Today’s featured game is the Serie A encounter between Palermo and Lazio. Palermo are a notoriously strong home side and any side travelling to Sicily know that they’re in for a tough game. Visitors Lazio are surprisingly battling relegation currently following a disappointing and somewhat goalless campaign so will have to be at their best to have any chance of taking something from this game.

Palermo have already won eight out of twelve home games in Serie A this season and are unbeaten in the remaining games that they’ve played. They average scoring approximately 1.5 goals per home game and are one of the most solid defences in Serie A on their own turf with just eight goals conceded all season – only SSC Napoli and Sampdoria can better that record and that’s only by a solitary goal. They’ve won their last six home games consecutively whilst scoring thirteen goals and conceding just three so their averages are definitely favouring them at the moment. Although Palermo struggle away from home in Serie A more often than not, their home form is as reliable as ever so it’d be foolish to overlook them today.

Visitors Lazio have had a dismal campaign that is largely due to a lack of goals scored, which is odd because out of all the problems I thought that Lazio could have pre-season – that was one I didn’t think there would be, not with the budding relationship of Cruz and Zarate in attack. Nonethless, Lazio have struggled and as a result only Livorno have scored less goals in Serie A than they have this season and that’s largely why Lazio are battling relegation. They don’t concede many goals but any side that concedes more than they score overall is likely to lose the majority of their away games, thus explaining why Lazio have only won twice in twelve away games in Serie A.

Palermo beat Lazio in this exact fixture last season and drew in Rome this season so Palermo are clearly still capable of doing a job on Lazio. Palermo’s home form is very good and reliable so I can’t overlook the odds on the home win today when Lazio are such a poor goalscoring side and struggle a lot on the road.

Verdict: Palermo to win at 4/5.

Sunday’s Picks

My tips:

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

River Plate vs Arsenal de Sarandi – home win at 4/5.

River Plate have yet to convince me that they’re a force in the Primera Division again this season and that’s largely because they’re not. Nonetheless, at the very least they’re a fairly competent mid-table side that misses little playmaker Diego Buonanotte too much! Although River Plate are yet to register a goal in their two home games in the Clausura, they’re still very much capable of doing so. They aren’t conceding many goals but they need to start taking their chances to be a threat of any kind in this division. However, today they have the perfect opportunity to score some goals today against a defensively inept Arsenal de Sarandi, particularly as Arsenal de Sarandi have lost every Primera Division game that they’ve ever played here against River Plate.

Arsenal may have claimed an impressive 4-2 win at Racing Club Avellaneda already this season but they’re still a poor side and their other results reflect that with three defeats and eight goals conceded along the way whilst failing to register any goals. Arsenal’s total number of goals conceded now reaches eleven goals over four games and that’s not the kind of record that you want to take into an away game against a side that is better than you and a side that consistently beats you. Barring their one game against Racing Club Avellaneda, Arsenal de Sarandi fail to score on a regular basis and concede excessively in each game that they play in. That’s a dangerous record to have entering a game with a side that are threatening to burst and score a lot of goals in the near future and I feel Arsenal could be embarassed here today if the hosts turn up.

Frankly, you’ll never see odds like this again because River Plate are way too good for Arsenal irrespective of the issues internally and externally at the club. Arsenal are a woeful side, particularly in defence so I’ll be surprised if even a goal-shy River Plate don’t destroy them tonight!

Verdict: River Plate to win at 4/5.

Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory – home win at evens.

Wellington Phoenix enter the first leg of this play-off tie with Perth Glory on the back of three consecutive A-League wins without conceding a goal in any of those encounters. Wellington Phoenix have already won seven out of thirteen home games in the A-League this season and have only been beaten once there so they’re a reliable force at home. They average scoring nearly two goals per game and have the best defensive record in the A-League at home with just seven goals conceded at home all season. With their home advantage, momentum, and defensive prowess, it’s hard for me to overlook the inviting odds on the home win today.

Visitors Perth Glory took a while to get their season going but have consistently struggled away from home with nine defeats in thirteen A-League games. They average conceding nearly two goals per away game and have lost four out of their last five away games in the A-League. They carry some momentum into this game following four wins from their past five games (including one defeat) but struggle consistently on the road so I fail to see how they’ll take something from this game today.

Although Perth Glory claimed a 1-1 draw here earlier in the season, both sides have changed a lot since then and Wellington now have the upper hand, in my opinion. They’re good at home and have more than enough in their favour to make the home win a good bet today.

Verdict: Wellington Pheonix to win at evens.

