experience in this situation. Momentum and composure favours TNS massively here so I can't overlook the generous odds on offer for an away win today.

Verdict: The New Saints to win at 11/10.

Prestatyn Town vs Llanelli - away win at evens.

This preview follows a very similar pattern to the preview above other than that the difference here is that this game means nothing to Prestatyn which is why the odds of evens on the away win truly baffles me. Llanelli are far good for a haphazard and uninterested Prestatyn and I feel that had this game been mid-season then you'd have seen odds of 4/7 on the away win at least. Llanelli have already won ten out of sixteen away games this season and need another to have a shot at the title. They need Aberystwyth to do them a favour today for them to have a shot at the title, which could happen, so Llanelli will be well motivated for this one. They're in superb form and score a lot of goals on the road so why the bookies haven't priced them at 1/2 to beat a side that they've beaten every time that they've faced them is beyond me!

Verdict: Llanelli to win at evens.

Accumulator fodder:

Levski Sofia, Hajduk Split, Sparta Prague, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Levadia Tallinn, Flora Tallinn, Ujpest, Fehervar, Kawasaki Frontale, Porto, SL Benfica, CFR Cluj, CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, MSK Zilina, Barcelona, Real Madrid.

Recommended bets:

Manchester United, Newcastle United, Fehervar, and Real Madrid at 5/1.

Arsenal, Torquay United, Lokomotiv Moscow, and MSK Zilina at 10/1.

Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Porto, and CSKA Moscow at 6/1.

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:

Lanus vs Arsenal de Sarandi (7) 1-0
Newells Old Boys vs Colon de Santa Fe (6) 1-1
Estudiantes De La Plata vs River Plate (4) 1-1
Huracan vs Independiente (5) 1-2

Austrian Bundesliga:

Wiener Neustadt vs SV Ried (6) 2-1
Sturm Graz vs LASK Linz (4) 0-0
SV Kapfenberg vs Austria Karnten (7) 2-0

Austrian Liga 1:

St.Polten vs SCR Altach (6)

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

Naftan Novopolotsk vs BATE Borisov (5) 1-1
Minsk vs Torpedo Zhodino (7) 2-0
Belshina vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk (6) 1-1
Vitebsk vs Dnepr Mogilev (6) 2-1
Neman Grodno vs Dinamo Brest (5) 0-0

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Sint-Truiden vs Zulte-Waregem (6) 2-1
Mechelen vs Westerlo (5) 1-0
Cercle Brugge vs Lokeren (6) over 2.5 goals

Bulgarian A PFG:

Slavia Sofia vs CSKA Sofia (7) 0-0
Levski Sofia vs Pirin Blagoevgrad (8) 2-1

Colombian Primera A:

Envigado vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (6) 1-1
Real Cartagena vs Deportivo Cali (6) 2-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Sibenik vs Istra 1961 (5) 1-0
Hajduk Split vs Karlovac (8) under 2.5 goals
Varteks Varazdin vs Croatia Sesvete (4) 0-0
Lokomotiva Zagreb vs Osijek (6) 1-1
Rijeka vs Zadar (6) 1-0
Cibalia Vinkovci vs Dinamo Zagreb (6) 0-1

Cypriot Division 1:

Aris Limassol vs Doxa (6) 1-1
Ermis vs A.E.Paphos (6) 1-2
APOEL Nicosia vs Anorthosis Famagusta (6) 1-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Marila Pribram vs Slovan Liberec (6) 1-0
Sparta Prague vs Bohemians Prague (10) -1.75 handicap
Viktoria Plzen vs Ceske Budejovice (6) 1-0
Jablonec vs Brno (7) 2-0

Danish Superligaen:

OB Odense vs Silkeborg (6) 1-0

Danish 1st Division:

Fredericia vs AB Copenhagen (6)
Braband vs Kolding (4)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Independiente vs Espoli Cayambe (6) over 2.5 goals

English Premier League:

Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur (8) over 2.5 goals
Bolton Wanderers vs Portsmouth (6) 1-0
Hull City vs Sunderland (7) 1-1
West Ham United vs Wigan Athletic (6) 1-1
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers (8) 1-1
Arsenal vs Manchester City (7) over 2.5 goals

English Championship:

Barnsley vs Queens Park Rangers (5)
Bristol City vs Derby County (4)
Cardiff City vs Sheffield Wednesday (8)
Doncaster Rovers vs Scunthorpe United (5)
Middlesbrough vs Coventry City (7)
Newcastle United vs Ipswich Town (8)
Nottingham Forest vs Plymouth Argyle (8)
Peterborough United vs Blackpool (6)
Preston North End vs Leicester City (6)
Sheffield United vs Swansea City (7)
Watford vs Reading (5)

English League One:

Brentford vs Yeovil Town (7)
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Bristol Rovers (5)
Colchester United vs Tranmere Rovers (7)
Exeter City vs Charlton Athletic (6)
Leeds United vs Milton Keynes Dons (7) over 2.5 goals
Millwall vs Leyton Orient (8)
Norwich City vs Gillingham (8)
Oldham Athletic vs Southend United (7)
Southampton vs Carlisle United (6)
Stockport County vs Huddersfield Town (6) under 2.5 goals
Walsall vs Hartlepool United (7)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Swindon Town (4)

English League Two:

Barnet vs Rotherham United (6)
Burton Albion vs Bournemouth (5) under 2.5 goals
Cheltenham Town vs Aldershot Town (7)
Chesterfield vs Bradford City (6)
Crewe Alexandra vs Accrington Stanley (6)
Darlington vs Grimsby Town (5) over 2.5 goals
Hereford United vs Rochdale (4)
Lincoln City vs Bury (6)
Morecambe vs Dagenham & Redbridge (5) over 2.5 goals
Northampton Town vs Shrewsbury Town (7)
Port Vale vs Notts County (4) under 2.5 goals
Torquay United vs Macclesfield Town (7) over 2.5 goals

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Sillamae Kalev vs Trans Narva (6) 1-1
Lootus vs Nomme Kalju (7) 0-2
Flora Tallinn vs Flora Paide (9) -1.75 handicap
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Levadia Tallinn (9) 1-3
Viljandi Tulevik vs Kuressaare (6) 2-1

Finnish Veikkausliiga:

MyPa Anjalankoski vs AC Oulu (5) 1-1

Finnish Ykkonen:

