Stromsgodset vs Viking Stavanger

Today’s featured game is the Tippeligaen match in Drammen between Stromsgodset and Viking Stavanger. The hosts are battling against relegation although if we cast reality unto the wind, they’re virtually assured Tippeligaen football next season. Nonetheless, they’ll want three points today to make sure of it and what better side to face than an out-of-form Viking Stavanger side that has no motivation for this game? There aren’t many sides I’d personally prefer at the present time if I were a Stromsgodset fan, that’s for sure! The hosts bear a remarkable home record in that the only three sides to have won more home games than they have are the current top three sides in the Tippeligaen – Rosenborg BK, Molde, and Stabaek. I suppose it’s a clear indication of how close Stromsgodset deceptively are to being a real force in this division – well, if they could address their away form issues, that is! Years of dogfight experience gives Stromsgodset a real helping hand here and their home advantage is intimidating for away sides, particularly if the away side isn’t playing well or is entering the game without a great deal of motivation. Eight wins from fourteen games and an average of nearly two goals per home game are the fundamental reasons behind Stromsgodset’s continuous present in the Tippeligaen. Visitors Viking Stavanger are rapidly obtaining a reputation for being one of the biggest under-achievers in this division despite boasting one of the best Tippeligaen squads, in my opinion. They’re currently mid-table with no hope of achieving European football next year or of being relegated and their recent performances have shown that. Viking Stavanger have effectively been lax with their displays; disinterested, if you will. Draws at home to Aalesunds and Sandefjord Fotball are perfect examples to my point. Viking Stavanger simply want this season to be over; Stromsgodset want to ensure they’ll be here to play against them next year. Therefore, the home win at 11/10 looks something of a bargain here today.

Sunday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Stromsgodset vs Viking Stavanger – home win at 11/10 – see introduction for full details.

River Plate vs Boca Juniors – away win at 7/5. This game is arguably one of the biggest derbies in the world. Buenos Aires will be covered with the red-and-white of River Plate and the blue-and-yellow of Boca Juniors ahead of tonight’s clash. To say that tensions will be running high both in the stadium and outside of the stadium is something of an understatement. I expect cards galore in this game but the one thing that is unusually missing from this game is importance. These two sides are used to being the biggest and best sides in Argentina but neither has indicated that at all in this campaign or the last. River Plate have one just once in nine games so far in their current campaign, which simply isn’t good enough on any level for a club of such gigantic size. They’ve lost three of their last five games and have drawn the other two games. Visitors Boca Juniors started their campaign in a similar poor fashion to River Plate but have picked it up lately, as their recent form of three straight wins all too clearly indicates. With the additional confidence of having won this exact fixture last year, you have to feel that Boca Juniors really have the edge entering this game and have a touch more class so the away win at 7/5 does look rather inviting tonight. That said, derbies of this kind are certainly only worthy of low stakes at best given the relatively unpredictable nature of them, particularly in South America, so do approach with caution. 

Mechelen vs Anderlecht – away win at evens. Aside from their fortuitous victory over the 10 men of Anderlecht in this fixture last year, Mechelen have never beaten Anderlecht in a league game in over fourteen years! The records show something like thirteen games and twelve wins for Anderlecht. Any fool knows that Anderlecht boasts the better squad but do they have the momentum to do it tonight? In my opinion – yes. They’ve won three of their last four games and although their away form hasn’t been greatly convincing so far this season, Anderlecht simply have too much quality for Mechelen and will be looking to put some points between themselves and Standard de Liege, who drew yesterday. Hosts Mechelen have enjoyed a good start to this campaign with seven wins from eleven games. They’ve actually won four from their last five games, too. Have they proven themselves against the big guns, though? They’ve lost to Standard de Liege and AA Gent already this season, although they did manage to overcome current league leaders Club Brugge at the start of this season. However, what I notice about their fixtures played so far are that the majority of them are very “winnable” games for a side in form. Today is a really big test for them and it’ll be interesting to see if they can handle the attacking prowess of Anderlecht. For me, the away win at evens bears great value but feel free to make up your own minds, as ever!

Internacional vs Gremio – home win at 17/20. Let’s play a game here – how many derbies can we play in the Brazilian Serie A on the same day just to really piss everyone off? Answer: three games out of seven! Are the Brazilian FA suicidal?! All of these games are going to have riots with the biggest riot no doubt being at this game between Internacional and Gremio! These two rivals have a mass dislike for each other (shock!) but the main difference here tonight is that Internacional have a very real chance of claiming the Serie A title this year. They’re currently five points behind out-of-form league leaders Palmeiras but have a game in hand. Wheras Internacional’s form of late has been far from perfect, they’re a very good home side (nine wins from fifteen games) and have beaten Gremio the last three times they’ve been here in any competition. Visitors Gremio are also struggling a little for form but have seen their title aspirations all but crushed as a large ten point gap has opened up between themselves and first place Palmeiras with just eight games remaining. Gremio will naturally now fall back to their second aspiration of the season; stopping Internacional winning anything. The desire of both sides to win this game will be strong for varying reasons but hosts Internacional are very good at home, as they’ve proven already this season, and they’re also very good against Gremio in general. Given that Gremio’s away form indicates just one win in fifteen games and a staggering ten defeats, you have to feel that this bloody encounter will end with a home win at 17/20.

