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

10Apr/1022

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Today's featured game is El Clasico in the Primera Liga between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It's the game on everyone's lips and should prove to be a fantastic game. Many have been quick to play down the importance of the solitary game between the two sides in comparison to the remainder of their respective seasons. Whereas I may agree with the notion that sides must been consistent to win titles, I simply cannot see sides stopping these two from winning so I think the side that emerges triumphantly from this game will win the title, as bold a call as it may seem. Bizarrely, should Barcelona draw this game then they go top of the league despite entering the game on level points with Real Madrid but in second place. This is, of course, due to their 1-0 win at Nou Camp earlier this season so the pressure really is on Real Madrid tonight.

Real Madrid have played fifteen home games this season and won all of them whilst averaging scoring over three goals per game. That is a truly phenomenal record and as much as I despise the greedy, stupid fucks that they are, you can only respect that record. Real Madrid play some nice football on occasions but there's no escaping the fact that Ronaldo and Higuain run this team. The simple fact is that Ronaldo is too good for this league and it shows in every single game he plays in. The tremendous quality of those two players fused with the individual brilliance of some other Madrid players is what has propelled Madrid to first in the league. They're too far ahead of the majority of the Primera Liga for their weaknesses to be exploited but there are a lot of weaknesses in their football as has been shown in every game this season where Madrid have had to be a "team" because the simple fact is that they're not a good "team" - they're a good set of individuals. They're struggled with Olympique Lyonnais, AC Milan, and Barcelona already this season - three sides that are strong teams which is why they've struggled. I expect another stumbling block today for that reason although beware of any side containing world-class footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona are a side I both love and hate. I love them as a footballing side as they're everything a side should be - a great team, great workers, players of the beautiful game, generous with their riches, and advocates of promising youth. However, I hate them for being so damn good as they're the one side that I don't want to see my team (Manchester United) facing in the Champions League at any stage! Barcelona play some truly wonderful football at times and that hasn't changed for years. They've not been as good this season as they were last season but they're still an amazing side, particularly because of little Lionel Messi. What can you say about this guy? He's truly gifted. He's one of the most natural finishers I've ever seen which is a trait of his that I don't feel is recognised enough - it's usually his dribbling that takes the plaudits. Take the game against Arsenal, for example. Barcelona kept the ball well but didn't play so well by their own lofty standards and Arsenal played very well, in my opinion. However, four mistakes occurred and Barcelona scored four goals in clinical fashion because of Lionel Messi - he's a fantastic footballer, simply. In this kind of form, give him a chance and he'll score and there won't be many sides he'd love to score against more than Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There are three redeeming features in this Barcelona squad that makes me think that they'll win this game, however. The first is their unbelievable work-rate. It's one thing for a side to be talented but when a talented side works as hard as they do then it's easy to see why they're so successful. The second is how wonderfully they pass the ball. They're not a good side defensively but they concede so few goals because sides cannot get the ball of them, which is largely due to the accuracy and movement of playmakers Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez respectively - two fantastic footballers. The final reasoning is because Barcelona believe so strongly in their academy players that they get the chance to play for the club of their dreams and show their true colours. You cannot buy that kind of loyalty from other players so Barcelona have numerous players in this side that were brought up under the crest of Barcelona whereas Real Madrid have very few of their own academy boys present - just Casillas as a starter, in fact.

Barcelona are in a golden generation currently. Big sides have them from time to time but these names of Barcelona will be repeated for years to come - Xavi, Messi, Iniesta, Puyol, Valdes, Alves etc. etc. They've got all the confidence that they'd ever need to win this game as a result of playing with such a fantastic bunch of close-knit footballers and it shows every time that they play. Real Madrid are a side built largely by money nowadays, which is a shame given their highly respectable past. That's the big difference here though - Barcelona are the people's champions - Real Madrid are the moneybags. I respect Barcelona an awful lot more than I do Real Madrid for all of the reasons mentioned and I'd be surprised to see anyone say otherwise.

Absentees for this game? There are some, most notably Ibrahimovic for Barcelona. They'll miss him as Bojan is not ready to be the lone striker against good sides. However, Barcelona can cope without him so I'm not too concerned.

The big games is where the big players have chance to shine and there aren't many bigger than Ronaldo and Messi. Both are capable of winning this game so we should see a fantastic dual between the two, as much of a cliché as it's rapidly becoming, but it should produce a good game as a result. Both of these sides are full of goals and neither is strong defensively so I expect a lot of goals scored tonight. Madrid will be hurting from their 6-2 hammering at home last season by Barcelona but to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if a similar outcome arose tonight. Barcelona have a far better team than Real Madrid and it will be evident for all to see tonight providing that their nerves hold. Madrid need to get the ball off Barcelona to win this game and I don't see how they'll do that - nobody else can.

I ultimately feel that we'll see the boys of Real Madrid take on the men of Barcelona tonight and there should only be one outcome for the only side out of these two that has earned the right to be giants in recent years. I hope Barcelona do it from a footballing perspective because they deserve it more and I hope they do it from a personal perspective because I cannot abide rich clubs buying teams - that's not what football is about.

For me, there's tremendous value in Barcelona winning this game at 17/10 because they won't give the ball away often at all and they're taking all the chances that come their way currently. I'm even tempted to take them on the -1.75 goal handicap at 9/2 because I cannot envision them not winning this game comfortably. Don't forget that Real are where they are because other sides don't test them as much as Barcelona will - Real struggle against big sides nowadays! If you decide not to bet on this game then it's understandable but I can only urge you all to watch one of the biggest derbies in world football to see the quality on show.

Verdict: Barcelona to win at 17/10.

Saturday's Picks

My tips:

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

LASK Linz vs Wiener Neustadt - home win at 11/10.

Hosts LASK Linz have lessened in their craziness of late, which saddens me. However, they're becoming more consistent so that certainly aids their prospect as a football side. They own their consistency due to some solid defending which has seen them concede just five goals in their last five Bundesliga games, which is superb for LASK. They've also scored seven times during that run so they're still a potent side too. LASK have only lost once in their last six games. That impressive run was started by an even more impressive win at Austria Vienna and LASK Linz have never looked back since despite losing at SV Mattersburg lately. LASK have drawn at SV Ried and battered them at home in their last two games so LASK bring some good momentum into this game. They've already won six out of fourteen home games this season in the Bundesliga and have only lost twice along the way so they are solid at home. They average scoring well over two goals per home game and that tends to be fundamental to their victories as their defending can be lax to say the least.

Visitors Wiener Neustadt have done well following promotion from the Liga 1 last season, particularly at home. However, they do struggle on the road as their record of eight defeats in thirteen away games indicates. They average conceding nearly two goals per away game and score just a goal per away game on average so it's easy to see why they tend to struggle on the road. Despite claiming a valuable win at SV Kapfenberg a few games ago, Wiener Neustadt have taken a turn for the worse of late by losing back-to-back games against Austria Vienna at home and away without even scoring. Austria Vienna are giants and are definitely the better of the two sides but for a potent side to not even score against them does indicate problems for little Wiener Neustadt and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think it would have impacted their confidence somewhat.

LASK Linz are the more experience of these two sides in battling relegation. LASK are strong at home and score an awful lot of goals as they consistently prove so are as much of a threat as ever; perhaps more due to their momentum. Wiener Neustadt have done well overall this season but do struggle on the road and with such poor goalscoring form on the road it's hard to envision them taking anything but a defeat from this game.

Verdict: LASK Linz to win at 11/10.

Kortrijk vs Zulte-Waregem - home win at 11/10.

Hosts Kortrijk have struggled as much as tonight's opponents Zulte-Waregem have in the final group stage of the Eerste Klasse with both sides having lost all three of their games thus far. Normally that'd scream "keep away!" from this game but the factor I mentioned regarding Zulte-Waregem last week is still applicable as vital playmaker Berrier is still missing so Zulte look very weak indeed. Kortrijk are generally a good home side despite their tough games in the play-off stage of the Eerste Klasse and should be able to make it count tonight against a demoralised Zulte-Waregem side lacking in real creativity. At odds of 11/10, it should hold some value tonight.

Verdict: Kortrijk to win at 11/10.

Sliven vs CSKA Sofia - lay CSKA Sofia at 10/11.

What can I say about this call that differs from the exact same call I made regarding CSKA Sofia vs Montana last week? Very little! I'm basing it on the same principle as CSKA are not scoring goals and are thus not winning games - it's only logical. CSKA are definitely the better side here but each game that goes by without goals and without a win leaves the side more and more demoralised and it's really starting to show. Little Sliven are used to playing without momentum as they're relegation-battlers (despite their heady seasons over the past couple of years!) so they do have a slight advantage over CSKA Sofia today with that in mind. Sliven aren't a particularly good side and don't score many themselves but they've only lost five out of eleven home games this season so they do tend to take points from their home games. Sliven are on a terrible run of form so this is a bold call but I can't see why the bookies are still drastically over-pricing a dismal CSKA Sofia side so I'm going to try my hand at laying them yet again today.

Verdict: Lay CSKA Sofia at 10/11.

Hajduk Split vs Cibalia Vinkovci - lay Hajduk Split at 17/10.

This is another game where the odds are way too short to be realistic. Hajduk Split may be one of the giants of Croatian football but to say that they're consistent at the moment would be a blatant lie. The only side that've beaten in their last four games is a financially handicapped Varteks Varazdin with defeat at Lokomotiva Zagreb and draws at home to Rijeka and away to NK Zagreb surrounding their solitary win. Hajduk are turning up every now and then but not nearly consistently enough to be priced at 2/5. Hajduk did beat bitter rivals Dinamo Zagreb mid-week in the HR Nogometni Cup so they'll be buoyant from that, which I am wary of. However, I also take into account that their passionate win over Dinamo was just a couple of days ago so they'll be tired whereas Cibalia have had a full week's rest. Hajduk can only realistically enter European football next season now via the Cup so that is where their focus will now be, not on Prva Liga games like this.

Cibalia have earned a reputation of being bloody hard to beat and that's still applicable now. They've only lost two away games in the Prva Liga this season and both were at the start of the season so Cibalia have gone an awful long time without defeat on the road - eight games now, in fact, despite travelling to giants Dinamo Zagreb along the way. Cibalia have only conceded seven times in eleven away games this season, which is the best defensive record on the division and the foundation for their continued success in the Prva Liga. Cibalia don't play good football but they play effective football as results show all too clearly so they should be able to put up a wall that Hajduk Split cannot break down today as they've done so many times already this season against the majority of their opponents.

Ultimately, a tired Hajduk Split are way too short for this game. Cibalia are a nightmare side to try and beat and I don't fancy Hajduk's chances as a result, particularly with Cibalia's strong defence. The value for this game has to be in laying the hosts with the visitors playing well and the hosts playing well sporadically.

Verdict: Lay Hajduk Split at 17/10.

Exeter City vs Leyton Orient - home win at evens.

Hosts Exeter City are on an inspired run of form as they bid to escaped the dreaded drop with The Grecians going seven games without defeat. Exeter have won their last three home games consecutively against Bristol Rovers, Walsall, and Colchester United respectively so Exeter have had some tough games here but have come through each one with three points. Exeter haven't conceded in their last two games and boast a good defensive record at home with only Gillingham, Millwall, and Leeds United having conceded less goals than they have. Exeter aren't a great side but their excellent momentum of late has lifted them clear of the drop zone so confidence is good at the club. Exeter know they have to continue this form to stay away from the relegation zone but look very capable of doing so today against Leyton Orient.

Leyton Orient have lost four consecutive games and have already lost twelve out of twenty away games in League One this season. They're conceding too many goals currently and not scoring enough with just two scored in their past four games whilst conceding eight times - an average of two per game. Orient are on the wrong side of the form chart considering that the season is drawing to a close and they're unfortunately making the long trip to the west country to take on an inspired and defensively astute Exeter City today so look set to struggle.

Although there's little quality difference between these two sides, Exeter are playing very well of late and have gained strong momentum as a result. They've won their last three home games consecutively against better sides than Leyton Orient so a demoralised Leyton Orient should be beaten comfortably here, particularly with their defence consistently having gone missing of late.

Verdict: Exeter City to win at evens.

Hereford United vs Grimsby Town - home win at 10/11.

Hereford United have won their last four consecutive games as they enter this match so they bring strong momentum into the game. They've scored seven times during those four games whilst conceding just twice so they're looking strong at a vital part of the season. Hereford have won their last two home games consecutively, which takes their tally to ten wins in twenty home games this season, which is incidentally the best home record in the bottom half of League Two. Hereford are strong at home because they don't concede many goals and their strong displays of late will have only increased their performance levels so I expect another solid home win for a driven Hereford United today.

Grimsby Town have done part of the "how to avoid relegation" handbook correctly by being hard to beat. However, they've not been able to master the key art of winning, something which leaves them looking very likely to be relegated this season. They've already lost nine out of twenty away games in League Two and average conceding over 1.5 goals per away game so do tend to struggle on the road. I'll take my hat off to Grimsby for their impressive comeback to win at Accrington Stanley last match but let's face it - this is an occurence that is few and far between for Grimsby which is why they're in their current predicament.

Grimsby were comfortably beaten here last season and I expect a similar outcome today. Grimsby cannot afford the luxury of sitting back and taking a draw here - only a win will do. Hereford will lap that up and hit them on the counter-attack and as things are going so well for Hereford currently, you just know that they'll take their chances and be very efficient with their footballing style. Grimsby could cause problems if they score the first goal but ultimately there looks to be value in the home win for a strong Hereford home side.

Verdict: Hereford United to win at 10/11.

Torquay United vs Rochdale - away win at 11/10.

I can't quite fathom these odds. Rochdale aren't promoted yet so they're still motivated despite a couple of poor displays lately. They're the best away side in the division with eleven wins in nineteen away games and average scoring nearly two goals per away game. Bear that in mind and consider that they're travelling to a newly-promoted Torquay United side that are battling against relegation and have already lost the same number of games at home this season as Rochdale have at home or away all season long. Torquay have looked more spirited in recent times in their bid to beat the drop but Rochdale are simply too good a side for them. A recent dip in Rochdale's form does give me a minor concern but the class difference and potency difference between these two sides is vast so I'll take Rochdale all day long whilst they sit on the right side of evens!