Jippo Joensuu vs KPV Kokkola (6)
OPS vs TPV Tampere (4)

French Ligue 1:

Lorient vs Girondins de Bordeaux (6) 1-0
Sochaux vs Boulogne (6) 2-1
OGC Nice vs Grenoble Foot (4) 0-0
Le Mans vs LOSC Lille (5) 1-1
AS Nancy-Lorraine vs Montpellier HSC (7) 1-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs Stade Rennais (5) over 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga:

Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Bayern Munich (5) 1-2
FC Nurnberg vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (6) over 2.5 goals
Hertha BSC Berlin vs Schalke 04 (4) 1-1
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Hannover 96 (5) under 2.5 goals
FSV Mainz 05 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (7) 1-1
Werder Bremen vs Koln (7) over 3.5 goals

German Bundesliga 2:

Alemannia Aachen vs Greuther Furth (7)
MSV Duisburg vs Paderborn (6)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Ujpest vs Paksi SE (8) 2-0
Kecskemeti TE vs Zalaegerszegi TE (6) 2-2
Lombard Papa vs Budapest Honved (6) 0-0
Fehervar vs Ferencvaros (7) under 2.5 goals
Gyori ETO FC vs Nyiregyhaza Spartacus (7) under 2.5 goals

Italian Serie A:

Internazionale vs Atalanta Bergamo (8) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Palermo vs AC Milan (6) 2-0

Italian Serie B:

Sassuolo vs Ancona (5)
Albinoleffe vs Frosinone (6)
Grosseto vs Lecce (7)
Cittadella vs Mantova (7) under 2.5 goals
Vicenza vs Padova (6)
Ascoli vs Piacenza (5)
Brescia vs Reggina (7) both sides to score
Gallipoli vs Salernitana (5) over 2.5 goals
Crotone vs Torino (6)

Japanese J-League:

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Omiya Ardija (7) 2-1
Kyoto Sanga vs Montedio Yamagata (5) under 2.5 goals
Kawasaki Frontale vs Vissel Kobe (8) 1-0
Urawa Red Diamonds vs Jubilo Iwata (8) 2-0
Yokohama F Marinos vs Kashima Antlers (6) 2-2, at least one red card in this game
Gamba Osaka vs Tokyo (7) 2-1
Albirex Niigata vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (6) 1-1

Latvian Virsliga:

Jauniba vs Liepajas Metalurgs (7) 0-2
Blazma Rezekne vs Dinaburg Daugavpils (6) 1-2

Mexican Primera Division:

Cruz Azul vs Guadalajara (6) 2-1
Morelia vs Monterrey (7) 1-1
Tigres UANL vs Pachuca (5) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
San Luis vs Queretaro (6) 0-0
Atlas vs Jaguares (6) 2-1

Norwegian Eliteserien:

Viking Stavanger vs Stabaek (7) over 2.5 goals

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Polonia Bytom vs Cracovia Krakow (6) 1-0
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Zaglebie Lubin (7) 2-1
Wisla Krakow vs Lech Poznan (7) 1-1
Slask Wroclaw vs GKS Belchatow (5) 0-0
Lechia Gdansk vs Ruch Chorzow (6) 1-1
Odra Wodzislaw vs Polonia Warsaw (5) 2-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Vitoria Setubal vs Porto (8) over 2.5 goals
SL Benfica vs Olhanense (9) -1.75 handicap

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Feirense vs Portimonense (6)
Estoril vs Desportivo Aves (5)

Romanian Liga:

Pandurii Targu Jiu vs Brasov (6) 0-0
Otelul Galati vs Rapid Bucharest (5) 1-1
CFR Cluj vs Unirea Alba Iulia (8) 2-0

Russian Premier League:

Sibir Novosibirsk vs CSKA Moscow (8) 0-2
Dinamo Moscow vs Saturn Moscow Oblast (6) 2-1
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Tom Tomsk (7) 1-0

Scottish Premier League:

St.Johnstone vs Aberdeen (6) 0-0
Falkirk vs Hamilton Academicals (5) 1-0
Hearts vs Motherwell (7) 1-0
St.Mirren vs Kilmarnock (6) 1-1

Singaporean S-League:

Tampines Rovers vs Geylang United (6) 1-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Ruzomberok vs Spartak Trnava (5) 2-1
Artmedia Petrzalka vs MSK Zilina (8) 1-2
Dubnica vs Nitra (6) 1-1
Kosice vs Senica (7) 1-1
Tatran Presov vs Slovan Bratislava (6) 0-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Interblock Ljubljana vs Drava (7) 1-1
Gorica vs Celje (5) 0-1
Maribor vs Domzale (6) 2-1
Rudar Velenje vs Koper (5) 1-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Barcelona vs Deportivo Xerez (9) -1.75 handicap
Real Zaragoza vs Real Madrid (8) both sides to score, over 2.5 goals
Valencia CF vs Deportivo La Coruna (4) 0-0

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Albacete vs Huesca (5) under 2.5 goals
Real Union Club de Irun vs Real Murcia (6)
Castellon vs Las Palmas (6)
Real Betis Balompie vs Elche (7) under 2.5 goals
Villarreal II vs Celta de Vigo (4)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

AIK Solna vs BK Hacken Goteborg (6) 1-0
Atvidabergs vs IFK Goteborg (7) 1-2

Swiss Super League:

Aarau vs St.Gallen (5) 2-1
Luzern vs FC Zurich (6) 0-0

Swiss Challenge League:

Wil vs Stade Nyonnais (6)
Yverdon Sport vs Kriens (5)
Biel-Bienne vs Schaffhausen (6)
Thun vs Wohlen (7)

Turkish Super Lig:

Genclerbirligi vs Antalyaspor (6) 1-0
Denizlispor vs Ankaragucu (6) 1-1
Kayserispor vs Manisaspor (7) 2-1
Besiktas JK vs Sivasspor (7) 1-0

Ukrainian Premier League:

Zorya Lugansk vs Vorskla Poltava (7) 1-1
Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk vs Tavriya Simferopol (7) 2-0
Karpaty Lviv vs Dynamo Kiev (6) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Metalist Kharkiv vs Metalurg Donetsk (7) 2-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Danubio vs Penarol (6) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Rampla Juniors vs Central Espanol (6) 1-1
Liverpool Montevideo vs Cerro Largo (7) 1-0
Cerrito vs Atenas (5) 1-0

Welsh Premier League:

Aberystwyth Town vs The New Saints (7) over 2.5 goals
Airbus UK vs Neath Athletic (5) 1-1
Bangor City vs Newtown (8) over 2.5 goals
Carmarthen Town vs Cefn Druids (8) 2-0
Connah's Quay Nomads vs Porthmadog (6) 1-0
Haverfordwest County vs Caersws (7) 2-1
Port Talbot Town vs Bala Town (7) 1-0
Prestatyn Town vs Llanelli (8) 1-2
Welshpool Town vs Rhyl (7) 0-2

Enjoy your free betting tips!