Sportist Svoge vs Levski Sofia – home win at 11/2 or lay Levski Sofia at 17/10. If you read my preview midweek for Salzburg vs Levski Sofia then you’ll know where I’m heading with this call. If you didn’t, then go and do so now, lazy fucker! Effectively, Levski Sofia have massive issues on and off the field and have sold numerous big players so their squad is not only demoralised and thin on the ground but also lack cohesion together, something their results have indicated all too well of late. Levski Sofia are suffering against any opponent so I’m sticking my neck out to say that Sportist Svoge will be able to trouble them too, much as fellow promoted side Beroe have already done in the A PFG. For me, the home win at 11/2 or even laying Levski Sofia at 17/10 bears tremendous value today as their problems simply cannot be solved overnight.

Once Caldas Manizales vs Boyaca Chico – home win at evens. Despite an impressive campaign last time out, Boyaca Chico have really struggled for form in this campaign and it’s only as it draws towards a close that they’re making any kind of attempt to move up the table. That said, a poor away record indicating one win, two draws, and four defeats from seven games is a good marker as to why Boyaca Chico are where they are. Once Caldas Manizales are a simply side to Boyaca Chico in this respect, although their home form is better and their away form is poorer – in fact, they’ve lost all of their away games in this campaign, the worst record in the entire league. However, Once Caldas Manizales are a force at home – and they have to be – as is indicated by the fact that only five sides have won more home games than they have. Both sides are struggling for consistency but all of the above information points to a home win here at evens.

Olympique de Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain – home win at 3/4. This game was very nearly called off due to an illness, allegedly, which certainly would have been a talking point! However, the game is set to go ahead and the big news regarding this game is that Paris Saint-Germain are missing Hoarau, Giuly, and Sakho. What does this mean? It means that any hope Paris Saint-Germain had of obtaining a point, or even three points, from this game have now vanished because their squad isn’t good enough to cope with these losses. Despite poor domestic form of late, Olympique de Marseille will have gained some momentum from their arduous but aesthetically pleasing victory away to FC Zurich of Switzerland mid-week in the UEFA Champions League. Olympique de Marseille already have a better squad than Paris Saint-Germain without their visitors missing key players but they also boast the home advantage too. Personally, I can only recommend taking the home win at 3/4 here before the odds inevitably drop.

Aris Salonika vs AEK Athens – home win at 6/4. This is quite a risky call but I rate Aris Salonika enough to believe they can win this game and feel that AEK Athens have enough problems at the moment to enable them to lose it, basically. AEK Athens have lost three out of their last four domestic games and also return from a difficult and ultimately disappointing trip mid-week to Belarus as they lost 2-1 to BATE Borisov in the UEFA Europa League match. AEK Athens’ season just seems to get worse and worse at each possible opportunity with issues behind the scenes that are clearly affecting the players enough to earn them a red card or two in the majority of the games that they’ve played lately. The problem with AEK Athens is that they don’t have the “big name” players to pull them through difficult times like these. They have a finely balanced squad that is easily disrupted but very difficult to repair. For me, we’re starting to witness something of a crisis at AEK Athens and I think this tricky tie with Aris Salonika today could pile further misery upon them. To further my point, Aris Salonika have played three home games so far in the Super League, winning all three games without even conceding a goal. Aris Salonika had no game mid-week so they’re fresh and ready for this game and can no doubt smell the blood on AEK Athens, as indeed most sides currently can. Lastly, AEK Athens have managed to beat Aris Salonika in their last two meetings and haven’t won here on their last two trips. Therefore, the home win at 6/4 looks to have significant value on it today.

Atalanta Bergamo vs Parma – home win at 11/10. After an impressive away win against Udinese last match, the gritty Atalanta Bergamo look back in business as they host Parma today. Atalanta Bergamo are now unbeaten in four games and are beginning to appreciate their quality and compliment it with confidence and momentum, which is always a dangerous combination – well, for opposing sides, at least! Visitors Parma have made a good start to their Serie A campaign with four wins in eight games, losing just twice along the way. However, Parma have won just one game in their last three and tend to struggle on the road. Bergamo is a tough place for any side lacking in quality and work-rate and Parma are unfortunately missing the former of those two points. This should be a close game between two sides but Atalanta Bergamo’s experience in grinding out results should give them the advantage here as well as the momentum they’ve gained from beating rivals Udinese last match. For me, the home win at 11/10 has some value in it today if everything goes according to plan!

