Hull City vs Aston Villa
Today's featured game is the English Premier League game between Hull City and Aston Villa. The game is massive for both sides with Hull needing to win to boost their chances of avoiding the drop and Aston Villa needing to win to try and claim a European place ahead of next season's campaign so we should see a good open game tonight.
Hull City have frankly merited relegation this season; let's be blunt about that. Any side that averages conceding over two goals per game doesn't deserve to be playing top flight football. Only bottom club Portsmouth have won as few games as Hull have this season so it's fair to say that Hull have struggled in attack too. They're no pushovers at home with just five defeats at home all season but they've lost two out of their last three home games, the most recent of which was last match's embarrassing 4-1 defeat against the worst away side in the division - Burnley. Hull took the lead in that game and still somehow lost to an inept Burnley side. Hull will have taken a heavy mental blow from that game as Burnley are relegation battlers themselves and despite claiming a valuable 0-0 draw at Birmingham City last match, the fact is that Hull aren't playing well enough to win and winning is exactly what they must do. Nothing but three points will suffice here for Hull so being caught on the counter-attack may be something they have to try and ford at their peril.
Visitors Aston Villa have looked stretched for a while, something I've mentioned quite a lot. They don't have the strength in-depth to be a force all season long and it's beginning to show. However, a gritty display at Portsmouth last match saw them win the game 2-1 and they'll have taken some decent momentum from this outcome. Given that only Manchester United and Chelsea have won more away games than Aston Villa in the Premier League this season, giving the visitors some momentum ahead of this game could be fatal. Aston Villa have been strong defensively on the road this season so I'll be surprised if Hull break through them tonight. Villa have won their last two away games consecutively and have the firepower to damage Hull tonight, particularly on the inevitable counter-attacks, so I expect them to score at least once during this game, which should ultimately be enough to win them the encounter.
With Hull needing three points and having to attack Aston Villa tonight despite a lack of momentum, morale, and composure, I fear for them in this game. Villa are lethal on the counter-attack with their tremendous pace and they're a very composed side in general so they shouldn't have many problems dealing with Hull. I fully expect Villa to score at least one during this game and that realistically should be enough to see them win the game at generous odds of 11/10.
Verdict: Aston Villa to win at 11/10.
Wednesday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Lyngby vs Viborg - home win at 10/11.
How long will Lyngby's record go on for?! They've won every home game in the Danish 1st Division this season - all nine games - and average scoring nearly three goals per home game so they're a constant force on their own turf. I backed out of recommending them to you all to beat AB Copenhagen last match as I thought it was a bridge too far but their determination won them the game so my faith in them is now of a sufficient level to back them to win today. They've played well of late either way with three wins in four games, their only defeat during that run coming at promotion rivals Fredericia so they shouldn't be too disheartened. Lyngby are too big for this division and should really be in the Superligaen, in my opinion, and if they maintain their current level of form then they may just end up there. Lyngby are absolutely lethal at home and I expect them to get their own back on Viborg for back-to-back defeats in their last two games against tonight's visitors.
Visitors Viborg make their living by not losing games. They don't enjoy scoring or conceding goals so I think it's fair to say that they'll approach tonight's game by attempting to prevent a potent Lyngby from adopting their usual free-scoring style. Viborg have only lost three out of their ten away games this season so they're generally a tough nut to crack. However, I'm encouraged by the fact that they've looked a little weak of late with an unthinkable defeat at home against Thisted and a surprising draw at Roskilde last match so they're certainly looking likely to stumble at the moment. Unfortunately for Viborg, their little blip has come as they take on the toughest home side in the division so I don't think they've got enough momentum to resist their impressive hosts.
Although these two sides are generally capable of going blow-for-blow on their respective days, Lyngby have been phenomenal at home this season, particularly with goalscoring. They're consistently good at home and should be again tonight and Viborg, for a change, are looking likely to lose a game although it should be a tight game as Viborg are strong defensively - well, unless Lyngby break through early! Either way, there should be some value in the home win at decent odds of 10/11.
Verdict: Lyngby to win at 10/11.
Accumulator fodder:
Banfield, Sao Paulo, Flamengo, Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast, Partizan Belgrade, Red Star Belgrade, Schaffhausen.
