Today’s featured game after a disastrous weekend is the Primera Liga clash between heavyweights Sevilla CF and Valencia CF. I think it’s fair to say that neither side are at their best due to player sales and injuries but this game usually boasts goals and I’d be surprised to see anything but that tonight.
Out of the two sides, I personally think that Sevilla CF are the better off. I’ll admit that they’ve not had a good campaign thus far and that ultimately meant adios for Manolo Jimenez and hola for Gregorio Manzano. I think the sacking was a little harsh on Jimenez as Sevilla have been missing Jesus Navas for the majority of the season through injury and he’s utterly instrumental to Sevilla’s play. They’ve also had to cope with the loss of full-back Adriano, who left for Barcelona over the summer, and with a good portion of Sevilla’s attacking threat coming down the flanks, you can see just why they’ve struggled without those two players. The burden has largely rested with Diego Capel and as good as the left-winger is, it’s too much to expect him to carry the team. Now Sevilla have Manzano in charge, however, and he’s a better tactical coach than Jimenez so it’ll be interesting to see how Sevilla do. They’re still not particularly good in defence and it’s showed in their few games since Manzano took over but given time, I think he’ll at least give them more stability at the back. More importantly, however, Manzano has given Sevilla potency again, which is vital for the flambuoyant side. They’ve notched up thirteen goals in five games, winning four times and losing once along the way in a game at Barcelona. I don’t think anyone is in a position to doubt the actual level of quality that Sevilla possess – that’s never been in question – but the application of the has previously been an issue due to some players wanting to leave (i.e. Luis Fabiano) and some players not getting on with the manager. However, under Manzano, the side is beginning to look more galvanised, especially in front of goal with Negredo, Kanoute, and Luis Fabiano all being given chance to shine in recent times and all three of them have taken their respective opportunities with both hands. Sevilla’s head-to-head record against Valencia has to bring them some comfort too – they’ve won six out of the last seven games at home against Valencia, drawing the other game, and managing to keep five clean sheets along the way. With the above in mind, I quite fancy Sevilla to do some damage here.
On the other hand, Valencia CF haven’t look as vulnerable as this for some time. For the first time this season, Valencia are beginning to show that they’re missing departed talismans David Villa and David Silva, which was inevitable, really – I’m just surprised and impressed that it took as long as it did to happen. Valencia’s replacements Soldado and Aduriz in attack are good strikers with plenty of Primera Liga experience but neither striker is world-class and Valencia are missing that class, unfortunately. The visitors have never been the best in defence and they’ve looked very vulnerable there in their past few games too. They were totally outplayed by Rangers a couple of weeks ago in Scotland before returning to Spain to suffer an embarrassing home defeat against poor travellers Real Mallorca before yet again stuttering in the Primera Liga, this time at home to bottom club Real Zaragoza in a 1-1 draw. My problem with Valencia is that they’re very much a confidence side and they don’t have a lot of confidence at the moment. A 3-0 win at home to Rangers last week will give them at least some momentum to bring into this game but to say that their players are firing on all cylinders would be misleading. There’s far too much dependance on Mata and Pablo Hernandez for my liking and although Valencia remain a talented side, I think they look a little weaker than normal currently, especially in front of goal, and that could and should hurt them tonight.
I think we’re in for a good game between two sides that basically don’t know how to defend. Both sides have little to lose and plenty to gain and with the philosophy of both clubs being to attack, I have to feel that there’ll be over 2.5 goals in this game. However, the odds of 11/10 on Sevilla to win this game look very inviting because Valencia aren’t playing well and Sevilla are scoring goals for fun. Don’t expect the most complete of displays from the hosts – Manzano still has a lot of work to do – but I still think that a home win is on the cards tonight so that’s my call for this game.
Verdict: Sevilla CF to win at 11/10.
Monday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
I can’t find any other value singles today – sorry guys!
Accumulator fodder:
Anorthosis Famagusta, Sparta Prague.
Recommended bets:
Sevilla CF, Anorthosis Famagusta, and Sparta Prague at 2/1.
As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
Belarusian Vysshaya Liga:
BATE Borisov vs Dinamo Minsk (4) 1-1
Bulgarian A PFG:
Pirin Blagoevgrad vs CSKA Sofia (6) under 2.5 goals
Cypriot Division 1:
Anorthosis Famagusta vs A.E.Paphos (8) 2-0
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Sparta Prague vs Usti nad Labem (9) -1.5 handicap
Danish Superligaen:
OB Odense vs Randers (4) under 2.5 goals
French Ligue 2:
Tours vs Boulogne (6)
German Bundesliga 2:
Osnabruck vs Karlsruher SC (5)
Greek Super League:
Kavala vs PAOK Salonika (4) 0-1, draw no bet
Aris Salonika vs Larissa (7) 1-0
AEK Athens vs Ergotelis (7) 2-1
Atromitos vs Panathinaikos (5) 1-1
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Sporting Clube de Lisboa vs Vitoria Guimaraes (7) 2-1
Romanian Liga:
Victoria Branesti vs Unirea Urziceni (6) both sides to score
Rapid Bucharest vs Steaua Bucharest (5) over 2.5 goals, both sides to score, at least one red card in this game
Russian Premier League:
Rubin Kazan vs Spartak Moscow (6) 1-0
Spanish Primera Liga:
Sevilla CF vs Valencia CF (6) over 2.5 goals, both sides to score
Swiss Challenge League:
Wohlen vs Vaduz (7)
Turkish Super Lig:
Besiktas JK vs Kasimpasa (7) 1-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!