Kawasaki Frontale vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima – home win at 4/5. Hosts Kawasaki Frontale know that a win today will see them leapfrog league leaders Kashima Antlers into first place, something that could prove crucial as there’s just four games remaining after this one in the J-League. The hosts take an impressive three-game winning streak into this match, which obviously grants them tremendous momentum. That coupled with the fact that Kawasaki Frontale have won nine from fourteen home games so far this season makes me think that the hosts are set for another win here today, particularly as they appear to be thriving on the pressure whilst title rivals Kashima Antlers are seemingly buckling under the pressure. Visitors Sanfrecce Hiroshima have had a good campaign but I don’t think they’re good enough to match Kawasaki Frontale and their recent form certainly isn’t as they’ve not won any of their last four games, drawing three times and losing once. Their main strength is being hard to beat but the above suggests that Kawasaki Frontale have more than enough to win this game. For me, the home win at 4/5 bears significant value today.

AZ Alkmaar vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam – away win at 11/8. Despite a fortunate last-minute equaliser against Arsenal mid-week in the UEFA Champions League, I think it’s fair to say that AZ Alkmaar are heavily under-performing. Four defeats in their last five games leaves the reigning champions looking more like a side destined for relegation rather than a title challenge! Unfortunately for AZ Alkmaar, they’re today facing a side that almost always competes for the Eredivisie title – experience has taught them to do that regardless of what players are available to them. Four wins from their last five games leaves AFC Ajax Amsterdam looking their usual potent selves, particularly as they’re actually averaging scoring over three goals per game currently. Ultimately, I think today we’re going to witness the reigning champions get taught a lesson in football by a side that has been a real champion many times – AFC Ajax Amsterdam. The visitors should dish out a lesson in quality and consistency today as the above supports so the away win at 11/8 looks like a good bet today.

Fredrikstad vs Molde – home win at 5/4. Although it’s realistic to consider Fredrikstad virtually assured of relegation, there’s also the additional “what if?” factor that football likes to throw up on occasion so Fredrikstad will be keen to obtain the three points they need to stay in the Tippeligaen for next year’s campaign. They’ve won their last three games in a row, leaving them a daunting opponent for any away side. Poor Molde couldn’t be worse placed for this game as they’ve lost three of their last four games, including their last two away games in a row. Aside from that, whatever happens in this game really doesn’t affect Molde as second place has now been officially confirmed as their own. Therefore, a demoralised Molde side lacking in motivation look susceptible to defeat against a highly-motivated and confident Fredrikstad today at 5/4.

Lechia Gdansk vs Lech Poznan – away win at evens. Although suffering injuries on the striker front, Lech Poznan still managed to overcome Wisla Krakow in their last match by a sole goal from hot prospect Robert Lewandowski. The win will have done their confidence a world of good after a shaky run of games that saw them claim just one win in three games. Lech Poznan may still have striker issues as Rengifo and Chrapek are both ruled out of this game but today they’re facing much easier opponents – Lechia Gdansk. The hosts have had a massively impressive Ekstraklasa campaign so far but they’re drastically punching above their weight, something that I feel is gradually becoming exposed as they’ve won just one game in their last five, losing three along the way. Lechia Gdansk have injury problems in defence with Kawa, Kozans, Cvirik, and Mysona missing. For a side that suffers a lot defensively when they are at full-strength, this is a hefty blow and one that plays right into the hands of Lech Poznan. The biggest loss of the afore-mentioned is Cvirik, who tends to keep the Lechia Gdansk defence as organised as can be expected. Without him, I fully expect Lechia Gdansk to have issues today with defending. Although I expect a close and somewhat gritty game here, there surely has to be value in the away win at evens in light of the above information!

Maritimo vs Pacos de Ferreira – home win at 4/5. In my eyes, this is something of a no-brainer. Maritimo are simply too good for Pacos de Ferreira. Neither side has made an impressive start to their respective campaigns but the hosts finally won their second game in the Liga Sagres lately against Academica de Coimbra, a result that will have gifted the hosts some good momentum ahead of this game. Neither side are playing their best football at the moment but Maritimo at least have an extra gear they can move up to in due course and also possess the momentum to take them there – Pacos de Ferreira currently have neither of those things. Therefore, the home win at 4/5 looks a good call today.

International vs Astra Ploiesti – home win at 11/10. This is a very risky call indeed when you consider that International have lost all of their five home games so far in the Romanian Liga. However, their away form is stunning; they’ve won four out of five away games so far, a record matched only by giants Steaua Bucharest! You have to feel that the hosts can surely utilise their impressive away form at home somepoint and I can’t see a better opportunity than today as they hosted a fellow promoted side – Astra Ploiesti. The visitors have lost three and drawn two of their five away games so you sense that something has to give between these two sides today! International have got the ability and form to start winning games at home, something their away form shows all too clearly, so I think the home win at 11/10 could prove to be good value today.