Recommended bets:
Aston Villa, Lyngby, and Schaffhausen at 7/1.
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
UEFA Champions League:
Bayern Munich vs Olympique Lyonnais (6) 1-1
Copa Libertadores:
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Morelia (6) 2-1
Banfield vs Deportivo Cuenca (7) 2-0
Nacional Asuncion vs Monterrey (7) 1-1
Sao Paulo vs Once Caldas Manizales (8) 2-1
Universidad de Chile vs Universidad Catolica (7) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Flamengo vs Caracas (9) -1.75 handicap
Belgian Tweede Klasse:
Liege vs Tubize (5)
Eupen vs Boussu Dour Borinage (5)
Bulgarian A PFG:
Cherno More Varna vs Pirin Blagoevgrad (7) 1-0
Lokomotiv Sofia vs Slavia Sofia (6) 0-0
Sportist Svoge vs Montana (7) 1-2
CSKA Sofia vs Litex Lovech (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Danish 1st Division:
Lyngby vs Viborg (7) under 2.5 goals
English Premier League:
Hull City vs Aston Villa (7) 1-2
International Friendly:
Honduras vs Venezuela (7) 1-0
Japanese J-League:
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Nagoya Grampus (6) 1-1
Russian Division 1:
Khimki vs Kuban Krasnodor (6) under 2.5 goals
Zhemchuzhina Sochi vs Krasnodor (5)
KamAZ Nab Chelny vs Luch-Energiya Vladivostok (6)
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Energiya Khabarovsk (6)
Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast vs Avangard Kursk (8)
Irtysh Pavlodar vs Salyut Belgorod (6)
Baltika Kaliningrad vs Rotor Volgograd (6)
Dinamo St.Petersburg vs Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan (5)
Shinnik Yaroslavl' vs Nizhnyi Novgorod (6)
Dinamo Bryansk vs Mordovia Saransk (5)
Serbian Super Liga:
Jagodina vs Spartak Subotica (6) 1-0
Rad Belgrade vs BSK Borca (7) 2-0
Napredak vs Partizan Belgrade (8) 0-2
Red Star Belgrade vs Javor Ivanjica (8) 2-1
OFK Belgrade vs Borac Cacak (7) under 2.5 goals
Smederevo vs Hajduk Kula (5) 0-0
Mladi Radnik vs Vojvodina Novi Sad (5) 0-1
Metalac GM vs Cukaricki (6) 2-1
Singaporean S-League:
Gombak United vs Home United (7) 1-0
Swiss Challenge League:
Schaffhausen vs Wohlen (8)
Venezuelan Primera Division:
Trujillanos vs Deportivo Italia (6) 1-1
Welsh Premier League:
Airbus UK vs Prestatyn Town (7) 1-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Today's featured game is the English Premier League encounter between Aston Villa and Liverpool. Aston Villa have had a great season so far but suffered a 3-0 humbling at the hands of Arsenal last match. Visitors Liverpool managed to barely overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers last match and have been unconvincing all season long.
Aston Villa have only been beaten once at home in nine games this season, winning an impressive six times and averaging nearly two goals per game. They average conceding less than a goal per game at home and have won four out of their last five games, giving them some strong momentum ahead of this game. Villa play very quick counter-attacking football and cause problems for the vast majority of sides that they face. They appear to have an additional dimension to them this season somehow with their new-found ability to keep clean sheets. The 3-0 defeat at Arsenal last game will have hurt them, no doubt about it, but they're a strong side mentally and have far too much in their arsenal to not cause a meager Liverpool defence problems tonight.
Visitors Liverpool have already lost five out of nine away games this season. They don't score enough goals on the road and tend to leak goals too easily. A 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth was the result of their last away game, a result which means Liverpool have lost two out of their last four games. Although they now have their two talismans - Gerrard and Torres - back to full fitness, Liverpool still have underlying problems that really should be exposed by a good side like Aston Villa.
Villa enter this game knowing they can beat Liverpool, not only through the confidence that Martin O'Neill gives them but also because they won 3-1 at Anfield earlier on this season. Villa are good enough to do it and I'll be quietly surprised if they don't against a Liverpool side with a lot of problems.
