Today’s featured game is the Superligaen game between newly-promoted Silkeborg and reigning champions FC Copenhagen. Hosts Silkeborg have all but forgotten their excellent start to the season following promotion as their horrendous run of form has now seen reduced to battling relegation. Visitors FC Copenhagen have looked their typical efficient selves and therefore it’s no real surprise that FC Copenhagen have already reclaimed their title this season.

Hosts Silkeborg look a completely different side to the side that stunned the Superligaen earlier this season. They look dejected, devoid of composure, and worst of all – they look unable to defend. They’ve lost six consecutive games now whilst conceding a hefty twenty goals – an average of over three goals conceded per game. They’ve mostly played sides during that run that they’re capable of matching so this run has been terribly galling for them and I can’t see that changing now. There’s two games remaining and Silkeborg are five points clear of the drop but this kind of form will no doubt leave them in the mire so they cannot afford to sit back here and hope to claim a draw to give them something to take into their final game of the season at Midtylland. Silkeborg need as many points as they can get but with their defence being horribly exposed by every side they encounter, it’s hard to see them taking anything from a game against the best side in the league today.

FC Copenhagen don’t need to win this game but frankly I think a half-assed display from the champions should be enough to see them win the game today. FC Copenhagen have had this title won for some time now and yet they’ve still won their last three games consecutively, scoring eight times and keeping three consecutive clean sheets. The professionalism and efficiency of FC Copenhagen is admirable and reliable so I’m happy to back them to do damage today. They’ve won eight out of fifteen on the road already this season, which is more than any other Superligaen side currently. No side has conceded as few goals as they have on the road either so FC Copenhagen are very much looking the real deal today.

FC Copenhagen are normally over-priced in this division but they’ve happily not been because they don’t need to win the game. Fortunately for us, the bookies appear to have simply not bothered checking just who the champions are facing or the odds for this outcome would be at least 8/13. FC Copenhagen are far too good for their opponents today and momentum should give them an easy victory over a frankly inept Silkeborg side today.

Verdict: FC Copenhagen to win at 4/5.

Sunday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Argentinos Juniors vs Independiente – home win at evens.

Argentinos Juniors have had a very impressive campaign and are currently second in the table as a result. What has impressed me the most regarding their form is that they’ve been equally as effective (if not moreso) on the road, thus proving their multi-faceted attack and it’s effectiveness. Argentinos have only won half of their home games this season but their irresistable form of late has convinced me to back them tonight as they’re unbeaten in eleven consecutive games, winning nine of them. They’ve won their last three home games consecutively and are frankly looking every inch the champions that they’re trying to be and if they continue winning as relentlessly as they are then I expect them to achieve it.

Visitors Independiente have also had a very good campaign but have started to stutter lately. They’ve won just once in their past five games, losing three times along the way, so they’ve not got a great deal of momentum at the moment. The only side that they’ve beaten was an out-of-sorts Banfield side so Independiente have basically been very unconvincing in recent times. They’re still scoring goals but they’re conceding so many that it’s proving to be irrelevant. Independiente’s record overall this season away from home shows one clear point; they don’t score enough goals. Their sturdy defence has only led to them losing twice during their nine away games but they’re basically proving that they’re not good enough to take on a good side away from home with this record.

With Independiente struggling for form and in defence, it’s hard to see them maintaining their good away form against a driven and potent Argentinos Juniors side tonight. Although there’s not much between the two sides, Argentinos are on fire at the moment with the title in their sights and Independiente are currently just making up the numbers so the home win appears to be good value tonight.

Verdict: Argentinos Juniors to win at evens.

Fyn vs Skive – home win at 5/6.

I just can’t fathom these odds. I’ll admit that there isn’t much quality difference between the two sides, if indeed any, but Fyn have won four consecutive games whilst conceding just two goals so they’ve got strong momentum at the moment and they’re looking very efficient. Their home record this season in the Danish 1st Division isn’t flattering as they’re not a particularly good side but a driven Fyn side looks promising enough to record three points from today’s game. Visitos Skive, however, are battling against relegation still and their sporadic form shows why. They’ve already lost nine out of eleven away games this season because they concede over two goals per away game on average whilst not even managing to score a goal per evey two away games, which is the worst record in the division. They’ve lost every away game that they’ve played since returning from the winter break and I just can’t see that changing today against an in-form and composed Fyn side. Fyn should be at least 1/2 for this game and the bookies don’t normally miss an opportunity to give short odds in Denmark so I’m pleased at their fuck-up here!

Verdict: Fyn to win at 5/6.

Chelsea vs Wigan Athletic – both sides to score at 13/8.

