Laval vs Dijon FCO

Today’s feautured game is the French Ligue 2 match between Laval and Dijon FCO. Laval have started this campaign well and currently find themselves in sixth place in the Ligue 2 table. Having only lost once in their seven games thus far, the hosts can be pleased with their start to life in Ligue 2. Laval have currently played three home games, winning twice and drawing just once, as well as averaging scoring two goals per game at home. Overall, they’re proving very difficult to beat and have already beaten Strasbourg here this season, although it’s fair to say Strasbourg are far from themselves at the current time. Two wins in four games says that Laval have enough momentum to cause a problem for visiting Dijon FCO today. The visitors have picked up this season where they left off – winning at home and losing away, basically. They’ve drawn some games, of course, but that’s a general summary of their ways. For instance, last season Dijon FCO played nineteen away games and won just two, despite finishing eighth. They simply don’t score enough goals away from home. I daresay the board meeting with the manager this season went something like:

Board: ”We did well last season but what are you going to do to try and enable us to finish higher?”
Manager: “Umm…score less goals away from home, win less games away from home and try to complete a 100% home record all season?”
Board: “Sure, why not!”

Effectively, their away record of played four, drawn two, lost two, and scored one means that they’re yet again woeful on the road.

Summarised – if you can find good odds to lay Dijon FCO then do so but aside from that, taking the home win at 10/11 looks a good bet, as does under 2.5 goals seeing that neither side likes to score them!

Friday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Laval vs Dijon FCO – home win at 10/11 – see introduction for full details.

Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Argentinos Juniors - home win at 9/10. After an impressive away win against an out-of-sorts Boca Juniors, Godoy Cruz de Mendoza will be beyond buoyant, particularly as that victory involved them coming from behind to win. Despite having not won a home game yet this season (they’ve currently played two and drawn both) you have to fancy them to overcome Argentinos Juniors tonight. Why? Well, let’s not forget how woeful Argentinos Juniors were on the road in their last campaign, winning zero away games from nine attempts. Perhaps that explains at least a little why I am somewhat cynical of their current good form! Some things can change but as they say – “a leopard cannot change its spots”. Aside from that, Argentinos Juniors failed to beat Godoy Cruz de Mendoza in both clashes last season, drawing this particular fixture and actually losing the home fixture. In fact, you have to go back to 2006 to find the last time that Argentinos Juniors beat Godoy Cruz de Mendoza home or away. For those reasons, odds of 9/10 on the home win do look to have some value in them for me.

AIFK Turku vs Ilves – away win at 11/10. Both of these sides are enjoying a purple patch of late in the Finnish Kakkonen Lokho B but it’s Ilves who are making the bigger noises with their overall form. Currently sat third in the table, Ilves proudly boast thirteen wins from twenty-three games. Their away form is amongst the best in the Lokho B with five wins from nine games. Hosts AIFK Turku may be unbeaten in their last four games (they’ve won twice and drawn twice) but they’ve managed to lose all of their encounters with Ilves in their last three meetings at either ground. AIFK Turku are decent at home when compared to the rest of the Lokho B table but they’re not a particularly impressive side – period. I can’t see this game being a draw because both sides need three points for different reasons. If this is an open game and both sides go full-throttle then I expect to see Ilves walk away with three points because they’re simply a better side. If AIFK Turku decide the most they can get here is a draw and sit back then it could be a tricky game for Ilves. However, there’s enough going in favour of the away win for me to consider it somewhat fruitful at 11/10.

FC Nurnberg vs VFL Bochum – under 2.5 goals at 5/6. I don’t think there’s ever an awful lot you can write about under 2.5 goals calls, really – it’s just that both sides are too shit to score, atypically, for whatever reasons! Obviously there’s some other intricacies which can affect the call but generally that’s why they’re made and this game is no exception. Newly-promoted Nurnberg have only managed one win from six games so far and have scored just two goals at home in their opening three games. Visitors VFL Bochum have managed to score an appalling one goal away from home in their three away games this season, all of which were defeats. They concede just shy of three goals per game on the road currently but a misfiring Nurnberg are unlikely to continue that particular record. Basically, I can’t see either side having the form or the ability to overcome the 2.5 goals mark so I think under 2.5 goals at 5/6 looks a good bet.

Doxa Dramas vs Pierikos Katerini – home win at 5/6. This should be a close encounter with both sides currently unbeaten in the B Ethniki so far this season. However, I’m siding with the home win light of what both sides proved last season. Hosts Doxa Dramas boasted an unbeaten run of home games in the C Ethniki last year, winning a highly impressive thirteen games from seventeen. Whereas the B Ethniki is obviously a step up from the C Ethniki, Doxa Dramas will be relying on their home form to keep them in the division this year. Visitors Pierikos Katerini have started this season much like last season – winning at home and failing to win away. In the Ethniki B last season, Pierikos Katerini lost an astounding eleven games from seventeen on the road, winning just once! When you consider that only two sides in the whole of the division lost more away games than they did last season (one of which was ultimtely relegated), you have to wonder just how this side managed to finish 10th in the B Ethniki. Although it’s without doubt a dubious call, there’s certainly value in the home win at 5/6 if Doxa Dramas turn up.