13Dec/090

Liverpool vs Arsenal

Today's featured game is between Liverpool and Arsenal in the English Premier League. Hosts Liverpool are in a bad state of affairs with the world now realising that they really aren't a good footballing side and relied far too heavily on their best players. Arsenal are in better condition with a better manager but do lack firepower due to injuries.

Hosts Liverpool have won three out of their last fourteen games in all competitions. Is that really the record of a side that is going to challenge for trophies? Answer: No. They're not playing well at all and have finally been found out by the masses. Without Alonso there is no playmaker, without Gerrard there is no leader, and without Torres there are no goals. The only saving grace Liverpool have had this season is the emergence of Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun, who has frankly had to play the best football of his career to stop Liverpool looking like a side battling relegation rather than challenging for trophies. Only one of Liverpool's three wins in their last fourteen games have come at home and that was against Manchester United in one of the four games that Liverpool now motivate themselves for each season - twice against Manchester United, twice against Everton. Funnily enough, one of Liverpool's other wins came away to Everton, which is rather coincidental don't you think? Liverpool aren't motivated, they're not playing well, they're conceding far too many goals and aren't scoring anywhere near enough. Torres is back for them but it beggars belief to call him "fit" for the game.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, they're hosting a side that love nothing more than to attack and have a very precise manager in terms of exploiting other sides' weaknesses. Arsenal are incisive, fluent, and exciting to watch - everything Liverpool haven't been lately. The missing Van Persie does bother me a little but frankly Arshavin is doing a lot of the damage nowadays so it shouldn't be too big a loss, hopefully! Walcott and Vela are available to make life hard for Liverpool's defenders if required although they are still youngsters. Arsenal have won three of their last five games and have scored a lot of goals already with an average of nearly three goals per game, which is absolutely phenomenal, really! Arsenal have only lost here twice in their last six visits in all competitions and look likely to prolong their record today as Liverpool are looking like they've got back ten years in a time machine currently!

Let's not jump the gun entirely here - both of these two sides are English heavyweights and both will be in the top six at the end of the season. However, Liverpool aren't playing well enough to get a result here but I feel that Arsenal certainly are. It might be worth taking the draw no bet option if you want because I can't see a home win here whatever the outcome!

Verdict: Arsenal to win at 17/10.

Sunday's Picks

My tips:

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

Racing Cub Avellaneda vs Chacarita Juniors - home win at 4/5.

Hosts Racing Club Avellaneda have won three out of their last five games in the Primera Division and have played some particularly good football at home. Despite their poor league placing, Racing have actually won their last three home games in convincing fashion and without even conceding a goal. With that in mind, it's fair to say that Racing enter this game with considerable momentum and are showcasing their actual potential for a change! Racing are amongst the lowest conceding sides at home in the Primera Division and look to have everything they need to overcome their opponents tonight.

Visitors Chacarita Juniors are on a three-game unbeaten run but are travelling to a rejuvenated Racing Club Avellaneda with one of the worst away records in the division, having suffered six defeats in nine games, winning just once on the road all season. Only Tigre and Atletico Tucuman have conceded more goals away from home than Chacarita Juniors have so the newly-promoted side know that they have it all to do to get a result here tonight, particularly as they know their hosts are the better side here.

Although this has the potential to be a very close game, I expect Racing to win the game rather comfortably tonight to end their season on a high.

Verdict: Racing Club Avellaneda to win at 4/5.

Tigre vs River Plate - away win at 5/4.

Hosts Tigre looked destined for relegation with a horrendous record like their fourteen defeats in eighteen domestic games in this campaign. They average conceding over two goals per game and have lost their last four games in a row, scoring just once along the way. Tigre are the worst side in the division currently and my words cannot express that any more than all the statistics that they currently possess do already!

Visitors River Plate have had a poor season and deservedly occupy a poor league placing. They have improved slightly towards the end of their current campaign and have even managed two wins in their last five games, losing just once. River Plate have managed to score eight goals in their last five games, scoring at least one in each game, so they do look likely to shatter the Tigre defence at least once in this game. River Plate are a good deal better than Tigre, to be frank, so I'll be surprised if they don't notch up at least two goals here, which should be enough to see them overcome a mediocre Tigre despite their atrocious away record!

Verdict: River Plate to win at 5/4.

Atletico Tucuman vs Gimnasia De La Plata - home win at 10/11.

Atletico Tucuman have been playing quite well of late with two wins, one draw, and just one defeat in their last four games. Their form in general has improved at home, making them look an actual threat when playing on their own turf with four wins in eight games, losing just twice along the way. They average scoring two goals per game at home and have won their last three games in a row now, improving their momentum and confidence drastically. Atletico Tucuman have done just enough to establish themselves since promotion and will look to continue their impressive run against a very poor Gimnasia tonight.

Gimnasia De La Plata are without a win on the road all season and recent form indicating four defeats from their last four games offers a likely reason as to why that is; they're shit, to be blunt. It was not always so and I doubt it always will be so but for the time being, Gimnasia De La Plata are one of the worst sides in the division. They've lost five out of eight away games this season already and concede an average of just under two goals per away game, scoring once every two away games on average. To make matters worse, in their last four games/defeats they've yielded ten goals and scored just once. Could any side look more likely to lose a game currently? Not in my opinion!

Verdict: Atletico Tucuman to win at 10/11.

Toulouse vs Montpellier HSC - home win at 5/6.

I don't usually back Toulouse because I don't think they're a particularly good side and they certainly don't enjoy scoring goals. Nonetheless, their record of six wins in eight home games speaks for itself. Toulouse's strongpoint is not conceding goals, something that only Girondins de Bordeaux have managed to better so far this season. Toulouse managed another confident win in their last match at home to Sochaux mid-week and should carry their momentum from that game into this encounter today.

