Today's featured game is the UEFA Champions League game between Unirea Urziceni and Sevilla CF in Romania. Visitors Sevilla CF have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League whereas Unirea Urziceni need to take three points here to have a good chance of progressing to the knockout stage too.
Hosts Unirea Urziceni play European football like the average Romanian side does, atypically - in a compact fashion that is designed to frustrate their opponents. They're unbeaten at home in the Champions League with two 1-1 draws at home to Rangers and VFB Stuttgart, which is respectable. However, they cannot afford to deploy this tactic with Rangers facing Stuttgart in the other group game tonight. They have to attack their Spanish guests, particularly due to their visitors' injury problems but this could prove to be their downfall.
Visitors Sevilla CF have got injury issues, as I mentioned above, but still take a strong squad to Romania. It's no coincidence that Sevilla CF have scored three and four goals in their two away games thus far respectively as Manolo Jimenez employs a very attacking brand of football that has granted Sevilla notable success both domestically and in Europe over the past few years. Sevilla took a depleted squad to Tenerife at weekend but still managed a comfortable victory against a side that is good at home, regardless of the quality differential.
Whereas Sevilla CF don't have to win this game, a win will guarantee them first place in the group which is certainly preferable so I suspect they'll try to do it. Unirea need the win and thus can't afford to sit back. Unirea have conceded in all of their games so far so it seems reasonable to expect them to concede against the best attacking side in the group.
Ultimately, I expect quite an open game here and although Romania is always a tough away game for any side, you have to favour the talented Sevilla and their admirable ethos with attacking football. I can't help but feel that Sevilla will score in this game and win it as the open game would suit them far more than a compact defence would.
With all of the above in mind, the away win at 6/5 looks a real bargain tonight.
Verdict: Sevilla CF to win at 6/5.
Tuesday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Rubin Kazan vs Dynamo Kiev - lay Rubin Kazan at 5/6.
Hosts Rubin Kazan have played far better in Europe this year than I'd envisioned. However, I can appreciate just why that is as it's their maiden voyage in European football which does make sides try harder in general. Their result against Internazionale doesn't surprise me so much - Italian football is too slow to be successful here and Rubin Kazan play football that Italian sides would hate to play against - pacey and in-your-face. Their result away to Barcelona astounded me but again - a polished defensive display and misfiring hosts gave a shock result. The return fixture was a more expected outcome with Barcelona not even training before their game in Russia due to the cold. The fixture I think we saw the real side of Rubin Kazan in was their trip to Ukraine to face Dynamo Kiev where they were humbled by their giant neighbours 3-1. Kiev made them work hard all game and exploited their weaknesses in a very typically Gazzaev way - a strong feature of their play.
Dynamo Kiev have become very strong again under the management of Gazzaev, former CSKA Moscow manager. He's very tactically astute and his players always do their jobs. Dynamo Kiev have played well against all of their opponents in each and every game in the Champions League this year and that's no coincidence considering Gazzaev only took over in summer. Kiev used to struggle away from home - no more. They were desperately unlucky not to win in Milan and put up a good fight in Barcelona. Tonight they face a side that they know they're better than. The weather won't affect Dynamo Kiev as much as Barcelona or Internazionale for obvious reasons. There's no escaping the fact that Dynamo Kiev have the better side and what Gazzaev doesn't know about Russian sides isn't worth knowing.
Basically, I'm expecting something of a crazy game tonight between two sides with a lot to prove and the platform on which they can produce it. However, I think Kiev have far more advantages in management, quality, experience, and variety. Rubin Kazan have admitted today that their players haven't been paid for three months now, which surely has to be on their minds at least a little. Even a little bit of a pre-occupied mind can do massive damage in a football game, particularly tactically, so I think Kiev have a better chance here than people give them, particularly as they enter this game having annihlated title rivals Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 at weekend...
Verdict: Lay Rubin Kazan at 5/6.
Debreceni VSC vs Liverpool - both teams to score at 5/6.
Hungarian hosts Debreceni VSC enter this game with nothing to lose and everything to gain, a powerful ally in football more often than not. The hosts are done an injustice by the group table, in my opinion, as they've deceptively played good, attacking football and simply been unlucky. For example, let's consider the fact that Debreceni VSC have scored more goals than Liverpool in this group stage, scoring five in their last two games in fact. They were unlucky to lose at Liverpool in their opening group stage game and didn't look like the occasion affected them at all. The only game I've seen them laid to waste in was their home game with Olympique Lyonnais but one out of four certainly isn't a bad record for what is unequivocally the worst side in the group.