This is total squeaky bum time for Chelsea and nerves have shown in recent times (barring the blatant cheating that Liverpool displayed last match to give the league leaders the win) so I expect them to concede today. However, they’ve got strong momentum and are one win away from the title so you have to expect them to do their utmost to outscore their sporadic opponents and will most likely win the game as a result. However, we all know Wigan are a funny side, even moreso when playing any of the big four (barring Manchester United) as they tend to pull unpredictable results out of the bag. For instance, consider that Wigan not only claimed a 1-1 draw here two seasons ago but were minutes away from doing the same thing last season before Frank Lampard popped up with a late winner. Wigan are a capable side on their day and they have scored in four out of their last five meetings with Chelsea at either ground so I think they’re more than capable of doing it today, although most probably not as convincingly as they did at home earlier this season when they won 3-1, more’s the pity! Let’s face it – Wigan are either going to draw 1-1 here or lose 5-1 – it just depends which Wigan side turns up. However, I think the odds on both sides to score in this game look rather generous so it’s got to be worth a little punt today!

Verdict: Both sides to score at 13/8.

KuPS Kuopio vs Inter Turku – away win at 11/10.

This is a risky call so do approach with caution. Turku aren’t looking the same without injured Furuholm up front but even that doesn’t explain their capitulation at home to relegation candidates VPS Vaasa last match, somehow losing 3-1 at home. Inter are one of the more composed sides in the division so conceding three goals at home was something really rather unexpected although it’s thus easier to write off as a freak result as opposed to a more ominous 1-0 defeat, for example. Inter don’t score enough goals without Furuholm but the rest of their squad is sound and I expect them to be as composed as they would normally be for this game today. Inter really don’t tend to concede goals often so I find it hard to envision a goal-shy KuPS scoring against them today barring a defensive error or a set piece. Inter have already claimed a 1-0 win from their only away game of the Veikkausliiga against a potent and motivated Jaro Pietarsaari so they can do the business. Inter have a good record in Kuopio with back-to-back 2-0 wins here for the last two seasons and they’re more than capable of reproducing that type of result again today. KuPS will battle hard and they look dangerous sometimes but they just don’t take their chances so in my eyes, the odds of 11/10 are on whether Inter will score a goal, and frankly I’d always take that chance with Inter if the odds were as generous because they’re a superior side irrespective of their striking issues so I’ll be backing them at 11/10 to win this one today.

Verdict: Inter Turku to win at 11/10.

IFK Mariehamn vs Tampere United – home win at evens.

I think the bookies have made a monumental error here!! Neither side have started well but IFK are a lot better than Tampere United as anyone who knows anything about Veikkausliiga football will tell you. IFK haven’t won any of their three games so far in the Veikkausliiga but consider that two of those games were at Inter Turku and FC Honka Espoo and the record suddenly isn’t as discouraging as it may have appeared. IFK’s problem has always been scoring goals but their squad in general is strong and their combative style is hard to handle, particularly when they’re playing in their little island group so I expect a solid display from the hosts today, just as they did when they beat Tampere at home last season.

Tampere United have got a long list of issues and the most pressing of which is their defence. They’ve played three Veikkausliiga games so far and have failed to win any despite facing three sides that are expected to be battling with them against relegation. Well, ok, MyPa Anjalankoski should be able to clear it but losing against AC Oulu and JJK Jyvaskyla so comprehensively has got to have hit them hard. They’ve leaked seven goals in three games against sides they’re supposed to be able to match and two of those games were at home so Tampere should have real problems to avoid the drop this season. They’ve still got their ever-present financial issues, which is ultimately why they’ve had the afore-mentioned problems in the first place, and even their inspiring youngsters breaking into the side can’t awaken the giants from their nightmarish slumber currently. Tampere are one of the poorer away sides in the Veikkausliiga anyway but to travel to a wounded bear like IFK with no defensive capability is suicide, irrespective of where IFK are scoring or not.

Although the two sides are both battling for bottom place in the table currently, IFK are the only one of the two that shouldn’t be there and I expect that to be more than evident today in what should be a fairly low-scoring but comfortable home win at unbelievably generous odds.

Verdict: IFK Mariehamn to win at evens.

Jaro Pietarsaari vs FC Honka Espoo – away win at 10/11.

