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

4Apr/1040

Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruna

Today's featured game is the Primera Liga game between Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna. Hosts Atletico Madrid have finally started playing well again in recent times and look a threat once more whereas Deportivo La Coruna have nosedived so we should have an interesting game on our hands tonight.

Hosts Atletico Madrid have won eight out of fourteen home games this season whilst averaging scoring nearly two goals per game. Atletico Madrid are inept defensively but so are the majority of Spanish sides so it's not an uncommon thing. Atletico have scored four goals in their last two games as they drew at Valencia mid-week in the UEFA Europa League and were beaten 3-2 by bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Liga. Atletico are certainly back to goalscoring ways and have been strong at home as a result, winning their last four home games in the Primera Liga despite facing giants Barcelona and Valencia and despite hosting gritty Basque sides Osasuna and Athletic Club de Bilbao. Surprisingly, Atletico have only conceded twice during those four games but have scored nine times along the way so they're finally gaining some kind of consistency, which in itself is bizarre for them, but it makes it easier for me to back them tonight.

What counts against Deportivo La Coruna massively tonight is that they don't score many goals when they're at the peak of their form, let alone when they're out of form, so sides like Atletico tend to have a lot of joy against them. Deportivo have lost their last five visits here consecutively and haven't won here since 1999 so they don't like their trips here much at all! Deportivo's tactics on the road are purely to stop opponents scoring goals as they struggle to score enough themselves to counter their respective opponents - an average of less than a goal per away game - but they've failed in defence too of late which must surely concern them. Deportivo are now without a win in four games, losing their last three games consecutively. They've only lost one of those games away from home but they've concerningly lost two home games against sides that they should be drawing against at the very least so morale is low as a result. Deportivo have conceded eight goals in their past four games - two goals per game on average - which is an unthinkable record for a defensively strong side. Deportivo are getting their token goals still but don't have the momentum or morale to trouble Atletico tonight, in my opinion.

No side has an easy game against Deportivo but with Atletico scoring so many goals and Deportivo leaking so easily, you have to feel that there's value in the home win tonight.

Verdict: Atletico Madrid to win at 4/5.

Sunday's Picks

My tips:

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

Boca Juniors vs Rosario Central - lay Boca Juniors at evens.

Hosts Boca Juniors are in a bizarre place currently. They're the third highest goalscoring side in the Primera Division but they're third from bottom in the Primera Division too as they're the biggest conceding side in the division. However, both of those scoring records are applicable largely to their away form; their home form is somewhat presentable. However, Boca have only won twice in five home games this season despite their measured goal difference so they haven't exactly started their season the way they wanted to! Boca have only won once in their last five games whilst losing three times and that victory was against bitter rivals River Plate so I'd suggest that motivation is an issue for Boca currently. They've lost at home to Racing Club Avellaneda during those five games and their most recent match was an embarassing 4-1 defeat at Chacarita Juniors so Boca are hardly the epitome of composure currently.

Visitors Rosario Central are also having a puzzling campaign although theirs is easier to comprehend as they just don't score goals. Rosario have only conceded seven times in six away games which is a presentable record, particularly when you consider that they're second from bottom in the Primera Division. However, scoring just twice on the road during that time is the reason that their record isn't improving. That said, Rosario have only lost twice in their six away games as they tend to draw their games or take a beating; they clearly don't believe in the "grey" patch of form. Rosario have lost their last two games consecutively so their form has to be a concern to them. However, they're resolute and defend solidly away from home so I'll give them their chances here.

All in all, Boca Juniors are too short for this game. They're not playing particularly well and they're rarely winning games so why they're 4/6 is beyond me. Boca haven't beaten Rosario at home in three out of their last four attempts so the odds on laying the hosts tonight might just be something of a gift.

Verdict: Lay Boca Juniors at evens.

Lanus vs River Plate - home win at 6/5.

Hosts Lanus are finally starting to rebuild their Clausura campaign with two consecutive wins. They're adopting the "Argentinos Juniors" approach of winning games 1-0 so backing them is a tad precarious against potent sides. However, that shouldn't be an issue tonight as one thing that River Plate cannot do is score goals currently.

Lanus drew their last game mid-week in Paraguay against Libertad Asuncion. This might not seem like a particularly impressive result but it is when you consider that they trailed from the third minute after ex-River Plate defender Pedro Sarabia put Libertad ahead. Then Lanus had their star striker Silva dismissed on the half-hour mark and despite battling against those two factors, Lanus scored a late goal to equalise and were arguably unlucky not to win the game. What this shows is determination, committment, and even belief - three things that Lanus had been lacking this season. However, they're now unbeaten in four games in all competitions, winning three times and drawing once, so Lanus have some strong momentum behind them currently. Lanus have already won three out of five home games this season and have only lost once so they're rapidly establishing themselves as a strong home side yet again so I'm happy to back them tonight.

Visitors River Plate just don't appear to be able to fight their way out of their current predicament. Only San Lorenzo de Almagro, Rosario Central, and Atletico Tucuman respectively have scored less goals than they have this season which explains why they're languishing near the bottom of the table. They've already lost three out of five away games in the Primera Division and don't even manage to score a goal per away game on average so falling behind in away games tends to be fatal for the fallen giants. River Plate haven't scored in three out of their last four games and have lost two consecutve away games without scoring a goal. River Plate are simply a very goal-shy side and are finding only a single goal an impossible obstacle to overcome so look likely to struggle tonight against Lanus as they do against most sides currently.

Lanus may only be winning games 1-0 but they are still scoring and they're strong at home so they should have too much for goal-shy River Plate at very generous odds.

Verdict: Lanus to win at 6/5.

CSKA Sofia vs Montana - lay CSKA Sofia at 11/4.

This is definitely a risky call but I couldn't resist with CSKA Sofia at 1/5 for some bizarre reason!

First of all, CSKA Sofia are better than Montana - a lot better. However, as we all know in football, that is not the be all and end all. CSKA have only won once in their last six games and have only scored once during their last four games. CSKA have been humiliated at Lokomotiv Mezdra and have drawn at home to Pirin Blagoevgrad in recent times so they're really not playing their best at all. I don't think anyone is in a position to doubt CSKA's actual level of abiliy but their performances of late and their lack of goals scored leaves me with doubts regarding them beating anyone at the moment, even little Montana!

Montana are a pretty damn poor side and I think I'm being generous with that description. They simply don't score goals, which is naturally a handicap for a side that...well, has to score goals! Montana are without a win in four consecutive games and have only scored once during that time but have only lost twice so they're a fairly capable side defensively. This is also reflected in their overall away form as they've lost just four games in ten away games this season. Montana don't score many but don't concede many so could prove to be a real thorn in the side of CSKA today.

We all know CSKA are the better side here but they're unbelievably short to win this game. Montana are a capable enough side to grind out a 0-0 draw so I think laying CSKA at oustanding odds is a potentially good call today.