Verdict: Rochdale to win at 11/10.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich - away win at 6/5.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen's season has taken longer to implode than I suspected that it would but it has ultimately collapsed now. They've lost four out of their last five games and have conceded thirteen goals along the way - an average of nearly three goals per game. Leverkusen are still scoring a good number of goals but somewhat sporadically which is hindering their progress. Well, that and their seeming defensive ineptitude, anyway! Leverkusen finally had their best chance to beat Bayern at home for a long time but have seemingly bottled it at the quintessential time, which could be disastrous for them given the close-knit nature of the top of the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich enter this game with a great level of morale following a fortuituous aggregate victory over England's Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League. Bayern will take great heart from such a result as all at the club knew they were not truly good enough to achieve it so kudos to Louis Van Gaal for his tactically effective displays. You saw what happened to Bayern after they beat Manchester United in the first leg as they went on to win at Schalke 04 at weekend - imagine what they'll do now they've knocked Manchester United out! The trip to Leverkusen couldn't be better timed for rampant Bayern Munich, who have already won seven out of fourteen away games in the Bundesliga this season whilst scoring an average of two goals per away game. Bayern are beginning to look increasingly like the force that they once were in the Bundesliga and have all the right ingredients to establish themselves as the only giants of German football once again.

Leverkusen are on such a downer at the moment due to their lack of defensive ability and it's really hindering their football. They need to win this game but I fail to see how they're going to score more than a rampant and buoyant Bayern Munich, particularly as they cannot defend, so the away win looks logical here. Bayern have won their last four visits here consecutively in the Bundesliga and I fail to see why they can't do the same again today at generous odds of 6/5.

Verdict: Bayern Munich to win at 6/5.

MTK Budapest vs Ferencvaros - home win at 5/4.

Hosts MTK Budapest have been strong at home this season but haven't delivered the type of campaign I was expecting from them. They're a good side and are finally beginning to push up the table after a slow start, which is encouraging to see as they should be competing for the title, in my opinion. They've only won half of their home games in the Soproni Liga this season due to their sluggish start but they're one of just three sides in this division yet to taste defeat at home so they are good on their own turf. Despite having drawn five games at home, MTK Budapest bear the remarkable record of having scored eighteen times in their ten home games but having only conceded four times, which smarts of being rather unlucky in my opinion! No side has conceded less goals at home in the Soproni Liga than MTK Budapest and with an average of nearly two goals scored per home game, the hosts do look a threat. On top of that, however, MTK Budapest now have momentum in their favour with two consecutive wins whilst scoring six times and conceding zero goals. Ultimately, MTK Budapest look more than capable of winning this game today.

Ferencvaros have battled hard to restore some pride after a rather disappointing first half of the season and they've partially achieved it. They're unbeaten in their six games following their return from the winter break but four draws and two wins is not a record you'd associate with the Hungarian giants although I do of course appreciate that it takes time to rebuild a squad after such a debacle. Ferencvaros have played well during this time and have always sought to match their opponents, even drawing 3-3 at in-form Zalaegerszegi TE despite not being a great goalscoring side. Ferencvaros are a tough side to beat and will no doubt make MTK Budapest work hard for the win today.

This should be a closer game than the Soproni Liga table suggests due to the resilient displays of Ferencvaros. However, MTK Budapest are playing well currently and they're very strong at home so the odds look rather good on the home win today in my opinion.

Verdict: MTK Budapest to win at 5/4.

Kyoto Sanga vs Nagoya Grampus - away win at evens.

You won't find me going against Kyoto Sanga at home often so make the most of it! These guys are very good at home; they always have been. However, they do bear a remarkable head-to-head statistic with Nagoya Grampus in that the hosts have lost every home game they've ever played against Nagoya Grampus in any competition. Kyoto Sanga have actually never beaten Nagoya Gampus in the J-League so they approach this game with a slight mental block. Kyoto Sanga have looked a bit more prone to conceding this season than they did last season so they're struggled a bit more than normal. Unfortunately for them, however, Nagoya Grampus are looking very solid indeed this season. They've already won three out of four J-League games with the only side to overcome them being a plucky Kawasaki Frontale in an epic 3-2 win. Nagoya Grampus have been strong in all of their games as victory at giants Gamba Osaka on the opening day of the season proved. They boast their best squad for some time, in my opinion, and it'd take a braver man than me to go against them in their current patch of machine-like form.

Kyoto Sanga may be good at home but the machine that is Nagoya Grampus looks well-oiled and ready to spoil so the away win looks to have good value today.

Verdict: Nagoya Grampus to win at evens.

Uniao de Leiria vs Sporting Braga - away win at 10/11.

Uniao de Leiria may have only lost three home games in the Liga Sagres following promotion from the Liga de Honra but those defeats have come against the better sides that they've encountered. Leiria give the impression that they're good at home with their statistics and whereas that's true against the lesser sides, Leiria tend to lose at home to the better sides, which is something I'm banking on today. They don't concede many goals at home, hence their success, but as I've already mentioned they do tend to concede and struggle against the better sides in this division and I expect them to do so again today, particularly with their season's aims having already been met in some style.

I'm not a big fan of Sporting Braga; frankly I find them boring. However, you don't win half of your away games in the Liga Sagres if you're not a capable side so Braga certainly are a capable side. They've been a bit goal-shy lately so their epic victory over bitter rivals Vitoria Guimaraes last match will have given them a boost on various levels - morale-wise, potency-wise, and motivation-wise. The game itself was a violent affair with four red cards and various penalties being issued throughout the game but a victory for Braga re-awakens their title challenge and they'll no doubt be there to profit should SL Benfica stumble at any point.

I fully expect Braga to give a committed and efficient display tonight as they have done in the majority of their games this season, which should be enough to see them take three points tonight. Leiria are drastically over-achieving and whereas I respect that and their strong home displays, they consistently fail at home to the better sides in this division, something that Braga definitely are, so the odds on the away win look rather flattering tonight.

Verdict: Sporting Braga to win at 10/11.

Nafta Lendava vs Maribor - away win at 11/10.

Nafta Lendava are strong at home in the Prva Liga as nine wins in fourteen games indicates all too well. They average scoring two goals per home game and generally lay waste to any visitors that come here. However, two consecutive defeats at Domzale and Celje respectively leaves Nafta Lendava a bit short on momentum ahead of this big game at home to giants Maribor so I question their ability to maintain their home form as a result. Nafta have only beaten Maribor here once in their last seven attempts with Maribor winning their last visit here 4-2 so they'll have to be at their best to take something from this game. Nafta are a potent side but any side will have taken mental blows from two consecutive defeats so I don't expect a great display from Nafta today.

Maribor have been the best away side in the Prva Liga this season with ten wins in fourteen games, scoring over two goals per away game on average. Indeed, had Maribor's home form been stronger then they'd no doubt be winning the Prva Liga by now but as it happens they're not so they'll have to keep grinding out wins in games like today's encounter at Nafta Lendava. Maribor are unbeaten in their four away games since returning from the winter break, scoring nine times and winning three times so they are looking strong on the road. The only side to prevent Maribor from winning on the road was a prolific Gorica side that held them to a 3-3 draw. Bluntly, Maribor have all the potency and motivation that they need to emulate their performance here last season so I expect them to do it again.

Although Maribor disappointingly lost their last game at home to Rudar Velenje, they know it's not the time to be crying over spilled milk. Maribor are experienced enough to know that they need to keep winning and that must continue today. I expect a committed display from both sides with goals galore but ultimately there looks to be some good value on the away win for the better of these two sides.

Verdict: Maribor to win at 11/10.

Tenerife vs Real Valladolid - home win at evens.

After today's game between these two sides, there'll be just seven games left in the Primera Liga. The winner of this game gives themselves a lifeline in their battle against the drop; the loser virtually condemns themselves to the division below. Both sides have had disappointing campaigns but Tenerife's main strength has been their home displays where they've lost just five out of fifteen games this season whilst winning six times. Tenerife don't score enough goals to be more of a force at home but they're been superb at home lately with eight goals scored in their last four home games, winning twice, drawing once, and losing once. Tenerife smashed four goals Espanyol here lately as well as putting two past Villarreal so they're sensing the danger of relegation and are responding to it quite well. They're giving themselves the best possible chance of survival at home so I'll give them their chances tonight.

Real Valladolid have had a dire campaign due to a lack of goalscoring ability. They've been particularly poor on the road where they've lost seven out of fourteen away games this season despite conceding just twenty-three goals. It's their eleven goals scored during those fourteen games which has planted them firmly in the mayhem that they're currently in the middle of and will struggle to get out of. Real Valladolid were unbelievably fortunate to win against an inury-hit Deportivo La Coruna at Riazor a couple of weeks back and it showed as they were flattened 3-0 by a rejuvenated but ultimately poor Deportivo Xerez in their following away game. Valladolid haven't scored for three consecutive games now, which has to be of great concern to them at this stage of the season and must also be concerning ahead of a trip to a compact Tenerife side. Ultimately, I think it's looking very bleak for Valladolid with few goalscoring prospects and no consistency so they should struggle tonight.

Although there isn't much between these two sides, I expect Tenerife to take the three points tonight. They're compact defensively, they've been particularly good at home of late in terms of goalscoring, and they take the majority of their points at home in the Primera Liga. Valladolid struggle on the road and aren't scoring goals at the moment so although they're not conceding many, they're still losing. This should be a feisty battle so expect plenty of cards but there should ultimately be value in a Tenerife win tonight.

Verdict: Tenerife to win at evens.

Deportivo Xerez vs Getafe - home win at 13/8.

The bookies have priced Xerez rather long for this game which pleases me. They're unbeaten in four games now and still harbour vague hopes of doing the unthinkable and escaping the drop themselves. Xerez have shown how well-motivated they are for the fight against relegation by winning their last two home games consecutively against fellow relegation-battlers Real Valladolid and Tenerife respectively so don't underestimate the hosts tonight - they're not the same side that they were at the start of this season. They've drawn two tough away games lately at giants Sevilla CF and resilient Sporting Gijon so I've been extremely impressed with Xerez of late. They're averaging scoring two goals per game and have strong momentum into this game so I expect a committed and potent display from the hosts. Let's face it - if they fail to win today then they're all but relegated so the hosts will be working very hard tonight.

Visitors Getafe are a strange side. They morph between a strong home side and a poor away side so easily that it boggles the mind sometimes. However, a drop in their performances of late isn't so difficult to understand - it's because of the loss of key striker Soldado. The former Real Madrid man performs a vital role in attack for Getafe and it shows as they simply cannot win without him. They looked dejected and toothless at home to goal-shy Espanyol last match and ended up drawing the game as a result. Getafe have already lost nine out of fifteen away games this season and look set to struggle again without their main man in attack.

Getafe are a capable side which explains why the bookies have approached this somewhat tentatively. However, they've underestimated Xerez a lot tonight in my opinion and I think they're capable of springing a surprise. Getafe have all but surrendered hope of European football next season and now have little to play for. Xerez are very strong and potent at the moment, not to mention motivated, so I think an impudent punt on the home win tonight is worth a try.

Verdict: Deportivo Xerez to win at 13/8.

Accumulator fodder:

Independiente, Salzburg, Dinamo Minsk, BATE Borisov, KVSK United, Dinamo Zagreb, Karlovac, Banik Ostrava, Leeds United, Millwall, Norwich City, Levadia Tallinn, Flora Tallinn, Trans Narva, Werder Bremen, Ilioupoli, Debreceni VSC, FK Ventspils, Ekranas Panevezys, Vetra Vilnius, Monterrey, Twente Enschede, AZ Alkmaar, Wisla Krakow, Porto, Spartak Moscow, Zhemchuzhina Sochi, Spartak Subotica, Red Star Belgrade, BK Hacken Goteborg, Sion, Young Boys Bern, Shakhtar Donetsk, Deportivo Italia, The New Saints.

Recommended bets:

Dinamo Minsk, Banik Ostrava, AZ Alkmaar, and Bayern Munich at 8/1.

Kortrijk, Werder Bremen, Wisla Krakow, and Shakhtar Donetsk at 6/1.

Leeds United, Millwall, and Norwich City at 3/1.

Independiente, Monterrey, and Deportivo Italia at 3/1.