Salzburg vs LASK Linz – over 3.5 goals at 10/11.

I do love my bets in the Bundesliga because they’re all simply crazy. This bet would be a good one for just about any Bundesliga game in Austria, to be frank!

Salzburg are one of the best sides in the country and tend to show it which is why they’re currently joint with Rapid Vienna at the top of the table. However, after somehow throwing away a two-goal lead in Belgium mid-week to lose 3-2 against Standard de Liege in the UEFA Europa League, that trip home begins to get an awful lot more tiring and the side takes a bit of a knock mentally. It’ll be interesting to see how it affects Salzburg as to whether it’ll spur them into a demolition job against LASK Linz or whether they suffer a lack of confidence in defence and concede excessively but I’m expecting at least one of those options to occur. Salzburg have already won seven out of nine home games in the Bundesliga this season and average scoring nearly three goals per home game and concede just below a goal per home game on average so they’re capable of taking a game over 3.5 goals.

Visitors LASK Linz are a fantastic side and not for any good reason either! They score and concede so many goals that it’s unreal! How many other sides can you name that are joint-top goalscorers in their domestic league and yet are battling against relegation?! None! In the twenty games that they’ve participated in this season they’ve conceded fifty-four goals and scored forty-four, which is just amazing – ninety-eight goals in twenty games! LASK average conceding nearly four goals per away game and score approximately 1.5 goals per away game so I’d think that this game will go over 3.5 goals. To be honest, I think that any LASK Linz game is capable of going over 3.5 goals!

This game went over 3.5 goals last season and I don’t see why it won’t occur today in light of the above information.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals at 10/11.

Club Brugge vs Standard de Liege – home win at 10/11.

This is a brave call if you’re a fan of head-to-head statistics as Standard have had the better record against Club Brugge in recent years, beating them in their last six Eerste Klasse meetings at either ground. However, Club Brugge may be about to break that record given their good showing in the Eerste Klasse this season. They’re currently second in the table and have already won eight out of twelve home games already, scoring nearly two goals per game on average. Their recent form doesn’t look impressive win no wins in their past three Eerste Klasse games but if examined closely you’ll see that all three of those games were away from home against very good sides – Anderlecht, Zulte-Waregem, and AA Gent – so I wouldn’t read too much into that. In fact, I’d probably take more notice of their mid-week win against Valencia CF in the UEFA Europa League because of their excellent display and result, which will have given them considerable momentum as a result. Club Brugge know that they have win to keep up the pressure on Anderlecht and they’ve got the ability to do so today as they showed mid-week so I think they’ve got a good chance of taking three points today.

Visitors Standard de Liege will have taken considerable momentum from their fight-back at home to Austrians Salzburg mid-week after trailing by two goals but winning 3-2. I’m not convinced that the work of Bologni has been undone by this win but it will improve Standard’s confidence. However, we can’t overlook the fact that they’re lacking in some quality and have already lost five out of twelve away games this season so their domestic campaign is in tatters currently. Standard have lost five out of their last seven away games domestically and have only scored in one out of their last four away games so they’re looking rather impotent and susceptible away from home.

It’ll be interesting to see what mid-week results have done for both clubs but ultimately I expect Club Brugge to take the bull by the horns and win this game against an unconvincing and impotent Standard de Liege today.

Verdict: Club Brugge to win at 10/11.

Real Cartagena vs America de Cali – home win at 3/4.

Primera A leaders Real Cartagena have already won three out of their opening four games, drawing the other encounter. They’ve won both of their home games and have average scoring three goals per home game thus far so their momentum and potency are very good at the moment. They’re conceding more than they should be but as long as they’re in-form then they’re likely to be outscoring their opponents. Real Cartagena have already beaten Once Caldas Manizales and Atletico Huila at home – two difficult games – and have drawn at Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota – another difficult game – and beaten little Boyaca Chico so they’ve not had an easy run. They’ve emerged with a lot more than points from these games and I expect that to continue tonight.

America de Cali have been somewhat average this season with one win, one draw, and two defeats in four games. They’ve lost their only away game against Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota, which is an acceptable result. However, their last match was at home to newly-promoted Cortulua and managed to lose 1-0 somehow, which isn’t an acceptable result. America de Cali simply don’t score enough goals and all too often find themselves on the receiving end of results against the majority of Primera A sides which is why they’ve struggled so much in recent times.