CFR Cluj vs FC Poli Timisoara – home win at 11/10. This was definitely a close contender for my featured game today! I had to do a double-take when I saw that the home win for CFR Cluj against FC Poli Timisoara was at 11/10! I almost laughed out loud, I can tell you! Why on earth are they so high? CFR Cluj are twice as good as FC Poli Timisoara – fact! They’ve beaten FC Poli Timisoara at home in the league for two out of their last three seasons in the Romanian Liga, drawing the other encounter. The visitors may be unbeaten in the Romanian Liga this season but it’s only a matter of time before that record is shattered. Have FC Poli Timisoara really been tested yet, though? True, they gained a respectable 0-0 draw at Unirea Urziceni but they were well out of form at the time. FC Poli Timisoara claimed a slender victory over Rapid Bucharest but Rapid Bucharest entered that game on the back of another defeat, thus a loss in morale. Today FC Poli Timisoara take on a very dangerous CFR Cluj that will have been riled from their defeat away to Sparta Prague mid-week. It’s not for no reason that CFR Cluj have won four out of five games at home this season, drawing the other, with just two goals conceded. CFR Cluj are a much better side and I can only urge you all to back the home win at 11/10 before the odds inevitably drop!

Real Valladolid vs Deportivo La Coruna – away win at 17/10. These odds surprise me somewhat, too. Deportivo La Coruna aren’t a very good away side – facts from past seasons indicate this all too clearly. However, they’ve looked very good in this campaign with five wins from seven games, winning their last four games consecutively. Having already claimed two wins away from home this season, Deportivo La Coruna are beginning to show that they’re a threat both at the Riazor and away from it. To make matters easier for them, they’re facing lowly Real Valladolid, a side that I really think will be playing Segunda Liga football next season because they don’t have enough quality to stay in the Primera Liga. They’ve lost three of their last four games and are yet to win a home game in three attempts so far this season. To make matters worse, they can barely gain any squad cohesion to ultimately lead to momentum/consistency because they’re often having men dismissed and thus suspended. Real Valladolid have got a lot of problems, to be blunt, and I think Deportivo La Coruna are perfectly placed to take advantage of that at 17/10.

Atletico Gramenet vs Badalona – home win at 5/6. Hosts Atletico Gramenet have won three from four home games so far this season, drawing the other game, thus leaving them unbeaten at home so far. Their form is patchy but they’re always reliable on their own turf when it comes to producing the goods. Visitors Badalona (no – not a childish pun on Barcelona!) have lost three of their four away games, winning just once. Although both sides are barely stringing together two wins in a row, both are very similar in the sense that they only turn up in their home games. For that reason, the home win at 5/6 looks something of a no-brainer to me today!

As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

Arsenal de Sarandi vs Gimnasia De La Plata (7) 1-1
River Plate vs Boca Juniors (6) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Tigre vs Argentinos Juniors (7) 0-1
Colon de Santa Fe vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (5) 1-1

Australian A-League:

Wellington Phoenix vs Gold Coast United (7) 1-1
Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar (7) 2-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

Austria Vienna vs LASK Linz (8) -1.75 handicap
Salzburg vs SV Ried (9) over 2.5 goals
Wiener Neustadt vs Sturm Graz (6) 0-1
Rapid Vienna vs SV Mattersburg (8) -1.75 handicap

Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:

Dinamo Minsk vs Torpedo Zhodino (8) 1-0
BATE Borisov vs MTZ-RIPO Minsk (8) 3-1

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Roeselare vs Club Brugge (9) 1-2
Mechelen vs Anderlecht (7) 0-1

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Antwerp vs Turnhout (7)

Brazilian Serie A:

Coritiba vs Atletico Paranaense (5) 2-1
Goias vs Fluminense (4) 1-1
Internacional vs Gremio (7) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Santos vs Sao Paulo (5) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Botafogo vs Flamengo (5) 1-1
Corinthians vs Cruzeiro (6) 1-0
Avai vs Sport Recife (7) 2-0

Bulgarian A PFG:

Sportist Svoge vs Levski Sofia (5) 1-0
CSKA Sofia vs Minior Pernik (9) -2.75 handicap

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

Deportivo Pasto vs Real Cartagena (5) 1-1
Once Caldas Manizales vs Boyaca Chico (7) 2-1
Cucuta Deportivo vs Envigado (7) 2-0
Deportes Quindio vs La Equidad Bogota (6) 1-1
Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs America de Cali (8) 3-1
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (7) 1-1

Croatian Prva Liga:

Dinamo Zagreb vs Cibalia (8) 2-1

Cypriot Division 1:

APOP/Kinyras vs AEL Limassol (6) 1-2
APEP vs Doxa (6) 1-0
Ermis vs Aris (6) 1-2, draw no bet

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Ceske Budejovice vs Viktoria Plzen (6) 0-0
Bohemians Prague vs Sparta Prague (8) 0-2

Danish Superligaen:

Esbjerg vs SonderjyskE (8) 2-0
Midtylland vs HB Koge (7) 2-0
FC Copenhagen vs Silkeborg (8) 2-1
Aalborg BK vs Brondby (5) 1-1

Danish 1st Division:

Fyn vs Vestjaelland (6)
Viborg vs Kolding (9)
AB Copenhagen vs Vejle (5)
Frem vs Skive (6)
Fredericia vs Roskilde (9)
Lyngby vs Hvidovre (7)
Naestved vs Thisted (7)
AC Horsens vs Braband (7)