Visitors Liverpool are having problems that I don't think I have enough time left on earth to go into. However, it's been well-documented wherever you are so there's little I need to fill in here. Effectively, their form, morale, and even players aren't good enough at the moment for varying reasons and as a result they've won one game in their last ten in all competitions. Not only that but they're missing star striker Fernando Torres for this game and also unpredictable winger/striker Ryan Babel through injury. Liverpool still have enough guile in their side to fashion a goal but their woeful defending of late has been exploited by the majority of sides they've played against - frequently, too!
Overall, we have two sides here that simply have to win this game and I think there's enough good and bad about both sides to see them both score in this game, whatever the outcome.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 5/6.
Rangers vs VFB Stuttgart - home win at 13/8.
This is a very dubious call as I really don't rate Scottish football currently but I'm going to ride it as I feel there's value in it today. Hosts Rangers are notorious for being a difficult side to play against away from home due to their loud crowd and frankly intimidating atmosphere generated as a result. Rangers have lost both of their home games so far and by convincing scorelines too, which is ironic seeing as they're unbeaten away from home thus far. Nonetheless, Rangers do posses a competent side that are capable of troubling Stuttgart tonight.
Needless to say that the above isn't enough on its own for me to make a bet on it. The other side of the coin is the woeful form of VFB Stuttgart, who have lost five and drawn five of their last ten games in all competitions, which just isn't good enough. I don't doubt that Stuttgart are more than capable of beating Rangers on their day but they've been woeful on all fronts this season and I expect that to continue tonight, much as it did when this fixture was played in Germany a couple of months ago.
This should be a really tight game between two average sides but I think Rangers will have the 12th man tonight with their crowd and will just nick it.
Verdict: Rangers victory at 13/8.
Arsenal vs Standard de Liege - home win with -1.75 handicap at 4/5.
I can't help but feel that this bet really speaks for itself. Standard de Liege aren't playing good football due to their captain Defour still being injured and now they're also missing star striker Jovanovic through injury. Arsenal's attacker woes may be present too but they've got more than enough firepower to overcome an under-strength and out-of-sorts Standard de Liege. Frankly, Arsenal are the better side and even their second string should be able to beat the handicap here tonight to secure a result that would see them end this particular part of the Champions League campaign as group winners.
Verdict: Arsenal to win with a -1.75 goal handicap at 4/5.
Leeds United vs Leyton Orient - home win with -1.75 handicap at 5/6.
This is another no-brainer, much like the game above! Leeds United are dominating this division as expected and average scoring over two goals per game at home. Their momentum is strong and their ability dwarfs that of their opponents. Few sides have conceded more away goals than Leyton Orient with the visitors averaging conceding over two goals per away game. Lastly, Leyton Orient have already lost five out of eight away games this season - it looks very unlikely that this record will change tonight.
Verdict: Leeds United to win with a -1.75 goal handicap at 5/6.
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:
Rubin Kazan vs Dynamo Kiev (6) 1-1
Debreceni VSC vs Liverpool (5) 1-2
Fiorentina vs Olympique Lyonnais (6) 2-1
Barcelona vs Internazionale (8) 2-0
Rangers vs VFB Stuttgart (6) 1-0
Unirea Urziceni vs Sevilla CF (8) over 2.5 goals
AZ Alkmaar vs Olympiakos Piraeus (7) 1-1
Arsenal vs Standard de Liege (9) -1.75 handicap
English League One:
Charlton Athletic vs Bristol Rovers (7)
Colchester United vs Stockport County (8)
Exeter City vs Millwall (8)
Gillingham vs Yeovil Town (6)
Hartlepool United vs Southampton (7)
Leeds United vs Leyton Orient (9)
Milton Keynes Dons vs Carlisle United (5)
Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (8)
Swindon Town vs Huddersfield Town (6)
Tranmere Rovers vs Southend United (6)
Walsall vs Oldham Athletic (6)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Brentford (5)
English League Two:
Accrington Stanley vs Macclesfield Town (6)
Aldershot Town vs Northampton Town (6)
Bournemouth vs Dagenham & Redbridge (7) over 2.5 goals
Bury vs Chesterfield (5)
Cheltenham Town vs Barnet (6)
Crewe Alexandra vs Burton Albion (6)
Darlington vs Morecambe (7)
Grimsby Town vs Bradford City (5)
Hereford United vs Shrewsbury Town (7)
Port Vale vs Torquay United (6)
Rochdale vs Notts County (6) over 2.5 goals
Rotherham United vs Lincoln City (8)
Romanian Liga:
Politehnica Iasi vs Pandurii Targu Jiu (7) 0-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!
