TFT Issue 167 (part 2)
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
This issue is free for you today due to the site issues we’ve had lately, for which we profusely apologise, incidentally. I don’t think many of you had access to the previous issue during the day so this one is a freebie.
Featured game
Bohemians 1905 vs Slavia Prague – home win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Today’s featured game is the Gambrinus Liga game between Bohemians 1905 and Slavia Prague. It’s a derby but not the atypical derby in the sense that Slavia Prague are the giants here and Bohemians 1905 are the underdogs; that’s how it’ll stay for some time – well, on reputation alone.
First of all, it’s fair to observe that Bohemians 1905 are one of the best supported sides in the Czech Republic. They’ve got incredibly loud fans and they play a huge part in Bohemians’ home games, as their home record indicates all too well. Check the statistics below to see what I mean:
2010/2011 season – played fifteen home games, won nine, drew four, lost twice.
Now, Bohemians 1905 parted with midfielders Drzik (Nitra) and Stohanzl (Mlada Boleslav) pre-season, both of which are considerable blows, to be fair. Bohemians are a very well-organised unit and those two players departing does weaken their unit, especially considering their lack of depth. However, importantly, old hand Hartig, youngster Nespor, and imposing Skoda all stayed to lead the Bohemians line and they’re a potent threat on their own turf. They’re rock-solid at the back with Jindrisek, Lukas, Nikl, and Cseh at the back because they have terrific experience and people like Lukas are good at what they do. Lukas is especially good in the air, incidentally. The point I’m trying to make is that Bohemians are a very consistent unit – they defend and attack as a team – and it takes a very good side to win at the Prosek.
Are Slavia Prague that side? No, in a word. They’re still a huge club – financial issues don’t remove that prestigious past, nor the heroes that have worn those famous red-and-white shirts. However, quality-wise, this is one of the worst Slavia Prague sides to exist for a long, long time. They were dreadful last season but managed to stay afloat by gritting their teeth, working hard, and relying on the few talented players they still had.
However, Slavia Prague parted three of those very good players and this side simply cannot cope without them, in my view. They can’t keep losing players and not replacing them – they don’t have the depth whatsoever. First of all, Kisel’s loan period ended and he’s not come back – he’s back in Australia with Sydney FC. He was their set piece specialist and arguably most important player last season. They’ve lost integral playmaker Cerny to Sivasspor, who joins a growing Czech contingent in Turkey. Finally, they also lost Celustka, who left for Trabzonspor and he was one of their best defenders last season.
So, yeah – Slavia are not in a good shape at all. Striker Pospech is one of the few players who can make a difference for them with Vicek well past his best and the remainder of their attack just being kids. Jarolim is experienced and capable in the middle of the park – I can’t remember when there wasn’t last a Jarolim somewhere at Slavia Prague! – and Hubacek provides great experience at the back. However, there are so many kids in this team with little experience, some of which are rather short on bility too. I just can’t take leaky Slavia Prague seriously and subsequently, I will be astounded if they win in what is a very difficult away game for all Czech clubs.
For me, there’s terrific value on the home win with draw no bet cover. I don’t see how Slavia will win this game – famous last words, I know – because they’re lacking quality in many areas of the team. They’ve got a handful of experienced players surrounded by a load of kids playing in a very intimidating venue against a physical and hard-working host. The least I can see Bohemians getting from this derby is a draw so the home win with draw no bet does interest me significantly here.
Verdict: Bohemians 1905 to win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Additional game
HB Torshavn vs NSI Runavik – over 3.5 goals at 4/5.
I’m not usually a fan of going with big overs but the Faroe Islands is the place where they happen more often than not. This game is ideally placed for it to occur, too. HB Torshavn have been appalling in defence this season and it’s send them tumbling down the Meistaradeildin table. They actually average conceding two goals per game at the moment and even new boss Clementsen has a lot of work to do to change that. HB Torshavn can be a dangerous attacking side with the midfield that they possess but their strikers are sadly average at best, barring av Flotum, who is plagued with injuries. Their midfield does a lot of damage, though, and is it any wonder? Faroese international Benjaminsen leading from the centre of the park with pacey Samuelsen on the flank and creative Poulsen dropping into holes all over the midfield. I think HB will have some joy in this game as a result – they showed improvement against Malmo FF in the UEFA Champions League ties lately.
HB definitely aren’t the side that they were, though. Subsequently, sides like NSI Runavik are a lot closer to them and I expect a close game here as a result. NSI Runavik have a good attack with old hand Jacobsen and promising youngster Olsen forging one of the most dangerous partnerships in the Meistaradeildin this season. Mortensen and Olsen have contributed from midfield but up front is where they produce the goods. Defensively, this side has a lot to learn – any side that can concede four goals against 07 Vestur Sorvagur has problems at the back. That doesn’t appear to concern NSI Runavik though – their policy of scoring more goals than their opponents appears to suit them well! Well, until they face the better sides in the division, that is!
I couldn’t really say who the better of these two sides was nowadays, in fact. There’s very little in it. NSI Runavik pose a greater threat with their strikers but HB Torshavn have one of the best midfields in the Faroe Islands when they want to demonstrate it. Importantly, NSI Runavik don’t baulk when they face a good side – they really go for it and believe they can win. Examples would be their 2-3 loss against B36 Torshavn, their two 2-2 draws with EB/Streymur, their 3-2 loss at Vikingur Gotu etc. HB Torshavn will have to attack to stand any chance of winning this game and they absolutely must win the game, too – relegation is a very real threat for them right now and given the size and stature of the club, it’s quite simply an unthinkable scenario for them.
Therefore, I’m going with over 3.5 goals here. Both sides have the capability, motivation, ability, and circumstances to score at least two goals a-piece and I think we’ll see it happen, too. I’d hate to pick a winner in this one but over 3.5 goals appeals to me here, especially with the below head-to-head results taken into consideration:
2010 – HB Torshavn 3 NSI Runavik 2
2010 – HB Torshavn 2 NSI Runavik 1
2009 – HB Torshavn 5 NSI Runavik 2
2008 – HB Torshavn 3 NSI Runavik 1
Verdict: Over 3.5 goals at 4/5.