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Kashima Antlers vs Kawasaki Frontale

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Today’s featured game is the J-League encounter between giants Kashima Antlers and Kawasaki Frontale. In recent years, Kawasaki Frontale have become a much more consistent threat to the giants of Japanese football and this year is no exception so we should see a good game here today, hence the good odds.

However, my interest lies in the home win today. Kashima Antlers are the best side in the country, in my opinion, and I expect them to win the J-League. They’ve not been as prolific at home as they should be but four wins and one draw from five home games this season is not a bad record at all, particularly having only conceded twice during that run. They don’t even have a massively convincing record at home to Kawasaki Frontale, which is understandable, but also aids my bet odds-wise. They do always score at home to Frontale and they tend to play out some great games so going over 2.5 goals looks worthy of consideration too. Kashima scored twice in this fixture last season but failed to win the game. Not only does that tell me that they’re capable of beating the handicap today from a goalscoring perspective but also that they will want revenge for the result.

What sways me towards the home win (as well as the handicap) is the fact that Kawasaki Frontale are still supposedly missing Renatinho. Without him, they just don’t score goals, as was exemplified in their poor 0-0 draw at home to lowly Omiya Ardija last match. They’re still a good side in essence but it’s like they miss a limb without him playing. He’s their leading goalscorer with seven goals so his absence is naturally noticeable. One statistic that Kawasaki Frontale like to gloss over by scoring a lot of goals is that they’re poor in defence. Despite being fourth in the table, they’ve leaked more goals than every J-League side barring the bottom two clubs, which are Kyoto Sanga and newly-promoted Shonan Bellmare respectively. However, one statistic that they cannot escape is that nobody in the J-League can match how many goals they’ve leaked this season - a total of sixteen conceded in six games, which is an average of nearly three goals per away game! They’ve won two out of their six away games during that time and lost three of them but it’s a miracle that they’ve not lost more, really! The only way that they take points on the road is by outscoring their opponents – how are they going to do that without Renatinho? That’s the question that is ever-present in my mind for this game.

Summarised – Kashima Antlers are the better side and have a great chance to prove it, as well as take revenge for last season’s defeat against their opponents today. Kawasaki are horrendous defensively, particularly on the road, and they could be on the receiving end of a heavy defeat today unless they put in a miraculous display. I like the home win an awful lot here but I’d only endorse the handicap if Renatinho does indeed miss the game. Either way, there are some great odds on this game today, in my opinion!

Verdict: Kashima Antlers to win at 10/11 or to beat the -1.75 goal handicap at 9/4.

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

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

SV Kapfenberg vs Salzburg - lay Salzburg at 6/5.

SV Kapfenberg are an average Bundesliga side at best and Salzburg are arguably the best side in the division. However, you have to favour the hosts a little today. It’s the first game of the season so they will be up for it and the only time that they’re good is at home – they don’t travel well whatsoever. They lost well below half of their home games last season despite finishing ninth in the table and even beat Salzburg here 2-0 last season. I’m not denying that Salzburg are undoubtedly the better of these two sides but they’ve only won here twice out of their last four visits. They’ve lost target man Marc Janko over summer to Twente Enschede in the Netherlands and they don’t have as many options in attack without him. On top of that, their committments lie in European football rather than domestically at the moment and although they ran out comfortable 5-0 winners at home to HB Torshavn mid-week, they’ll no doubt have to prepare for a tricky trip to the Faroe Islands, even though they’re 99% guaranteed a place in the next round anyway. With all of the above in mind, I think it’s worth a shot laying Salzburg today – I don’t think they should be as short as they are, at least.

Verdict: Lay Salzburg at 6/5.

Slovacko vs Teplice – away win at 7/5.

This should be an interesting game and should also be approached with caution, as indeed should all bets on sides playing their first game of the season. However, the only thing that Slovacko brought to the Gambrinus Liga last season was momentum; that’s literally all that kept them from being relegated. Well, now they’re at the start of a new season and are still horribly lacking in an important area of the team, which is known commonly as “quality”. Slovacko are a very poor side, to be blunt, and should be considered likely to lose against just about anyone. Now, although Teplice have a very good campaign last season, don’t get too carried away – they’re still a top six side at best. However, what impressed me the most was their incisive goalscoring on the road, boasting a goalscoring record that only Mlada Boleslav and Jablonc respectively could beat, hence the reason that Teplice managed six away wins in fifteen games, which is a good record for this division. Teplice are no world-beaters but they’re a lot better than Slovacko and they showed it by beating them both home and away last season. With that in mind, the away win looks good value today as Teplice are a little longer than they should be here.

Verdict: Teplice to win at 7/5.

OB Odense vs Esbjerg – under 2.5 goals at 5/6.

It’s the start of the season for both Superligaen sides today and you have to favour the hosts. Esbjerg played well for half of the season but still couldn’t disguise the fact that they simply cannot defend. They managed to compensate by scoring a lot of goals but they’re facing one of the stronger defences in Denmark today so should be found short in front of goal. OB don’t score many goals at all; they much prefer their 1-0 or 2-0 wins and I can’t see that changing at the start of the new season. OB will want to get off to a winning start without too much ceremony and I just don’t believe that Esbjerg have enough to trouble them today. I think the odds on the home win are too short for this game but I like under 2.5 goals at 5/6 as a result.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 5/6.

Lootus vs Levadia Tallinn – under 2.5 goals at 2/1.