America de Cali have lost their last two meetings with Real Cartagena (one at either ground) without scoring a goal and have lost here for three out of their last four visits, drawing the other occasion. With America de Cali short on confidence and goals and hosts Real Cartagena in a great vein of form as well as scoring goals for fun, it’s hard to see anything but a home win tonight.

Verdict: Real Cartagena to win at 3/4.

Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers – home win at 10/11.

This derby sees Blackburn Rovers making a somewhat unnoticed break up the form chart as they’ve now won three consecutive home games in the Premier League, including a win against a difficult Fulham side. This means that Blackburn have now won seven out of thirteen home games, more than than the majority of Premier League sides have managed this season. Blackburn don’t score many but tend to keep their opponents out so their wins are efficient, particularly in recent times. Blackburn won 2-0 at Bolton earlier this season to break their horrendous run of away games so they’ll look to overcome them again today.

Bolton are struggling at the moment with scoring goals and defending. They were quite poor against Wigan Athletic mid-week and were fortunate not to concede, in my opinion. They’ve already lost seven out of twelve away games and average conceding nearly two goals per game, a record I can only see getting worse with the injured Gary Cahill out for the season thus leaving Bolton with makeshift centre-backs and lacking in leadership. Bolton haven’t score in any of their last three away games and have lost two of them so they could struggle today against bitter rivals Blackburn.

A draw isn’t really enough for Bolton – they need three points rapidly. This could and should play into Blackburn’s hands so I think the home win has some good value today, particularly with Bolton’s impotent away displays of late.

Verdict: Blackburn Rovers to win at 10/11.

Bristol City vs West Bromwich Albion – away win at evens.

Bristol City have only been beaten twice at home in the Championship this season but they’ve rarely looked as likely to lose again as they do today. They’ve won just once in thirteen Championship games and have descended the table rapidly as a result. They’ve drawn their last two home games against Coventry City and Leicester City but had been crushed 6-0 by Cardiff City in their previous home game. Bristol City just aren’t scoring goals and are conceding too easily – it almost seems like their long ball style of football is being capitalised upon at long last.

Visitors West Brom are a troublesome side for any opponent of theirs. They play attractive football and score a lot of goals so the only sides that get results off them are those who are sound defensively or those who outscore them. As the top goalscorers in the division it’s fair to say that not many sides will outscore West Brom and Bristol are certainly not exempt from that list. West Brom have won four out of their last five games with their only slip-up being a rather respectable draw at Cardiff City in their last away game. West Brom have won eight out of sixteen away games already this season and average scoring nearly two goals per game so West Brom really should have enough to get the job done today.

With Bristol City not scoring goals and not playing well and West Brom scoring goals for fun and bringing a lot of momentum into this game, it’s hard to see anything but an away win for the more illustrious West Brom today.

Verdict: West Bromwich Albion to win at evens.

Sochaux vs Olympique Lyonnais – away win at evens.

Despite Sochaux’s dominating home record in Ligue 1 in recent years, one side that contiuously evades the hosts seems to be Olympique Lyonnais. Sochaux may have won seven out of twelve games already at home this season but they’ve lost every home game with Olympique Lyonnais for their last six meetings and have only scored twice during those six meetings. Sochaux managed to upset the odds by winning at Olympique Lyonnais this season when today’s visitors were in a poor state of mind and weren’t scoring goals. However, Lyon are gradually getting back to their best and a dominating if low-scoring home win against Real Madrid mid-week will have only inflated their confidence and momentum ahead of this encounter. Lyon have now won five out of their last six Ligue 1 games and are playing very good football so it’s hard to envision Sochaux preventing them from taking three points today.

Verdict: Olympique Lyonnais to win at evnes.

Atromitos vs Asteras Tripolis – home win at 5/6.

Say what you like about Atromitos – they just keep winning at home! They’ve won six out of eleven home games in the Super League this season and have won their last three home games consecutively despite facing difficult opponents like Kavala and Panionios. It’s always dangerous in my eyes to back Atromitos heavily in their games despite their good form because they don’t score many goals at home so a simple away goal can unsettle their rhythm. However, most opponents don’t manage to score here, happily, so taking home wins with Atromitos tends to be profitable and consistently pleasing!

Visitors Asteras Tripolis are a good side but have now lost four out of their last five Super League games with their only win coming at home to out-of-sorts Panionios. Asteras Tripolis have lost their last five away games consecutively, which means that they’ve now lost six out of eleven away games. They’re not conceding excessively but they’re not scoring enough goals so problems are rife in the Asteras camp currently.

With a lack of momentum and a leaky defence I can’t see Asteras Tripolis taking anything from a reliable Atromitos today.