Today's featured game is the match between Udinese and Fiorentina in the Italian Serie A. Hosts Udinese had been tipped pre-season for a very good campaign but have generally failed to deliver consistently thus far, hence their unconvincing league placing. However, their actual potential has begun to surface lately with a two-match unbeaten run and a morale-boosting victory against Serie A giants AS Roma. Udinese's biggest problem is that they're really poor on the road but fortunately this isn't a problem today for obvious reasons! Only Internazionale and Sampdoria have currently got a better record at home than Udinese. The hosts today have won four of their six home games, drawing once and losing once along the way. Today they host a Fiorentina side that have started to look increasingly stretched of late with just one win in their last five Serie A games. A mid-week clash didn't assist matters either with talismanic striker Adrian Mutu obtaining an injury during this game and thus missing the match today. With form and numbers of available players dwindling, the Viola are beginning to look rather fragile, in my humble opinion. Fiorentina have won just once in five away games this season, losing twice and drawing twice. Although Fiorentina are not a side that generally leaks goals, Udinese are a side that does enjoy scoring them, particularly at home, something which is proven by the fact that only Internazionale and Sampdoria have scored more home goals than they have. Although neither of these two sides are playing as well as they should be at the present time, there's a clear selection of a home win for today's game in my opinion due to the above information. Frankly, 7/5 on the home win looks a real bargain today for me!
Sunday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Udinese vs Fiorentina - home win at 7/5 - see introduction for full details.
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Banfield - home win at evens. This should be a fantastic game between two of the most in-form sides in Argentina currently! Both sides have won three of their last five games and occupy third and first place respectively in the Argentinian Primera Division. Visitors Banfield are the more surprising side in this position as they're not really good enough to be there but you can only beat what's in front of you! San Lorenzo de Almagro are currently a side I expect to be challenging for the title and they're duly delivering. The hosts have won four from six home games so far this season, drawing twice. They average nearly two goals per home game and are generally a tricky opponent. Visitors Banfield are resilient and currently efficient, although that's not always been the case. The game should be a cracker due to the contrasting styles of both sides but San Lorenzo de Almagro have enough to win this game against what can be bluntly called "lesser opponents". The visitors may be unbeaten this season but they've not convinced on the road yet with four draws from six away games, winning just twice in that run. I think a record may end today with a San Lorenzo de Almagro victory and at evens, it's very good value.
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Velez Sarsfeld - home win at evens. This is yet another fascinating clash in Argentina between two top sides, arguably the two best in Argentina currently. Both sides will be competing for the title this year and this match will go some way in indicating just which side has the ability to go all the way. In terms of quality, I personally believe there's very little between these two sides - both can match each other toe-to-toe on their day. Estudiantes De La Plata have proven that they're a very accomplished home side in this campaign, however, with four wins and one draw from their five home games. That said, Velez Sarsfeld are arguably the best away side in Argentina and have shown such a thing for at least a year now. The only thing that is really tipping the scales in the favour of Estudiantes De La Plata for me is that simple fact that Velez Sarsfeld had an extremely tiring trip to a very high altitude Ecuador to face Liga de Quito in the Copa Nissan Sudamericana, which they were knocked out of. Therefore, the visitors will not only be tired but will also be a little worse for wear mentally. In my opinion, it's worth taking the home win on the back of that at evens.
SV Ried vs Austria Karnten - home win with -1.75 handicap at 10/11. This is a complete no-brainer in my book due to the consistent quality of SV Ried at home and the woeful displays of Austria Karnten.
Racing Genk vs Anderlecht - away win at 10/11. Recent years has shown Racing Genk emerging as one of Belgium's bigger sides, although still languishing behind the old guard of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, and Standard de Liege. Racing Genk are struggled to live up to their tag this season with just four wins in thirteen games. Their good performances this season can be counted on the fingers of one hand but their potential is always there. However, their home form has to be a real worry for them as they've won just one home game out of seven so far this season, losing three times and drawing three times. This should be a more apparent problem today as they take on an in-form and superior Anderlecht side that have already won four out of six away games this season. Anderlecht have the momentum to do it as they've won three games in a row and they've got the ability so an out-of-sorts Racing Genk should be susceptible enough for Anderlecht to win this game at 10/11.
Standard de Liege vs Club Brugge - away win at draw no bet odds of 5/4. This is an incredibly bold choice given that Club Brugge almost never take anything off Standard de Liege but I've been really impressed with them this season. Club Brugge have won five consecutive games in all conditions, including a notable victory in a difficult Serbian venue against Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Europa League. The visitors have everything going for them and have already won four out of their six away games this season, losing just once. Standard de Liege simply don't look the same side this year due to their losses and it's starting to show. More notably, the loss of midfield playmaker and captain Steven Defour due to long-term injury has really affected the potency of Standard de Liege of late and their league form has suffered because of it as they've not won in three games now. With all this in mind, the away win with draw no bet at 5/4 looks like a potential bargain today.
