Arsenal vs Liverpool

Today’s featured game is the League Cup match between Arsenal and Liverpool. Just to remind you all (as if you didn’t already know!) that this is the shit trophy that nobody is particularly arsed about winning. What tends to happen is that all of the big four that can play a youthful side will then do so to give them experience. Obviously, the sides from the big four that can do this will do so, which basically excludes Chelsea, who haven’t had a good youth player since John Terry some ten years ago. This game at the Emirates Stadium shows a match-up that has been played many times over the past few seasons in various different competitions. However, the last time that Arsenal’s kids came up against Liverpool’s kids was at Anfield in 2007 where Arsenal’s kids trimphed 6-3, an extremely impressive scoreline considering that they were away from home. Arsene Wenger has long been reputed as one of the best talent scouts in the world (although bastards like me love to point out that he’s overlooked some gems he’s had on trial before now i.e. Zlatan Ibrahimovic) and I can only echo such sentiments although I’d argue his tactical finesse is a more substantial reason behind Arsenal’s persistent success in challenging for the title without having the resources to do it. What do I mean by that? I mean that some of Arsenal’s current “stars” wouldn’t get into any other side in the top seven clubs – it’s simply Arsene Wenger saying “You there! I want you to do this at this point and if you do not do that then you’ll be out of the squad” effectively because it works and he knows it. Take Diaby or Denilson, for example – neither of those two “stars” would get into any other big side in England because they’re just not good enough. Under Arsene Wenger’s machine, however, they look very good. Rafa Benitez is one of the late bloomers when it comes to producing youngsters as he’s tried rectifying Liverpool’s lack of academy produce in recent years but hasn’t successfully managed to achieve with it yet, although a few of his signings have caught my eye, namely Daniel Pacheco (former Barcelona striker), Andras Simon & Krisztian Nemeth (Hungarian strike duo from MTK Budapest), Mikel San Jose (defender poached from my beloved Athletic Club de Bilbao’s legendary Lezama academy) and Lauri Dalla Valle (Finnish playmaker signed from Jippo Joensuu – I’m entirely confident this his name is Finnish too – no trace of Italian heritage whatsoever(!)). However, these players are the future and not the present. Arsenal always have a wealth of talent emerging and this level tends to be the only level it’s shown it, either because the players move on when they become successful or because Arsenal’s first team don’t defend well enough for them to ever be successful in the Premier League again. Anyway, what I’m painstakingly trying to point out is not only that Arsenal have a better youth squad and that they’re at home but they’ve also battered Liverpool’s youngsters before in the League Cup. Effectively, the home win at 6/5 looks a real bargain for what could turn out to be a complete whitewash here.

Wednesday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Arsenal vs Liverpool – home win at 6/5 – see introduction for full details.

SV Ried vs Wiener Neustadt – home win with -1.75 handicap at 6/4. This bet is one of three that I like in Austria today. SV Ried, as I’ve maintained for some time now, are one of the best home sides in the Austrian Bundesliga. This has been proven time and time again, most notably last season where they remained undefeated at home all season and this season where they’ve won three games, drawn once, and lost once in the five games they’ve played. If you don’t think that looks particularly impresssive, consider that they’ve hosted three of the “big four” of Austrian football – Rapid Vienna, Salzburg and Sturm Graz already. SV Ried are unbeaten in five games, winning twice and drawing three times. They earned a highly respectable draw at Salzburg last match and will have taken confidence and momentum from this game. Today they host Wiener Neustadt, one of the worst away sides in the Bundesliga currently. The newly-promoted side have lost four from five away games thus far, drawing the other game. More worryingly for the visitors, they’ve conceded over two goals per game on the road this season and haven’t scored enough goals for them to even claim a “goal per away game” ratio. They’re winless in four games, losing twice and drawing twice. To put it bluntly; Wiener Neustadt are going to play SV Ried on a ground where much bigger and better sides have been humbled before. Therefore, the home win with -1.75 handicap at 6/4 looks a great bet today!

LASK Linz vs Salzburg – away win at 3/4. Although I’m a little dubious about this call, I still feel it’s got enough potential to make it a worthwhile bet. LASK Linz have won four games from twelve games this season with all of them occurring during their six home games. They’ve lost just once at home so Salzburg are bidding to become the second side to win here this season. LASK Linz, despite being 7th in the Bundesliga, are the top goalscorers in the division with approximately 2.5 goals scored per game. Their goalscoring record at home shows they score approximately 3.5 goals per game, which is astonishing considering the number of problems the side has with winning games. LASK Linz are without a win in their last four games, drawing once and losing three times along the way. LASK Linz are big conceders, as you’ve probably already gathered from the above statistics. Although Salzburg have drawn and lost their last two games respectively, they remain the better side from these two outfits and have only lost two from six away games so far this season. What finally tipped the scale in Salzburg’s favour for me was the “voodoo sign” they have over LASK Linz as they’ve won all six of their last six encounters against the Linz-based outfit, two of which were at LASK Linz without even conceding a goal. Although it is quite a risky call, as I mentioned previously, I still believe the away win at 3/4 shows significant value today. 

