Everton vs Manchester United
Today's featured game is the English Premier League game between Everton and Manchester United. After a poor start to their campaign, Everton have started to show signs of returning to their best and are currently flying their way up the Premier League. Visitors Manchester United had a poor start to their campaign by their own high standards but are finally starting to peak and have claimed some excellent results in recent times.
Everton have won four out of their last five Premier League games and have generally looked very impressive during those games. Indeed, only a bad-tempered defeat against bitter rivals Liverpool has marred their winning run. Everton have even beaten league leaders Chelsea recently so this game will be a tough one. Everton have only lost twice at home in the Premier League this season and are one of the bigger goalscoring and goal conceding sides in the division when playing at home. Everton are a well-organised unit under David Moyes and tend to have the right blend of experience, quality, flair, and tenacity to overcome most sides. However, a win at home to Sporting Clube de Lisboa mid-week may have not only tired them a little but may also have left a sour taste in their mouths following a late goal scored by Sporting which means that Everton travel to Lisbon with their hosts on that night having an away goal in their favour. After dominating the game, Everton will no doubt be disappointed to have given that away. Still, their momentum is strong and Everton's home form is reliable so they'll be up for this game today.
Manchester United have won eight out of their last nine visits to Goodison Park. If that's not a convincing statistic then I don't know what is! Not only that but Manchester United have been on fire lately, particularly striker Wayne Rooney, who will no doubt be relishing his return to his former club. Manchester United have won more away games in the Premier League this season than any other side with seven wins in twelve games. They've scored more goals on the road than any other side too with an average of two goals scored per away game. United enter this game on the back of a morale-boosting and somewhat fortuitous win away to AC Milan mid-week but again their game was won by scoring more than their opponents rather than focusing on their somewhat under-performing defence. United have now rattled in nineteen goals in their last six games, which is an average of over three goals per game. They've won five of those games and drawn once, leaving the reigning champions with strong momentum and great potency. A lot of their peaking has to be credited to talismanic striker Wayne Rooney, who is frankly in the form of his life as he cannot stop scoring. United will miss Nani for this game due to suspension and they'll miss him as he's been one of their best players in recent times. However, United at the moment are in that unstoppable mood and they're impossible to deal with when they're playing like this!
Two good sides meet today with both firing on all cylinders. However, there's only one class act here today and that's no disrespect to Everton - United are simply too good for them. United have Rooney in top form, they've got a great record here, and have beaten both AC Milan and Arsenal away from home in their last two away games so you have to favour them today at what is frankly rather generous odds!
Verdict: Manchester United to win at 5/6.
Saturday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Newell's Old Boys vs Lanus - home win at 5/6.
Newell's Old Boys haven't had a great start to their Clausura campaign and I've already explained in previous posts as to why I think that is. However, they have been decent at home with a 4-2 home win in their last home game against Boca Juniors. Newell's appear to have forgotten about their defensive prowess as they now seek to score goals. Newell's will get the perfect opportunity to test out their newly-found attacking abilities tonight as they take on a very leaky Lanus side so even an overrated Newell's Old Boys should be able to take advantage. Newell's have won two out of their last three meetings against Lanus and I'll be surprised if they don't beat them tonight too.
Lanus enter this game with problems! They've now conceded eighteen goals in their last six games in all competitons. They won their opening game at home to Huracan but have since lost five consecutive games. I don't know if it's their departed players, their tight schedule, or a lack of confidence but either way Lanus have got real issues ahead of this game. They've not scored in any of their last three games but have conceded two goals in each of those games. Lastly, they've just come back from a hellish trip to Peru just two days ago, a game which they were comfortably beaten in so we have a Lanus side that are tired, demoralised, leaking goals, and looking impotent. If Lanus get anything from this game then it'll be the miracle of the weekend.
Summarised; there's definite value in the home win tonight!
Verdict: Newell's Old Boys to win at 5/6.
APOP/Kinyras vs Doxa - home win at 3/4.
Hosts APOP/Kinyras have lost three consecutive Division 1 games but have finally found themselves in a game that they can win. They've had three tough games with trips to AEL Limassol and A.E.Paphos whilst their home game with Omonia Nicosia was far from welcome as a supposed "breaker" between those two games! I can see why APOP haven't faired well in recent times, basically! However, the bookies appear to have read far more into this than I have and I can't fathom why. APOP are still one of the better sides in Cyprus and are generally reliable at home with five wins in ten games with only the top three sides in the division having scored more goals at home than they have. Lastly, Doxa have lost all of their last four trips here - enough said!
Doxa are one of the weaker sides in this division and will do well to stay in the division this season. They've already lost six out of ten away games and are one of the lowest scoring away sides in the division. Doxa have lost four out of their last five games and have only scored two goals along the way. Doxa haven't scored in their last four away games in this division so I can't see a reason why they'd do so today. Ultimately, Doxa are a poor side and aren't good enough to match APOP so the home win should be pretty straightfoward - I'm just surprised that the bookies doubt APOP so much!
Verdict: APOP/Kinyras to win at 3/4.
West Ham United vs Hull City - home win at 4/5.
West Ham's 2-0 win at home to Birmingham City in the Premier League last match will have done much to inspire them. They're a capable side, I've said that from the start, but they've been short on goals. However, talismanic striker Carlton Cole is back from injury and Zola has bolstered his attack with the likes of Benni McCarthy and Ilan in recent times so West Ham are finally back to being a decent side in my books. West Ham have only lost once in their last five games so they're only awaiting goals to bring them back into the Premier League as a force and I think we may have just witnessed the start of that period in their impressive win last match.