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:

Newells Old Boys vs Chacarita Juniors (7) 2-0
Huracan vs Gimnasia De La Plata (6) 1-1
Independiente vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (8) -1.75 handicap

Austrian Bundesliga:

SV Mattersburg vs SV Kapfenberg (5) 2-1
LASK Linz vs Wiener Neustadt (7) over 2.5 goals
Austria Karnten vs Salzburg (9) -1.75 handicap

Austrian Liga 1:

Admira Wacker vs SCR Altach (7)

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

Vitebsk vs Naftan Novopolotsk (5) 1-1
Dnepr Mogilev vs Neman Grodno (6) 2-1
Dinamo Minsk vs Minsk (8) 2-0
BATE Borisov vs Belshina (9) -1.75 handicap
Dinamo Brest vs Torpedo Zhodino (7) 2-1
Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs Partizan Minsk (4) 1-1

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Kortrijk vs Zulte-Waregem (7) 2-1
Mechelen vs Cercle Brugge (6) over 2.5 goals
Lokeren vs Westerlo (4) 1-1
Charleroi vs Racing Genk (7) 0-1

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Tubize vs Lierse SK (6) under 2.5 goals
Turnhout vs Tournai (6)
KVSK United vs Liege (8)
Red Star Waasland vs Dender (5)
Eupen vs Standaard Wetteren (6)
Beveren vs OH Leuven (7)

Bulgarian A PFG:

Montana vs Chernomorets Burgas (7) 1-1
Sliven vs CSKA Sofia (6) 1-1
Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Beroe (6) 0-0
Levski Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (6) 2-1

Colombian Primera A:

Atletico Huila vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (5) 1-2
Real Cartagena vs Millonarios Bogota (7) 2-0
Cortulua vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (6) 1-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Istra 1961 vs Zadar (6) 1-1
Osijek vs Slaven Korpivnica (6) 2-1
Croatia Sesvete vs Inter Zapresic (7) 1-1
Medimurje vs Rijeka (5) 0-0
Dinamo Zagreb vs Lokomotiva Zagreb (8) over 2.5 goals
Karlovac vs Varteks Varazdin (8) 2-1
Sibenik vs NK Zagreb (6) 1-0
Hajduk Split vs Cibalia Vinkovci (6) 1-1

Cypriot Division 1:

Ethnikos Achnas vs Enosis Neon Paralimni (6) 2-1
AEL Limassol vs APOP/Kinyras (7) 2-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Bohemians 1905 vs Bohemians Prague (7) 1-0
Banik Ostrava vs Slovacko (8) 2-0

Danish Superligaen:

AGR Aarhus vs Aalborg BK (6) 1-1

Danish 1st Division:

Braband vs Skive (5)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Universidad Catolica vs Manta (6) 1-1
Independiente vs Deportivo Quito (5) 1-2
Olmedo Riobamba vs Emelec Guayaquil (6) 0-1
Barcelona Guayaquil vs El Nacional Quito (7) 2-1

English Premier League:

Hull City vs Burnley (6) 2-1
West Ham United vs Sunderland (6) 1-0

English Championship:

Bristol City vs Swansea City (4)
Barnsley vs Derby County (5)
Cardiff City vs Reading (6)
Crystal Palace vs Queens Park Rangers (5)
Doncaster Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion (6) over 2.5 goals
Middlesbrough vs Sheffield Wednesday (7)
Newcastle United vs Blackpool (7)
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town (5)
Peterborough United vs Leicester City (6)
Preston North End vs Scunthorpe United (5)
Sheffield United vs Coventry City (6)
Watford vs Plymouth Argyle (6)

English League One:

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

English League Two:

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

English FA Cup:

Aston Villa vs Chelsea (5) 1-2

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Flora Paide vs Trans Narva (9) 1-3
Lootus vs Levadia Tallinn (9) -1.75 handicap
Flora Tallinn vs Kuressaare (8) -1.75 handicap
Sillamae Kalev vs Nomme Kalju (5) 1-1
Viljandi Tulevik vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (5) 2-1

French Ligue 1:

Racing Club Lens vs Boulogne (7) 2-0
Toulouse vs Grenoble Foot (7) 1-0
Le Mans vs Montpellier HSC (5) 1-1
Lorient vs Stade Rennais (6) 1-1
Sochaux vs Saint-Etienne (5) 1-0
AS Monaco vs Valenciennes (6) 2-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs Girondins de Bordeaux (5) 2-1

German Bundesliga:

Hertha HSC Berlin vs VFB Stuttgart (6) 1-2
FSV Mainz 05 vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (6) 1-2
Hannover 96 vs Schalke 04 (7) 0-1
Hoffenheim vs Koln (6) 1-0
Werder Bremen vs SC Freiburg (8) over 2.5 goals
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich (7) 1-2

German Bundesliga 2:

Kaiserslautern vs Union Berlin (7) under 2.5 goals
Energie Cottbus vs Fortuna Dusseldorf (6) under 2.5 goals

Greek B Ethniki:

Ilioupoli vs Kalamata (8)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Debreceni VSC vs Paksi SE (9) over 2.5 goals
Kecskemeti TE vs Budapest Honved (6) 2-1
MTK Budapest vs Ferencvaros (7) 2-1
Gyori ETO FC vs Szombathelyi Haladas (7) over 2.5 goals
Diosgyori VTK vs Lombard Papa (6) 1-1
Kaposvari Rakoczi vs Vasas Budapest (5) 1-1

Italian Serie A:

SSC Napoli vs Parma (7) 1-0
Fiorentina vs Internazionale (6) 1-2

Italian Serie B:

Cittadella vs Ascoli (6)
Triestina vs Brescia (5)
Albinoleffe vs Cesena (5)
Ancona vs Crotone (6)
Reggina vs Empoli (6)
Mantova vs Piacenza (5)
Modena vs Sassuolo (6)
Lecce vs Torino (7)
Grosseto vs Vicenza (6)

Japanese J-League:

Shonan Bellmare vs Jubilo Iwata (5) 1-1
Kyoto Sanga vs Nagoya Grampus (7) 0-1
Omiya Ardija vs Gamba Osaka (5) 1-1
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Kawasaki Frontale (6) 2-2
Yokohama F Marinos vs Cerezo Osaka (7) 2-1
Albirex Niigata vs Urawa Red Diamonds (6) 0-1
Tokyo vs Kashima Antlers (5) 1-1

Latvian Virsliga:

Liepajas Metalurgs vs Blazma Rezekne (7) 2-1
Jelgava vs FK Ventspils (8) 0-2

Lithuanian A Lyga:

Klaipeda vs Mazeikiai (6) 1-0
Suduva Marijampole vs Banga Gargzdai (8) 2-1
Zalgiris Vilnius vs Vetra Vilnius (8) 0-1
Ekranas Panevezys vs Kruoja Pakruojis (8) -1.75 handicap

Mexican Primera Division:

Monterrey vs San Luis (8) 2-0
Queretaro vs Toluca (5) 1-2
Jaguares vs America (6) 1-1
Guadalajara vs Morelia (4) 1-1
Atlante vs Cruz Azul (6) 0-1
Pachuca vs Atlas (7) 2-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Twente Enschede vs Heerenveen (8) -1.75 handicap
NEC Nijmegen vs AZ Alkmaar (8) 1-2
NAC Breda vs Roda JC Kerkrade (7) 1-0
Sparta Rotterdam vs Heracles Almelo (6) 1-2

Norwegian Eliteserien:

Lillestrom vs Stabaek (6) 2-2

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Piast Gliwice vs Polonia Warsaw (4) 1-1
Lechia Gdansk vs Polonia Bytom (6) 1-0
Wisla Krakow vs Slask Wroclaw (8) 2-0
Korona Kielce vs GKS Belchatow (5) 1-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Uniao de Leiria vs Sporting Braga (7) 0-1
Rio Ave vs Porto (8) under 2.5 goals

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Estoril vs Carregado (5) under 2.5 goals
Desportivo Chaves vs Gil Vicente (6)
Beira-Mar vs Santa Clara (5)

Romanian Liga:

Otelul Galati vs Gloria Bistrita (6) 1-0
Universitatea Craiova vs Astra Ploiesti (6) 2-0
International vs Unirea Alba Iulia (5) 1-1
Vaslui vs Unirea Urziceni (7) 1-0

Russian Premier League:

Krylya Sovetov Samara vs Saturn Moscow Oblast (6) 1-1
Spartak Moscow vs Terek Grozny (8) 2-1
Dinamo Moscow vs Tom Tomsk (6) 2-1

Russian Division 1:

Energia Khabarovsk vs Kuban Krasnodor (6)
Luch-Energiya Vladivostok vs Khimki (5) under 2.5 goals
Salyut Belgorod vs Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod (7)
Avangard Kursk vs KamAZ Nab Chelny (6) over 2.5 goals
Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan vs Irtysh Pavlodar (5)
Rotor Volgograd vs Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast (6)
Mordova Saransk vs Dinamo St.Petersburg (5)
Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Baltika Kaliningrad (6)
Zhemchuzhina Sochi vs Dinamo Bryansk (8)
Krasnodor vs Shinnik Yaroslavl' (6)

Scottish Premier League:

Falkirk vs St.Mirren (6) 1-0
Hamilton Academicals vs Hibs (6) 1-1
Hearts vs Kilmarnock (6) 2-1

Serbian Super Liga:

Napredak vs Hajduk Kula (5) 0-0
Smederevo vs Borac Cacak (6) 1-0
Metalac GM vs Javor Ivanjica (6) 1-0
Red Star Belgrade vs Mladi Radnik (9) -1.75 handicap
Spartak Subotica vs BSK Borca (8) 2-1

Singaporean S-League:

Geylang United vs Woodlands Wellington (6) 2-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

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

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Nafta Lendava vs Maribor (6) over 2.5 goals
Drava vs Celje (6) 1-1
Interblock Ljubljana vs Koper (8) 1-2
Gorica vs Domzale (6) over 3.5 goals
Rudar Velenje vs Olimpija Ljubljana (7) 1-0

Spanish Primera Liga:

Malaga vs Sevilla CF (5) 1-1
Tenerife vs Real Valladolid (7) 1-0
Villarreal vs Sporting Gijon (7) 1-0
Deportivo Xerez vs Getafe (6) 2-1
Real Madrid vs Barcelona (7) over 3.5 goals, at least one red card in this game

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Albacete vs Gimnastic de Tarragona (5) under 2.5 goals
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Las Palmas (6)
Real Union Club de Irun vs Elche (5)
Real Betis Balompie vs Cadiz (7) over 2.5 goals
Villarreal II vs Girona (4)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

BK Hacken Goteborg vs Atvidabergs (8) 2-0

Swedish Superettan:

Landskrona BOIS vs Degerfors (7)
Falkenbergs vs Jonkopings Sodra (6)

Swiss Super League:

Neuchatel Xamax vs Grasshoppers Zurich (6) 1-2
Sion vs Aarau (8) 2-0
Young Boys Bern vs Bellinzona (9) -1.75 handicap

Swiss Challenge League:

Kriens vs Winterthur (6)
Stade Nyonnais vs Vaduz (4)
Wohlen vs Gossau (7)
Lausanne Sport vs Yverdon Sport (5)
Locarno vs Wil (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

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

Ukrainian Premier League:

Kryvbas Kryvyvi Rih vs Metalist Kharkiv (7) 0-1
Chernomorets Odessa vs Vorskla Poltava (6) 1-1
Dynamo Kiev vs Arsenal Kiev (7) 2-0
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (8) under 2.5 goals

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Fenix vs Penarol (7) over 2.5 goals
Tacuarembo vs Racing Club Montevideo (6) 1-1
Cerro Largo vs River Plate Montevideo (5) 1-2

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Italia vs Llaneros de Guanare (8) 2-0

Welsh Premier League:

Caersws vs The New Saints (9) 0-2
Airbus UK vs Porthmadog (7) over 2.5 goals
Haverfordwest County vs Rhyl (5) 1-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

29Nov/090

Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Today's featured game is the one that's on everyone's lips - the "El Clasico" between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both sides are flying high in the Primera Liga thus far with just one defeat between them all season. Real Madrid lead Barcelona by a single point in the title race but also still have their 6-2 humbling at home to Barcelona last season at the front of their minds.

As a home side, Barcelona have been virtually flawless this season. They've won all five of their home games, averaging just under four goals scored per game and conceding just five goals on this run. Barcelona are a truly frightening side when they're motivated and that's most of the time! Barcelona bring a new meaning to the style known as "possession football" as they stroke the ball around beautifully with their unique two playmaker system. Barcelona have won two of their last four games and will no doubt have good memories of their back-to-back victories over Real Madrid last season.

Visitors Real Madrid have been grinding a lot of low-scoring games out lately, which is the last thing I'd ever expect them to do, frankly. Why? Well, they can't defend for shit so it does make sense for them to employ the Real Madrid ethos of "We'll score more than you". But no, Real Madrid much prefer living dangerously, something that could very well cripple them against a side that scores a lot of goals. Real Madrid have won three away games out of five this season, drawing once, and losing once. Real Madrid have a host of big names at their disposal but are only just beginning to show signs of forming a big "team".

Both sides are sweating on the fitness of key players ahead of this game with Cristiano Ronaldo playing a small part of Real Madrid's win at home to FC Zurich mid-week, Lionel Messi limping out of Barcelona's tough trip to Bilbao last week, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic facing a late fitness test. Although reports suggest that the majority of these players are unlikely to play, I can't help but feel that it's fabrication and that all of them will play, ultimately.

Real Madrid don't have the defensive capabilities to stop Barcelona, simply put. If Marcelo starts at left-back then Messi or whoever is on the right-wing will tear him apart, something that's been proven consistently this season and doesn't look like changing against the best side in the country. Few sides can contain Barcelona's unique footballing style so Real Madrid's only hope is that Barcelona don't show up, something that has happened largely in the UEFA Champions League this season by failing to defeat Rubin Kazan at home or away. Barcelona's defence is more reliable than Real Madrid's but is still prone to being broken through. My biggest concern is that Cristiano Ronaldo will turn it on and when he does that, he is quite simply the best player in the world in terms of the variety of attacking threat he can provide i.e. aerially, from distance, as a striker, as a winger etc.

Overall, this should be an absolutely fantastic game and I urge you all to watch it. However, the value for me has to be in the home win as I expect Barcelona to score more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo will, with a bit of luck! It may also be worthwhile looking at a cricket score for this game 'cause Real Madrid really cannot defend and I can't see them attempting damage limitation in this big derby for one moment.

Verdict: Barcelona to win at 5/6.

Sunday's Picks

My tips:

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

Banfield vs Racing Club Avellaneda -1.75 handicap at 5/6.

Hosts Banfield are setting the Primera Division alight with their relentless efficiency in winning games. They've now won six consecutive games, taking their tally to ten wins from fifteen games. They're the only side in the division yet to taste defeat and have scored nine goals in their last five games, conceding just twice on that run. Banfield have won six out of their seven home games this season, drawing just once on that run. They average scoring two goals per game at home and have only conceded three goals at home all season.

Visitors Racing Club Avellaneda are having a season to forget with just two wins in fifteen games. They've been particularly dismal away from home with six defeats in eight away games, drawing just twice, and remaining winless throughout their away trips. They average conceding just under two goals per away game and only score once every two away games on average. Racing Club Avellaneda have lost three of their last five games but the most disheartening statistic for the visitors is that they've lost all five of their last five away games with the -1.75 goal handicap having been overcome in four of those games.

With all of the above in mind, this bet seems a fairly straightforward money-maker.

Verdict: Banfield to win with a -1.75 goal handicap at 5/6.

Salzburg vs Rapid Vienna - home win at 17/20.

Reigning champions Salzburg enter this game as joint leaders of the Bundesliga with today's opponents Rapid Vienna. Salzburg are unbeaten in their last five games, winning their last three games consecutively. Salzburg have won six out of their seven home games this season, drawing once and scoring over three goals per home game. Salzburg have won this fixture six times out of the last seven that it's been played, which already looks ominous for Rapid Vienna unless another freak 7-0 away win occurs again!