Aalborg BK vs FC Copenhagen - away win at 23/20. The Superligaen's oddest side today hosts the Superligaen's best side in what should be an interesting match. Aalborg BK are capable of playing very good football but appear to have decided not to for the time being with no wins in five games, a run that has seen them lose three games. I don't need to tell you all the quality difference between FC Copenhagen and the rest of the Superligaen sides but their form of late also shows them to be a real force with four wins in their past five games. FC Copenhagen have already won four of their seven away games this year and have conceded just five goals on their travels, which affirms their reputation of being hard to beat. If Aalborg BK were in form then I wouldn't touch this game with a barge pole but I'm going to take advantage of their present slump by taking FC Copenhagen to win at Aalborg BK at 23/20.
Hull City vs Stoke City - away win at 8/5. Hull City's woeful form of late continues, furthering speculation regarding Phil Brown's future at the club. Three defeats and just one victory in their last five games leaves Hull City looking increasingly likely to prove all the pre-season pundits right as they seemingly attempt to move down a division into the Championship. The fact that they've scored just eight goals in eleven games should tell you everything you need to know about their problems, particularly as no side in the Premier League has scored less goals. Visitors Stoke City are the side that Hull City should be attempting to emulate to prolong their stay in the Premier League by adopting a no-nonsense, efficient footballing manner to grind out results. Stoke City are now what I would call an established Premier League side that will give any side a good game on their day. They're hard to break down and they take their chances, particularly from set pieces. Stoke City are unbeaten in their last four games, winning two of them, and appear to have gotten even stronger since last year. No side has lost less away games than Stoke City in the Premier League this year and the fact that they won here last year should give them additional confidence in getting the job done. Stoke City are frankly a better unit than Hull City on every level and with the hosts playing some terrible football, it's hard to overlook the away win at 8/5.
West Ham United vs Everton - home win at 6/4. West Ham United's performances have finally started improving and their results are beginning to show it too. They're unbeaten in their last three games, including a home game against Arsenal, and won their last match mid-week at home to Aston Villa. I have to admire Gianfranco Zola's side because they always turn up for each game and put 110% into their football. West Ham United are a mid-table side by rights and I fully expect them to be there by the end of the season. Visitors Everton seem to be going from bad to worse with their small squad beyond stretched already with games coming out of their ears! They've not won in their last four games now, drawing three times and losing once. A mid-week battering at home by SL Benfica will have knocked the wind out of the few players they have left in their squad and this is yet another game that is coming at David Moyes far too quickly for him to prepare his squad. For me, a rejuvenated West Ham United have a great chance of winning this game today at 6/4.
Chelsea vs Manchester United - home win at 21/20. As much as I hate to say it, as a Manchester United fan, but I am very much afraid that we'll see a home win in this game. Although Manchester United have been a bogey side for Chelsea ever since Jose Mourinho moved on, Chelsea are now firing on all cylinders under Carlo Ancelotti and are scoring goals for fun. Not only will this trouble a shaky and frankly nervous Manchester United defence, but this defence is also missing the experienced Rio Ferdinand through injury. The only thing I would emphasise with this game is some caution as these two sides are the two best sides in England and either is capable of turning it on at any given time. Manchester United tend to really turn up when the odds are against them, which gives me some hope as a fan, but their dire displays in their other two games against members of the "big four" - Arsenal and Liverpool - this season really make me think that Ferguson will again select Scholes and Carrick in the middle of the park, who again will be overrun by the likes of Essien etc. Bluntly, I'm concerned about this game because I think almost everything points to a home win, which basically means 21/20 on the home win is good value, particularly as Chelsea have won every competitive home game this season.
Xanthi vs Panionios -home win at 11/10. Hosts Xanthi lie deceptively just outside of the relegation zone as they entertain Panionios. Their away form is atrocious but their home fom is superb with three wins and one draw from their four home games this season. Basically, they're a tricky side to face and Panionios will have their work cut out to steal a result here because of that. Aside from that, Panionios have lost three of their four away games this season and appear to be mirroring Xanthi's lack of ability on the road. For me, this game has a narrow home win written all over it at 11/10.
Sevilla CF vs Villarreal - lay Sevilla at 5/4. This is an extremely bold call given the impressive displays that Sevilla CF have given this season but as ever, I have my reasons. The foundation for this call is that Sevilla CF have become somewhat complacent of late. They've drawn at home against Espanyol without scoring and they drew at home to a woeful VFB Stuttgart just a few days ago. The hosts simply aren't doing what they do best at the present time despite their magnificent season thus far - it simply happens to big sides sometimes and it appears that time is now upon Sevilla CF. Unfortunately for them, visitors Villarreal have well and truly awoken with a bang and are on fire at the moment with both goalscoring and form. They've amassed a highly-impressive twelve goals in their last four competitve games, winning three games and drawing the other. They smashed four goals past Lazio mid-week are starting to look their old selves again. Basically, I think this game is going to be an awful lot closer than people think and with odds of 5/4 for laying a side that hasn't won either of their last two competitive games at home seems very good value to me - potentially!
