Almeria vs Racing Santander
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Primera Liga encounter in Andaluscia between Almeria and Racing Santander. Almeria enter this game on the back of a 3-1 defeat at local rivals Malaga whereas Racing Santander will have been disappointed not to have taken three points from their home game with Villarreal at weekend, conceding in the last minute to end the game 2-2.
Almeria’s 3-1 defeat at rivals Malaga is sure to have dented their confidence, especially after leading early in the game and then only having themselves to blame thanks to some poor defending and lost tempers. Almeria ended up having Luna and Ulloa both dismissed, both of which naturally miss their game with Racing tonight, which is a blow for Almeria. Oltra’s Almeria had been in good form but they’ve started to struggle again lately due to defensive absences and stupid mistakes and as a result, they’ve won just twice in their last eight games in all competitions. Admittedly, Almeria are far stronger at home than they are away so this certainly isn’t an easy game but the defeat at Malaga will be fresh in Almeria’s minds and they’re rarely keeping the same starting eleven due to absences via suspension or injury so although I don’t doubt their spirit or tenacity, I do doubt their capability to get a result tonight.
Visitors Racing Santander may be equally as unhappy as Almeria with their own result last match but for a different reason, which is because Racing’s expectations of themselves have soared now that their very own “King Midas” Marcelino is back in charge. Racing have gone unbeaten for five consecutive games now, winning twice along the way, but most importantly of all is the fact that they’re scoring goals again. Defending is rarely a problem that Santander have; indeed, that’s their strength more than anything. Goalscoring has always been their most troubled area, ever since towering Nikola Zigic moved on. However, I don’t know what Marcelino does to this team but they play like superstars under his rule so I don’t see that changing tonight, especially with Santander having bagged six times in three games.
It’s worth noting here that Santader have had an extra day’s rest in comparison to Almeria and with this being one of the most tiring parts of the season, I think that is more relevant than normal. Santander are happy to welcome back holding midfielder Colsa for this tricky away game as he’ll bring stability to the centre of the park. Racing finally have options in attack and with confidence high in their camp, I really fancy them to do well here, earning at least a draw. The absence of Ulloa for Almeria is a big blow and although they do still have Piatti and Uche available to them, I don’t think we’ll see the same Almeria home side as they’ve indicated in recent weeks. Therefore, my call here is for Santander to win the game with draw no bet cover at evens.
Team news – Almeria miss Luna and Ulloa.
Verdict: Racing Santander to win with draw no bet at evens.
Thursday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Ponferradina vs Real Betis Balompie – away win at 5/6.
The form chart may say otherwise but for me, this is the worst side in the Segunda Liga versus the best side in the Segunda Liga and with that in mind, Betis look tempting at 5/6.
Ponferradina have held their own in their last couple of home games and have generally been rather hard to beat at home this season. Indeed, they’ve only been beaten four times at home this season so they’re not worthy of being disrespected here, or even underestimated. However, three of those defeats have been in their last five home games as the long season wears on and they’ve really started to look bereft of belief lately, which is a big, big problem for them. As a newly-promoted side, Ponferradina’s one constant weapon is their spirit and if they have that then they can wave farewell to the Segunda Liga right now. They may be able to frustrate sides but they’re at a stage of the season now where they need points; a draw simply isn’t a good result anymore and that makes me concerned for them tonight. They’ve played nine games in 2011 and they’ve failed to win all of them so the problems that tonight’s hosts have are more than apparent and should be even more evident tonight with important midfielder Perez absent.
In addition to the above, the news that Real Betis finally won a game last match has to cause some unease in the Ponferradina camp. Betis are the type of side that if they’re playing badly then they can lose against anyone but when they’re playing well, they can and do beat everyone. Betis only overcame a poor Albacete side 2-0 at home but it’s enough to get momentum back in the Andaluscians’ camp and that’s generally enough to see Betis start winning again. They had been on a terrible run prior to that win, losing five consecutive games and dropping to third in the Segunda Liga table as a result. However, their promotion push should continue tonight, especially as their promotion is long overdue now – Betis simply aren’t a Segunda Liga side and they know it so it’s time they showed what they were made of.
Betis do have some absences for this game although none of which particularly concern me as they have a strong bench. The return of Emana into the Betis team has boosted their play and it should be even more evident against an inferior Ponferradina side tonight. Emana, Castro, and Molina should all have far too much for little Ponferradina and although I don’t doubt that Betis’ defence is susceptible enough to concede here, I still think that they’ll score too many goals for Ponferradina to get a result here so my call is the away win at 5/6.
Team news – Ponferradina miss Yuri de Souza, David Malo, and Ivan Perez whereas Real Betis Balompie miss Momo, Miguel Lopes, Fernando Vega, and Miki Roque.
Verdict: Real Betis Balompie to win at 5/6.
Accumulator fodder:
Gremio, Velez Sarsfield, Real Madrid.
Recommended bets:
Real Betis Balompie and Real Madrid at 2/1.
As ever, if there are any 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!
Copa Libertadores:
Velez Sarsfield vs Universidad Catolica (8) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Gremio vs Leon de Huanuco (9) -1.5 handicap
Liga de Quito vs Independiente (7) 2-1
Caracas vs Union Espanola (4) 1-1
Singaporean S-League:
Young Lions vs Geylang United (5) 1-1
Spanish Primera Liga:
Almeria vs Racing Santander (6) 0-1
Real Madrid vs Malaga (8) -1.5 handicap
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Celta de Vigo vs Huesca (6) under 2.5 goals
Ponferradina vs Real Betis Balompie (6)
Ukrainian Premier League:
Sevastopol vs Shakhtar Donetsk (7) 0-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!