Visitors Montpellier HSC have had a fantastic start to life in Ligue 1 following promotion from Ligue 2 with eight wins in fourteen games. However, they tend to be much better at home than they are on the road, where they've already succumbed to three defeats in seven games, winning just twice. Montpellier's biggest problem is that they concede far too many goals. They generally score enough goals to overcome their opponents but then they hit a bad goalscoring run, which is inevitable at somepoint, they're really going to struggle to get out of it again. Montpellier are punching above their weight and although they've won their last two games, they've not been as convincing of late as they were at the start of the season.

With the above in mind and the quality gap edging Toulouse in front, you have to feel that there's value in the home win tonight.

Verdict: Toulouse to win at 5/6.

VFL Wolfsburg vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund - lay VFL Wolfsburg at 4/5.

Germany's strangest side VFL Wolfsburg continue to baffle the majority by scoring and conceding so many goals that nobody knows quite what they'll do next! They've drawn three of their last five Bundesliga games, winning once and losing once, as well as losing to a defenderless Manchester United mid-week in the UEFA Champions League. Wolfsburg have now conceded twelve goals in their last five competitive games and frankly look shambolic in defence. Wolfsburg are still scoring goals but as they're not keeping sides out, they're not winning games.

BV09 Borussia Dortmund had a slow start to their campaign but are finally rolling along nicely now with an unbeaten run stretching back eight games, winning five times and drawing tough away games with Bayer 04  Leverkusen, Werder Bremen, and even beating Hoffenheim. Dortmund are in fine form and scoring goals for fun with momentum and confidence at their peaks. They'll enter this game with Wolfsburg with the knowledge that they can take at least a point away from the unconvincing hosts, particularly as they've only lost one away game this season.

This outcome seems a tad more likely than the bookies give it credit for so I'm a little surprised that laying Wolfsburg has such good odds!

Verdict: Lay VFL Wolfsburg at 4/5.

Atromitos vs Xanthi - home win at evens.

I cannot base this game on anything other than Xanthi's away form. Atromitos have just been promoted from the B Ethniki and have inconclusive home form, as you would expect. Atromitos know they need to maintain their home form to stay in the Super League so they'll be looking to claim a third home win of this campagin. Atromitos have only lost once in their last four games but have only won once, which does make this a risky call. However, Xanthi's away form of five defeats and one draw in six away games without even scoring a goal does enough to convince me that they're capable of losing this game, which is something they've done in three of their last five games.

Verdict: Atromitos to win at evens.

Catania vs Livorno - home win at 10/11.

After some plucky and impressive performances of late, I've decided it's time for Catania's luck to change. They were unlucky to concede two late goals against AC Milan, unlucky to lose 3-2 at Siena but managed to beat Empoli 2-0 in the Coppa Italia. Catania are due a victory in Serie A and what better time than in front of their own fans? They've only won one game this season and that was at home too but they've only been beaten three times in seven games, which isn't bad considering that they're currently in the relegation zone. The fact that they've scored four goals in their last two games goes some way to convincing me that this goal-shy outfit won't be as shy against relegation battlers Livorno today as they look to take only their second win of the season in Serie A.

Visitors Livorno have similar issues to Catania in that they struggle to score goals. However, they also have to contend with their miserable away record of five defeats in seven games, winning just once along the way. Livorno aren't particularly big conceders away from home but the fact that they've only scored two away goals all season should reveal part of the reason why I think they're really going to struggle today.

Neither side are in good form currently but I've been a lot more convinced by a tenacious Catania ahead of this game than I have been by the lowest goalscoring side in the division - Livorno. With that in mind, the home win could boast some value today.

Verdict: Catania to win at 10/11.

Parma vs Bologna - home win at 3/4.

Parma continue to defy the odds and mount a somewhat legitimate challenge for a European place next season despite only being promoted to Serie A this season. I'm not sure if Parma are living in the past and still think they have the likes of Cannavaro, Buffon, and Ortega in their ranks but they're certainly playing as if they are! Parma have already won seven in fifteen games this season, losing just four times, and currently occupy fourth place in Serie A. Parma have already won five out of seven home games this season, losing just once as they prolong their highly impressive record of conceding just four goals at home all season. Parma are not a prolific side but they're an efficient and hard-working side so the fact that they're unbeaten in their last four games shouldn't come as a surprise to you.

Visitors Bologna are battling valiantly against relegation but the ultimate fact is that they're really going to struggle if they keep conceding so many goals. Bologna have been in the rat race for some time which is why they're so hard to play on their own turf, a place where only one side besides themselves has won this season. Away from home they tend to stop other sides playing rather than trying to win which is why they're winless on the road this season, although they've only lost four out of their seven games. However, Parma are a side that will match their work ethic and the hosts are very much in-form so I'd be surprised if Parma didn't break through a leaky Bologna defence and take three points today.

Verdict: Parma to win at 3/4.

ADO Den Haag vs Heracles Almelo - away win at 8/5.

ADO Den Haag have already lost six out of eight home games in the Eredivisie this season so relegation's looking a very realistic possibility. Only bottom club RKC Waalwijk have lost as many home games as they have with both sides finding life after promotion very tough indeed, conceding two goals per game at home on average whilst only scoring once per home game on average. ADO Den Haag have lost three of their last five games and haven't won any of those encounters, preferring to play away from home with their defensive tactics as they don't function well at all when playing at home.

Visitors Heracles Almelo aren't really good enough to be where they are in the Eredivisie currently but they've been playing well enough this season to earn their place. They've already won eight out of sixteen games this season so I have to take my hat off to the minnows. One thing that has particularly impressed me about Heracles is their ability to win away from home as well as at home, something that only a handful of Eredivisie sides possess in their arsenal. Heracles' biggest problem is not scoring enough goals but they tend to counter that by not conceding many either. With four wins in eight away games already this season, you have to feel that backing the visitors today has considerable value concealed within it!

Heracles' momentum from back-to-back victories and their tactical accuracy should be enough to see them overcome a weak ADO Den Haag side with considerable ease today.

Verdict: Heracles Almelo to win at 8/5.

Maritimo vs Rio Ave - home win at 4/5.