Visitors Rapid Vienna have impressed me this season as I've mentioned in previous posts but their football lately has been a little unconvincing despite beating two title rivals in their last two games. An uncharacteristic 3-0 demolition at home by Israel's Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the UEFA Europa League and a 3-3 draw at the bizarre LASK Linz has put some doubts in my mind as to the consistency of Rapid Vienna. I've been impressed with the way that they demolised bitter rivals Austria Vienna 4-1 lately although I was slightly less impressed that they required a late winner to overcome a resilient but out-of-form Sturm Graz. Rapid Vienna have won three of their eight away games this season, drawing three times and losing twice. Rapid Vienna have won their last two games consecutively so they also boast some good momentum entering this game. However, Rapid Vienna really don't have a good away record against the mighty Salzburg and that will have an impact on them mentally, if only partially.

Overall, I consider this match to be between the two best sides in Austria but it's usually Salzburg that comes out on top of these matches. Salzburg have more experience and are lethal at home whereas Rapid Vienna are a bit hit-and-miss away from home. Although the scoreline will most likely be a narrow one, the value looks to be in the home win for me.

Verdict: Salzburg to win at 17/20.

Avai vs Santos - home win at 10/11.

Avai have been in great form of late when you consider that they don't really have anything to play for! They've won three of their last four games and seem content to beat sides even when without motivation! Avai have already won ten games at home this season, losing just three times, which is an impressive haul when you consider the limited squad that they have available to them in terms of ability. Only Gremio, Gremio Barueri, and Internacional can claim to have scored more goals at home than Avai with Avai boasting an average of nearly two goals scored per home game with the hosts looking likely to build upon that record tonight.

Visitors Santos have had quite a poor season by their lofty expectations, lingering in twelfth place with nothing left to play for this season, something that can be seen with their two defeats in their last four games. Santos have been poor away from home this season with just four away wins in eighteen games, losing eight of those encounters. Santos have lost their last two away games consecutively and are looking increasingly unlikely to take anything away from what has now become a rather daunting trip to little Avai.

Overall, there's not much quality difference between these two sides and neither has anything to play for. However, Avai have been rock solid at home this season and have won their last two home games consecutively so take some strong momentum into this game and should overcome a poor-travelling Santos side.

Verdict: Avai to win at 10/11.

Arsenal vs Chelsea - away win at 13/8.

Typically, hosts Arsenal have managed to somehow end up with significant injuries ahead of this game. Sometimes it's their own training, sometimes it's international duty - the reasons can vary - but one that remains crystal clear is that Arsenal simply will not win anything ever again because they cannot keep all their players fit and Arsene Wenger will not develop a second-string of players that are not under the age of eighteeen! Arsenal play some delightful football at times but constantly let themselves down with a lack of squad depth and the way that their heads drop when they face a physical side or lose a game. Arsenal have lost key striker Robin Van Persie, left backs Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs both ruled out with injuries, William Gallas listed as "50/50" to make this game, and Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin as he's mentally all over the place by his own admission due to Russia's World Cup dream having been ended by Slovenia. This leaves Arsenal with a makeshift attack of Walcott and Eduardo, both of which have already had injury problems this season with the pair of the amassing just twelve starts between them out of Arsenal's twenty-one games played this season.

Visitors Chelsea have looked strong all over the park in the majority of their games so far this season. To say that Carlo Ancelotti has made a significant impact at Chelsea would be a massive understatement as the crafty Italian tactician has masterminded them to more victories in the Premier League than anyone else this season with thirteen wins in fifteen games. Chelsea have stumbled on the road twice, once against Aston Villa and once against Wigan Athletic, which does concern me a little. Nonetheless, the attacking prowess of Drogba and Anelka and the overall potency of Chelsea in general has been frightening this season so a makeshift Arsenal defence are unlikely to be able to keep them out.

This derby will be a heated one as ever but I can only see yet another efficient Chelsea victory as they have better players, a bigger squad, a more fit squad, and better momentum.

Generally speaking, I expect this game to be played out as the last two meetings between these two clubs have been played out at the Emirates with Arsenal taking the lead and then losing, which is also an interesting bet to consider at 10/1!

Verdict: Chelsea to win at 13/8.

AS Nancy-Lorraine vs Girondins de Bordeaux - away win at evens.

AS Nancy-Lorraine have been rather poor at home this season with just two wins in five home games, albeit only losing once. Nancy have already lost six games out of thirteen this season, a record which only a handful of sides in Ligue 1 can "better" in terms of defeats. Nancy enter this game on the back of two straight defeats to dampen the momentum and morale ahead of the visit of reigning champions Girondins de Bordeaux. Nancy's big problem is scoring goals at home, something they've done just six times all season, a record that means only Saint-Etienne and bottom-placed Grenoble Foot have scored less goals at home than Nancy. All of these fators have to be of real concern for Nancy as they're facing a very good Bordeaux side tonight who they're really going to have to work hard against to overcome.

Visitors Bordeaux were on the verge of a downward spiral before they overcame Juventus 2-0 at home in their UEFA Champions League last match to boost morale and grant them some momentum. Nancy is never an easy away game but Bordeaux will look to improve their somewhat average away record this season by beating their downhearted opponents. There's no doubt in my mind that Bordeaux have the better squad between these two outfits but will have to be at their best to win tonight.

This is probably the closest call I've made today given Bordeaux's horrendous head-to-head record here but I feel the odds are good enough value to take it considering Bordeaux's momentum taken from their victory over Juventus.

Verdict: Girondins de Bordeaux to win at evens.

Hannover 96 vs Bayern Munich - lay Bayern Munich at evens.

Hosts Hannover 96 have won two out of their last four games and have been very difficult to play against this season on their own turf. Hannover 96 have only lost once in six home games, winning twice and drawing three times. Hannover 96 are one of the bigger goalscorers at home in the division and tend to cause a substantial amount of problems for any opponent that faces them here.

Visitors Bayern Munich are in dire straits, something recognised by players, fans, and backroom staff alike with the blame being pointed in various places. As a result, their performances have drastically suffered and Bayern Munich are now without a win in three Bundesliga games. To make matters worse, Bayern Munich have been very average away from home this season with just two wins in six away games. Lastly, Bayern Munich's torrid times of late will be tinted with the knowledge that they managed to lose here last year, which certainly won't help them.

This bet has made me money for a good few games running now so I'm going to ride the wave again today with Bayern still having the same problems and Hannover 96 being a very resilient home side.

Verdict: Lay Bayern Munich at evens.

St.Pauli vs Union Berlin - home win at 5/6.

St.Pauli have won three out of their last five games, losing just once, and have earned their third place position in the Bundesliga 2 with some fine performances this season. Nobody in this division has scored more goals than St.Pauli have this season with the host averaging over two goals scored per game. St.Pauli have won three of their six home games this season, drawing twice, and losing just once. However, they're looking to gain promotion to the Bundesliga this year after an impressive season last year and an impressive start to this season. With that in mind, St.Pauli have to beat their contemporaries and however surprising it might be, Union Berlin are one of those sides.

Union Berlin have impressed since gaining promotion to the Bundesliga 2 last season, hence their lofty position of fifth in the Bundesliga 2 table. Their dominance at home has been a large catalyst for their good performances but they have started to stumble significantly of late, losing two consecutive games. Their away form has been patchy with just two away wins out of six games, albeit only losing twice. However, dropped heads and a squad with lesser ability is not the two things you'd want to take into a tough away game against St.Pauli, but that's what they're stuck with!

Overall, the hosts have a better squad, more experience, and really should win this game a lot more comfortably than the league table suggests.

Verdict: St.Pauli to win at 5/6.

Ilioupoli vs Agrotikos Asteras - home win at 6/5.

Ilioupoli's home form has been reliable this season if nothing else, winning twice, drawing twice, and losing just once in five home games. Ilioupoli tend to gain their results by keeping their opponents out rather than putting them to the sword but it's proven to be quite successful for them this season. They've won three out of their last five games and carry considerable momentum into this encounter.

Visitors Agrotikos Asteras are having an average season but have been particularly poor away from home, losing twice and drawing twice in four away games. Agrotikos Asteras concede more goals than they'd like to away from home, averaging nearly two goals conceded per game. Worryingly for the visitors, they've won just one game in their last five and have lost their last two games consecutively.

Given the polar opposites in momentum and the home advantage of Ilioupoli, you have to feel that there's potentially some value in the home win here.

Verdict: Ilioupoli to win at 6/5.

Catania vs AC Milan - away win at 3/4.

Hosts Catania have still won just one game in Serie A this year out of a possible thirteen. They're one of the lowest goalscoring sides in the division and look to have real problems staying in Serie A this year, hence an abrupt change in management lately. Catania's one win this season did come at home but they've also drawn three times and lost twice at home already. Catania don't concede too many at home but they don't have to to lose the game - their opponents simply score more than they do. Unfortunately for Catania, they're playing an AC Milan side that may not be firing on all cylinders but they are scoring a lot of goals at the moment so Catania have a long task ahead of them to take anything out of this game.

As I expected, AC Milan drew at home to Olympique de Marseille this week due to the contrasting footballing styles so AC Milan must now turn their attention back to saving their Serie A season. AC Milan have won four out of their last five Serie A games and have scored twelve goals in those game, averaging over two goals scored per game. Even though AC Milan didn't deserve to beat Cagliari in their last Serie A outing, AC Milan still managed to score four goals, which isn't bad at all if you don't play well! AC Milan have only lost one away game this season and have won three times, which bodes ominously for little Catania.

This should be a fairly straightforward away win for an AC Milan side full of goals at the moment against a Catania side that just don't score enough.

Verdict: AC Milan to win at 3/4.

ADO Den Haag vs Feyenoord Rotterdam - away win at 5/6.

ADO Den Haag have been in atrocious form lately, hence their placing just outside of the drop zone. They've lost three of their last five games and haven't won any of those games. Their momentum and morale are virtually non-existent currently and possess the worst home record in the Eredivisie, having already lost five out of seven home games, winning just once. ADO Den Haag have conceded more goals at home than any other side and that's a very dangerous record to enter a game against Feyenoord Rotterdam with.

Feyenoord Rotterdam have been quite poor lately, winning just once in their last five games. Nonetheless, they've one of the Eredivisie's better clubs and have already won three out of seven away games thiss season, losing just twice. This kind of game is one that Feyenoord have been waiting for to gain some momentum again and to remember what it's like to win games and they really should make short work of their meager hosts.

You would not see these odds if Feyenoord were playing well but I'm happy to take them as they are because Feyenoord are simply a class above ADO Den Haag - like most sides, really!

Verdict: Feyenoord Rotterdam to win at 5/6.

Belenenses vs Maritimo - away win at 6/4.

Belenenses have lost two of their last four games and are without a win in their last five. They're one of the lowest goalscoring sides in the Liga Sagres with just five goals scored in ten games, an average of a goal scored every two games. Belenenses have already lost three home games out of five this season and have earned their spot just out of the relegaion zone because of it. They've only managed one home win during this time and unfortunately entertain one of the Liga Sagres' better sides today - Maritimo.

Maritimo haven't been overly convincing away from home this season with just one win in five away games. Nonetheless, they've only lost once, drawing three times as they attempt to stifle their opponents before scoring a telling goal. Maritimo aren't a big goalscoring side but they've scored more goals on the road this season than Belenenses have at home, which speaks volumes on its own. Maritimo are unbeaten in four games, winning three of their last four, which lends them considerable momentum ahead of this trip, particularly as one of those wins came against giants Porto.

Basically, Maritimo are the better of these two sides and have more than enough quality and momentum to take the win from this game today.

Verdict: Maritimo to win at 6/4.

Porto vs Rio Ave - lay Porto at 11/4.

Porto have been atrocious lately and haven't even managed to score a goal in their last two games in all competitions, which simply isn't good enough for the reigning champions. The fans have started to boo the players when playing at home, which naturally adds additional pressure, which is largely why Porto haven't won either of their last two home games. I have no doubts that Porto are ten times the side that Rio Ave are but they're simply not showing it. Porto are starting to play poor football and by not scoring goals they're naturally not winning games. To be blunt - they're looking devoid of experience and a leader to pull them through their bad form at the moment.

Rio Ave are one of the toughest sides in the Liga Sagres to overcome, something which has only happened once this season in ten games. Rio Ave are unbeaten in three games and have only conceded five goals away from home all season. Rio Ave know that they're not as good as Porto so they'll simply bring the bus and park it in front of goal. They'll know that Porto are under pressure and are looking goal-shy at the moment because of it, which means that this is the perfect time for Rio Ave to deploy their tactics to take a historic result home with them.

This game should be full of one-way traffic but my risky call involves goal-shy Porto not converting their chances against an extremely resilient Rio Ave, something that I feel has a good chance of occurring!

Verdict: Lay Porto at 11/4.

Cordoba vs Girona - home win at 21/20.

Cordoba's outstanding home form rolls on with five wins in six home games this season, drawing just once. They've scored ten goals in the process and conceded just three. Away games against Cordoba are rapidly becoming one of the hardest in the division with the hosts unable to be moved by even the most dilligent of opponents. Only Real Sociedad can match Cordoba's number of home wins, something that could easily change with Cordoba's game today.

Visitors Girona are the latest side to throw their hat into the ring to take on the mighty Cordoba away from home. Girona don't lose games easily themselves, losing just twice in six away games this season. However they've only won once, hence their league placing being nearer to the bottom than the top, as they simply don't win enough games. Despite some good form of late, few sides have conceded more away goals in the Segunda Liga than Girona have so it's looking a little ominous for them ahead of a nightmare trip to Cordoba.

This should be quite a tight game between two in-form sides but Cordoba's home advantage is fast becoming legendary and Girona look a little too loose defensively on the road to contain them today.

Verdict: Cordoba to win at 21/20.

Steaua Bucharest vs Vaslui - lay Steaua Bucharest at 5/6.