Verdict: Atromitos to win at 5/6.

Agrotikos Asteras vs Kalamata – home win at 4/5.

Now these odds baffle me!

Agrotikos Asteras have already won five out of ten home games in the B Ethniki this season and only league leaders Kerkyra have conceded less goals than they have at home in the division. They’ve won three out of their last four home games in the B Ethniki and none of their opponents have scored against them during those games so their defence is rock-solid. Although they let themselves down with goalscoring, Agrotikos are rapidly becoming a very reliable home side and I can’t see that changing against relegation-battling Kalamata today.

Kalamata have lost here for two seasons running now and don’t look likely to change that record today after some unconvincing displays. Kalamata have lost seven out of ten away games already in the B Ethniki this season whilst conceding 1.5 goals on average and scoring a paltry three goals, hence their large issues. Kalamata have lost two away games consecutively in this division whilst scoring just once but conceding five times so I can’t see how Kalamata will claim anything from this game today.

Again, the odds really confuse me here. Agrotikos simply cannot concede in this game due to their astute defensive displays and they’re facing a leaky Kalamata defence so the home win looks something of a bargain today.

Verdict: Agrotikos Asteras to win at 4/5.

Atalanta Bergamo vs Chievo Verona – home win at evens.

Atalanta Bergamo are beginning to piece together their season and are now unbeaten in their last two Serie A games. They won at home to a difficult Bari in their last home game and impressively drew at Catania in their last away game. The result against Catania might not seem like much but Catania had been in good form prior to that game with three consecutive home wins and both sides desperately needed the points so a 0-0 was a very good result for Atalanta. They’ve now not conceded in their last two Serie A games and have won their last two home games consecutively without conceding so Atalanta look to have sorted their attack and defence out and look in a good position to take advantage of their momentum today.

Chievo Verona are a tricky opponent when in-form but frankly look a shadow of their former selves currently with no wins in four games. They’ve lost their last two games consecutively and although one was an acceptable defeat at Genoa, the other was a totally unacceptable defeat at home to Siena. Chievo now haven’t scored in two games and although their conceding is being kept to a minimum it’s clear that they still have issues. Chievo have already lost six out of twelve away games in Serie A this season and should struggle today against in-form and defensively-organised Atalanta Bergamo.

Verdict: Atalanta Bergamo to win at evens.

Cagliari vs Parma – home win at 3/4.

Cagliari’s dominating home form strolls onwards following an emphatic 3-1 win over Bari in thir last home game. They’re unbeaten in their last eight home games in Serie A and have scored twenty-one goals along the way, which is an average of nearly three goals per home game. They’ve given nightmarish games to bigger and better sides than Parma during that run and have been consistently impressive with their potency throughout. The trip to Sardinia is always a tricky one and a Cagliari side in form is a side that nobody takes points off generally! The hosts are well-placed to do well in this game and I’ll frankly be surprised if they don’t win this one.

Visitors Parma enter this game on the back of an extremely disappointing 2-0 home defeat against a goal-shy Lazio. Parma’s strength is usuallyat home so they’re going to have taken quite the mental blow ahead of their trip to Sardinia. Parma have lost their last three away games consecutively, taking their tally to seven defeats in twelve away games in Serie A this season. Only bottom club Siena have conceded more away goals than Parma have this season with the visitors today averaging two goals conceded per away game. With Parma lacking in momentum and goalscoring ability of late, it’s hard to envision them picking up any points from a tough trip to Sardinia against a very in-form Cagliari.

Verdict: Cagliari to win at 3/4.

Vitoria Setubal vs Naval de Maio – home win at 11/10.

Vitoria Setubal have been putting in some good displays lately and have deserved more than they’ve received. They’re unbeaten in their last six Liga Sagres games but have drawn their last five consecutively, including some impressive draws against SL Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes. Setubal travelled to Uniao de Leiria last match and despite leading 3-1 at one point they still threw away the points. However, Setubal are scoring a lot of goals with eight goals scored in their last four games - an average of two goals per game – so they’re doing the hard part. They simply need to organised their defensive duties and they’ll be able to climb away from the relegation zone. Despite drawing a lot of games Vitoria have taken some good momentum from their recent games and it’s showed in their displays; confidence is growing and potency is rife. Setubal are unlikely to be in a better position to beat Naval this season so I’m going to side with them today.