Finnish Veikkausliiga/Ykkonen Play-Off:

JJK Jyvaskyla vs KPV Kokkola (7) 2-1

English Premier League:

Bolton Wanderers vs Everton (7) 1-1
Liverpool vs Manchester United (6) 0-1
Manchester City vs Fulham (7) 2-1
West Ham United vs Arsenal (8) 1-2

French Ligue 1:

Auxerre vs LOSC Lille (7) 1-1
Racing Club Lens vs Toulouse (5) 1-0, draw no bet
Olympique de Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

German Bundesliga:

Hertha BSC Berlin vs VFL Wolfsburg (7) 0-2
Schalke 04 vs Hamburger SV (6) 1-1
VFL Bochum vs Werder Bremen (7) 1-2

German Bundesliga 2:

Karlsruher SC vs Rot-Weiss Oberhausen (5)
Alemannia Aachen vs Union Berlin (6)
St.Pauli vs Energie Cottbus (7)

Greek Super League:

Levadiakos vs Iraklis (5) 1-0
Panthrakikos vs Larissa (6) 0-1
Aris Salonika vs AEK Athens (7) 2-1
Panathinaikos vs PAOK Salonika (9) 3-1
Xanthi vs Kavala (6) 0-0

Greek B Ethniki:

Diagoros Rodos vs Rhodos (8)
Ilioupoli vs Anagennisi Karditsas (6)
OFI Crete vs Ethnikos Piraeus (8)
Pierikos Katerini vs Thrasivoulos (5)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Fehervar vs Debreceni VSC (6) 1-2

Italian Serie A:

Atalanta Bergamo vs Parma (7) 1-0
Bari vs Lazio (6) 0-0
Cagliari vs Genoa (4) 1-0
Fiorentina vs SSC Napoli (8) 2-1
Palermo vs Udinese (7) 2-1
AS Roma vs Livorno (8) 2-0
Siena vs Juventus (8) 0-2
Chievo Verona vs AC Milan (6) 0-0

Japanese J-League:

Nagoya Grampus vs Jubilo Iwata (6) 2-1
Urawa Red Diamonds vs Omiya Ardija (8) 2-0
Shimizu S-Pulse vs FC Tokyo (6) 1-1
Kawasaki Frontale vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (8) 2-1

Lithuanian A Lyga:

Kruoja Pakruojis vs Vetra Vilnius (8) 0-2
LKKA Teledema Kaunas vs FK Siauliai (6) 1-2
FK Taurus Taurage vs Banga Gargzdai (5) 1-1
Ekranas Panevezys vs Suduva Marijampole (6) 2-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Pumas UNAM vs Monterrey (4) 1-1
Puebla vs Morelia (6) 1-2
America vs Guadalajara (7) 1-0

Dutch Eredivisie:

FC Twente Enschede vs Groningen (8) 2-1
AZ Alkmaar vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (7) 1-2
Willem II vs Heerenveen (5) 0-1
NEC Nijmegen vs PSV Eindhoven (8) 0-2

Norwegian Tippeligaen:

Fredrikstad vs Molde (6) 2-1
Stabaek vs Bodo Glimt (8) 3-1
Odd Grenland Skien vs Lyn Oslo (8) -1.75 handicap
Lillestrom vs Brann Bergen (5) 1-1
Tromso vs Start Kristiansand (7) 2-1
Rosenborg BK vs Aalesunds (4) 1-1
Valerenga Oslo vs Sandefjord Fotball (7) 2-0
Stromsgodset vs Viking Stavanger (8) 2-0

Norwegian Adeccoligaen:

Lov Ham Bergen vs Alta (6)
Nybergsund vs Moss (7)
Mjondalen vs Honefoss (7)
Tromsdalen vs Kongsvinger (6)
Skeid Oslo vs Haugesund (9)
Bryne vs Notodden (7)
Sarpsborg vs Hamarkamaratene (7)
Sogndal vs Stavanger (9)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Odra Wodzislaw vs Cracovia Krakow (6) 0-0
Lechia Gdansk vs Lech Poznan (7) 0-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Maritimo vs Pacos de Ferreira (8) 1-0
Vitoria Setubal vs Leixoes (6) 0-0
Porto vs Academica de Coimbra (9) -1.75 handicap

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Freamunde vs Feirense (7)
Carregado vs Sporting Covilha (5)

Romanian Liga:

International vs Astra Ploiesti (6) 1-0
Dinamo Bucharest vs Gloria Bistrita (8) 2-0
Steaua Bucharest vs Rapid Bucharest (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
CFR Cluj vs FC Poli Timisoara (8) 1-0

Russian Premier League:

Amkar Perm vs Tom Tomsk (7) 2-0
CSKA Moscow vs FK Moscow (8) 2-1
Zenit St Petersburg vs Spartak Nalchik (8) 2-0
Kuban Krasnodor vs Dinamo Moscow (5) 1-0, draw no bet
FK Rostov-na-Donu vs Rubin Kazan (6) 1-2

Russian Division 1:

Alaniya Vladikavkaz vs NoSta Novotroitsk (9)
FK Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Vityaz Podolsk (6)
Metallurg Lipetsk vs FK Krasnodor (7)
Salyut Belgorod vs Cherno Novorosisk (8)
Luch-Energiya Vladivostok vs Anzhi Makhachkala (5)
Energiya Khabarovsk vs Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan (6)
Sibir Novosibirsk vs Volga Nizhyni Novgorod (8) over 2.5 goals
Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast vs KamAZ Nab Chelny (6)

Scottish Premier League:

Hamilton Academicals vs Celtic (8) 0-1

Serbian Super Liga:

Rad Belgrade vs Partizan Belgrade (7) 1-2

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Slovan Bratislava vs Spartak Trnava (8) 2-0

Spanish Primera Liga:

Villarreal vs Malaga (5) 1-2, draw no bet
Tenerife vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 2-0
Real Valladolid vs Deportivo La Coruna (7) over 2.5 goals
Getafe vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (5) 1-1
Racing Santander vs Osasuna (6) 0-0
Almeria vs Valencia (6) 1-2
Barcelona vs Real Zaragoza (8) 2-1

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Celta de Vigo vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (7)
Numancia vs Salamanca (7)
Elche vs Cartagena (5)
Cadiz vs Real Union Club de Irun (5)

Spanish Segunda B:

Group 1:

Ponferradina vs Osasuna II (7)
Pontevedra vs Sestao River Club (7)
Izarra vs Athletic Club de Bilbao II (5)
Deportivo Alaves vs Eibar (7) at least one red card in this game
Guijuelo vs Compostela (7)
Zamora vs Racing Club de Ferrol (6)
Lemona vs Barakaldo (6)

Group 2:

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

Group 3:

Atletico Gramenet vs Badalona (7)
Villajoyosa vs Terrassa (6)
Sant Andreu vs Mallorca II (6)
Espanyol Barcelona II vs Orihuela (6)
Sabadell vs Denia (5)
Logrones vs Gava (6)
Alcoyano vs Benidorm (6)
Alicante vs Valencia II (8)
Ontinyent vs Lleida (8)

Group 4:

Sevilla II vs Melilla (6)
Ceuta vs Moratalla (7)
Sangonera Atletico vs Polideportivo Ejido (7)
Lucena vs Caravaca (7)
Ecije Balompie vs Real Jaen (6)
Aguilas vs Real Murcia II (5)

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Hammarby vs AIK Solna (8) 0-2
Elfsborg Boras vs BK Hacken (8) 2-1
Gefle vs Trelleborgs (5) 1-0

Swiss Super League:

St.Gallen vs FC Zurich (6) 0-1
Sion vs Neuchatel Xamax (7) 1-2
Luzern vs Basel (6) 1-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Biel-Bienne vs Gossau (7)

Turkish Super Lig:

Diyarbakirspor vs Genclerbirligi (7) 0-1
Kasimpasa vs Denizlispor (6) 2-1
Manisaspor vs Antalyaspor (6) 1-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Zorya Lugansk vs Illichivets Mariupol (6) 2-1
Zakarpattya Uzhhorod vs Shakhtar Donetsk (9) 1-4
Metalist Kharkiv vs Vorskla Poltava (8) under 2.5 goals

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Aragua vs Deportivo Tachira (7) 1-2
Atletico El Vigia vs Deportivo Anzoategui (6) 1-1
Deportivo Lara vs Zulia (7) 2-0
Mineros de Guayana vs Zamora (7) 1-0
Caracas vs Yaracuyanos (9) 2-0
Monagas SC vs Deportivo Italia (5) 1-1
Trujillanos vs Real Esppor Club (8) 2-1
Llaneros de Guanare vs Carabobo (6) 2-0
Centro Italo vs Estudiantes de Merida (5) 0-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid

Well, I’m not entirely sure how I’ve had the audacity to recommend so many games today given the ridiculous nature of last night’s games i.e. the lack of any home wins in the UEFA Champions League! I mean, there’s some you think to yourself “this could happen” like Dynamo Kiev to take a point at Internazionale and Unirea Urziceni to get a point at Rangers but some of those results were farcical. If any of you had offered me a massive bet that Rubin Kazan would win at Barcelona and I get the home win then I’d have taken your hand off because Rubin Kazan simply aren’t good enough to compete with Barcelona – period. However, the hosts didn’t turn up on the night, as indeed most sides last night failed to do. Incidentally, I do believe Barcelona will batter Rubin Kazan away from home!

