Portsmouth vs Fulham

Today’s featured game is in the Premier League and features Portsmouth and Fulham. The hosts have been horrendous in the transfer market this summer, losing two big players for them and not replacing them. Their squad is beginning to look very frail and weak. If you add that to the fact that they’ve got a relatively inexperienced manager, you can see a troublesome season ahead. In fact, if I’m completely honest with you, Portsmouth are my favourites for relegation this year. After the sale of Peter Crouch to Tottenham Hotspur, where are their goals going to come from? Playmaker Niko Kranjcar has also dropped the bombshell that he’ll be leaving the club next summer and who can blame him? Portsmouth is well and truly a sinking ship currently. Fulham, by contrast, are going from strength to strength. With the addition of former Liverpool full-back Jon Arne Riise’s brother, Bjorn Helge Riise, and the potential signing of experienced striker Mark Viduka and powerhouse centre-back Magnus Troest, Fulham are adding yet more quality to a quality squad. They’ve got a very talented and experienced manager in Roy Hodgson and I think they could possibly improve on last season’s already impressive finish in the UEFA Europa League spot. Despite their woeful pre-Hodgson away form, I really fancy them to win this game, and to win it convincingly. In fact, if 7/4 just doesn’t float your boat, why not really stick your neck out and take Fulham with -1.75 handicap at 5/1. That could be a superb bet if the visitors turn up, which they should, considering they already have two competitive games under their belt – two convincing wins too, even if it was against lowly Vetra Vilnius of Lithuania in the UEFA Europa League Qualifiers.

Saturday’s Picks

My tips:

Portsmouth vs Fulham – away win at 7/4 – see introduction for full details.

Santo Andre vs Internacional – away win at 6/5. Visitors Internacional are in fine form currently, finding themselves in third place in the table. They’ve looked good at home this season and pretty good away from home too. Santo Andre, by contrast, have looked dismal both home and away of late, losing three of their last four games and are without a win in numerous games now. They’re on a downward spiral and don’t look likely to emerge from it today against an impressive Internacional. 6/5 on an away win here is a steal!

Aston Villa vs Wigan Athletic – home win with -1.75 handicap . Although having been weakened in the centre of defence, Aston Villa have added some impressive acquisitions to their squad over the past 8 months. They’ve brought in Emile Heskey as understudy for John Carew and winger Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough. They’ve also acquired Habib Beye as some kind of defensive reinforcement although they’re some way from replacing both Martin Laursen and Zat Knight in the centre of defence. Summarised; they’ve strengthened in attack and weakened in defence. Wigan Athletic are going to have a very difficult season unless former Wigan Athletic legend Roberto Martinez can pull something out of the bag in his first season in the Premier League. Over the last eight months, they’ve lost arguably their four best players – Valencia, Palacios, Heskey, and Cattermole. They’ve not replaced them with proven Premier League players, just a couple of players from Martinez’s former club, Swansea City. They’ve now got what I would call a “weak” squad and I thoroughly expect them to struggle. In light of the above information as well as the fact that fourth place is now up for grabs given Arsenal’s surrender of the position via their sales this summer, Aston Villa know they need to hit the ground running. I’m calling a convincing home win here and a -1.75 handicap at 15/8 is definitely worth a shot.

Bristol City vs Crystal Palace – home win at 10/11. After an impressive win at Preston North End last weekend, Bristol City now have the considerably easier task of disposing of Crystal Palace. The visitors haven’t flourished as I’d expected them to under Neil Warnock’s stewardship; in fact, they’ve looked considerably weaker. They’ve not made a good start to this campaign and I think Bristol City will pour further misery upon them today because they should have too much for the visitors. 10/11 looks a bargain here.

Ipswich Town vs Leicester City – home win at 10/1 1. It’s rather unbelievable how many people are already writing Ipswich Town off after Coventry City’s fortunate victory over them on the opening weekend. Let’s face it – before Keane joined Ipswich Town, they were one of the poorest away sides in the division. Whereas I too expect him to change that statistic, it’s not going to be overnight. Coventry City played well for 30-40 minutes in the game and were then under the cosh and were thus fortunate to obtain three points. Ipswich Town played well away to Shrewsbury Town mid-week in the League Cup but were a little lax defensively. However, the fact remains that they are one of the best home sides in the division. Leicester City made a good start to their campaign with victory over Swansea City. However, this is a different game for them entirely as I expect Swansea City to struggle this year without Martinez or Scotland. I can’t see anything other than a home win occurring here and 10/11 is a real bargain for it.