This is a bold bet because Lootus are absolutely terrible and Levadia Tallinn are three or four times better than them. However, I’m basing this bet on two things; Levadia’s European committments and their lack of goalscoring. By their own lofty standards, Levadia are not scoring enough goals and are relying too much on unreliable Neemelo. It’s a dangerous game for them to play and they have been caught out a few times already this season as a result. You also have to bear in mind that they face a tough trip to Hungary next week to face bogey side Debreceni VSC after credibly taking a 1-1 draw at home against the Hungarians this week. There is no way Levadia will prioritise this game so I think we’ll see players rested. With the above in mind, I can see Levadia winning the game but not in style. I’d be astounded if Lootus scored against anyone, let alone the best side in the division, so I have to call under 2.5 goals here at risky but very generous odds of 2/1.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 2/1.

HJK Helsinki vs KuPS Kuopio – lay HJK Helsinki at 8/5.

After seemingly the whole world finally realised that HJK are crap in Europe after their defeat in Lithuania, they now host one of the revelations of the Veikkausliiga thus far; KuPS Kuopio. The visitors have scored goals and put in dominating displays wherever they’ve played this season and should be taken seriously whilst momentum assists their over-achieveing ways. HJK are the better of the two sides, no doubt, but their focus will be on the return leg against Ekranas Panevezys next week rather than this game so players will be rested. Aside from that, HJK have really struggled to break down resilient defences this season and KuPS certainly have one of those. HJK haven’t scored enough in general and with players rested today, I feel that could be matched by in-form KuPS. HJK are far too short with the above in mind so laying them could be a good value bet today, although approach with caution as ever – HJK won 5-0 at KuPS on the opening day of the season although KuPS committed suicide defensively on that day, conceding twice very early in the game.

Verdict: Lay HJK Helsinki at 8/5.

TPV Tampere vs KooTeePee Kotka – home win at 2/1.

I like this bet a lot more than I should when you consider how much better KooTeePee are than TPV Tampere! However, I’ll take a stab at it because the odds are really far too generous today.

KooTeePee play a very predictable, efficient type of football which naturally has pros and cons. It has pros because when they’re in-form, they don’t concede goals and thus tend to grind out wins. However, this style of football doesn’t leave them creating many chances and thus they don’t score many goals. Therefore, when they’re out-of-form, they’re prime candidates to bet against because they start leaking goals and don’t score enough to counter it. They’re a little like a poor man’s version of Inter Turku from the Veikkausliiga, for those of you who follow Finnish football on some level. KooTeePee have lost three consecutive games now, which counts as bad form in my world! They’ve shipped six goals during that run, scored just once, and have lost twice at home. This is a zone that they’re definitely not comfortable in and although they have to exit this barren run at somepoint, I think they’ve picked a bad day to try and end it. TPV Tampere are a poor side at best and will do well to stay in the Ykkonen this season. However, they do have strong momentum following back-to-back wins at Hameenlinna and at home to MP Mikkeli respectively, scoring five goals during those two games and keeping two clean sheets. TPV are buoyant as a result and they know they can beat KooTeePee – they did so in Tampere last year too – so they’ll fancy their chances against their out-of-form visitors today, as do I. 2/1 is far too long on the home win here with the above in mind but again, be careful – if KooTeePee score first then they have the capability to grind out the win from that. Nonetheless, I really like the home win here and fancy TPV’s chances today.

Verdict: TPV Tampere to win at 2/1.

Shimizu S-Pulse vs Jubilo Iwata – under 2.5 goals at evens.

This has the hallmarks of being a classic under 2.5 goals game in my world. Shimizu are over-achieving this season and have been riding a wave of momentum which has been brought to a halt following the mid-season break. They’re now hosting a side that is used to grinding out draws because they’re atypically not good enough to break out of mid-table at best. Iwata don’t score enough goals to ever be a threat (just two on the road in the J-League this season, in fact) but they don’t concede many either. Defence is their only strength and you can rest assured that they’ll park the bus today and may even take a draw if they’re lucky. Shimizu are going to be a little rusty for this game, naturally, so I wouldn’t include them as cannon fodder today – they’re too short, in my opinion. They may well win the game by a goal or two but I think unders is the way forward here as I’d be surprised to see Iwata register on the road. This bet hinges largely on when the first goal is scored (if there are any) naturally but I think there’s a good chance of this game going under and the odds show decent value for it too.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at evens.

Jauniba vs Jurmala – away win at 4/5.

These odds are a little shorter than I’d like but I still fancy it. Jurmala are not only better than Jauniba but have also been a revelation on the road this season, even winning at giants Liepajas Metalurgs in their last away game – a result that they’re frankly not good enough to produce. However, they’ve been brilliant on the road this season with four wins in six games, a record only league leaders FK Ventspils can better at the moment and it’s because of their lethal counter-attacking style, which helps them average scoring two goals per away game currently. Jurmala have bizarrely lost all five home games in the Virsliga this season but they’re effective on the road because of their counter-attack. I would normally expect Jauniba to sit back and play for the draw but a morale-boosting win last match will no doubt give them the impetus to attack Jurmala so the superior visitors really should win this one today. I was hoping for evens on the away win but I’ll take them at 4/5 although I’d leave it if the odds drop (as they probably will) because Jurmala are a mid-table side at best.

Verdict: Jurmala to win at 4/5.

Valerenga Oslo vs Kongsvinger – home win with -1.75 handicap at 3/4.

