Odd Grenland Skien vs Stromsgodset
FreeBefore I begin my preview, it’s been brought to my attention that covering games on the Malaysian Premier League would be appreciated by you guys. I’m simply putting this here to see if there’s any interest in me doing so? Let me know via comments or email – thefootytipster@gmail.com
Today’s featured game is in the Tippeligaen between Odd Grenland Skien and Stromsgodset. Newly-promoted Odd Grenland Skien have made a storming start to the season, particularly at home. They boast the best home record in the division with five wins and one draw from six games. To make this even more juicy, Stromsgodset have only scored one goal on the road all season and have lost five and drawn one of their six away games. The hosts have won two games from their last four and the visitors match them for form. However, all of the above points to a home win in my book; even the bookmakers can see it! I’m not particularly willing to take the home win at 8/13, however; I think there’s better value in the handicap. Odd Grenland Skien average approximately three goals per game at home whereas Stromsgodset, as I mentioned earlier, have only scored one goal on their travels this season but have only leaked a relatively impressive nine from six games. I can see a 2-0 or 3-1 win occurring here so the handicap at 13/8 looks very inviting. I can only imagine that the bookies are giving such good odds because Stromsgodset are an established Tippeligaen side but the hosts are new to the division. Either way, this is definitely my favourite bet of the day!
Incidentally, in case you’re wondering why I’ve not covered Spain vs USA in the Confederations Cup Semi-Final – it’s because I don’t think there’s any value there. I think David Villa will be under pressure from the persistent transfer speculation surrounding his future, something he himself has lent weight to in a recent interview. Fernando Torres isn’t scoring as freely as he normally would and Spain aren’t dominating currently as they’re capable. USA will work hard but I think they’ll ultimately be disappointed. 2-0 is my call but even the handicap of -1.5 goals is something ridiculous like 4/7.
Wednesday’s Picks
My tips:
Despite the large number of games, there’s really not much value today, unfortunately. There are 4 games I think are good value and they are as follows:
Honka Espoo vs KuPS Kuopio – home win at -2.5 goals handicap with odds of 21/10. I have to begin my brief preview by emphasising caution approaching this game. I rate Honka Espoo as one of the best sides in the division but they’re had a fairly haphazard start to the season and their goalscoring isn’t great on their own turf. What is driving me towards this potential bargain, however, is the lack of ability that KuPS Kuopio boast. They’ve leaked the most goals in the Veikkausliiga this season, averaging just over 2 goals per game conceded on the road this season with one draw and six defeats from seven games, plus the fact that they’ve only scored two goals on their travels. Honka Espoo are more than capable of scoring five goals here but their form doesn’t support the likelihood of it. However, I’m feeling that they can achieve this today against what is easily the worst side in the division.
Odd Grenland Skien vs Stromsgodset – home win at -1.5 goals handicap with odds of 13/8 – see introduction for full details
Baltika Kaliningrad vs Shinnik Yaroslavl’ – away win with odds of 5/4. Baltika Kaliningrad are a tough side to play on their own turf. They’re by far the most westward Russian side in the entire nation, largely because they’re not actually connected to Russia by land. This makes any trip to them a long one. However, relegated Shinnik Yaroslavl’ are in flying form and looking to return to the Russian Premier League before they’re even missed and if their form is anything to go by, they will do so. They’ve won an impressive four games from eight on the road this season, drawing one and losing three. Baltika Kaliningrad have won four, drawn two and lost two at home this campaign. They made a good start but they’ve faltered lately with their form, particularly their home form with just one home win in their past five games. It should be a tight game but an away win looks favourable here.
PK 35 Helsinki vs Viikingit Helsinki – home win with odds of 11/10. Both of these sides enter this game in flying form. In fact, they enter it with scarily similar form, both having won their last three games, drawn one and lost one. In terms of quality, there’s not a lot between them, hence the good odds. However, what’s tipping the scales towards a home win for me is that PK 35 Helsinki have a 100% home record this season. This home record includes the impressive scalps of league leaders Klubi 04 Helsinki and 4th placed PS Kemi Kings. However, Viikingit Helskinki’s away form shows two wins and two defeats, one of which was a rather embarassing loss to relegation-battling TPV Tampere. The hosts have shown they can beat the big boys at home and I expect them to do the same today – 11/10 is a bargain!
As ever, any queries/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!
Confederations Cup:
Spain vs USA (9) 2-0
Faroese Meistaradeildin:
KI Klaksvik vs IF Fuglafjordur (7)
07 Vestur Sorvagur vs AB Argir (7)
EB/Streymur vs Vikingur Gotu (6)
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
Honka Espoo vs KuPS Kuopio (9) -2.5 goals handicap
TPS Turku vs RoPS Rovaniemi (8) 2-0
Haka Valkeakoski vs FC Lahti (5) 1-1
Jaro Pietarsaari vs IFK Mariehamn (6) 1-1
Finnish Ykkonen:
PK 35 Helsinki vs Viikingit Helsinki (8)
AC Oulu vs KPV Kokkola (8)
Jippo Joensuu vs KooTeePee Kotka (7) under 2.5 goals
International Friendly:
Mexico vs Venezuela (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Norwegian Tippeligaen:
Odd Grenland Skien vs Stromsgodset (8) – 1.5 goals handicap
Tromso vs Viking Stavanger (6) 1-1
Start Kristiansand vs Sandefjord Football (7) 2-1
Valerenga Oslo vs Bodo Glimt (8) 2-0
Fredrikstad vs Lyn Oslo (5) 1-1
Rosenborg vs Staebek (7) 2-1
Norwegian Adeccoligaen:
Honefoss vs Haugesund (7)
Russian Divsion 1:
NoSta Novotroitsk vs Nizhyni Novgorod (7)
Anzhi Makhachkala vs Energiya Khabarovsk (8)
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Ural Sverdlovskaya Oblast (6)
KamAZ Nab Chelny vs Sibir Novosibirsk (6)
Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan vs Luch-Energiya Vladivostok (6)
Vityaz Podolsk vs Alaniya Vladikavkaz (7)
MVD Rossiya Moscow vs FK Chita (6)
Cherno Novorosisk vs Metallurg Lipetsk (6)
FK Krasnodor vs Salyut Belgorod (6)
Baltika Kaliningrad vs Shinnik Yaroslavl’ (7)
Singaporean S-League:
DPMM FC vs Geylang United (8) 2-0
Enjoy your free betting tips!