Ferencvaros vs Fehervar – home win at 6/4. Despite fighting valiantly with reigning champions Debreceni VSC last game, Ferencvaros were consigned to a fifth successive game without a win on the road, leaving them to fall back upon their good home form. Currently boasting an unbeaten home record, Ferencvaros face one of their biggest tests so far as they entertain league leaders Fehervar. The visitors are the top scorers in the division and average just under three goals per game at the moment. However, Fehervar know they’re going to be facing a highly-motivated and battling Ferencvaros, something no side relishses. The hosts have won two and drawn once in their opening three games and will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Debreceni VSC by beating Fehervar today. Although I expect a close game with lots of goals, I thinkt the hosts are more than capable of taking three points today with the quality available at their disposal and the fact that the visitors are currenly over-achieving. By no means is this a dead cert, but taking the home win at 6/4 could have some value given that giants Ferencvaros seem to try even harder against sides competing for the Soproni Liga title for obvious reasons.

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Cork City - away win at 13/10. These two sides have a very strange head-to-head record as the away side has won this game for four games running at either ground. St Patrick’s Athletic have been a shadow of their former selves this season and will be happy to see it out and prepare for next season. Visitors Cork City, however, are still very much in the mix at the top of the table and will be desperately seeking a European place for next season. Only Derry City have won more away games than Cork City this season and given that St Patrick’s Athletic have lost four from their last five games, the away win does look favourable for this game. 13/10 on the away win is a bargain but I’d recommend using caution as St Patrick’s Athletic are still a big side capable of matching Cork City if they turn up – I just don’t think that they’re going to do it today.

Volendam vs Dordrecht ’90 – away win at 6/4. I was going to avoid this game when I saw that this ground has been something of a graveyard for big Eerste Divisie sides this season but was swayed when I saw that Voldendam were dragged into extra time by Eredivisie outfit Sparta Rotterdam three games ago in the Dutch Cup, eventually losing to their Eredivisie opponents 2-1. Volendam put a lot into that game and will be tired from it as it was only three days ago. Dordrecht ’90 were also in action but enjoying a home win against Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Cup without requiring extra time. Form-wise, Dordrecht ’90 have won three games from their last five, losing just once. They’ve won three and drawn once in their four away games this season, leaving them unbeaten on the road. The trip to recently-relegated Volendam is a tough one as they’ve only been beaten once at home this season in the Eerste Divisie but I think there’s enough in Dordrecht ’90′s favour to consider backing them at 6/4, particularly given that Volendam have won just once in their last five games. Needless to say, however, be cautious with your punts on this one!

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:

Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Argentinos Juniors (7) 2-1
Banfield vs Newell’s Old Boys (6) 1-0

Australian A-League:

Newcastle Jets vs Perth Glory (5) 1-2

Austrian Liga 1:

Austria Vienna II vs Hartberg (7)
Austria Lustenau vs Salzburg II (8)
SCR Altach vs First Vienna (8)
Wacker Innsbruck vs Dornbirn (9)
Gratkorn vs Lustenau (6)

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Dender vs Beveren (8)

Bulgarian A PFG:

Sliven vs Lokomotiv Sofia (8) 0-2

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Millonarios Bogota vs Real Cartagena (8) 2-0

Croatian Prva Liga:

NK Zagreb vs Sibenik (7) 0-1

English League Two:

Accrington Stanley vs Crewe Alexandra (6)

Finnish Kakkonen:

AIFK Turku vs Ilves (8)

French Ligue 2:

AC Ajaccio vs Tours (6)
Chateauroux vs Istres (7)
Clermont Foot vs Angers SCO (5) draw no bet
Guingamp vs Bastia (8)
Laval vs Dijon FCO (7)
Arles vs Vannes OC (7)

German Bundesliga:

FC Nurnberg vs VFL Bochum (7) under 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga 2:

Energie Cottbus vs FSV Frankfurt (8)
Rot-Weiss Oberhausen vs MSV Duisburg (5)
Union Berlin vs Rot-Weiss Ahlen (8)

Greek B Ethniki:

Doxa Dramas vs Pierikos Katerini (7)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Kaposvari Rakoczi vs Debreceni VSC (8) 1-2
Ferencvaros vs Fehervar (6) over 2.5 goals

Irish Premier League:

St Patrick’s Athletic vs Cork City (7) 1-2
Bray Wanderers vs Drogheda United (4) 1-0
Dundalk vs Galway United (6) 1-0

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

Excelsior vs Omniworld (7)
Eindhoven vs Stormvogels Telstar (6)
Emmen vs Helmond Sport (5) draw no bet
Volendam vs Dordrecht ’90 (6)
Cambuur Leeuwarden vs RBC Roosendaal (7) both sides to score
Top Oss vs MVV Maastricht (7)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Lechia Gdansk vs Zaglebie Lubin (6) under 2.5 goals
Legia Warsaw vs Lech Poznan (5) 1-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Olhanense vs Sporting Braga (7) 1-2

Romanian Liga:

Unirea Urziceni vs Astra Ploiesti (9) -1.75 handicap

Russian Premier League:

Rubin Kazan vs Amkar Perm (8) 2-1

Singaporean S-League:

Home United vs Woodlands (8) 2-0

Turkish Super Lig:

Genclerbirligi vs Trabzonspor (6) 1-2

Ukrainian Premier League:

Dynamo Kiev vs Zorya Lugansk (9) -1.75 handicap

Welsh Premier League:

Prestatyn Town vs Airbus (7) 2-1
The New Saints vs Newtown (8) -1.75 handicap

Enjoy your free betting tips and feel free to visit our forum!