Verdict: Lay CSKA Sofia at 11/4.

Liga de Quito vs Barcelona Guayaquil - home win at 10/11.

These odds are surprising - we should be seeing at least 4/6 here! I can only imagine the bookies are reading too much into the current form of Barcelona Guayaquil because Liga de Quito are the best side in Ecuador currently!

Both of these sides have made a great start to their respective Primera A campaigns and both occupy the top two places in the table as a result. Liga de Quito have been cutting at home so far this season with three wins and one draw in four home games, scoring ten times and conceding just once. Barcelona have done well on the road with two wins, one draw, and just one defeat in their four away games. Barcelona were crushed at bitter rivals Emelec recently in their only defeat of the season but that left them looking somewhat unconvincing in their away win against Espoli Cayambe. That uncertainty, if shown tonight, will be exploited by a rampant and experienced Liga de Quito, which is ultimately what I expect to happen.

Look, there's basically a damn good reason that Liga de Quito have won five consecutive home games against Barcelona Guayaquil and it's because they're better than them. Liga de Quito are as strong as ever at home so why the bookies have under-priced Liga de Quito tonight is beyond me.

Verdict: Liga de Quito to win at 10/11.

Birmingham City vs Liverpool - lay Liverpool at 10/11.

There's no secret to this one - Birmingham are simply bloody hard to play against at home. They've avoided defeat at home to Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United respectively this season so why they can't against an inferior Liverpool is beyond me. Birmingham have only lost two home games in the Premier League this season and that record should be kept entact against Liverpool today as the hosts will be looking to their tough game at home to SL Benfica in the UEFA Europa League next week. Liverpool have only won four out of sixteen away games in the Premier League this season and have the lowest goalscoring record on the road out of the whole of the top nine in the Premier League. Liverpool haven't won in their last six away games and have only scored twice during that run so it's easy to see why they don't do very well! They're up against a rock-solid Birmingham defence today and I just can't see them breaching it so laying them at evens looks a good bet to me.

Verdict: Lay Liverpool at 10/11.

Auxerre vs Paris Saint-Germain - home win at 21/20.

Auxerre have had a sensational campaign and I'm still not really sure why! I suppose you could loosely classify them as one of the best "teams" in France in the sense that they work hard for each other and perform very efficiently. However, far be it from me to decide which sides carry the most momentum so I'll happily follow Auxerre for this one today! They've already won ten out of fifteen home games in Ligue 1 and boast one of the best defensive records in the division, which is basically the stability behind their success. Auxerre have won their last four home games consecutively and look likely to extend that run today with the proviso that their reliable defence turns up as usual!

Visitors Paris Saint-Germain have had a disappointing campaign in comparison to their good campaign last season, finding themselves closer to the drop zone than the European places this season. They've been particularly disappointing away from home with eight defeats in fifteen away games in Ligue 1. They don't concede excessively but they do concede more than they score, hence their problems. PSG haven't won in their last seven away games in Ligue 1, losing five times along the way. PSG have only scored once in their last three away game so should struggle to a substantial level against Auxerre today.

Although this has the hallmarks of being one of the most droll games ever - along with the rest of Auxerre's games - you still have to feel that the home win has value in it today for a robotic Auxerre to dismantle a disappointing Paris Saint-Germain.

Verdict: Auxerre to win at 21/20.

VFL Wolfsburg vs Hoffenheim - home win at 5/6.

Why aren't Wolfsburg 4/6 for this game? Do the bookies still think that Hoffenheim are a legitimate title threat or something?!

Wolfsburg lost mid-week at Fulham in the UEFA Europa League, which will have disappointed them as they largely contained Fulham rather well but they scored an away goal so they won't be too disheartened. They've won four out of their last five Bundesliga games and have scored twelve times along the way - an average of over two goals scored per game. Aside from a bizarre 5-1 humiliation at home by Hertha HSC Berlin, Wolfsburg have been unusually astute defensively, conceding just once in their four wins. However, it'd be foolish to state anything but the fact that Wolfsburg are playing well at the moment and are scoring goals for fun. We all know that they're better than their Bundesliga placing suggests and I expect that to show today.

Hoffenheim aren't a bad side. In fact, they're quite a well-organised side but don't score many goals due to "second season syndrome", as I call it. Basically, the new sides that make an impact in their first season get "found out" in their second season and that is what has happened to Hoffenheim. They're without a win in their last four games, drawing twice and losing twice. They've already lost seven out of fourteen away games this season but do manage to hold their own sometimes with some rigid defending. Their goalscoring tends to take a backseat but their defensive ability tends to be enough for them to take points off some sides. However, Hoffenheim today face one of the most potent sides in the Bundesliga currently and I expect them to know it by the final whistle too. Hoffenheim have scored just once in their last four games and despite conceding just three times along the way, it's easy to see why they're not doing very well currently.

I think Hoffenheim's solid defence will get a proper test from a potent Wolfsburg today and I expect the hosts to break through at somepoint and ultimately take three points as I have no faith whatsoever in Hoffenheim's limited attack.

Verdict: VFL Wolfsburg to win at 5/6.

Zalaegerszegi TE vs Fehervar - home win at 11/5.

ZTE have been superb of late with no defeats since returning from the winter break, winning four out of six games in all competitions and drawing the other two. ZTE have won their last three Soproni Liga games consecutively, including a 4-1 demolition of giants Debreceni VSC in their last home game, so ZTE are on top of the world currently! ZTE are a strong home side as it is with seven wins in ten games so their momentum will only further their home strength. They're the top goalscorers in the division when playing at home with an average of over two goals being scored per home game so they should be a big threat today.

League leaders Fehervar have been strong on the road this season with six wins in ten games. However, it's their goalscoring ability which has taken them to those dizzying heights as their away record tends to mask the fact that they concede a lot of goals on the road for a big side - 1.5 goals per away game on average, in fact. However, Fehervar are currently in something of a burn out with goals being hard to come by. They started promisingly following their return from the winter break but have only scored twice in their last three away games so are starting to falter. They've only won one of those games, drawing the other two, so a solid home side could break through their leaky defence and expose their lack of potency. Fehervar have only won once in their last four games in all competitions so they're certainly starting to struggle, which was inevitable as they're not as strong in-depth as their fellow title challengers Debreceni VSC.

Fehervar are still a good and very capable side but they're looking rather tired of late due to competing on various fronts. ZTE look to have been given a new lease of life of late and will no doubt use it against Fehervar today. We should see a great game between two well-matched sides but I think the odds for the home win are beyond generous so it's worth a punt on ZTE to win today!

Verdict: Zalegerszegi TE to win at 11/5.