Nottingham Forest vs West Bromwich Albion – away win at 6/4. West Bromwich Albion have already shown that they have some good squad depth after just two games. They’ve competed extremely well in both the Championship and the League Cup. Not only that but they’re playing good football whilst doing it and a return to the Premier League next season is beginning to look rather imminent. Today’s hosts Nottingham Forest are a decent side at the best of times and are starting to get to grips under new boss Billy Davies. However, I still can’t see anything other than an away win here because West Bromwich Albion are just too good for Nottingham Forest, in my opinion. 6/4 for an away win could be a great spot here.

Brentford vs Brighton & Hove Albion – home win at 6/5. After an impressive start to the campaign, Brentford are looking to carry their momentum into this home game with Brighton & Hove Albion. The visitors are expected to battle against relegation this season and if their opening game was anything to go by, they will be battling it this season. Whereas I don’t think there’s too much between these two sides in terms of quality, a home win looks favourable here, particularly at 6/5.

Leyton Orient vs Oldham Athletic – home win at 5/4. This is possibly my favourite bet of the day because it’s a little crazy. Leyton Orient really struggled to stay in the division last year but have made marked improvements over the summer in all areas. They’ve been playing good football this campaign and have impressed me substantially. Oldham Athletic, however, have gone down in my estimation. They just can’t seem to find the net against anyone, something they struggled with at the end of their campaign last year. It’s going to be a real problem for them today because Leyton Orient certainly aren’t goal-shy at the moment. I quite fancy the home win at 5/4 today.

Wycombe Wanderers vs Leeds United – away win at evens. After their mid-week demolition at home by Peterborough United in the League Cup, Wycombe Wanderers’ season has took a bit of a blow because there shouldn’t be that much between the two sides. They looked poor and somewhat inept so the last side you want to play whilst in this predicament is a determined Leeds United side. Although making hard work of it, Leeds United were deceptively comfortable at home to Exeter City last weekend and are still strong favourites to win promotion this season. There’s no doubt in my mind that Leeds United are the better side here and really should win this game. Evens for this game is a real steal!

FC Honka Espoo vs Tampere United – home win at 5/6. As the final stages of the Veikkausliiga begin, FC Honka Espoo are in with a very real chance of winning this league if things go as I expect them to. However, they must win today’s game to ensure that chance continues. If they fail to do so, there are simply too many sides around them to capitalise on their mistake. However, they’re well-placed to win this game with some impressive performances of late. Aside from that, Tampere United are one of the worst sides in the division away from home and look likely to be beaten, despite some decent performances lately from themselves. 5/6 on a home win here is a steal – take it whilst you can!

Eintracht Frankurt vs Nurnberg – home win at evens. After a shock win at Werder Bremen on the opening day, Eintracht Frankfurt will be absolutely over the moon and ready to unleash more havoc upon newly-promoteed Nurnberg. The hosts managed three goals in Bremen so there’s no telling how many they’re capable of scoring against a side that aren’t as good as they are! Nurnberg are ok at the best of times but shouldn’t have enough to withstand the hosts if the hosts show up, which I expect them to. A home win at evens looks very inviting!

MTK Budapest vs Zalaegerszegi TE – home win at 11/10. This is quite a dubious call but one I like the look of. Zalaegerszegi TE have had the better results from their games with MTK Budapest the last few seasons but I sense a wind of change blowing. The hosts have now won three games from three and look set to make it four from four, particularly as the visitors are on a dismal run of form. There’s not too much between these two sides in terms of quality so approach with some caution but a home win at 11/10 is definitely worth a flutter.

Kyoto Purple Sanga vs Montedio Yamagata – home win at 4/5. This should be a very good game. Kyoto Purple Sanga are one of the best home sides in the J-League and will look to continue that against semi-decent Montedio Yamagata. Worryingly for the hosts, however, the visitors actually have a pretty good away record. With that in mind, I’m expecting quite a lot of goals here as neither side enjoys defending too much. However, I do expect the hosts to emerge victorious because they’re just better than the visitors and have enough home form of late to see them win this game. 4/5 could well prove to be bargain odds.

