Stoke City vs Liverpool
FreeToday’s featured game is the English Premier League game between Stoke City and Liverpool. Hosts Stoke City are generally resilient at home but have struggled a little of late with goalscoring; well, prior to their last match anyway! Visitors Liverpool are having a nightmare season with nothing left to play for and injuries are now mounting for them too so they could be in for a rough ride today.
Stoke City have already won five out of ten home games this season, losing just three times. Stoke aren’t a big goalscoring side but their strength is not conceding many goals. Although they’ve lost three out of their last four games, a morale-boosting 3-2 victory at home to high-flying Fulham will have done much to boost their confidence as well as prove that they can score goals. Stoke are always a well-organised and well-oiled unit, particularly at home, so I’ll be surprised if they don’t cause a few problems for Liverpool today.
Liverpool had just started to get things back on track before they came crashing down with a bang. Three wins in their last four games saw them mounting a late title challenge. However, a 2-1 defeat a few days ago at home to Championship side Reading in the FA Cup now leaves Rafa Benitez’s job in real peril if you believe the tabloids. It’s not just the result that was unconvincing; it was the difficulty that Liverpool had in breaking down the defence of Reading that has to be the concerning factor. Liverpool simply aren’t good enough to do it so they tend to rely heavily on their three most creative players – Gerrard, Benayoun, and Torres. Incidentally, however, all three of those players will miss this game today through injury which leaves Liverpool devoid of creativity and also devoid of any chance of taking any points from this game in my opinion.
With Stoke riding their confidence-boost and Liverpool licking their wounds with a weak squad, you have to feel that a home win for Stoke at 3/1 today is worth a shot!
Verdict: Stoke City to win at 3/1.
Saturday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
Ipswich Town vs Coventry City – home win at 5/6.
Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town have finally started to show their potential in recent times and are gradually breaking free of the relegation zone. With just one defeat in their last five games, Ipswich Town have gathered considerable momentum with two wins and two draws and are now looking to continue their push up the table. Traditionally, Ipswich have long been a strong side at home and their only imperfection was their away form in recent times. Although their home form has been nowhere near as good as normal this year, they have still only been beaten twice at home in twelve games. Ipswich’s problem is drawing too many games, something they’ve done seven times out of their twelve home games. However, Ipswich have won their last two home games consecutively, scoring six goals along the way and conceding just once so a return to their usual home form may well be on the cards. Either way, Ipswich are rapidly becoming a force again and it’s hard to see them not taking advantage of their current momentum today.
Visitors Coventry City had a nightmare game with Portsmouth mid-week despite deserving to win the game. Coventry lead for the majority of the game and deserved to before a suicidal own goal from Stephen Wright in the last minute of the game took the tie into extra time. A stretched Coventry squad will not have relished this occurrence and it eventually showed with Portsmouth stealing a late winner in extra time. Coventry emerged demoralised from this encounter and with a tired squad. The last thing they’d want to do at this point is travel to a robust and encouraged Ipswich Town but that’s what they’re stuck with. Coventry have already lost seven out of twelve away games this season and are one of the lowest goalscoring sides away from home in the Championship. With this in mind, Coventry are going to struggle against what can only be called a “potent” Ipswich Town currently.
Verdict: Ipswich Town to win at 5/6.
Darlington vs Aldershot Town – away win at 5/6.
League Two’s bottom club Darlington have still earned the right to be called the worst side in the division as they’re showing absolutely zero determination to get out of their current predicament. Darlington are in such a precarious situation now that I don’t think I’m jumping the gun by saying that they’re all but doomed to life in the Conference next season. Darlington have now lost five consecutive games and have no momentum as a result. They’ve scored a paltry two goals in those five games – both scored away from home – and conceded a horrific nineteen goals, an average of nearly four goals per game. The combination of a side conceding heavily and not scoring enough goals can only lead to disastrous results, which it has and should yet again today.
Visitors Aldershot Town are traditionally a home side but have started to further their game this year by winning on the road on occasion, something they’ve actually done three times this season. Whereas this isn’t the most prolific of records, it’s impressive for a side that used to be whipped in every away game that they played. Aldershot have only lost five out of eleven away games and are starting to look quite the force in this division on their day. They’ve won three out of their last five games and average scoring over two goals per game so they’re looking potent and their momentum is strong. With the above in mind, you have to give Aldershot their dues by backing them to win this game.
Fair enough – it doesn’t take much for someone to back another side against a woeful Darlington side but Aldershot are good enough to take three points and the bookies have been generous enough to give good odds on it too so take advantage whilst you can!
Verdict: Aldershot Town to win at 5/6.
LOSC Lille vs Paris Saint-Germain – home win at 4/5.
