Ancona vs Vicenza
FreeToday’s featured game is the Serie B encounter between Ancona and Vicenza. Ancona have started this season well and currently occupy second place in the Serie B table whereas visitors Vicenza are in thirteenth place.
Ancona have been a constant force at home this season, which is the foundation beneath my selection for them to win this game today. They’ve already won five of their six home games, drawing the other game and scoring nearly two goals per game on average. If that wasn’t enough, Ancona only concede a goal at home every three games on average, which is also a very impressive record.
Vicenza have made a somewhat mixed start which tends to sum up their season – you never really know which Vicenza is going to turn up! For example, Vicenza managed to win at Brescia a few weeks ago, which is a very respectable result in Serie B. However, then counter that with the fact that they’ve played seven home games this season and drawn all of them and you have a very puzzling scenario.
Although having not won in their last two games, Ancona will be glad to return to home ground and attack from within their fortress. Vicenza may have one of Serie B’s better away records but nobody has a better home record in Serie B than Ancona.
Vicenza’s form has been rocky too, although they’ve only one once in their last five games whilst Ancona have won three of their last five games. The visitors don’t really have enough to trouble an organised and incisive Ancona today so I think they’re going to sit behind the ball and execute damage limitation.
In my opinion, we’re going to see a low-scoring game here but one that really should be won by an Ancona side that are dominant at home with odds of evens to sweeten the call!
Verdict: Ancona to win at evens.
Sunday’s PicksMy tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Serbia U21 vs Norway U21 – under 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Having already beaten Norway U21 in their last game, Serbia U21 already have the mental edge that they require to win this game. Serbia U21 already have the edge as far as quality goes and they now also have the home advantage. Serbia U21 are notorious for playing football just like their first team – efficiently but without scoring many goals. Although they conceded three goals in their last game, I’m prepared to overlook that as this was an away trip to a local rival. Their previous two qualifiers saw them score three goals and concede zero in total, thus proving my point.
Norway U21 have conceded seven goals in their last four games which indicates that their defence isn’t anywher near as sturdy as it should be, particularly when you consider that three of those games were at home. Norway U21 do enjoy scoring goals, however, which would be a stumbling point for my bet if I didn’t believe Serbia U21’s defence to be so rock-solid and water-tight. Ultimately, Norway U21 look likely to be outclassed both technically and tactically in this game by a very promising Serbia U21 side.
Verdict:
When Serbia U21 win, they tend to win it their way; by scoring few goals and not conceding. Everything favours the home win here so taking under 2.5 goals with the above information at 5/6 looks a good call.
Sweden U21 vs Kazakhstan U21 – under 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Sweden U21 boast one of the better U21 sides in Europe but tend to adopt a similar approach to Serbia U21 by beating their opponents with efficient styles instead of emphasising flambuoyancy and creativity. Sweden U21 haven’t scored more than two goals in any of their last three qualification games despite facing sides that they’re better than on all three occasions. Sweden U21 also only managed to score one goal when playing this reverse fixture a few weeks ago.
Visitors Kazkahstan U21’s side are getting better but are still nowhere near the pedigree of their hosts. Kazakhstan U21 took a respectable point off Sweden U21 a few weeks ago when they drew 1-1 at home, which at least indicates that Kazakhstan U21 are capable of frustrating sides. Kazkahstan U21 have only conceded more than two goals once in their last four games, which does indicate that Sweden U21 will have their work cut out to lash goals galore past Kazakhstan U21.
Verdict:
Although I’m confident that this game will end in a home win, there appears to be more value in taking under 2.5 goals at 11/10 in this game.
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Independiente – home win at 5/6.
Hosts San Lorenzo de Almagro are starting to drift away from the title-challenging position that they were expected to take in pre-season predictions. Now nine points adrift of league leaders Newell’s Old Boys, San Lorenzo de Almagro are aware that have to start winning games again – now. Fortunately for San Lorenzo de Almagro, they boast one of the Primera Division’s better home record with four wins, two draws, and just one defeat at home this season. Their form may be somewhat patchy lately with one win, one draw, and one defeat in their last three games but they have to win this game to have any chance of claiming the title.