Visitors Hull City are a plucky and tenacious side but are one of the worse Premier League sides and will most likely be relegated this season. They've yet to win an away game in thirteen Premier League games, losing nine times along the way. Hull average scoring just over a goal for every two away games that they play and yet manage to concede over two goals per away game, which explains why they lose so many away games. They've been playing better lately than they have for the majority of the season but have lost their last two away games consecutively, conceding five goals and scoring a grand total of zero. Hull will fight tooth and nail in this game but I can't see them having enough firepower to trouble West Ham.
I recall watching the game between these two sides at Hull earlier this season and the hosts were lucky to take a point that day. I don't think they'll be as lucky against a potentially rejuvenated West Ham today so I fancy the hosts to win this one.
Verdict: West Ham United to win at 4/5.
Queens Park Rangers vs Doncaster Rovers - away win at 2/1.
I had to treble-check this prior to posting it because I can't believe my own eyes sometimes on what I call but I'm going to stick with this one! Why?
Well, QPR are awful currently - that's the fundamental point. They've lost five games consecutively and have only scored once along the way. They've lost some awful games too against Ipswich and Scunthorpe at home whilst losing to Coventry and Peterborough away - four games that QPR frankly shouldn't be losing with the quality available to them. This in itself tells you that there are more problems at QPR than are visible so they're likely to struggle tonight much as they have done against everyone else they've played of late.
Doncaster Rovers are a side I quite like. They're a battling side that never give anyone an easy ride and tend to be very strong at home. They're weaker on the road but have been playing well in recent times. They're unbeaten in three games and have won their last two games consecutively and haven't conceded a goal in any of those three games which is impressive as they've played a tough Leicester side away, an in-form Nottingham Forest side at home, and played rivals Sheffield Wednesday away. If Doncaster can score two goals away against a "home side" like Sheffield Wednesday then they can score today and as they're not conceding goals at the moment and QPR aren't scoring goals, you have to feel that the away win could be good value today.
Verdict: Doncaster Rovers to win at 2/1.
Charlton Athletic vs Yeovil Town - lay Charlton Athletic at 13/10.
The only way I can think to summarise this bet is that Yeovil Town are shit but Charlton Athletic are currently shitter!
Charlton are without a win in five games, losing twice and drawing three times against sides that they should be beating en mass. Heads have dropped at The Valley now and Charlton look bereft of both confidence and goals. They've got little momentum to utilise and although they're capable of playing Yeovil off the park today, I simply can't see it happening with their abysmal form of late
I wish Yeovil were better on the road to make this bet seem more inviting but we'll have to make do with what we've got! Yeovil have avoided defeat in seven of their fifteen away games this season so they do have some hope for this game at least. Yeovil have only conceded twice in their last three games and won their last away game 4-1 away to Wycombe Wanderers so the visitors do have some momentum to bring into this game. They'll smell the blood on the weak performances and Charlton and should be extra motivated today so I give them a chance of taking something from this game.
Although I don't doubt for a second that Charlton are twice the side that Yeovil are, Charlton aren't playing well enough to beat the likes of Yeovil so I feel there could be value in laying the hosts today.
Verdict: Lay Charlton Athletic at 13/10.
Norwich City vs Southampton - home win at 4/5.
What can I tell you all that you don't already know about Norwich?! There just seems to be no stopping them! They've won twelve out of fifteen home games in League One this season and average scoring over two goals per game too. Their spirit is unmatched as they're continuously coming from behind to win and have won nine out of their last ten games so their momentum is astronomical at the moment. I can't see a reason why Norwich won't continue this excellent form today because they're absolutely red-hot at the moment.
Visitors Southampton are generally a compact and well-organised outfit so I'd normally be hesitant for this game. However, Southampton's last game resulted in a crushing and somewhat undeserved 4-1 defeat against bitter rivals Portsmouth in the FA Cup so they'll be a little demoralised from that encounter. They've started to fade a little from their good run of late by drawing their last two away games consecutively and have also succumbed to four defeats in fifteen away games so they're certainly capable of being beaten. Although Southampton are capable of being much higher in the table than they currently are, they're still going to face a Norwich side that are frankly better than they are so they should struggle today.
Verdict: Norwich City to win at 4/5.
AC Oulu vs Haka Valkeakoski - home win at 11/10.
I'm not quite sure how long AC Oulu's run of form is going to go on for but it can't be too much longer! They astounded me by winning at JJK Jyvaskyla last match but I can accept the outcome as both are expected to be battling relegation this season. What's keeping AC Oulu alive at the moment is the fact that they're scoring goals because they're conceding goals like there's no tomorrow currently. Irrespective of how lowly I rate the hosts, the fact is that they've scored an average of three goals a game so far and are facing a very beatable Haka Valkeakoski side today so why not take them to win? They've proven their potency emphatically and have proven their resilience by still winning against Jaro Pietarsaari despite throwing away a two goal lead and by winning convincingly at JJK Jyvaskyla despite falling behind so I see no reason to doubt AC Oulu for the time being.
I'm not happy with backing AC Oulu on their own, however, so I'm happy to introduce their opponents - Haka Valkeakoski. They overachieved last season and happily the bookies still think they're a force - at least for now! It can't last long though because Haka are pretty atrocious at the moment. They've played two games, they've lost both and haven't scored in either. They were beaten 1-0 at home by JJK Jyvasykla and lost 2-0 at Jaro Pietarsaari so it's safe to say that Haka are struggling at the moment. Any side that is conceding goals and not scoring is going to struggle so I fail to see why Haka are exempt from this ruling particularly in a competition that they appear to show little interest in.
Verdict: AC Oulu to win at 11/10.
