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Today’s secondary featured game is the Bundesliga clash between Hannover 96 and Borussia Moenchengladbach. Both sides have a need for the three points on offer today but for varying reasons with the hosts looking to attain a European place and the visitors just wanting to stay in the division.

Hannover 96 have been immense this season, all in all. No side has won more Bundesliga home games than they have and only giants Bayern Munich can match their eleven wins in fifteen home games. They average scoring nearly two goals per home game and are deservedly in the UEFA Europa League places at the moment. Strike duo Ya Konan and Abdellaoue have really hit it off this season with both playing instrumental roles in Hannover 96′s deadly counter-attacks. They’re solid at the back too though, which is puzzling but impressive. They’ve kept three clean sheets in their last five games, winning three times, drawing once, and losing once. They’ve won eight out of their last nine home games, Hannover 96, with only tempremental Schalke 04 breaking that run with a surprise 0-1 win here back in January. Hannover 96 have won five home games since then, keeping four clean sheets along the way with only Bayern Munich daring to score here in a 2-1 defeat. Hannover 96 have got virtually a full-strength side here and given how impressive they continually are at home, I’ve no choice but to recommend the home win here.

Gladbach are a side that I’ve campaigned for as the odds on them are generally pretty unfair. They play some decent football and I think they’d be much better off if they could actually defend but as they can’t, they’re not likely to be in the Bundesliga next season. Nonetheless, the opportunity is still there for them to get out of the relegation mire that they’re in if they string some wins together so they have to attack Hannover 96 here. Alarm bells ringing, anyone? They’re going to try and attack arguably the best counter-attacking team in Germany right now because they don’t really have a choice! They miss de Camargo’s finishing in attack too, with the Brazilian-born Belgian international still absent with long-term injury. The likes of Arango can make the chances but who is going to score them? Gladbach have a good goalscoring record away from home in the Bundesliga this season, all things considered. However, since de Camargo has been out, they’ve scored three times in their last five away games, failing to score in their last two away games consecutively, hence their predicament. The absence of Dante in this game leaves a gap that Hannover 96 can and probably will exploit so Gladbach’s suspect defence is already in trouble here.

For me, there’s only one winner in this game – Hannover 96. I’m surprised they’re as long as 4/5 given that I expect them to triumph whether Gladbach come here to defend or attack. However, I’m not one to question such generosity, only to hopefully profit from it so my call is a Hannover 96 win at 4/5 today.

Team news – Hannover 96 miss Miller, Avevor, Burmeister, Hofmann, Andreasen, Carlitos, Ernst, Evseev, and Stindl whereas Borussia Moenchengladbach miss Dante, Dorda, Janeczek, Jaures, Stalteri, Wissing, and de Camargo.

Verdict: Hannover 96 to win at 4/5.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Estudiantes De La Plata vs Velez Sarsfield - away win with draw no bet at 5/4.

Estudiantes have never really settled in at Quilmes’ Estadio Centenario Dr. Jose Luis Meiszner and their “home” form reflects it. They’ve won just twice at this ground in six attempts this season – well, three times in seven if you include the “away” game at Quilmes! – as they continually fail to find the net and concede stupid goals. How they’ll love to be back at the Jorge Hirsch when the renovations are complete! The loss of their manager pre-season didn’t help and although ex-River Plate defender Berizzo is doing a decent job in charge, he’s simply not experienced enough to lead this Estudiantes side as manager, in my view. I mean, seriously – when was the last time you could say that Estudiantes had failed to score in four out of their last five games in all competitions? That’s the record they have right now and it’s just not good enough. They’ve got the best playmaker in Argentina at their disposal – Veron – with a lot of experience around him in Brana, Desabato, Orion etc. and they’ve got a great winger in Barrientos and a good finisher in Fernandez so where’s the problem? Whatever it is, Estudiantes need to snap out of it or face a long and ultimately disappointing season. They drew 0-0 at home to defensively-inept Cerro Porteno a few days ago in the Copa Libertadores and now have a fairly tough trip to Paraguay to face the giants of Paraguayan football in the return leg next week so I’m not even sure that Berizzo will field a first-team tonight. Either way – Estudiantes are not well-placed to win this game.

Velez themselves haven’t been firing on all cylinders but unlike their hosts today, Velez are grinding out some wins. For example, they drubbed Liga de Quito 3-0 mid-week in the Copa Libertadores to ensure that their trip to Ecuador next week is easier as we all know the difficulty of playing at high altitude. You know, back-tracking a little here – I say Velez haven’t been firing on all cylinders but that’s by their own high standard. They’ve only lost once in their last eleven games and that was a bizarre encounter with Quilmes. Away from home, Velez are unbeaten in five games in all competitions, winning at defensive moguls River Plate, at in-form Olimpo, and during a tough trip to Caracas in Venezuela in a crucial game. They’ve drawn their two other games with Universidad Catolica in Chile and Colon de Santa Fe domestically. Although Velez miss winger Zapata for this game, which will affect their counter-attacking danger, they do still have “tank” Silva in attack alongside Martinez and with Moralez behind them both, we have a lethal triangle that is good enough to penetrate any defence in Argentina so I fancy Velez’s chances here.