Steaua Bucharest have been unconvincing for a long time now and I can't see that changing today. Steaua have heavily relied upon Moreno and Zapata to carry them through games but I can't help to feel that their luck will run out against in-form Vaslui today. An embarassing defeat at newly-promoted Astra Ploiesti last match will have damaged Steaua's morale but it's nothing more than their recent performances have earned. When you consider that Steaua have only won two home games out of seven this season, the odds on laying Steaua look somewhat unbelievable, despite their "giant" status in Romania. Few sides have scored less goals than Steaua have this season and a resilient Vaslui should be able to keep them out too.

Vaslui have now won six consecutive games and have only conceded three goals along the way, beating the likes of CFR Cluj and Unirea Urziceni along the way. With their scintillating form and efficiency in mind, it may not be quite so laughable to suggest that they may win this game outright, particularly as Steaua have already lost two home games this season. Vaslui deservedly occupy top spot in the country at the moment and when you consider that they managed to avoid defeat here last season, you have to feel that there's some good value in laying Steaua today, particularly as Vaslui have become even better since then.

Verdict: Lay Steaua Bucharest at 5/6.

Real Valladolid vs Tenerife - home win at evens.

Both of these two sides are in similar predicaments, loitering just outside of the relegation zone. Both sides have won just once in their last five games, although the visitors have lost more of those games than Real Valladolid have. Valladolid have more experience in these situations and always put in a feisty stint when playing their home games, something which has seen them score nine goals in five home games despite only winning one of them.

Visitors Tenerife have the worst away record in the Primera Liga with five defeats from five away games. They have the worst possible combination of being the side that concedes three goals per away game on average, which is more than any other Primera Liga side, and by only having scored one goal away from home all season. Tenerife don't score many goals as it is but on the road they're particularly lacklustre and enjoy being cannon fodder, seemingly.

The only way I can see Tenerife taking anything from this game is if Valladolid don't score but considering that the hosts average nearly two goals per game at home, it's hard to look beyond a home win here.

Verdict: Real Valladolid to win at evens.

Almeria vs Athletic Club de Bilbao - away win at 2/1.

Almeria have been decent at home this season, losing just once in five games. They've won twice and drawn twice too, although their recent form shows that they're not playing anywhere near as well as they can with three defeats in four games. Almeria's biggest problem is not scoring goals and that may affect them today, particularly as they're suffering from a lack of momentum.

Visitors Athletic Club de Bilbao enter this game on the back of an impressive 1-1 draw at home to reigning champions Barcelona. Only the top five sides in the Primera Liga have won more away games than Athletic have this season and the visitors have been playing some good football after the introduction of prodigies Muniain and De Marcos to their ranks. Llorente is a potent striker and will be a constant threat for Almeria. Athletic are unbeaten in their last three games now so will look to continue their good run by using their momentum to overcome their lesser opponents Almeria.

This should be a close game as Almeria are a tough side at home but Athletic have a better side and should make us some money today, although it may be worth looking at the draw no bet option given the unreliability of Athletic's defence.

Verdict: Athletic Club de Bilbao to win at 2/1.

Gava vs Alicante - away win at 5/6.

Hosts Gava have lost three of their last five games and naturally sit near the foot of the table as this type of form is rather commonplace for them. Nobody in Group 3 has conceded as many goals as Gava have this season with Gava averaging over two goals conceded per game. Gava have already lost five out of seven home games this season and have conceded more goals at home than anyone else has too. Effectively, they're looking likely to lose against anyone they face at the moment.

Recently relegated Alicante have played quite well since adapting to life in the Segunda B and have now won four out of their last five games, granting them considerable momentum ahead of their trip to Gava. Only the top two sides in the group have conceded less goals than Alicante have this season, hence Alicante's relative success as they're not big goalscorers. Alicante's away form is somewhat mixed but I'm hoping that is turns out to be irrelevant due to the complete lack of ability and momentum that Gava possess, which really should be the case.

Effectively, this should be a very straightforward away win for Alicante today.

Verdict: Alicante to win at 5/6.

Zorya Lugansk vs Chernomorets Odessa - home win at 10/11.

Zorya Lugansk have been poor so far this season which is why they're battling against relegation. They've won just one game in their last five and have lost three along the way. However, they've remained reliable and consistent at home, where they've only lost once this season, winning three times and drawing twice. Zorya Lugansk don't score enough goals in their games so their home form is absolutely vital to them if they intend on prolonging their stay in this division.

Visitors Chernomorets Odessa are a side that I rate rather highly although I've absolutely no grounds to base this on from a stastistics perspective. They've lost two out of their last three games, winning just once in their last five games. They're the only side in the division to have scored less goals than today's hosts Zorya Lugansk and have already lost four out of their six away games this season, drawing once and winning once. Chernomorets concede over two goals per away game on average, which is largely why they lose so many away games, a factor that is pivotal in this bet being successful today.

Effectively, if Chernomorets give Zorya the same number of chances in this game as they have to the majority of their opponents this season then home win here should be a mere formality for Zorya Lugansk. 

Verdict: Zorya Lugansk to win at 10/11.

Young Boys Bern vs Basel - home win at 13/10.

Despite some unconvincing performances and results of late, Young Boys Bern remain the best side in Switzerland for me. Nonetheless, Young Boys Bern remain top of the Super League by four points to today's opponents Basel due to Young Boys Bern's relentless run of form earlier this season. Young Boys Bern have only won two out of their last five games but will motivate themselves highly for this important rivalry match against title contenders Basel. Young Boys Bern average scoring approximately 2.5 goals per home game and will take comfort from the fact that they hold the voodoo sign over Basel, a side that they've beaten the last four times they've met in the Super League at either ground. Lastly, Young Boys Bern have already won five out of their seven home games this season, remaining unbeaten throughout, which will thrown down the gauntlet for a rejuvenated Basel side.

Basel have been playing very well indeed lately with four wins and one draw from their last five games. They've won four away games this season but have lost twice and drawn twice. Despite convincing performances of late, Basel know that they're not as good as Young Boys Bern anymore and their voodoo sign may yet come back to haunt them again, much as it did earlier this season. Although I expect a spirited display from Basel, I can't help but feel that they'll succumb to their better opponents today.

Verdict: Young Boys Bern to win at 13/10.

Zamora vs Caracas - away win at 11/8.

Two straight defeats for Zamora, including a home defeat by poor-travelling Deportivo Anzoategui, means that they're not in the best frame of mind ahead of their match with mighty Caracas. Zamora rely heavily on their home form but that's deserved them a little of late and they now look a little prone to being broken down, particularly by good sides. Caracas certainly fall into that category and will look to inflict Zamora's third home defeat of the season tonight.

Caracas are easily one of the best sides in the Venezuelan Primera Division, if not the best side, and have shown it en mass this season. They've won ten out of their fourteen games and have only tasted defeat twice this season. They've won five away games out of seven this season, scoring an average of over two goals per away game, which is more than any other side. Caracas are simply a class above Zamora and have more than enough in their arsenal to make it count tonight. 

Verdict: Caracas to win at 11/8.

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:

San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Boca Juniors (6) 1-1
Tigre vs Velez Sarsfeld (7) 0-1
Banfield vs Racing Club Avellaneda (9) -1.75 handicap

Australian A-League:

Sydney vs Newcastle Jets (8) 2-0
Brisbane Roar vs Wellington Phoenix (6) 1-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

Salzburg vs Rapid Vienna (7) over 2.5 goals

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Zulte-Waregem vs Lokeren (8) 2-0
Sint-Truiden vs Standard de Liege (8) 0-1

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Turnhout vs Brussels (5)
Boussu Dour Borinage vs Lierse SK (6)
Tienen vs Liege (7)

Brazilian Serie A:

Palmeiras vs Atletico Mineiro (7) 2-1
Gremio vs Gremio Barueri (8) 2-0
Atletico Paranaense vs Botafogo (7) 1-1
Cruzeiro vs Coritiba (8) 2-1
Corinthians vs Flamengo (7) 1-2
Sport Recife vs Internacional (7) 1-2
Santo Andre vs Nautico (7) 1-0
Avai vs Santos (7) 2-1
Goias vs Sao Paulo (6) over 2.5 goals
Fluminense vs Vitoria (8) 2-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Beroe vs Litex Lovech (8) 0-2
Chernomorets Burgas vs Lokomotiv Sofia (6) 1-1

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (6) 1-1
Real Cartagena vs Independiente Medellin (6) 1-2

Cypriot Division 1:

Doxa vs Ermis (6) 1-0
Omonia Nicosia vs Nea Salamis (9) -1.75 handicap

Danish Superligaen:

Randers vs SonderjyskE (4) 1-0
FC Copenhagen vs Midtylland (7) 2-1
Nordsjaelland vs Silkeborg (6) 1-1
AGF Aarhus vs Brondby (5) 1-2

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Emelec Guayaquil vs Liga de Quito (5) 1-1
Deprotivo Cuenca vs Deportivo Quito (6) 1-2

English Premier League:

Bolton Wanderers vs Birmingham City (7) 1-1
Everton vs Liverpool (5) 1-1
Arsenal vs Chelsea (7) 1-2

English Championship:

Cardiff City vs Ipswich Town (8)

English FA Cup:


Kettering Town vs Leeds United (8) 0-2

French Ligue 1:

Le Mans vs Saint-Etienne (5) 0-1
AS Nancy-Lorraine vs Girondins de Bordeaux (7) 0-1
Olympique Lyonnais vs Stade Rennais (7) over 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga:

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs VFB Stuttgart (8) 3-1
Hannover 96 vs Bayern Munich (6) 1-1

German Bundesliga 2:

Energie Cottbus vs Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (7)
St.Pauli vs Union Berlin (7)
1860 Munich vs Fortuna Dusseldorf (6)

Greek Super League:

Larissa vs Kavala (8) 0-0
Panthrakikos vs Levadiakos (5) under 2.5 goals
Aris Salonika vs Panionios (6) 2-1
Olympiakos Piraeus vs Panathinaikos (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Atromitos vs PAS Giannina (6) 1-0

Greek B Ethniki:

Ethnikos Asteras vs Ionikos Nikaias (8)
Ilioupoli vs Agrotikos Asteras (6)
Aigaleo Athens vs Thrasivoulos (6)
Kerkyra vs Panserraikos (7)
OFI Crete vs Olympiakos Volos (6)
Panaitolikos Agrinio vs Kalamata (8)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Debreceni VSC vs Zalaegerszegi TE (8) over 2.5 goals

Italian Serie A:

Atalanta Bergamo vs AS Roma (5) 1-1
Bari vs Siena (8) 1-0
Cagliari vs Juventus (7) 0-1
Chievo Verona vs Palermo (5) 1-0
Internazionale vs Fiorentina (8) 2-1
Lazio vs Bologna (5) 1-0
Parma vs SSC Napoli (6) 1-1
Catania vs AC Milan (7) 1-2

Italian Serie B:

Reggina vs Brescia (7)

Japanese J-League:

Yokohama F Marinos vs Shimizu S-Pulse (7) 2-1
JEF United Ichihara vs Oita Trinita (7) 1-0

Mexican Primera Division:

Toluca vs San Luis (7) 2-0
Morelia vs Santos Laguna (6) 0-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Vitesse Arnhem vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (8) over 2.5 goals
ADO Den Haag vs Feyenoord Rotterdam (7) 1-2
Utrecht vs NAC Breda (7) 1-1
Groningen vs NEC Nijmegen (6) 1-0

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Odra Wodzislaw vs Wisla Krakow (8) 0-2
Arka Gdynia vs Slask Wroclaw (5) 0-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Pacos de Ferreira vs Leixoes (6) 1-0
Academica de Coimbra vs Vitoria Setubal (5) 1-0
Belenenses vs Maritimo (7) 0-1
Porto vs Rio Ave (5) 0-0

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Sporting Covilha vs Portimonense (6)
Carregado vs Estoril (6)
Desportivo Aves vs Oliveirense (7)
Penafiel vs Varzim (7)
Trofense vs Freamunde (8)
Gil Vicente vs Desportivo Chaves (7)
Santa Clara vs Beira-Mar (7)

Romanian Liga:

Pandurii Targu Jiu vs Rapid Bucharest (7) 1-2
Gaz Metan Medias vs FC Poli Timisoara (5) 1-1
Steaua Bucharest vs Vaslui (5) 1-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Nitra vs Dubnica (6) 1-0

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Koper vs Celje (7) 2-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Real Valladolid vs Tenerife (6) 2-1
Getafe vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 2-0
Racing Club de Santander vs Deportivo La Coruna (6) 1-2
Almeria vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (6) 1-2
Real Zaragoza vs Osasuna (7) 1-1
Barcelona vs Real Madrid (7) over 2.5 goals
Atletico Madrid vs Espanyol (5) 1-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Real Sociedad (6)
Cordoba vs Girona (8)
Real Betis Balompie vs Las Palmas (6)
Albacete vs Numancia (7)
Castellon vs Real Murcia (6)
Villarreal II vs Elche (5)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Celta de Vigo II vs Pontevedra (6)
Palencia vs Deportivo Alaves (5)
Montaneros vs Izarra (8)
Ponferradina vs Lemona (8)
Mirandes vs Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (6)
Sestao River Club vs Guijuelo (5)
Barakaldo vs Racing Club de Ferrol (6)
Eibar vs Compostela (9)

Group 2:

Atletico Madrid II vs Tenerife II (8)
Alcorcon vs Cerro Reyes Badajoz (8)
Toledo vs Alcala Henares (7)
Universidad Las Palmas vs Leganes (8)
Lanzarote vs Real Madrid II (5)
Vecindario vs Villanovense (7)
Conquense vs Cacareno (6)

Group 3:

Sabadell vs Sporting Mahones (6)
Sant Andreu vs Atletico Gramenet (8)
Denia vs Espanyol Barcelona II (7)
Gava vs Alicante (7)
Badalona vs Lleida (6)
Orihuela vs Terrassa (8)
Logrones vs Alcoyano (7)
Benidorm vs Villajoyosa (8)

Group 4:

Sevilla II vs Aguilas (6)
Union Estepona vs Ciudad de Murcia (7)
Real Murcia II vs Real Betis Balompie II (8)
Roquetas vs Granada (6)
Melilla vs Polideportivo Ejido (7)
Moratalla vs Marbella (5)
Real Jaen vs Sangonera Atletico (5)
Caravaca vs Jerez Industrial (8)
Ecija Balompie vs Lucena (4)

Swiss Super League:

Young Boys Bern vs Basel (7) 2-1
FC Zurich vs Aarau (6) 2-0
Bellinzona vs Sion (6) 1-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Kriens vs Yverdon Sport (6)
Locarno vs Vaduz (6)
Schaffhausen vs Biel-Bienne (8)
Winterthur vs Lugano (5)
Le Mont vs Gossau (5)
Servette vs Lausanne Sports (6)
Stade Nyonnais vs Wil (4)

Turkish Super Lig:

Antalyaspor vs Genclerbirligi (5) 2-1
Istanbul BB vs Gaziantepspor (6) 1-0
Ankaragucu vs Denizlispor (7) 2-0
Manisaspor vs Kayserispor (6) 1-2
Trabzonspor vs Eskisehirspor (6) 2-1
Sivasspor vs Besiktas JK (8) 0-2

Ukrainian Premier League:

Arsenal Kiev vs Metalist Kharkiv (8) 0-1
Zorya Lugansk vs Chernomorets Odessa (7) 2-1
Obolon Kiev vs Metalurg Donetsk (8) 1-2
Metalurg Zaporizhya vs Dynamo Kiev (9) 1-3

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Tachira vs Trujillanos (8) 2-1
Deportivo Anzoategui vs Llaneros de Guanare (8) 2-0
Zulia vs Centro Italo (8) 1-0
Zamora vs Caracas (7) 0-1
Yaracuyanos vs Monagas SC (6) 1-1
Deportivo Italia vs Aragua (8) 3-1
Real Esppor Club vs Atletico El Vigia (5) 1-1
Carabobo vs Deportivo Lara (7) 1-1
Estudiantes de Merida vs Mineros de Guayana (6) 1-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!