Austria Karnten vs Rapid Vienna – away win with -1.75 handicap at 7/5. This bet is something of a no-brainer, really. Rapid Vienna are one of the best sides in the Bundesliga and will be keen to build on their 4-0 win against SV Mattersburg at weekend. They’ve won four of their last five games and scored an average of over two goals per game. Although their away form is somewhat inconclusive, they are playing against one of the worst sides in the Bundesliga – Austria Karnten. The hosts have won one game from twelve so far this season, losing three of their last five games and drawing the other two. They average conceding nearly three goals per game currently and look susceptible to being defeated by just about every opponent they encounter. Lastly, Rapid Vienna have beaten the -1.75 handicap in their last three encounters against the Bundesliga’s current bottom club. Therefore, taking the away win with -1.75 handicap at 7/5 could be a great bet here today!

Vitoria vs Corinthians – home win at 21/20. Neither of these two sides have anything left to play for this season and their recent lax attitude towards their performances have indicated that clearly with both sides claiming just one victory in five games. However, what has persuaded me to back a home win in this game is partially that Vitoria have proven to be a real force at home this season (ten wins from fifteen games, which is a record bettered only by Gremio) and that Corinthians have now lost two consecutive games, leaving them lacking in motivation and momentum entering this game. Corinthians have only managed two wins away from home all season and with the above information in mind, it looks unlikely they’ll claim a victory here. Corinthians have lost six away games this season but their biggest downfall has been their lack of goalscoring. On the road, Corinthians have managed to score just eleven goals in fifteen games, which is actually the lowest goalscoring record away from home in Serie A. Given that Vitoria average over two goals scored per game at home, you have to feel that the statistics indicating a home win here are most likely correct. With all the above in mind, 21/20 on the home win looks a good call tonight.

Gremio Barueri vs Flamengo – away win at 7/5. Although considered one of the stronger home sides in Serie A, I’m tipping Gremio Barueri to lose this one. They’ve won once in their last five games, drawing twice and losing twice. My main motivation for this game is their lack of motivation as they’ve got absolutely nothing left to play for. A few weeks back Flamengo were forced to field a drastically under-strength squad for some games due to injuries etc. Their season looked over at that point. However, since then they’ve gone on a rampage and have now won four of their last five games, including a highly impressive win at league leaders Palmeiras. Flamengo now find themselves just four points behind the league leaders with seven games remaining so this game is of great importance to the visitors. Although they’re not massively convincing away from home – like most Brazilian sides, really – I still think they’ve got the ability, momentum and motivation to win this game. I expect a close game with plenty of goals because Gremio Barueri are amongst the highest goalscorers in the league that won’t simply lie down for this game and they’re hosting a Flamengo side that very much need the points. Therefore, the away win at 7/5 could turn out to be a good bet tonight.

Helsingborgs vs Djurgardens – lay Helsingborgs at evens. This is a very risky call considering that Djurgardens are one of the worst away sides in the Allsvenskan. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and Djurgardens have been getting slightly better of late with just one defeat in three games, even winning a game along the way! The visitors absolutely need something from this game to maintain their beliefs that they can still be playing Allsvenskan football next season, albeit via a play-off against a Superettan side. Naturally, the above isn’t all I required to place this bet – I also required Helsingborgs be playing very badly, which they are. They’ve won just two games in their past eleven Allsvenskan games, leaving them looking short on goals and high on goals conceded. As I said earlier, this is a risky call but the above information makes evens on laying Helsingborgs today a potentially worthwhile call.

St.Gallen vs Grasshoppers Zurich – away win at 8/5. Grasshoppers Zurich have defied belief somewhat of late. Also virtually crucified with financial issues, a demoralised side and by having no real motivation to get themselves out of their mess, the squad have still managed to really come alive lately. They’ve unbeaten in four games now, winning three times and drawing once. They’ve even managed to overcome Young Boys Bern lately, who are the best side in the Super League, in my opinion. I don’t know quite how to explain it but I guess when you’ve got nothing to play for, you eventually reach a stage where you have nothing to lose so you all play free-flowing football with no worries and this can be the result. Grasshoppers Zurich have very strong momentum at the moment and although their away form is less than convincing currently, you have to favour them to win this game. Statistics show that St.Gallen are hard to beat at home, which normally means I’d leave this game alone in terms of betting. However, St.Gallen have now lost four consecutive games and the newly-promoted side are really struggling to come to terms with the Super League at the moment. There’s a big difference in momentum tonight, to be blunt, and the away win seems to bear good value as a result of that momentum at 8/5.

FC Zurich vs Basel - away win at 13/8. This is hard call for me to make as I believe FC Zurich are the better of these two sides nowadays. However, this game is one I can see being the result of European commitments but for varying reasons. FC Zurich have been forced to consider and even prioritise the UEFA Champions League, something they’re appearing in for the first time this year. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that since their group stage games started, FC Zurich have lost three Super League games and won just once. Before the victory at St.Gallen last match, FC Zurich had in fact lost three consecutive games, which isn’t nearly good enough for such a good side. Visitors Basel, however, have provided a spark for their otherwise stagnant season by overcome AS Roma of Italy in the UEFA Europa League. Since then, Basel have gone from strength to strength, even showing signs of recreating their former glory as they’ve won four consecutive league games, won at CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Europa League without even conceding and having put up an extremely valiant fight at Fulham in England, also in the UEFA Europa League. Basel are playing better now than they have all season – their momentum is strong and they’re beginning to believe in the own ability again. FC Zurich are still looking very shaky, in my opinion, and will do well to win this game, particularly as they’ve actually managed to lose this fixture for three seasons running now. Although I expect this to be a close game, the away win at 11/8 does look inviting when you consider the above information.