Hosts Maritimo are back in town on the back of some good results, winning four out of their last games and remaining unbeaten during that time. They've won their last three home games consecutively, a run which saw them overcome the mighty Porto too, which takes their tally to four home wins in six games in the Liga Sagres this season. Maritimo average scoring two goals per home game and only SL Benfica and Porto have scored more goals overall than Maritimo have this season.

Visitors Rio Ave are a side that simply tries to prevent other sides from scoring. To their credit, they tend to do this rather well, which is why they're seventh in the Liga Sagres table without having the actual quality level to be there. They've only lost twice in six away games but that's largely due to them not conceding many goals and playing some poor opponents. Rio Ave have only won once in their last five games, drawing three times, and losing once. However, they're facing a very competent, incisive, and efficient Maritimo today and they're going to have to play better than they have all season to get a result here today because they're simply not good enough to compete with the hosts on a skill level.

Verdict: Maritimo to win at 4/5.

Gaz Metan Medias vs Astra Ploiesti - home win at 4/5.

Hosts Gaz Metan Medias are a side that I respect rather a lot for their never-say-die attitude and ability to trouble any opponent. Although they concede more goals at home than the majority of the division do, they remain a difficult side and have only lost three out of eight home games this season, winning three times and drawing twice. Take into consideration the fact that the only sides to win away to Gaz Metan this season have contained Steaua Bucharest and Poli Timisoara, currently two of the best sides in the country, and Gaz Metan's record suddenly doesn't look anywhere near as deflating. Gaz Metan aren't playing too well of late with just one win in four games but this game is the perfect opportunity for them to get back on track, in my opinion.

Visitors Astra Ploiesti naturally play a part in my selection in the sense that they're an atrocious away side, as you'd expect a newly-promoted side to be.  They've lost six out of eight away games this season, conceding nearly two goals per away game on average and scoring just five goals away from home. Much like Gaz Metan Medias, their form of late has been poor too and they're struggling to find their feet in the division.

Although this could turn out to be a lot closer than I expect it to be, hosts Gaz Metan Medias have the experience of fighting in this division and their home advantage ahead of their tie with their newly-promoted visitors that have not yet mastered the art of away form so the home win looks good value today.

Verdict: Gaz Metan Medias to win at 4/5.

Osasuna vs Real Mallorca - home win at 23/20.

Hosts Osasuna continue to surprise the masses by pulling off good results and I'm not sure why people are so surprised. The Basque country is a really intimidating place to go and play football which is why only Valencia and Sevilla have won at Osasuna this season. The hosts fight tooth and nail for everything but also have a good level of quality in their team to boot too, as well as the welcome bursts of youth from the likes of Azpilicueta and Monreal from the full-back areas. Osasuna don't give any side an easy ride at home or away and this game is not going to be any different.

Aside from the above, Real Mallorca are a very poor away side. Manzano makes his side play ridiculously ineffectual defensive football on the road which has seen them fail to win every away game they've played in this season in the Primera Liga, losing three times and drawing three times. I don't know why he does that because Mallorca's home form is outstanding as they show how good they can actually be at home and their away form couldn't get much worse than it already is but that's life, I guess! Mallorca average conceding over two goals per away game and score one per away game on average. Out of all the away trips you can make in the Primera Liga, I personally consider this one to Pamplona to be one of the hardest and a defensive Mallorca side really shouldn't be able to take anything away from this match unless Manzano decides to let them play their proper football here!

Verdict: Osasuna to win at 23/20.

Real Union Club de Irun vs Huesca - home win at 11/10.

Real Union have found life in the Segunda Liga tough following promotion from Segunda B but have started to find their home comforts in the Basque country. They've only lost two out of seven home games this season despite being in the relegation zone and have managed to win three of those encounters. Remarkably, only Real Sociedad and Real Betis Balompie have conceded less goals at home than Real Union have so far this season, which has been the fundamental reasoning behind their success on their own turf. Real Union have won once in their last two games so they do have a little momentum for this game and they're going to need as much as they can get to stay in the division this year.

Visitors Huesca are only two points ahead of Real Union in the table but possess a very similar record both home and away as their hosts. Huesca have already lost five out of seven away games this season, winning just once, and scoring just five goals along the way. Only Cordoba and Las Palmas have scored less away goals than they have. Huesca haven't even managed to score in their last two away games so they look sure to have a tough game at Real Union today.

Although this should be a very close game, I fancy Real Union to nick it by a single goal in what could be called a relegation battle between these two outfits!

Verdict: Real Union Club de Irun to win at 11/10.

Tavriya Simferopol vs Dynamo Kiev - lay Dynamo Kiev at 7/4.

Tavriya Simferopol are currently unbeaten at home this season, winning six times and drawing twice. They're one of Ukraine's better sides although their away form rarely reflects that. They average nearly two goals scored per home game and tend to cause a lot of problems at home. They've won three out of their last four games so their momentum is strong ahead of their clash with the mighty Dynamo Kiev. Tavriya will have to give the performance of their lives because Dynamo Kiev are a much better side than they are. However, I think they've got enough in their favour to give that kind of performance today and possibly cause an upset here.

Visitors Dynamo Kiev are a very good side with a very good manager. Atypically, I'd never go against them in Ukrainian Premier League football but lately they've started to look stretched. They threw away a 1-0 lead at home to Barcelona mid-week in the UEFA Champions League, which has seen them crash out of the competition, they drew 0-0 at lowly Metalurg Zaporizhya, and only managed to win 1-0 at Chernomorets Odessa despite them being one of the biggest conceding sides in the Ukraine currently. Dynamo Kiev are basically looking tired and a tad short on innovation. Their trip to Simferopol today is one you must approach with vigour and efficiency or you can easily lose here but I just can't see Dynamo Kiev approaching this game in the right manner currently.

Although this should be a close game, I think  Tavriya have enough about them to take at least a point off an out-of-sorts Dynamo Kiev today in what should be a rather open game with plenty of goals.

Verdict: Lay Dynamo Kiev at 7/4.

Deportivo Anzoategui vs Caracas - lay Caracas at 4/5.

Hosts Deportivo Anzoategui are gradually moving up the Primera Division table again after a slow start to their campaign. They've won three out of their last five games and have already won five out of seven home games this season, losing just once. They average scoring two goals per home game and are one of Venezuela's better sides, in my opinion, although I do rate them as being just behind the likes of Deportivo Italia, Deportivo Tachira, and today's visitors Caracas.