I can only sum up Valerenga’s recent form with two words – “ominous” and “dominant”. They blew their bitter rivals Lillestrom away by winning 4-1 away from home against a side that doesn’t concede goals as a rule by blitzing them in a second-half frenzy. They followed up that win with a difficult trip to face Odd Grenland on their notoriously difficult astro-turf and won there too. Valerenga are absolutely flying at the moment and are looking genuine title contenders for a change! It’s arguably the first time that they have since the days of John Carew although the quality has rarely been lacking; just the consistency. However, Valerenga are flying because they’re scoring so many goals and with five wins and two draws from seven home games this season, you have to feel that they’ll win today too. They average scoring well over two goals per home game and are by far the superior of these two sides today. Kongsvinger just look…well, relegated. Losing 2-0 at home last match to a Stromsgodset side that are atrocious away from home is unforgivable. Kongsvinger boast no goal threat and have already lost six out of eight on the road in the Eliteserien this season whilst leaking over two goals per away game. They’re in poor form and I’d be astounded if they weren’t relegated this season. 3/4 is short for a handicap but I’ll be stunned if Valerenga don’t manage it – hell, they might even break bigger handicaps if you feel lucky enough to back them to do so.

Verdict: Valerenga Oslo to beat the -1.75 goal handicap at 3/4.

Spartak Moscow vs Rubin Kazan – away win at 33/20.

I may have liked TPV Tampere earlier but that’s nothing compared to how much I like this one. View this as a type of Arsenal vs Chelsea game; the flambuoyant but ultimately disappointing hosts entertain the iron machine of the visitors. Spartak Moscow only play well with momentum and they won’t have any from their shocking display in the Russian Cup mid-week so I don’t fancy their chances today. They’ve got the individual ability to cause any side problems but as a team, they’re often found lacking, particularly in defence. However, Rubin Kazan are an absolute machine that just don’t concede goals. Their flaw is not scoring enough but they hammered three goals past Krylya Sovetov Samara last match so they have something to bring into this game, at least. Rubin have conceded just once in five away games this season because of their rock-solid defence and although their football is far from pretty, it’s pretty damn effective and I expect it to be today too.

Interestingly enough, out of the last four times this fixture has been played (twice at either ground), the away side has always won. Rubin have won 3-0 here for two years running and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar scoreline today. The odds on the away win is generous enough but I even fancy a very cheeky -1.75 goal handicap at 11/2.

Verdict: Rubin Kazan to win at 33/20.

MSK Zilina vs Zlate Moravce – both sides to score at 5/4.

MSK Zilina were shocking in Malta mid-week, somehow losing to Birkirkara 1-0. They’ll have taken a hefty blow mentally as a result but have a chance of redemption today. However, I’m not interested in the 1X2 betting for this game – Zilina are too short, although they should do the necessary damage. What I am interested in is that they’ll be focusing on the return trip of Birkirkara next week and that their usually solid defence has been shattered far too easily, as indeed it has been proven in friendlies too. Although Zilina will probably win this game, I think the odds on both sides scoring is far too generous at 5/4 so I fancy that outcome today as newly-promoted Zlate Moravce earned their promotion by scoring an awful lot of goals and will want to impress in their first game of their first season back in the Corgon Liga, particularly against one of the biggest sides in the division.

Verdict: Both teams to score at 5/4.

Nitra vs Dubnica – home win at 13/20.

These odds are too long on Nitra, which is why I like it! Nitra have already played two competitive games in the UEFA Europa League and although they eventually succumbed to defeat against Gyori ETO FC of Hungary, they scored in both legs and maintained their usual potency as a result. Nitra are poor defensively but they score enough goals for it to not matter in games like this. Dubnica are a poor side and are especially poor away from home because they don’t score goals. Most Slovak sides are capable of beating each other and if this game was at Dubnica then I wouldn’t touch it. However, with Nitra having match practice and the ability to score goals on their side, not to mention a better team, I feel that 13/20 on the home win is too generous to overlook – they should be much shorter for this game.

Verdict: Nitra to win at 13/20.

AIK Solna vs Malmo – away win at 5/4.

I was gobsmacked when I saw AIK at 2/1 to win this game; the bookies have really approached this game well! I was hoping Malmo would be much longer than they are but we’ll have to make do here.

After an expectedly poor showing mid-week against Luxembourgian minnows Jeunesse d’Esch, AIK now have work to do in the away leg, which is next week, thus they will be resting players. They’ve lost their iron defence this season and have looked incredibly vulnerable as a result because they don’t score anywhere near enough goals. Malmo, however, have been a revelation and are scoring goals for fun both at home and on the road. They’ve only won three out of seven on the road but that’s quite good for the Allsvenskan, really! Malmo have scored a lot more than anyone else on the road, which makes them a consistent threat, so you have to fancy the away win as they’re facing an impotent AIK side with their focus elsewhere, although do approach with caution as these two are big rivals. It’s interesting to note that AIK haven’t scored for their last two games against Malmo, losing 1-0 at home to them last season too…

Verdict: Malmo to win at 4/5.

Syrianska Sodertalje vs Degerfors – home win at evens.

I like the home win here because Degerfors should be on the descent mentally. They’ve had a great campaign following promotion but two consecutive defeats and the sale of their best player should send them spiralling downwards and I expect this to be one of the games that pushes them further down the table. Syrianska haven’t had a great campaign so far but they’re a good side, especially at home, and have won four out of seven on their own turf already this season. They’ve won two out of their last three games and drew at today’s opponents Degerfors last match where they could really have won the game. I expect them to make amends and win this one today with home comforts although I expect a low-scoring game here, particularly Degerfors are unlikely to funtion as the usual unit without their best player.

Verdict: Syrianska Sodertalje to win at evens.

Grasshoppers Zurich vs Neuchatel Xamax – home win with -1.75 handicap at 2/1.

