AGF vs OB Odense
FreeToday’s featured game is in the Danish Superligaen between AGF and OB Odense. The visitors had a very good campaign last year but aren’t quite at the level of Brondby and FC Copenhagen just yet. That said, if they continue performing as they did last season then it won’t be too long before they are up there, I’m quite sure. They’ve played two games in the campaign thus far, beating lowly SonderjyskE at home and claiming a very respectable draw at Brondby. However, they’re facing a very different AGF this time around. The hosts have strengthened their squad over the summer and really look the business so far. They’ve claimed a very impressive away win over Randers and a good win at home to Aalborg. I really fancy AGF to possibly break into the top five this year in the Superligaen and today is the perfect opportunity for them to continue establishing themselves. Why? Well, whilst OB Odense will have some weary faces from their explosive game in the Republic of Macedonia mid-week, they’ll also be looking towards the return leg in just a few days time. Despite winning the first leg against Rabotnicki Skopje 4-3, they know they still need a professional and efficient display at home to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Europa League. In all honesty, this could well turn out to be one of the games that OB Odense really didn’t need at this present time. I fancy them to rest players and possibly underestimate the strength that AGF has developed over the summer. Given all the above information and the fact that AGF won this fixture last year, I can’t help but feel a surprise could very well be on the cards and odds of 7/4 on a home win look very tempting indeed.
Monday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
AGF vs OB Odense – home win at 7/4 – see introduction for full details.
Jablonec vs Slovacko – home win with -1.75 handicap. Jablonec were one of the surprise packages in the Gambrinus Liga last year and whereas I don’t think they’re capable of doing the same again, they remain a good side, particularly at home. They’ve played just one competitive game thus far but will be looking to claim their first three points of the season against a poor Slovacko side. Generally, I wouldn’t play the handicap game with Jablonec but as they’re hosting Slovacko, I certainly am. Why? Well, in the Czech Republic Division 2 last season, Slovacko didn’t actually get promoted by footballing merit; they bought it. Slovacko, who actually finished tenth last season, bought the promotion rights off Zenit Caslav, who didn’t meet the requirements of the Czech Republic FA so their second-placed finish meant they could not be promoted. Whereas this seems like a really bizarre set of affairs, I’m not going to question it and baffle myself but more take advantage of it. Slovacko haven’t got a hope in hell of staying in this division this year barring a miracle!
Lyn Oslo vs Brann Bergen – away win at evens. Ah, good old Brann Bergen looking imminent again, eh? There’s frankly nothing that terrifies me more in betting than seeing a game that Brann Bergen really should win with the additional bonus of being good odds. As you probably know, I’m not a big advocate of the reliability of Brann Bergen despite the quality they’re able to produce. Their form perfectly indicates why I believe what I do – a possible title contender that hasn’t won two Tippeligaen games consecutively in their past eight attempts. If that doesn’t set the alarm bells ringing, I don’t know what will. Their away form is patchy; two wins, three draws and five defeats on the road isn’t really the standard they should be at. However, the reason I’ve decided to stick my neck on the chopping block is because of how bad hosts Lyn Oslo currently are. Lyn Oslo are in massive financial difficulty, rooted to the bottom of the table and haven’t won a Tippeligaen game in their last sixteen attempts. They’ve managed to draw quite a few but they’re just not good enough to get a result here. Even if it is Brann Bergen, I’m still going to be very surprised if this isn’t an away win and at evens, it has to be taken advantage of, although I would keep bets relatively low.
Gefle vs Djurgardens – home win at 10/11. Both sides have been in freefall lately, even though Djurgardens didn’t have much further to fall. Out of the two sides, Gefle probably just edge it in terms of quality and reliability. The visitors today just can’t seem to make themselves a consistent threat to any side that plays against them. Despite the unnerving news that neither side has won a game in their last three attempts, I’m going to call a home win at 10/11. My reasoning behind this is simple; Djurgardens are the biggest side in the Allsvenskan when it comes to conceding goals on the road, amassing a horrendous twenty-six goals on the road this season from just eight games, which averages over three goals conceded per game. That is not a good record to boast when you’re entering a game with a compact and defensive side like Gefle. The hosts’ biggest problem is that they don’t score enough goals but against a miserly record like Djurgardens’, I can’t see anything other than a bargain home win here.
Hammarby vs Helsingborgs – home win with draw no bet at 5/4. This is a very interesting game. After Helsingborgs failed to take a complete advantage of their numerical advantage mid-week against FK Sarajevo in the UEFA Europa League (they won 2-1 at home), they now face a daunting trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina in just three days time and they know they’re going to have to be at their best to progress. Needless to say that Helsingborgs will not be fielding their entire first team against Hammarby. The last time Helsingborgs were in this predicament this season, they lost to another relegation battler, Djurgardens. If that doesn’t make you sit up, then also take into account that Helsingborgs lost this fixture last season and we potentially have a shock on the cards. Hammarby may have only won once in their last four games but they’ll be more than ready to take advantage of a potential Helsingborgs second string today. The hosts do know how to win at home, too so I’m rather tempted to back a home win here with draw no bet at 5/4. Give it some thought.
Wil vs Servette – home win at 10/11. These odds surprise me, considering the lofty perch that Wil managed to attain last season in the Challenge League, only just missing out on promotion. Servette managed to just about avoid relegation last season but this season could well be another severe test for them. Despite both sides making winning starts to their respective campaigns, I really can’t see anything other than a home win here – the hosts are simply too good for Servette to compete with.
As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Jablonec vs Slovacko (8) -1.75 handicap
Danish Superligaen:
AGF vs OB Odense (7) 2-1
Faroese Meistaradeildin:
NSI Runavik vs IF Fuglafjordur (8)
Latvian Virsliga:
Skonto Riga vs Dinaburg Daugavpils (8) both sides to score
Republic of Macedonia First League:
Turnovo vs Pobeda (7)
Norwegian Tippeligaen:
Lyn Oslo vs Brann Bergen (7) 1-2
Singaporean S-League:
Geylang United vs Albirex Niigate (7) 2-1
Super Reds vs Young Lions (8) 2-0
Swedish Allsvenskan:
GAIS Goteborg vs Trelleborgs (7) 1-1
Gefle vs Djurgardens (7) 2-0
Orebro vs Orgryte (8) 2-0
Hammarby vs Helsingborgs (4) 1-0, draw no bet
Swedish Superettan:
Jonkoping Sodra vs Angelholms (6) draw no bet
IFK Norrkoping vs Assyriska Sodetalje (7)
Mjallby Solvesborg vs FC Trollhattan (10) -1.75 handicap
Landskrona BoIS vs Qviding Goteborg (7)
Swiss Challenge League:
Wil vs Servette (8)
Enjoy your free betting tips!