Estudiantes don’t impress me at all at the moment but Velez’s efficiency does. Chances are strong that both sides will focus on their respective games next week rather than this one so do approach with caution. However, Velez have a stronger second team than Estudiantes do anyway, in my view, so the away win with draw no bet cover at 5/4 appeals to me today.

Team news – Velez Sarsfield miss Zapata.

Verdict: Velez Sarsfield to win with draw no bet at 5/4.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Arsenal de Sarandi – home win at 4/5.

It took me some time to endear Godoy Cruz de Mendoza as I didn’t quite “get” them, if you know what I mean. However, now I’m quite endeared by their tenacity and their desire to attack and score goals so I’m quite happy to back them here.

Godoy have impressed me by maintaining the form from the previous campaign in this one despite having a Copa Libertadores campaign during the current campaign, which has now unfortunately ended. Godoy’s success comes from an excellent and goal-filled midfield that is atypically driven by Rojas, who was recently called into the Argentinian national team. Alongside him, there’s Donda, Villar, and Sanchez, to name a few. Their attackers aren’t great but they all contribute and ultimately, Godoy still attack very well, hence their win at River Plate lately. They’re not particularly secure at the back but if you score two or three goals per game, it tends to be somewhat irrelevant how many you concede.

Arsenal de Sarandi really don’t like playing Godoy. They failed to score at Godoy during their last two visits and they lost their last two home games against Godoy and given that they’re missing number one goalkeeper Campestrini for this game through suspension, they must be a little nervous here. Arsenal are on a bit of a barren run too, having gone seven games without a win. They’ve taken two points from a possible eighteen away from home in the current campaign, averaging conceding nearly two goals per away game on average. Arsenal play with pluck but they don’t defend particularly well on the road. Obolo and Leguizamon is a dangerous duo to deal with in attack but Arsenal’s problem tonight will be keeping the hosts out, not scoring, in my view.

Godoy have won their last three Primera Division games in a row – why not a fourth tonight? Arsenal don’t defend well enough to keep them out and although Arsenal can score here, I simply think that the hosts will score more. For me, there’s value on the home win at 4/5.

Team news – Arsenal de Sarandi miss Campestrini.

Verdict: Godoy Cruz de Mendoza to win at 4/5.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Sturm Graz vs SV Mattersburg – under 2.5 goals at 11/10.

The bookies think this game will be a walk in the park for Sturm Graz but I disagree entirely.

Sturm Graz were magnificent during their 0-5 win at SV Kapfenberg last match but they’ve got to do it all again today. Breaking down physical sides isn’t easy and for a side like Sturm Graz that generally fails to break sides down anyway, this is not an ideal game. Look at their average goalscoring record at home – it’s about 1.5 currently. That’s not much for a league leading side, is it? Szabics and Kienast are decent strikers but neither are what Maierhofer was to Rapid Vienna, for example. Sturm Graz miss a “Plan B” in games like this, more often than not. The only times that Sturm Graz have scored a lot of goals at home this season has been when sides have attacked them ala Wiener Neustadt, Rapid Vienna, and LASK Linz. Aside from that, they very rarely score more than two goals; one if they’re lucky! Sturm Graz do have a good record when it comes to beating Mattersburg but eight out of the last ten meetings have gone under 2.5 goals; why not this one too?

Mattersburg are little more than a physical team that defends well but that’s enough for sides like Sturm Graz to struggle, in my view. Since returning from the winter break, Mattersburg have come back with renewed vigour, going under 2.5 goals in five out of their six away games as they get stuck into their opponents and make life hard for them. During that time, they’ve won 0-1 at Austria Vienna, drawn 1-1 at SV Ried, and lost 2-0 at Salzburg, so it’s not like they’ve faced poor sides. In fact, only four out of Mattersburg’s fifteen away games in the Bundesliga this season have gone over 2.5 goals so why should that change today? They don’t score many goals themselves and a draw here is a very good result in aiding them to beat the drop so I think we’ll see a tight game with few goals today

SV Mattersburg welcome back Waltner and Farkas to bolster midfield and attack respectively but make no mistake here – they’re coming for the draw. Sturm Graz struggle to break down sides like this so I’m frankly pretty surprised that odds of 11/10 are available on under 2.5 goals here.

Team news – Sturm Graz miss Perthel whilst having doubts over Wolf and Kienzl whereas SV Mattersburg miss Doleschal and Bliem.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 11/10.

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Wiener Neustadt vs Austria Vienna - away win at 5/4.

Only two factors have convinced me to make this call today – motivation and quality.

