AEL Limassol vs Olympiakos Nicosia
FreeToday’s featured game is the Cypriot Division 1 game between AEL Limassol and newly-promoted Olympiakos Nicosia. AEL, along with bitter rivals Apollon, have had a poor start to their campaign but things have started to pick up lately for them. Olympiakos have have set about creating themselves a good reputation since promotion and they’ve done it very well too so we should hopefully see a good game in Cyprus tonight.
Hosts AEL Limassol are atypically the fourth/fifth best side in Cyprus, which they usually fight Apollon Limassol for. However, internal problems at the club meant that AEL were rock-bottom of the Division 1 table for some time with little hope of emerging from it. Indeed, a 3-0 drubbing at their rivals Apollon Limassol back in October was arguably the lowest point of their existance in recent years so something had to give and it finally has. AEL claimed a 0-0 draw at Ethnikos Achnas in the middle of November to “stop the rot” and have gone unbeaten since then, which totals four games. They overcame resilient little Alki 1-0 in the following game before winning an epic encounter 3-4 at APOP/Kinyras, thus demonstrating their newfound belief and undeniable potential. The proof was in the pudding during their last match, however, where they held title favourites APOEL Nicosia to a 2-2 draw at home despite trailing from just sixteen minutes into the game. Indeed, it took a late equaliser from APOEL to prevent the home win so AEL very much have the bit between their teeth currently. The strike partnership between ex-Southampton target man Rasiak and Angola’s Freddy has really started to click and let’s face it – it’s not like AEL Limassol are short on talent, is it? They’ve got Dutch full-back Mike Zonneveld, formerly of NAC Breda, experienced Bosnia-Herzegovina centre-back Kerkez, ex-Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Nick Hofs, and even experienced Argentinian striker Gonzalez, who is a useful option if Rasiak or Freddy aren’t producing the goods. Ability really isn’t the problem with AEL – it was always confidence and they’ve got that now with some strong momentum behind them. This side lost just two home games last season whilst winning nine out of their thirteen so don’t underestimate them here. If anything, AEL have strengthened since then so I really fancy the hosts to play well today.
However, as one of Cyprus’ oldest clubs, Olympiakos Nicosia are not going to lie down here. This side plays with more pride than the vast majority of their country’s clubs do for obvious reasons and although Olympiakos do have some ability in their team, I can’t help but feel that their pride plays a big part in their success too. The star of their team is ex-Rapid Bucharest striker Joao Paulo, who has already bagged five times this season for his team. What I like about this Olympiakos side is that they simply have idea if they’re losing a game or winning a game – they fight as if their lives depend upon the outcome of each game and because of that admirable fact, it’s worth noting that the threeames that they’ve lost this season have been against giants APOEL Nicosia, Anorthosis Famagusta, and ironically today’s opponents AEL Limassol in the reversal of this exact fixture. For a newly-promoted record to have only lost to some of the best in Cyprus is highly impressive so this side is very much worthy of your respect here. They’ve played thirteen Division 1 games since promotion and they’ve scored in eleven of those games so expect some fierce resistance from Olympiakos Nicosia here.
Four out Olympiakos’ last six away games have gone over 2.5 goals as they’re hard-workers but a little short on talent, especially in defence. Similarly, four out of AEL’s six home games in Division 1 have gone over 2.5 goals too as they struggled to deal with poor form whilst boasting a good squad. Times have changed since then, however – this side is getting back to its best and when they’re at their best, they’re an extremely dangerous side, especially at home. Their solid display at home to APOEL Nicosia last match demonstrated that perfectly so I think we’re in for a very good game of football here between two attacking sides. I’d side with AEL Limassol if I had to pick a winner but frankly I see more value in over 2.5 goals at 21/20 in this game so that’s my call today.
Team news – AEL Limassol miss Vargas and Borbely for this game.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 21/20.
Follow your bet as the match unfolds at www.FlashScores.co.uk!
Monday’s Picks
My tips:
Nothing else interests me today guys, sorry!
Accumulator fodder:
Energie Cottbus, RKC Waalwijk, Valencia CF, Bursaspor.
Recommended bets:
Again, nothing interests me today multiple-wise, sorry guys! However, to view my thoughts on the remainder of today’s games, please see below!
Argentinian Primera Division:
Huracan vs Independiente (4) 1-1
Atletico Lanus vs River Plate (5) 1-1
Boca Juniors vs Gimnasia De La Plata (6) 1-0
Olimpo vs Quilmes (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Tigre vs Argentinos Juniors (5) 0-0
Cypriot Division 1:
AEL Limassol vs Olympiakos Nicosia (6) over 2.5 goals
English Premier League:
Manchester United vs Arsenal (6) over 2.5 goals
German Bundesliga 2:
Energie Cottbus vs Union Berlin (8)
Italian Serie B:
Triestina vs Torino (6)
Dutch Eerste Divisie:
Volendam vs Eindhoven (6) over 2.5 goals
Emmen vs Dordrecht ’90 (5)
Helmond Sport vs Veendam (4)
RKC Waalwijk vs Fortuna Sittard (8) over 2.5 goals
Spanish Primera Liga:
Valencia CF vs Osasuna (8) under 2.5 goals
Turkish Super Lig:
Bursaspor vs Kasimpasa (8) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!