Visitors Independiente are in a similar predicament to San Lorenzo de Almagro in terms of needing to win this game to have any shot at the title but have a rather unconvincing away record and no pre-season expectations for them to challenge. Independiente may have won three of their six away games but they’ve also lost three, which is rather unconvincing in my opinion. Much like San Lorenzo de Almagro, Independiente’s form lately has been patchy and somewhat inconclusive but Independiente are reputed for being one of the division’s poor travellers.
Verdict:
San Lorenzo should be too strong quality-wise for Independiente and their home advantage helps them enormously. Therefore, a San Lorenzo de Almagro victory at 5/6 looks favourable tonight.
AEL Limassol vs Aris – home win at 9/10.
Hosts AEL Limassol are one of the top five sides in Cyprus, in my opinion, and are beginning to show it although via some patchy form. No side in the Division 1 has conceded less goals than AEL Limassol, which has been their strength in the early season. They also enjoy their home games with three wins and one draw from their four home games this season. AEL Limassol’s biggest concern is that they don’t score enough goals but whilst they keep sides out as frequently as they do, they remain a force for the majority if not entirety of Cyprus’ sides.
Visitors Aris have had a mixed start to this campaign which aligns rather well with the fact that little is expected of them. Their away form has been poor with two defeats in their three away games and by conceding more goals on the road than every side barring Nea Salamis and APEP. Two defeats in their last three games will have done them some damage mentally and AEL Limassol isn’t the kind of place to take this mentality.
Verdict:
The home win at 9/10 for a ruthessly efficient AEL Limassol looks something of a bargain today.
Lecce vs Padova – home win at 4/5.
League leaders Lecce may have stumbled at Torino last match but their overall form is highly impressive with four wins and one draw their last five games. Lecce are showing a great desire to return to Serie A and if their current form is maintained throughout the season then they’ll certainly end up there next season. Lecce have won five of their seven home games this season, drawing once and losing once. They’re generally a very difficult side to play against and have a better calibre of player than the majority of their opponents in Serie B.
Visitors Padova may be flying high but they’re truly punching above their weight after promotion from Serie C. They may be fourth but just one win in their past four games shows that cracks are beginning to appear in the Padova form guide. They’re not conceding many goals but they’re not scoring that many either. Their away form shows that they’ve only lost once on the road but they’ve drawn four out of their remaining five away games from this equation, which isn’t really good enough.
Verdict:
I fancy Padova to be outclassed by a rampant Lecce today so the home win for Lecce at 4/5 looks a good bet.
Cordoba vs Salamanca – home win at 11/10
Cordoba are one of those sides that gamblers like myself love to see. Why? Well, they’re remarkably consistent in being deadly at home and largely unconvincing away from home. Four wins and one draw from five home games says that Cordoba are currently the best home side in the Segunda Liga so that immediately puts them on the front foot for this encounter. They’re also in good form with one win and one draw from their last two games.
Salamanca enter this game on the back of a mid-week defeat to Racing Santander in the Copa del Rey, which will have tired them as they worked hard to contain the Primera Liga side but were ultimately unsuccessful. Now they have yet another tenacious home side to deal with and I just don’t feel that they have the quality nor the stamina to do what only one side has done here this season and leave with a point. Salamanca may have only lost one away game in the Segunda Liga this year but they’ve drawn three, which shows that they are somewhat susceptible on the road.
Verdict:
The home win at 11/10 is one of the bargains of today with Cordoba rampant at home and a tired Salamanca unlikely to be able to resist them. Therefore, a Cordoba win at 11/10 is one of my favourite bets today.
Athletic Club de Bilbao II vs Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa – home win at 3/4.