Naval are a well-organised unit but they’re also quite a poor side, really. They’ve lost their last three away games in the Liga Sagres consecutively and haven’t scored in their last four away games. They’ve already lost seven out of ten away games this season and although they only average conceding just over 1.5 goals per away game, the fact remains that they’ve only scored three away goals all season; an average of under a goal for every three away games played. Naval will look to frustrate their opponents as they do in all their away games but frankly they should be outscored today by a potent Vitoria Setubal.

Verdict: Vitoria Setubal to win at 11/10.

Porto vs Sporting Braga – home win at 5/6.

Porto simply have to win this game to keep their Liga Sagres title hopes alive. The reigning champions have endured a frustrating campaign but are still in the reckoning despite trailing rivals SL Benfica by nine points. Porto have won eight out of ten home games already this season and average scoring over two goals per game so they’re a potent home side. They won impressively at home to Arsenal mid-week in the UEFA Champions League so their confidence is high and their motivation unquestionable. Porto have beaten Braga here for two out of the last three seasons and were unlucky to lose at Braga earlier on this season with a fluke goal doing the damage and Braga then utilising their defensive supremacy. However, we should witness a very different Porto today, a Porto side that is capable and potent so they should do damage to Braga today.

Visitors Braga have looked a bit weary in recent times. They struggled to overcome Maritimo Funchal lately and eventually won 2-1 with a late goal that was forged after the ball had clearly rolled out of play on the far side so we’ll call it a “fortuitous” win for today’s visitors. Braga have been extremely consistent and efficien in the Liga Sagres this season but will be tested severely by a very good Porto side today. Anything but defeat is a good result for Braga today so they’ll set up defensively. Unfortunately for Braga they’re facing a Porto side that are somewhat inspired currently so they’ll have their work cut out today. Braga have only lost once on the road all season, however, so they’ll certainly not make this easy for Porto.

I expect a very compact display from Braga in this game and it’s going to take a lot of innovation and/or luck for Porto to break them down. For that reason, I think it might be worth taking Bruno Alves to score at any time for Porto because it may require his aerial prowess to crack a very tough Braga defence from set pieces.

Verdict: Porto to win at 5/6.

Portimonense vs Trofense – home win at 10/11.

Moneybags Portimonense have already won six out of ten home games in the Liga de Honra this season and despite conceding more than they should, they always seem to overcome their opponents. They’ve won their last four home games consecutively so their momentum and confidence are high and they’ve scored an impressive eight goals along the way – an average of two goals scored per game. Portimonense have won four out of ther last five games overall so their general level of performance is good and they’re looking likely to continue their good run today.

Visitors Trofense have failed to impress me in the Liga de Honra following relegation from the Liga Sagres last season and have struggled for the majority of the season. They’ve been on a late surge recently but have taken a few mental blows following back-to-back defeats in their last two games. Trofense struggle on the road too with six defeats in ten games, conceding an average of two goals per away game. They’ve lost three out of their last four Liga de Honra games and haven’t even scored in their last two Liga de Honra games so they’re struggling rather a lot at the moment.

Ultimately, with Portimonense in good and prolific form, visitors Trofense really shouldn’t have a chance with their lacklustre and goal-shy displays of late.

Verdict: Portimonense to win at 10/11.

Malaga vs Espanyol – home win at 21/20.

Malaga have been excellent in recent times so I have to pay my respects to them. I didn’t give them a chance of staying up following disappointing Primera Liga form pre-Christmas but since then they’ve been very good indeed. Malaga’s most impressive asset has been their rock-solid defence, a defence that only Real Madrid have breached in their last five Primera Liga games with Malaga winning three of those games. Malaga have actually impressed more in their away games than their home games with extremely convincing away wins against Atletico Madrid and Racing Santander respectively so the hosts are very much capable. A competent Deportivo La Coruna kept Malaga a bay in Malaga’s last home game but Malaga have won two out of their last four home games and have scored in all five of their previous five home games prior to their goalless draw with Deportivo so I do expect the in-form hosts to score today. Malaga have to turn their impressive away results into impressive home results but that transformation is only a short jump away; it could even be done today.

Visitors Espanyol have played well lately too although their performances have been restricted to wins at home. Espanyol have lost seven consecutive away games in all competitions and their paltry goalscoring record is the predominant reason for their consistent failure on the road with just three away goals scored in ten away games this season. Espanyol are actually one of the better away sides defensively in this division but you wouldn’t know it from their horrendous record of seven defeats in ten away games and I can’t see it improving today against a water-tight Malaga defence.