Verdict: Aston Villa to win at 7/4.
Tuesday's Picks
My tips:
Bolton Wanderers vs Hull - home win at 5/6.
Bolton Wanderers boss Gary Megson has a strange habit with his side. Whenever his job is particularly under threat he tends to go on a four-game unbeaten run before sinking to the doldrums again. I don't know how or why this occurs but it just keeps happening. His job was under threat three games ago and Bolton have gone unbeaten in all of those games, scoring an impressive seven goals along the way. Bolton concede goals too easily generally so the fact that they're scoring goals themselves is of great comfort to them and they've gathered considerable momentum from their past three games as a result. Bolton know they can win this game and that they have to in what is frankly a relegation six-pointer game.
Visitors Hull City enter this game on the back of a 3-1 defeat at home by Manchester United. Although the result is far from shameful, and it certainly did flatter Manchester United, I think Hull City are going to be really demoralised from this. Boss Phil Brown says otherwise and fair play to him but I'll explain why and let you make up your own mind. Hull City played arguably the best they'd played all season against Manchester United. They were first to the ball every time, in their faces, strong, quick and were facing an under-strength and out-of-sorts Manchester United side. Despite that, Hull still managed to lose convincingly. It might just be me but if you try harder than ever to get something and you fail then it really knocks your confidence because there's nothing else you can do, is there? Hull have got a very tough game tonight and I think they're going to be tired entering it from their intense efforts last game. Hull have already lost seven out of nine away games this season, failing to win any of their games and nearly three goals per away game on average. This record will be greeted with joy by a seemingly rampant Bolton Wanderers who really should score a couple of goals here. Hull's goalscoring record on the road is woeful too with an average of just over a goal per every two away games.
Although this will be a tense, hard-fought game between two battling sides, yuo have to feel there's value in the home win for the momentum side against their tired opponents who have lost three out of their last four games.
Verdict: Bolton Wanderers to win at 5/6.
As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Racing Genk vs Sint-Truiden (5) 2-1
Cercle Brugge vs Standard de Liege (6) 0-1
English Premier League:
Aston Villa vs Liverpool (7) over 2.5 goals
Bolton Wanderers vs Hull City (7) 2-1
International Friendlies:
Saudi Arabia vs Kuwait (8) 2-0
Tunisia vs Ivory Coast (7) 1-1
Scottish Premier League:
Aberdeen vs Falkirk (6) 2-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!
Sunderland vs Aston Villa
Today's featured game is the encounter between Sunderland and Aston Villa in the English Premier League. Sunderland have struggled in recent times due to injuries and have won just once in their last five games. By contrast, visitors Aston Villa are in the form of their career and occupy fourth place in the Premier League table and are looking very strong indeed.
Hosts Sunderland have performed well under Steve Bruce but it's still early days so they're bound to miss big players for them and they're missing what I personally consider to be one of their biggest players, which is holding midfielder Lee Cattermole. The reason that they miss him is because when he plays in the middle with Lorik Cana then sides find it hard to break through the centre of the park and not many sides are going to beat the Sunderland defence in the air when forced to go wide because of it. Sunderland also aren't scoring as many as normal with just two goals scored in their last five games, winning just one of those games. Sunderland tend to be strong at home with only Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal having won more home games than they have this season.
Visitors Aston Villa have surprised the Premier League by emerging strong than ever from a somewhat disappointing summer which saw the retirement of rock-solid centre-back Martin Laursen without him being replaced by someone I considered good enough to fill the void. I'd be the first to admit that I feared for Aston Villa when I saw this because they'd brought in Richard Dunne and lost a fantastically experienced defender. However, I'll hold up my hands - the Irish defender has been excellent for Aston Villa and they've reaped the benefit of it with only Chelsea having conceded less goals than they have in the Premier League this year. Much is made of Aston Villa's lethal attack but little is said about their defence which has conceded three goals in their last five Premier League games, a run which has seen them emerge from Old Trafford with a clean sheet, which is a rarity in itself. All in all, I'm very impressed with Aston Villa this season as they're very good in attack and in defence with plenty of variety, experience, quality, and motivation. They've got a great manager and my only failing for them would be that they have a very thin squad so injuries will do them damage. However, they've got a strong squad for the visit to the North-East tonight and the football they've been playing has been superb so they should be able to do some damage tonight.