Currently second in Ligue 1, the question of late has been “Who can stop LOSC Lille?”. I’m confident in saying that they’ve not played this well on such a consistent basis since their midfield pairing was Bodmer and Makoun a few years ago. Lille have now won six consecutive games in Ligue 1 and are playing some fantastic football, something I attribute largely to the emergency of young prodigy Eden Hazard, a Belgian playmaker that is sure to make a big move in the near future. I always marvel at the impact that young prodigies can have on teams – it builds momentum, team bonding, confidence etc. and ultimately the team benefits in great ways. Although it’s somewhat far-fetched for me to consider the idea that Lille will overtake league leaders Girondins de Bordeaux in Ligue 1, what I will say is that they’re the best-placed side to do so with Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique Lyonnais, and Olympique de Marseille failing to produce any kind of convincing performance. Lille have already won six out of ten home games this season and have only lost once. Lille average scoring over two goals per game at home and are one of the lower conceding sides in Ligue 1 at home so they’re well-placed to take three points today.
Visitors Paris Saint-Germain have somewhat disappointed this season with little to no consistency to speak of. They’re eighth in the Ligue 1 table and have won just twice in their past five games, losing twice, and drawing once, thus illustrating my point perfectly. Paris Saint-Germain have been particularly unconvincing away from home this season with five defeats in ten away games. In my opinion, Paris Saint-Germain over-achieved last season, partially with determination and partially with momentum and it’s beginning to show their true colours this season. Ultimately, Paris Saint-Germain are unlikely to achieve a European place next year without big changes and I can’t see that changing in time for their tough game at Lille today.
Overall, Lille are the top scorers in the division and have absolutely everything that need in their favour to win this game today.
Verdict: LOSC Lille to win at 4/5.
Angers SCO vs Guingamp – home win at 10/11.
Hosts Angers have won three out of their last five games, losing just once, and drawing the other game. They’ve had a disappointing season so far but recent results have improved their momentum so they’re gradually beginning to play football again. They’ve been solid at home this season with five wins in nine games, losing just twice along the way. They don’t tend to concede many goals, which plays to their advantage because they don’t score many goals either. They’ve won three out of their last four home games and didn’t concede in any of those three games. To be blunt – Angers are in good shape ahead of this game and stand a good chance of taking three points from the game.
Guingamp have also had a somewhat disappointing season following their success in achieving a European place last season. Guingamp currently occupy fifteenth place and are without a win in their last three games, drawing twice and losing once. Guingamp have particularly struggled away from home this season with six defeats in ten games. This is largely attributed to the fact that only Bastia have scored less away goals than Guingamp have this season. Guingamp would be a more presentable away side if they scored goals because they’re not big conceders on the road. However, a lack of goals scored is always going to be a problem, particularly when coinciding with momentum, so it’s hard to see Guingamp taking points off an in-form Angers today.
Verdict: Angers SCO to win at 10/11.
Accumulator fodder – Egypt, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town, Swindon Town, Rochdale, Rangers, Celtic.
As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!
African Nations:
Nigeria vs Benin (6) over 2.5 goals, both sides to score
Egypt vs Mozambique (9) under 2.5 goals
Australian A-League:
Melbourne Victory vs Perth Glory (5) 1-0
Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets (5) 1-1
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Charleroi vs Racing Genk (6) 1-1
Sint-Truiden vs Lokeren (4) 0-0
Roeselare vs Mechelen (6) 1-1
Club Brugge vs Westerlo (8) 2-1
Belgian Tweede Klasse:
Brussels vs Antwerp (6)
Lierse SK vs OH Leuven (7)
Beveren vs Eupen (8)
KVSK United vs Boussu Dour Borinage (8)
Mons vs Standaard Wetteren (6)
Tournai vs Dender (7)