As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!

Asian Champions League:

Nagoya Grampus vs Al Ittihad (8) 2-1
Umm Salal vs Pohang Steelers (5) 1-0

Baltic League:

Trans Narva vs Suduva Marijampole (6) 1-2
Liepajas Metalurgs vs Nomme Kalju (8) 2-0
Skonto Riga vs Sillamae Kalev (8) 3-1

Argentinian Primera Division:

Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Estudiantes De La Plata (6) 1-2
Gimnasia De La Plata vs Banfield (8) 1-1
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Arsenal de Sarandi (8) 2-0
Huracan vs Rosario Central (5) 0-0
Independiente vs Colon de Santa Fe (5) 2-1, draw no bet

Austrian Bundesliga:

SV Ried vs Wiener Neustadt (9) -1.75 handicap
LASK Linz vs Salzburg (7) over 2.5 goals
SV Kapfenberg vs Austria Vienna (8) 1-3
SV Mattersburg vs Sturm Graz (6) 2-3
Austria Karnten vs Rapid Vienna (8) -1.75 handicap, over 3.5 goals

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

FC Smorgon vs BATE Borisov (9) 1-3

Brazilian Serie A:

Botafogo vs Nautico (7) 2-1
Atletico Paranaense vs Santos (6) 1-1
Gremio vs Avai (7) 1-0
Cruzeiro vs Santo Andre (9) 3-1
Vitoria vs Corinthians (7) 2-1
Gremio Barueri vs Flamengo (6) 0-1
Sao Paulo vs Internacional (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

English League Cup:

Manchester City vs Scunthorpe United (8) 2-1
Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers (8) 2-0
Arsenal vs Liverpool (9) 3-1

Italian Serie A:

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

Singaporean S-League:

Geylang United vs Young Lions (8) 2-0
Super Reds vs Home United (7) 2-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

DAC Dunajska Streda vs Slovan Bratislava (5) 1-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Koper vs Maribor (6) 1-1
Drava vs Gorica (6) 0-0
Interblock Ljubljana vs Nafta Lendava (4) 2-1
Domzale vs Olimpija Ljubljana (6) 2-1
Celje vs Rudar Velenje (5) 1-0

Swedish Allsvenskan:

AIK Solna vs Orebro (9) under 2.5 goals
Orgryte vs Elfsborg Boras (6) 1-2
BK Hacken vs Gefle (7) 2-0
Helsingborgs vs Djurgardens (4) 1-1
Trelleborgs vs Hammarby (5) 1-1

Swiss Super League:

St.Gallen vs Grasshoppers Zurich (7) 1-2
Aarau vs Sion (7) 0-1
FC Zurich vs Basel (6) 1-2

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Montevideo Wanderers vs Cerro (7) 2-1
Fenix vs Cerrito (5) 1-1
River Plate Montevideo vs Liverpool Montevideo (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Central Espanol (9) 3-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Viktoria Plzen vs Sigma Olomouc

Today’s featured game is the Gambrinus Liga match between Viktoria Plzen and Sigma Olomouc. Hosts Viktoria Plzen have been on a decent run of late having only lost once in their past five games and having won three times along the way. Their home form is decent with two wins, one draw and just one defeat from their opening four games. Although I think it’s fair to say that Sigma Olomouc have the better side here, you wouldn’t guess it from their form or league placing. Languishing in 13th place, visitors Sigma Olomouc are winless in their past five games, losing three of those games, two of them consecutively. Morale is low in the Sigma Olomouc camp, particularly after a 1-0 home defeat inflicted by high-flying Jablonec, a side they’re more than capable of at least matching. Today they face a Viktoria Plzen side that they’ve lost to on the last four occasions that they’ve been here and amazingly haven’t even scored here in those four games. Given that form, momentum and history all points to a home win, I’m more than inclined to join in and call a home win at 5/6 today!

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Viktoria Plzen vs Sigma Olomouc – home win at 5/6 – see introduction for full details.

LASK Linz vs SV Ried - away win at 13/5. This is a dubious call but I like it because SV Ried are something of a bogey side for LASK Linz. LASK Linz have lost their last four meetings at either ground against SV Ried, three of those games without even scoring a goal. SV Ried boast the better squad but tend to struggle away from home generally, hence the very generous odds that the bookies have given on this particular outcome. Both of these sides have claimed just one victory in their last three games but it’s SV Ried who enter this game with the momentum after winning their last Bundesliga game, which ironically was the home match against LASK Linz. Although I expect quite a close game, I do feel there’s value in the away win at 13/5.