Jaro Pietarsaari vs KuPS Kuopio - home win at 11/10.
Hosts Jaro Pietarsaari were denied an impressive comeback in their opening Liiga Cup game after AC Oulu snatched a dramatic winner but we're ok with that - they had big defensive issues at the time. Since then, Jaro have comfortably beaten Haka and have started looking a more assured outfit again. Jaro have scored four goals in two games so their potency is fine; they just need to nail their defending to be a force again. Happily for Jaro, they're facing a KuPS Kuopio side that have lost here on six out of their last seven visits, losing two Liiga Cup games along the way. Jaro are too good for KuPS and they're scoring goals so I find it hard to envision them not making it count.
KuPS Kuopio amaze me sometimes. I still don't know how they're actually in the Veikkausliiga because they're truly an awful side. They battled well towards the end of last season but they're ultimately just a poor outfit. Any side that can concede three goals at a somewhat average and goal-shy VPS Vaasa in their opening game of the Liiga Cup is going to struggle against the likes of Jaro so I don't see how KuPS are going to do anything today. They have an atrocious record here and are generally one of the poorest away sides in the Veikkausliiga so I think the bookies are giving us a rather nice present with these odds today!
Verdict: Jaro Pietarsaari to win at 11/10.
Kavala vs Xanthi - home win at 11/10.
Hosts Kavala enter this game on the back of a heroic victory at Super League legends Panathinaikos. They won 2-0 so the clean sheet as well as the win will leave Kavala in a state of euphoria, thus I can't see them possibly having any better momentum for this game. They played out a 1-1 draw at Panionios mid-week in the Greek Cup which in itself is a decent result so Kavala do carry momentum into the game. They're rapidly earning a reputation of being one of the toughest fixtures in Greece so the hosts know they're a threat. Kavala have already won five out of ten home games in the Super League this season and have only lost once on that run. Kavala don't score a lot but they concede very few with only PAOK Salonika having conceded less goals at home than they have this season so Kavala are well-placed to win this game.
Visitors Xanthi are one of the worst away sides in the Super League. They've failed to register a win in ten away games, losing seven times and drawing three times. Xanthi have only conceded eleven away goals to their credit, which is good, but it's their atrocious goalscoring record that has left them exposed with just two goals scored in those ten away games; an average of a goal scored once in every five away games simply isn't good enough. No side has scored less or even equal goals to Xanthi on the road; not even close. Xanthi have even failed to beat lowly Panthrakikos on the road this season so I can't help but feel that they're going to fail again today, particularly with Xanthi having lost three out of their last four games in all competitions, drawing the other game.
Xanthi simply aren't playing well and Kavala are. All the statistics and momentum favour the hosts and the odds mentioned I do too!
Verdict: Kavala to win at 11/10.
Genoa vs Udinese - home win at 5/6.
Genoa were unfortuante to lose in Turin against Juventus last match; a piece of magic from veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero gave the hosts a much-needed win. Despite their defeat, I think Genoa will have taken positives from the game, particularly from the fact that they scored twice. Genoa are generally a reliable home side with eight wins in thirteen games and average scoring over two goals per home game. They've won three out of their last four home games in Serie A with only a resilient Bari display earning them the draw to flaw Genoa's record. Genoa have actually improved defensively of late and lost some potency, which is unusual as it tends to be the polar opposite for them. However, the epic 3-2 defeat at Juventus is surely to bring them back to their reliable best so I expect a good display from Genoa tonight.
Visitors Udinese finally have key striker Di Natale back in their side, which will cause Genoa problems. That said, however, Udinese remain a simply woeful away side with eight defeats in twelve games, drawing the other four times. They put in a good shift away to AC Milan in their last away game, eventually losing 3-2. Scoring has been their issue on the road this season but as "Sod's Law" would have it - the moment they sstart scoring goals, their opponents outscore them! There really is a lot of problems at Udinese at the moment. Don't be fooled by their win against SSC Napoli either - they were outplayed for large parts of the game despite playing against ten men and only just managed to steal the win.
Udinese simply aren't good travellers and even the return of Di Natale shouldn't be able to inspire them to getting a result here tonight so the home win for Genoa looks a good call, as does over 2.5 goals for two goal-filled sides of late.
Verdict: Genoa to win at 5/6.
Ancona vs Padova - home win at 3/4.
Ah, you've got to love stupid odds in Serie B! Is it a fix or is it stupidity from the bookies? Both, probably!
Ancona haven't played well of late but let's not forget how good they are at home. They're unbeaten this season at home and have won nine out of twelve games, drawing the other three. They average scoring nearly two goals per home game and are the lowest conceding side in Serie B on their own turf with just seven goals shipped in twelve games. Ancona have only won once in their past six games but let's look a little more closely at that record. They've played four away games during that time - where they're atrocious - and won one of their home games whilst drawing the other at home to fellow promotion rivals Lecce, which is an acceptable result. So let's not read too much into their form of late! Ancona are a bloody good home side and I'll be surprised if that changes ahead of the game today!
Visitors Padova are battling valiantly against relegation but the fact remains that they've lost six out of twelve away games in Serie B this season, drawing five times and winning just once. They don't concede many as their style is compact and hard to break down but they don't score many either. They're without a win in seven games and have lost five out of their last six away games. Padova haven't even scored in their last four games so how they expect to score against the best home defence in Serie B is quite beyond me!
With the above in mind, the odds indicated are absolutely ridiculous! Take them before they inevitably drop!
Verdict: Ancona to win at 3/4.
Jaguares vs Pachuca - away win at 5/4.