Motivation – Wiener Neustadt have none for this game. They’ve done well at home this season but they’ve already avoided relegation and they’re not going to get a European place so it’s no surprise at all that their recent form has been poor. They’ve failed to score in their past three games, losing all three of them. They lost their last home game 0-2 against SV Ried too. Wiener Neustadt have actually started focusing on next season’s Bundesliga campaign by extending the contracts of Kral, Madl, and Salkic, which shows how much attention they’re paying to this game. Wiener Neustadt do well at home because they work well as a unit and work very hard in general. They don’t have the latter without motivation, hence me going against them today.

Austria Vienna are the better side here and unlike their hosts, Austria Vienna do need the points. They’re a point behind Sturm Graz in the Bundesliga table so they’ve everything to play for. Nobody has won more away games than Austria Vienna this season in the Bundesliga with the Purple-Whites having won eight out of fifteen on the road, tasting defeat just once during that run. They average scoring nearly two goals per away game too! Form-wise – Austria Vienna have been disappointing lately – they’ve not won for four games in all competitions. However, they do tend to do well on the road and let’s face it – they need the points. Failing to win at SV Ried and Salzburg is no bad thing – they drew both of them, actually. The 3-3 draw with SV Kapfenberg was odd but aside from that, Austria Vienna have eased to wins at Wacker Innsbruck and LASK Linz respectively, the former of which I find very similar to Wiener Neustadt.

Therefore, I’m left with the away win at 5/4. It’s now or never for Austria Vienna – they have to win this game to keep their title hopes alive. Wiener Neustadt have nothing to play for and it’s showed of late so I think that the odds on the away win are quite generous.

Verdict: Austria Vienna to win at 5/4.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Dinamo Minsk vs Neman Grodno – lay Dinamo Minsk at 6/5.

I thought we might see Gurenko’s Dinamo Minsk struggle at the start of the current Vysshaya Liga and that’s exactly what has happened. Dinamo aren’t the greatest of starters anyway, to be fair. However, they lost so many good players pre-season that it’s no surprise that they’re not producing the goods. Over the past twelve months, they’ve waved goodbye to a massive portion of their outstanding midfield – Putsila, Kislyak, Rekish (on loan), Chukhley, Shkbara, Strakhanovich etc. Midfield was Dinamo’s strongest area by a mile so these sales seem bizarre to say the least. You have to suspect that Gurenko’s going for a more standard 4-4-2 rather than their fabled 4-5-1 with the signings of Kovel and Hleb pre-season, although he has signed midfielders ala Afanasiev, Bychenok, Perepechko, Yasinski, and Kibuk to strengthen the team. Dinamo’s team doesn’t have as much ability this season as last but they should still eventually make the top four. They’ve not got used to each other yet, though – that’s why they’ve bagged just one goal in their past five games. They’ve had some hard games, admittedly, but they’ve had some easy ones too so it’s safe to say that they’re not playing well.

Happily, from a betting perspective, they’re facing Neman Grodno, a side who actually did strengthen their side pre-season with a lot of good signings, especially in midfield. Indeed, they signed Dinamo Minsk’s midfielder Strakhanovich, who will surely line up against his old club today. They’ve brought in strong attacking players to bolster the team and it’s a shrewd move, really – they were already strong at the back so now that they can score goals too, they’re suddenly a dark horse for a European place. They’ve still got some distance to go, don’t get me wrong – the bizarre 0-1 defeat at home to Vitebsk proved that. However, their away form this season shows their glistening potential with a 1-1 draw at reigning champions BATE Borisov, two wins at Atlant against Naftan Novopolotsk, and a win at dogged Belshina. Their 1-1 draw at Dnepr Mogilev last match was a bit surprising as I expected them to win but it didn’t work out for them. Nonetheless, their counter-attacking ability is good and I expect them to cause Dinamo Minsk a lot of problems today as a result.

A surprise away win isn’t impossible here, in my eyes. However, there’s better odds on laying Dinamo Minsk, in my view, as Neman Grodno still have some internal adjusting to do themselves. Dinamo Minsk simply aren’t scoring goals, however, and that has to be taken advantage of wherever possible. For me, Neman Grodno are more than capable of leaving this game with at least a point although if you’re superstitious then leave this one – Neman Grodno have failed to score against Dinamo Minsk for eight consecutive meetings and have lost six of them!

Verdict: Lay Dinamo Minsk at 6/5.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Belshina vs FC Minsk – home win at 9/5.

Long odds so be careful here but I still like it nonetheless.

Belshina appear to have settled into the rut that worked well for them in the Vysshaya Liga last year – defending well, stealing a goal, and holding it. They’ve won three out of their last four games with that tactic, keeping three clean sheets along the way, unsurprisingly. They’re not the side to face when you’re out-of-form, which is exactly what FC Minsk are. Not a lot has changed in their camp since their impressive campaign last year but they’ve seemingly lost the ability to score goals and I don’t know why. Selling Osipenko was always going to hurt them but I didn’t think it would hurt them to this degree as they still have Sheryakov and new signings Vasilyuk, who has plenty of experience. Either way, FC Minsk have failed to score in three out of their last five games and were humiliated at home last match, incredulously losing 1-3 to a poor Vitebsk side. Confidence is low following three consecutive defeats and as I mentioned earlier – Belshina is not the side to face when not playing well.

