Getafe vs Real Valladolid
FreeToday’s featured game is the Primera Liga encounter between Getafe and Real Valladolid. Hosts Getafe have been on a good run of form lately and find themselves in eighth place in the table. Visitors Real Valladolid are also on a decent run of form but tend to find themselves drawing games rather than winning them, which is undoubtedly a concern for them.
Getafe have already won five out of seven home games this season whilst averaging scoring two goals per game. They’re on a good run of form and have now won four out of their last five games. The Madrid-based side are a reliable force at home and their team news is good with just Boateng as a confirmed absentee for this game, although Rafa is considered a doubt for this game. Getafe have won their last two games consecutively and have even beaten the mighty Valencia this season at home so they’re well-placed so win this game today.
Visitors Real Valladolid have numerous problems entering this game despite going four matches unbeaten lately. Valladolid have lost striker Manucho due to his African Nations committments for the hosts Angola and they’ve also lost key striker Diego Costa through suspension. Valladolid have only managed a paltry seven goals on the road this season so it’s not looking likely to improve without their two best strikers being available. Valladolid have lost three out of seven away games already this season and average conceding nearly two goals per away game. Valladolid are also missing Sisi and there’s a question mark over the fitness of Alvaro Rubio so Valladolid are going to have to do something very unexpected to get a result here today, in my opinion.
With all of the above taken into consideration, it’s very hard for me to overlook a reliable, in-form, and potent Getafe side comfortably disposing of a Valladolid side with some key players missing. I think the odds mentioned below are a bargain and should be taken before they inevitably drop.
Verdict: Getafe to win at 3/4.
Sunday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Sporting Gijon vs Malaga – home win at evens.
Hosts Sporting Gijon have lost their last three games consecutively so their momentum has taken a bit of a battering lately. That said, two of those were away games – where Sporting traditionally struggle – and their home defeat was inflicted by a very good Sevilla side so I’m not going to read too much into it, particularly as Sporting have a very strong home record. They’ve won four out of seven at home this season with their only home defeat being their loss against Sevilla. Only Real Mallorca can match Sporting’s impressive record of just three goals conceded in seven home games this season so to say that they’re hard to score against is something of an understatement. Sporting don’t tend to score many but when they do it tends to be enough for the win.
Visitors Malaga are on a good run and are without defeat in their last five games, winning once and drawing four times. However, they’re without a win on the road all season and look likely to continue that record here today against a very resilient Sporting side. Malaga don’t concede many goals when you consider their league placing in comparison, which probably explains why they’ve drawn more games than they’ve lost away from home this season. That said, Malaga are missing Jordi Pablo, Cuadrado, Obinna, Jesus Gamez, and have doubts over Apono, Manolo, and Duda. To put it bluntly – Malaga are looking pretty stretched ahead of this game and this is one place you must be organised to get a result. However, with so many players missing for Malaga I just can’t see them extending their unbeaten run here today
Although a draw is a perfectly plausible result, I feel Sporting have the edge here with their solid defence and reliable home advantage, particularly against an under-strength Malaga side so I’m going to stick my neck out and call the home win.
Verdict: Sporting Gijon to win at evens.
Almeria vs Deportivo Xerez – home win at 3/4.
Almeria are on an atrocious run of form and deservedly find themselves in seventeenth place in the Primera Liga with no wins in their last five league games, losing four times and drawing once. However, when Almeria do pick up points they’re almost always at home. They’ve taken eight points from a potential twenty-one at home this season and whereas I don’t consider that to be a good record at all, it does indicate where their “strength” actually lies. Only two sides have won at Almeria this season so they’re a hard side to beat. Almeria’s biggest problem is scoring goals but they’ve managed to score five goals in their last five games and should have ample chances against a leaky Xerez today.
Visitors Xerez are one of the worst away sides in the divison with five defeats and two draws out of seven away games this season. They concede over two goals per away game on average and are the joint worst goalscorers away from home this season along with Espanyol with both sides manging a paltry three goals scored on the road. Xerez have lost four games consecutively and are devoid of momentum and even hope I daresay. They’ve lost ten out of fifteen games this season and appear destined for a swift return to the Segunda Liga next season unless things change drastically.
Although Almeria aren’t in good form and don’t score many goals, they do know that their strength is at home in front of their own fans and they’re playing a side that has conceded three goals per game on average for their past four games so they should have enough chances to win against what I consider to be the worst side in the division.
Verdict: Almeria to win at 3/4.
Real Mallorca vs Athletic Club de Bilbao – away win with draw no bet odds of 6/4.
Hosts Real Mallorca have won all seven of their home games this season and average scoring nearly three goals per game. Amazingly, Mallorca boast one of the best defensive records in the division too with just three goals conceded at home all season. However, a disappointing defeat at Malaga last match will have knocked their confidence a little and it doesn’t help their case that they’re missing some big players for this game in Ramis, Nunes and Webo. Mallorca also have doubts over Borja Valero and Varela but the big missing players are defensive stalwarts Ramis and Nunes. Mallorca are going to have to play extremely well without them to keep nightmarish target man Fernando Llorente out of this game and I just don’t think Mallorca will be able to do it.