Mexico is not your best place for away wins but I'm liking the look of this one. Jaguares have had a terrible start to their Primera Division campaign this season with four defeats in six games, drawing the other two games. They've conceded ten goals during those six games but their most worrying factor has to be the fact that they've only scored three goals this season. They've already lost two out of their three home games and haven't scored in any of their last three games, all of which resulted in defeat. Ultimately, Jaguares couldn't be worse-placed to get something from this game and I suspect they're going to fall foul of mighty Pachuca tonight.
Visitors Pachuca have played well this season with four wins in six games. They lost at home to Guadalajara last match, which will have disappointed them, but frankly everyone is losing to Guadalajara at the moment so it is understandable. One thing that Pachuca have proven without doubt is how potent they are with an average of 2.5 goals scored per game. With an average of just one goal conceded per game, it's easy to see why Pachuca are winning more than they're losing! Pachuca have lost once and won once on the road this season with their win naturally being far more impressive, particularly as they scored five goals in doing so. With the above in mind, you have to feel Pachuca are looking good ahead of this game, particularly with three wins in their last four games.
Ultimately, a goal-shy and demoralised Jaguares should be beaten somewhat easily by a potent Pachuca side tonight as the visitors are too good for them and are in a good frame of mind to prove it too!
Verdict: Pachuca to win at 5/4.
Kilmarnock vs St.Mirren - home win at evens.
Hosts Kilmarnock are on a terrific run of form with no defeats in six games, winning their last four games in all competitions consecutively. Kilmarnock have won three out of their last four games and their only blemish on that record was a remarkable 4-4 draw at home to Dundee United. Kilmarnock have scored eleven goals in their four home games so they're absolutely red-hot at the moment, particularly with one of their wins coming against giants Celtic, so their momentum is phenomenal at the moment. Their home record isn't massively convincing but their momentum and potency is unquestionable at the moment so I think they've got a good chance of winning this one today.
Visitors St.Mirren are the worst away side in the Premier League with nine defeats in eleven games. No Premier League side can better or even match St.Mirren's atrocious away form and the visitors average conceding nearly two goals per away game. St.Mirren are without a win in four games and although they've battled hard of late and conceded few goals, the fact is that they're not scoring goals and have lost their last two games consecutively so they're struggling.
Although there's not as much between these two sides as form suggests, there's far too much favouring Kilmarnock for them to be ignored at these odds today!
Verdict: Kilmarnock to win at evens.
Villarreal II vs Recreativo de Huelva - home win at 11/10.
Villarreal II are remarkably pushing for promotion in the Segunda Liga following promotion from the Segunda B so I respect them for that. I think they'll be disappointed as Spanish laws dictate that promotion is impossible as their parent club is in the division above. That doesn't appear to be bothering today's hosts though, particularly with their impressive six home wins in eleven games this season, losing just once. They average scoring nearly two goals per game and have won three out of their last four home games with their only slip-up coming against promotion favourites Real Sociedad so it's clear Villarreal II are strong at home and stand a good chance of winning today.
Visitors Recreativo de Huelva are a side that I expected to be in the position that Villarreal II are at the start of the season and vice versa so I'm a bit surprised at this point but I'm going to ride it! Recreativo's problem this season has been scoring goals with just six scored in eleven away games, a record that only newly-promoted Real Union Club de Irun can match. Recreativo don't concede excessively but their lack of goals shows why they've lost six out of eleven away games this season and have won just twice. Recreativo have played well lately despite the above and are unbeaten in four Segunda Liga games. However, only one of those games was away from home and that was against bottom club Castellon so we'll not read too much into it!
Recreativo are basically travelling to a side that are more than capable of beating them and the hosts are in good form so I can't see the goal-shy visitors emerging with anything today although they are capable of doing so.
Verdict: Villarreal II to win at 11/10.
Eskisehirspor vs Genclerbirligi - home win at 6/5.
Eskisehirspor have been one of the strongest home sides in the Super Lig this season with seven wins in eleven games. They don't score many but they're one of the lower-conceding sides in the division at home so they tend to win rather efficiently. Eskisehirspor have also been playing well lately with two consecutive wins, one of which was a highly-impressive win at Antalyaspor, a side who are very strong at home. Eskisehirspor have enough of what they need at the moment to make their football count so it'd be foolish to go against them today.
Visitors Genclerbirligi are a capable side but five defeats in ten away games shows that they're more than capable of being beaten on the road. They score a good amount of goals in comparison to the rest of the Super Lig but still manage to concede more than they score, hence their issues. Genclerbirligi have lost their last two games consecutively and although one was an acceptable (although embarassing) 4-1 defeat at Besiktas JK, the other was a completely unacceptable 2-0 defeat at home to Kasimpasa, which will have no doubt demoralised them immensely. They're not in the right frame of mind to challenge the likes of Eskisehirspor at the moment although they're capable of it so the odds on the home win do represent good value today.
Verdict: Eskisehirspor to win at 6/5.
Connah's Quay Nomads vs Aberystwyth Town - away win at 10/11.
Connah's Quay Nomads may have only lost three out of eight home games in the Premier League this season but they're just not scoring goals. They're one of the lowest goalscoring sides in the division at home with an average of a goal scored per home game and as they concede about the same number, it's easy to see why they've only won three games too. They've lost three out of their last five Premier League games and have only scored three times along the way so the hosts look capable of being undone if a side takes the game to them and scores goals.