Sporting Braga vs Porto

Today’s featured game is in the Liga Sagres between Sporting Braga and Porto. Sporting Braga currently sit atop the Liga Sagres with four wins from their opening four games, including a win at Sporting Clube de Lisboa. I find this interesting becase I don’t think Sporting Braga have played well enough to be where they are but nonetheless I give credit to them for some impressive results. I also find it interesting because I think they’ve got a much poorer coach now than the talented Jorge Jesus has moved on to SL Benfica in summer. Effectively, I think Sporting Braga are punching above their weight and are simply waiting to be knocked down. Enter reigning champions Porto! Much like their hosts, Porto are unbeaten in this campaign. However, unlike their hosts, they’ve shown reason as to why they’re one of the top clubs in the Liga Sagres by scoring plenty of goals and conceding very few. Porto will be disappointed to have lost away to Chelsea despite having a few good chances of their own so will be looking to bounce back at Sporting Braga. Although I would classify Sporting Braga as a good side, I still wouldn’t put them anywhere near Porto. The visitors have so much more class and finesse that the hosts simply shouldn’t be able to compete. It’s been that way in this fixture for two years running now; each time Porto has won the game. I think Sporting Braga are due a reality check and Porto look well-placed to be the side that gives them that kick! Frankly, the away win at 11/10 looks a real bargain!

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Sporting Braga vs Porto – away win at 11/10 – see introduction for full details.

Independiente vs Velez Sarsfeld – away win at 6/4. This is is a bit of a dubious call because Independiente are only ever good at home but Velez Sarsfeld’s form of late has convinced me that they’re more than capable of winning this game. Three wins and one draw from their last four league games and a mid-week victory over Boca Juniors in the Copa Nissan Sudamericana tells me that the visitors today have tremendous morale and momentum. Independiente generally make their home games count because they’re atrocious away from home but this season it’s been rather varied with two wins and two defeats, one of each at home and away from home. Their mixed form leaves me even more confident that a well-organised, efficient and solid Velez Sarsfeld will have no trouble dismantling the hosts tonight, particularly as the hosts find it hard to score goals currently at home and the visitors haven’t conceded any on the road yet this season. It should be quite a tight game but an away win looks favourable at 6/4. 

Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla – home win at 11/10. Assuming that this game actually finishes (i.e. it’s not interrupted by pitch invasions, riots, excessive red cards etc.) then I feel confident it’ll be a home win. Four home wins from four games so far signals the intent of Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota. They’re averaging at least three goals per game at home and look a frightening opponent at the present time. Atletico Junior Barranquilla are a good side and boast an even better home record than Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota but unfortunately own an extremely poor away record. In fact, today’s visitors have lost three times and drawn once on the road this season, making them susceptible cannon fodder for an impressive Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota today. I can’t put it more simply so I’ll simply state that 11/10 on a home win here is an absolute steal!

Aston Villa vs Portsmouth - lay Aston Villa at 15/8. This is a very risky call but I’m going to ride it. Aston Villa simply haven’t got going yet in any competition, something that has already seen them crash out of the Europa League to Austria’s Rapid Vienna. They hustled and bustled their way to three points last match in a local rivalry match with Birmingham City without really deserving the victory. Despite their record showing three straight wins, including a very impressive (but fortunate) win away to Liverpool, I’m just not convinced. I think they’ve been fortunate to win all of these games and although you do need fortune to win games, it shouldn’t be the focal point of your wins for the majority of the time, which it is. I also believe that Aston Villa don’t perform well as the favourites to win a game. My reasoning behind that is because they’re a very counter-attacking side with great pace but little ability to break down resilient defences currently. All that coupled with a supposed bust-up between manager Martin O’Neill and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker recently (resulting in the player being left out of the squad today) tells me that Aston Villa might not have it all their own way today. Portsmouth have been playing better lately now the issues surrounding their ownership have been resolved. The chairman appears to have restored some clarity regarding Paul Hart’s future at the club and the club have signed many new players just before the deadline to boost their chances of survival. They can count themselves highly unlucky to obtain nothing from the game at home to Bolton Wanderers are a spirited display and a touch of misfortune here and there, particularly with the conceding of a penalty. Portsmouth will be coming here with some belief from their last game and with even more determination to end their woeful run of form and they’ve got the players to cause problems in a shaky Aston Villa defence. Whereas I think this is far from a dead cert, I do think there’s potential value in laying Aston Villa at 15/8.

Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion – home win at 6/5. This was a tough call to make but one I agree with even in retrospect. Both of these sides are playing very good football and gaining very impressive results but there’s only side between these two that are currently playing like a Premiership side would and that’s Middlesbrough. The visitors today are conceding too many goals of late and are often falling behind before taking the lead. I simply don’t believe that can happen today. If they fall behind against Middlesbrough then they’ll be very lucky to get a draw from the game. Middlesbrough are barely conceding and look impressive every time I see them. In my opinion, they boast a better squad currently and have strengthened it with the acquisitions of Irishmen Sean St Ledger and Caleb Folan. This should be a close game and I really think both of these sides will be in the Premier League next year with their current form but current form also just favours Middlesbrough so I expect them to make the home advantage count and inflict West Bromwich Albion’s first defeat of the season with inviting odds of 6/5.

Millwall vs Huddersfield Town – away win at 7/5. With no wins in four games, Millwall look to be at rock-bottom mentally and need to pick themselves up quickly if they’re to have any chance of making themselves a force again. They’ve lost their last two games consecutively but they’re not being battered. In fact, it’s quite the reverse but they simply cannot score! Unfortunately for them, they’re hosting a massively in-form Huddersfield Town that know exactly how to score as they’ve managed it seventeen times in seven games, which is nearly 2.5 goals per game, well above anyone else’s goalscoring tally in the division. Three wins in their past five games and just one defeat says that Huddersfield Town have the form and ability to beat Millwall currently so the away win at 7/5 looks good to me.

