TFT Issue 168!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Litex Lovech vs CSKA Sofia – away win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the Bulgarian Super Cup between reigning champions Litex Lovech and giants CSKA Sofia.
Litex Lovech sold Bulon and Berberovic to Denizlispor lately; not particularly big sales per se, but decent second string players. However, their sales become more relevant when you consider that Litex have announced that they will be resting players for this game ahead of their difficult game in Krakow next week and thus will be fielding second string players/kids here. Those sales limit Litex’s options and although they do have some decent players, they’re nowhere near their usual quality level. The downside to that is that Litex get a lead and defend it; goalscoring is not something they’re consistently good at. Their second string players will find it very hard to score goals here, let alone hold the lead, even with CSKA Sofia’s dubious defence in front of them, so I don’t rate Litex’s chances here.
That said, I’m fully appreciative of the fact that Litex are a better side than CSKA. CSKA keep selling quality players and not replacing them so although they’re still a top four club, they’re drifting further and further from the A PFG title each year. They sold Tonev to Lech Poznan pre-season, yet another talented player, and I figured CSKA may even drop out of the top four if Lokomotiv Plovdiv keep improving. However, they made two very astute signings pre-season, the most notable of which was ex-Internazionale youngster Ianis Zicu from Poli Timisoara, where you may recall him running the show for them all last season with his passing, creativity, and goalscoring. He’s a great signing for CSKA, in my view, and should make them much more dangerous. They also signed Brazilian attacker Moraes from Metalurg Donetsk, who gives them further options in attack to assist talented young Spas Delev. CSKA’s defence and midfield as a whole still require work but their attack looks strong to me and I fancy them to at least manage to avoid defeat here.
Full-back Bandalovski is out for CSKA toay but as I don’t rate CSKA’s defence anyway, I won’t be losing sleep over his absence, although it’s worth noting that Bandarovski would have been playing against his former club here. CSKA’s attack versus a second string Litex makes 4/5 with draw no bet cover look a good bet to me today.
Team news – CSKA Sofia miss Bandalovski and Junior Morais.
Verdict: CSKA Sofia to win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Additional games
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Levadia Tallinn – lay Levadia Tallinn at 9/5.
This is a bit of a cheeky bet but I like it nonetheless. Basically, Levadia Tallinn sacked manager Pustov due to Levadia’s recent poor displays. Ex-Levadia Tallinn players Lemsalu and Simson replace him in charge until the end of the season but there’s new tactics to adhere to and Levadia aren’t in great shape right now, producing two rather average displays lately. Maag Tammeka Tartu aren’t a great side but they’re mid-table and always produce talented youngsters. They’re a good attacking side if nothing else and I think they can at least match an uncertain Levadia Tallinn today so odds of 9/5 on laying Levadia appeal to me today.
Verdict: Lay Levadia Tallinn at 9/5.
Universitatea Cluj vs Rapid Bucharest – away win with draw no bet at 4/5.
First of all, this game is being played in Medias, so it’s a neutral venue whilst Universitatea Cluj’s stadium has work done to it. Secondly, the three absences that Cluj have today are all strikers, of which Machado is arguably the best in their squad. I like Cluj and have a lot of respect for them, especially when they’re at home. They play with great spirit, usually, and aren’t easy to defeat. However, despite some impressive signings, I don’t see them having the firepower to win this one today, not without Machado. Niculescu is a good finisher but he needs a partner up front. Without a partner, he’ll be a lonely figure and that’ll suit Rapid here.
Rapid enter the game on the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 win against title rivals Vaslui and are my favourites to win the title this year, given how all their rivals have prepared (or not prepared) for the season ahead. Rapid still have their flaws, admittedly, but they’ve brought in ex-Romania national team boss Lucrescu and he knows what he’s doing, contrary to what most of the Romanians think of his managerial capabilities whilst in charge of Romania. Rapid profited from Poli Timisoara’s demotion by signing Alexa and Burca to strengthen their team, along with Steaua striker Surdu, Schalke 04 midfielder Deac (on loan), and Metalurg Donetst midfielder Teixeira. They’ve got a very, very strong squad this season with plenty of depth and I rate them very highly as a result.
For me, there’s terrific value in taking Rapid to win this one with draw no bet cover. Cluj with Machado available are a different side but at a neutral venue with their firepower limited, the away win for the superior of these two sides with draw no bet cover at 4/5 is very appealing here.
Team news – Universitatea Cluj miss Machado, Voican, and Morar.
Verdict: Rapid Bucharest to win with draw no bet at 4/5.