Athletic Club de Bilbao enter this game in great form with three wins in their last four league games, scoring nine times along the way. Athletic have already won four out of seven away games this season and have won their last three away games consecutively. Athletic are not missing any players that I consider to be key, barring long-term injury Aitor Ocio, so they’ve got a capable squad for this game. They’ve got tremendous attacking potential with Llorente being fed by the likes of Yeste, Susaeta, Martinez, De Marcos, and Muniain. There’s a lot of pace in their attack and a great target man in Fernando Llorente so I expect Bilbao to score a few goals here today, particularly with Mallorca missing two key defenders.
So – am I crazy? I’d like to think not. All records must come to an end at somepoint and there are few harder sides to take on in the Primera Liga than Athletic Club de Bilbao when they’re in-form. Mallorca haven’t beaten them at home in the league since 2005 so Athletic are something of a bogey-side for the islanders. I think Athletic have got enough in their favour today to steal a win in what should be a goal-filled and end-to-end game. Incidentally, I think you have to consder taking former Athletic Club de Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz to score at anytime against his former club at 7/5 or taking Llorente to score anytime at a bargain 15/8.
Verdict: Athletic Club de Bilbao to win with draw no bet odds of 6/4.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Levante – home win at 10/11.
Hosts Rayo Vallecano de Madrid enter this game on the back of two straight wins and boast considerable momentum as a result of those wins. They’ve won four out of eight home games this season and have been beaten just once on that run, averaging scoring over two goals per home game. Rayo are the top goalscorers in the Segunda Liga and should have enough momentum and potency in their tank to be a big threat to Levante today.
Visitors Levante are on a dire run and have lost three out of their last five games, drawing twice along the way. Whereas Levante aren’t a particularly bad side, they do tend to struggle on the road with four defeats in eight away games, winning just once along the way. Levante don’t concede excessively but they simply don’t score enough goals, something perfectly illustrated by the fact that they’ve scored just three times in their last five games. Levante have lost their last three away games consecutively and with little to no momentum to speak of, it’s very hard to see that changing today against an in-form Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.
Verdict: Rayo Vallecano de Madrid to win at 10/11.
Villarreal II vs Real Sociedad – away win at 6/4.
Villarreal II are having a far better season than I’d envisioned so kudos to them for it. They’ve been a real force at home with four wins in eight games, losing just once along the way. Villarreal II enjoy scoring goals which tends to mask the fact that they concede quite a lot of goals too. This particular fact is irrelevant whilst your team is in form or whilst you’re playing against lesser sides. However, today Villarreal II take on one of the best sides in the division and will have to do extremely well to get a result off them too, particularly with just one win to Villarreal II’s name in their past five attempts, losing twice along the way.
Vistors Real Sociedad are deservedly leading the Segunda Liga table with an impressive seven game unbeaten run. They’ve only conceded four goals during this run, hence the predominant reason for their success, and have won five out of those seven games. Real Sociedad have gathered a lot of momentum from this game and are one of the division’s better away sides with just two defeats in eight away games this season, winning three times. Real Sociedad are an experienced side whereas Villarreal II are still newcomers to this division, something that is reflected in their relatively naive play at times.
For me, there’s a real mismatch in quality between these two sides and I can’t help but back the in-form and experienced league leaders to ovecome the out-of-sorts newcomers Villarreal II.
Verdict: Real Sociedad to win at 6/4.
Cadiz vs Gimnastica de Tarragona – away win at 15/8.
The predominant reason behind this bet today is the news that Cadiz are missing seven players for this encounter. Cadiz have a small squad as it is and tend to struggle when they have a full squad available to them. However, when they’re facing injury problems like they are now, there’s no doubt in my mind that Cadiz will really struggle to get anything out of this game. Cadiz have been fairly reliable at home this season with just two defeats in eight games, winning and drawing three of those games. Cadiz don’t tend to score or concede many goals at home but I suspect at least one of those records will change in today’s encounter due to their injuries. Cadiz are on a four-game unbeaten run entering this game so they do have some momentum to work with here. However, being one of the bigger conceding sides in the division certainly doesn’t help their case so I think they might just get a surprise today from Gimnastic de Tarragona.
Visitors Gimnastia de Tarragona are on an odd run with two wins in their past four games, winning both games at home and losing both games on the road. Despite that fact, Gimnastic’s away form is still better than their home form with four wins in eight away games, a record bettered only by Cartagena. Gimnastic’s success is largely attributed to being one of the lowest conceding sides away from home in the division. Unfortunately, Gimnastic don’t tend to score many either which leaves them a little on the knife-edge when it comes to away games. However, they’ll have opportunities against an under-strength Cadiz and they’ve shown recently that they’re capable of taking those chances.
If Gimnastic take the lead in this game then I’m confident that they’ll hold it and take three points. If they fall behind then I’ll be a little more dubious but I think it’s worth the risk for such good odds to take the away win today.
Verdict: Gimnastia de Tarragona to win at 15/8.
Sant Andreu vs Ontinyent – home win at 5/6.