Elche vs Real Union Club de Irun - home win at 10/11. Both of these side appear to have a long battle ahead of them to stay in the Segunda Liga this year so this kind of game will be vital for both. Elche have more experience in this division than newly-promoted Real Union Club de Irun and it's shown so far. Elche are unbeaten in their last four games, winning two of them, and have gained substantial momentum from these results. Real Union Club de Irun have already lost three of their five away games this season and enter this game with two defeats in their last three games. For me, there's clear value in the home win at 10/11 for Elche as they boast a better quality of player and better level of momentum at the present time.
Llaneros de Guanare vs Deportivo Italia - away win at 21/20. Llaneros de Guanare are having a campaign to forget as they've won just once in eleven games. They've lost a heavy six games in the process and three defeats in their last five games leaves the bottom-placed club precariously placed as other sides begin to pull away from them. Unfortunately for Llaneros de Guanare, they are today hosting one of Venezuela's "big three" - Deportivo Italia. The visitors are currently third in the Primera Division with seven wins from eleven games. They've won three of their last five games and have the best away record in the league with four wins from five away games. They've got the momentum and the quality to win this game so I fancy Deportivo Italia to overcome Llaneros de Guanare with considerable ease tonight at 21/20.
As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
Argentinian Primera Division:
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Banfield (6) 2-1
Estudiantes De La Plata vs Velez Sarsfeld (6) 1-0
Boca Juniors vs Colon de Santa Fe (6) 1-1
Australian A-League:
Wellington Phoenix vs Perth Glory (6) 1-1
Newcastle Jets vs North Queensland Fury (5) 1-2
Austrian Bundesliga:
Austria Vienna vs Sturm Graz (6) 1-1
SV Ried vs Austria Karnten (9) -1.75 handicap
Wiener Neustadt vs Salzburg (7) over 2.5 goals
LASK Linz vs Rapid Vienna (8) 1-3
Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:
FC Vitebsk vs MTZ-RIPO Minsk (5) 1-0
Dinamo Brest vs Naftan Novopolotsk (7) 2-1
FC Smorgon vs FC Minsk (7) 0-1
Neman Grodno vs Torpedo Zhodino (6) 1-0
BATE Borisov vs FC Gomel (4) 1-1
Granit Mikashevichi vs Shakhtyor Soligorsk (8) 1-2
Dinamo Minsk vs Dnepr Mogilev (7) 1-0
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Racing Genk vs Anderlecht (8) 1-2
Standard de Liege vs Club Brugge (4) 1-2
Belgian Tweede Klasse:
Antwerp vs Tubize (5)
OH Leuven vs Ronse (8)
Brazilian Serie A:
Corinthians vs Santo Andre (5) 1-1
Atletico Mineiro vs Flamengo (6) 2-1
Fluminense vs Palmeiras (6) 1-2
Botafogo vs Coritiba (7) 2-1
Atletico Paranaense vs Goias (7) 1-1
Gremio Barueri vs Internacional (6) 0-1
Bulgarian A PFG:
Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Levski Sofia (5) 1-1
CSKA Sofia vs Slavia Sofia (6) 2-1
Colombian Futbol Profesional:
Real Cartagena vs Atletico Huila (6) 1-1
Deportivo Cali vs Boyaca Chico (6) 1-0
Deportivo Pasto vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (5) 1-1
Once Caldas Manizales vs Envigado (8) 2-0
Cucuta Deportivo vs Deportivo Pereira (6) 2-1, draw no bet
Deportes Quindio vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (6) 1-0
Millonarios Bogota vs La Equidad Bogota (7) 2-1
Croatian Prva Liga:
Dinamo Zagreb vs Sibenik (6) 2-1
Cypriot Division 1:
Apollon Limassol vs Doxa (8) 2-1
Ermis vs AEL Limassol (6) 1-2