Norwich City vs Charlton Athletic - away win at 6/4. Despite a surprising blip at home to Southampton, I fully expect Charlton Athletic to make light work of a mediocre Norwich City today. The hosts may have a new manager that is doing good work behind the scenes but their current form shows no wins in their past two games, including a poor draw at home to out-of-sorts Walsall. They suffered a mid-week defeat by high-flying Milton Keynes Dons despite having taken the lead and look destined for yet another tough clash today, this time with Charlton Athletic. Visitors Charlton Athletic will be keen to get back on track and I can’t see them failing to do so today against a side that are nowhere near as good as they are and don’t have any kind of momentum to oppose them. Therefore, the away win at 6/4 looks good to me.

Wycombe Wanderers vs Milton Keynes Dons – away win at 21/20. Visitors Milton Keynes Dons are unbeaten on the road this season from three games and have conceded just once in those three games. They’ve won four of their last five games and are currently in great shape to beat just about anyone! Happily for them, they’re facing arguably the worst side in the division currently – Wycombe Wanderers. Newly-promoted Wycombe Wanderers are finding life in League One very tough indeed with just one win in their past five games and a virtually permanent place in the relegation zone. They’re conceding far too many goals and this is something that will play into low-scoring Milton Keynes Dons’ hands perfectly as they like their low-scoring victories in a very efficient manner. Basically, these two sides are polar opposites and I expect that to show by the final whistle today with an away win at 21/20.

Crewe Alexandra vs Aldershot Town – home win at 4/5. Crewe Alexandra are beginning to show that they really are a League One side playing in League Two after a shaky start. They’ve won three from their last five games albeit with very little style! Despite Aldershot Town’s lofty perch, they’re not nearly as good as Crewe Alexandra, which immediately sets the precedent as to why I think this game will be a home win. However, the most overwhelming fact that I can give you to support my call is the fact that Aldershot Town are really poor travellers. They’ve already lost two from their three away games this season and managed to lose more away games last season than any other side in the division. If you add the above information together, you have a home win at 4/5 without too much fuss and most likely a rather droll encounter!

Darlington vs Bournemouth – away win at 5/6. It’s a shame to see a good side like Darlington playing so badly but football doesn’t have much room for compassion, only success. The hosts haven’t won any games out of seven attempts so far this season and that looks unlikely to change as they host high-flying Bournemouth. The visitors are currently top of the league and deservedly so after some very impressive displays and a form guide that shows six wins from seven games. Bournemouth are far from prolific but a woeful Darlington side that have scored just three goals in seven games shouldn’t be able to test them on that front and draw more goals out from the south coast side. Bournemouth’s main credential is that they rarely concede and given that the hosts can’t score and momentum favours the visitors, an away win looks clear as daylight to me at 5/6.

Morecambe vs Notts County – away win at 5/6. I’m a little dubious with backing moneybags Notts County are some recently unnerving displays but I’m taking them today because the hosts are an extremely poor opponent. True, they’ve only lost two games from seven, but they’re drawn five and won zero. Morecambe are coping well with the scoring goals side of things – it’s just the “don’t concede more goals than you’ve scored” side that they have to work on. Currently, Morecambe have conceded more goals in this division than anyone else and given that Notts County have scored more goals than anyone else in this campaign and also have a better squad, an away win looks relatively imminent at 5/6.

Grenoble Foot vs Stade Rennais – away win at evens. I think I’m becoming a secret fan of Stade Rennais but I genuinely do enjoy their football and I think you’ll see a sharp rise from them from now on after they got a win under their belt last match. They’re unbeaten so far this season and travel to Grenoble Foot, a side that knows all too well about defeat having lost all five of their games so far, scoring a miserly two goals in the process. They’re showing clear relegation form and without major changes, I can’t see them staying in Ligue 1 this year. Stade Rennais have the style and attacking potency to potentially do an awful lot of damage to little Grenoble Foot and I expect to see at least some of this damage today. Although today’s visitors haven’t won away from home in two attempts this season, you still have to sit back in amazement at the fact that the bookies have given evens on the away win here for a side that are clearly better due to the quality available to them and when considering the momentum of Stade Rennais also. This is one of the best bets today, in my opinion, and it only just missed out on being my featured game of the day!

SSC Napoli vs Udinese - over 2.5 goals at 4/5. There’s no great secret here. Both of these two sides are expected to do well this year and typically neither of them currently are. However, that doesn’t change the fact that both sides have a wealth of attacking options available to them with SSC Napoli having scored in every competitive game they’ve played so far and Udinese averaging over two goals per game currently. As you’d expect from both sides’ league placing, the number of goals conceded by each side is large, some of the largest in Serie A, in fact. Both of these two sides need three points to try and build some momentum and both sides score and concede freely so taking over 2.5 goals at 4/5 looks a bargain.  

Yokohama F Marinos vs Kashima Antlers – home win at 5/2. Out of all the leagues I cover, the J-League is the one that has the most baffling odds sometimes. Yokohama F Marinos are a big Japanese side with a big history. They’re not doing particularly well this season but they’re still a difficult side, particularly at home. Despite just one win in their past five games, Yokohama F Marinos are amongst the biggest goalscorers at home in the whole of the J-League. They’ve won two from their last three home games, drawing the other. Visitors Kashima Antlers are top of the league but their form is very hazy and doesn’t really give them any consistency. As a matter of fact, Kashima Antlers have lost all three of their last three away games. All of this information combined suddenly makes the home win at 5/2 look very interesting indeed, does it not?