Accumulator fodder:

Cherno More Varna, Beroe, Real Cartagena, Boyaca Chico, Everton, Hamburger SV, Suduva Marijampole, Santos Laguna, AFC Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven, De Graafschap, Terek Grozny, Real Madrid, Eskisehirspor, Penarol.

Recommended bets:

Atletico Madrid, Everton, Terek Grozny, and AFC Ajax Amsterdam at 5/1.

Auxerre, PSV Eindhoven, Beroe, and Hamburger SV at 6/1.

VFL Wolfsburg, Real Madrid, Eskisehirspor, and Cherno More Varna at 5/1.

Estudiantes De La Plata, Lanus, Real Cartagena, and Boyaca Chico at 9/1.

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:

Estudiantes De La Plata vs Banfield (8) 1-0
Boca Juniors vs Rosario Central (6) 1-1
Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Velez Sarsfield (5) 0-0
Lanus vs River Plate (7) 2-0

Austrian Bundesliga:

Wiener Neustadt vs Austria Vienna (6) 1-1

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Racing Genk vs Standard de Liege (6) 1-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Cherno More Varna vs Sportist Svoge (9) 2-0
CSKA Sofia vs Montana (4) 0-0
Beroe vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (8) 2-0

Colombian Primera A:

Boyaca Chico vs Deportes Quindio (8) 2-0
Atletico Huila vs Deportivo Cali (7) 1-1
Cortulua vs Deportes Tolima (6) 0-1
Real Cartagena vs La Equidad Bogota (8) 2-1
Envigado vs Deportivo Pereira (5) 1-1
Once Caldas Manizales vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (4) 1-1

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Bohemians Prague vs Kladno (5) 1-0
Ceske Budejovice vs Marila Pribram (6) 0-0

Danish Superligaen:

AGF Aarhus vs Randers (5) 1-1
HB Koge vs Brondby (6) 0-1

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Liga de Quito vs Barcelona Guayaquil (8) 1-0

English Premier League:

Birmingham City vs Liverpool (7) 1-1
Fulham vs Wigan Athletic (7) 2-1
Everton vs West Ham United (8) 2-0

French Ligue 1:

Olympique de Marseille vs Racing Club Lens (8) 2-1
Boulogne vs Toulouse (6) 0-0
Auxerre vs Paris Saint-Germain (8) 2-0

German Bundesliga:

VFL Wolfsburg vs Hoffenheim (7) 2-1
Hamburger SV vs Hannover 96 (8) 2-0

German Bundesliga 2:

1860 Munich vs Energie Cottbus (7)
Hansa Rostock vs Alemannia Aachen (5)
Augsburg vs Greuther Furth (7)
Rot-Weiss Oberhausen vs Kaiserslautern (4)
Arminia Bielefeld vs FSV Frankfurt (7)
Koblenz vs Paderborn (6)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Zalaegerszegi TE vs Fehervar (6) over 2.5 goals

Japanese J-League:

Vegalta Sendai vs Kashima Antlers (7) 0-1
Jubilo Iwata vs Gamba Osaka (4) 1-2
Kawasaki Frontale vs Tokyo (6) 2-1

Lithuanian A Lyga:

Suduva Marijampole vs Zalgiris Vilnius (8) 2-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Toluca vs Estudiantes Tecos (7) 2-1
Santos Laguna vs Jaguares (8) 2-0
Guadalajara vs America (6) 2-1

Dutch Eredivise:

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs NAC Breda (6) 2-1
ADO Den Haag vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (10) -1.75 handicap
Heracles Almelo vs NEC Nijmegen (7) 1-0
Willem II vs PSV Eindhoven (8) 0-2

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

De Graafschap vs Go Ahead Eagles (8) over 2.5 goals

Russian Premier League:

Tom Tomsk vs Spartak Moscow (6) 1-2
Terek Grozny vs Krylya Sovetov Samara (8) 2-0
Saturn Moscow Oblast vs Rubin Kazan (7) 0-1
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Dinamo Moscow (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

Scottish Premier League:

Hibs vs Celtic (6) 1-2
Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen (5) 1-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Nitra vs Ruzomberok (6) 1-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Real Valladolid vs Villarreal (6) 0-1
Sporting Gijon vs Deportivo Xerez (6) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Getafe vs Espanyol (5) 1-1
Almeria vs Real Mallorca (6) 2-1
Valencia vs Osasuna (7) under 2.5 goals
Racing Santander vs Real Madrid (8) over 2.5 goals
Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruna (8) over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Real Sociedad vs Hercules Alicante (6)
Girona vs Salamanca (7)
Cadiz vs Castellon (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Manisaspor vs Genclerbirligi (6) 1-1
Diyarbakirspor vs Gaziantepspor (7) 1-1
Eskisehirspor vs Kasimpasa (8) 2-0
Fenerbahce vs Kayserispor (7) 2-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Arsenal Kiev vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (6) 2-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Central Espanol vs Atenas (6) 2-1
Montevideo Wanderers vs Cerro Largo (6) 1-1
River Plate Montevideo vs Tacuarembo (7) 1-0
Penarol vs Cerrito (9) -1.75 handicap
Cerro vs Liverpool Montevideo (6) 2-2

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Yaracuyanos vs Caracas (6) 0-1

Welsh Premier League:

Neath Athletic vs Welshpool Town (6) 2-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

7Nov/090

Tenerife vs Malaga

Today's featured game is the Primera Liga clash between relegation-threatened Tenerife and bottom-placed Malaga. Both of these popular holiday resorts are proving to be distinctly unpopular in terms of footballing success. There's been just one win for either side combined in their last five games respectively, which was for today's hosts, Tenerife. Malaga are indicating just why they're expecting to be relegated following a bad summer as they've now lost four of their last five games. Hosts Tenerife aren't finding Primera Liga life easy but they're adpated their home form to support them in these difficult times as they've already won three from four on their own turf. Tenerife have a better side than Malaga and although form indicates that they too have lost four of their last five games, Tenerife at least manage to win their home games more often than not. Malaga have lost three out of four away games this season and this doesn't look likely to change today. My call for this game is the home win at evens as Tenerife will take this game very seriously as a potential six-pointer.

Saturday's Picks

My tips:

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

Tenerife vs Malaga - home win at evens - see introduction for full details.

Lanus vs Chacarita Juniors - home win with -1.75 handicap at 7/5. It's taken a while but Lanus are back in business again! They've not lost in seven games and have won their last two consecutively, setting the talented side up nicely for what should be a dominating home win against lesser Chacarita Juniors. Hosts Lanus have scored five goals in their last two games, which included a win away to Argentinian giants River Plate, so their camp will be buoyant and their football will be slick entering this game. Visitors Chacarita Juniors are facing Primera Division football as you'd expect a newly-promoted side to - with difficulty. Only bottom-placed Tigre have conceded more away goals than Chacarita Juniors this season with today's visitors averaging over two goals per away game conceded. The visitors have also managed to lose five out of their six away games this season, leaving them precariously placed as they take on an in-form and impressive Lanus. For me, the home win with -1.75 goal handicap at 7/5 looks a good bet tonight.