Caracas are one of Venezuela's best sides and their away record indicates just why that is with five wins in eight games. However, just one win in their last three games has cut their momentum up slightly, sufficiently so perhaps for Deportivo Anzoategui to take advantage of that tonight. A disappointing defeat at mid-table Zamora will have cast fresh doubts for Caracas ahead of yet another tricky away game, particularly as Caracas have only beaten tonight's opponents once in their last five meetings at either ground, losing three of those games, two of which were the away games.

Make no mistake here - Caracas are the better side and if they turn it on as they're capable of doing then they'll win this game comfortably. However, I'm beginning to see chinks in their armour and I think there's enough in favour of the home side to see the visitors drop points here tonight.

Verdict: Lay Caracas at 4/5.

Accumulator fodder - Zulte-Waregem, AA Gent, Independiente Medellin, St.Pauli, Fortuna Dusseldorf, Olympiakos Piraeus, Doxa Dramas, Panaitolikos Agrinio, Porto.

As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

Boca Juniors vs Banfield (5) 1-1
Newell's Old Boys vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (8) 2-1
Racing Cub Avellaneda vs Chacarita Juniors (7) 2-0
Tigre vs River Plate (6) 0-1
Velez Sarsfeld vs Rosario Central (8) 1-0
Atletico Tucuman vs Gimnasia De La Plata (6) 2-1

Australian A-League:

Newcastle Jets vs Gold Coast United (6) 2-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

Sturm Graz vs Austria Vienna (5) 1-2

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Zulte-Waregem vs Cercle Brugge (8) 2-1
AA Gent vs Racing Genk (8) 2-0

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Independiente Medellin vs Deportivo Pereira (8) 2-0
Real Cartagena vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (7) 1-1
Deportes Tolima vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (6) 2-1
Atletico Huila vs Independiete de Santa Fe Bogota (6) 1-1

Cypriot Division 1:

APEP vs Ermis (5) 0-0
Omonia Nicosia vs APOEL Nicosia (6) 1-2
Doxa vs Nea Salamis (6) 1-0

English Premier League:

Liverpool vs Arsenal (7) 1-2

English Championship:

Middlesbrough vs Cardiff City (6)

French Ligue 1:

AS Monaco vs LOSC Lille (6) 1-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs Saint-Etienne (7) 2-1
Sochaux vs Grenoble Foot (6) 0-0
Toulouse vs Montpellier HSC (7) 2-1
Olympique Lyonnais vs Girondins de Bordeaux (7) 1-1

German Bundesliga:

FSV Mainz o5 vs VFB Stuttgart (5) 1-1
VFL Wolfsburg vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (6) 2-2

German Bundesliga 2:

Arminia Bielefeld vs Union Berlin (7)
St.Pauli vs Greuther Furth (8)
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (8)

Greek Super League:

Atromitos vs Xanthi (6) 1-0
Larissa vs Panionios (6) 2-1, draw no bet
Kavala vs PAOK Salonika (7) 1-1
Olympiakos Piraeus vs Panthrakikos (9) -1.75 handicap
AEK Athens vs Levadiakos (8) 1-0

Greek B Ethniki:

Agrotikos Asteras vs Olympiakos Volos (6)
Doxa Dramas vs Aigaleo Athens (8)
Ilioupoli vs Panserraikos (6)
Kerkyra vs Ethnikos Piraeus (7)
Panaitolikos Agrinio vs Rhodos (8)
Pierikos Katerini vs Kalamata (7)

Italian Serie A:

Atalanta Bergamo vs Internazionale (8) 1-2
Catania vs Livorno (7) 1-0
Chievo Verona vs Fiorentina (5) 1-1
Lazio vs Genoa (7) 1-1
AC Milan vs Palermo (8) over 2.5 goals
Parma vs Bologna (8) 2-0
Siena vs Udinese (5) 0-1
Sampdoria vs AS Roma (6) 1-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Cruz Azul vs Monterrey (7) over 2.5 goals

Dutch Eredivisie:

Vitesse Arnhem vs Utrecht (6) 1-1
Willem II vs Roda JC Kerkrade (6) 1-0
ADO Den Haag vs Heracles Almelo (7) 1-2
Sparta Rotterdam vs Groningen (6) 0-0

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

Volendam vs Haarlem (7) over 2.5 goals

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Legia Warsaw vs Arka Gdynia (7) under 2.5 goals
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs GKS Belchatow (5) 1-2

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Maritimo vs Rio Ave (8) 1-0
Academica de Coimbra vs Leixoes (6) 2-1
Sporting Braga vs Naval de Maio (8) 2-0
Porto vs Vitoria Setubal (8) -1.75 handicap

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Penafiel vs Beira-Mar (7)
Sporting Covilha vs Oliveirense (6)
Carregado vs Desportivo Chaves (6)
Gil Vicente vs Freamunde (5)
Fatima vs Varzim (7)
Santa Clara vs Trofense (7)

Romanian Liga:

Gaz Metan Medias vs Astra Ploiesti (7) 2-0
Steaua Bucharest vs International (8) 1-0
Brasov vs FC Poli Timisoara (7) 1-1
Dinamo Bucharest vs Vaslui (6) 0-0

Serbian Super Liga:

Napredak vs Vojvodina Novi Sad (5) 1-2

Spanish Primera Liga:

Real Valladolid vs Malaga (6) 1-1
Getafe vs Tenerife (7) 2-0
Racing Santander vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 2-0
Almeria vs Deportivo La Coruna (6) 0-1
Osasuna vs Real Mallorca (7) 1-0
Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal (6) 2-2
Sporting Gijon vs Sevilla CF (5) 1-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Cartagena vs Salamanca (7)
Real Union Club de Irun vs Huesca (6)
Real Betis Balompie vs Gimnastic de Tarragona (7) over 2.5 goals
Cadiz vs Las Palmas (6)
Celta de Vigo vs Elche (6)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Celta de Vigo II vs Lemona (6)
Montaneros vs Deportivo Alaves (6)
Pontevedra vs Izarra (7)
Ponferradina vs Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (8)
Palencia vs Guijuelo (8)
Mirandes vs Zamora (7)
Sestao River Club vs Racing Club de Ferrol (7)
Athletic Club de Bilbao II vs Compostela (7)
Barakaldo vs Lugo (5)