Group leaders Sant Andreu are in fine form and enter this game on the back of four straight wins. They’ve already won twelve out of eighteen games this season and are looking good to make the final play-offs at the end of the season. They’ve won an impressive seven out of nine home games in their group and have drawn the other two. Sant Andreu average scoring nearly two goals per home game and rarely concede at home, which tends to leave them with a home win against the majority of sides. With such strong momentum and potency in their arsenal, it’s hard to look beyond a strong Sant Andreu performance here today
Visitors Ontinyent will no doubt be out to put spokes in the Sant Andreu wheels and they’ve certainly got the away record to cause them problems too. Ontinyent have only been beaten twice on the road this season and have won four times. They concede more than they should in relation to their group placing but they tend to overlook that by scoring a lot of goals too. However, Ontinyent are today taking on one of the better sides in this group and look set for a struggle too. Ontinyent’s problem is that they’re running short on momentum with just two wins in their past five games. Ontinyent’s two away defeats in this group have been their last two away games so the trip to Sant Andreu isn’t the most welcome one at the present time!
With Ontinyent struggling for form, particularly away from home, it’s hard to see an in-form and potent Sant Andreu not taking advantage of that today by taking three points from this game.
Verdict: Sant Andreu to win 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!
Cypriot Division 1:
Ermis vs Apollon Limassol (6) 0-1
Nea Salamis vs APEP (5) 1-0
A.E.Paphos vs APOEL Nicosia (7) 1-2
Aris vs Anorthosis Famagusta (7) 0-2
English FA Cup:
Manchester United vs Leeds United (8) 2-0
Notts County vs Forest Green Rovers (8) over 2.5 goals
Sheffield United vs Queens Park Rangers (7) 2-1
Chelsea vs Watford (8) under 2.5 goals
West Ham United vs Arsenal (7) over 2.5 goals
Tranmere Rovers vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (6) 0-2
Greek B Ethniki:
Agrotikos Asteras vs Thrasivoulos (5) under 2.5 goals
Diagoras Rodos vs Anagennisi Karditsas (8)
Doxa Dramas vs Ethnikos Asteras (7)
Ilioupoli vs Ethnikos Piraeus (5) under 2.5 goals
Kalamata vs Ionikos Nikaias (6)
OFI Crete vs Aigaleo Athens (8)
Olympiakos Volos vs Panserraikos (6)
International Friendlies:
Angola vs Tunisia (7) 0-1
Ghana vs Malawi (8) 2-0
Scottish Premier League:
Celtic vs Rangers (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Hibs vs Hearts (6) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Spanish Primera Liga:
Sporting Gijon vs Malaga (6) under 2.5 goals
Getafe vs Real Valladolid (7) 2-0
Racing Santander vs Tenerife (5) 2-1
Almeria vs Deportivo Xerez (7) 1-0
Real Zaragoza vs Deportivo La Coruna (6) 1-1
Real Mallorca vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (6) over 2.5 goals
Osasuna vs Real Madrid (7) over 2.5 goals
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid vs Levante (7)
Villarreal II vs Real Sociedad (6)
Cadiz vs Gimnastica de Tarragona (7)
Celta de Vigo vs Real Murcia (6)
Elche vs Las Palmas (6)
Spanish Segunda B:
Group 1:
Celta de Vigo II vs Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (7)
Montaneros vs Guijuelo (7)
Izarra vs Lemona (6) at least one red card in this game
Pontevedra vs Deportivo Alaves (7)
Ponferradina vs Zamora (9)
Palencia vs Racing Club de Ferrol (8)
Mirandes vs Compostela (7)
Sestao River Club vs Lugo (6)
Barakaldo vs Osasuna II (7)
Group 2:
Real Sporting de Gijon II vs Tenerife II (5)
Cacareno vs Cerro Reyes Badajoz (6)
Real Racing Club Santander II vs Alcala Henares (8)
Alcorcon vs Real Madrid II (8)
Universidad Las Palmas vs Real Oviedo (7)
Lanzarote vs Vecindario (4)
Conquense vs Puertollano (6)
Atletico Madrid II vs Leganes (7)
Guadalajara vs Real Sociedad Gimnastica Torrelavega (6)
Toledo vs Villanovense (6)
Group 3:
Sporting Mahones vs Atletico Gramenet (6)
Sant Andreu vs Ontinyent (7)
Denia vs Lleida (8)
Gava vs Terrassa (7)
Badalona vs Mallorca II (6)
Alcoyano vs Espanyol Barcelona II (8)
Logrones vs Alicante (5)
Sabadell vs Villajoyosa (6)
Benidorm vs Valencia II (8)
Barcelona II vs Orihuela (6)
Group 4:
Ceuta vs Aguilas (8)
Sevilla II vs Marbella (6)
Union Estepona vs Real Betis II (7)
Real Murcia II vs Melilla (5)
Moratalla vs Roquetas (8)
Real Jaen vs Granada (6)
Caravaca vs Polideportivo Ejido (5)
Lucena vs Ciudad de Murcia (6)
Ecija Balompie vs Sangonera Atletico (6)
San Roque vs Jerez Industrial (8)
Enjoy your free betting tips!