21Nov/090

Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Barcelona

Today's featured game is one very close to my heart as it's the old rivalry between Basque country's Athletic Club de Bilbao and Catalonia's Barcelona. Two of Spain's most successful sides in history lock horns at San Mames tonight with Barcelona dominating the trophy-winning days between the two clubs nowadays.

As an avid fan of Athletic Club de Bilbao, I have to first point out how hard it is for me to make this call. I'd love nothing more than to witness a home win here but frankly I just can't see it. Why? Well, Athletic Club de Bilbao's defence is weak at the best of times but with the influential Aitor Ocio missing at the back, Athletic Club de Bilbao look even more dubious than ever with Amorebieta usually the only one bothering to defend. Although Athletic Club de Bilbao have won their last two games consecutively and have a respectable home record, there's really no easy way of saying that Barcelona are simply the better side these days.

Visitors Barcelona enter this fixture knowing that they've beaten Athletic in seven of their last eight meetings, drawing the other game. This is partially due to the excellent attack of Barcelona and woeful defending of Athletic, two characteristics that both sides tend to employ in most seasons. Barcelona are unbeaten so far this season and with eight wins from ten games it's hard to see their run faltering tonight. They've scored an average of nearly three goals per game and have won two of their last three games, granting them considerable momentum ahead of this game.

Aside from Athletic missing Ocio for this game, they're also suffered a potential blow with playmaker Fran Yeste being a major doubt for this game. Yeste is the man that pulls the strings for Athletic and without him they look somewhat devoid of creativity sometimes. However, Athletic welcome back wonderkid Iker Muniain from the U17 World Cup where he claimed a third place medal with Spain U17. He has an injury ahead of this game and is a doubt but if he plays then he'll certainly cause problems in the Barcelona defence.

Visitors Barcelona have already received the bad news that striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not feature in this game due to injury. Whereas I'd consider this a hefty blow for any handicap containing Barcelona on the average day, I can't let it affect my bet for this game purely because Athletic really cannot defend so any striker that Barcelona deploy in attack will get his chance.

Overall, as much as I love Athletic, I thoroughly expect them to be outclassed by the masters that are Barcelona. Athletic will fight tooth and nail for everything but they lack any kind of defensive cohesion without Ocio, they lack the smooth pass of Yeste when on the attack, and they miss the naive but effective runs of little Iker Muniain. Barcelona may miss Ibrahimovic but they've got more than enough quality to overcome a makeshift backline at San Mames.

Verdict: Barcelona to win with a -1.75 handicap at 6/4.

Saturday's Picks

My tips:

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

Atletico Tucuman vs Chacarita Juniors - home win at evens.

Hosts Atletico Tucuman have found life in the Primera Division tough, much as today's opponents Chacarita Juniors have too. Each side has only won three games out of the fourteen that they've played and each are very much in a relegation dogfight - for this campaign, at least! It goes without saying to state that both of these sides are taking more points at home than they are away from home but one thing that has impressed me about Atletico Tucuman is that they're very good goalscorers at home with just Banfield, Boca Juniors, and Colon de Santa Fe having scored more than they have. It's one thing to win games but it's another to look like winning games, which is partially why I prefer the home win in this game as Atletico Tucuman have shown more desire to still be in this division for years to come.

Visitors Chacarita Juniors are amongst the worst away sides in the league, something that's illustrated by the fact that they've lost five times in seven away games. To make matters worse for Chacarita Juniors, they also enter this game with the knowledge that only today's hosts Atletico Tucuman and bottom-placed Tigre have conceded more goals on the road than they have. Chacarita Juniors currently average conceding two goals per away game and this record is particularly unwelcome against a free-scoring Atletico Tucuman.

Although this should be a close game I do have to favour the home win as I'd expect both sides to make the most of their home advantage in any game they play due to their inability to compete on a skill level with other sides in this division. Aside from this, Atletico Tucuman are scoring goals for fun so I think there's good value in the home win tonight.

Verdict: Atletico Tucuman to win at evens.

Sturm Graz vs SV Ried - over 2.5 goals at 5/6.

Sturm Graz tend to be the kind of side that you don't associate with an over 2.5 goals call as their football is largely based upon their rock-solid defence. However, their defensive strength masks their relentlessly cool finishing, particularly at home where they average just under two goals scored per game. Whereas Sturm Graz aren't one of the bigger goalscoring sides in the Bundesliga, visitors SV Ried are more than capable of making up the numbers with them as they have scored just two goals less than Sturm Graz this year although their goals are largely scored at home. Both of these sides are capable of going toe-to-toe and have proven this with four of the last five Bundesliga encounters between these two oufits going over 2.5 goals. Both sides have scored in the last three games between these two sides so taking over 2.5 goals looks a fairly straightforward moneymaker today.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6.

Westerlo vs Lokeren - home win at evens.

Westerlo aren't really playing to their full potential so far this season with just four wins in fourteen games. Nonetheless, Westerlo have demonstrated over the past few years that they've more than capable of playing football - now they simply need to execute it! What better chance will Westerlo have than to do so than against second-bottom Lokeren? Westerlo's home form may not be overly convincing but they've gained a substantial amount of their points there this season and will look to do so again today to try and steer clear of the relegation zone.

Visitors Lokeren are also a capable side but are far from demonstrating that are the present time. Three defeats on their winless run of five games has seen Lokeren emerge as relegation candidates. The biggest problem Lokeren have is scoring goals away from home, something they've done less than every other Eerste Divisie side this season. The backlash of this statistic is only to be expected; Lokeren have lost five of their six away games and won't improve that record unless they start scoring goals.

With such a poor run of form still in the midst of Lokeren, it's hard to look beyond a home win for Westerlo today.

Verdict: Westerlo to win at evens.

Pribram vs Slovacko - home win at 19/20.

After an outstanding start to their Gambrinus Liga campaign, hosts Pribram have drastically decreased in form and have descended rapidly down the table. They're currently ninth in the table, which is still a good place to be for an average side, but their recent form doesn't read well with four defeats and just one win in their last five games. Nonetheless, despite this run Pribram have maintained their good home form where they already boast four wins, one draw, and just one defeat from their six home games. Pribram aren't a great side but they're a capable side, particularly at home.

Visitors Slovacko appear to have left their two consecutive wins well behind them now as they've followed them up with two consecutive defeats. Slovacko simply don't have the consistency or the ability to stay in the Gambrinus Liga currently as their away form indicates all too clearly with five defeats from seven away games, winning just once on that run. Slovacko are one of the biggest conceders in the division which is one of the main reasons that they're only just hovering above the relegation zone.

Although Pribram aren't exactly maestros of Czech football, they're still head and shoulders above Slovacko and I thoroughly expect that to show today with their ever-reliable home form.

Verdict: Pribram to win at 19/20.

Liverpool vs Manchester City - lay Liverpool at 5/6.

The problems of Liverpool have been well-documented everywhere of late and their problems don't appear to have solved themselves so Liverpool are still very much in shit street. Their best two players will be playing through the pain barrier (if indeed they do feature!) but they simply have to for Liverpool to look like a presentable side. Liverpool are really struggling for form and don't appear capable of recreating the confident and efficient machine that they showed towards the end of last season.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, they're facing a highly-motivated and tactically astute Manchester City side under the stewardship of former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes, who would no doubt love to get one over on Liverpool for various reasons. Manchester City's honeymoon period of big signings may have ended but they still have a good level of ability in their team. They've not won in five games but they've not lost either, drawing all five games. However, if they make that six draws in a row today as I expect them to, then that's good too as we'll make some money on it! Manchester City have lost less away games than any other Premier League side this season with their one defeat coming at Old Trafford against bitter rivals Manchester United.

I feel these two sides are a lot closer in ability than people expect and I simply cannot for the life of me see Liverpool playing good enough football to score and win this game today against a very competent opponent with a good manager.

Verdict: Lay Liverpool at 5/6.

Manchester United vs Everton - under 2.5 goals at 5/6.

Manchester United simply haven't convinced me this season. A lot of ignorant people blame players or say that they've lost it or that they've never been that good anyway etc. etc. All of the above are entirely incorrect but there is one very notable feature that has caused their diminished number of goals and that was the sale of what is simply the best player in the world - Cristiano Ronaldo. A lot of people said Manchester United relied upon him to win games, which is largely incorrect but he was largely responsible for our excellent goal difference, which is something Manchester United are really missing. United have sold Ronaldo and Tevez and replaced them with an ever-impressive Valencia and a crock - Michael Owen. It's no coincidence that United aren't scoring goals when they've only got two competent strikers left thus the problem that United are experiencing at the moment. Fergie thinks Owen will save the day but he can't and won't so Fergie needs to hope Diouf fits in quickly in January or he looks to buy big in summer or this kind of position could become very common indeed. Manchester United have won five from six home games this season, drawing the other game, and average just over two goals per home game. However, they're showing signs of struggling to break resolute defensive sides down and that's exactly what Everton are.

Visitors Everton haven't enjoyed the best of seasons with their stretched squad taking more injuries than it could cope with and results suffered as a result. However, players are beginning to return to fitness now and Everton are starting to get back to their best. One thing that David Moyes always has and always will do is to make his sides organised and compact. Manchester United have often struggled to overcome the Merseysiders and now that Ronaldo isn't there to take two men away from their usual jobs of marking another player each, this task is set to become even more difficult.

When you consider that four of the last five games between these two sides in all competitions have gone under 2.5 goals, you have to feel that there's value on this outcome tonight!

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 5/6.

Watford vs Scunthorpe United - home win at 3/4.

Watford have impressed me this season with some good displays and by being one of the top goalscoring sides in the division so far this year. They've won three of their last five games and generally look extremely potent regardless of who they're facing. Watford's home record isn't exactly dominating but it's respectable with just two defeats at home in eight games, winning and drawing three times.

Visitors Scunthorpe United enjoy sending out mixed messages as to how good they actually are with some very convincing results and yet some absolutely atrocious results too. Nobody has conceded more goals on the road than Scunthorpe have in the Championship with an average of 2.5 goals conceded per away game. They've lost three games in a row now and have lost six of their away games so far this season. When you consider that Watford are also the better side here, yuo have to feel that this is beginning to look rather one-sided.

All the statistics here favour a home win, as does the actual ability of both sides, so you'd be a fool not to back Watford today!

Verdict: Watford to win at 3/4.

Millwall vs Wycombe Wanderers -1.75 handicap at 13/10.

Millwall will look to pick up where Huddersfield Town left off last week with their 6-0 dem0lition of Wycombe Wanderers. Millwall have worryingly started playing very well lately - worrying for their opponents, that is! Millwall are a very competent side on their day and are more than capable of achieving promotion to the Championship if they put their minds to it. Milwall have won three of their last five games and are unbeaten on this particular run, a run which has seen them climb to seventh in the League One table. Millwall are a real force at home this year as they're still unbeaten in eight games, winning five times and drawing three times. With an average of just under two goals per game and an average of conceding one goal every two home games, it's easy to see why Millwall are more than capable of breaking the handicap in this game.

Now, if there's one side you want your side to be playing against when selecting a handicap bet, it's the worst side in the division, right? Well, Millwall have certainly hit the jackpot as far as luck goes in this instance as Wycombe Wanderers are rooted to the bottom of the League One table with just one win from sixteen games this season. They've lost three of their last five games and a 6-0 humiliation at Huddersfield Town last weekend will have done a lot to dismantle their already demoralised squad ahead of their trip to Millwall. Nobody has conceded more away goals in this division than Wycombe Wanderers as they've conceded over 2.5 goals per away game on average.

This looks a straightforward -1.75 handicap win today and should prove profitable!

Verdict: Millwall to win with a -1.75 handicap at 13/10.

Southampton vs Norwich City - away win with draw no bet odds of evens.

Southampton have been remarkably good over the last couple of months, showing signs of why they were a good side in the first place! Their form has been so good that they've finally overcome their -10 point start to the season and are on the verge of breaking free of the relegation zone. Southampton's home form shows them to be a difficult side to play against but not a side that consistently wins their home games which shows that there's still a lot to do for the financially-troubled south coast side. Despite some good recent form, Southampton are now winless in their last two games, drawing once and losing once, leaving their momentum a little bruised ahead of this tough encounter.