Roeselare vs Cercle Brugge - away win at 5/4. This year’s Eerste Klasse campaign is already beginning to look extremely bleak for Roeselare, who are still without a win after nine game. They’ve managed to lose six times and draw three times thus far. They’re currently shipping nearly three goals per game at home on average and have obtained just one point from a possible twelve at home this season. Morale is low, goalscoring is low, and today they face a side that they’ve not managed to beat in their last five attempts in the Eerste Klasse. Cercle Brugge aren’t a great side; far from it, in fact. However, they’re a decent side that will punish you if they’re given the opportunity. After a slow start, Cercle Brugge are beginning to start moving with two wins, one draw and just one defeat in their past four games. Interestingly enough, Cercle Brugge have actually won more away games than home games in the Eerste Klasse this year and they’ll surely fancy their chances against a side that have lost four of their last five games and a side that they’ve beaten on their last two Eerste Klasse visits here? For me, 5/4 on the away win holds a significant level of value.

KVSK United vs Red Star Waasland – home win at 10/11. Although there’s not much at all between these two sides, I have to stick my neck out and call a home win here for KVSK United. Why? Well, historically, KVSK United have only lost to Red Star Waasland once in their past eight meetings with KVSK United winning five of those games. More importantly, KVSK United have won three out of their four home games of this encounter, drawing the other game. In fact, KVSK United haven’t even conceded at home to Red Star Waasland in their last three meetings. So yeah, both sides are playing well this season and both are currently unbeaten but with the above information in mind, I think the home win has some value at 10/11.

Sibenik vs Cibalia – home win at 10/11. Both of these two outfits have made very good starts to their respective Prva Liga campaigns and thus deserve respect for it. However, we’re all well aware that neither will be where they are now at the end of the season so it’s inevitable that one takes a tumble at somepoint. Today, I think that side is Cibalia as they’re facing a good Sibenik side that are unbeaten at home. Cibalia have remarkably won two away games this season, alraedy doubling the number of away wins they amassed last season. However, this record simply isn’t going to last as Cibalia are one of the worst away sides in the Prva Liga – fact. Cibalia have drawn their last two games consecutively and face a Sibenik side that have not only won four of their last five games but have also won this exact fixture for three years running without even conceding a goal. If Cibalia had gathered more momentum entering this game then I’d have probably stayed away but given their recent slump, I think that there’s value in the home win for Sibenik at 10/11.

Omonia Nicosia vs Anorthosis Famagusta – home win at evens. I’m riding my luck a considerable amount on this one because there’s really very little quality difference between these two sides (if any!) and both are playing well at the moment. Why am I calling a home win, you ask? Just two reasons this time around. Firstly, Omonia Nicosia have the home advantage over Anorthosis Famagusta in this particular game. However, more importantly (and intriguingly!) Omonia Nicosia have beaten Anorthosis Famagusta in their last four meetings together at either ground, only conceding one goal in those four games. In fact, Anorthosis Famagusta have not only failed to score in five of their last six games against Omonia Nicosia but they’ve naturally also failed to beat them in their past six attempts. I don’t like relying entirely on history but sometimes you just have a bogey side and Anorthosis Famagusta’s bogey side is Omonia Nicosia so taking the home win at evens could prove some good value!

Teplice vs Slovan Liberec – home win at evens. Hosts Teplice have made an excellent start to this season with five wins in nine games and zero defeats. Four wins from their past five games says that they’re a forced to be reckoned with, at least for the time being. I expected visitors Slovan Liberec to be doing a lot better than they are currently as they’re sat in 10th place without any particular momentum or consistency. There’s no doubt that Slovan Liberec are capable of better performances so do approach this game with caution. However, one win in their last five games says that the visitors are well and truly out of form, particularly as they’ve lost two along the way. Only the bottom three sides in the division have lost more away games than Slovan Liberec thus far this season and I can’t see that changing as they travel to a Teplice side that they’ve not even scored against in their past four visits. Out of those four visits in the Gambrinus Liga, they’ve lost three games and drawn once. Given that form and momentum favours the home win, I’m going to call a narrow home win at evens as it’s got some good value in it.

Bolton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur – lay Tottenham Hotspur at 5/6. Unbeaten now in three games, Bolton Wanderers enter this game with a good deal of much-needed momentum. They’ve won two of their last three games and look set to cause Tottenham Hotspur some big problems today. There’s no doubt in my mind that Tottenahm Hotspur are the better side here but Bolton Wanderers are notorious for making life difficult for sides, especially when they’re in form. Tottenham Hotspur also have the unenviable task of facing an organised Bolton Wanderers without prolific Jermain Defoe, defender Jonathan Woodgate and without any cast-iron defensive partnership. If you couple the above information with the fact that Tottenham Hotspur haven’t won away to Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League in their last nine visits, you have to feel that there’s a good deal of value in laying Tottenham Hotspur at 5/6.

Colchester United vs Huddersfield Town – home win at 5/4. Football is a very fickle game, isn’t it? A few weeks ago I was backing Huddersfield Town all over the place but four games without a win means I’m now going against them! Still, football has no place for compassion, as you all know. Huddersfield Town just can’t seem to get their act together at the moment. However, this is in complete contrast to hosts Colchester United, who are currently on the back of two wins in three games, one of which was a cruising victory over a previously unbeaten Charlton Athletic. The hosts have everything going for them at the moment and the visitors are the opposite. Although there’s not much quality difference between the two, momentum is very strong at the moment for Colchester United so taking the home win at 5/4 looks a good bet to me.