Everyone’s favourite dark horses for the Veikkausliiga this season (Jaro) have made an intiguing start to the season with wily boss Eremenko Snr. certainly granting today’s hosts the gift of goals as they’ve notched up six goals in three games. The recruitment of his son, the surprisingly named Eremenko Jnr., has proved a popular acquisition as he’s easily one of the best players in the division. Eremenko Snr. has made yet another shrewd signing with Ivorian striker Zezeto joining from Metalist Kharkiv purely because of his relationship with Jaro’s boss. Bluntly, Jaro have leapt from a relegation-threatened side to a side that could possibly compete for a European place so don’t underestimate them this season. However, they’ve not quite gelled just yet so I don’t think we’ll see a complete display from them today, which should play right into the hands of their prolific visitors Honka.

Honka have won three out of their last four visits to Pietarsaari so they know how to do the business here. That said, however, they won’t have encountered such a good Jaro side before so it should be a very good game today as both sides have a somewhat casual approach defensively whilst adopting a strong attacking game. Honka have already notched up six goals in three games themselves this season and it would have been more had it not been an inspired defensive display from TPS Turku a couple of matches ago. Honka have smashed three goals past a defensively-strong IFK Mariehamn and inflicted a similar level of punishment on steady MyPa Anjalankoski already this season so their potency is as strong as ever. The young squad of Honka has gained an additional year in maturity, which should give them a better shot at the title this season, but ultimately they’re the better of these two sides and it should show today with the proviso that Vuorinen is in the starting eleven – if not, be wary!

I expect a very open game with plenty of goals between two sides that prefer to attack rather than defend. However, there’s no way that Honka should be as long as 10/11 for this game – 8/11 would have been much fairer as they’re taking on a side that are not yet used to playing together and simply aren’t as good as their more illustrious visitors so the away win looks good value for me today.

Verdict: FC Honka Espoo to win at 10/11.

Palermo vs Sampdoria – home win at evens.

Hosts Palermo will be happy to see this fixture being played at home instead of in Genova as both sides are very strong at home but struggle away from home. Palermo have already won thirteen out of their eighteen games in Sicily this season and haven’t lost any of them due to the intimidating atmosphere and strong home displays. Palermo average scoring nearly two goals per home game and don’t even concede a goal per home game on average so don’t understimate them today. Palermo are on a good momentum burst with three wins in their past four games and have won their last three home games consecutively so they look good for the win today. Interestingly enough, Palermo have won their last three home games 3-1 so the correct scoreline might be worth an impudent bet today too. However, more importantly, a win today for Palermo sees them leapfrog Sampdoria into the UEFA Champions League places so they’ve got all the motivation that they need to make Sampdoria’s stay in Sicily an uncomfortable one.

Visitors Sampdoria have impressed me a lot this season with their composure and efficiency. They look good when they provide goal-machine Giampaolo Pazzini with the service that he needs although they do look lacking without him so he’s really their main hope of taking any points from this difficult trip today. Impressively, Sampdoria have won five consecutive games leading into this game so I don’t see them lying down and letting Palermo steal their Champions League place. Sampdoria’s last away game was a shock 2-1 win in Rome against in-form AS Roma so they’re certainly a capable side, although I would attribute that victory more to a nervy Roma display but still – taking your chances is paramount to success and Sampdoria have done that this season so my respect goes to them. However, I cannot overlook their dreary record of nine defeats in eighteen away games in Serie A this season because they average conceding approximately 1.5 goals per away game whilst not even managing to score a goal per away game. This record is a dangerous one to take into games like this and I expect it to be their downfall today.

This should be a cracker of game with plenty of cards and plenty of goals with both sides desperate not to lose this one. However, Palermo are always strong at home and they’ve looked very good at home of late so I have to side with them when the odds on the home win are as generous as they are.

Verdict: Palermo to win at evens.

Accumulator fodder:

Estudiantes De La Plata, Boca Juniors, Corinthians, Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota, AC Horsens, Lyngby, Fredericia, Tottenham Hotspur, HB Torshavn, SSC Napoli, Juventus, Internazionale, AS Roma, Rosenborg BK, Real Betis Balompie, Metalist Kharkiv, Deportivo Tachira, Deportivo Anzoategui, Deportivo Italia.

Recommended bets:

Palermo, FC Copenhagen, and SSC Napoli at 5/1.

Inter Turku, FC Honka Espoo, and IFK Mariehamn at 8/1 – fun bet!

Argentinos Juniors, Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota and Corinthians at 6/1.