Visitors Aberystwyth Town are a side that I feel are very much capable of shattering a solid Connah's Quay Nomads defence, something that is backed up by the fact that no side has won more away games than they have in the Premier League this season - seven in eleven games! Few sides have scored more away goals than they have on the road and two consecutive wins at home to Port Talbot Town and away to Neath Athletic (their first home defeat of the season!) are sure to have given today's visitors a good deal of momentum and confidence so they're certainly capable of doing the damage today.
Although there's a chance Connah's Quay could nullify Aberystwyth today as they've done to many sides this season, I feel that Aberystwyth are incisive and potent enough to take three points today.
Verdict: Aberystwyth Town to win at 10/11.
Accumulator fodder:
Austria Vienna, Sturm Graz, Zulte-Waregem, Lierse SK, APOEL Nicosia, Arsenal, Chelsea, Cardiff City, Newcastle United, Colchester United, Internazionale, Torino, Guadalajara, Brasov, Deportivo La Coruna, Basel, Trabzonspor.
Recommended bets in no particular order:
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham United at 6/1.
Jaro Pietarsaari, Newcastle United, Internazionale, and Sturm Graz at 7/1.
Ancona, Genoa, Austria Vienna, APOEL Nicosia, and Deportivo La Coruna at 7/1.
Norwich City, Basel, Trabzonspor, Lierse SK, and Zulte-Waregem at 6/1.
Kavala, Guadalajara, FC Brasov, and Colchester United at 6/1.
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:
Tigre vs Gimnasia De La Plata (4) 1-1
Newell's Old Boys vs Lanus (8) over 2.5 goals
Racing Club Avellaneda vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (6) 1-1
Australian A-League:
Gold Coast United vs Newcastle Jets (7) 2-1
Austrian Bundesliga:
Sturm Graz vs SV Mattersburg (9) over 2.5 goals
SV Kapfenberg vs SV Ried (6) 1-1
Austria Vienna vs Austria Karnten (10) -1.75 handicap
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Zulte-Waregem vs Roeselare (8) 2-0
AA Gent vs Sint-Truiden (7) 2-1
Westerlo vs Charleroi (7) 1-0
Kortrijk vs Cercle Brugge (5) 0-0
Belgian Tweede Klasse:
Tubize vs Boussu Dour Borinage (7)
Lierse SK vs Liege (8)
Dender vs Tienen (7)
Antwerp vs Beveren (5)
Mons vs Tournai (8)
Red Star Waasland vs KVSK United (6)
Colombian Primera A:
Deportivo Pereira vs Atletico Huila (6) 1-0
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (5) 1-1
Millonarios Bogota vs Cucuta Deportivo (5) 2-1
Cypriot Division 1:
APOP/Kinyras vs Doxa (7) 2-0
Apollon Limassol vs Ethnikos Achnas (8) 2-1
APOEL Nicosia vs Nea Salamis (10) -1.75 handicap
Ecuadorian Primera A:
Deportivo Quito vs Espoli Cayambe (7) 2-1
English Premier League:
Everton vs Manchester United (8) 0-2
Arsenal vs Sunderland (8) 2-0
West Ham United vs Hull City (7) 1-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Chelsea (9) 1-2
Portsmouth vs Stoke City (6) 1-1
English Championship:
Blackpool vs Reading (7)
Cardiff City vs Barnsley (8)
Crystal Palace vs Coventry City (7)
Derby County vs Swansea City (6)
Newcastle United vs Preston North End (8) over 2.5 goals
Nottingham Forest vs Middlesbrough (6)
Peterborough United vs Sheffield United (6)
Plymouth Argyle vs Leicester City (7)
Queens Park Rangers vs Doncaster Rovers (4)
Scunthorpe United vs Watford (5)
Sheffield Wednesday vs Ipswich Town (6)
English League One:
Charlton Athletic vs Yeovil Town (4)
Colchester United vs Oldham Athletic (8)
Exeter City vs Stockport County (6)
Gillingham vs Bristol Rovers (5)
Hartlepool United vs Huddersfield Town (6)
Leeds United vs Brighton & Hove Albion (6)
Milton Keynes Dons vs Southend United (6)
Norwich City vs Southampton (8)
Swindon Town vs Carlisle United (7)
Tranmere Rovers vs Leyton Orient (5)
Walsall vs Brentford (6)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Milwall (6)
English League Two:
Accrington Stanley vs Bradford City (6)
Aldershot Town vs Notts County (5)
Bournemouth vs Macclesfield Town (7)
Cheltenham Town vs Morecambe (6)
Crewe Alexandra vs Northampton Town (6)
Darlington vs Chesterfield (5)
Grimsby Town vs Lincoln City (4)
Hereford United vs Burton Albion (6)
Port Vale vs Barnet (6)
Rochdale vs Dagenham & Redbridge (6)
Finnish Liiga Cup:
AC Oulu vs Haka Valkeakoski (7) over 2.5 goals
Jaro Pietarsaari vs KuPS Kuopio (7) 2-0
French Ligue 1:
Boulogne vs Le Mans (5) under 2.5 goals
OGC Nice vs Lorient (5) 0-1
Racing Club Lens vs AS Monaco (6) 1-1
Saint-Etienne vs Montpellier HSC (6) 1-2
Grenoble Foot vs Valenciennes (6) 0-0
Paris Saint-Germain vs Toulouse (7) 0-0
German Bundesliga:
Nurnberg vs Bayern Munich (8) 1-2
Koln vs VFB Stuttgart (6) 1-2
BV09 Borussia Dortmund vs Hannover 96 (7) 2-1
Hamburger SV vs Eintracht Frankfurt (8) over 2.5 goals
FSV Mainz 05 vs VFL Bochum (6) under 2.5 goals
German Bundesliga 2:
1860 Munich vs Alemannia Aachen (7)
Hansa Rostock vs Augsburg (6)
Greek Super League:
Iraklis vs Levadiakos (6) 1-0
Kavala vs Xanthi (7) 1-0
Ergotelis vs Olympiakos Piraeus (8) 1-2
Greek B Ethniki:
Panaitolikos Agrinio vs Anagennisi Karditsas (7)
Italian Serie A:
Genoa vs Udinese (7) over 2.5 goals