Newell's Old Boys vs River Plate - home win at 3/4. Yet another disappointing defeat leaves River Plate looking unsteady and extremely unreliable. They're not scoring enough goals and are losing far too many games. River Plate have already lost four from six away games this season, a record not nearly good enough for arguably the biggest side in the country. Hosts Newell's Old Boys will be keen to show them how it's done, something they've already shown the majority of the division with their impressive performances and eight wins from twelve games. Newell's Old Boys have won four consecutive games and have already won four from five home games this season. With all this in mind and the fact that only Banfield have conceded less goals than Newell's Old Boys this season, the home win at 3/4 looks something of a bargain tonight.

Roeselare vs Zulte-Waregem - away win at 10/11. Hosts Roeselare look set for yet another nightmarish campaign with a horrendous start to their present one. They've lost eight of their thirteen games so far, winning just once in that time. They've lost two of their last three games and generally look weak opponents, weaker than the rest of the Eerste Klasse, in my opinion. Visitors Zulte-Waregem are beginning to show their potential as a good footballing side, something they failed to really register as last season despite some impressive displays. With three wins and two draws from their last five games, the visitors are now looking a force to be reckoned with. Zulte-Waregem have only lost once in six away games, winning twice and drawing three times. However, their recent form has convinced me that they've got more than enough quality to win against arguably the weakest side in the Eerste Klasse. For me, there's good value in the away win at 10/11.

Sport Recife vs Cruzeiro - away win at 6/4. Although having only lost once in their past five games, Sport Recife appear to be consigned to relegation to Serie B, barring a miracle. I think they've still got enough fight to give a damn good fight to any side that plays here with no particular motivation for doing so but unfortunately for Sport Recife, Cruzeiro will be very much motivated with a Serie A title in their sights. Four wins in their past five games shows the intent of the visitors here tonight and although eight points is a steep mountain for Cruzeiro to climb, you can be damn sure that they'll keep going until the end. Cruzeiro have a much better side than Sport Recife and interestingly also boast the best away record in Serie A with seven wins from sixteen away games. Brazil can be a dodgy place for away wins so do approach with caution but I can't help and feel that Cruzeiro have everything in their favour to win this game at 6/4.

Chernomorets Burgas vs Litex Lovech - away win at 11/10. Chernomorets Burgas' season so far has been something of a dream but that dream was brought to an abrupt end last match as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at lowly Minior Pernik. It remains to be seen just how today's hosts will react to that but my prediction is that they simply don't have the players to bounce back from that defeat so quickly and easily. Despite having already won five from six home games this season, I'm going to make a bold call that Litex Lovech will be the first side to win here in the A PFG this season. The visitors do have a better squad than today's hosts and have looked very good lately with four wins and one draw in their past five games, beating bitter rivals CSKA Sofia along the way. Litex Lovech are unbeaten on the road this season with four wins from five games and they are starting to look very strong indeed. For me, the away win at 11/10 bears significant value today.

Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Independiente Medellin - home win at 6/4. This is the last game of the current stage of the Colombian Futbol Profesional and witnesses the fearsome Medellin derby between Atletico Nacional de Medellin and Independiente Medellin. The visitors today have been far and away the best side so far and have already easily qualified for the latter stages of the Colombian Futbol Profesional along with Atletico Huila, Deportivo Pasto, and Deportes Tolima. The remaining four places are up for grabs and bitter rivals Atletico Nacional de Medellin currently possess one of those spaces. However, that place can be taken from them if they are defeated here today so they'll be even more highly charged than normal for this Medellin derby. With the visitors already through, their focus on this game will have slipped slightly, as indeed their general performances of late have done with two defeats in their past three games. Hosts Atletico Nacional de Medellin are currently in patchy form and have only lost one home game out of eight this season, drawing a remarkable five games. However, this is a derby and a game that today's hosts simply have to turn up for so I'm going to stick my neck out and call a home win at 6/4 - expect plenty of cards too!

Croatia Sesvete vs Cibalia - away win at 11/10. The Prva Liga's surprise package Cibalia today travel to relegation battlers Croatia Sesvete in an attempt to extend their magnificent unbeaten run to nine games. The visitors have won two of their last four games, drawing the other two (one of which was away to giants Dinamo Zagreb). With the record of conceding the least goals in the whole of the Prva Liga, it's going to take something monumntal for Croatia Sesvete to muster a result here. The visitors have already won three away games this season and today's hosts enter the game on a four-game winless run that has seen them lose three games and draw once. With all this in mind, the away win at 11/10 looks good value today.

Osijek vs NK Zagreb - home win with -1.75 handicap at 13/8. I'm a little surprised by the quality odds on show for this bet! Osijek are no world-beaters but they're playing very well this season, particularly at home. They've won three of their last four games and have won five from seven home games so far this season. Osijek average over two goals per game at home and look a real handful this year. Visitors NK Zagreb are still rooted to the bottom of the Prva Liga with just two wins from thirteen games. They've won two of their last five games, which is a marked improvement for them, but they've still got the unenviable away record of six defeats and one draw from seven away games. NK Zagreb have only managed to score four away goals this season and average conceding two goals per away game. With all of the above in mind, taking the home win with -1.75 goal handicap at 13/8 could be one of the bets of the day.

Blackpool vs Scunthorpe United - home win at 3/4. A whole-hearted and full-blooded approach to their Championship campaign has seen Scunthorpe United draw less games than any other side with just two draws all season, a record that can only be matched by Derby County and Barnsley. Although admirable in parts, this style naturally has its downsides and this has shown more often than the good sides have this season as Scunthorpe United have already lost eight games out of fifteen. The visitors have lost their last two games in a row and travel to Blackpool today, who are currently the best home side in the Championship with five wins and two draws from seven home games. They've only conceded twice at home this season but average scoring nearly two goals per game at home. Blackpool are unbeaten in four games with two wins and two draws being obtained in the process. With all of this in mind, you have to feel that a dominant Blackpool side playing at home is a side that are too good for a Scunthorpe United side that have already lost five from seven away games in the Championship this year. Therefore, the home win at 3/4 not only looks very logical and likely but also very good value too!

Le Mans vs Auxerre - away win at 17/10. I know that Le Mans aren't that bad a side and that Auxerre aren't that great of a side but these odds still mystify me when they're considered in the cold light of day. Hosts Le Mans are currently second from bottom in Ligue 1 with three defeats from their last four games. They've already lost seven from eleven games so far this season and although they've only lost once at home, you have to feel that this particular record will change very soon if they don't start improving. However, a massively in-form Auxerre are absolutely flying at the moment with five consecutive wins, including games away to Stade Rennais, at home to LOSC Lille, and at home to Girondins de Bordeaux. I highly respect all of these scalps and I'm just wondering when this magnificent run of wins/great performances are going to come to an end, which it surely will as Auxerre don't have the quality to maintain it. Nonetheless, Auxerre have beaten a good portion of the better Ligue 1 sides so now it's time to make waves against the lesser sides, starting tonight. For me, the away win at 17/10 could be a real gem here!