You thought I wouldn’t be able to back Athletic today, didn’t you? Well, you’re wrong! I’m now backing Athletic Club de Bilbao II instead!! Seriously though, Athletic Club de Bilbao II have everything that they need to win this game. They’ve won four of their six home games this year with just two blips on that record. Their recent form is inconclusive but their home form is generally reliable and they have the quality to win this game.
Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa don’t have far to travel for this game but they’ll still come home extremely tired with a trip to the Basque country’s most prominent club (albeit their “B” team) being an extremely tiring affair for any side. The visitors have the joint worst away record in the division with Compostela with both sides having lost five of their six away games and conceding more goals than any other side.
Verdict:
All of the above points to a home win for the better side, which is Athletic Club de Bilbao II at 3/4.
Barakaldo vs Guijuelo – home win at 11/10
Basque club Barakaldo today welcome Guijuelo to their home in a bid to boost their already decent home form. They’ve won three of their six home games, drawing twice and losing just once. Two wins in their last three games have given them considerable momentum ahead of this game and the home advantage could prove crucial in this encounter.
Visitors Guijuelo have played some mixed football lately but their away form has been consistent – well, consistently poor that is with three defeats, two draws and just one victory from their six away games. They’ve not scored enough goals away from home and the trip to the Basque country is always a difficult one where you need to be at your best. With such sporadic displays leading up to this game, it’s hard to envision Guijuelo taking anything out of this game.
Verdict:
Barakaldo victory at 11/10.
Montaneros vs Celta de Vigo II – home win at 6/4.
This is quite a risky call but Montaneros have been playing very well lately despite some massive problems during their early season. The hosts are beginning to move away from the relegation zone and have now gained a four match unbeaten run which has seen them win their last two games consecutively. Their home form is decent with three wins, one draw, and two defeats from their six home games but their momentum is very strong for this game.
Although Celta de Vigo II are sat in fourth place in the group, their form lately has been very poor indeed with no wins in four games whilst encountering two draws and two defeats in the process. Celta de Vigo II have a good away record with three wins from six away games but their demoralised state of affairs and their leaky defence points to a difficult away game today.
Verdict:
A massively in-form Montaneros really should be able to take a poor Celta de Vigo II out today with momentum strong and Celta de Vigo II’s defence having leaked eight goals in their past four games. Therefore, the home win for Montaneros at 6/4 shows considerable value today.
Universidad Las Palmas vs Puertollano – home win at evens
A trip to the Canary Islands isn’t the most welcomed of trips for Spanish sides with many struggling to come to terms with their hosts. Universidad Las Palmas tend to utilise their home advantage well as their home record of four wins, one draw, and just one defeat in their six home games illustrates perfectly. Universidad Las Palmas have won three of their last five games so their home advantage is complimented by their strong momentum.
Visitors Puertollano are having a decent season as they currently occupy seventh place. Their strength has been not conceding many goals as only Real Sociedad Gimnastica Torrelavega and Real Oviedo have conceded less goals than they have. However, Puertollano have already lost three of their six away games this season and the fact that they’re travelling to such a difficult opponent leaves me with no confidence that they’ll take anything from this game.
Verdict:
Universidad Las Palmas victory at evens.
Real Esppor Club vs Caracas – away win at evens
Newly-promoted Real Esppor Club are finally beginning to taste real life after their honeymoon period in the Venezuelan Primera Division came to an abrupt end. They’ve lost three of their last five games, winnig just once and drawnig the other game. Real Esppor Club are looking short of goals in their games, which is causing them no end of problems, and even their previously impressive home form is beginning to look a little shaky.
Caracas are one of (if not the best) the best sides in Venezuela and their form indicates this perfectly. They’ve won four of their last five games and only Deportivo Italia currently boasts a better away record. Caracas have won four of their six away games and boast a squad that really shouldn’t have any trouble disposing of their newly-promoted opponents tonight.
Verdict:
Away win at evens for Caracas.