Internazionale vs Sampdoria (8) 2-0
Italian Serie B:
Triestina vs Cesena (6)
Cittadella vs Reggina (6)
Torino vs Salernitana (8)
Gallipoli vs Vicenza (5)
Piacenza vs Albinoleffe (6)
Frosinone vs Empoli (5)
Modena vs Grosseto (6)
Ancona vs Padova (7)
Mantova vs Sassuolo (7)
Mexican Primera Division:
Jaguares vs Pachuca (7) 0-1
Monterrey vs Queretaro (8) over 2.5 goals
Morelia vs Toluca (5) 1-1
Guadalajara vs Puebla (8) over 2.5 goals
San Luis vs Atlas (6) 0-1
Dutch Eredivisie:
NAC Breda vs FC Utrecht (6) 1-0
VVV Venlo vs AZ Alkmaar (6) 1-1
RKC Waalwijk vs Heerenveen (6) 0-0
NEC Nijmegen vs Groningen (7) over 2.5 goals
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Leixoes (6) 1-0
Olhanense vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (6) 0-0
Portuguese Liga de Honra:
Oliveirense vs Beira-Mar (6)
Romanian Liga:
Brasov vs Unirea Alba Iulia (8) 2-0
Gloria Bistrita vs FC Poli Timisoara (7) 0-1
Politehnica Iasi vs Rapid Bucharest (6) 1-2
Steaua Bucharest vs Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt (8) 2-0
Scottish Premier League:
St.Johnstone vs Rangers (6) 1-2
Celtic vs Dundee United (7) over 2.5 goals
Falkirk vs Aberdeen (5) 0-1
Kilmarnock vs St.Mirren (7) 2-0
Motherwell vs Hibs (6) 2-1
Spanish Primera Liga:
Deportivo La Coruna vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 1-0
Barcelona vs Racing Santander (7) over 3.5 goals
Real Mallorca vs Sevilla CF (4) 1-1
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Villarreal II vs Recreativo de Huelva (6)
Real Betis Balompie vs Albacete (8)
Castellon vs Cartagena (6)
Spanish Segunda B:
Group 1:
Celta de Vigo II vs Barakaldo (6)
Group 3:
Logrones vs Badalona (7)
Swiss Super League:
Basel vs Aarau (9) 3-1
Swiss Challenge League:
Biel-Bienne vs Lugano (6) over 3.5 goals
Yverdon Sport vs Stade Nyonnais (6)
Wohlen vs Kriens (7)
Servette vs Winterthur (7)
Turkish Super Lig:
Sivasspor vs Manisaspor (5) 1-0
Eskisehirspor vs Genclerbirligi (7) 2-1
Trabzonspor vs Istanbul BB (8) 2-0
Uruguayan Primera Division:
Cerrito vs Racing Club Montevideo (5) 1-1
Danubio vs Cerro Largo (6) 2-1
Rampla Juniors vs Tacuarembo (7) 2-0
Central Espanyol vs Cerro (5) 0-1
Welsh Premier League:
Bangor City vs Haverfordwest County (7) 2-1
Carmarthen Town vs Caersws (8) 2-0
Connah's Quay Nomads vs Aberystwyth Town (8) 0-2
Newtown vs The New Saints (8) 1-3
Port Talbot Town vs Welshpool Town (8) -1.75 handicap
Porthmadog vs Rhyl (8) 0-2
Enjoy your free betting tips!
Manchester United vs Besiktas
Today's featured game is the UEFA Champions League game between Manchester United and Besiktas. Hosts Manchester United enter this game with the knowledge that they've already qualified for the knockout stage of the competition whereas visitors Besiktas know that they're out of the competition already with a very slim chance of achieving a UEFA Europa League place if they manage a miraculous win here tonight.
Manchester United enter this game on the back of a highly polished 3-0 win against Everton at weekend, which was arguably their best performance of the season so far. When Manchester United enter the phase where they win games so convincingly, it's generally the time to get out of the road or face being swept away. Manchester United have an away trip to managerless Portsmouth on saturday afternoon but there's no particular concern regarding that trip so I can't see Manchester United resting many players for this game tonight as I'm sure Sir Alex Ferguson would like to affirm the winning of this group before travelling to Germany in early December to face VFL Wolfsburg.
Visitors Besiktas have had a dismal campaign in Europe, losing three out of their four Champions League games and drawing the other game, scoring just one goal in the process. Ironically, their domestic form has improved drastically of late with seven consecutive Super Lig wins, conceding just one goal on this miraculous run, a run which saw them overcome rivals Fenerbahce 3-0 last match. There's never been any doubt in my mind that Besiktas are a capable side but they're simply been unlucky with injuries, something which has yet again affected their squad for this game as they're missing Holosko, Simsek, Ankan, and Nobre through injury, as well as Sivok through suspension. There are some big losses here so Besiktas' already slim chances are fading even faster!
I don't need to tell you all that Manchester United are a class above Besiktas - that's simply factual. I'm fairly confident that Ferguson will field a few second string players for this game but frankly a Besiktas side that cannot defend and don't play well on the road shouldn't have a chance against any Manchester United side at Old Trafford - it's as simple as that. My biggest concern is that Michael "the crock" Owen will start in attack, which will hinder Manchester United's goalscoring somewhat. However, Manchester United have scored at least two goals in both of their group stage games at home so far so it's reasonable to expect them to do the same again tonight against lesser opponents than those they've already faced.