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

Argentinian Primera Division:

Argentinos Juniors vs Independiente (6) 1-0
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Rosario Central (8) under 2.5 goals
Tigre vs Banfield (4) 0-1
Boca Juniors vs Huracan (8) 2-1
Atletico Tucuman vs Arsenal de Sarandi (6) 0-0

Austrian Bundesliga:

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

Belgian Tweede Klasse Play-Off:

Mons vs Eupen (6)
Roeselare vs KVSK United (4)

Brazilian Serie A:

Flamengo vs Sao Paulo (5) 1-1
Atletico Mineiro vs Vasco da Gama (6) 1-0
Internacional vs Cruzeiro (6) 2-1
Corinthians vs Atletico Paranaense (8) 2-0
Ceara vs Fluminense (5) 1-2
Guarani vs Goias (6) 1-1
Avai vs Gremio Prudente (7) 2-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

CSKA Sofia vs Cherno More Varna (7) 2-0
Lokomotiv Sofia vs Chernomorets Burgas (4) 1-2
Slavia Sofia vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (5) 1-1
Litex Lovech vs Beroe (8) 2-0
Minior Pernik vs Sportist Svoge (8) 1-0
Sliven vs Pirin Blagoevgrad (4) 1-0
Montana vs Levski Sofia (6) 1-2

Colombian Primera A:

America de Cali vs Once Caldas Manizales (5) 1-1
Real Cartagena vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (7) 1-1
Deportes Tolima vs Millonarios Bogota (7) 2-1
Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Boyaca Chico (9) 3-1

Danish Superligaen:

Nordsjaelland vs AGF Aarhus (6) 1-1
Brondby vs Aalborg BK (6) 1-0
HB Koge vs Midtylland (6) 1-2
OB Odense vs Randers (7) 1-1
SonderjyskE vs Esbjerg (7) 0-0
Silkeborg vs FC Copenhagen (8) 1-3

Danish 1st Division:

Frem vs Hvidovre (5)
Fredericia vs Thisted (8)
Lyngby vs Roskilde (9)
Vejle vs Braband (7)
AC Horsens vs Kolding (9)
Fyn vs Skive (8)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Independiente vs Emelec Guayaquil (5) 1-2
Deportivo Cuenca vs Manta (6) 0-0
Macara Ambato vs Deportivo Quito (7) 1-1
Universidad Catolica vs Espoli Cayambe (7) 0-0
Barcelona Guayaquil vs Liga de Quito (7) 0-0
Olmedo Riobamba vs El Nacional Quito (5) 0-1

English Premier League:

Arsenal vs Fulham (7) 2-1
Aston Villa vs Blackburn Rovers (4) 1-1
Bolton Wanderers vs Birmingham City (7) 0-0
Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur (8) 1-3
Chelsea vs Wigan Athletic (8) both sides to score
Everton vs Portsmouth (8) 2-1
Hull City vs Liverpool (7) 0-1
Manchester United vs Stoke City (8) 2-0
West Ham United vs Manchester City (6) 1-2
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Sunderland (5) 1-0

English Championship Play-Off:

Leicester City vs Cardiff City (6) 1-1

Faroese Meistaradeildin:

Vikingur Gotu vs B71 (6) 3-1
HB Torshavn vs B68 (8) over 2.5 goals
Suduroy vs B36 (6) 1-2
AB Argir vs IF Fuglafjordur (7) 2-2

Finnish Veikkausliiga:

KuPS Kuopio vs Inter Turku (6) 0-1
IFK Mariehamn vs Tampere United (7) 1-0
Jaro Pietarsaari vs FC Honka Espoo (7) 2-3

Finnish Ykkonen:

Hameenlinna vs Viikingit Helsinki (7)
PS Kemi Kings vs Espoo (7) over 2.5 goals
PK-35 Helsinki vs TPV Tampere (7)

German Bundesliga 2:

Karlsruher SC vs Greuther Furth (7) under 2.5 goals
Alemannia Aachen vs MSV Duisburg (5)
Arminia Bielefeld vs Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (5)
Energie Cottbus vs Rot-Weiss Ahlen (7)
Kaiserslautern vs Augsburg (6) under 2.5 goals
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Hansa Rostock (4)
FSV Frankfurt vs Koblenz (7)
1860 Munich vs Union Berlin (6)
St.Pauli vs Paderborn (7) over 2.5 goals

Greek Super League:

Aris Salonika vs AEK Athens (6) 0-0
Olympiakos Piraeus vs PAOK Salonika (7) 2-1

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

MTK Budapest vs Ujpest (7) 2-2

Italian Serie A:

SSC Napoli vs Atalanta Bergamo (8) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Udinese vs Bari (7) 2-0
AS Roma vs Cagliari (8) over 2.5 goals
Bologna vs Catania (6) 1-0
Internazionale vs Chievo Verona (9) 3-1
Livorno vs Lazio (6) 1-1
Genoa vs AC Milan (6) 2-2
Juventus vs Parma (8) 2-1
Palermo vs Sampdoria (7) 2-1
Fiorentina vs Siena (6) 1-0