At 33/1, Grasshoppers are definitely worth a flutter to win the Super League title this year. They were absolutely superb last season and have the foundations to re-build their once great team and what better time to start than now? Young Boys Bern have sold their best striker and Basel are ageing so Grasshoppers should never be such long odds to win the title.

However, my primary interest today is the home win, which should be fairly straightforward. Grasshoppers are simply a much better side and are utterly dominant at home, scoring goals at will. They’ve won three consecutive games against Neuchatel Xamax and I expect this game today to produce their fourth consecutive win – they’re just too good for their opponents. Neuchatel simply don’t travel well and although they have a habit of causing Grasshoppers a problem in the past, I don’t envision it happening today. Neuchatel are facing a very determined and capable Grasshoppers today and I really fancy them to take a heavy beating, even though it’s the first game of the Super League season. Either way, the odds on Grasshoppers to beat the handicap at home are laughably good when you bear in mind that they averaged scoring well over two goals per home game last season.

Verdict: Grasshoppers Zurich to beat the -1.75 goal handicap at 2/1.

Accumulator fodder:

Flora Tallinn, Trans Narva, Valerenga Oslo, Zenit St.Petersburg, Tampines Rovers, Metalist Kharkiv, Dynamo Kiev.

Recommended bets:

Trans Narva, Valerenga Oslo, and Rubin Kazan at 3/1.

Kashima Antlers, TPV Tampere, and Nitra at 7/1.

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below!

Austrian Bundesliga:

SV Kapfenberg vs Salzburg (5) 1-1
Wiener Neustadt vs LASK Linz (6) over 2.5 goals
SV Ried vs Sturm Graz (5) 0-0

Brazilian Serie A:

Vitoria vs Sao Paulo (4) 1-2
Vasco da Gama vs Atletico Paranaense (6) 1-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Slovacko vs Teplice (6) 0-1
Hradlec Kralove vs Sparta Prague (6) under 2.5 goals

Danish Superligaen:

OB Odense vs Esbjerg (6) under 2.5 goals

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Universidad Catolica vs Deportivo Quito (5) 0-1

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Flora Paide vs Trans Narva (8) 0-2
Lootus vs Levadia Tallinn (7) under 2.5 goals
Flora Tallinn vs Kuressaare (8) -1.75 handicap
Viljandi Tulevik vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (6) 1-2

Finnish Veikkausliiga:

HJK Helsinki vs KuPS Kuopio (5) 2-2

Finnish Ykkonen:

TPV Tampere vs KooTeePee Kotka (5)

Icelandic Urvalsdeild:

IBV Vestmannaeyjar vs Fram Reykjavik (6) 2-2

Japanese J-League:

Omiya Ardija vs Nagoya Grampus (5) 1-1
Tokyo vs Vissel Kobe (6) under 2.5 goals
Shimizu S-Pulse vs Jubilo Iwata (7) under 2.5 goals
Montedio Yamagata vs Vegalta Sendai (5) 0-0
Kashima Antlers vs Kawasaki Frontale (8) 2-0
Albirex Niigata vs Cerezo Osaka (6) 1-1

Latvian Virsliga:

Jauniba vs Jurmala (7) 1-2

Norwegian Eliteserien:

Valerenga Oslo vs Kongsvinger (8) -1.75 handicap

Russian Premier League:

Spartak Moscow vs Rubin Kazan (6) 0-2
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Sibir Novosibirsk (8) under 2.5 goals
Dinamo Moscow vs Rostov-na-Donu (5) 0-0

Singaporean S-League:

Balestier Khalsa vs Tampines Rovers (8) 0-2

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

MSK Zilina vs Zlate Moravce (7) both sides to score
Slovan Bratislava vs Kosice (7) over 2.5 goals
Nitra vs Dubnica (7) over 2.5 goals
Ruzomberok vs Tatran Presov (5) 1-1
Spartak Trnava vs Senica (7) 2-0

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Celje vs Domzale (7) over 2.5 goals

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Mjallby Solvesborg vs Brommapojkarna (7) 1-0
IFK Goteborg vs Halmstads (7) 2-1
AIK Solna vs Malmo (6) 0-1

Swedish Superettan:

Angelholm vs Brage (7)
Osters vs Ljungskile (5) over 2.5 goals
Trollhattan vs IFK Norrkoping (6)
GIF Sundsvall vs Assyriska Sodertalje (7)
Syrianska Sodertalje vs Degerfors (7) over 2.5 goals

Swiss Super League:

Grasshoppers Zurich vs Neuchatel Xamax (8) -1.75 handicap
Thun vs Young Boys Bern (6) over 2.5 goals

Ukrainian Premier League:

Sevastopol vs Metalist Kharkiv (8) under 2.5 goals
Vorskla Poltava vs Illichivets Mariupol (7) under 2.5 goals
Dynamo Kiev vs Tavriya Simferopol (8) 2-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Udinese vs Fiorentina

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Today’s featured game is the match between Udinese and Fiorentina in the Italian Serie A. Hosts Udinese had been tipped pre-season for a very good campaign but have generally failed to deliver consistently thus far, hence their unconvincing league placing. However, their actual potential has begun to surface lately with a two-match unbeaten run and a morale-boosting victory against Serie A giants AS Roma. Udinese’s biggest problem is that they’re really poor on the road but fortunately this isn’t a problem today for obvious reasons! Only Internazionale and Sampdoria have currently got a better record at home than Udinese. The hosts today have won four of their six home games, drawing once and losing once along the way. Today they host a Fiorentina side that have started to look increasingly stretched of late with just one win in their last five Serie A games. A mid-week clash didn’t assist matters either with talismanic striker Adrian Mutu obtaining an injury during this game and thus missing the match today. With form and numbers of available players dwindling, the Viola are beginning to look rather fragile, in my humble opinion. Fiorentina have won just once in five away games this season, losing twice and drawing twice. Although Fiorentina are not a side that generally leaks goals, Udinese are a side that does enjoy scoring them, particularly at home, something which is proven by the fact that only Internazionale and Sampdoria have scored more home goals than they have. Although neither of these two sides are playing as well as they should be at the present time, there’s a clear selection of a home win for today’s game in my opinion due to the above information. Frankly, 7/5 on the home win looks a real bargain today for me!