Verdict: Manchester United to win with a -1.75 goal handicap at evens.
Wendesday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
CSKA Moscow vs VFL Wolfsburg - over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Hosts CSKA Moscow have averaged scoring two goals per game since Leonid Slutski has taken over, including an action-packed 3-2 victory against bitter rivals Spartak Moscow last match, a result which handed the title to Rubin Kazan with one game remaining. Whereas CSKA have little compassion for Rubin Kazan, they do dislike Spartak Moscow immensely so the trophy being away from them is something that they'll no doubt enjoy immensely. CSKA have been playing good attacking football and know that they need to win this game tonight to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of this competition so they've no option but to attack. Unfortunately, the Russian outfit are missing Semberas through suspension, which is a big loss defensively. The missing Gonzalez and Guilherme will limit their attacking options but not massively due to the way that the team is performing currently.
Visitors Wolfsburg enter this game after a surprising 3-2 home defeat against Nurnberg, a game which perfectly illustrates how different Wolfsburg sides can be. However, one thing that it does emphasise is that Wolfsburg score lots of goals whatever their performance is like! They've scored ten goals in their last four games in all competitions with their biggest problem being defence as they've conceded seven goals during that run too. Wolfsburg could do with winning this game although avoiding defeat would probably seem them qualify for the knockout stages ultimately anyway.
Overall, what we have here is two sides that are currently in a very rich vein of goalscoring form and both are prone to conceding goals too. CSKA need to win this game and Wolfsburg would like to win it too so taking over 2.5 goals seems a logical and valuable bet for this game.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Bayern Munich vs Maccabi Haifa - under 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Bayern Munich simply haven't been making the grade lately, which is no doubt frustrating for their fans, but it's also been rather profitable for those like myself who have opposed them in recent times i.e. laying them against Schalke 04 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Bayern's big problem is a lack of goals scored. They've managed to score just two goals in their last four games in all competitions, which naturally isn't good enough. They may have won 3-0 in Israel in the reversal of this fixture at the start of the group stage but this fixture has a different atmosphere and meaning to it. Bayern are stumbling towards this game and are looking anything but reliable in regards to winning this game
Unfortunately for Bayern Munich, they're facing a side that they'd probably not wish to face at the moment - Maccabi Haifa. Why's that, you ask? Well, Maccabi Haifa are a side that have basically won the Champions League by getting to this stage. Every game they play in the group stages is about pride and I personally feel that they've achieved that with only Bayern having scored three goals against them in a game out of the four that they've played. Maccabi Haifa will come here to park the bus in front of the goal and when you're misfiring as a team, this type of encounter tends to be rather difficult and wearisome! Maccabi Haifa have already kept two under 2.5 goals scorelines against Juventus in Israel and Italy respectively; I'm not seeing any particular reason why that should change for this game!
Maccabi Haifa are yet to score a goal in the group stages, which is something I'm banking on here tonight. I think Bayern will win the game but certainly not in a convincing fashion unless they get off to a flying start with an early goal or two.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Real Madrid vs FC Zurich - home win with -2.75 handicap at 10/11, over 3.5 goals at 4/5.
Initially, I made a very similar bet to this for the game in Switzerland and I've seen little to sway me that this game will be any different. Both Real Madrid and FC Zurich play the same style of football but obviously at very different levels. Real Madrid have had problems breaking sides down and scoring a lot of goals in the process ever since Cristiano Ronaldo picked up his injury. However, he's back in the squad tonight, which is sure to buoy the squad ahead of the big Spain derby at weekend against Barcelona. Real Madrid will want to put on a show and they couldn't have picked a better opponent as FC Zurich simply cannot defend for shit, simply. FC Zurich do tend to score a lot of goals so between them I think you're going to see over 3.5 goals at 4/5. However, my main call for this game is for Real Madrid to break the -2.75 goal handicap at 10/11 against a defensively inept FC Zurich as I expect them to hit form again with Ronaldo back with them tonight.
Verdict: Real Madrid to beat the -2.75 goal handicap at 10/11, over 3.5 goals at 4/5.
AC Milan vs Olympique de Marseille - lay AC Milan at 5/6.
This is a bold call but a potentially valuable one. AC Milan won the reversal of this fixture in France at the start of their group stages but were remarkably fortunate to do so, in my humble opinion. A couple of classy finishes from one of the most lethal strikers that European football has ever known - Filippo Inzaghi - did all the damage in their 2-1 win. However, despite some good results since that game, AC Milan are still failing to convince me. Maybe I have some secret agenda against them that I don't know about but their performances have been poor. Take their win against Cagliari at weekend, for instance. AC Milan won the game, so fair play to them. However, to say that they deserved it would be a lie and to deny a Cagliari side that scored three goals at the San Siro is verging on criminal, frankly! A side with plenty of pluck and ability tends to cause AC Milan an awful lot of problems and visitors Olympique de Marseille certainly have both of those credentials.
Olympique de Marseille enter this game with good momentum and with a strong goalscoring record of late. Marseille have enjoyed a frantic and exciting 5-5 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in the league before annihlating Switzerland's FC Zurich 6-1 in the Champions League and then overcoming Paris Saint-Germain in "le clasico". All of the above leaves the visitors today with good morale ahead of this important game and their ability to put the ball in the net will bother an ageing and unreliable AC Milan defence that hasn't kept a clean sheet in this competition yet this season. With that in mind, I find it hard to believe that Marseille won't score in this game but I find it hard to believe that AC Milan will score more than their French opponents given the sharp contrast in footballing styles.