Gamba Osaka vs Urawa Red Diamonds – home win at 11/10. After three straight defeats, Urawa Red Diamonds’ impressive start to the campaign looks to be on the rocks as they travel to reigning champions Gamba Osaka. The hosts have finally emerged from their poor spell and are now mounting a legitimate claim to keep their J-League crown. They’ve put in some convincing displays of late and I don’t see any reason why they can’t do the same again today. The hosts are marginally better than the visitors so if you couple that with their better form too, 11/10 does look very intriguing, doesn’t it?

Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Korona Kielce – home win at 5/6. Despite starting on minus points, Jagiellonia Bialystok appear to have started this season on a real high with one win and one draw already gnawing away on the points deficit. This will do wonders for their confidence, particularly against newly-promoted Korona Kielce, who have yet to win a game yet. Whereas Jagiellonia Bialystok aren’t the best side in the Ekstraklasa, they’re more than capable of winning this game. I’m surprised odds are 5/6 for this as I expect them to drop soon so take it whilst you can!

Australian A-League:

Gold Coast United vs North Queensland Fury (8) 2-0
Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar (7) 2-1

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Anderlecht vs Westerlo (8) 2-0
Racing Genk vs AA Gent (6) 0-0
Cercle Brugge vs Zulte-Waregem (7) 1-1
Lokeren vs Sint-Truiden (5) 1-1
Mechelen vs Club Brugge (6) 1-2
Roeselare vs Standard de Liege (8) 0-2

Bosnia-Herzegovina Premijer Liga:

Olimpik Sarajevo vs Travnik (6)
FK Sarajevo vs Velez Mostar (6)
Laktasi vs Modrica (7)
Leotar vs Sloboda Tuzla (5)
Celik Zenica vs Borac Banja Luka (6)
Siroki Brijeg vs Rudar Prijedor (8)
Zvijezda Gradacac vs Zeljeznicar Sarajevo (6)
Zrinjski Mostar vs Slavija Sarajevo (5)

Brazilian Serie A:

Palmeiras vs Botafogo (8) -1.75 handicap
Santo Andre vs Internacional (7) 1-2
Avai vs Nautico (8) 3-1

Bulgarian A PFG:

Minior Pernik vs Levski Sofia (8) 1-2
Botev Plovdiv vs Montana (6) 0-0
Slavia Sofia vs Lokomotiv Mezdra (7) 2-1
CSKA Sofia vs Beroe (8) 2-0

Colombian Futbol Profesional:

America de Cali vs Real Cartagena (7) 2-1
Millonarios Bogota vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Independiente Medellin vs Envigado (8) 2-0

Croatian Prva Liga:

Istra 1961 vs Varteks Varazdin (6) 1-2
Cibalia vs Rijeka (6) 1-0
Hajduk Split vs Inter Zapresic (7) under 2.5 goals
Sibenik vs Slaven Koprivnica (5) 1-1
Karlovac vs Zadar (6) 0-0
Medimurje vs Croatia Sesvete (6) 1-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Sparta Prague vs Kladno (8) -1.75 handicap
Ceske Budejovice vs Slavia Prague (7) 1-1

Danish Superligaen:

FC Copenhagen vs AGF (8) 2-1
AaB vs SonderjyskE (7) 2-0

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Deportivo Quito vs Tecnico Universitario Ambato (7) 2-0

English Premier League:

Chelsea vs Hull City (9) 2-0
Aston Villa vs Wigan Athletic (8) -1.75 handicap
Blackburn Rovers vs Manchester City (5) 1-0, draw no bet
Bolton Wanderers vs Sunderland (6) 0-0
Portsmouth vs Fulham (7) 1-2
Stoke City vs Burnley (7) under 2.5 goals
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs West Ham United (6) 1-2, draw no bet
Everton vs Arsenal (6) 1-1

English Championship:

Barnsley vs Coventry City (6)
Blackpool vs Cardiff City (7)
Bristol City vs Crystal Palace (8)
Doncaster Rovers vs Preston North End (6)
Ipswich Town vs Leicester City (8)
Nottingham Forest vs West Bromwich Albion (7)
Peterborough United vs Sheffield Wednesday (7)
Plymouth Argyle vs Queens Park Rangers (6)
Scunthorpe United vs Derby County (5)
Sheffield United vs Watford (7)
Swansea City vs Middlesbrough (6) under 2.5 goals
Newcastle United vs Reading (6)

English League One:

Brentford vs Brighton & Hove Albion (8)
Colchester United vs Yeovil Town (7)
Exeter City vs Norwich City (6)
Hartlepool United vs Charlton Athletic (6)
Huddersfield Town vs Southampton (6)
Leyton Orient vs Oldham Athletic (6)
Millwall vs Carlisle United (8)
Stockport County vs Bristol Rovers (5)
Swindon Town vs Milton Keynes Dons (6)
Tranmere Rovers vs Gillingham (6)
Walsall vs Southend United (7)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Leeds United (7)

English League Two:

Accrington Stanley vs Lincoln City (6)
Barnet vs Shrewsbury Town (6)
Bournemouth vs Rotherham United (5)
Bradford City vs Port Vale (6)
Burton Albion vs Morecambe (8)
Chesterfield vs Northampton Town (6)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Torquay United (7)
Darlington vs Bury (7)
Grimsby Town vs Crewe Alexandra (6)
Hereford United vs Cheltenham Town (6)
Macclesfield Town vs Notts County (7)
Rochdale vs Aldershot Town (7)

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Flora Tallinn vs Flora Paide (10) -2.75 handicap
Tallinna Kalev vs Trans Narva (9) -1.75 handicap
Tulevik Viljandi vs Levadia Tallinn (9) -1.75 handicap
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Nomme Kalju (8) 1-2
Sillamae Kalev vs Kuressaare (8) 3-1

Faroese Meistaradeildin:

B36 Torshavn vs AB Argir (5)

Finnish Veikkausliiga:

FC Honka Espoo vs Tampere United (8) 2-0

Finnish Ykkonen:

Jippo Joensuu vs Viikingit Helsinki (6)
Kiisto Vaasa vs Klubi 04 Helsinki (6)

French Ligue 1:

Lens vs Auxerre (7) 1-1
Lorient vs Montpellier HSC (8) 2-0
Olympique Lyonnais vs Valenciennes (8) 2-1
AS Nancy-Lorraine vs AS Monaco (6) 1-1
Paris Saint-Germain vs Le Mans (8) 2-1
Sochaux vs Girondins de Bordeaux (7) 1-2
Toulouse vs Saint-Etienne (7) 1-0

German Bundesliga:

Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen (7) over 2.5 goals
VFB Stuttgart vs Freiburg (8) 2-0
Hamburger SV vs BV09 Borussia Dortmund (7) over 2.5 goals
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim (7) 1-0
Hannover 96 vs Mainz 05 (6) 2-1
Eintracht Frankurt vs Nurnberg (8) 2-0
Koln vs VFL Wolfsburg (7) 1-2

German Bundesliga 2:

Hansa Rostock vs 1860 Munich (6)
Union Berlin vs Fortuna Dussedorf (6)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Fehervar vs Budapest Honved (4) 1-1
Gyori ETO FC vs Diosgyori VTK (8) 2-0
Ferencvaros vs Paksi SE (8) 3-1
Kecskemeti TE vs Vasas Budapest (8) 2-0
Kaposvari Rakoczi vs Nyiregyhaza Spartacus (5) 1-1
MTK Budapest vs Zalaegerszegi TE (7) 2-1

Icelandic Landsbankadeild Karla:

Fjolnir Reykjavik vs FH Hafnarfjordur (8) 1-3

Japanese J-League:

Kyoto Purple Sanga vs Montedio Yamagata (7) 2-0
Kashima Antlers vs Oita Trinita (8) 2-1
Nagoya Grampus vs Kawasaki Frontale (6) 1-1
Gamba Osaka vs Urawa Red Diamonds (8) 2-1
Vissel Kobe vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (6) 1-0, draw no bet
JEF United Ichihara vs Kashiwa Reysol (6) both sides to score

Latvian Virsliga:

FK Jurmala vs FK Ventspils (8) 1-2
Blazma Rezekne vs Olimps Riga (6) 1-0
Tranzits Ventspils vs Daugava Riga (8) 0-2

Mexican Primera Division:

Jaguares vs Estudiantes Tecos (8) 2-1
Monterrey vs Toluca (7) 1-1
Guadalajara vs Queretaro (7) 2-0
San Luis vs Pachuca (6) 1-2

Montenegrin Prva Liga:

Mogren Budva vs Lovcen Cetinje (7)
Kom Podgorica vs Grbalj Radanovici (5)
OFK Petrovac vs Mornar Bar (7)
Decic Tuzi vs Berane (6)

Dutch Eredivisie:

Sparta Rotterdam vs Willem II (6) 0-0
ADO Den Haag vs FC Twente (8) 0-2
RKC Waalwijk vs AZ Alkmaar (7) -1.75 handicap
Heerenveen vs Vitesse Arnhem (7) over 2.5 goals

Northern Irish Premier League:

Dungannon Swifts vs Ballymena United (7)
Cliftonville vs Coleraine (6)
Linfield vs Crusaders (8)
Portadown vs Glentoran (8)
Lisburn Distillery vs Glenavon (7)
Newry City vs Institute (7)

Norwegian Tippeligaen:

Rosenborg BK vs Bodo Glimt (8) -1.75 handicap
Tromso vs Stabaek (5) 1-1

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Piast Gliwice vs Zaglebie Lubin (6) 1-0
Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Korona Kielce (7) 2-1
Legia Warsaw vs Cracovia Krakow (8) 2-0
Wisla Krakow vs GKS Belchatow (8) 2-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Nacional vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (6) 1-1
Sporting Braga vs Academica de Coimbra (7) under 2.5 goals

Romanian Liga:

Astra Ploiesti vs Gloria Bistrita (6) 0-1
CFR Cluj vs Otelul Galati (8) 2-0
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt vs Dinamo Bucharest (8) 1-2

Scottish Premier League:

Aberdeen vs Celtic (4) 1-1
Hibs vs St Mirren (7) 2-1
Kilmarnock vs Hamilton Academicals (6) 1-0
Rangers vs Falkirk (9) -1.75 handicap
St Johnstone vs Motherwell (6) 0-0

Serbian Super Liga:

Cukaricki vs Javor Ivanjica (6) 1-1
BSK Borca vs Mladi Radnik (6) 2-1
Spartak Subotica vs OFK Belgrade (6) 0-1
Jagodina vs Red Star Belgrade (6) 1-2
Napredak vs Metalac GM (7) 2-1
Partizan Belgrade vs Borac Cacak (8) -1.75 handicap

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Senica vs DAC Dunajska Streda (6) 1-1
Banska Bystrica vs Dubnica (8) 2-1
Nitra vs Tatran Presov (8) 2-0
Slovan Bratislava vs Artmedia Petrzalka (8) -1.75 handicap
MSK Zilina vs Ruzomberok (8) -1.75 handicap

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Koper vs Rudar Velenje (5) 1-1
Celje vs Gorica (6) 2-1

Swedish Allsvenskan:

Kalmar vs Gefle (7) 1-0
Hammarby vs Elfsborg Boras (7) 1-2

Swedish Superettan:

Jonkopings Sodra vs Sirius Uppsala (7)

Swiss Super League:

Sion vs FC Zurich (8) 0-2
St Gallen vs Bellinzona (6) 1-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Thun vs Vaduz (6)
Kriens vs Le Mont (6)
Stade Nyonnais vs Winterthur (6)
Lausanne Sports vs Biel-Bienne (6)
Schaffhausen vs Wil (7)
Servette vs Yverdon Sport (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Trabzonspor vs Diyarbakirspor (8) -1.75 handicap
Ankaragucu vs Manisaspor (7) 2-1
Galatasaray vs Denizlispor (8) -1.75 handicap

Welsh Premier League:

Caersws vs Aberystwyth Town (8) 1-2
Newi Cefn Druids vs Port Talbot Town (7) 1-2
Haverfordwest County vs Welshpool Town (7) 1-0
Porthmadog vs Newtown (6) 0-0
Rhyl vs Carmarthen Town (8) over 2.5 goals

Enjoy your free betting tips!