Visitors Norwich City have been a revelation this season since their appalling 7-1 drubbing by Colchester United at the start of the season. Norwich City are arguably playing the best football in League One at the present time and their form reflects this with four wins in their last five games. Nobody has scored more goals than Norwich City in League One this year which is largely why they're fifth in the table with every chance of climbing even further. Their away form has been somewhat inconclusive but does demonstrate that they're capable of winning away from home, something they've done three times already this season.

Although this should be a close game, I think Norwich City are playing well enough to win this game and they do have a better squad so it looks worthwhile to back them today.

Verdict: Norwich City to win at draw no bet odds of evens.

Dagenham & Redbridge vs Rochdale - home win at 11/10.

Dagenham & Redbridge are the latest side to throw their hat into the ring as they look to pile further misery on Rochdale. The hosts are top of League Two currently and have won three of their last five games. Only Chesterfield have a better home record than Dagenham as today's hosts have won six out of eight games, drawing the other two games and scoring an average of over 2.5 goals per home game. Dagenham have proven time and time again that they're good enough to beat the majority of the sides in this division, if not all of them, and their league position finally reflects that.

For visitors Rochdale, their recent form has nose-dived in a big way. Despite an impressive 4-0 win away to Bournemouth a few games ago in League Two, Rochdale have since drawn 3-3 at Luton Town in the FA Cup, lost 2-0 at home to Luton Town in the FA Cup Replay and then lost 3-2 at home to Chesterfield in their League Two clash. Chesterfield are a good side, don't get me wrong, but they're one of the worst away sides in League Two currently so this result for high-flying Rochdale simply wasn't good enough. Rochdale are now facing arguably the best side in the division and will need an awful lot of luck to see this one out.

Verdict: Dagenham & Redbridge to win at 11/10.

Auxerre vs AS Monaco - home win at 5/4.

High-flying Auxerre are still looking phenomenal, somehow, with six straight league wins. Interestingly, Auxerre always win by one goal. What this means is that only the bottom five clubs in Ligue 1 have scored less goals than Auxerre this season, which is bizarre for a side that are third in the Ligue 1 table! However, kudos must be given to Auxerre for this magnificent run after an awful start, particularly as they've now made their defence water-tight, which is always useful! Only Girondins de Bordeaux have won more home games than Auxerre this season so Monaco will have their work cut out to get anything here!

AS Monaco always have been and probably always will be an "all or nothing" club. They don't like to draw; they like to romp home to victory or get torn apart valiantly. Sat just one place behind today's hosts Auxerre in the Ligue 1 table, Monaco boast the odd away record of three wins and three defeats from six away games. Only Monaco and Valenciennes have failed to draw an away game this season. Monaco are a similar side to Auxerre in that they don't score or concede many goals either, which tells me that we're in for a low-scoring game here tonight.

I'm expecting the home advantage to make a difference here tonight and Monaco's run of two winless games to have dented their momentum significantly, thus allowing a home win in this game.

Verdict: Auxerre to win at 5/4.

Kavala vs AEK Athens - home win at 9/4.

Kavala have surprised a lot of people this season with their dogged displays, myself included, but you simply cannot argue with the league table and the league table shows that they're fourth - simple as that! Kavala are what I would call the Greek version of English Premier League side Stoke City - they're physical, they're strong, they're even dirty, but they're always motivated, efficient, and hard to beat. They've already won three out of their five home games since promotion and only one side has won here in the Super League this season, which basically means that you need to respect Kavala whilst betting.

Visitors AEK Athens have started to grind out a few results lately and are unbeaten in their last four games. However, their problems are still there off the pitch and their goalscoring problems on the pitch remain fully entact, particularly away from home. AEK Athens have only won once away from home this season, drawing three games and losing just once. This means that the game could conceivably be a draw but I'm counting on Kavala's physical approach to really do damage to AEK Athens, particularly without giant defender Kyrgiakos amongst their ranks anymore.

It's a risky call, there's no doubt about it, but I feel little Kavala have enough to win this game today.

Verdict: Kavala to win at 9/4.

Fehervar vs Gyori ETO FC - home win at 5/6.

I can't begin to explain how much Fehervar have impressed me in the Soproni Liga this year although I think my respect peaked when they won at Ujpest. They've currently six points clear at the top of the league and thoroughly deserve it with ten wins from fourteen games, losing just twice. They're won four of their last five games so their momentum is strong and they currently boast one of the best home records in the division along with Debreceni VSC - both sides have won five of their six home games and lost once. Fehervar score a lot of goals at home and rarely concede there too - a lethal combination!

Visitors Gyori ETO FC are a very capable side and some of their results this season have illustrated that perfectly. Gyori have been more impressive at home than they have been away from home but they do remain compact when away from home, which has aided their away form considerably. In fact, no side in the Soproni Liga has conceded less away goals than Gyori, which sets up their game today with free-scoring Fehervar very nicely indeed! However, just one win in Gyori's last four games and two defeats along the way has damaged their momentum and morale, something they could have done with keeping ahead of this difficult game.

Although this should be a close game between two good sides, everything above favours a Fehervar victory.

Verdict: Fehervar to win at 5/6.

Padova vs Empoli - home win at 5/4.

Newly-promoted Padova have caused a real stir this season with some very efficient displays. They're currently fifth in Serie B and have been beaten just twice in fourteen games. They've drawn more games than they've won, which is a tad concerning when considering placing a bet on this game, but their ability to score goals without conceding them is unquestionable. Only Cesena have conceded less goals than Padova this season but no side has conceded less than Padova at home. Indeed, only Ancona can even match their phenomenal record at home when it comes to keeping clean sheets. Padova have won four and drawn three of their home games this season and won their last home game against Salernitana to give them some momentum.

Visitors Empoli are a baffling side that are capable of beating the best sides at home but losing to the worst sides away from home. Empoli's form of late has been patchy, just like Padova's, but Empoli's away record is what has largely swayed me into betting on this game. Empoli are yet to win away from home this season, losing four out of six away games. They're conceded nine goals in those six games and scored just one goal in that time. That record simply isn't good enough to shatter a resolute Padova defence, in my opinion, so Empoli could have real problems here today.

This should be a dull, dogged, and low-scoring affair but I think the efficiency of Padova will shine through against the woeful away form of Empoli.

Verdict: Padova to win at 5/4.

Triestina vs Cittadella - home win at 9/10.

After a slow start to their Serie B season, Triestina are starting to move up the table rather quickly, something which I largely attribute to their impressive home form. Only Ancona, Lecce, and Empoli have won more home games than Triestina in Serie B this season as the hosts today have won five out of seven home games. Only Empoli and the current top three sides in Serie B have scored more home goals than Triestina too, which is another impressive characteristic of the hosts. They're unbeaten in their last five games and have won twice during that time, which indicates that they're adept at stopping sides playing football against them as well as beating them at home.

Visitors Cittadella had a decent start to their campaign until their recent run of five games without a win, a run which has seen them lose twice and draw three times. Cittadella enjoy scoring goals more often than most sides do away from home but they do tend to lose more away games than most other Serie B sides having already notched up four defeats in seven games, winning just once on the road. If Cittadella were more in-form then I'd be more hesitant about this call but frankly Cittadella look like cannon fodder currently.

This should be a relatively close game but Triestina have more than enough to win this game against an out-of-sorts and poor travelling Cittadella side.

Verdict: Triestina to win at 9/10.

Lech Poznan vs Ruch Chorzow - lay Lech Poznan at 5/6.

Although being one of the best three sides in Poland currently, Lech Poznan have done something that their title rivals Wisla and Legia haven't done; they've really struggled to score goals at home. It's quite bizarre, really, particularly when you consider that no side has scored more away goals than Lech Poznan but it does show that their 4-5-1 system doesn't work when you're supposed to be the attacking side. Even the talented Robert Lewandowski can't carry Lech Poznan all the time, hence their record of scoring just seven goals in five home games. Lech Poznan have won three of those games, drawing once and losing once along the way. They're unbeaten in their last five games but they've drawn more games than they've won of late.

Ruch Chorzow have been immense this season and are the only side remaining in the Ekstraklasa to have won every home game. Unfortunately for Ruch, they're not at home today but nonetheless their away form is decent too, having won three time away from home in seven games, drawing once, and losing the other three games. Their record away from home is very much akin to Lech Poznan's home record - few goals scored or conceded and generally make nuisances of themselves. Ruch have won four of their last five games, losing just once on that run. They're a good side with a strong resolve against all their opponents so Lech are really going to have to work hard to take down this high-flying Ruch Chorzow machine currently.

Although I cannot deny that Lech are the better side here, the odds on laying Lech are showing good value when you consider how well Ruch are playing currently and how bare the goals cabinet is for Lech when playing at home.

Verdict: Lay Lech Poznan at 5/6.

Lechia Gdansk vs GKS Belchatow - away win at 6/4.

Lechia Gdansk must be wondering what they've done to upset the Gods as their injuries woes continue! This already stretched squad now boasts an injury list of defenders Kawa, Kozans, Mysona, and Nowak - midfielders Kasperkiewicz, Bajic, and most importantly Bak - and Lukjanovs in attack. Lechia are struggling to generate a starting eleven for this game and their form lately has suffered due to their extreme injury issues. They're a decent side on their day but outside of their day they can get horribly exposed. With their present situation, I can't help but feel that they're going to be horribly exposed today too.

GKS Belchatow are a funny side that can play brilliantly for short spells and then not turn up for others. They've currently won six games in a row hence their lofty perch of fourth place in the Ekstraklasa and they'll look to continue their tremendous run against injury-hit Lechia Gdansk today. There's no doubt that Belchatow are the better of these two sides but whether the real Belchatow turns up or not is another matter entirely! Nonetheless, Belchatow have turned up consistently lately so we have no reason to believe otherwise here, even if their away form this season has been somewhat inconclusive thus far.

I can't see many goals in this game but Lechia's injury problems and Belchatow's momentum should see a very valuable away win here.

Verdict: GKS Belchatow to win at 6/4.

Terek Grozny vs Kuban Krasnodor - home win at evens.

Grozny remains one of the toughest away trips a Russian side can make regardless of which side is travelling there. Today Terek Grozny are hosting Kuban Krasnodor, a side that already don't travel well but now will surely have their eyes opened by their able hosts. Although Terek have lost four games consecutively now, they always fall back on their home form, which has served them as well as ever this season. Only the top seven sides have won more home games than Terek this season - the other sides around them can't even match Terek, let alone better their record! More impressively than that, however, is the fact that only Rubin Kazan, Spartak Moscow, and Lokomotiv Moscow have scored more home goals than they have too. Although Terek's season is all but over they'll still want to win this game to ensure they're well away from relegation.

Kuban Krasnodor have already lost eleven out of fourteen away games this season, drawing the other three and generally looking unimpressive. Their blocking style of football simply hasn't worked away from home and I suspect it's going to be exposed even more than normal as they start down the barrel of a relegation gun, thus requiring them to travel to Grozny and win to have a chance of survival. As Kuban only just manage an average of scoring a goal every two games on the road, it's beginning to look increasingly unlikely that they'll get anything from this game even though they absolutely have to. Lastly, no side has conceded more away goals than Kuban this year as they average conceding four goals per away game, which is absolutely atrocious - real relegation form!

This game should be a walk in the park for Terek against a poor travelling Kuban side that have to attack and will be exposed on the counter-attack often. It may even be worth handicapping the hosts if you feel bold!

Verdict: Terek Grozny to win at evens.

Spartak Moscow vs CSKA Moscow - home win at evens.

I generally steer clear of Russian derbies as best I can but I feel there's real value in this one today. Spartak Moscow have played some fantastic football this season and absolutely have to win this game to maintain the pressure on league leaders Rubin Kazan. They've won four of their last five games and have won ten out of fourteen home games, something that no side can better in the Russian Premier League. Only Rubin Kazan have scored more goals than Spartak Moscow too, which is another useful fact to be aware of, particularly as Spartak Moscow average scoring well over two goals per game at home.

Visitors CSKA Moscow may have wanted revenge for their defeat against Spartak Moscow earlier this season but I can't help feeling that their focus will be on their UEFA Champions League game approaching as a win in that game gives them a great chance of qualifying from the group. With the Russian season about to end and CSKA Moscow having no chance of obtaining anything from their very disappointing season, a good run in the UEFA Champions League might well be just what they want - and need! CSKA have lost a lot of players this season and they've looked very stretched at times. They're now using their third coach of this season, a season that CSKA will be happy to see the back of.

Although defeat today would hurt CSKA, qualifying for the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League would make the pain considerably less so I feel CSKA will focus on that game instead of this one. Therefore, I feel there's value in a Spartak Moscow victory today.

Verdict: Spartak Moscow to win at evens.

Deportivo La Coruna vs Atletico Madrid - home win at 11/8.

Tonight's clash at Riazor sees fifth-placed Deportivo La Coruna entertain struggling Atletico Madrid with every intention of furthering their recent impressive charge that has seen them win three of their last five games. Deportivo have already won three of their five home games this season, drawing once and losing once along the way. They're not big goalscorers at home but they compensate for this by being ruthlessly efficient with their finishing and by presenting a compact side which opponents really struggle to break down.

Visitors Atletico Madrid have gone from bad to worse with a derby defeat against Real Madrid pouring further misery on a dismal season. They're still in the relegation zone and it's not difficult to see why as they've conceded more Primera Liga goals than any other side so far this season. Atletico average conceding nearly three goals per away game, which is absolutely atrocious for a club of Atletico's size. A paltry four goals scored away from home simply won't help them in their quest to score goals at the hellish Riazor either!

Although Atletico can turn it on, Deportivo are lethal at home and have shown that so far this season so I'm taking the home win here.

Verdict: Deportivo La Coruna to win at 11/8.

Las Palmas vs Castellon - home win at 4/5.

Las Palmas have only lost one of their last four games, winning twice and drawing once in the process. We all know Las Palmas are a capable side but it's only lately that they've been showing it. Naturally their impressive form has been far more evident at home where they've won three out of six home games, losing just once and conceding amongst the fewest home goals in the Segunda Liga. Las Palmas enter this game with a good level of momentum and have the ability to win this game with considerable ease. 