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Ceske Budejovice vs Mlada Boleslav (6) 0-1
Bohemians Prague vs Brno (5) 1-1
Bohemians 1905 vs Pribram (4) 1-0
Danish Superligaen:
Midtylland vs Randers (8) 2-0
SonderjyskE vs Nordsjaelland (6) 1-1
Brondby vs Esbjerg (7) 1-0
Aalborg BK vs FC Copenhagen (8) 1-2
Danish 1st Division:
Frem vs Roskilde (6) over 2.5 goals
Fyn vs Hvidovre (6)
AC Horsens vs Vestjaelland (7)
Fredericia vs Naestved (6)
Lyngby vs Thisted (8)
Vejle vs Kolding (8)
AB Copenhagen vs Braband (8)
Ecuadorian Primera A:
Liga de Quito vs Macara Ambato (8) 2-0
Emelec Guayaquil vs Olmedo Riobamba (6) 1-1
Espoli Cayambe vs Deportivo Cuenca (7) 1-2
English Premier League:
Hull City vs Stoke City (7) 0-1
West Ham United vs Everton (7) 2-1
Wigan Athletic vs Fulham (6) 1-1
Chelsea vs Manchester United (7) 2-1
English FA Cup:
Northwich Victoria vs Charlton Athletic (8) 0-2
Burton Albion vs Oxford City (7) over 2.5 goals
Wealdstone vs Rotherham United (7) 0-1
French Ligue 1:
LOSC Lille vs Girondins de Bordeaux (7) 1-1
Toulouse vs Stade Rennais (6) 0-0
Olympique Lyonnais vs Olympique de Marseille (6) 1-1
German Bundesliga:
Hannover 96 vs Hamburger SV (5) 1-1
Hertha BSC Berlin vs Koln (5) 1-0
Werder Bremen vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (8) over 2.5 goals
German Bundesliga 2:
Energie Cottbus vs 1860 Munich (6)
Karlsruher SC vs Union Berlin (7)
MSV Duisburg vs Rot-Weiss Ahlen (8)
Greek Super League:
Atromitos vs Ergotelis (7) 1-1
Xanthi vs Panionios (7) 1-0
Asteras Tripolis vs PAS Giannina (6) 0-0
Levadiakos vs Panathinaikos (9) 0-2
Greek B Ethniki:
Agrotikos Asteras vs Ethnikos Piraeus (6)
Diagoras Rodos vs Kerkyra (6) draw no bet
Kalamata vs Rhodos (5)
OFI Crete vs Panaitolikos Agrinio (7)
Olympiakos Volos vs Anagennisi Karditsas (8)
Panserraikos vs Doxa Dramas (7)
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Gyori ETO FC vs Debreceni VSC (6) 1-1
Italian Serie A:
Bari vs Livorno (7) 1-0
Bologna vs Palermo (6) 1-1
Cagliari vs Sampdoria (6) 1-2
Genoa vs Siena (8) 2-0
Lazio vs AC Milan (7) 1-2
Parma vs Chievo Verona (6) 1-0
Udinese vs Fiorentina (7) 2-1
Internazionale vs AS Roma (8) 2-1
Japanese J-League:
Nagoya Grampus vs Vissel Kobe (7) 2-1
Kashima Antlers vs Montedio Yamagata (7) 1-0
FC Tokyo vs Urawa Red Diamonds (6) 1-1
Kawasaki Frontale vs JEF United Ichihara (9) 3-1
Jubilo Iwata vs Albirex Niigata (6) 1-1
Omiya Ardija vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (6) 0-0
Kashiwa Reysol vs Shimizu S-Pulse (6) 0-1
Yokohama F Marinos vs Oita Trinita (8) 2-1
Gamba Osaka vs Kyoto Purple Sanga (8) 2-1
Latvian Virsliga:
Daugava Riga vs Liepajas Metalurgs (9) 1-3
Skonto Riga vs Olimps Riga (8) 2-0
Tranzits Ventspils vs FK Jurmala (7) 1-2
Mexican Primera Division:
Toluca vs Pachuca (7) 2-1
Morelia vs Pumas UNAM (8) 2-1
Estudiantes Tecos vs Queretaro (6) 1-0
America vs Monterrey (5) 1-1
Dutch Eredivisie:
NAC Breda vs Willem II (8) 2-1
ADO Den Haag vs PSV Eindhoven (9) 0-2
AZ Alkmaar vs Feyenoord Rotterdam (6) 1-1
FC Utrecht vs Heerenveen (7) 2-0
FC Twente Enschede vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (6) 1-2
Dutch Eerste Divisie:
Emmen vs De Graafschap (7)
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Ruch Chorzow vs Jagiellonia Bialystok (8) 2-0
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Leixoes vs CD Nacional (6) 1-1
Uniao de Leiria vs Academica de Coimbra (6) 1-0
Maritimo vs Porto (5) 1-1
Rio Ave vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (5) 2-1, draw no bet
Portuguese Liga de Honra:
Desportivo Aves vs Feirense (6)