Today’s featured game is the UEFA Champions League game between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. Although Chelsea’s recent domestic form away from home has been poor, they remain a potent threat and also boast a 100% record of wins at home so far this season in all competitions. Today they host an Atletico Madrid side that look capable of losing to just about anyone as they enter this game on the back of a 3-0 thrashing at relegation-threatened Osasuna. They’ve won just one game this season in all competitions and it’s no secret that they have mass problems on and off the field. It takes more than a couple of very talented individuals to make a difference when a side isn’t playing well and it seems Atletico Madrid are simply lacking in that leadership. Worryingly for Atletico Madrid, they’ve averaged two goals conceded per game in their last five encounters. That is not the kind of record you want to take to an impressive Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Although the hosts are missing star striker Didier Drogba through suspension, the hosts are far more organised and are better placed to comfortably win this game. The visitors are leaky in defence and goal-shy currently. Obviously this bet has an element of risk because we all know that Atletico Madrid certainly have the ability to turn it on – the idea is that they’ll fail to do that tonight as they have done for many nights now. However, taking Chelsea with a -1.75 handicap at 10/11 looks something of a bargain to me because Chelsea must have some serious issues to not comfortably overcome Atletico Madrid at this moment in time.

Wednesday’s Picks

My tips:

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

Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid – home win with -1.75 handicap at 10/11 – see introduction for full details.

CSKA Moscow vs Manchester United – home win with draw no bet at 11/8. As an avid Manchester United fan, this is a very hard call for me to make but I do try to remain neutral when advising on tips. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been dropping hints this week about how the game isn’t quite as important (subtly, of course) as the weekend game and how if Manchester United do well in back-to-back games against CSKA Moscow (note: not this game) then they stand a good chance of qualification. It’s more than apparent after Manchester United’s unconvincing but efficient start to their UEFA Champions League campaign that this game is dubious and also simply not required. Manchester United will have all eyes on the big derby with a massively out-of-form Liverpool at Anfield this coming weekend. Aside from that, Manchester United are missing a host of players like Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, and Ji-Sung Park, with doubts over the availability of Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic. Effectively, a massive coincidence has arisen whereby the majority of Manchester United’s good players have been “injured” for this game but will miraculously be fit for weekend, which coincidentally overrules UEFA’s ruling on not fielding understrength squads in the UEFA Champions League. Make no mistake – Manchester United are coming here for the draw. However, Juande Ramos has got CSKA Moscow scoring goals if nothing else so they’re beginning to look their old potent selves again with an average of two goals scored per game in their last five encounters. I consider this particularly impressive considering their lack of proven goalscoring talent as youngster Tomas Necid is still a prospect, Maazou isn’t proven yet, Ricardo Jesus hasn’t settled yet, and Guilherme is carrying the side although he’s still very much a future prospect himself, as well as being ruled out of this game through injury anyway. What Juande Ramos would give to have Vagner Love resolve his personal issues and return from his loan spell at Palmeiras to return to Russia and reclaim his status as one of the deadliest strikers in Europe at the moment. However, this facility isn’t available to them so they simply have to use what they’ve got. However, the likes of Maazou and Necid could have some joy in the air against Manchester United if Nemanja Vidic is missing. I also have nightmare visions of lightning-fast Milos Krasic tearing John O’Shea apart in this game. Even more impressively, the Russians aren’t conceding many goals either. In fact, they’ve conceded just two goals in their last five games in all competitions. Effectively, what we have here are two sides that are likely to cancel each other out but the hosts have more attacking potential because the visitors are missing someone who will “make things happen”, basically, which is a massive problem for Manchester United and has been ever since Cristiano Ronaldo moved on. For the above reasons and the additional fact that CSKA Moscow need to win this game, I think the home win with draw no bet odds of 11/8 could hold some value tonight although I’ve no qualms in saying I hope I’m wrong!

Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa – under 2.5 goals at 6/5. Maccabi Haifa proved away to Girondins de Bordeaux in their last UEFA Champions League game that they’re capable of making life hard for their opponents by defending astutely and efficiently. The French side managed to score just once against the Israelis and I expect something similar today for what can be loosely described as a misfiring Juventus. Italian football is still going backwards when in comparison to the rest of Europe and these are the type of games where it tends to show. I expect Juventus to control this game with their slow, steady pace and bore Maccabi Haifa into conceding one or two goals at most. What would upset this call is if the visitors scored first but I’m banking on that not happening as I don’t feel they have the firepower to do it. Therefore, taking under 2.5 goals at 6/5 looks something of a bargain here.

Real Madrid vs AC Milan – over 3.5 goals at 11/8. This bet speaks for itself, surely? AC Milan are leaking goals for fun as they despairingly struggle against the imminent ageing of their side and the ever-decreasing effectiveness of the Italian football sides. Despite their 2-1 win at Olympique de Marseille in the opening UEFA Champions League round, the win was fortuitous as the French side dominated proceedings. What it does show, however, is that Filippo Inzaghi still has one of the most lethal finishes in Europe and a crazy Real Madrid defence are unlikely to keep him out tonight, particularly as the influential Metzelder is missing through injury. I’m a little concerned on this call because Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t playing and he’s frankly the one that carries this Real Madrid side. That said, they’re still a capable side with very good attacking players and have only played one competitive game this season where they’ve scored less than two goals in a game, which was their 2-1 defeat at Sevilla CF. However, an ageing AC Milan shouldn’t be able to keep out the rapid Spanish attack, particularly without midfield general Rino Gattuso in midfield to help break up the play. To put it bluntly – both sides are capable of scoring lots of goals and neither side can defend for shit currently. Therefore, taking over 3.5 goals at 11/8 could prove good value today.