Estudiantes de Merida vs Atletico El Vigia – home win at 5/6
This is quite a risky call given the poor season that Estudiantes de Merida have endured thus far but I think it could be a good bet. With just one defeat in their last four games, the hosts are at least starting to become hard to beat. They need to be scoring more goals but that will come in due course. Estudiantes de Merida are capable of being better than they are and they won’t have many better opportunities this season to prove so than they will against Atletico El Vigia, who are one of the worst away sides in the division.
Atletico El Vigia are a good side but simply cannot play football away from home. Some sides are just odd like that, unfortunately! Nobody has conceded more goals in the Primera Division this year than Atletico El Vigia and their away record of four defeats in five games shows that they’re just not doing the business on the road. A difficult Estudiantes de Merida should prove tough opponents for Atletico El Vigia to break their duck against and I frankly can’t see it happening.
Verdict:
Estudiantes de Merida to win at 5/6.
Llanelli vs The New Saints – home win at 11/10
This match is between two of the heavyweights in Welsh Premier League football currently. Hosts Llanelli are currently leading the table and have won three of their last five games, losing just once. Their home form is impeccable, however, with five wins and one draw from their six home games thus far. Llanelli average scoring nearly four goals per game at home and will be a very potent threat for The New Saints to deal with today.
Visitors The New Saints are capable of going toe-to-toe with Llanelli but their form this season has been unconvincing, in my opinion. They fact that they’ve drawn three of their last four games illustrates this point perfectly. The New Saints haven’t got a great away record but they’ve bizarrely only played two away games this season so it’s perhaps a tad unfair to judge. The New Saints certainly aren’t looking themselves, however, which is a dangerous way to enter a game with a potent Llanelli.
Verdict:
Home win for Llanelli at 10/11.
As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
World Cup Qualifier – African section:
Ghana vs Mali (7) 2-1
UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifiers:
Serbia U21 vs Norway U21 (8) under 2.5 goals
Sweden U21 vs Kazakhstan U21 (8) under 2.5 goals
Argentinian Primera Division:
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Independiente (7) 2-1
River Plate vs Atletico Tucuman (8) under 2.5 goals
Arsenal de Sarandi vs Boca Juniors (6) 0-1
Belgian Tweede Klasse:
Oostende vs OH Leuven (6)
Tienen vs Brussels (7) draw no bet
Boussu Dour Borinage vs Antwerp (6)
Ronse vs Liege (5)
Brazilian Serie A:
Gremio Barueri vs Botafogo (7) 1-1
Avai vs Corinthians (6) 1-1
Nautico vs Flamengo (8) 1-2
Fluminense vs Atletico Paranaense (8) 2-0
Goias vs Santo Andre (6) 1-0
Internacional vs Santos (6) 2-1
Colombian Futbol Profesional:
Atletico Huila vs Deportes Quindio (8) 2-1
Atletico Junior Barranquilla vs Deportes Tolima (7) 1-0
America de Cali vs Millonarios Bogota (6) 1-2, draw no bet
Deportivo Pereira vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (7) 2-0
Envigado vs Deportivo Pasto (6) 1-2
Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Deportivo Cali (8) 2-0
Boyaca Chico vs Real Cartagena (5) 1-1