Barnet vs Grimsby Town – home win at 4/5. A morale-boosting victory over high-flying Dagenham & Redbridge mid-week should be enough to see them take three points today. Previously I was somewhat concerned as they’d gone three games without a win despite an impressive start to the season but it seems form has been kindled once more, happily. Six defeats in ten games shows that Grimsby Town are looking very susceptible to defeats on a regular basis. There’s not a great deal of quality-difference between these two sides but momentum favours the home win so this should be a fairly straightforward home win at 4/5.

Torquay United vs Bury – away win at 5/4. Despite an atrocious start to their League Two campaign, Bury are beginning to show the kind of form that earned them a promotion play-off place last season with three wins from three games, including a particularly impressive victory at Crewe Alexandra last match. Today they face a Torquay United side that have now truly sampled a “welcome to League Two” greeting with no wins in five games, a run that has seen them lose four games and slide to second bottom in the league. Torquay United are facing the wrong opponents today to try and get themselves out of this rut as the visitors are a better side in better form with tremendous momentum. For me, there’s a great deal of value in the away win at 5/4.

TP 47 Tornio vs AC Oulu – away win at 4/5. Although both sides are on great runs of form respectively, there’s a big quality gap between the two sides. AC Oulu are far and away better than TP 47 Tornio and the odds reflect that, although not nearly as much as I thought they would. Both sides need the points for different reasons so this should be a very open game. If that is the case then a massively in-form AC Oulu should frankly rip a TP 47 Tornio side apart regardless of their current run of form. For me, 4/5 on the away win here is something of a no-brainer!

Grenoble Foot vs Montpellier HSC – away win at 6/4. What on earth is happening to little Grenoble Foot? They’ve played seven games, lost all of them, scored just twice and average conceding two goals per game currently. That kind of form is the main reason I’m backing a newly-promoted Montpellier HSC side to win away here today ’cause generally it’s suicide to take a newly-promoted side to win away from home. However, after a dismal start by the hosts and an outstanding start by Montpellier HSC with four wins in seven games (including just one defeat) you really have to fancy the away win at 6/4 as all factors point to it currently!

Racing Club Lens vs Olympique Lyonnais - away win at 3/4. Do these odds make sense to anyone? I appreciate that Olympique Lyonnais blow a little “hot and cold” every now and then but there’s no denying that they’re fielding arguably their most potent attacking side that they’ve had for many years now, even without the talented Karim Benzema. Olympique Lyonnais have currently won five games from seven and are still unbeaten in Ligue 1. Hosts Racing Club Lens are without a win in their last four games having drawn twice and lost twice. I simply cannot see anything other than an away win here when you compare how readily Racing Club Lens are conceding goals and how eagerly Olympique Lyonnais are scoring them. All the above information leads me to believe that you should all take the away win at 3/4 before the odds inevitably drop!

Panthrakikos vs Aris Salonika – away win at 5/6. This is something of a no-brainer for me. Panthrakikos have lost all five of their Super League games so far this season without any great effort, scoring just once and conceding two goals per game on average. They’re host a top six opponent today – Aris Salonika - who are already showing their credentials early on this season with three wins from five games. I think the only reason that the bookies are giving decent odds on this game is because Aris Salonika are yet to win away from home in this campaign but frankly, I think anyone would win away from home here today given the current circumstances, let alone a side that’s actually a lot better than Panthrakikos and in better form! 5/6 on the away win looks a bargain here!

Baerum Sandvika vs Raufoss Fotball – home win at evens. The Norwegian Divisjon 2 isn’t the home of consistency – ever! Both of these two sides are about as good as each other but their form varies between wins and losses so easily that it’s unreal! However, one key factor that stands out to me is that Baerum Sandvika are superb at home with nine wins from eleven games whereas Raufoss Fotball aren’t great away from home, having been beaten six times in eleven games on the road this season. These two sides are the two biggest goalscorers in the Avdeling 4 so it should be something of a goal-fest, particularly when you consider that both sides need three points. However, I’m favouring the home win here, partially due to the above information regarding the strength of Baerum Sandvika at home and partially due to the fact that they’ve won three of their last four home games and the visitors have lost three out of their last three away games. For those reasons, evens on a home win looks good value to me!

Polonia Bytom vs Lechia Gdansk – home win at 5/6. Both of these two sides have started the Ekstraklasa season a lot better than I’d thought they would. Then again, football is prone to early shocks – I’ll simply be astounded if either of these two sides are as high as they currently are at the end of the season! I like Lechia Gdansk but one win in three games, including two defeats, isn’t the most convincing form to take to play what is currently one of the best two sides in the Ekstraklasa at home – Polonia Bytom. Four wins from four home games says Lechia Gdansk have got a nightmare task ahead of them today, particularly as they’ll no doubt remember their 4-1 crushing here last season. For me, 5/6 on a home win here is an absolute giveaway and I’d recommend taking it before the odds surely drop!