I’m surprised at the odds but happy to take them as I can see Malaga scoring at least one or two but I’ll be amazed if Espanyol manage to score. Momentum and potency favours the home side so I’m going to as well!

Verdict: Malaga to win at 21/20.

Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa vs Zamora – home win at evens.

Basque side Cultural are unbeaten in their last four games, winning twice and drawing twice. They’re a consistent threat at home with five wins, six draws, and just one defeat in twelve home games so no side has an easy trip here. Cultural have won their last two home games consecutively against local rivals Osasuna II and Deportivo Alaves respectively so the momentum and confidence of the hosts today should be key. What has impressed me lately about Cultural is their potency as they’ve now scored seven times in four games despite goalscoring having been a real thorn in their side this season. Ultimately, momentum and home advantage favours the hosts and with potency in their favour you have to feel that they can take three points today.

Zamora enter this game on the back of a 3-1 away defeat against Lemona so they’re not going to have fond memories of the Basque country. Indeed, Zamora have lost on all of their away trips to the Basque country this season – defeats against Athletic Club de Bilbao II, Izarra, Osasuna II, Deportivo Alaves, Eibar, and now Lemona mean that Zamora are really starting to dislike this trip. They’ve only scored on one visit and that was in their 3-1 defeat against Lemona. Zamora have now lost eight out of thirteen away games and consistently fail to perform on the road. They average conceding nearly two goals per away game whilst barely averaging scoring a goal per two away games.

Ultmately, we should see another home win for yet another Basque side against a Zamora side that consistently fail on the road.

Verdict: Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa to win at evens.

St.Gallen vs Young Boys Bern – away win at 10/11.

St.Gallen have only been beaten twice at home this season but one those defeats was against Young Boys Bern so today’s visitors are certainly capable. Young Boys Bern have already won six out of ten away games in the Super League this season which is more than any other Swiss side. They average scoring over two goals per away game so should test the resolute defence of St.Gallen. St.Gallen tend to rely rather heavily on their reliable defence but a potent Young Boys Bern really should be able to shatter that defence, particularly as they have to to keep title rivals Basel at bay!

This could and probably will be a close game with less goals than expected. However, Young Boys Bern are simply too good for the newly-promoted side as they proved earlier on in the season so I fail to see why they won’t do the same again today.

Verdict: Young Boys Bern to win at 10/11.

Besiktas JK vs Galatasaray – home win at 5/4.

Besiktas JK have a very good derby record at home to bitter rivals Galatasaray as they’ve won their last three games here so Besiktas will have gained confidence from this record. They’ve already won six out of ten home games in the Super Lig this season and boast one of the better defensive home records in this division, which is handy as their potency isn’t anywhere near what it should be. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have always been the more flambuoyant sides in Turkey – Besiktas are the efficient machine and the tend to enjoy some success against their rivals as a result. Besiktas have won three out of their last four games in all competitions and have scored eight goals in their last two home games so they’re on fire at the moment.

Visitors Galatasaray will enter this game a little tired from their mid-week exploits at Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Europa League where they claimed a valuable 1-1 draw depsite an absence of strikers. Galatasaray will have gained momentum from this result but can’t escape the fact that their away form recently has been questionable. They’ve drawn at Kayserispor, who are in good form so that’s fair enough, but lost at Antalyaspor and drew at Ankaragucu in the Turkiye Kupasi so they’re yet to convince me that they can do anything today. Galatasaray have won six out of ten away games this season but have been beaten three times too so they’re capable of being outdone and they’ll feel that as they travel to Besiktas where they’ve lost for three seasons running now.

This should be a close game; derbies often are. I expect plenty of cards and passion but ultimately Besiktas are fresher for this game, they’ve got more momentum and they’ve got more potency than Galatasaray. Galatasaray are missing playes for this trip so I feel the value is in the home win today.

Verdict: Besiktas JK to win at 5/4.

Accumulator fodder:

Banfield, Salzburg, Anderlecht, Omonia Nicosia, El Nacional Quito, Aston Villa, Kerkyra, Olympiakos Volos, AS Roma, PSV Eindhoven, Twente Enschede, AFC Ajax Amsterdam, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Ponferradina, Atletico Gramenet, Denia, San Roque, Luzern, Lausanne Sports, Vaduz, Llanelli. 

Recommended bets:

Dutch accumulator with Feyenoord Rotterdam, PSV Eindhoven, Twente Enschede, and AFC Ajax Amsterdam at 2/1 would require a hefty stake but should be good value if you have the balls to hit it hard!