Freamunde vs Beira-Mar (6)
Trofense vs Varzim (5)
Santa Clara vs Desportivo Chaves (8)
Penafiel vs Oliveirense (7)
Fatima vs Sporting Covilha (5)
Gil Vicente vs Estoril (7)
Romanian Liga:
Otelul Galati vs FC Poli Timisoara (7) 0-1
CFR Cluj vs Astra Ploiesti (8) 2-0
Dinamo Bucharest vs Rapid Bucharest (5) 1-2, draw no bet
Russian Premier League:
CSKA Moscow vs Rubin Kazan (6) 1-2, draw no bet
Spartak Nalchik vs Dinamo Moscow (7) 1-1
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Terek Grozny (8) 2-0
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Amkar Perm (8) 2-1
Scottish Premier League:
Falkirk vs Celtic (8) 0-2
Serbian Super Liga:
Metalac GM vs Partizan Belgrade (7) 1-2
OFK Belgrade vs Javor Ivanjica (7) 1-0
Slovakian Corgon Liga:
MSK Zilina vs Kosice (8) 2-0
Slovenian Prva Liga:
Drava vs Maribor (6) 1-2
Spanish Primera Liga:
Real Valladolid vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 2-0
Sporting Gijon vs Espanyol (6) 1-1
Racing Santander vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (5) 1-2, draw no bet
Almeria vs Osasuna (7) 1-1
Valencia vs Real Zaragoza (8) 2-1
Sevilla CF vs Villarreal (5) 1-1
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Real Murcia vs Cartagena (6)
Elche vs Real Union Club de Irun (7)
Cadiz vs Real Betis Balompie (6)
Girona vs Villarreal II (5)
Spanish Segunda B:
Group 1:
Celta de Vigo II vs Ponferradina (7)
Racing Club de Ferrol vs Compostela (6)
Izarra vs Mirandes (6)
Deportivo Alaves vs Athletic Club de Bilbao II (7)
Guijuelo vs Eibar (8)
Zamora vs Lugo (7)
Group 2:
Real Racing Club Santander II vs Vecindario (7)
Real Sporting de Gijon II vs Guadalajara (5)
Tenerife II vs Toledo (6)
Cerro Reyes Badajoz vs Universidad Las Palmas (8)
Puertollano vs Lanzarote (7)
Leganes vs Villanovense (6)
Real Madrid II vs Real Sociedad Gimnastica Torrelavega (7)
Conquense vs Atletico Madrid II (6)
Cacareno vs Alcorcon (6)
Alcala Henares vs Real Oviedo (6)
Group 3:
Atletico Gramenet vs Benidorm (6) over 2.5 goals
Villajoyosa vs Orihuela (5)
Sabadell vs Mallorca II (6)
Sporting Mahones vs Gava (7)
Espanyol Barcelona II vs Barcelona II (6)
Logrones vs Sant Andreu (6)
Alicante vs Badalona (8)
Ontinyent vs Valencia II (9)
Lleida vs Terrassa (6)
Group 4:
San Roque vs Melilla (5)
Sangonera Atletico vs Real Murcia II (6)
Ecije Balompie vs Sevilla II (8)
Ceuta vs Real Jaen (8)
Aguilas vs Caravaca (7)
Lucena vs Union Estepona (7)
Swedish Allsvenskan Relegation/Promotion Play-Off:
Djurgardens vs Assyriska Sodertalje (8) 2-0
Swiss Super League:
Luzern vs FC Zurich (5) 1-2
Sion vs Young Boys Bern (6) 0-1
Swiss Challenge League:
Vaduz vs Wohlen (8)
Wil vs Le Mont (6)
Biel-Bienne vs Locarno (5)
Thun vs Servette (8)
Gossau vs Winterthur (6)
Turkish Super Lig:
Ankaragucu vs Kasimpasa (8) 2-1
Eskisehirspor vs Denizlispor (8) 2-0
Manisaspor vs Gaziantepspor (8) 1-1
Sivasspor vs Kayserispor (6) 2-1
Diyarbakirspor vs Galatasaray (7) 1-2
Uruguayan Primera Division:
Liverpool Montevideo vs Cerro (8) 2-0
Cerro Largo vs Montevideo Wanderers (6) 1-1
Tacuarembo vs River Plate Montevideo (5) 1-1
Cerrito vs Penarol (8) 1-2
Fenix vs Danubio (6) 0-2
Venezuelan Primera Division:
Deportivo Lara vs Deportivo Tachira (6) 0-1
Mineros de Guayana vs Deportivo Anzoategui (7) 2-1
Monagas SC vs Zulia (9) 3-1
Trujillanos vs Zamora (8) 2-0
Atletico El Vigia vs Yaracuyanos (6) 2-1
Llaneros de Guanare vs Deportivo Italia (7) 1-2
Centro Italo vs Real Esppor Club (7) 1-1
Caracas vs Carabobo (8) 2-0
Aragua vs Estudiantes de Merida (7) 0-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!