Sunday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Udinese vs Fiorentina – home win at 7/5 – see introduction for full details.

San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Banfield – home win at evens. This should be a fantastic game between two of the most in-form sides in Argentina currently! Both sides have won three of their last five games and occupy third and first place respectively in the Argentinian Primera Division. Visitors Banfield are the more surprising side in this position as they’re not really good enough to be there but you can only beat what’s in front of you! San Lorenzo de Almagro are currently a side I expect to be challenging for the title and they’re duly delivering. The hosts have won four from six home games so far this season, drawing twice. They average nearly two goals per home game and are generally a tricky opponent. Visitors Banfield are resilient and currently efficient, although that’s not always been the case. The game should be a cracker due to the contrasting styles of both sides but San Lorenzo de Almagro have enough to win this game against what can be bluntly called “lesser opponents”. The visitors may be unbeaten this season but they’ve not convinced on the road yet with four draws from six away games, winning just twice in that run. I think a record may end today with a San Lorenzo de Almagro victory and at evens, it’s very good value.

Estudiantes De La Plata vs Velez Sarsfeld – home win at evens. This is yet another fascinating clash in Argentina between two top sides, arguably the two best in Argentina currently. Both sides will be competing for the title this year and this match will go some way in indicating just which side has the ability to go all the way. In terms of quality, I personally believe there’s very little between these two sides – both can match each other toe-to-toe on their day. Estudiantes De La Plata have proven that they’re a very accomplished home side in this campaign, however, with four wins and one draw from their five home games. That said, Velez Sarsfeld are arguably the best away side in Argentina and have shown such a thing for at least a year now. The only thing that is really tipping the scales in the favour of Estudiantes De La Plata for me is that simple fact that Velez Sarsfeld had an extremely tiring trip to a very high altitude Ecuador to face Liga de Quito in the Copa Nissan Sudamericana, which they were knocked out of. Therefore, the visitors will not only be tired but will also be a little worse for wear mentally. In my opinion, it’s worth taking the home win on the back of that at evens.

SV Ried vs Austria Karnten – home win with -1.75 handicap at 10/11. This is a complete no-brainer in my book due to the consistent quality of SV Ried at home and the woeful displays of Austria Karnten.

Racing Genk vs Anderlecht – away win at 10/11. Recent years has shown Racing Genk emerging as one of Belgium’s bigger sides, although still languishing behind the old guard of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, and Standard de Liege. Racing Genk are struggled to live up to their tag this season with just four wins in thirteen games. Their good performances this season can be counted on the fingers of one hand but their potential is always there. However, their home form has to be a real worry for them as they’ve won just one home game out of seven so far this season, losing three times and drawing three times. This should be a more apparent problem today as they take on an in-form and superior Anderlecht side that have already won four out of six away games this season. Anderlecht have the momentum to do it as they’ve won three games in a row and they’ve got the ability so an out-of-sorts Racing Genk should be susceptible enough for Anderlecht to win this game at 10/11.

Standard de Liege vs Club Brugge – away win at draw no bet odds of 5/4. This is an incredibly bold choice given that Club Brugge almost never take anything off Standard de Liege but I’ve been really impressed with them this season. Club Brugge have won five consecutive games in all conditions, including a notable victory in a difficult Serbian venue against Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Europa League. The visitors have everything going for them and have already won four out of their six away games this season, losing just once. Standard de Liege simply don’t look the same side this year due to their losses and it’s starting to show. More notably, the loss of midfield playmaker and captain Steven Defour due to long-term injury has really affected the potency of Standard de Liege of late and their league form has suffered because of it as they’ve not won in three games now. With all this in mind, the away win with draw no bet at 5/4 looks like a potential bargain today.
 
Aalborg BK vs FC Copenhagen – away win at 23/20. The Superligaen’s oddest side today hosts the Superligaen’s best side in what should be an interesting match. Aalborg BK are capable of playing very good football but appear to have decided not to for the time being with no wins in five games, a run that has seen them lose three games. I don’t need to tell you all the quality difference between FC Copenhagen and the rest of the Superligaen sides but their form of late also shows them to be a real force with four wins in their past five games. FC Copenhagen have already won four of their seven away games this year and have conceded just five goals on their travels, which affirms their reputation of being hard to beat. If Aalborg BK were in form then I wouldn’t touch this game with a barge pole but I’m going to take advantage of their present slump by taking FC Copenhagen to win at Aalborg BK at 23/20.

Hull City vs Stoke City – away win at 8/5. Hull City’s woeful form of late continues, furthering speculation regarding Phil Brown’s future at the club. Three defeats and just one victory in their last five games leaves Hull City looking increasingly likely to prove all the pre-season pundits right as they seemingly attempt to move down a division into the Championship. The fact that they’ve scored just eight goals in eleven games should tell you everything you need to know about their problems, particularly as no side in the Premier League has scored less goals. Visitors Stoke City are the side that Hull City should be attempting to emulate to prolong their stay in the Premier League by adopting a no-nonsense, efficient footballing manner to grind out results. Stoke City are now what I would call an established Premier League side that will give any side a good game on their day. They’re hard to break down and they take their chances, particularly from set pieces. Stoke City are unbeaten in their last four games, winning two of them, and appear to have gotten even stronger since last year. No side has lost less away games than Stoke City in the Premier League this year and the fact that they won here last year should give them additional confidence in getting the job done. Stoke City are frankly a better unit than Hull City on every level and with the hosts playing some terrible football, it’s hard to overlook the away win at 8/5.