Having watched Aston Villa in their last match at Manchester United, I have to hold up my hands and say that they deserved their win. They're a horrible team to defend against and Sunderland will be sorely tested against them, particularly as the hosts tonight aren't scoring many goals. With the above in mind, it's hard to see an Aston Villa side with tremendous momentum do anything but win this game as they're more than capable of doing so.
Verdict: Aston Villa to win at 7/5.
Tuesday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers - home win at 6/5.
Hosts Birmingham City steamroller their way onwards with few sides being able to break them down! They've now won four games in a row now, conceding just two goals along the way. Birmingham's strength without doubt is the fact that they don't concede goals often. Indeed, only Chelsea can match their four goals conceded at home this season, which is some feat. Needless to say that their walls will all come tumbling down when they hit rocky form as they don't score enough goals but for the time being, they're certainly a reliable side when it comes to winning games efficiently. For some reason, Lee Bowyer is in the form of his career and is scoring goals for fun. If you wish to capitalise on that, then taking Lee Bowyer to score as Birmingham City win 1-0 is a remarkable 33/1, something that is certainly worth your consideration. Birmingham are basically a team of hard workers with some quality and an organised defence. This run will not last all season but I'm prepared to ride it whilst it does.
Visitors Blackburn Rovers are without a win in four games, losing one and then drawing their last three games consecutively. Blackburn Rovers are another side that don't enjoy conceding goals in typical Sam Allardyce style so this game is sure to be a cracker if you're blind for the neutral(!) However, Blackburn's away form is what convinces me that Birmingham can do the job here tonight with the visitors having lost six out of eight away games, leaking nearly three goals per game on average. Much like Birmingham, their football is based around tenacity and the utilisation of the few quality players they have. However, Blackburn aren't being as ruthless as Birmingham as they've failed to score in all three of their last three Premier League games, which is something I do feel is going to count against them tonight.
All in all, there's very little between these two sides and they play such similar football to each other than this game could conceivably end as a draw. However, Birmingham's momentum versus Blackburn's leaky defence and poor away form says that there has to be some value in the home win tonight.
Verdict: Birmingham City to win at 6/5.
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - under 2.5 goals at 5/4.
After a disappointing defeat at home to Aston Villa, Manchester United are looking to bounce back against a resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. United's biggest problem last match was their final ball, something which just didn't happen for them, really. Rooney was struggling to link up with his team-mates and for some inane reason, Ferguson decided to bench Berbatov, one of the best players at unlocking defences in the league, in my opinion. When the languid Bulgarian striker came on it was too little too late as United were shut off by a solid Villa defence. Wolves will look to bring a similar approach to this game although with less counter-attacking options. That said, what Wolves lack in attack they make up for in resilience as they look to further their run of two consecutive wins, one of which was a highly impressive win at Tottenham Hotspur last match without even conceding. Although Wolves are far from a class side, they don't concede nearly as many goals as you'd think they might and tend to put up a good fight against any side they face so expect a tough match for United tonight. I'd personally stay away from the handicaps as United are really finding it hard to break sides down when Rooney isn't on his game but I think they'll manage to get a goal or two from somewhere. I've got a scoreline of 1-0 or 2-0 in my head so I think taking under 2.5 goals is probably the best value you'll find in this game tonight.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 5/4.
As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
FIFA World Club Cup:
Pohang Steelers vs Estudiantes De La Plata (8) 1-2
English Premier League:
Sunderland vs Aston Villa (7) 0-1
Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers (7) 1-0
Bolton Wanderers vs West Ham United (6) 1-1
Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (8) under 2.5 goals
English FA Cup:
Stockport County vs Torquay United (5) 1-1
French Ligue 1:
Valenciennes vs Auxerre (6) 2-1
Scottish Premier League:
Dundee United vs Rangers (4) 1-1
Welsh Premier League:
Porthmadog vs The New Saints (9) 1-3
Bangor City vs Bala Town (7) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!
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