FC Minsk lost here 2-0 last season so why not again today? FC Minsk are the better side but Belshina are a better unit as a whole. Therefore, I think the odds on the home win are a tad long at 9/5.

Verdict: Belshina to win at 9/5.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Zulte-Waregem vs Germinal Beerschot – home win at evens.

In order for Zulte-Waregem to have a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, they must win this game and hope Westerlo slips up at Kortrijk because otherwise, the last game of the little group that they’re in will be the decider and guess who Zulte-Waregem are facing in that game? Yes, that’s right – Westerlo away. Not ideal, is it?

Zulte-Waregem are keen to give their all in this game anyway as it’s the last home game for captain Nieuwenhuyze and I think they’ll work hard for him. Hyland and Habibou are a deadly duo when they’re allowed to be and Zulte-Waregem have won their last two games consecutively without conceding a goal so momentum is strong currently. They miss number one goalkeeper Bossut for this encounter, unfortunately, but I expect most of the action to be at the other end of the field so I’m not too concerned here.

Visitors Germinal Beerschot have to win this game or they’re screwed as far as the UEFA Europa League goes; it really is that simple. However, as a perpetually abysmal away team, this is not the ideal scenario for them – facing a better side away from home! They have two choices here – they either attack and get destroyed on the counter-attack or they defend and get broken down. The worst part is that they miss integral Kenyan midfielder Wanyama for this game. The eighteen year old has had a terrific campaign but without him in midfield, who on earth can handle the dangerous runs of Hyland? Nobody, in my view.

GBA have lost three out of their last four visits to Zulte-Waregem and with nobody to control arguably Zulte-Waregem’s most creative player, I can only see one winner today and that’s in-form Zulte-Waregem at decent odds of evens.

Team news – Zulte-Waregem miss Bossut and Sterckx whereas Germinal Beerschot miss Wanyama and Francois.

Verdict: Zulte-Waregem to win at evens.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Cherno More Varna vs Litex Lovech - away win at 6/5.

It’s never easy to win in Varna but if Litex ever had a chance to do so then this is it. They’ve been utterly immense since exiting European competition earlier this season, something which has inspired them to eight consecutive away wins in the A PFG, conceding just once along the way, which is amazing. They’ve scored in all of those games, naturally, and if they score here then I don’t see Cherno More being able to score against them in response given their solid defence. I’m amazed Litex are doing so well since the sale of Ivelin Popov at the start of the season, really, and especially surprised now that Niflore has gone too. Litex just look unbeatable, as they demonstrated with a recent trip to Cherno More’s bitter rivals Chernomorets Burgas and I just can’t see how the hosts will stop the league leaders here. It’s going to be a tight game – Varna’s home games always are – but for me, Litex are too long at 6/5 so that’s my call here.

Verdict: Litex Lovech to win at 6/5.

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Universidad de Concepcion vs Universidad Catolica - away win at evens.

I cannot get over how well Catolica are playing under Pizzi. He genuinely is the South American answer to Jose Mourinho in that he gets the best from his players every game and they play for him each time they go out onto the field. In South America, the hardest thing you can do is win a game after a Copa Libertadores encounter because of either distance travelled or a lack of depth. Catolica are a side that has dealt with that really very easily, winning after Copa Libertadores games far more often than losing or drawing. They seem to have no limitations on their stamina nor their determination so despite Catolica having only just got back from their heroic 1-2 victory in Brazil against Gremio, I’m going to take them to win this game. Admittedly, part of my confidence comes from the inability of their hosts to score goals – Universidad de Concepcion have only scored three goals in six home games in the Primera Division this season. They’re solid defensively, which is a problem for most sides but Catolica do have the firepower to break through. Concepcion have lost four out of their last five games so morale isn’t great currently and given that they’re facing a buoyant and very able Catolica side, my call here has to be the away win at evens.

Verdict: Universidad Catolica to win at evens.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Bayern Munich vs Schalke 04 – home win with -1.5 handicap at 9/10.

I’m not sure that there’s much I need to write for this one, really. Bayern average scoring nearly three goals per home game and have won eleven out of fifteen at home in the Bundesliga this season. They need the points so they’ll push to get them and with the likes of Ribery, Robben, and Muller in their ranks, there are goals a-plenty in this team. In addition to that, Schalke 04 have little to play for as they’re all but secure from relegation. Schalke 04 have a big game at Manchester United next week so it’d be understandable if they rested players here and let’s face it – if Rangnick doesn’t rest players here then he’s a fool. They may not have a chance in England next week but their players were ran ragged earlier this week in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final so if he does play his first string here then they’ll be knackered. For me, that’s good enough to take potent Bayern Munich to beat the -1.5 handicap here.

