TFT Issue 118!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Double chance
1X:
Racing Club Avellaneda
Internacional
Sao Paulo
Litex Lovech
Cherno More Varna
CSKA Sofia
Universidad de Chile
Deportes Tolima
Sparta Prague
Mlada Boleslav
Slovan Liberec
Banik Ostrava
Skonto Riga
Daugava Daugavpils
Siauliai
Stromsgodset
Featured game
CSKA Sofia vs Akademik Sofia – CSKA Sofia to be leading HT/FT at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the A PFG encounter between giants CSKA Sofia and minnows Akademik Sofia.
This game is redundant but I still like the odds on the selection listed for varying reasons.
First of all, CSKA have impressed me a lot in the second-half of their campaign. In the first half of their campaign, they were impotent, dour, and frankly boring. However, they’ve really galvanised as a unit since their return from the winter break and have performed very well, losing just twice in seventeen games, one of which was a recent battering at Lokomotiv Plovdiv due to resting players for the Bulgarian Cup Final. CSKA Sofia have won a large percentage of those games and have looked good doing so so my hat goes off to them. CSKA enter this game as Bulgarian Cup winners too, beating Slavia Sofia 1-0 mid-week so morale is very high. This is their final game of the season and with midfielder Tonev having already agreed a deal to join Lech Poznan next season and attacker Delev rumoured to be on his way to Wisla Krakow, this should be the last chance for the youngsters to say farewell to the CSKA faithful and I think CSKA will show up as a result.
CSKA have already won nine out of fourteen home games in the A PFG this season and have won seven out of their last eight home games in the A PFG so momentum is strong. Akademik Sofia bring little momentum into this game, however, following seven consecutive A PFG defeats which have subsequently lead to the Sofia minnows being relegated. They’ve lost eight out of their last nine away games with their sole victory during that time coming at one of the sides that will potentially be joining them next season in the division below – Rakovski. Akademik average conceding nearly two goals per away game but their most crippling statistic is that they average scoring just over once every four away games, which is by far the worst goalscoring record in the division.
Akademik Sofia are a very poor side in all areas of the field and I don’t see them being able to withstand a buoyant and in-form CSKA Sofia today. Akademik have been losing at half-time in nine out of their fourteen away games this season and have been losing at half-time during all their away trips to face good sides this season. CSKA Sofia’s statistics aren’t as flattering as far as half-time records go but they’ve got the form and ability to do it and the odds are more than good enough to take a chance on so my call is for CSKA Sofia to be leading at half-time and to win the game.
Verdict: CSKA Sofia to lead at HT/FT at 4/5.
Additional games
Sillamae Kalev vs Nomme Kalju – home win at 8/5.
This selection is risky but I think there’s value in it.
I’m a bit sad that Sillamae Kalev have resorted to allowing Russian hotshot Alekseev to bail them out each game rather than build up a team of promising players that can all contribute on a regular basis. However, there’s no denying that the youngster has extraordinary ability in front of goal and his return from suspension has indicated just what that means to the club. Sillamae Kalev played three games whilst he was suspended, losing all three of them. Since he’s returned, they’ve annihlated Maag Tammeka Tartu 1-4 with Alekseev bagging a hat-trick and won 0-1 at Kuressaare so you can see exactly how important this youngster is.
If I recall correctly, he scored one of the two goals that helped Sillamae Kalev win 1-2 at Nomme Kalju earlier this season – I wonder if he’ll do the same again today? The stage is certainly set for him. Nomme Kalju are a side I have a lot of respect for and I do rate them as one of the top sides in Estonia now but there’s no doubt whatsoever that they’re still struggling to integrate their new players in attack. They’re great at controlling possession and keeping sides out but putting the ball in the net proves to be a real challenge for them until they get that killer first goal. Then sides are forced to attack them and their counter-attacks can be deadly. However, breaking through sides is not their forté currently and that showed the last time that they faced Sillamae Kalev so why not again today? They’re not exactly brimming with confidence following two poor displays in their last three games, inexplicably drawing at home against Kuressaare last match and drawing at home against Flora Paide in their previous home game. Their only decent result was the 0-3 win at Ajax Lasnamae in between those two games but is beating the worst side in the Meistriliiga something to write home about? Not to me!
Risk – yes, it’s definitely there. However, Sillamae Kalev are a lot smoother and more efficient in front of goal than Nomme Kalju and that could count massively today. Nomme Kalju are not an easy side to play against but I think the odds on Sillamae Kalev winning this game are too generous so backing the home win at 8/5 is my call here.
Verdict: Sillamae Kalev to win at 8/5.