Today’s featured game is the UEFA European U21 Championship game between Finland U21 and Netherlands U21. I often feel that Finland U21 are often overlooked by people (and indeed fellow U21 sides) en mass, which is good and bad. It’s bad for the players, who thus aren’t as exposed scout-wise. However, it’s very good from my perspective because it means that opposition tends to underestimate their opponents and also that the bookies follow a similar route. Let us not forget that Finland U21 did manage to achieve a place at the UEFA European U21 Championships in Sweden earlier this year and although they didn’t do well in that tournament result-wise, it still takes a good side to get there. I also have to respect their performances against Austria U21 to get there as I rate Austria U21 to be one of the best U21 sides in Europe. Whereas it’s true that the Finns have lost their last two qualifiers, I consider their defeats away to Poland U21 and Netherlands U21 acceptable as both of these sides are very good. However, the trip to Finland is never an easy one for any side, something I feel is reflected by the fact that they’ve won five out of their last five home games. It’s also going to be a stern test for the Netherlands U21 side to take on a good Finland U21 side on the artificial turf at the Finnair Stadium. We all know that Netherlands U21 always boast a good side, regardless of what year it is – it’s just something they consistently manage to do. However, the bookies are reading into that far more than I’d expect as they’ve given surprising odds of 4/6 on the away win! This will be a difficult trip for the Dutch and I feel those odds really flatter them for this game. Imagine my surprise when I saw that laying the Netherlands U21 side had odds of evens! I think if there was such a thing as a footballing orgasm then this would be it!!! I think the hosts are capable of a win at the very least so laying the visitors at evens has to be my bet of the day here!

Friday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Finland U21 vs Netherlands U21 – lay Netherlands U21 at evens – see introduction for full details.

Estonia U21 vs Switzerland U21 – away win at 10/11. The one thing I do hate about international games of any kind is that I find it very hard to explain why I think an outcome will occur because form/momentum doesn’t really tend to play a part unless the team in question is playing in a tournament at the time. I mean, seriously, what else can I put here other than Estonia U21 are a mediocre side at best and Switzerland U21 have been making good waves lately in U21 football? The visitors are simply becoming more of a force as their results over the past year have indicated. The hosts are no doubt improving but that’s largely due to the fact that you couldn’t get much lower than their previous situation. I don’t think Switzerland U21 are good enough to rip Estonia U21 apart and make this a really good game to watch but I do think they’re good enough to win it. Therefore, I am surprised that the odds are 10/11 so I’d recommend taking them today as the Swiss are rather good value at that price!

Latvia u21 vs Romania U21 - away win at 4/5. Although I’ve been impressed with Latvia U21′s recent performances, I still don’t think that they’re capable of taking on the better U21 sides of Europe and I’d certainly include Romania U21 in that bracket. Latvia U21 have enjoyed some good performances, and indeed some success, in Baltic derbies against Belarus U21 of late, a side I consider to be better than Latvia U21, so I do respect them for that. However, Romania U21 are following in the footsteps of their national first team by defying the odds and by beginning to force their way into the bigger sides in Europe. Romania U21 have a good level of ability and potential, as well as the cohesion to make it count. Although I expect a tight game here, the visitors have too much ability for the hosts to handle in my opinion so taking 4/5 on the away win looks a worthwhile bet.

Estudiantes De La Plata vs Lanus – home win at 3/4. Copa Libertadores holders Estudiantes De La Plata are well on their way to revisiting their prestigious past by making themselves a real force not only in Argentina but on the continent too. Estudiantes De La Plata boast five wins from seven games and look an incredibly tough game for just about anyone at the present time, especially when you consider that their only points dropped this season was a draw with San Lorenzo de Almagro, a side I fully expect to be title challengers this year, and an a defeat at a very impressive Argentinos Juniors. For me, the hosts are looking a big threat yet again and will be difficult to withstand for the most part. They’re averaging over two goals per game at the moment and have won all three of their domestic home games so far in this campaign. Suffice to say that slow starters Lanus will be daunted by this task, particularly as they’ve lost here for two seasons running now without scoring a goal. A second win of the season for the visitors will have given them some momentum but I just don’t believe that they’re going to be able to match a daunting Estudiantes De La Plata in terms of class so a home win looks somewhat imminent to me at 3/4.

Bray Wanderers vs Cork City – away win at 5/6. As we reach the climax of the Irish Premier League, all the clubs are now well aware that now is the time to obtain points – well, if you still have a goal left for the season, that is! Hosts Bray Wanderers may have some forlorn hopes of staying in the division but it looks unlikely to me given their poor form and the distance they are away from safety. Four straight defeats makes Bray Wanderers cannon fodder today and I think Cork City are perfectly placed to take advantage of that fact. The visitors were on a shaky run but a morale-boosting victory against European place rivals Derry City will have done much to aid their ailing campaign and provide some much-needed momentum as we enter the final stage of the season. The visitors have been convincing away from home this season and it’s hard to see that changing as they travel to a weak and out-of-form Bray Wanderers. Both sides need to take three points here so an open game should leave an away win rather clearly upon the table so it’s worth taking at 5/6.

Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers - away win at 11/8. This is a very risky call as Derry City are a capable side on their day and Shamrock Rovers aren’t quite as good as their form is making them out to be. That said, Shamrock Rovers certainly are the in-form side in the Irish Premier League at the present time. In fact, they’re doubly-buoyed after a vital victory over title rivals Bohemians last match gave them the lead in the league table, something I feel is imperative in the final stretch of the season, as does anyone with a brain! The visitors have won eight from fifteen away games, which is really very respectable indeed, particularly as they’ve only lost once along the way. Atypically, I’d be more hesitant about backing this game as Derry City are a decent side but two straight defeats for them (including a demoralising defeat to rivals Cork City) leaves them in limbo and Shamrock Rovers are not a side to host without a full concentration at the present time. For me, there’s value in the away win at 11/8 although draw no bet is a wise approach for this one for obvious reasons.

Helmond Sport vs De Graafschap – home win at 6/4. This is another risky call but I feel the hosts are good enough to make it worthwhile. Visitors De Graafschap are arguably the best side in the Eerste Divisie but this record appears to only reveal itself when they play on their own turf. Away from home, they’ve not managed a sole victory yet, drawing three times and losing once. They’re not big on conceding goals away from home but they are surprisingly amongst the lowest scorers in the league on the road. De Graafschap are a threat for most (if not all) Eerste Divisie sides but simply can’t seem to show it away from home. Unfortunately for them, they’re travelling to a good Helmond Sport side that will do their utmost to challenge them for an Eredivisie place next season. Although Helmond Sport’s home form isn’t as convincing as it should be (five games, two wins, two draws and one defeat), the fact remains that they’ve won three from their last four games and take good momentum into this game. De Graafschap may mirror that momentum but they simply cannot take it away from home with them so I feel the home win at 6/4 between two very good sides could prove to be good value.

Omniworld vs Zwolle - away win at 10/11. It wasn’t long ago that I pointed out that Zwolle are due for a burst of form and now they’ve finally had it. Three straight wins has seen them rise to ninth place on their journey back to the top of the Eerste Divisie, where they generally belong. Atypically, I’d not be too convinced just yet that Zwolle have left their poor games behind them but I was swayed when I saw that they faced Omniworld, a side I consider to be the worst in the Eerste Divisie. Three straight defeats for them sees them lying where they usually do – near the bottom of the table. Generally speaking, there’s a big quality difference between these two sides and I can’t help but feel that Zwolle are perfectly placed to ensure that Omniworld are aware of that today by winning. For me, the away win at 10/11 bears significant value and was a contender for game of the day!

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

UEFA European U21 Championships:

Serbia U21 vs Cyprus U21 (9) -1.75 handicap
Estonia U21 vs Switzerland U21 (8) 0-2
Iceland U21 vs San Marino U21 (9) -1.75 handicap
Latvia u21 vs Romania U21 (7) 0-1
Liechtenstein U21 vs Poland U21 (8) 0-2
Greece U21 vs Portugal U21 (6) 1-1
Ukraine U21 vs Belgium U21 (5) 1-1
Finland U21 vs Netherlands U21 (5) 2-1
Republic of Ireland U21 vs Georgia U21 (7) under 2.5 goals
England U21 vs Republic of Macedonia U21 (8) under 2.5 goals
Malta U21 vs France U21 (9) -1.75 handicap

Argentinian Primera Division:

Chacarita Juniors vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (7) 0-1
Rosario Central vs Gimnasia De La Plata (6) under 2.5 goals
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Lanus (8) over 2.5 goals

Australian A-League:

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC (6) 1-1
Perth Glory vs Adelaide United (6) 1-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Lierse SK vs Beveren (8) over 2.5 goals

English League One:

Hartlepool United vs Brentford (6)
Southend United vs Southampton (6)

Greek B Ethniki:

OFI Crete vs Panserraikos (7)

International Friendly:

Germany U21 vs Slovenia U21 (8) 2-0

Irish Premier League:

Bray Wanderers vs Cork City (8) 1-2
Bohemians vs Drogheda United (8) 2-1
Dundalk vs St Patrick’s Athletic (5) 1-0
Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers (7) 1-2
Sligo Rovers vs Galway United (6) 1-1

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

Helmond Sport vs De Graafschap (6) over 2.5 goals
Veendam vs Cambuur Leeuwarden (7)
Dordrecht ’90 vs Emmen (7)
Eindhoven vs Fortuna Sittard (6)
Omniworld vs Zwolle (8)
Volendam vs Top Oss (6)
Go Ahead Eagles vs AGOVV Appeldoorn (7)
Haarlem vs Excelsior (6)
MVV Maastricht vs Stormvogels Telstar (7)
RBC Roosendaal vs Den Bosch (6)

Welsh Premier League:

Bala Town vs Rhyl (9) over 2.5 goals
Newi Cefn Druids vs Caersws (6) 1-1
Neath Athletic vs Llanelli (8) over 2.5 goals

Enjoy your free betting tips!