Leeds United vs Watford
FreeDespite the large number of games today, there’s not an awful lot I like the look of, really. However, this appears to have been compensated by giving us some of potentially the best value we’ve had on such a confident level. This value can be found in the English League Cup in a game between Leeds United and Watford. As we all know, Leeds United are too good to be in League One and should have been promoted to the Championship a long time ago. However, lady luck simply hasn’t smiled upon them in that aspect. That said, they do still have a Championship-worthy squad. Today they host a Watford side that are a far cry from the once Premier League side a few years ago. In fact, they’re expected to announce the sale of star winger Tommy Smith very soon to aid their precarious financial situation. Not only do they lose a very good player, but it unsettles the team, as does Watford’s weak form of late. The last thing that Watford want at the moment is a cup run in the weaker domestic cup. The FA Cup will be a lot higher on their list of priorities to generate some revenue but the League Cup should be off the radar. However, high-flying Leeds United have a large enough squad with enough ability to compete on various fronts. This game will suit them, and suit them well. I think a home win at evens here could be an absolute steal today!
Tuesday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Leeds United vs Watford – home win at evens – see introduction for full details.
Maccabi Haifa vs Salzburg – away win with draw no bet odds of 13/8. Sometimes I feel like a complete idiot for maintaining my belief in Salzburg but I know they’re a good side! They just seemingly don’t show it too often. For instance, there’s no doubt in my mind they’re a better side than the Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa and yet managed to lose 2-1 in the first leg by not taking their chances. Happily, the Austrians are unbeaten on the road in European competition this season and I expect a good showing from them. Let’s face it – if they don’t, they’re out. Maccabi Haifa are a decent side with their main strength being in attack. However, as indicated at home to Kazakh side Aktobe Lento in the last round, the Israeli outfit have real problems in defence more often than not. Whereas I’m not saying this is a dead certain away win, I’m saying there’s a chance – if Salzburg show up. Israel is a tough place to travel, however, so I would recommend taking it with draw no bet odds of 13/8.
Port Vale vs Sheffield Wednesday – away win at 10/11. A poor start to the season has seen Port Vale claim just one win from four games. They’re looking to obtain some kind of momentum to move up the table and evade a similar relegation battle as they endured last season. A League Cup run is not on their agenda this year, surely? Sheffield Wednesday have impressed me these past couple of years. Despite not being able to utilised a hefty budget, they’ve still put together a resilient and stable squad that will cause any side a problem if they’re not properly motivated to face The Owls. Sheffield Wednesday are an accomplised Championship side and will be looking to take any cup spoils they can find. An away trip to Port Vale will be something they’re eyeing with a good deal of interest today, in my opinion, and with the quality available at their disposal, an away win looks a good bet at 10/11.
Portsmouth vs Hereford United – home win with -1.75 handicap at evens. Despite a poor season thus far, Portsmouth will be desperate to gain some kind of win, even if it’s only in a meager competition like this. Portsmouth showed some good spirit last match against Arsenal and the result perhaps flattered the hosts a little. Portsmouth aren’t a great outfit, don’t get me wrong, and I really fancy them to be relegated this year. However, today they host a Hereford United side that have also witnessed a horrendous start to the season with no wins in four games and having lost their last two consecutively. This game has come at the wrong time and at the wrong ground for Hereford United, in my opinion, and I think a determined Portsmouth team with some quality is more than capable of disposing of the League Two outfit with some ease. A home win here with -1.75 handicap at evens looks a potentially very good bet, although I do emphasise caution because if Portsmouth have one big failing at the moment, it’s scoring goals.
Queens Park Rangers vs Accrington Stanley – home win with -1.75 handicap at 10/11. I’m feeling a little dubious about this one but it really should happen. Moneybags Queens Park Rangers haven’t consistently established themselves as anyone in particular in the Championship, really. They’ve not spent masses of money, they’re not challenging for a top spot and they’re not near the relegation zone. I don’t fully know nor understand the intentions of Queens Park Rangers’ wealthy owner but that’s not my concern, currently. Queens Park Rangers are good enough to win this game, and to win it comfortably. I can’t see anything on their agenda currently other than a cup run because they’re not good enough or bad enough to do anything else! The other convincing factor in my eyes is that Accrington Stanley are not a good outfit and they’re in very poor form with just one win in four games and having been beaten in their last two games. I’m more comfortable with a home win than at the handicap but I do still fancy a home win with -1.75 handicap at 10/11.
As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!
UEFA Champions League:
Atletico Madrid vs Panathinaikos (8) both sides to score
Debreceni VSC vs Levski Sofia (6) 1-1
Anderlecht vs Olympique Lyonnais (6) both sides to score
Maccabi Haifa vs Salzburg (4) 1-2, draw no bet
FC Zurich vs Ventspils (8) -1.75 hanidcap
UEFA Europa League:
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sivasspor (8) 2-0
Copa Nissan Sudamericana:
Coritiba vs Vitoria (5) 2-1
Libertad Asuncion vs Liga de Quito (6) 1-0
Union Espanola vs La Equidad Bogota (7) 2-0
English League Cup:
Hartlepool United vs Burnley (5) 1-1
Gillingham vs Blackburn Rovers (5) 0-1
Hull City vs Southend United (7) 1-0
Leeds United vs Watford (7) 2-0
Peterborough United vs Ipswich Town (6) 1-1
Port Vale vs Sheffield Wednesday (6) 1-2
Portsmouth vs Hereford United (7) -1.75 handicap
Preston North End vs Leicester City (7) 2-1
Queens Park Rangers vs Accrington Stanley (8) -1.75 handicap
Southampton vs Birmingham City (6) 1-2
Reading vs Barnsley (4) 0-1, draw no bet
Swansea City vs Scunthorpe United (6) 2-2
Tranmere Rovers vs Bolton Wanderers (7) 1-1
West Ham United vs Millwall (8) 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Swindon Town (8) 2-1
Norwegian Adeccoligaen:
Moss vs Honefoss (7)
Singaporean S-League:
Geylang United vs Tampines Rovers (7) 2-1
Swedish Allsvenskan:
BK Hacken vs Brommapojkarna (8) 2-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!