Sochaux vs Racing Club Lens - home win at 9/10. Three wins in their last four games has given Sochaux some momentum to hold onto as they try to push their way clear of the relegation zone. However, during this process, they've also managed to push Racing Club Lens into the relegation zone as the visitors have lost four from their last five games and have massive problems both on and off the field. Racing Club Lens are conceding far too many goals and aren't scoring nearly enough to stay in Ligue 1 without dramatic and instantaneous improvement. However, Sochaux have long been a good home side and this is not the place to come to seek points to cure a bad run of games. The hosts have already won here three times this season and I really can't see beyond that record reading "four home wins" by the end of this game as the hosts simply have too much for a distracted and demoralised Racing Club Lens at 9/10, particularly as the visitors have already lost four from five away games this season.

Bayern Munich vs Schalke 04 - lay Bayern Munich at evens. Although they created some decent chances mid-week against Girondins de Bordeaux in the UEFA Champions League, Bayern Munich still look toothless unless Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery bail them out. Only Robben was available for this game and that was only a second-half appearance, which turned out to be too late to save the Germans from a surprising home defeat against Girondins de Bordeaux. Arjen Robben will not be 100% fit for this game, based upon what we've seen in the UEFA Champions League game, which leaves Bayern Munich looking toothless against a very in-form and potent Schalke 04. Bayern Munich couldn't even manage to score at a massively out-of-sorts VFB Stuttgart last weekend so I find it very unlikely that they'll do so here today against Schalke 04 and restrict their opponents to scoring less goals than they do. Schalke 04 are unbeaten in their last five games and are unbeaten on the road this seasn with four wins and one draw from their five away games played. Whereas Schalke 04 aren't scoring many away goals, there are very few goals being scored against them when they're playing away from home too. For me, this game has draw written all over it or possibly even a sneaky away win so laying Bayern Munich at evens could be a very good bet today indeed.

Catania vs SSC Napoli - away win at 6/5. Hosts Catania face a rejuvenated SSC Napoli today with nothing but a three game run of successive defeats behind them in their arsenal. Visitors SSC Napoli are unbeaten in four games and have won three of those games. These games are even more impressive when closely examined as SSC Napoli have won away to Juventus, away to Fiorentina, at home to Bologna (probably the least impressive of the four!) and drew at home to AC Milan despite trailing for most of the game. Not only does this record indicate great momentum and form but also high resilience, something that you really need in Serie A. Catania are going from bad to worse with just one win in eleven games and a record that shows that only Genoa and AS Roma have conceded more goals than they have, which can't be much comfort as both of these sides are light years ahead of little Catania. Although this certainly won't be an easy game for in-form SSC Napoli, I do expect them to win it at 6/5.

Sparta Rotterdam vs Roda JC Kerkrade - home win at 5/6. Hosts Sparta Rotterdam enter this game on the back of thre straight wins, a run which was catalysted by beating bitter rivals Feyenoord Rotterdam in a bad-tempered affair. Since then, today's hosts have won away to ADO Den Haag and at home to NEC Nijmegen. I rate all three of these sides as being better than relegation-threatened Roda JC Kerkrade so look like very acceptable cannon fodder for a Sparta Rotterdam playing the best football that they've played all season. Four wins from six home games and a strong level of momentum gives Sparta Rotterdam a tremendous chance of winning this game, particularly as visitors Roda JC Kerkrade have already lost four from six away games this season, scoring just three times and conceding over two goals per away game. Lastly, a record that reads no wins in five games and three defeats in the process tells me that Roda JC Kerkrade are in no position to amend their horrendous run against a tricky Sparta Rotterdam, which therefore leaves the home win bearing considerable value today at 5/6.

Polonia Bytom vs Lech Poznan - away win at 5/4. Two straight defeats have knocked the wind out of Polonia Bytom's sails as they stare uneasily at the mast of an approach Lech Poznan. The hosts know that they're not as good as today's visitors but their lack of momentum gives them a real headache ahead of this tricky game. It's not going to help their preperations that Polonia Bytom have been heavily fined after their fans were caught smuggling high numbers of explosives into their last match. All of this plays into the hands of a good Lech Poznan side with the capability to win this game. Although Lech Poznan are missing key midfielder Semir Stilic through injury for this game, I still feel they've got more than enough in their arsenal to overcome a massively distracted and demoralised Polonia Bytom at 5/4, particularly as the visitors have won two of their last three games.

Gaz Metan Medias vs Politehnica Iasi - home win at 10/11. I like the look of these odds! People seem quick to forget how woeful Politehnica Iasi can actually be and it's only because of their recent poor run of form that people are taking notice again. They've now lost three consecutive games and are without a win in four games. I personally consider them to be one of the weakest away sides in the Romanian Liga, which is partially why I'm backing the home win today. Gaz Metan Medias are a decent home side - not great, but decent - and are unbeaten in their last six games, a run which saw them overcome giants Dinamo Bucharest. Gaz Metan Medias are a decent side but their biggest problem is scoring goals, something they've only done twice in in their last four league games. However, a Politehnica Iasi side that has conceded nine goals in their last three games will be sure to give the hosts today every chance of changing that record. Although this should be a close and relatively low-scoring game, I think there's significant value in the home win at 10/11.

Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt vs Vaslui - away win at 5/6. Romania's most in-form side currently Vaslui travel to newly-promoted Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt in a hope of making it five wins from five games. The visitors have won their last four games in a row and can boast that only three sides in the Romanian Liga have won more away games than they have this season. Vaslui have had a good side for the last few years but their consistency in proving this appears to be somewhat sporadic at best. However, when they are in form, they're a real handful for each side they face. Hosts Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt are winless in their last five games, losing three times and drawing twice in the process. Having already lost four out of six home games this season, it's not hard to see why the hosts are in the relegation zone and why I thoroughly expec them to still be there after this game. Therefore, the away win at 5/6 looks great value here today!

Khimki vs Tom Tomsk - away win at 11/10. A quick glance at the league table will tell you everything you need to know about my call here. Khimki are already relegated with nothing to play for and no motivation whatsoever as they've lost countless numbers of games in a row now. Tom Tomsk aren't desperate for the points but they will want to ensure that they're not troubled as the Russian Premier League draws to a close so I thoroughly expect them to go out and do a professional job on Khimki by winning the game with a low scoreline at 11/10.