Group 2:

Conquense vs Tenerife II (6)
Real Racing Club Santander II vs Cerro Reyes Badajoz (7)
Atletico Madrid II vs Puertollano (5)
Universidad Las Palmas vs Real Sociedad Gimnastica Torrelavega (6)
Lanzarote vs Villanovense (6)
Vecindario vs Real Oviedo (5)
Cacaerno vs Real Sporting de Gijon II (6)
Alcorcon vs Alcala Henares (8)
Guadalajara vs Leganes (7)
Toledo vs Real Madrid II (5)

Group 3:

Alcoyano vs Sporting Mahones (7)
Sant Andreu vs Alicante (8)
Badalona vs Valencia II (7)
Mallorca II vs Orihuela (5)
Gava vs Ontinyent (7)
Logrones vs Atletico Gramenet (4)
Sabadell vs Espanyol Barcelona (5)
Denia vs Villajoyosa (7)
Benidorm vs Lleida (8)

Group 4:

Lucena vs Ceuta (5)
Ecija Balompie vs Aguilas (5)
San Roque vs Ciudad de Murcia (8)
Sevilla II vs Sangonera Atletico (6)
Union Estepona vs Jerez Industrial (6)
Real Jaen vs Marbella (7)
Caravaca vs Real Betis Balompie II (8)
Moratalla vs Granada (6)
Real Murcia II vs Polideportivo Ejido (7)
Melilla vs Roquetas (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Istanbul BB vs Kayserispor (6) 1-2
Diyarbakirspor vs Kasimpasa (6) 1-1
Genclerbirligi vs Gaziantepspor (7) 2-1
Sivasspor vs Eskisehirspor (6) 1-1
Denizlispor vs Trabzonspor (7) 1-2
Manisaspor vs Besiktas JK (7) 0-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Metalurg Donetsk vs Karpaty Lviv (6) 1-1
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (5) 1-0
Tavriya Simferopol vs Dynamo Kiev (6) 1-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Tacuarembo vs Cerro Largo (6) 1-1
Central Espanol vs Fenix (5) 2-1
Racing Club Montevideo vs Cerro (6) 2-1
Defensor Sporting vs Liverpool Montevideo (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Cerrito vs Club Nacional de Montevideo (8) 0-2
River Plate Montevideo vs Montevideo Wanderers (6) 1-1

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Tachira vs Centro Italo (8) 2-0
Deportivo Anzoategui vs Caracas (6) 1-1
Zulia vs Aragua (6) 2-1
Zamora vs Atletico El Vigia (7) 1-0
Yaracuyanos vs Llaneros de Guanare (8) 1-0
Deportivo Italia vs Deportivo Lara (8) 2-1
Real Esppor Club vs Mineros de Guayana (7) 1-1
Carabobo vs Monagas SC (6) 0-0
Estudiantes de Merida vs Trujillanos (6) 2-1

Welsh Premier League:

Neath Athletic vs Airbus (8) 2-0
Llanelli vs Prestatyn Town (8) 3-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

9Dec/092

Olympiakos Piraeus vs Arsenal

Today's featured game is the UEFA Champions League encounter in Greece between Olympiakos Piraeus and Arsenal. Hosts Olympiakos Piraeus need just a point here to achieve qualification for the latter stages of the Champions League so they'll have to give their all tonight. Arsenal have already qualified for the latter stages as group winners and will be resting a number of players for this redundant game.

Hosts Olympiakos have already won their other two group games at home in this campaign and will look to continue this trait against group winners Arsenal. Olympiakos enter this game having beaten bitter rivals Panathinaikos 2-0 at home and tricky Xanthi 1-0 away from home in the Super League so now turn their momentum towards their Champions League campaign.

Visitors Arsenal have struggled domestically of late with injury problems, particularly with goalscoring due to Van Persie's lengthy injury. Arsene Wenger has decided to rest the majority of his first team for the weekend game with Liverpool at Anfield and who can blame him? They're already through, after all. Arsenal's side is composed largely of youngsters with a few other "old" hands to lend their experience. Make no mistake, however - Arsenal enter this game as underdogs because their side isn't good enough to take on an experienced Greek side on their own territory and overcome them, it's as simple as that.

Whereas I do rate Arsenal's youngsters very highly, they are travelling to the home of a side that has beaten bigger and better sides than Arsenal over the years and continue to maintain their dominance at home even now. With Olympiakos seeking at least a point from this game and Arsenal blooding youngsters, it's hard to look beyond a home win for this encounter.

Verdict: Olympiakos Piraeus to win at evens.

Wednesday's Picks

My tips:

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

Internazionale vs Rubin Kazan - lay Internazionale at 8/5.

Hosts Internazionale have yet to convince me in the Champions League this season with a series of unconvincing displays which largely highlights the somewhat backwards mentality of Italian football nowadays. Internazionale are yet to win a home game and that really doesn't surprise me. They've been dominated at home by Barcelona but managed to hold on for a draw and were outplayed here by Dynamo Kiev and still managed to steal a draw there too. However, the pressure's on now as the hosts have to win this game to progress to the latter stages of the Champions League and I just don't think they're currently able to handle this pressure, even under the stewardship of mighty Jose Mourinho, a manager who I have the utmost respect for. Internazionale don't enter this game in the best frame of mind already after tasting defeat for just the second time in Serie A this season but this time to bitter rivals Juventus. To be blunt, Internazionale don't look like a side capable of making it to the latter stages of this competition despite a host of big names at their disposal.

Visitors Rubin Kazan have surprised a lot of people in the Champions League this season, myself included, with their well-marshalled and efficient displays. Indeed, not many sides can claim to have taken three points from Nou Camp against Barcelona but Rubin are one of those sides. In fact, Rubin have only been beaten once in this group and that was away to Dynamo Kiev in a game where the hosts simply took their chances a lot better than Rubin did. However, Rubin really didn't look out of their depth drawing at home to Internazionale and nor did they in either game with Barcelona so I can't see them playing any differently tonight.

Rubin Kazan have got a great chance of making it to the latter stages tonight because their strength is containing their opponents, something they do very well indeed. They've had longer to prepare for this game than Internazionale have with the Russian Premier League having ended a couple of weeks ago whereas Internazionale are starting to look a bit leggy. With the above in mind, I think there could be a lot of value tonight in laying Internazionale for this game.