Cypriot Division 1:
AEL Limassol vs Anorthosis Famagusta (4) 1-1
A.E.Paphos vs Ethnikos Achnas (6) 1-0
Doxa vs APOEL Nicosia (8) 1-2
English Premier League:
Stoke City vs Liverpool (6) 1-0
Chelsea vs Sunderland (8) 2-0
Manchester United vs Burnley (8) 2-0
Portsmouth vs Birmingham City (6) 0-1
Tottenham Hotspur vs Hull City (9) over 2.5 goals
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic (7) 1-1
Everton vs Manchester City (6) 1-1
English Championship:
Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday (5)
Blackpool vs Queens Park Rangers (6)
Bristol City vs Preston North End (6)
Doncaster Rovers vs Watford (7)
Ipswich Town vs Coventry City (6)
Nottingham Forest vs Reading (9)
Peterborough United vs Derby County (7)
Plymouth Argyle vs Crystal Palace (5)
Scunthorpe United vs Cardiff City (5)
Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough (6)
English League One:
Brentford vs Carlisle United (8)
Colchester United vs Norwich City (5) over 2.5 goals
Exeter City vs Leeds United (8)
Hartlepool United vs Milton Keynes Dons (6)
Huddersfield Town vs Southend United (8) over 2.5 goals
Leyton Orient vs Bristol Rovers (4)
Millwall vs Southampton (6)
Stockport County vs Oldham Athletic (5)
Swindon Town vs Gillingham (8)
Tranmere Rovers vs Yeovil Town (6)
Walsall vs Brighton & Hove Albion (4)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Charlton Athletic (7)
English League Two:
Accrington Stanley vs Rotherham United (4)
Barnet vs Lincoln City (5)
Bournemouth vs Bury (7)
Bradford City vs Notts County (6)
Burton Albion vs Shrewsbury Town (5)
Chesterfield vs Torquay United (5)
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Crewe Alexandra (6)
Darlington vs Aldershot Town (7)
Grimsby Town vs Cheltenham Town (6)
Hereford United vs Morecambe (6)
Macclesfield Town vs Northampton Town (5)
Rochdale vs Port Vale (8)
French Ligue 1:
Auxerre vs Boulogne (7) under 2.5 goals
Stade Rennais vs Racing Club Lens (7) over 2.5 goals
Le Mans vs Lorient (6) 1-0
AS Nancy-Lorraine vs Olympique Lyonnais (6) 2-2
Montpellier HSC vs OGC Nice (7) 1-0
LOSC Lille vs Paris Saint-Germain (7) 1-0
Grenoble Foot vs Saint-Etienne (4) 0-1
AS Monaco vs Sochaux (7) over 2.5 goals
Valenciennes vs Toulouse (6) 0-0
French Ligue 2:
Angers SCO vs Guingamp (7)
Istres vs Metz (6)
German Bundesliga:
Hamburger SV vs Freiburg SC (8) 2-0
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Werder Bremen (7) 1-1
Hannover 96 vs Hertha BSC Berlin (4) 1-0
Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FSV Mainz 05 (8) 2-0
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs VFL Bochum (5) 1-1
VFB Stuttgart vs VFL Wolfsburg (6) 2-2
German Bundesliga 2:
Greuther Furth vs Kaiserslautern (6) under 2.5 goals
Rot-Weiss Ahlen vs St.Pauli (7)
Greek Super League:
PAOK Salonika vs Asteras Tripolis (8) 2-1
Iraklis vs AEK Athens (6) 0-1
Xanthi vs Ergotelis (6) 1-0
Greek B Ethniki:
Panserraikos vs Thrasivoulos (6)
Italian Serie A:
Cagliari vs Livorno (8) 2-0
Bari vs Internazionale (4) 1-1
Italian Serie B:
Vicenza vs Albinoleffe (7)
Gallipoli vs Ascoli (6)
Cittadella vs Brescia (6)
Reggina vs Cesena (6)
Piacenza vs Empoli (6)
Torino vs Grosseto (8)
Triestina vs Mantova (7)
Modena vs Padova (6) under 2.5 goals
Frosinone vs Salernitana (6)
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Olhanenese vs Naval de Maio (6) 0-0
Vitoria Guimaraes vs Vitoria Setubal (8) 2-1
Porto vs Pacos de Ferreira (8) over 2.5 goals
Sporting Clube de Lisboa vs CD Nacional (5) 0-0
Portuguese Liga de Honra:
Desportivo Aves vs Freamunde (7)
Scottish Premier League:
Hamilton Academicals vs Rangers (8) 0-2
Celtic vs Falkirk (9) -1.75 handicap
Dundee United vs Hibs (6) 1-1
Hearts vs St.Mirren (8) 1-0
Kilmarnock vs Motherwell (6) 1-1
St.Johnstone vs Aberdeen (5) 0-0
Spanish Primera Liga:
Osasuna vs Espanyol (5) 1-1
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Real Madrid (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Barcelona vs Sevilla CF (7) over 2.5 goals
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Real Betis Balompie vs Salamanca (6)
Girona vs Albacete (5)
Castellon vs Levante (7)
Cadiz vs Huesca (6)
Celta de Vigo vs Real Sociedad (5)
Las Palmas vs Real Murcia (6)
Spanish Segunda B:
Mallorca II vs Barcelona II (6)
Welsh Premier League:
Port Talbot Town vs Rhyl (6) 1-1
Porthmadog vs Bala Town (5) 0-1
Prestatyn Town vs Aberystwyth Town (7) 0-0
Welshpool Town vs Caersws (7) 1-0
Newtown vs Neath Athletic (6) 1-2
Enjoy your free betting tips!