With AC Milan yet to win at home in the Champions League and putting in some unconvincing displays to boot, I feel there's potentially a good level of value in laying AC Milan tonight. Both sides need a result here so it should be a good game to watch too. As a side-note - it may be worth taking Niang to score at any time with odds of 13/5 as he particularly caused problems when playing in France and is always a handful with his lightning pace and upper-body strength, two things that AC Milan really hate to defend against...
Verdict: Lay AC Milan at 5/6.
Arka Gdynia vs Lechia Gdansk - home win at 6/5.
This north Poland derby sees lowly Arka Gdynia entertain bitter rivals Lechia Gdansk in a game that both sides would not only love to win but a game that both of them could really do with winning from a form perspective. Arka Gdynia have won two games out of their last five but with just three wins out of fourteen games this season, Arka are understandably a little concerned with their Ekstraklasa placing and are keen to make amends. Arka have only lost one of their last five games, which will no doubt please them as it is a step towards obtaining some much-needed form. The fact that Arka have scored six goals in their last five Ekstraklasa games will also assist their confidence ahead of this encounter. Unfortunately, Arka are missing important midfielder Karwan through injury and promising defender Wilczynski is a doubt for this game. Whereas both players would be a loss for Arka, they're still in decent shape ahead of this game overall.
Visitors Lechia Gdansk travel to this game from their training practice at the local hospital as that's where the majority of their players are currently based given their crazy number of injured players at the moment! Lechia are missing Kawa, Bajic, Mysona, Bak, and Kasperkiewicz for this game, just to name a few! Mysona is their biggest loss from this listing but a small squad stretched to such levels is bound to suffer hence Lechia's recent poor form with just one win in their last five games. Lechia have only scored three goals in their last five Ekstraklasa games, half of what Arka Gdynia have scored, whilst conceding four goals. Lechia are really starting to look stretched, however, and this could be the final straw that breaks the donkey's back, so to speak!
There's not much difference between these two sides quality-wise with both employing similar styles of football and generally gaining similar results. However, with Arka having lost their last three games against Lechia, they'll have that extra edge with motivation as well as their home advanage, which should prove useful here although there's almost a guarantee of crowd trouble which is why the number of police present at this game will almost double the number of away fans at the game! Lechia's injury problems are too big for them to deal with, in my opinion, so I expect a home win to occur here tonight although under 2.5 goals is virtually a given for this game!
Verdict: Arka Gdynia victory at 6/5.
Hull City vs Everton - away win at 11/10.
Hull City may have taken a 3-3 draw from their home game against West Ham United lately but I'll level with you; I've absolutely no idea how they did. The penalty they got was never a penalty and they were simply extremely fortunate to come up against a West Ham United side that appeared happy to gift them chances as well as missing a host of their own chances. The fact is that Hull City are not good enough to be in this division anymore and their footballing displays are proving this on every level. No side in the Premier League has conceded more goals than Hull City this season as they average over two goals per game conceded. Hull have won just once in their last five games, losing twice along the way and generally look likely to maintain their losses rather than their wins.
Visitors Everton are still ravaged by injury but have been playing quite well lately. Despite their ravaging at Manchester United at weekend, Everton are still playing decent football and they have a striker in Louis Saha that looks like scoring each time he has the ball. Whatever squad is fielded should be a class above Hull City, to be frank, because Everton are that much better than Hull City in every sense of the word. Everton's recent form statistics aren't great but they don't always tell the full story. I completely believe that if Everton fail to win this game then they'll have real problems this season because Hull's defence is so leaky that it's virtually impossible for a drunken team to not score in this game so how a team of professional footballers wouldn't be able to is frankly beyond me.
Verdict: Everton to win at 11/10.
As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
UEFA Champions League:
CSKA Moscow vs VFL Wolfsburg (7) over 2.5 goals
Girondins de Bordeaux vs Juventus (6) 0-0
Bayern Munich vs Maccabi Haifa (7) 2-0
Manchester United vs Besiktas (8) -1.75 handicap
Real Madrid vs FC Zurich (9) -1.75 handicap, over 3.5 goals, both sides to score
AC Milan vs Olympique de Marseille (5) 1-1
Porto vs Chelsea (6) 1-1
APOEL Nicosia vs Atletico Madrid (6) 1-1
Copa Nissan Sudamericana:
Liga de Quito vs Fluminense (8) 2-0
Argentinian Primera Division:
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Colon de Santa Fe (8) 2-1
Austrian Bundesliga:
Wiener Neustadt vs LASK Linz (6) over 3.5 goals
Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz (8) 2-1
Bulgarian A PFG:
Levski Sofia vs Litex Lovech (5) 1-1
Colombian Futbol Profesional:
Real Cartagena vs Deportivo Pereira (6) 1-1
Independiente Medellin vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (8) 2-0
Deportes Tolima vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (6) 2-1
Atletico Huila vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (5) 1-1
English Premier League:
Fulham vs Blackburn Rovers (7) 2-1
Hull City vs Everton (7) 0-1
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Arka Gdynia vs Lechia Gdansk (4) 2-1, draw no bet, at least one red card in this game.
Uruguayan Primera Division:
River Plate Montevideo vs Cerro Largo (5) 2-1
Venezuelan Primera Division:
Zamora vs Deportivo Anzoategui (8) 2-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!
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Who will win Serie A?
- Internazionale (84%, 41 Votes)
- AC Milan (10%, 5 Votes)
- AS Roma (6%, 3 Votes)
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