Team news – Bayern Munich miss Sattelmaier, Altintop, Luiz Gustavo, Pranjic, and Olic whereas Schalke 04 miss Huntelaar, Unnerstall, Hoogland, Howedes, Pachan, Pander, Kenia, Moritz, Streit, Gavranovic, Muller, and Pourie.

Verdict: Bayern Munich to beat the -1.5 handicap at 9/10.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Koln vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen - away win at 4/5.

I really don’t like opposing Koln at home because they’re so hard to beat, generally speaking. However, they’ve shipped twelve goals in their past three games, naturally losing all three games, so I have to go against them here. They’ve not only lost those three games convincingly but against relegation rivals Borussia Moenchengladbach, VfB Stuttgart, and VfL Wolfsburg – some of the worst possible sides that they could give points to. Morale is low as a result and yet they have to keep plugging away to try and stave off the threat of relegation. If they’re conceding as many goals as that, though, then they’re going to suffer today. Leverkusen haven’t been firing on all cylinders themselves lately, irrespective of what their results show. However, they’re a goalscoring side and have plenty of firepower so Koln could concede heavily for a fourth straight game here. Bluntly, I expect a lot of goals between these two sides here and I’d normally not touch the 1×2 market if Koln were in-form. However, given that Koln are shipping goals for fun, I have to take the away win at 4/5, especially considering that Leverkusen have won ten out of fifteen Bundesliga away games this season already whilst averaging scoring two goals per away game.

Team news – Koln miss Horn, Schwabke, Basala-Mazana, Cullmann, Giannoulis, Schorch, Vaassen, Buchtmann, Ciemens, Niedrig, Peszko, Uth, and Terodde whereas Bayer 04 Leverkusen miss Bobel, Fernandez, and Kampl.

Verdict: Bayer 04 Leverkusen to win at 4/5.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Alcorcon vs Huesca – home win at 9/10.

Huesca are a pain in the arse to beat because they park the bus but Alcorcon should have enough to break through today. Huesca have looked a bit weary lately, losing three out of their last four away games whilst conceding at least two goals in each of those three games. The only way Huesca can counter that is by scoring a lot of goals, which is something that they’re not capable of, in my view. They miss two important midfielders today in Bauza and Sastre, which prevents them from presenting their usual strong formation. They’ve still got a very experienced defence but Alcorcon love to break sides down at the back – it’s what they’re best at and it’s what has guided them to thirteen wins in eighteen Segunda Liga home games, despite having only just been promoted. They average scoring two goals per home game and welcome back long-term absentee and captain Ruben Sanz for this game, which should not only boost the team but should also stabilise the midfield. I’m a bit concerned that Quini is a doubt for this game for Alcorcon as he’s their best striker by a mile so perhaps wait until kick-off for this bet. However, if he’s fit and playing in this game, then I fully expect this game to result in Alcorcon’s eighth win in nine home games as they should score too many goals for Huesca to counter.

Team news – Alcorcon have doubts over Jeremy and Quini whereas Huesca miss David Bauza and Lluis Sastre.

Verdict: Alcorcon to win at 9/10.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Stade Nyonnais vs Chiasso – home win at 21/20.

If you talk about momentum, you talk about Stade Nyonnais in the Challenge League. This side has faced three of the best sides in the division away from home since returning from the winter break. They drew 1-1 at Lausanne Sports, won 1-5 at Vaduz, and won last match 1-2 at league leaders Lugano! This Nyonnais seemingly doesn’t recognise when sides are better than they are i.e. they’ve not read the script. They’ve now won four out of their last five games and are truly riding the crest of a wave ahead of this encounter. Besseyre and Pimenta in attack have been particularly dangerous of late and although Nyonnais miss Andreu in midfield, they still bring plenty of firepower into this game, especially with such strong momentum behind them.

I’ve opposed Chiasso a lot lately as they’ve run out of steam and motivation and I’m going to do the same again today. They defend quite well as a unit but they’re knackered due to having a thin squad and it really shows at this stage of the season. They’ve lost three out of their last four games despite all three of them being at home, where Chiasso are strongest. Chiasso don’t score many goals so when they fall behind in games, it tends to be rather conclusive. Chiasso are real battlers and won’t make this easy for the hosts but with no motivation and a lot of tired legs out there, I’m just not convinced that they can stop the freight train that is Nyonnais today so my call is the home win at 21/20.

Team news – Stade Nyonnais miss Andreu and Ngindu.

Verdict: Stade Nyonnais to win at 21/20.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Besiktas JK vs Galatasaray – home win at 9/10.