Ruch Chorzow vs Cracovia Krakow – home win at 10/11. Taking Ruch Chorzow to win at home at 10/11 could well be one of the best bets of the day. The hosts play good football and have an impressive 100% home record – three wins from three games, five goals scored and none conceded. Visitors Cracovia Krakow are finding Ekstraklasa life very hard and sit just outside the drop zone currently. Although Cracovia Krakow haven’t lost in their last four games, the fact remains that they’ve scored just one away goal this season and that doesn’t look likely to change against an impenetrable Ruch Chorzow defence, particularly with the hosts boasting four wins from their past five games. Everything is pointing to a home win here and I’m more than happy to take it with the above in mind at 10/11.

Saturn Moscow Oblast vs Spartak Moscow – away win at 10/11. Despite a couple of shaky displays against Rubin Kazan and Dinamo Moscow, Spartak Moscow are still a very good side that simply needs a win to get them back on track. A trip to local rivals Saturn Moscow Oblast should be a good hunting ground for them given that Saturn Moscow Oblast took a real beating off reigning champions Rubin Kazan last match, a result that will have really knocked the wind out of them. Although Saturn Moscow Oblast have a good home record, a large number of those games were against sides either not as good as them or on a par with them. Today they face a Spartak Moscow side that are better than them and I expect it to show today as I cannot fathom Valery Karpin allowing his side to go without a win for three games consecutively after such an impressive campaign with the title chase still wide open. I expect a rather open game today as the hosts are hunting a Europa League place but ultimately I think there’s value in the away win at 11/10.

Rostov-na-Donu vs Kuban Krasnodor – home win at 4/5. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this will be the most boring game of the day. Neither of these two sides can score goals for shit so boring might not even be the word. However, Kuban Krasnodor boast the worst away record in the division with nine defeats from eleven games, drawing the other two. They average conceding over two goals per game away from home and average scoring each time there’s a full moon! Rostov-na-Donu fair a little better than today’s visitors. Although they don’t score many at home (not even one per game on average!), nobody has conceded less goals than Rostov-na-Donu at home this season. Neither side has any consistency to speak of  but the above information on home and away form leaves me in little doubt that this will be anything but a home win at 4/5.

Lokomotiv Moscow vs FK Moscow – home win at evens. Yury Semin sure has got Lokomotiv Moscow doing damage like they used to some time ago! I don’t know how he’s done it, to be honest, but he’s doing it very bloody well! In fact, he’s done it well enough to be able to actually label Lokomotiv Moscow as title challengers, currently! They’ve won four of their last five games, drawing the other. They’re a more prolific than efficient side, which is a trait that Semin brings to most (if not all) of the clubs he manages. They’re the only side in the Russian Premier League to remain unbeaten at home in this campaign and are one of the biggest goalscorers at home, as well as boasting seven wins from eleven home games. Despite an impressive start to their season, FK Moscow are finally beginning to show that they’re actually pretty average at best. It was only a matter of time before their bubble burst but now it has, they could have serious problems, particularly against a very potent Lokomotiv Moscow side. The visitors have won just once in their last five games, losing three times in the process. That kind of form won’t keep them anywhere but on the road down the table whereas their hosts today are on their way up. There’s a mismatch of quality, momentum and form here today so the home win looks a real steal at evens.

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – over 3.5 goals at evens. I don’t think I need to explain this one, surely? Anyone who knows anything about football knows that these two sides go at it like hammer and tongs each time they meet! Defence ceases to exist and this is backed up by the fact that four out of the past five games between these two sides has resulted in over 3.5 goals. An in-form Barcelona are taking on a disrupted Atletico Madrid so the goals may be a little one-sided but I thoroughly expect success with this bet.

Cordoba vs Celta de Vigo – home win at 6/5. Despite fairly impassive form from both sides so far this season, Celta de Vigo suffered transfer-wise in summer, particularly with the loss of striker Kamel Ghilas to English Premier League side Hull City. The visitors haven’t won a game yet this season and appear destined for a long haul this year. The hosts are in a similar position but have at least won a game this season, which was a home win, unsurpisingly. Why am I making a call on such a tight game then, you ask? Well, there’s not too much between these two sides but one undeniable fact that has swayed me; Cordoba were one of the best home sides in the Segunda Liga last season and will seek to do the exact same this year. Celta de Vigo were one of the worst away sides last year and appear destined to be following the same pattern. It’s all I have to go off but at 6/5, it’s certainly worth a punt.

Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Real Union Club de Irun – home win at 3/4. Despite a mixed start to the campaign for Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, you have to fancy them to overcome newly-promoted Basque club Real Union Club de Irun. The visitors have only managed to score once in their first three games and could well be relegated this season if they don’t start improving their performances and goalscoring tendancies. The hosts played well last year and still have a good squad. Is it good enough to take them to the Primera Liga? Possibly, but we’ll see where they are at Christmas. In the meantime, they’re playing a side with half the ability of them and on their own ground. In my eyes, 3/4 on a home win is a no-brainer.

Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk vs Karpaty Lviv – lay Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk at 13/10. This is a very risky call but I tend to find that bookies overrate Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk far too much when you consider how often they don’t manage to win at home when the bookies expect them to. Don’t get me wrong, they rarely lose at home, but they just don’t win as often as they should, which is largely attributed to the fact that they don’t like scoring goals. Today they host a Karpaty Lviv side that have impressed me this year with some good displays. They’ve got a good squad and taking on a Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk side that aren’t firing on all cylinders yet so early in the season makes me think that the visitors might just be able to steal a result today, particularly as they’ve only been beaten once in their last five games. As I said, this is a risky call but I can see value in laying Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk at 13/10.

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:

Colon de Santa Fe vs Chacarita Juniors (8) 2-0
Gimnasia De La Plata vs Tigre (6) 1-1
Argentinos Juniors vs Atletico Tucuman (7) 1-0
Independiente vs Velez Sarsfeld (6) 0-1, draw no bet

Australian A-League:

Central Coast Mariners vs Gold Coast United (5) 1-1

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

Granit Mikashevichi vs FC Smorgon (7) 2-0
MTZ-RIPO Minsk vs FC Gomel (5) draw no bet
Torpedo Zhodino vs Dinamo Brest (6) 2-1
Naftan Novopolotsk vs FC Minsk (8) 2-1
Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs Dnepr Mogilev (7) 1-0
FC Vitebsk vs Dinamo Minsk (6), 1-2 draw no bet

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Zulte-Waregem vs Excelsior Mouscron (7) 2-0
Cercle Brugge vs Germinal Beerschot (6) 1-0
Lokeren vs Standard de Liege (8) over 2.5 goals
Kortrijk vs Sint-Truiden (6) 1-1
Mechelen vs Roeselare (8) 2-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Turnhout vs Tubize (6)
Brussels vs Lierse SK (7)
KVSK United vs Eupen (7)
Mons vs OH Leuven (8)
Liege vs Antwerp (6)
Beveren vs Red Star Waasland (5)
Tournai vs Standaard Wetteren (6)
Ronse vs Dender (8)

Brazilian Serie A:

Nautico vs Atletico Mineiro (6) 1-2
Vitoria vs Internacional (7) 1-1
Atletico Paranaense vs Sport Recife (5) 1-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Slavia Sofia vs Sliven (6) 2-1
Beroe vs Sportist Svoge (7) 2-0
Chernomorets Burgas vs Pirin Blagoevgrad (8) -1.75 handicap

Chinese Super League:

Shaanxi Zhongxin vs Henan Jianye (6) 1-1
Shenzhen vs Beijing Guoan (5) 1-0

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Atletico Huila vs Deportivo Pereira (7) 1-1
Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (8) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Once Caldas Manizales vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (6) 1-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Istra 1961 vs Cibalia Vinkovci (6) 0-1
Osijek vs Zadar (8) 2-1
Hajduk Split vs NK Zagreb (9) 2-0
Sibenik vs Varteks Varazdin (6) under 2.5 goals
Karlovac vs Lokomotiva Zagreb (8) 2-0
Croatia Sesvete vs Slaven Koprivnica (7) 1-2

Cypriot Division 1:

A.E.Paphos vs Doxa (6) 1-0
Aris vs Apollon Limassol (8) 1-2
Omonia Nicosia vs Ethnikos Achnas (9) -1.75 handicap

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Viktoria Plzen vs Mlada Boleslav (6) 1-1
Jablonec vs Slovan Liberec (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game

Danish Superligaen:

Aalborg BK vs Silkeborg (8) 3-1

Danish 1st Division:

Viborg vs Fyn (7)
Braband vs Fredericia (8)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Deportivo Quito vs Liga de Quito (7) 1-2, at least one red card in this game

English Premier League:

Burnley vs Sunderland (6) 1-1
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic (8) over 2.5 goals
Aston Villa vs Portsmouth (4) 1-1
Bolton Wanderers vs Stoke City (7) 0-0
Hull City vs Birmingham City (6) 0-0
West Ham United vs Liverpool (5) 1-1

English Championship:

Barnsley vs Swansea City (5)
Bristol City vs Scunthorpe United (5)
Cardiff City vs Queens Park Rangers (6)
Crystal Palace vs Derby County (7)
Doncaster Rovers vs Ipswich Town (6)
Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion (7)
Newcastle United vs Plymouth Argyle (9)
Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool (6)
Peterborough United vs Reading (7)
Preston North End vs Coventry City (7)
Watford vs Leicester City (8)

English League One:

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

English League Two:

Barnet vs Bradford City (8)
Burton Albion vs Dagenham & Redbridge (6) draw no bet, over 2.5 goals, both sides to score
Cheltenham Town vs Rotherham United (7)
Chesterfield vs Macclesfield Town (7)
Crewe Alexandra vs Aldershot Town (7)
Darlington vs Bournemouth (8)
Hereford United vs Accrington Stanley (5) draw no bet
Lincoln City vs Shrewsbury Town (5)
Morecambe vs Notts County (8)
Northampton Town vs Rochdale (6)
Port Vale vs Bury (7)
Torquay United vs Grimsby Town (6)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Sillamae Kalev vs Tulevik Viljandi (9) -1.75 handicap
Tallinna Kalev vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (7) 1-2
Flora Paide vs Trans Narva (9) -1.75 handicap
Kuressaare vs Levadia Tallinn (10) -2.75 handicap
Flora Tallinn vs Nomme Kalju (6) 3-2

Finnish Ykkonen:

TPV Tampere vs Klubi 04 Helsinki (6)
FC Hameenlinna vs Jippo Joensuu (7)
PS Kemi Kings vs Kiisto Vaasa (7)
AC Oulu vs Viikingit Helsinki (8)
PK 35 Helsinki vs PoPa Pori (6)

Finnish Kakkonen:

Lohko A:

LPS Helsinki vs Kultsu FC Joutseno (8)
PK Keski Uusimaa Kerava vs Kiffen (6)
KaPa Helsinki vs Futura (7)
HIFK Soccer Helsinki vs KTP Kotka (8)

Lohko B:

FC Honka Espoo II vs AIFK Turku (6)
FC Espoo vs EIF Ekenas (8)
KaaPo Kaarina vs LoPa Lohja (6) draw no bet

Lohko C:

GBK Kokkola vs FC OPA Oulu (8)
Virkia vs FCV (7)
Jyvaskyla Blackbird vs JBK Pietarsaari (7)
Santa Claus vs Norrvalla FF Voyri (8)
FC YPA Ylivieska vs SJK Seinajoki (7) over 2.5 goals
VIFK Vaasa vs OPS Oulu (8)

French Ligue 1:

Boulogne vs Girondins de Bordeaux (8) 1-2
Grenoble Foot vs Stade Rennais (8) 0-2
Lorient vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (6) 2-1
OGC Nice vs AS Monaco (5) 1-1
Saint-Etienne vs Auxerre (5) 1-0
Sochaux vs Valenciennes (7) 1-0
Olympique de Marseille vs Montpellier HSC (8) 2-0

German Bundesliga:

Bayern Munich vs Nurnberg (9) -1.75 handicap
VFB Stuttgart vs Koln (8) 2-0
Hannover 96 vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (7) 1-1
VFL Bochum vs Mainz (6) 0-0
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Hoffenheim (6) 1-2

German Bundesliga 2:

Greuther Furth vs Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (6) over 2.5 goals
Rot-Weiss Ahlen vs Fortuna Dusseldorf (6)

Greek Super League:

Kavala vs Atromitos (6) 1-0
Panionios vs Asteras Tripolis (5) 0-0
Iraklis vs Larissa (6) 1-2

Greek B Ethniki:

PAE Ethnikos Piraeus vs Thrasivoulos (7)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

MTK Budapest vs Kaposvari Rakoczi (7) 2-1
Ujpest vs Nyiregyhaza Spartacus (8) -1.75 handicap
Szombathelyi Haladas vs Kecskemeti TE (6) 1-1
Disogyori VTK vs Budapest Honved (6) 0-0
Papa vs Vasas Budapest (6) 1-0
Fehervar vs Paksi SE (8) 2-0

Irish Premier League:

Shamrock Rovers vs Bray Wanderers (8) 2-0

Italian Serie A:

SSC Napoli vs Udinese (7) over 2.5 goals
Juventus vs Livorno (8) -1.75 handicap, Diego to score at any time

Italian Serie B:

Albinoleffe vs Piacenza (5)
Cesena vs Triestina (7) under 2.5 goals
Empoli vs Frosinone (7) both sides to score
Grosseto vs Modena (6)
Lecce vs Crotone (8)
Padova vs Ancona (6)
Reggina vs Cittadella (7)
Sassuolo vs Mantova (7)
Vicenza vs Gallipoli (7)

Japanese J-League:

Albirex Niigata vs Oita Trinita (8) 2-1
Jubilo Iwata vs Kyoto Purple Sanga (6) 1-1
FC Tokyo vs Gamba Osaka (7) 1-2
Yokohama F Marinos vs Kashima Antlers (6) 2-1
Omiya Ardija vs Nagoya Grampus (6) 1-1
Montedio Yamagata vs Shimizu S-Pulse (7) 0-1
Kawasaki Frontale vs Urawa Red Diamonds (7) over 2.5 goals

Mexican Primera Division:

Cruz Azul vs San Luis (8) 1-0
Pachuca vs Monterrey (7) 1-1
Tigres UANL vs Indios (6) 1-0
Guadalajara vs Jaguares (7) 2-0
Atlante vs Santos Laguna (6) 1-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

Heracles Almelo vs Sparta Rotterdam (6) 1-0
Vitesse Arnhem vs RKC Waalwijk (7) 2-0
Roda JC Kerkrade vs NAC Breda (7) 1-2
AZ Alkmaar vs NEC Nijmegen (8) 3-1

Norwegian Tippeligaen:

Odd Grenland Skien vs Stabaek (7) 1-1
Aalesunds vs Brann Bergen (7) 1-2

Norwegian 2 Divisjon:

Avdeling 1:

Strommen vs KFUM Fotball Oslo (8) both sides to score
FK Tonsberg vs Eidsvold TF (8)
Fram IF Larvik vs Skjetten Fotball (7)
Mandalskameratene vs Pors Grenland (8)

Avdeling 2:

Strindheim IL vs Skarbovik IF Aalesund (7)
Nardo FK Trondheim vs Steinkjer FK (6)
Drobak Frogn IL vs Lorenskog IF (6)

Avdeling 3:

Asane IL Ulset vs Sandnes Ulf (7)
Sford Sunnhordland FK vs Randaberg IL (7)
Nest Sotra Agotnes vs Algard FK (6)

Avdeling 4:

Korsvoll IL Oslo vs Baerum SK Sandvika (6)
Valdres FK Fagernes vs Kjelsas Oslo (8)
Asker Fotball vs FF Lillehammer (5)
Mo IL vs Manglerud Star Oslo (6)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Arka Gdynia vs Polonia Warsaw (6) 1-1
Korona Kielce vs Slask Wroclaw (6) 0-0
Lech Poznan vs Odra Wodzislaw (8) 2-1
Ruch Chorzow vs Cracovia Krakow (8) 2-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Pacos de Ferreira vs Rio Ave (6) 1-0
Sporting Braga vs Porto (8) 1-2

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Feirense vs Trofense (7)
Varzim vs Desportivo Chaves (6)
Portimonense vs Gil Vicente (6)

Romanian Liga:

Otelul Galati vs Gaz Metan Medias (6) 1-0
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt vs Gloria Bistrita (4) 0-1
Universitatea Craiova vs Rapid Bucharest (7) 1-1

Russian Premier League:

Saturn Moscow Oblast vs Spartak Moscow (7) 1-2
Rostov-na-Donu vs Kuban Krasnodor (6) under 2.5 goals
Lokomotiv Moscow vs FK Moscow (7) over 2.5 goals

Russian Division 1:

Anzhi Makhachkala vs Volga Nyzhnyi Novgorod (8) both sides to score, over 2.5 goals
NoSta Novotroitsk vs Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast (6)
FK Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Salyut Belgorod (7)
Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan vs KamAZ Nab Chelny (6)
Alaniya Vladikavkaz vs Metallurg Lipetsk (8)
Shinnik Yaroslavl’ vs Energiya Khabarovsk (7)
Vityaz Podolsk vs Sibir Novosibirsk (5)
FK Krasnodor vs FK Chita (6)
Baltika Kaliningrad vs Luch-Energiya Vladivostok (7)

Scottish Premier League:

Kilmarnock vs Rangers (8) 0-2
Aberdeen vs St.Mirren (7) 2-1
Dundee United vs Motherwell (7) over 2.5 goals
Hamilton Academicals vs Falkirk (6) 1-0

Serbian Super Liga:

BSK Borca vs Cukaricki (6) 1-0
Spartak Subotica vs Hajduk Kula (5) 0-0
Jagodina vs Javor Ivanjica (5) 1-2
Rad Belgrade vs Borac Cacak (6) 1-0
Napredak vs Mladi Radnik (6) 1-1
Metalac GM vs OFK Belgrade (7) 0-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Senica vs Nitra (5) 1-1
Slovan Bratislava vs Banska Bystrica (7) 2-1
Ruzomberok vs Artmedia Petrzalka (6) 0-1
Spartak Trnava vs Dubnica (8) 2-0
MSK Zilina vs DAC Dunajska Streda (8) 2-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Koper vs Nafta Lendava (8) 2-0
Interblock Ljubljana vs Maribor (7) 1-1
Celje vs Domzale (7) 2-1
Gorica vs Rudar Velenje (4) 1-0

Spanish Primera Liga:

Deportivo La Coruna vs Espanyol (8) 2-1
Real Mallorca vs Tenerife (8) 2-0
Osasuna vs Sevilla (7) 1-1
Malaga vs Racing Club de Santander (6) 1-1
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid (9) over 3.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Huesca vs Gimnastic de Tarrgona (6)
Numancia vs Real Murcia (7)
Levante vs Elche (7)
Cordoba vs Celta de Vigo (7)
Cartagena vs Castellon (5)
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Real Union Club de Irun (8)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Celta de Vigo II vs Compostela (6)
Sestao River Club vs Osasuna II (5)
Izarra vs Zamora (7)
Lemona vs  Guijuelo (6)
Mirandes vs Athletic Club de Bilbao II (6)
Palencia vs Barakaldo (6)
Pontevedra vs Racing Club de Ferrol (7)
Deportivo Alaves vs Cultural y Desportiva Leonesa (8)

Group 2:

Cacereno vs Real Madrid II (6)
Cerro Reyes Badajoz vs Puertollano (6)

Group 3:

Benidorm vs Mallorca B (7)
Espanyol Barcelona II vs Alicante (6)
Logrones vs Terrassa (6)

Group 4:

Caravaca vs Melilla (6)
Sevilla Atletico vs Roquetas (7)
Real Jaen vs Moratalla (7)
Ecija Balompie vs Granada (8)
San Roque vs Polidesportivo Ejido (7)
Lucena vs Real Betis II (8)
Ceuta vs Marbella (7)
Aguilas vs Jerez Industrial (6)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Halmstads vs Helsingborgs (6) 0-0

Turkish Super Lig:

Besiktas JK vs Kayserispor (7) 2-0
Ankaragucu vs Genclerbirligi (6) 1-2
Eskisehirspor vs Gaziantepspor (6) 1-1
Diyabakirspor vs Manisaspor (6) 1-0
Sivasspor vs Bursaspor (7) 1-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Zorya Lugansk vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (6) under 2.5 goals
Obolon Kiev vs Zakarpattia Uzhhorod (7) 2-1
Illichivets Mariupol vs Chernomorets Odessa (6) over 2.5 goals
Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk vs Karpaty Lviv (5) 1-1

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Danubio vs River Plate Montevideo (7) 2-1
Fenix vs Cerro Largo (6) 1-2
Penarol vs Tacuarembo (7) 2-0

Welsh Premier League:

Bangor City vs The New Saints (5) 1-1
Carmarthen Town vs Prestatyn Town (6) 0-0
Connah’s Quay Nomads vs Haverfordwest County (6) 0-1
Neath Athletic vs Caersws (7) 2-0
Newtown vs Rhyl (8) 0-2

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