Today's featured game is at the Stade Gerland and includes Olympique Lyonnais and Liverpool. This ground with strange pottery-type seats will bear witness to one of the most important UEFA Champions League clashes this week as two good sides that are out-of-form battle for a place in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League. Under-pressure manager Rafa Benitez must win here or face an early exit from the UEFA Champions League, something that would spell disaster for the five-times champions as their chances of winning the English Premier League are all but gone already. Liverpool must win this game but are without talismanic midfielder Steven Gerrard, who has not travelled with the squad, and also have Fernando Torres starting with the knowledge that he's not fit. If that doesn't sound like a desperate manager then I don't know what does. I'd be more nervous about backing a leaky Olympique Lyonnais in this game had they not beaten local rivals Saint-Etienne at weekend, a result that gives them much-needed momentum entering this game. Ultimately, I think Olympique Lyonnais have more cohesion, momentum, and quality in their squad overall than Liverpool and I think they're more than capable of winning this game at 11/8, although the French side will have to keep an eye on crafty playmaker Yossi Benayoun, who has been Liverpool's best player so far this season.
Wednesday's Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Olympique Lyonnais vs Liverpool - home win at 11/8 - see introduction for full details.
Dynamo Kiev vs Internazionale - home win at 23/10. A feisty performance in Milan two weeks ago saw Dynamo Kiev deservedly claim a 2-2 draw with the Italian champions after a highly impressive display. Valery Gazzaev's side are looking well-organised and extremely talented, arguably boasting the best squad they've had since the days of Shevchenko in the late 90's, which is very ironic as their talismanic striker is back in their ranks. The Ukrainian side are even harder to face in their homeland and will make life very difficult for Mourinho's Internazionale. The visitors haven't won a UEFA Champions League game for a long time now and it's starting to ebb at their morale, something that was visible against Dynamo Kiev two weeks ago. Italian football is already on a descent when in comparison to the majority of European football and Ukrianian football is going in the opposite direction. Internazionale won't be an easy side to beat but both sides need to win this game and I think the hosts have a better chance of winning this game, particularly with the pacey Milevskiy on the counter-attack. It's dangerous to disregard a side like Internazionale, however, so perhaps consider a draw no bet option but the last result I can see here is an away win.
Unirea Urziceni vs Rangers - home win at evens. I can't offer much more reasoning for this game other than that the Romanians won 4-1 in Glasgow two weeks ago without breaking sweat. It amuses me to see Scots valiantly attempting to defend the "quality" of their league's football but the fact of the matter is that even the Romanian Liga has better quality football these days, which was proven two weeks ago. Unirea Urziceni are a good side in Romania, possibly not worthy of the title of champions, but they're still a talented and well-organised unit. A weekend victory against Universitatea Craiova will have got their momentum flowing again so I fancy them to extend it here and enhance their chances of qualification for the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League. Scottish football has never been at a lower point and I honestly don't believe that Rangers have enough to match their Romanian hosts today. For me, the home win at evens boasts considerable value tonight.
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:
Rubin Kazan vs Barcelona (8) 1-2
Fiorentina vs Debreceni VSC (9) 3-1
Olympique Lyonnais vs Liverpool (7) 2-1
Dynamo Kiev vs Internazionale (6) 2-1
Unirea Urziceni vs Rangers (7) 2-0
Sevilla CF vs VFB Stuttgart (9) -1.75 handicap
Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar (9) -1.75 handicap
Standard de Liege vs Olympiakos Piraeus (7) 1-1
Copa Nissan Sudamericana:
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs River Plate Montevideo (8) 2-0
Botafogo vs Cerro Porteno (7) under 2.5 goals
Australian A-League:
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets (6) 1-1
Brazilian Serie A:
Gremio vs Sao Paulo (6) 2-1, draw no bet
English Premier League:
West Ham United vs Aston Villa (7) 1-1
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Ferencvaros vs Gyori ETO FC (5) 1-1
Russian Division 1:
NoSta Novotroitsk vs Shinnik Yaroslavl' (5) draw no bet
Cherno Novorosisk vs FK Nizhyni Novgorod (4) draw no bet
FK Krasnodor vs Alaniya Vladikavkaz (6)
Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan vs Salyut Belgorod (6)
Anzhi Makhachkala vs Metallurg Lipetsk (8)
KamAZ Nab Chelny vs Energiya Khabarovsk (7)
Volga Nizhny Novgorod vs Luch-Energiya Vladivostok (6)
FK Chita vs Sibir Novosibirsk (5) draw no bet
Vityaz Podolsk vs Baltika Kaliningrad (6)
Swedish Superettan Relegation Play-Off:
Trollhattan vs Skovde AIK (7)
Enjoy your free betting tips!
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