Huesca vs Hercules Alicante - away win at 11/8. After a morale-boosting 5-1 thrashing of promotion rivals Real Sociedad last match, Hercules Alicante look back to their best. There's no doubt in my mind that Hercules Alicante are one of the best sides in the Segunda Liga currently and it's about time that they started showing it as consistently as they did last year. Although their records currently show that they've drawn more away games than they've won and lost put together but I expect their last match to have cast off their shackles, enabling them to play their football and start winning games again. Hosts Huesca are nothing but a middle-of-the-road side that are simply caught in the middle between bad form and a rampant Hercules Alicante, which could spell disaster for the hosts today. A winless run of five games leaves Huesca with little to contribute to this game in the way of opposition so I think taking the away win at 11/8 is a good bet, largely due to the strong momentum gained from Hercules Alicante's emphatic win last match.

Istanbul BB vs Antalyaspor - home win at 13/10. This game was a very close competitor for my featured game of the day given the good value in it! Hosts Istanbul BB have won four of their last five games, impressively enough. Their home form isn't overwhelmingly convincing but their momentum and tenacity certainly is. The other side of the coin is that Antalyaspor are one of the worst away sides in the Super Lig with only Sivasspor that have lost more away games than they have. Antalyaspor have lost four from their five away games this season, conceding two goals per away game on average. Although they're on a three-game unbeaten run currently, it's hard to see that continuing today against a forceful and in-form Istanbul BB. For me, the home win at 13/10 bears a great deal of value today.

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

Asian Champions League:

Al Ittihad vs Pohang Steelers (6) 1-1

Argentinian Primera Division:

Lanus vs Chacarita Juniors (8) -1.75 handicap
Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Racing Club Avellaneda (7) 1-1
Newell's Old Boys vs River Plate (8) 2-1
Atletico Tucuman vs Tigre (5) under 2.5 goals

Australian A-League:

Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners (7) 2-0
Gold Coast United vs Sydney FC (6) 1-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

SV Mattersburg vs SV Kapfenberg (6) over 2.5 goals

Austrian Liga 1:

Austria Lustenau vs St.Polten (7)

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Cercle Brugge vs Westerlo (6) 2-1
Lokeren vs Kortrijk (7) 1-1
Mechelen vs Excelsior Mouscron (7) 2-0
Roeselare vs Zulte-Waregem (7) 0-1
Germinal Beerschot vs Sint-Truiden (8) 2-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Red Star Waasland vs Oostende (5)
Dender vs Eupen (7)
Liege vs Beveren (5) draw no bet
Mons vs Turnhout (9)
Tournai vs Tienen (6)
Brussels vs KVSK United (6)
Standaard Wetteren vs Boussu Dour Borinage (7)

Brazilian Serie A:

Santos vs Nautico (5) 1-1
Vitoria vs Avai (6) 2-1
Sport Recife vs Cruzeiro (7) 1-2

Bulgarian A PFG:

Beroe vs Botev Plovdiv (7) 2-0
Cherno More Varna vs Lokomotiv Sofia (7) 1-1
Sportist Svoge vs Sliven (5) 1-2
Chernomorets Burgas vs Litex Lovech (8) 0-2

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Independiente Medellin (6) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Deportes Tolima vs America de Cali (8) 2-0

Croatian Prva Liga:

Istra 1961 vs Karlovac (7) 0-1
Zadar vs Varteks Varazdin (6) 1-1
Slaven Koprivnica vs Lokomotiva Zagreb (8) over 2.5 goals
Medimurje vs Hajduk Split (6) 1-2
Croatia Sesvete vs Cibalia (7) 1-2
Osijek vs NK Zagreb (8) 2-0
Inter Zapresic vs Rijeka (6) 1-1

Cypriot Division 1:

Aris vs Nea Salamis (6) 1-0
APOP/Kinyras vs A.E.Paphos (7) 2-1
Enosis Neon Paralimni vs Omonia Nicosia (8) 0-2
Anorthosis Famagusta vs Ethnikos Achnas (9) -1.75 handicap

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Slovan Liberec vs Sigma Olomouc (7) 2-1
Banik Ostrava vs Kladno (9) under 2.5 goals
Teplice vs Jablonec (8) 1-1

Danish Superligaen:

HB Koge vs AGF Aarhus (6) 1-2
Silkeborg vs OB Odense (7) 1-2

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Manta vs Deportivo Quito (7) 0-1

English Premier League:

Aston Villa vs Bolton Wanderers (7) 2-1
Blackburn Rovers vs Portsmouth (7) 1-1
Manchester City vs Burnley (9) 3-1
Tottenham Hotspur vs Sunderland (9) 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal (8) 1-3

English Championship:

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

English FA Cup:

Pauliton Rovers vs Norwich City (8) -1.75 handicap
Bromley vs Colchester United (8) 0-2
Stourbridge vs Walsall (4) 1-0
Gillingham vs Southend United (6) 2-1
Grimsby Town vs Bath City (4) 1-2, draw no bet
Gateshead vs Brentford (6) 0-1
Chesterfield vs Bournemouth (7) 2-0
York City vs Crewe Alexandra (6) 1-0
Wycombe Wanderers vs Brighton & Hove Albion (5) 1-1
Hereford United vs Sutton United (7) 2-0
Nuneaton Town vs Exeter City (6) 1-1
Carlisle United vs Morecambe (7) 2-1
Forest Green Rovers vs Mansfield Town (6) 0-0
Oxford United vs Yeovil Town (5) 1-0
Swindon Town vs Woking (9) -1.75 handicap
Port Vale vs Stevenage Borough (7) 2-0
Luton Town vs Rochdale (6) 1-2
Shrewsbury Town vs Staines Town (9) -1.75 handicap
Wealdstone vs Rotherham United (8) 0-1
Torquay United vs Cheltenham Town (6) 1-1
Barnet vs Darlington (8) 2-0
Milton Keynes Dons vs Macclesfield Town (8) 3-1
Rushden & Diamonds vs Hinckley Town (6) 2-1
Aldershot Town vs Bury (5) 1-1
Tranmere Rovers vs Leyton Orient (6) 1-0
Stockport Conty vs Tooting & Mitcham United (7) 2-0
Telford United vs Lincoln City (6) 1-1
Barrow vs Eastleigh (7) 1-0
Accrington Stanley vs Salisbury City (5) 0-0
Millwall vs AFC Wimbledon (8) 3-1
Hartlepool United vs Kettering Town (8) 2-1
Wrexham vs Lowestoft Town (7) 2-0
Northampton Town vs Fleetwood Town (6) 1-0
Cambridge United vs Ilkeston Town (7) 2-1
Oldham Athletic vs Leeds United (8) 1-2

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Tallinna Kalev vs Sillamae Kalev (7) 0-2
Kuressaare vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (6) 1-1
Flora Paide vs Nomme Kalju (8) 0-2
Trans Narva vs Levadia Tallinn (8) 1-2
Flora Tallinn vs Tulevik Viljandi (8) 3-1