Atromitos, Agrotikos Asteras, Club Brugge, and Vaduz at 8/1.

AS Roma, Kerkyra, Llanelli, Palermo, and West Bromwich Albion at 10/1.

Olympiakos Volos, Salzburg, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Cagliari, and Porto at 9/1.

Omonia Nicosia, Aston Villa, Banfield, Besiktas JK, and Portimonense at 14/1.

A samba-bastard South American four-team accumulator containing El Nacional Quito, River Plate, Real Cartagena, and Penarol at 6/1 looks favourable  if you fancy a bet later on in the day!

A Spanish six-team accumulator looks intriguing too with Malaga, Atletico Gramenet, Ponferradina, Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, San Roque, and Denia at 13/1.

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:

Banfield vs Rosario Central (8) 2-0
River Plate vs Arsenal de Sarandi (7) over 2.5 goals
Atletico Tucuman vs Argentinos Juniors (5) 2-2
Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Boca Juniors (6) 1-1

Australian A-League:

Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory (7) 1-0

Austrian Bundesliga:

Salzburg vs LASK Linz (9) over 3.5 goals

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Club Brugge vs Standard de Liege (7) 2-1
Anderlecht vs Mechelen (8) 2-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Oostende vs Turnhout (6)
OH Leuven vs Brussels (6)
Standaard Wetteren vs Ronse (6)

Colombian Primera A:

Cortulua vs Independiente Medellin (5) 1-1
Real Cartagena vs America de Cali (8) 2-0
La Equidad Bogota vs Boyaca Chico (5) 0-0
Deportes Tolima vs Once Caldas Manizales (6) over 2.5 goals
Deportivo Cali vs Deportes Quindio (7) 1-0
Envigado vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (6) 1-1

Cypriot Division 1:

Aris Limassol vs AEL Limassol (7) 0-1
Enosis Neon Paralimni vs A.E.Paphos (6) 1-1
Ermis vs Omonia Nicosia (8) 0-2

Ecuadorian Primera A:

El Nacional Quito vs Universidad Catolica (8) 2-0
Olmedo Riobamba vs Liga de Quito (6) 0-1
Macara Ambato vs Deportivo Cuenca (7) 1-1
Independiente vs Barcelona Guayaquil (7) 1-2

English Premier League:

Blackburn Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers (6) 1-0
Aston Villa vs Burnley (8) 2-1
Fulham vs Birmingham City (7) 1-0
Manchester City vs Liverpool (5) 1-1
Wigan Athletic vs Tottenham Hotspur (5) 2-2

English Championship:

Bristol City vs West Bromwich Albion (7) over 2.5 goals

French Ligue 1:

Sochaux vs Olympique Lyonnais (7) 1-2
Olympique de Marseille vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (7) over 2.5 goals
Stade Rennais vs LOSC Lille (6) 1-1

French Ligue 2:

Guingamp vs Brest (6)

German Bundesliga:

SC Freiburg vs Hertha BSC Berlin (5) 0-1, draw no bet
VFL Wolfsburg vs Schalke 04 (6) 0-1
Werder Bremen vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (7) 2-2

German Bundesliga 2:

FSV Frankfurt vs Karlsruher SC (6)
Rot-Weiss Oberhausen vs Greuther Furth (5)
Energie Cottbus vs Paderborn (6)

Greek Super League:

Atromitos vs Asteras Tripolis (6) 1-0
Larissa vs Panthrakikos (7) 2-0
PAS Giannina vs Panionios (6) 1-1
AEK Athens vs Aris Salonika (4) 1-1
PAOK Salonika vs Panathinaikos (6) 0-0

Greek B Ethniki:

Agrotikos Asteras vs Kalamata (8)
Ilioupoli vs Thrasivoulos (6)
Kerkyra vs Aigaelo Athens (10) -1.75 handicap
OFI Crete vs Rhodos (7)
Olympiakos Volos vs Doxa Dramas (8)
Pierikos Katerini vs Ionikos Nikaias (5)

Italian Serie A:

AS Roma vs Catania (8) 2-1
Atalanta Bergamo vs Chievo Verona (6) 1-0
Bologna vs Juventus (7) 0-1
Palermo vs Lazio (8) 2-0
Fiorentina vs Livorno (7) 2-1
Siena vs SSC Napoli (5) 1-1
Cagliari vs Parma (8) over 2.5 goals
Bari vs AC Milan (6) 1-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Pumas UNAM vs Atlante (5) 1-0
Indios vs Cruz Azul (6) 0-1
Santos Laguna vs Estudiantes Tecos (8) over 2.5 goals
America vs Tigres UANL (8) 2-0