A trip to the Canary Islands might be most people's idea of fun but I'm sure it's the last thing that Castellon want at the moment, particularly when they look at the impressive recent form of Las Palmas! Castellon are firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and deservedly so with an average of two goals conceded per game, three defeats in their last four games, and six defeats in six away games. This side is unrecognisable from the one that pushed for promotion last year and the only way they're going to escape this division this year is by being relegated to the Segunda B! Castellon's only saving grace has been their decent home form but it's pointless for me to point out how useless that is in this game!

This game should be a walk in the park for Las Palmas, to be blunt!

Verdict: Las Palmas to win at 4/5.

Dynamo Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk - home win at 11/10.

This match in Kiev sees the two best sides in Ukraine battle it out in what is really a very important game, not only because it's a derby but because both sides tend to beat everyone else in the league so these games can decide titles! Shakhtar Donetsk don't have a good record at Dynamo Kiev as they've lost their last three Premier League visits here. Dynamo Kiev have already won six out of their seven home games this season, drawing the other game, whilst scoring an average of over three goals per home game. They're finally beginning to get star midfielder Aliev back to his best, which is highly encouraging for the Kiev-based side as he adds another level to their performances. Dynamo Kiev have won ten out of twelve home games in this campaign, more than any other side in the division, including Shakhtar Donetsk.

The visitors have also made an impressive start to this campaign and are also unbeaten in the league this season, much like today's hosts are. However, Shakhtar's dismal record at Kiev will have done some damage to them mentally, if only in a minor fashion - all things count in a derby match. Shakhtar Donetsk have scored just as many goals as Dynamo Kiev this year but have struggled more away from home than today's hosts have, hence Dynamo Kiev's claim on first place in the table. Shakhtar have won three of their seven away games but have drawn four, which is a considerable blemish on their form book. The best reasoning I've heard for this is that the new pitch style at Shakhtar's new ground suits their swift football much better than the quagmires that most Ukrainian grounds atypically are. However, Shakhtar will have a very difficult game here today regardless of the pitch and I think they may just lose it.

Shakhtar's unconvincing away form coupled with their poor run at this ground tells me that a Dynamo win is on the cards here.

Verdict: Dynamo Kiev to win at 11/10.

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

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier:

Andorra U21 vs Faroe Islands U21 (9) -1.75 handicap

Argentinian Primera Division:

Huracan vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (6) 1-1
Atletico Tucuman vs Chacarita Juniors (7) over 2.5 goals
Independiente vs Banfield (8) 1-1

Australian A-League:

Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne Victory (7) 1-2
North Queensland Fury vs Central Coast Mariners (6) 1-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

Sturm Graz vs SV Ried (7) over 2.5 goals
SV Kapfenberg vs Salzburg (8) over 2.5 goals
Wiener Neustadt vs LASK Linz (6) over 2.5 goals
Austria Karnten vs SV Mattersburg (5) 0-0

Austrian Liga 1:

Gratkorn vs Wacker Innsbruck (7) over 2.5 goals

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

AA Gent vs Standard de Liege (7) 1-1
Club Brugge vs Germinal Beerschot (8) 2-0
Anderlecht vs Roeselare (9) -1.75 handicap
Sint-Truiden vs Cercle Brugge (6) 1-1
Excelsi0r Mouscron vs Charleroi (5) 0-1, draw no bet
Westerlo vs Lokeren (7) 2-1

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Mons vs Boussu Dour Borinage (7)
Antwerp vs Oostende (7)
Tournai vs Turnhout (6)
Liege vs KVSK United (6)
Dender vs Red Star Waasland (6)

Brazilian Serie A:

Atletico Paranaense vs Cruzeiro (7) 1-2
Atletico Mineiro vs Internacional (6) 1-1
Corinthians vs Nautico (8) 2-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Botev Plovdiv vs Sportist Svoge (6) 0-0
Lokomotiv Sofia vs CSKA Sofia (5) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Sliven vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (6) 1-0
Levski Sofia vs Cherno More Varna (6) 2-1
Litex Lovech vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (9) -1.75 handicap

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs Real Cartagena (8) 2-0
Deportivo Pereira vs Independiente Medellin (7) 1-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Lokomotiva Zagreb vs Inter Zapresic (6) over 2.5 goals
Sibenik vs Medimurje (8) 2-0
Rijeka vs Istra 1961 (7) 2-0
Varteks Varazdin vs Slaven Koprivnica (6) 1-1
Cibalia vs Osijek (7) over 2.5 goals
Hajduk Split vs Croatia Sesvete (9) -1.75 handicap

Cypriot Division 1:

Enosis Neon Paralimni vs Doxa (5) 1-0
APOEL Nicosia vs Anorthosis Famagusta (6) 2-1
Ermis vs A.E.Paphos (6) 1-1
Apollon Limassol vs APEP (9) -1.75 handicap

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Kladno vs Bohemians 1905 (6) 1-0
Pribram vs Slovacko (7) 2-0
Viktoria Plzen vs Bohemians Prague (8) 1-0
Brno vs Ceske Budejovice (8) 2-1
Sparta Prague vs Slovan Liberec (7) 2-1
Jablonec vs Slavia Prague (5) 0-0

Danish Superligaen:

HB Koge vs Nordsjaelland (6) 1-1
Midtylland vs Esbjerg (7) 1-1

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Espoli Cayambe vs Olmedo Riobamba (5) 1-0

English Premier League:

Liverpool vs Manchester City (6) 1-1
Birmingham City vs Fulham (7) 0-0
Burnley vs Aston Villa (5) 1-1
Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (10) -1.75 handicap
Hull City vs West Ham United (6) 1-2
Sunderland vs Arsenal (6) 0-1
Manchester United vs Everton (8) 1-0

English Championship:

Barnsley vs Cardiff City (6) under 2.5 goals
Coventry City vs Crystal Palace (7)
Doncaster Rovers vs Queens Park Rangers (6)
Leicester City vs Plymouth Argyle (7)
Middlesbrough vs Nottingham Forest (6)
Reading vs Blackpool (5) draw no bet
Sheffield United vs Peterborough United (6)
Watford vs Scunthorpe United (8)
West Bromwich Albion vs Bristol City (8) over 2.5 goals
Ipswich Town vs Sheffield Wednesday (6)

English League One:

Brentford vs Walsall (6)
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leeds United (7)
Bristol Rovers vs Gillingham (7)
Carlisle United vs Swindon Town (6)
Huddersfield Town vs Hartlepool United (8) over 2.5 goals
Leyton Orient vs Tranmere Rovers (4) draw no bet
Millwall vs Wycombe Wanderers (9) -1.75 handicap
Oldham Athletic vs Colchester United (6)
Southampton vs Norwich City (6) draw no bet
Stockport County vs Exeter City (7)
Yeovil Town vs Charlton Athletic (7)

English League Two:

Barnet vs Port Vale (5)
Bradford City vs Accrington Stanley (6)
Burton Albion vs Hereford United (6)
Chesterfield vs Darlington (9)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Rochdale (7)
Lincoln City vs Grimsby Town (6)
Macclesfield Town vs Bournemouth (6)
Morecambe vs Cheltenham Town (5)
Northampton Town vs Crewe Alexandra (6)
Notts County vs Aldershot Town (8)
Shrewsbury Town vs Bury (5) draw no bet
Torquay United vs Rotherham United (5)

Estonian Meistriliiga Relegation/Promotion Play-Off:

Flora Paide vs Warrior Valga (7) 2-1

French Ligue 1:

Girondins de Bordeaux vs Valenciennes (7) 2-1
Grenoble Foot vs Olympique Lyonnais (8) 0-2
Racing Club Lens vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (6) 1-1
Stade Rennais vs Le Mans (8) 2-0
Auxerre vs AS Monaco (7) 1-0

German Bundesliga:

VFL Wolfsburg vs Nurnberg (8) 2-1
VFB Stuttgart vs Hertha BSC Berlin (7) 1-0
Schalke 04 vs Hannover 96 (7) 2-1
Koln vs Hoffenheim (6) 1-2
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Borussia Moenchengladbach (7) 1-0
Freiburg vs Werder Bremen (6) 1-2
BV09 Borussia Dortmund vs FSV Mainz 05 (6) 1-1

German Bundesliga 2:

Rot-Weiss Oberhausen vs FSV Frankfurt (8)
Hansa Rostock vs Karlsruher (6)

Greek Super League:

Kavala vs AEK Athens (7) 1-0
Xanthi vs Levadiakos (8) 2-1
PAS Giannina vs Olympiakos Piraeus (8) 1-3

Greek B Ethniki:

Pierikos Katerini vs OFI Crete (6)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Fehervar vs Gyori ETO FC (7) 2-1
Nyiregyhaza Spartacus vs Zalaegerszegi TE (7) 1-1
Paksi SE vs Szombathelyi Haladas (7) 1-0
MTK Budapest vs Diosgyori VTK (8) 2-0
Vasas Budapest vs Ujpest (6) 1-1

Italian Serie A:

Bologna vs Internazionale (8) 0-2
Fiorentina vs Parma (8) 2-1

Italian Serie B:

Albinoleffe vs Modena (6)
Ascoli vs Ancona (7)
Brescia vs Lecce (7)
Crotone vs Reggina (6)
Gallipoli vs Mantova (5)
Grosseto vs Salernitana (8)
Padova vs Empoli (7)
Sassuolo vs Piacenza (8)
Triestina vs Cittadella (7)

Japanese J-League:

Montedio Yamagata vs Omiya Ardija (6) 1-0
Urawa Red Diamonds vs Jubilo Iwata (8) 2-1
Albirex Niigata vs Kashiwa Reysol (5) 1-1
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Gamba Osaka (6) over 2.5 goals
Kyoto Purple Sanga vs Kashima Antlers (5) 0-1
Vissel Kobe vs Yokohama F Marinos (6) 2-1
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Nagoya Grampus (7) 1-0

Mexican Primera Division:

Monterrey vs America (6) 1-1
Puebla vs Cruz Azul (5) 1-2

Dutch Eredivisie:

Roda JC Kerkrade vs AZ Alkmaar (6) 1-1
NAC Breda vs NEC Nijmegen (8) over 2.5 goals
RKC Waalwijk vs Groningen (5) 1-1
Twente Enschede vs Vitesse Arnhem (9) 2-0

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Piast Gliwice vs Arka Gdynia (7) 0-0
Lech Poznan vs Ruch Chorzow (5) 1-1
Lechia Gdansk vs GKS Belchatow (7) 0-1
Slask Wroclaw vs Odra Wodzislaw (7) 2-0

Romanian Liga:

International vs Unirea Urziceni (6) 1-2

Russian Premier League:

Terek Grozny vs Kuban Krasnodor (6) 2-0
Rubin Kazan vs Zenit St. Petersburg (7) over 2.5 goals
Amkar Perm vs Khimki (8) -1.75 handicap
Dinamo Moscow vs Lokomotiv Moscow (5) 1-1, at least one red card  in this game
Saturn Moscow Oblast vs Krylya Sovetov Samara (7) 2-1
Spartak Moscow vs CSKA Moscow (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Tom Tomsk vs Rostov-na-Donu (6) under 2.5 goals
FK Moscow vs Spartak Nalchik (8) 2-0

Scottish Premier League:

Hearts vs St.Johnstone (6) 1-0
Falkirk vs Hamilton Academicals (7) 1-1
Motherwell vs Aberdeen (6) 2-1
Rangers vs Kilmarnock (9) 2-0
St.Mirren vs Hibernians (6) 0-1

Serbian Super Liga:

Vojvodina Novi Sad vs Borac Cacak (8) 2-0
Javor Ivanjica vs Mladi Radnik (7) 2-1
Hajduk Kula vs OFK Belgrade (6) 0-0
Cukaricki vs Red Star Belgrade (9) 0-2
Partizan Belgrade vs Smederevo (9) -1.75 handicap
BSK Borca vs Metalac GM (6) 1-0
Spartak Subotica vs Napredak (6) 1-0
Jagodina vs Rad Belgrade (8) 2-0

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Ruzomberok vs MSK Zilina (6) over 2.5 goals
Kosice vs Spartak Trnava (6) 1-1
Tatran Presov vs Nitra (5) 0-0
DAC Dunajska Streda vs Senica (7) 1-1
Dubnica vs Dukla Banska Bystrica (6) 1-2

Slovenian Prva Liga:

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

Spanish Primera Liga:

Tenerife vs Sevilla CF (8) 0-2
Deportivo La Coruna vs Atletico Madrid (7) 2-1
Real Madrid vs Racing Santander (8) over 2.5 goals
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Barcelona (8) -1.75 handicap, over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Girona vs Cadiz (7)
Levante vs Cordoba (7)
Huesca vs Albacete (8)
Gimnastic de Tarragona vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (7)
Real Murcia vs Real Union Club de Irun (6)
Las Palmas vs Castellon (8)
Celta de Vigo vs Villarral II (6)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Lemona vs Palencia (8)

Group 2:

Puertollano vs Toledo (6)

Group 4:

Jerez Industrial vs Moratalla (5)

Turkish Super Lig:

Gaziantepspor vs Bursaspor (6) 1-1
Besiktas JK vs Fenerbahce (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game

Ukrainian Premier League:

Dynamo Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk (7) 1-0
Vorskla Poltava vs Obolon Kiev (8) under 2.5 goals
Tavriya Simferopol vs Zakarpattya Uzhhorod (8) 2-0
Metalurg Donetsk vs Arsenal Kiev (7) 2-1
Metalist Kharkiv vs Zorya Lugansk (8) -1.75 handicap

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Penarol vs Fenix (8) 2-0
Racing Club Montevideo vs Tacuarembo (8) 2-1
Rampla Juniors vs Atenas (6) 1-0

Welsh Premier League:

Carmarthen Town vs Porthmadog (8) 2-0
Aberystwyth Town vs Newi Cefn Druids (8) 2-0
Airbus vs Newtown (6) 1-1
Caersws vs Connah's Quay Nomads (7) 0-0
Port Talbot Town vs Bangor City (6) 2-1
Welshpool Town vs Neath Athletic (7) 1-2

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