Japanese J-League:

Vegalta Sendai vs Nagoya Grampus (6) 1-1
Montedio Yamagata vs Tokyo (5) 2-1

Latvian Virsliga:

Liepajas Metalurgs vs FK Ventspils (6) 0-0

Lithuanian A Lyga:

Kruoja Pakruojis vs Banga Gargzdai (6) 1-1
Mazeikiai vs Atletas (6) 1-0
Tauras Taurage vs Klaipeda (7) 2-0
Vetra Vilnius vs Suduva Marijampole (6) 1-1
Ekranas Panevezys vs Siauliai (8) 2-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Toluca vs America (7) 2-1
Pumas UNAM vs Santos Laguna (5) over 2.5 goals

Dutch Eredivisie:

Heracles Almelo vs Roda JC Kerkrade (7) 2-0
Groningen vs FC Utrecht (6) 2-1

Dutch Nacompetitie:

Cambuur Leeuwarden vs Go Ahead Eagles (8) over 2.5 goals
Excelsior vs Zwolle (7) over 2.5 goals
Willem II vs Eindhoven (7) 2-0
Sparta Rotterdam vs Helmond Sport (8) 2-1

Norwegian Eliteserien:

Lillestrom vs Stromsgodset (6) 0-0
Tromso vs Start Kristiansand (7) 2-1
Honefoss vs Sandefjord (4) 1-1
Haugesund vs Rosenborg BK (8) 1-2
Aalesunds vs Odd Grenland Skien (5) over 2.5 goals
Stabaek vs Brann Bergen (6) 1-1

Norwegian Divisjon 1:

Moss vs Bodo Glimt (6)
Ranheim vs Sandnes Ulf (5)
Fredrikstad vs Strommen (7)
Lov-Ham Bergen vs Lyn Oslo (5)
Follo vs Tromsdalen (4)
Bryne vs Mjondalen (6)
Alta vs Sarpsborg 08 (6)
Sogndal vs Nybergsund (7)

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Pacos de Ferreira vs Olhanense (5) 0-0
SL Benfica vs Rio Ave (10) -1.75 handicap
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Maritimo Funchal (6) 1-1
CD Nacional de Madeira vs Sporting Braga (7) 1-1
Naval de Maio vs Academica de Coimbra (5) 1-0

Romanian Liga:

International vs Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt (5) 1-0
Astra Ploiesti vs Otelul Galati (6) 1-1

Scottish Premier League:

Dundee United vs Hibs (5) 2-1
Hearts vs Celtic (4) 1-1
Rangers vs Motherwell (8) 2-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Real Betis Balompie vs Real Murcia (8) under 2.5 goals
Albacete vs Salamanca (4)
Cadiz vs Elche (5)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Orebro vs Djurgardens (6) 1-1
Halmstad vs BK Hacken Goteborg (6) 0-0
AIK Solna vs Trelleborg (5) 1-0
Mjallby Solvesborg vs Elfsborg Boras (6) 1-2

Swedish Superettan:

Osters vs Orgryte (6)
Syrianska Sodertalje vs Angelholm (7)
Degerfors vs Trollhattan (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Kayserispor vs Istanbul BB (6) 2-1
Ankaragucu vs Fenerbahce (4) 1-1
Kasimpasa vs Diyarbakirspor (6) 1-1
Eskisehirspor vs Sivasspor (6) 1-0

Ukrainian Premier League:

Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih vs Zakarpatty Uzhhorod (8) 2-0
Dynamo Kiev vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (7) 2-1
Tavriya Simferopol vs Shakhtar Donetsk (7) 0-1
Vorskla Poltava vs Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (6) under 2.5 goals
Illichivets Mariupol vs Karpaty Lviv (5) 1-2
Metalist Kharkiv vs Arsenal Kiev (8) 2-0
Metalurg Donetsk vs Obolon Kiev (5) 1-0
Chernomorets Odessa vs Zorya Lugansk (5) 2-1

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Tachira vs Llaneros de Guanare (8) 2-0
Deportivo Anzoategui vs Centro Italo (8) 2-1
Zulia vs Caracas (7) 1-1
Zamora vs Aragua (4) 1-1
Yaracuyanos vs Trujillanos (5) 1-2
Deportivo Italia vs Atletico El Vigia (8) 2-1
Real Esppor Club vs Deportivo Lara (6) 1-1
Carabobo vs Mineros de Guayana (6) 1-0
Estudiantes de Merida vs Monagas SC (6) over 2.5 goals

Enjoy your free betting tips!