Dutch Eredivisie:

Feyenoord Rotterdam vs ADO Den Haag (8) 2-0
Twente Enschede vs Willem II (9) 2-0
PSV Eindhoven vs Sparta Rotterdam (9) -1.75 handicap
AFC Ajax Amsterdam vs Vitesse Arnhem (9) over 2.5 goals

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Vitoria Setubal vs Naval de Maio (7) 2-0
Rio Ave vs Pacos de Ferreira (8) 1-1
Porto vs Sporting Braga (7) 1-0

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Feirense vs Santa Clara (6)
Estoril vs Desportivo Chaves (6)
Sporting Covilha vs Penafiel (7)
Desportivo Aves vs Carregado (7)
Varzim vs Freamunde (7)
Fatima vs Gil Vicente (5)
Portimonense vs Trofense (8)

Romanian Liga:

Gaz Metan Medias vs Vaslui (6) 1-1
Pandurii Targu Jiu vs Astra Ploiesti (6) 1-0
Dinamo Bucharest vs Universitatea Craiova (4) 1-1

Scottish Premier League:

Hearts vs Hamilton Academicals (7) 2-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Malaga vs Espanyol (7) 2-0
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Tenerife (8) 2-1
Osasuna vs Real Valladolid (7) 1-0
Real Zaragoza vs Sporting Gijon (4) 1-1
Almeria vs Atletico Madrid (5) 1-1
Real Madrid vs Villarreal (8) over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Cadiz vs Hercules Alicante (6)
Girona vs Real Sociedad (6)
Gimnastic de Tarragona vs Huesca (6)
Real Murcia vs Numancia (7)
Celta de Vigo vs Cordoba (5)
Real Union Club de Irun vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (5)
Las Palmas vs Salamanca (6)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Lemona vs Compostela (7)
Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa vs Zamora (7)
Pontevedra vs Eibar (6)
Palencia vs Mirandes (7)
Ponferradina vs Sestao River Club (8)
Montaneros vs Athetlic Club de Bilbao II (7)
Izarra vs Lugo (6)
Deportivo Alaves vs Racing Club de Ferrol (6)
Guijuelo vs Osasuna II (5)

Group 2:

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

Group 3:

Atletico Gramenet vs Terrassa (9)
Sant Andreu vs Benidorm (8)
Sporting Mahones vs Valencia II (7)
Espanyol Barcelona II vs Lleida (6)
Alicante vs Ontinyent (7)
Villajoyosa vs Mallorca II (6)
Denia vs Gava (9)
Sabadell vs Barcelona II (7)
Alcoyano vs Orihuela (7)

Group 4:

Union Estepona vs Real Jaen (6)
Sevilla II vs Caravaca (5)
Sangonera Atletico vs Marbella (6)
Jerez Industrial vs Melilla (7)
Aguilas vs Granada (5)
Ecija Balompie vs Real Murcia II (6)
Ceuta vs Polideportivo Ejido (6)
Atletico Ciudad de Murcia vs Real Betis Balompie II (7)
San Roque vs Moratalla (9)
Lucena vs Roquetas (7)

Swiss Super League:

Luzern vs Bellinzona (8) 2-1
Sion vs Neuchatel Xamax (7) 1-0
St.Gallen vs Young Boys Bern (7) 1-2

Swiss Challenge League:

Lausanne Sports vs Le Mont (8)
Thun vs Wil (7)
Vaduz vs Gossau (9)

Turkish Super Lig:

Ankaragucu vs Antalyaspor (6) 1-1
Kasimpasa vs Gaziantepspor (5) 1-0
Diyarbakirspor vs Denizlispor (6) 2-1
Besiktas JK vs Galatasaray (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Fenix vs Defensor Sporting (6) 1-1
Atenas vs Montevideo Wanderers (7) 2-1
Penarol vs Liverpool Montevideo (8) 2-1

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Atletico El Vigia vs Aragua (6) 2-1
Carabobo vs Trujillanos (5) 1-1
Real Esppor Club vs Estudiantes de Merida (6) 1-0
Monagas SC vs Llaneros de Guanare (6) 2-1
Mineros de Guayana vs Centro Italo (7) 2-0
Zamora vs Deportivo Tachira (6) 1-2
Zulia vs Deportivo Anzoategui (5) 1-1

Welsh Premier League:

Bala Town vs Llanelli (8) over 2.5 goals

Enjoy your free betting tips!