Simply put – better team. Galatasaray are pretty damn poor at the moment, as they have been for some years now. They don’t attack well, especially away from home, and consequently, they don’t score many goals. They’re vulnerable at the back and rely far too heavily on their few remaining “stars” to cover up the mistakes made by their far larger number of average players. Besiktas JK have one of the most dangerous attacks in Turkey with innumerate numbers of gifted passers and finishers. If they turn it on, they’ll win this game easily, even with their dubious defence. Besiktas themselves haven’t been terrific lately but for an Istanbul derby, they’ll be raring to go. Taking into account the squads of both teams and the firepower on show, there’s only one winner in this game for me and that’s Besiktas JK at 9/10.

Verdict: Besiktas JK to win at 9/10.

Why not bet on this game now at one of the best bookmakers around?

Accumulator fodder:

Viktoria Plzen, Nomme Kalju, Flora Tallinn, Vikingur Gotu, LOSC Lille, Bayern Munich, Bv09 Borussia Dortmund, SSC Napoli, FK Ventspils, Vaslui, Partizan Belgrade, Tampines Rovers, Slovan Bratislava, Barcelona.

Recommended bets:

Hannover 96, Besiktas JK, and Barcelona at around 3/1.

Bayern Munich -1.5, Alcorcon, and SSC Napoli at around 3/1.

Ingolstadt, Zulte-Waregem, and Viktoria Plzen at around 3/1.

As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!

Argentinian Primera Division:

San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Atletico Huracan (6) 1-1
All Boys vs Argentinos Juniors (6) 1-0
Racing Club Avellaneda vs River Plate (6) 0-0, at least one red card in this game
Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Arsenal de Sarandi (7) 2-1
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Velez Sarsfield (4) 1-2, at least one red card in this game

Austrian Bundesliga:

Wacker Innsbruck vs SV Kapfenberg (7) 2-0
Sturm Graz vs SV Mattersburg (6) 1-0
Wiener Neustadt vs Austria Vienna (6) 0-1
LASK Linz vs SV Ried (6) 1-1

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

Vitebsk vs Gomel (6) 0-1
Torpedo Zhodino vs Naftan Novopolotsk (7) 1-1
Shakhtyor Soligorsk vs BATE Borisov (6) 0-0
Belshina vs FC Minsk (5) 1-0
Dinamo Minsk vs Neman Grodno (6) 1-1
Dinamo Brest vs Dnepr Mogilev (7) 2-1

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Sint-Truiden vs Mechelen (7) 1-1
Lierse SK vs Cercle Brugge (5) 1-1
Kortrijk vs Westerlo (5) 1-2
Zulte-Waregem vs Germinal Beerschot (7) 2-0
AS Eupen vs Charleroi (5) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game

Bulgarian A PFG:

Cherno More Varna vs Litex Lovech (6) 0-1
Akademik Sofia vs Kaliakra (5) 2-1
Lokomotiv Plovdiv vs Minior Pernik (6) 1-0
Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Beroe (4) 1-0
CSKA Sofia vs Lokomotiv Sofia (7) 1-0, at least one red card in this game

Chilean Primera Division:

Palestino vs Nublense (7) 1-0
Universidad de Chile vs Colo Colo (5) 2-2, at least one red card in this game
Cobreloa vs Union San Felipe (5) 1-0
Cobresal vs Santiago Morning (6) 2-1
Universidad de Concepcion vs Universidad Catolica (7) 1-2
Union La Calera vs Huachipato (7) 1-1

Colombian Primera A:

Deportivo Pereira vs Deportes Tolima (4) 1-2
America de Cali vs Boyaca Chico (6) 1-0
Envigado vs Millonarios Bogota (7) 1-1
La Equidad Bogota vs Deportivo Cali (7) 1-0
Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs Once Caldas Manizales (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

Croatian Prva Liga:

Osijek vs Rijeka (7) 1-1
Zadar vs Hrvatski Dragovoljac (6) 2-1
Sibenik vs Dinamo Zagreb (5) 1-1
Istra 1961 vs Varteks Varazdin (5) 1-0
Hajduk Split vs Cibalia Vinkovci (6) 1-0
Inter Zapresic vs Split (6) 2-1

Cypriot Division 1:

AEK Larnaca vs Omonia Nicosia (5) 1-2
APOEL Nicosia vs Anorthosis Famagusta (7) 2-1
Apollon Limassol vs Enosis Neon Paralimni (6) 2-1
A.E.Paphos vs Ermis (6) 1-0
Ethnikos Achnas vs Alki (7) 1-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Marila Pribram vs Jablonec (7) 0-1
Mlada Boleslav vs Hradec Kralove (6) over 2.5 goals
Brno vs Viktoria Plzen (8) over 2.5 goals
Banik Ostrava vs Ceske Budejovice (6) 0-0

Danish Superligaen:

Aalborg BK vs Midtylland (5) 1-0

Danish 1st Division:

Bronshoj vs Vestjaelland (6)
Hobro vs Kolding (3) over 2.5 goals
HB Koge vs Viborg (7)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

LDU Loja vs Olmedo Riobamba (5) 2-1

English Premier League:

Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers (6) 2-2, at least one red card in this game
Blackpool vs Stoke City (5) 1-2
Sunderland vs Fulham (7) 1-1
West Bromwich Albion vs Aston Villa (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Wigan Athletic vs Everton (5) 0-1
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur (5) 1-1

English Championship:

Leeds United vs Burnley (4)
Watford vs Queens Park Rangers (6)
Ipswich Town vs Preston North End (7) over 2.5 goals
Hull City vs Crystal Palace (7)
Derby County vs Bristol City (5)
Sheffield United vs Barnsley (6) at least one red card in this game
Doncaster Rovers vs Leicester City (5)
Nottingham Forest vs Scunthorpe United (7)
Millwall vs Swansea City (6)
Coventry City vs Reading (5)

English League One:

Exeter City vs Plymouth Argyle (6) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Leyton Orient vs Tranmere Rovers (4)
Walsall vs Charlton Athletic (6)
Brentford vs Southampton (5)
Hartlepool United vs Bournemouth (5)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Carlisle United (5)
Swindon Town vs Oldham Athletic (6)
Bristol Rovers vs Sheffield Wednesday (6)
Yeovil Town vs Colchester United (4)
Milton Keynes Dons vs Notts County (6)
Rochdale vs Peterborough United (6) over 2.5 goals
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Huddersfield Town (5) both sides to score

English League Two:

Cheltenham Town vs Shrewsbury Town (6)
Oxford United vs Lincoln City (6) over 2.5 goals
Aldershot Town vs Rotherham United (5)
Northampton Town vs Stevenage (6)
Port Vale vs Morecambe (5)
Bury vs Wycombe Wanderers (7)
Gillingham vs Macclesfield Town (7)
Hereford United vs Bradford City (6)
Crewe Alexandra vs Stockport County (6) over 2.5 goals
Southend United vs Burton Albion (5)
Accrington Stanley vs Barnet (6)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Flora Paide vs Nomme Kalju (8) 0-2
Sillamae Kalev vs Trans Narva (5) 1-1
Kuressaare vs Levadia Tallinn (6) 0-1
Ajax Lasnamae vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (6) 1-2
Flora Tallinn vs Viljandi (9) -1.5 handicap

Faroese Meistaradeildin:

B71 Sandur vs B68 Toftir (6) over 2.5 goals
B36 Torshavn vs EB/Streymur (6) 1-2
KI Klaksvik vs NSI Runavik (4) 1-1
Vikingur Gotu vs 07 Vestur Sorvagur (8) -1.5 handicap

Finnish Ykkonen:

PS Kemi Kings vs OPS Oulu (6)

French Ligue 1:

Racing Club Lens vs Lorient (5) 1-0
LOSC Lille vs Arles (9) -1.5 handicap
Stade Rennais vs Girondins de Bordeaux (6) 0-0
Sochaux vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (6) 1-0
Paris Saint-Germain vs Valenciennes (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

German Bundesliga:

Koln vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (6) 1-2
Hoffenheim vs VfB Stuttgart (5) 1-1
Mainz 05 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (6) 1-1
Hannover 96 vs Borussia Moenchengladbach (7) over 2.5 goals
Hamburger SV vs SC Freiburg (5) 1-1
Bv09 Borussia Dortmund vs Nurnberg (8) 2-1
Bayern Munich vs Schalke 04 (8) over 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga 2:

FSV Frankfurt vs MSV Dusiburg (6)
Greuther Furth vs Arminia Bielefeld (4)
Ingolstadt vs Erzebirge Aue (6)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Vasas Budapest vs Zalaegerszegi TE (6) 1-1
Ujpest vs Lombard Papa (7) 2-1
MTK Budapest vs Szolnoki MAV (5) 1-2
Siofok vs Szombathelyi Haladas (6) 1-1
Budapest Honved vs Kaposvari Rakoczi (6) 0-1

Italian Serie A:

Cesena vs Internazionale (6) 0-1
SSC Napoli vs Genoa (8) 2-0

Italian Serie B:

Vicenza vs Crotone (6)
Sassuolo vs Empoli (7)
Ascoli vs Frosinone (5)
Cittadella vs Modena (6)
Varese vs Padova (6)
Portosummaga vs Pescara (5)
Torino vs Piacenza (6)
Albinoleffe vs Reggina (5)
Grosseto vs Triestina (6)

Latvian Virsliga:

Skonto Riga vs Liepajas Metalurgs (6) 0-0
FK Jurmala vs Daugava Daugavpils (6) 0-1
FK Ventspils vs Jelgava (9) -1.5 handicap
Guilbene 2005 vs RFS/Olimps Riga (5) 1-1

Lithuanian A Lyga:

Suduva Marijampole vs Siauliai (7) 2-1
Zalgiris Vilnius vs Tauras Taurage (5) 1-0

Mexican Primera Division:

Jaguares vs Queretaro (5) 1-0
Guadalajara vs Monterrey (6) 1-1
Tigres UANL vs Atlas (6) 2-1
Pachuca vs Necaxa (7) 1-0
San Luis vs Cruz Azul (6) 1-1
Atlante vs Toluca (5) 0-0

Peruvian Primera Division:

Inti Gas vs Cobresol (7) 1-0
Alianza Lima vs CNI (7) 2-0
Sport Boys vs Universidad San Martin (5) 1-1
Melgar FBC vs Leon de Huanuco (6) 0-0

Polish Ekstraklasa:

GKS Belchatow vs Korona Kielce (6) 1-1
Wisla Krakow vs Gornik Zabrze (6) 1-0
Polonia Bytom vs Jagiellonia Bialystok (5) 1-2
Polonia Warsaw vs Slask Wroclaw (7) 2-0

Polish Liga 1:

Gorzow Wielkopoloski vs Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski (5)
Kluczbork vs Flota Swinoujscie (5)
Bogdanka Leczna vs Dolcan Zabki (7)
Warta Poznan vs Piast Gliwice (6)
Sandecja Nowy Sacz vs Nieciecza (4)
Gornik Polkowice vs Odra Wodzislaw (6)
Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala vs Pogon Szczecin (6) under 2.5 goals

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Sporting Club de Lisboa vs Portimonense (6) 2-1

Romanian Liga:

Sportul Studentesc vs Targu Mures (6) 0-0
Victoria Branesti vs Vaslui (8) 0-2
Poli Timisoara vs Brasov (7) 2-1

Russian Premier League:

CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow (5) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Terek Grozny vs Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod (5) 0-1
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Kuban’ Krasnodar (6) 1-1

Scottish Premier League:

Motherwell vs Rangers (7) 0-1
Aberdeen vs Inverness Caledonian Thistle (7) 2-1
Hibernian vs St.Johnstone (6) 1-0
Kilmarnock vs Hearts (5) 1-1

Serbian Super Liga:

Smederevo vs OFK Belgrade (7) 1-1
Jagodina vs Partizan Belgrade (8) 0-2
Javor Ivanjica vs Metalac GM (4) 0-0
Spartak Subotica vs Borac Cacak (6) 1-0
BSK Borca vs Sevojno (5) 1-1
Cukaricki vs Indija (7) 0-1
Vojvodina Novi Sad vs Rad Belgrade (7) 2-1

Singaporean S-League:

Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa (8) 2-0

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Zlate Moravce vs Dubnica (4) 1-1
Slovan Bratislava vs Ruzomberok (8) 2-1
DAC Dunajska Streda vs Tatran Presov
Dukla Banska Bystrica vs Nitra (6) 2-1

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Rudar Velenje vs Celje (5) 2-1
Triglav vs Koper (7) 0-1
Nafta Lendava vs Olimpija Ljubljana (6) 1-1
Domzale vs Primorje (7) over 2.5 goals
Gorica vs Maribor (5) 1-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Real Madrid vs Real Zaragoza (7) 2-1
Real Sociedad vs Barcelona (8) 0-2
Deportivo La Coruna vs Atletico Madrid (5) 2-2

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Salamanca vs Elche (5)
Alcorcon vs Huesca (7)
Villarreal II vs Gimnastic de Tarragona (6)
Recreativo de Huelva vs Cordoba (6) under 2.5 goals
Real Betis Balompie vs Numancia (7) over 2.5 goals
Albacete vs Cartagena (6) under 2.5 goals
Ponferradina vs Deportivo Xerez (6)
Las Palmas vs Celta de Vigo (6) both sides to score

Swedish Allsvenskan:

IFK Norrkoping vs Mjallby Solvesborg (6) 1-1

Swiss Super League:

Grasshopper Zurich vs Luzern (5) 1-0
Young Boys Bern vs Thun (7) 2-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Stade Nyonnais vs Chiasso (7)
Wil vs Locarno (6) over 2.5 goals
Wohlen vs Aarau (5)
Yverdon Sport vs SC Kriens (5) at least one red card in this game
Vaduz vs FC Schaffhausen (6) over 2.5 goals

Turkish Super Lig:

Kasimpasa vs Konyaspor (5) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Antalyaspor vs Bucaspor (7) 1-0
Besiktas JK vs Galatasaray (7) 2-0, at least one red card in this game

Ukrainian Premier League:

Metalurg Donetsk vs Arsenal Kiev (7) 1-1
Metalist Kharkiv vs Karpaty Lviv (6) 1-1
Obolon Kiev vs Illichivets Mariupol (7) 1-0
Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (7) 2-1

Welsh Premier League:

Bangor City vs The New Saints (4) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Llanelli vs Port Talbot Town (7) 2-0
Neath Athletic vs Prestatyn Town (7) 2-1
Aberystwyth Town vs Carmarthen Town (6) 1-0
Airbus UK vs Newtown (7) 2-0
Bala Town vs Haverfordwest County (7) 2-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!