FC Zurich vs Olympique de Marseille - draw at 23/10. I very, very rarely back draws but this one has draw written all over it. Atypically, I’d lean towards the away win if Olympique de Marseille were in form but frankly, one win in four games (including three defeats) says that they’re struggling. Both of these sides are extremely potent, particularly Olympique de Marseille when the impressive Niang plays, which he will tonight. FC Zurich have scored in both games they’ve played in so far, notching up two goals at home to Real Madrid and one goal in their impressive away win at AC Milan. I can’t see either side having the capabiliy to outwit or outplay the other tonight and in a strange sort of way, I think both sides would take the draw here. Therefore, the draw at 23/10 could bear significant value today.

Real Cartagena vs Once Caldas Manizales – home win at 17/20. Once Caldas Manizales are a strange side. Capable of competing with the best at home, the visitors today know that they can win the game. However, something bizarre then occurs in their minds that then means that they lose every away game, which is exactly what they’ve done so far this season. They’ve played six away games, lost six, and conceded over three goals per game on average. For a capable side, this is frankly a shocking record but one that we will take advantage of where possible – cue today’s game. Real Cartagena aren’t a better side than Once Caldas Manizales in my opinion but they’re a relatively competent side at home as they’ve only lost at home twice this season. They’ve unbeaten in their last three games, drawing twice and winning once, which should provide the momentum they need to overcome what is undisputedly the worst away side in Colombia currently. Therefore, the home win at 17/20 looks to contain significant value today.

KPV Kokkola vs JJK Jyvaskyla – home win at 13/8. This is quite the dubious call but one I do like the look of. As the end of the Ykkonen came about, KPV Kokkola said basically “it’s now or never”, seized the bull by the horns and thus won their last five consecutive games to steal second place and achieve a play-off clash with Veikkausliiga outfit JJK Jyvaskyla. I’ve never personally viewed this as a fair way to decide promotion. The way I see it, if you’re bad enough to finish second bottom in the league then you’re bad enough to earn automatic relegation, not a lifeline against the side that came second in the division below. However, I don’t make the rules, unfortunately, so here we are! Whichever way you look at it, KPV Kokkola enter this game with tremendous momentum and they possess some good ability too, enough to match (if not better) JJK Jvyaskyla today. The visitors are only in this position as they managed to salvage a late draw at home to Tampere United on the final day of the Veikkausliiga season, thus keeping them above RoPS Rovaniemi on goal difference. It’s worth nothing that JJK Jyvaskyla haven’t won a Veikkausliiga game in their last ten attempts, losing eight times and drawing just twice. In fact, JJK Jyvaskyla ended their Veikkausliiga season with just one away win from thirteen away games, losing ten times and drawing just twice. The visitors have struggled to adapt to the Veikkausliiga and may yet end up joining RoPS Rovaniemi in their relegation to the Ykkonen as they face a competent KPV Kokkola today. Due to the above information, the home win at 13/8 looks inviting as the hosts have more momentum and arguably more motivation too.

As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!

UEFA Champions League:

CSKA Moscow vs Manchester United (4) 1-0
Girondins de Bordeaux vs Bayern Munich (7) 1-1
Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa (9) under 2.5 goals
VFL Wolfsburg vs Besiktas JK (8) over 3.5 goals
Real Madrid vs AC Milan (8) over 3.5 goals
FC Zurich vs Olympique de Marseille (6) 2-2
Porto vs APOEL Nicosia (9) -2.75 handicap
Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid (9) -1.75 handicap

Asian Champions League:

Pohang Steelers vs Umm Salal (7) 2-0
Al Ittihad vs Nagoya Grampus (6) 1-0

Copa Nissan Sudamericana:

River Plate Montevideo vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (6) 0-0
Cerro Porteno vs Botafogo (5) 1-0

Brazilian Serie A:

Santo Andre vs Palmeiras (4) 1-1

Chinese Super League:

Changsha Ginde vs Chongqing Lifan (6) 1-1

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

La Equidad Bogota vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (8) 1-1
Envigado vs Millonarios Bogota (7) 0-0
Atletico Huila vs America de Cali (7) 2-1
Deportivo Pereira vs Deportes Quindio (8) 1-0
Independiente Medellin vs Deportes Tolima (8) 2-0
Independiente Santa Fe Bogota vs Cucuta Deportivo (7) 1-0
Boyaca Chico vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (5) 0-1
Real Cartagena vs Once Caldas Manizales (6) 1-0
Deportivo Cali vs Deportivo Pasto (7) 1-1

Finnish Veikkausliiga/Ykkonen Play-Offs:

KPV Kokkola vs JJK Jyvaskyla (6)

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Rampla Juniors vs Fenix (3) draw no bet
Racing Club Montevideo vs Montevideo Wanderers (6) 1-1
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Atenas (8) -1.75 handicap

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Lara vs Trujillanos (6) 2-1
Deportivo Tachira vs Deportivo Anzoategui (8) 2-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!