West Ham United vs Everton – home win at 6/4. West Ham United’s performances have finally started improving and their results are beginning to show it too. They’re unbeaten in their last three games, including a home game against Arsenal, and won their last match mid-week at home to Aston Villa. I have to admire Gianfranco Zola’s side because they always turn up for each game and put 110% into their football. West Ham United are a mid-table side by rights and I fully expect them to be there by the end of the season. Visitors Everton seem to be going from bad to worse with their small squad beyond stretched already with games coming out of their ears! They’ve not won in their last four games now, drawing three times and losing once. A mid-week battering at home by SL Benfica will have knocked the wind out of the few players they have left in their squad and this is yet another game that is coming at David Moyes far too quickly for him to prepare his squad. For me, a rejuvenated West Ham United have a great chance of winning this game today at 6/4.

Chelsea vs Manchester United – home win at 21/20. As much as I hate to say it, as a Manchester United fan, but I am very much afraid that we’ll see a home win in this game. Although Manchester United have been a bogey side for Chelsea ever since Jose Mourinho moved on, Chelsea are now firing on all cylinders under Carlo Ancelotti and are scoring goals for fun. Not only will this trouble a shaky and frankly nervous Manchester United defence, but this defence is also missing the experienced Rio Ferdinand through injury. The only thing I would emphasise with this game is some caution as these two sides are the two best sides in England and either is capable of turning it on at any given time. Manchester United tend to really turn up when the odds are against them, which gives me some hope as a fan, but their dire displays in their other two games against members of the “big four” – Arsenal and Liverpool – this season really make me think that Ferguson will again select Scholes and Carrick in the middle of the park, who again will be overrun by the likes of Essien etc. Bluntly, I’m concerned about this game because I think almost everything points to a home win, which basically means 21/20 on the home win is good value, particularly as Chelsea have won every competitive home game this season.

Xanthi vs Panionios -home win at 11/10. Hosts Xanthi lie deceptively just outside of the relegation zone as they entertain Panionios. Their away form is atrocious but their home fom is superb with three wins and one draw from their four home games this season. Basically, they’re a tricky side to face and Panionios will have their work cut out to steal a result here because of that. Aside from that, Panionios have lost three of their four away games this season and appear to be mirroring Xanthi’s lack of ability on the road. For me, this game has a narrow home win written all over it at 11/10.

Sevilla CF vs Villarreal - lay Sevilla at 5/4. This is an extremely bold call given the impressive displays that Sevilla CF have given this season but as ever, I have my reasons. The foundation for this call is that Sevilla CF have become somewhat complacent of late. They’ve drawn at home against Espanyol without scoring and they drew at home to a woeful VFB Stuttgart just a few days ago. The hosts simply aren’t doing what they do best at the present time despite their magnificent season thus far – it simply happens to big sides sometimes and it appears that time is now upon Sevilla CF. Unfortunately for them, visitors Villarreal have well and truly awoken with a bang and are on fire at the moment with both goalscoring and form. They’ve amassed a highly-impressive twelve goals in their last four competitve games, winning three games and drawing the other. They smashed four goals past Lazio mid-week are starting to look their old selves again. Basically, I think this game is going to be an awful lot closer than people think and with odds of 5/4 for laying a side that hasn’t won either of their last two competitive games at home seems very good value to me – potentially!

Elche vs Real Union Club de Irun – home win at 10/11. Both of these side appear to have a long battle ahead of them to stay in the Segunda Liga this year so this kind of game will be vital for both. Elche have more experience in this division than newly-promoted Real Union Club de Irun and it’s shown so far. Elche are unbeaten in their last four games, winning two of them, and have gained substantial momentum from these results. Real Union Club de Irun have already lost three of their five away games this season and enter this game with two defeats in their last three games. For me, there’s clear value in the home win at 10/11 for Elche as they boast a better quality of player and better level of momentum at the present time.

Llaneros de Guanare vs Deportivo Italia – away win at 21/20. Llaneros de Guanare are having a campaign to forget as they’ve won just once in eleven games. They’ve lost a heavy six games in the process and three defeats in their last five games leaves the bottom-placed club precariously placed as other sides begin to pull away from them. Unfortunately for Llaneros de Guanare, they are today hosting one of Venezuela’s “big three” – Deportivo Italia. The visitors are currently third in the Primera Division with seven wins from eleven games. They’ve won three of their last five games and have the best away record in the league with four wins from five away games. They’ve got the momentum and the quality to win this game so I fancy Deportivo Italia to overcome Llaneros de Guanare with considerable ease tonight at 21/20.