French Ligue 1:

Le Mans vs Auxerre (7) 0-1
Lorient vs Boulogne (7) 2-0
AS Monaco vs Grenoble Foot (9) 3-1
AS Nancy-Lorraine vs Saint-Etienne (7) 2-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs OGC Nice (7) 2-1
Valenciennes vs Montpellier HSC (7) 1-0
Sochaux vs Racing Club Lens (6) 2-1

German Bundesliga:

Bayern Munich vs Schalke 04 (6) 1-1
Hoffenheim vs VFL Wolfsburg (5) 2-2
VFL Bochum vs Freiburg (5) 1-0
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs VFB Stuttgart (6) 1-1
FSV Mainz 05 vs FC Nurnberg (7) 2-0

German Bundesliga 2:

Greuther Furth vs Augsburg (7)
FSV Frankfurt vs Arminia Bielefeld (8)

Greek Super League:

Aris Salonika vs Kavala (7) 1-0
Olympiakos Piraeus vs Iraklis (9) 3-1
Panthrakikos vs PAOK Salonika (8) 1-2

Greek B Ethniki:

Pierikos Katerini vs Aigaelo Athens (7)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Zalaegerszegi TE vs Vasas Budapest (8) 2-0
Budapest Honved vs Paksi SE (6) 1-1
Diosgyori VTK vs Kaposvari Rakoczi (7) 1-1
Szombathelyi Haladas vs Nyiregyhaza Spartacus (7) 2-1
Kecskemeti TE vs MTK Budapest (6) 1-1
Papa vs Ferencvaros (6) 2-1

Italian Serie A:

Catania vs SSC Napoli (7) 0-1
Atalanta Bergamo vs Juventus (5) 1-1

Italian Serie B:

Ascoli vs Cittadella (6)
Brescia vs Triestina (7)
Cesena vs Albinoleffe (5)
Crotone vs Ancona (6) draw no bet
Gallipoli vs Frosinone (6)
Padova vs Salernitana (8)
Piacenza vs Mantova (7)
Sassuolo vs Modena (6)
Vicenza vs Grosseto (6)

Mexican Primera Division:

Cruz Azul vs Puebla (7) 2-1
San Luis vs Santos Laguna (7) 1-1
Indios vs Jaguares (6) 0-0
Tigres UANL vs Atlante (5) 1-0
Atlas vs Guadalajara (6) 1-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Vitesse Arnhem vs VVV Venlo (5) 1-0
Sparta Rotterdam vs Roda JC Kerkrade (8) 2-1
NEC Nijmegen vs RKC Waalwijk (7) 2-0

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Slask Wroclaw vs Piast Gliwice (6) 2-1
GKS Belchatow vs Arka Gdynia (8) 2-0
Polonia Bytom vs Lech Poznan (7) 1-2
Polonia Warsaw vs Cracovia Krakow (6) 1-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Vitoria Setubal vs Olhanense (6) 1-1
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (5) 1-1

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Carregado vs Portimonense (6)

Romanian Liga:

Gaz Metan Medias vs Politehnica Iasi (7) 1-0
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt vs Vaslui (8) 1-2
Brasov vs Unirea Urziceni (6) 1-1

Russian Premier League:

Khimki vs Tom Tomsk (7) 0-1
Krylya Sovetov Samara vs Spartak Moscow (7) 1-2
Rostov-na-Donu vs Saturn Moscow Oblast (6) 0-0
Kuban Krasnodor vs FK Moscow (8) 0-2

Scottish Premier League:

Hearts vs Hibernians (5) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Aberdeen vs St.Johnstone (5) 1-0
Hamilton Academicals vs Motherwell (6) 1-1
Kilmarnock vs Dundee United (6) 1-2
Rangers vs St.Mirren (9) 2-0

Serbian Super Liga:

Jagodina vs Vojvodina Novi Sad (6) 1-2
Rad Belgrade vs Spartak Subotica (7) 1-1
Napredak vs BSK Borca (6) 1-0
Metalac GM vs Partizan Belgrade (7) 0-1
Smederevo vs Cukaricki (6) 2-1
Red Star Belgrade vs Hajduk Kula (9) 3-1
OFK Belgrade vs Javor Ivanjica (8) 2-0
Mladi Radnik vs Borac Cacak (6) 0-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Senica vs Spartak Trnava (6) 2-1
Dukla Banska Bystrica vs Tatran Presov (7) 2-0
DAC Dunajska Streda vs Dubnica (7) 1-0
Nitra vs Artmedia Petrzalka (7) 2-1
Slovan Bratislava vs Ruzomberok (8) 2-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

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

Spanish Primera Liga:

Tenerife vs Malaga (8) 2-0
Getafe vs Deportivo La Coruna (5) 1-0
Barcelona vs Real Mallorca (8) over 3.5 goals
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid (6) over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Real Sociedad vs Recreativo de Huelva (6)
Salamanca vs Levante (7)
Numancia vs Cordoba (6)
Huesca vs Hercules Alicante (7)
Gimnastia de Tarragona vs Albacete (7)
Las Palmas vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (7)
Celta de Vigo vs Castellon (5)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Montaneros vs Osasuna II (6)
Lemona vs Sestao River Club (6)
Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa vs Barakaldo (7)
Pontevedra vs Palencia (6)

Group 3:

Alcoyano vs Denia (6)

Group 4:

Real Betis Balompie II vs Granada (6)
Jerez Industrial vs Roquetas (7)
Marbella vs Polideportivo Ejido (6)
Ciudad de Murcia vs Moratalla (5)

Swiss Super League:

Aarau vs St.Gallen (6) 1-2
Grasshoppers Zurich vs Bellinzona (6) 2-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Yverdon Sport vs Schaffhausen (7)
Lausanne Sports vs Stade Nyonnais (8)

Turkish Super Lig:

Istanbul BB vs Antalyaspor (7) 2-0
Trabzonspor vs Besiktas JK (6) 2-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Rampla Juniors (8) 3-1
Atenas vs Central Espanol (6) 1-1
Defensor Sporting vs Racing Club Montevideo (8) 2-1

Welsh Premier League:

Caersws vs Port Talbot Town (7) 0-1
Carmarthen Town vs Bangor City (6) 1-1
Rhyl vs Llanelli (5) 1-1
Welshpool Town vs Porthmadog (6) 1-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!