Verdict: Lay Internazionale at 8/5.

Sevilla CF vs Rangers - lay Sevilla CF at 9/4.

Hosts Sevilla CF have been largely unconvincing at home in recent times after claiming a draw at home to Malaga and Real Valladolid respectively, neither of which a side like Sevilla should be held by. Their last Champions League game saw them succumb to defeat in Romania against lowly Unirea Urziceni, another result which shouldn't have occurred. To put it bluntly - Sevilla aren't firing on all cylinders which is largely due to a number of injury issues. However, this does have a chain reaction effect upon the side's morale and momentum ultimately and Sevilla appear to be stuck in a rut temporarily, something which does make their football less fluent and easy on the eye.

With the above in mind, consider that Rangers will be playing for pride, just like all Scottish sides do nowadays. Rangers have nothing to lose and nothing to gain and in my experience, that's the best time to back them. Rangers will not stop working in this game - fact. Interestingly enough, Rangers are unbeaten away from home in this campaign despite tricky trips to Germany and Romania  along the way, a statistic which will assist them in their struggle against mighty Sevilla tonight. Rangers will be eager to make amends after being beaten heavily at home by their Spanish opponents at the start of their campaign so this is yet another factor which will be in the minds of the players.

Although this bet naturally does have the potential to completely backfire on me as Sevilla are a better side than Rangers, I'm going to bank on the fact that Sevilla have had problems keeping sides out and breaking down resilient defences of late, which are two factors that Rangers are well-equipped to emulate and capitalise on. With the above in mind, it may be worth a small punt laying Sevilla, particularly as the hosts have already qualified for the latter stages of this competition and will be first in the group barring what would be a miraculous away win for Unirea Urziceni in Germany.

Verdict: Lay Sevilla CF at 9/4.

Standard de Liege vs AZ Alkmaar - home win at 5/6.

This bet is purely about the lesser of two evils! Neither side are playing well and both have their respective issues. Standard de Liege are struggling to score goals, they're missing Captain Defour, and have their best striker Jovanovic linked to another club virtually every week. However, a win for them tonight coupled with the defeat of Olympiakos by Arsenal would see Standard qualify for the latter stages of this competition so the Belgians will be highly motivated tonight and have their loud home support to cheer them on. Visitors AZ Alkmaar have just sacked coach Ronald Koeman after a woeful start to their Eredivisie campaign. The final straw that broke the donkey's back was their home defeat against Vitesse Arnhem last match so AZ Alkmaar have no manager for this game although Dick Advocaat has supposedly been appointed so he can manage the Dutch club after this game, which is ironic considering that he coaches the Belgium national side too. A win tonight would see AZ clinch a UEFA Europa League spot but they just don't look capable of doing it without a manager and whilst playing some poor football to boot.

This should be quite the gritty and tense match with both sides having something to gain from this game with the old Belgium/Holland rivalry certainly not helping matters. However, I think there's just enough in Standard de Liege's corner for them to win this game whereas AZ will surely turn their focus onto rescuring their poor Eredivisie campaign.

Verdict: Standard de Liege to win at 5/6.

Gimnasia De La Plata vs Newell's Old Boys - away win at 4/5.

Gimnasia De La Plata have now lost three consecutive games, making it four defeats in five games. They've won just three games in seventeen this season and although their home record is semi-decent, they've still managed to concede eight goals in their last three games, scoring just once along the way. Gimnasia are looking far too leaky at the back to maintain any kind of challenge to high-flying Newell's Old Boys and I frankly don't believe that they have the quality to do so either. With momentum having also deserted them for this game, it's very hard to see the hosts getting anything from this game tonight.

Nobody else in this division has won as many away games as Newell's Old Boys have this season with six wins in nine away games, losing just once along the way. Only league leaders Banfield have conceded less goals than Newell's Old Boys have away from  home this season too. The visitors enter this game with some decent momentum after three wins, one draw, and just one defeat in their past five games. Newell's may have surprised me with their form this year but one thing that hasn't surprised me is that Gimnasia are lingering near the bottom of the table because they simply don't have the squad to match most of this division currently.

Although I don't envision this game being a walkover - what South American away win ever is? - I do think that Newell's Old Boys have the better side, better momentum, and even better motivation ahead of this encounter. Gimnasia De La Plata would look likely to lose against anyone with their current form, let alone one of the better sides in the Primera Division currently.

Verdict: Newell's Old Boys to win at 4/5.

As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

UEFA Champions League:

Liverpool vs Fiorentina (6) 1-0
Olympique Lyonnais vs Debreceni VSC (9) over 2.5 goals
Internazionale vs Rubin Kazan (6) 1-1
Dynamo Kiev vs Barcelona (7) 1-2
VFB Stuttgart vs Unirea Urziceni (5) 0-0
Sevilla CF vs Rangers (6) 0-0
Olympiakos Piraeus vs Arsenal (6) 2-0
Standard de Liege vs AZ Alkmaar (7) 1-0

FIFA World Club Cup:

Auckland City vs Al Ahli (6) 0-1

Argentinian Primera Division:

San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Lanus (7) 1-1
Gimnasia De La Plata vs Newell's Old Boys (7) 1-2
Banfield vs Tigre (8) under 2.5 goals

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Deportivo Pereira vs Real Cartagena (6) 2-1
Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs Independiente Medellin (5) 1-1
Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Deportes Tolima (7) 1-0
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Atletico Huila (8) 2-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Nafta Lendava vs Drava (8) 2-0
Interblock Ljubljana vs Celje (6) 2-1
Rudar Velenje vs Domzale (5) 1-1
Gorica vs Koper (6) 0-1
Maribor vs Olimpija Ljubljana (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

Ukrainian Premier League:

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (9) -1.75 handicap

Enjoy your free betting tips!

We're better than Liverpoll

EPL top goalscorer this season?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Supporters

Have your say

What the forums are saying

Menu

Recent Posts

Meta

Top Commentators

Other Great Sites!

More Ads

Disclaimer

The tips and hints given on this website are not to be taken as gospel. Everyone knows that there is never a dead certainty in this game and we cannot be held responsible for any money lost as a result of following anything written here.

Of course if you do follow our tips and win, feel free to share the wealth! :-)

Your Ad Here