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

Argentinian Primera Division:

San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Banfield (6) 2-1
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Velez Sarsfeld (6) 1-0
Boca Juniors vs Colon de Santa Fe (6) 1-1

Australian A-League:

Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory (6) 1-1
Newcastle Jets vs North Queensland Fury (5) 1-2

Austrian Bundesliga:

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

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

FC Vitebsk vs MTZ-RIPO Minsk (5) 1-0
Dinamo Brest vs Naftan Novopolotsk (7) 2-1
FC Smorgon vs FC Minsk (7) 0-1
Neman Grodno vs Torpedo Zhodino (6) 1-0
BATE Borisov vs FC Gomel (4) 1-1
Granit Mikashevichi vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk (8) 1-2
Dinamo Minsk vs Dnepr Mogilev (7) 1-0

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Racing Genk vs Anderlecht (8) 1-2
Standard de Liege vs Club Brugge (4) 1-2

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Antwerp vs Tubize (5)
OH Leuven vs Ronse (8)

Brazilian Serie A:

Corinthians vs Santo Andre (5) 1-1
Atletico Mineiro vs Flamengo (6) 2-1
Fluminense vs Palmeiras (6) 1-2
Botafogo vs Coritiba (7) 2-1
Atletico Paranaense vs Goias (7) 1-1
Gremio Barueri vs Internacional (6) 0-1

Bulgarian A PFG:

Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Levski Sofia (5) 1-1
CSKA Sofia vs Slavia Sofia (6) 2-1

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Real Cartagena vs Atletico Huila (6) 1-1
Deportivo Cali vs Boyaca Chico (6) 1-0
Deportivo Pasto vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (5) 1-1
Once Caldas Manizales vs Envigado (8) 2-0
Cucuta Deportivo vs Deportivo Pereira (6) 2-1, draw no bet
Deportes Quindio vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (6) 1-0
Millonarios Bogota vs La Equidad Bogota (7) 2-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Dinamo Zagreb vs Sibenik (6) 2-1

Cypriot Division 1:

Apollon Limassol vs Doxa (8) 2-1
Ermis vs AEL Limassol (6) 1-2

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Ceske Budejovice vs Mlada Boleslav (6) 0-1
Bohemians Prague vs Brno (5) 1-1
Bohemians 1905 vs Pribram (4) 1-0

Danish Superligaen:

Midtylland vs Randers (8) 2-0
SonderjyskE vs Nordsjaelland (6) 1-1
Brondby vs Esbjerg (7) 1-0
Aalborg BK vs FC Copenhagen (8) 1-2

Danish 1st Division:

Frem vs Roskilde (6) over 2.5 goals
Fyn vs Hvidovre (6)
AC Horsens vs Vestjaelland (7)
Fredericia vs Naestved (6)
Lyngby vs Thisted (8)
Vejle vs Kolding (8)
AB Copenhagen vs Braband (8)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Liga de Quito vs Macara Ambato (8) 2-0
Emelec Guayaquil vs Olmedo Riobamba (6) 1-1
Espoli Cayambe vs Deportivo Cuenca (7) 1-2

English Premier League:

Hull City vs Stoke City (7) 0-1
West Ham United vs Everton (7) 2-1
Wigan Athletic vs Fulham (6) 1-1
Chelsea vs Manchester United (7) 2-1

English FA Cup:

Northwich Victoria vs Charlton Athletic (8) 0-2
Burton Albion vs Oxford City (7) over 2.5 goals
Wealdstone vs Rotherham United (7) 0-1

French Ligue 1:

LOSC Lille vs Girondins de Bordeaux (7) 1-1
Toulouse vs Stade Rennais (6) 0-0
Olympique Lyonnais vs Olympique de Marseille (6) 1-1

German Bundesliga:

Hannover 96 vs Hamburger SV (5) 1-1
Hertha BSC Berlin vs Koln (5) 1-0
Werder Bremen vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (8) over 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga 2:

Energie Cottbus vs 1860 Munich (6)
Karlsruher SC vs Union Berlin (7)
MSV Duisburg vs Rot-Weiss Ahlen (8)

Greek Super League:

Atromitos vs Ergotelis (7) 1-1
Xanthi vs Panionios (7) 1-0
Asteras Tripolis vs PAS Giannina (6) 0-0
Levadiakos vs Panathinaikos (9) 0-2

Greek B Ethniki:

Agrotikos Asteras vs Ethnikos Piraeus (6)
Diagoras Rodos vs Kerkyra (6) draw no bet
Kalamata vs Rhodos (5)
OFI Crete vs Panaitolikos Agrinio (7)
Olympiakos Volos vs Anagennisi Karditsas (8)
Panserraikos vs Doxa Dramas (7)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Gyori ETO FC vs Debreceni VSC (6) 1-1

Italian Serie A:

Bari vs Livorno (7) 1-0
Bologna vs Palermo (6) 1-1
Cagliari vs Sampdoria (6) 1-2
Genoa vs Siena (8) 2-0
Lazio vs AC Milan (7) 1-2
Parma vs Chievo Verona (6) 1-0
Udinese vs Fiorentina (7) 2-1
Internazionale vs AS Roma (8) 2-1

Japanese J-League:

Nagoya Grampus vs Vissel Kobe (7) 2-1
Kashima Antlers vs Montedio Yamagata (7) 1-0
FC Tokyo vs Urawa Red Diamonds (6) 1-1
Kawasaki Frontale vs JEF United Ichihara (9) 3-1
Jubilo Iwata vs Albirex Niigata (6) 1-1
Omiya Ardija vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (6) 0-0
Kashiwa Reysol vs Shimizu S-Pulse (6) 0-1
Yokohama F Marinos vs Oita Trinita (8) 2-1
Gamba Osaka vs Kyoto Purple Sanga (8) 2-1

Latvian Virsliga:

Daugava Riga vs Liepajas Metalurgs (9) 1-3
Skonto Riga vs Olimps Riga (8) 2-0
Tranzits Ventspils vs FK Jurmala (7) 1-2

Mexican Primera Division:

Toluca vs Pachuca (7) 2-1
Morelia vs Pumas UNAM (8) 2-1
Estudiantes Tecos vs Queretaro (6) 1-0
America vs Monterrey (5) 1-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

NAC Breda vs Willem II (8) 2-1
ADO Den Haag vs PSV Eindhoven (9) 0-2
AZ Alkmaar vs Feyenoord Rotterdam (6) 1-1
FC Utrecht vs Heerenveen (7) 2-0
FC Twente Enschede vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (6) 1-2

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

Emmen vs De Graafschap (7)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Ruch Chorzow vs Jagiellonia Bialystok (8) 2-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Leixoes vs CD Nacional (6) 1-1
Uniao de Leiria vs Academica de Coimbra (6) 1-0
Maritimo vs Porto (5) 1-1
Rio Ave vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (5) 2-1, draw no bet

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Desportivo Aves vs Feirense (6)
Freamunde vs Beira-Mar (6)
Trofense vs Varzim (5)
Santa Clara vs Desportivo Chaves (8)
Penafiel vs Oliveirense (7)
Fatima vs Sporting Covilha (5)
Gil Vicente vs Estoril (7)

Romanian Liga:

Otelul Galati vs FC Poli Timisoara (7) 0-1
CFR Cluj vs Astra Ploiesti (8) 2-0
Dinamo Bucharest vs Rapid Bucharest (5) 1-2, draw no bet

Russian Premier League:

CSKA Moscow vs Rubin Kazan (6) 1-2, draw no bet
Spartak Nalchik vs Dinamo Moscow (7) 1-1
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Terek Grozny (8) 2-0
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Amkar Perm (8) 2-1

Scottish Premier League:

Falkirk vs Celtic (8) 0-2

Serbian Super Liga:

Metalac GM vs Partizan Belgrade (7) 1-2
OFK Belgrade vs Javor Ivanjica (7) 1-0

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

MSK Zilina vs Kosice (8) 2-0

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Drava vs Maribor (6) 1-2

Spanish Primera Liga:

Real Valladolid vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 2-0
Sporting Gijon vs Espanyol (6) 1-1
Racing Santander vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (5) 1-2, draw no bet
Almeria vs Osasuna (7) 1-1
Valencia vs Real Zaragoza (8) 2-1
Sevilla CF vs Villarreal (5) 1-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Real Murcia vs Cartagena (6)
Elche vs Real Union Club de Irun (7)
Cadiz vs Real Betis Balompie (6)
Girona vs Villarreal II (5)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Celta de Vigo II vs Ponferradina (7)
Racing Club de Ferrol vs Compostela (6)
Izarra vs Mirandes (6)
Deportivo Alaves vs Athletic Club de Bilbao II (7)
Guijuelo vs Eibar (8)
Zamora vs Lugo (7)

Group 2:

Real Racing Club Santander II vs Vecindario (7)
Real Sporting de Gijon II vs Guadalajara (5)
Tenerife II vs Toledo (6)
Cerro Reyes Badajoz vs Universidad Las Palmas (8)
Puertollano vs Lanzarote (7)
Leganes vs Villanovense (6)
Real Madrid II vs Real Sociedad Gimnastica Torrelavega (7)
Conquense vs Atletico Madrid II (6)
Cacareno vs Alcorcon (6)
Alcala Henares vs Real Oviedo (6)

Group 3:

Atletico Gramenet vs Benidorm (6) over 2.5 goals
Villajoyosa vs Orihuela (5)
Sabadell vs Mallorca II (6)
Sporting Mahones vs Gava (7)
Espanyol Barcelona II vs Barcelona II (6)
Logrones vs Sant Andreu (6)
Alicante vs Badalona (8)
Ontinyent vs Valencia II (9)
Lleida vs Terrassa (6)

Group 4:

San Roque vs Melilla (5)
Sangonera Atletico vs Real Murcia II (6)
Ecije Balompie vs Sevilla II (8)
Ceuta vs Real Jaen (8)
Aguilas vs Caravaca (7)
Lucena vs Union Estepona (7)

Swedish Allsvenskan Relegation/Promotion Play-Off:

Djurgardens vs Assyriska Sodertalje (8) 2-0

Swiss Super League:

Luzern vs FC Zurich (5) 1-2
Sion vs Young Boys Bern (6) 0-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Vaduz vs Wohlen (8)
Wil vs Le Mont (6)
Biel-Bienne vs Locarno (5)
Thun vs Servette (8)
Gossau vs Winterthur (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Ankaragucu vs Kasimpasa (8) 2-1
Eskisehirspor vs Denizlispor (8) 2-0
Manisaspor vs Gaziantepspor (8) 1-1
Sivasspor vs Kayserispor (6) 2-1
Diyarbakirspor vs Galatasaray (7) 1-2

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Liverpool Montevideo vs Cerro (8) 2-0
Cerro Largo vs Montevideo Wanderers (6) 1-1
Tacuarembo vs River Plate Montevideo (5) 1-1
Cerrito vs Penarol (8) 1-2
Fenix vs Danubio (6) 0-2

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Lara vs Deportivo Tachira (6) 0-1
Mineros de Guayana vs Deportivo Anzoategui (7) 2-1
Monagas SC vs Zulia (9) 3-1
Trujillanos vs Zamora (8) 2-0
Atletico El Vigia vs Yaracuyanos (6) 2-1
Llaneros de Guanare vs Deportivo Italia (7) 1-2
Centro Italo vs Real Esppor Club (7) 1-1
Caracas vs Carabobo (8) 2-0
Aragua vs Estudiantes de Merida (7) 0-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!