Cypriot Division 1:
Ethnikos Achnas vs Apollon Limassol (7) 1-2
AEL Limassol vs Aris (8) 2-0
Nea Salamis vs APOEL Nicosia (9) -1.75 handicap
Danish 1st Division:
Roskilde vs Fyn (6)
Vestjaelland vs Vejle (7) draw no bt
Hvidovre vs Viborg (5)
Kolding vs Braband (7)
Naestved vs Lyngby (6) over 2.5 goals
Ecuadorian Primera A:
Emelec Guayaquil vs Espoli Cayambe (8) 2-0
Macara Ambato vs Manta FC (8) 1-0
Olmedo Riobamba vs Deportivo Cuenca (6) 1-2
English League One:
Southampton vs Brighton & Hove Albion (8)
Greek B Ethniki:
Anagennisi Karditsas vs Ionikos Nikaias (7)
Doxa Dramas vs Thrasivoulos (6)
Ethnikos Asteras vs Pierikos Katerini (8)
OFI Crete vs Ilioupoli (6)
Panaitolikos Agrinio vs Diagoras Rodos (6)
Rhodos vs Panserraikos (7)
International Friendlies:
UAE vs Czech Republic (7) 0-1
Iraq vs Azerbaijan (6) under 2.5 goals
Italian Serie B:
Ancona vs Vicenza (7)
Cittadella vs Gallipoli (6)
Frosinone vs Brescia (7)
Mantova vs Cesena (6) draw no bet
Modena vs Crotone (6)
Piacenza vs Torino (7)
Reggina vs Sassuolo (6)
Triestina vs Ascoli (7)
Lecce vs Padova (8)
Mexican Primera Division:
Pumas UNAM vs Indios (8) 2-0
Santos Laguna vs America (7) 1-1
Portuguese Liga de Honra:
Feirense vs Carregado (8)
Oliveirense vs Gil Vicente (6)
Beira-Mar vs Trofense (7)
Varzim vs Deportivo Aves (7)
Desportivo Chaves vs Penafiel (6)
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Cordoba vs Salamanca (8)
Hercules Alicante vs Numancia (8)
Cartagena vs Gimnastia de Tarragona (5)
Real Betis Balompie vs Celta de Vigo (7)
Spanish Segunda B:
Group 1:
Ponferradina vs Pontevedra (6)
Palencia vs Izarra (8)
Mirandes vs Lemona (7)
Sestao River Club vs Deportivo Alaves (6)
Athletic Club de Bilbao II vs Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa (8)
Barakaldo vs Guijuelo (7)
Eibar vs Zamora (8)
Lugo vs Racing Club de Ferrol (6)
Montaneros vs Celta de Vigo II (6)
Group 2:
Real Racing Club Santander II vs Conquense (6)
Atletico Madrid II vs Cacareno (8)
Guadalajara vs Tenerife II (8)
Universidad Las Palmas vs Puertollano (7)
Lanzarote vs Alcala Henares (5)
Vecindario vs Real Sociedad Gimnastia Torrelavega (6)
Alcorcon vs Real Sporting de Gijon II (8)
Toledo vs Cerro Reyes Badajoz (7)
Villanovense vs Real Madrid II (5)
Real Oviedo vs Leganes (8)
Group 3:
Sant Andreu vs Alcoyano (7)
Denia vs Sporting Mahones (7)
Gava v Atletico Gramenet (5) draw no bet
Badalona vs Villajoyosa (6)
Mallorca II vs Terrassa (9)
Sabadell vs Logrones (5)
Benidorm vs Espanyol Barcelona II (8)
Orihuela vs Ontinyent (6) over 2.5 goals
Valencia II vs Lleida (6) under 2.5 goals
Barcelona II vs Alicante (7)
Group 4:
Sevilla II vs Lucena (6)
Real Murcia II vs Jerez Industrial (8)
Union Estepona vs Ceuta (7) under 2.5 goals
Roquetas vs Marbella (8)
Melilla vs Granada (6) draw no bet
Moratalla vs Sangonera Atletico (5) draw no bet
Caravaca vs Ciudad de Murcia (7)
Real Jaen vs Aguilas (6)
Polideportivo Ejido vs Real Betis Balompie II (7)
Venezuelan Primera Division:
Real Esppor Club vs Caracas (8) 0-1
Deportivo Tachira vs Mineros de Guayana (8) 2-0
Carabobo vs Aragua (6) 1-0, draw no bet
Zulia vs Trujillanos (6) 2-1
Zamora vs Llaneros de Guanare (8) 1-0
Yaracuyanos vs Deportivo Lara (6) 1-1
Deportivo Italia vs Centro Italo (8) 2-1
Estudiantes de Merida vs Atletico El Vigia (6) 1-0
Welsh Premier League:
Llanelli vs The New Saints (7) 1-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!