Rudar Velenje vs Olimpija Ljubljana – home win at 10/11. I can’t help but feel that the bookies are overrating Olimpija Ljubljana today. True, they’re one of Slovenia’s most popular clubs but the fact remains that they’ve only just returned to this division and are still playing catch up, at least for the time being. Olimpija Ljubljana have played well lately as they’re unbeaten in four games, winning three of them and scoring nine goals in the process. However, today they face what is arguably the club with the best defence in the Prva Liga – Rudar Velenje. Rudar Velenje are the only Prva Liga side to still have a 100% win record at home with five wins from five games. They score an average of over two goals per game and have conceded just twice at home thus far. Olimpija Ljubljana are a decent side but I think they’re going to find that they’re out of their depth here today against a very good Rudar Velenje side. For me, 10/11 on the home win is something of a gift ’cause I don’t believe the visitors have what it takes to match the hosts today.

Le Mont vs Vaduz – away win at evens. This is a bit of a no-brainer, really, although I’m a little concerned that Vaduz haven’t won away from home in the Challenge League so far this season. However, Vaduz do still have some Super League quality players in their team and have shown it, if only briefly, in the Challenge League this season. Although Vaduz’s form has been far from reliable, what has been reliable is the lack of ability that Le Mont possess currently. Seven defeats from nine games, just one victory and a defence that leaks over two goals per game on average tells me that Le Mont are in no fit state to obtain anything from this game. They’ve lost five straight games and even a hapless away side like Vaduz should have no trouble claiming three points today. For me, the away win at evens looks a good value bet although I do recommend approach with caution for the above reasons.

As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

Huracan vs Racing Club Avellaneda (5) under 2.5 goals
Argentinos Juniors vs Estudiantes De La Plata (5) 1-1
Arsenal de Sarandi vs Rosario Central (6) 0-1
Newell’s Old Boys vs Atletico Tucuman (7) 1-0

Australian A-League:

Perth Glory vs North Queensland Fury (8) 2-1
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar (6) 1-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

LASK Linz vs SV Ried (6) over 2.5 goals

Austrian Liga 1:

Hartberg vs Austria Lustenau (8)

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Sint-Truiden vs Zulte-Waregem (6) 1-1
Charleroi vs Kortrijk (4) 1-0
Mechelen vs Lokeren (6) 2-1
Roeselare vs Cercle Brugge (7) 1-2
Germinal Beerschot vs Westerlo (6) 0-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Liege vs Lierse (8)
Turnhout vs Oostende (6)
Brussels vs OH Leuven (7)
Tournai vs Mons (6)
KVSK United vs Red Star Waasland (7)

Brazilian Serie A:

Flamengo vs Fluminense (8) 2-0
Santos vs Palmeiras (6) 1-2
Gremio vs Sport Recife (9) 3-1
Corinthians vs Atletico Paranaense (7) 2-0
Coritiba vs Internacional (6) 1-1
Santo Andre vs Vitoria (6) 0-1

Bulgarian A PFG:

Cherno More Varna vs Litex Lovech (6) 1-1
Lokomotiv Sofia vs Botev Plovdiv (10) -2.75 handicap
Sportist Svoge vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (6) 1-0
Chernomorets Burgas vs Montana (9) 3-1

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Deportivo Cali vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (6) 1-0
Deportivo Pereira vs America de Cali (6) 2-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Croatia Sesvete vs Rijeka (7) 1-1
Zadar vs Slaven Koprivnica (6) 1-2
Istra 1961 vs Hajduk Split (8) 0-2
Sibenik vs Cibalia (7) 2-1
Karlovac vs NK Zagreb (8) 2-0
Osijek vs Inter Zapresic (8) 2-0

Cypriot Division 1:

Doxa vs Ethnikos Achnas (6) 1-0
Aris vs Enosis Neon Paralimni (6) 1-1
A.E.Paphos vs APEP (7) 2-1
Omonia Nicosia vs Anorthosis Famagusta (7) 2-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Slovacko vs Banik Ostrava (6) 1-1
Viktoria Plzen vs Sigma Olomouc (7) 2-1
Teplice vs Slovan Liberec (7) 2-1

Danish Superligaen:

AGF Aarhus vs SonderjyskE (6) 2-1

Danish 1st Division:

Braband vs Frem (5) over 2.5 goals

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Barcelona Guayaquil vs Liga de Portoviejo (7) 1-0
Deportivo Cuenca vs Liga de Quito (6) 1-1
Macara Ambato vs El Nacional Quito (7) 1-1
Deportivo Quito vs Olmedo Riobamba (8) 2-1
Espoli Cayambe vs Tecnico Universitario Ambato (6) 1-0
Manta vs Emelec Guayaquil (6) 1-1

English Premier League:

Bolton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur (4) 1-0
Burnley vs Birmingham City (6) 1-0
Hull City vs Wigan Athletic (6) 1-2
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Portsmouth (7) 1-1
Manchester United vs Sunderland (9) 2-0

English Championship:

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

English League One:

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

English League Two:

Barnet vs Grimsby Town (8)
Cheltenham Town vs Notts County (6)
Chesterfield vs Accrington Stanley (8)
Crewe Alexandra vs Rotherham United (7)
Darlington vs Macclesfield Town (6)
Hereford United vs Dagenham & Redbridge (7)
Lincoln City vs Aldershot Town (6)
Morecambe vs Shrewsbury Town (8)
Northampton Town vs Bradford City (6)
Port Vale vs Bournemouth (7)
Torquay United vs Bury (8)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Tallinna Kalev vs Levadia Tallinn (10) -1.75 handicap
Kuressaare vs Flora Paide (5) under 2.5 goals
Sillamae Kalev vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (9) 3-1
Tulevik Viljandi vs Nomme Kalju (6) 1-2
Flora Tallinn vs Trans Narva (5) 1-1

Faroese Meistaradeildin:

B36 Torshavn vs B68 Toftir (5)
AB Argir vs Vikingur Gotu (8)
IF Fuglafjordur vs NSI Runavik (7)
KI Klaksvik vs EB/Streymur (8)
07 Vestur Sorvagur vs HB Torshavn (8)

Finnish Ykkonen:

TP 47 Tornio vs AC Oulu (7)
TPV Tampere vs Jippo Joensuu (6)

Finnish Kakkonen:

Lokho A:

Keski Uusimaa Kerava vs KTP Kotka (6)
Kiffen vs Kultsu Joutseno (9)
Warkaus vs LPS Helsinki (7)
Futura vs Gnistan Helsinki (6)
KaPa Helsinki vs HIFK Soccer Helsinki (9)

Lokho B:

Honka Espoo II vs LoPa Lohja (6)
Pirkkala vs EIF Ekenas (5)

Lokho C:

Virkia vs JBK Pietarsaari (8)
FCV vs Norrvalla Voyri (9)
YPA Ylivieska vs GBK Kokkola (8)
OPA Oulu vs SJK Seinajoki (8)

French Ligue 1:

Grenoble Foot vs Montpellier HSC (7) 0-1
OGC Nice vs Valenciennes (6) 1-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (7) 2-1
Stade Rennais vs Auxerre (8) over 2.5 goals
Saint-Etienne vs Girondins de Bordeaux (8) 1-2
Sochaux vs Le Mans (5) 1-0
Racing Club Lens vs Olympique Lyonnais (8) 1-3

German Bundesliga:

Bayern Munich vs Koln (8) 1-0
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Nurnberg (8) 2-0
Hannover 96 vs SC Freiburg (6) 1-1
VFL Bochum vs VFL Wolfsburg (6) 1-2
FSV Mainz o5 vs Hoffenheim (7) 1-1
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (6) 2-3

German Bundesliga 2:

Greuther Furth vs Fortuna Dusseldorf (6)
Paderborn vs Augsburg (6)

Greek Super League:

Panthrakikos vs Aris Salonika (8) 1-2
PAS Giannina vs Kavala (7) 0-0
Levadiakos vs Olympiakos Piraeus (9) 0-2

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Diosgyori VTK vs Zalaegerszegi TE (6) 1-1
Gyori ETO FC vs Paksi SE (8) 2-0
Ujpest vs Ferencvaros (8) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Fehervar vs Kaposvari Rakoczi (9) 3-1
Papa vs Szombathelyi Haladas (8) 2-1

Italian Serie A:

Bari vs Catania (6) under 2.5 goals
Internazionale vs Udinese (8) over 2.5 goals

Italian Serie B:

Brescia vs Vicenza (8)
Cesena vs Salernitana (6)
Cittadella vs Lecce (6)
Crotone vs Padova (5)
Gallipolli vs Empoli (5)
Mantova vs Grosseto (6)
Modena vs Reggina (7)
Piacenza vs Frosinone (6)
Triestina vs Albinoleffe (6)

Japanese J-League:

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (7) 2-1
Montedio Yamagata vs Oita Trinita (6) 1-0
Kashiwa Reysol vs Jubilo Iwata (6) 0-0
Urawa Red Diamonds vs JEF United Ichihara (7) 2-0
Vissel Kobe vs Kyoto Purple Sanga (7) 1-0

Latvian Virsliga:

Blazma Rezekne vs Daugava Riga (6) 1-0
Jurmala vs Liepajas Metalurgs (9) 1-3

Lithuanian A Lyga:

LKKA Teledema Kaunas vs Banga Gargzdai (6) 1-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Queretaro vs Indios (6) 0-0
Jaguares vs Pumas UNAM (6) 1-0
Atlante vs Morelia (6) 1-2
Tigres UANL vs Cruz Azul (7) 0-1
Guadalajara vs Monterrey (6) 1-1
Pachuca vs America (6) 1-2

Dutch Eredivisie:

ADO Den Haag vs Groningen (6) 0-1
AZ Alkmaar vs NAC Breda (6) 2-1
Willem II vs NEC Nijmegen (5) 1-1
Feyenoord Rotterdam vs RKC Waalwijk (9) -1.75 handicap

Norwegian Tippeligaen:

Stromsgodset vs Bodo Glimt (7) 2-0
Odd Grenland Skien vs Molde (6) 1-2

Norwegian 2 Divisjon:

Avdeling 1:

Fram Larvik vs Vindbjart Vennesla (5)
Mandalskameratene vs Eidsvold (6)

Avdeling 2:

Levanger vs Skarbovik Aalesund (6)
Nardo Trondheim vs Follo Fotball Ski (8)

Avdeling 3:

Sford Sunnhordland vs Fana Nesttun (5)
Asane Ulset vs Vard Haugesund (6)
Kopervik vs Fyllingen Bergen (8)
Algard vs Sandnes Ulf (7)

Avdeling 4:

Baerum Sandvika vs Raufoss Fotball (7)
Mo vs Bossekop (8)
Korsvoll Oslo vs Valdres Fagernes (6)
Ranheim Trondheim vs Lillehammer (9)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Odra Wodzislaw vs Ruch Chorzow (6) 0-1
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Legia Warsaw (8) 0-1
GKS Belchatow vs Korona Kielce (7) 2-0
Polonia Bytom vs Lechia Gdansk (7) 1-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Naval de Maio vs Rio Ave (6) 1-1
Sporting Braga vs Vitoria Setubal (9) 2-0

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Estoril vs Beira-Mar (6)

Romanian Liga:

Vaslui vs Astra Ploiesti (7) 1-0
Gaz Metan Medias vs Unirea Urziceni (7) 1-2
Universitatea Craiova vs Unirea Alba Iulia (6) 1-0

Russian Premier League:

Tom Tomsk vs Saturn Moscow Oblast (5) 1-0
Krylya Sovetov Samara vs Spartak Nalchik (7) 2-1
FK Khimki vs Terek Grozny (6) 0-0
Rostov-na-Donu vs FK Moscow (7) 1-2

Russian Division 1:

FK Chita vs Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan (5)
Metallurg Lipetsk vs Shinnik Yaroslavl’ (8)
Salyut Belgorod vs Baltika Kaliningrad (7)
Luch-Energiya Vladivostok vs NoSta Novotroitsk (6)
Energiya Khabarovsk vs Vityaz Podolsk (6)
Sibir Novosibirsk vs FK Krasnodor (9)
Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast vs Cherno Novorosisk (7)
Volga Nyzhnyi Novgorod vs KamAZ Nab Chelny (5)

Scottish Premier League:

Hamilton Academicals vs St.Johnstone (6) 1-0
Hibernian vs Dundee United (7) 2-1
Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen (6) 0-0
Motherwell vs Falkirk (7) 1-0
St.Mirren vs Hearts (7) 1-2

Serbian Super Liga:

BSK Borca vs Vojvodina Novi Sad (6) 0-1
Jagodina vs Cukaricki (7) 1-0
Napredak vs Javor Ivanjica (5) 1-1
Metalac GM vs Borac Cacak (6) 0-0
Smederevo vs Mladi Radnik (6) 1-1
Red Star Belgrade vs OFK Belgrade (8) 2-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

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

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Nafta Lendava vs Maribor (5) 1-1
Interblock Ljubljana vs Koper (6) 1-2
Gorica vs Domzale (6) 1-1
Rudar Velenje vs Olimpija Ljubljana (8) 2-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Tenerife vs Deportivo La Coruna (7) 1-2
Barcelona vs Almeria (9) 3-1
Atletico Madrid vs Real Zaragoza (4) 1-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Cartagena vs Villarreal II (8)
Huesca vs Girona (5)
Levante vs Real Murcia (6)
Hercules Alicante vs Elche (8)
Recreativo de Huelva vs Celta de Vigo (8)
Real Union Club de Irun vs Castellon (5)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Osasuna II vs Guijuelo (8)
Athletic Club de Bilbao II vs Montaneros (6)

Group 2:

Guadalajara vs Alcorcon (7)

Group 3:

Ontinyent vs Alicante (6)

Group 4:

Real Betis Balompie II vs Ciudad de Murcia (7)
Marbella vs Sangonera Atletico (7)
Polideportivo Ejido vs Ceuta (6)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Djurgardens vs Trelleborgs (6) 1-1
Orgryte vs Kalmar (8) 1-2

Swedish Superettan:

Angelholms vs Trollhattan (8)

Swiss Super League:

Neuchatel Xamax vs St.Gallen (8) 2-0
Grasshoppers Zurich vs Luzern (6) 2-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Kriens vs Lausanne Sports (6)
Wil vs Biel-Bienne (6)
Le Mont vs Vaduz (7)
Schaffhausen vs Servette (7)

Turkish Super Lig:

Manisaspor vs Bursaspor (6) 1-2
Diyarbakirspor vs Istanbul BB (6) 0-1
Besiktas JK vs Denizlispor (8) 2-0

Ukrainian Premier League:

Zorya Lugansk vs Tavriya Simferopol (6) 1-1
Metalurg Donetsk vs Illichivets Mariupol (7) 1-0
Obolon Kiev vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (6) 0-0
Metalist Kharkiv vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (8) 2-0

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Central Espanol vs Montevideo Wanderers (6) 1-1
Fenix vs Liverpool Montevideo (8) 1-2
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Racing Club Montevideo (8) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game

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