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2Nov/090

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

Today's featured game is the UEFA Champions League encounter between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. The hosts were in dismal form when these two sides met two weeks ago at Stamford Bridge and were duly punished for their lack of cohesion by being trounced 4-0. The result perhaps flattered Chelsea as Atletico Madrid had some good chances of their own. However, what remains apparent is that Chelsea certainly did deserve the win so credit must be given to the Londoners for that. Carlo Ancelotti has certainly got Chelsea playing very good and efficient football. They've won all three of their group games so far and a win today would all but guarantee them qualification for the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League. Atletico Madrid have gained just one point from a possible nine, which really isn't good enough for a club of this size or for a club with any intentions whatsoever to launch a genuine attempt for club football's most prestigious trophy. More worryingly for Atletico Madrid, they're still yet to register a goal in the UEFA Champions League this year. Given their atrocious form of late and inability to keep a clean sheet, it's very hard to look beyond n away win for an extremely potent and in-form Chelsea at 5/6, which is frankly a bargain.

Tuesday's Picks

My tips:

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

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea - away win at 5/6 - see introduction for full details.

Queens Park Rangers vs Crystal Palace - home win at 4/5. Hosts Queens Park Rangers let me down last friday by losing at home to Leicester City, which was really very disappointing, particularly as Radek Cerny simply gifted Matty Fryatt his goal towards the end of the game. However, they remain a good side, jolted though they are, with three wins in their past four games. What makes it easier for me to make this call is the unimpressive form of Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace, who haven't won in their last four games, drawing three times and losing once. The problems that the visitors are having isn't entirely unexpected given their stretched squad of youngsters and their large financial issues. I'm more surprised that it's taken this long to show, really, so hats off to Neil Warnock for that. However, I fully expect them to be outclassed today by a Queens Park Rangers side desperate to get back to winning ways. Therefore, 4/5 on the home win looks a good call to me!

AC Milan vs Real Madrid - home win at 6/4. After a surprise win at the Santiago Bernabeu, AC Milan have continued their muddled season as expected, thus proving my point that the reason they won was Real Madrid's inability to defend and inability to score goals consistently without Cristiano Ronaldo. AC Milan managed a late victory at Chievo Verona after trailing for the majority of the game with two late goals from Alessandro Nesta stealing the win for the visitors. AC Milan have also managed to draw 2-2 at SSC Napoli despite leading for the majority of the game and then managed to overcome newly-promoted Parma at weekend by a scoreline of 2-0, which again didn't tell the whole story with Parma coming close and even rattling the woodwork at the San Siro. However, Real Madrid have fared little better with a 4-0 first leg humbling at local rivals Alcorcon from the Spanish Segunda B league. What's more worrying is that the encounter with Alcorcon saw Real Madrid field 80% of their first team and they were still torn apart by the minnows. Real Madrid may have managed to overcome Getafe at weekend 2-0 but there are more problems there than people see. Real Madrid's biggest problem is not only that they cannot defend but their full-backs are atrocious, continually exposing Real Madrid's feeble offside trap and getting crosses in all too easily. Italian sides are always tactically astute and will be aware of Real Madrid's defensive weakness, something they indicated in the reverse fixture by having godly playmaker Andrea Pirlo launching balls in behind Marcelo and finding joy every time. Real Madrid are still missing Cristiano Ronaldo so it's difficult to see them getting a result here unless they really turn it on. Don't get me wrong - Real Madrid have better individuals than AC Milan but AC Milan have a highly experienced and organised side so I'm backing them to do the same again, particularly with striker Pato looking as lethal as he has been. Whereas it's unlikely that Iker Casillas will have as much a nightmare this time around (or Dida, for that matter!), I still think AC Milan will win this game at 6/4. It's also worth looking at over 2.5 goals or over 3.5 goals in this fixture as neither are particularly effective defensively.

APOEL Nicosia vs Porto - lay Porto at 11/10. This is a bold call but I'm going to base it on Porto's recent mishaps more than anything. They've simply not been playing well and although they've managed to grind out a few results, they were finally exposed last match by a weak Belenenses, with whom they drew 1-1 at the Estadio do Dragao. Porto's fans have been whistling/booing their team for the past few games now and it's starting to have an impact on the team's performances. Two things that the Cypriot hosts do have is tenacity and organisation, as all the Cypriot sides exemplify very well. APOEL Nicosia already proved in Madrid earlier on in this campaign that they're capable of blocking sides out and being hard to beat. APOEL Nicosia can't realistically have any hope of emerging from this group for the UEFA Champions League latter stages but they can harbour a hope for the third-place finish, which would put them in the UEFA Europa League. Both sides could use the win here but I feel confident that both would take the draw, too. If Porto turn it on then they're capable of beating today's hosts but I'm relying on them not showing up against their resilient hosts, particularly as English giants Chelsea have already struggled to get a result here in this campaign. Therefore, I feel there's some good value in laying Porto at 11/10.

Bayern Munich vs Girondins de Bordeaux - lay Bayern Munich at 10/11. The fundamental point behind this bet is the assumption that Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben will be missing, like they were at VFB Stuttgart at weekend. Why? Because these two players turn Bayern Munich from an average side with a couple of good players into a force that are capable of scoring against any side. Bayern Munich failed to register a goal away to VFB Stuttgart at weekend, something that atypically wouldn't be such a big issue but considering how badly VFB Stuttgart have played this season and the fact that they entered the game with Bayern Munich on the back of three straight defeats, you have to be surprised that the game finished 0-0. Bayern Munich suffered a defeat away to Girondins de Bordeaux two weeks ago, as well as suffering the indignity of having two men dismissed, who will both be missing for this counter. Bayern Munich have looked anything but reliable so far in European competition and I expect Laurent Blanc's resilient and efficient Girondins de Bordeaux to put up a big fight today. Girondins de Bordeaux have already matched Juventus away from home, drawing 1-1, and beaten Bayern Munich 2-1, so in my opinion, they're looking the most consistent side in this group currently and I wouldn't bet against them winning the group. The French outfit have more talent than they're given credit for so I think they're more than capable of getting a result here today, particularly if Bayern Munich are missing the hilariously dubbed "Robbery" duo. Therefore, laying Bayern Munich at 10/11 looks a good bet to me today!

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:

Bayern Munich vs Girondins de Bordeaux (6) 1-1
Maccabi Haifa vs Juventus (8) under 2.5 goals
Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow (9) -1.75 handicap
Besiktas JK vs VFL Wolfsburg (7) 2-1
AC Milan vs Real Madrid (7) over 3.5 goals
Olympique de Marseille vs FC Zurich (8) -1.75 handicap
APOEL Nicosia vs Porto (4) 1-1
Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea (8) under 2.5 goals

Argentinian Primera Division:

Colon de Santa Fe vs Huracan (8) 2-1

Austrian Liga 1:

Dornbirn vs Austria Vienna II (6)
Lustenau vs First Vienna (5)
Admira Wacker vs Salzburg II (7)
St.Polten vs Hartberg (8)
Gratkorn vs Austria Lustenau (6)
Wacker Innsbruck vs SCR Altach (6) draw no bet

English Championship:

Queens Park Rangers vs Crystal Palace (7)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

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

Enjoy your free betting tips!

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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.

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