TFT Issue 191!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Internacional vs Santos – home win at 9/10.
Today’s featured game is the Serie A encounter in Brazil between Internacional and Santos.
Internacional have disappointed me so far this season because I rate their squad rather highly and yet they’re failing to deliver on a far too regular basis. However, they have picked up a little lately, despite losing the Porto-Alegrense derby against Gremio. They’ve won the Recopa Sudamericana lately against Argentinian giants Independiente and have also won two out of their last three home games with the only exception being a 2-2 draw with Ronaldinho-driven Flamengo. Internacional have bagged six goals in their past three Serie A home games and let’s face it – they’ve got the firepower to continue that run with Damiao in excellent form and a great midfield behind with the likes of D’Alessandro, Guinazu, Tinga, and Ze Roberto supporting him. Youngster Oscar is gradually being integrated into the first-team and he looks a promising player, too. Internacional’s biggest hurdle here will be the absence of Damiao due to his international commitments. However, they have a good striker replacement in Jo – I rate him rather highly, unlike a lot of people who have seen him in England. Jo is a good finisher and has been learning the ways of Internacional lately so I think he’s ready to step up to the mark and be a hero in a game that Internacional really should win.
I have a lot of respect for Santos because they’ve got a dazzling attack when they want to but they’ve got some serious problems today. Their attack is built around youngster Neymar, naturally, who is on international duty with Brazil. Their second option to rely upon is attacking midfielder Ganso, who is also on international duty. Elano might not be in great form but he’s a good third choice to rely upon. However, he’s on international duty too! Then they’ve got the additional problems of holding midfielder Arouca being out and regular defender Danilo being on international duty too and you can see huge gaps in this Santos team. They’ve already lost six out of eight on the road in Serie A and despite their recent displays improving, it’s hard to see them getting a result here. Who’s going to do the damage – youngster Felipe Anderson? Experienced Borges up front is a threat if not dealt with properly but there’s little else in this Santos team that concerns me right now. Their defence is terrible and missing its most solid player so for me, Santos are in for a rough ride tonight.
This bet does hinge on Internacional scoring, of course, but at 9/10 I think it’s worth a stab given the depleted state of Santos’ squad.
Team news – Internacional miss Leandro Damiao whereas Santos miss Neymar, Danilo, Elano, Arouca, and Ganso.
Verdict: Internacional to win at 9/10.
Additional game
Viikingit Helsinki vs FC Lahti – away win at 11/10.
This is another one I like today. Viikingit’s promotion hopes have crumbled lately and to be honest, it always looked beyond them this season. Their displays picked up part-way through the season but they very rarely looked in the same league as the likes of AC Oulu and FC Lahti quality-wise. All I’ll say is that there’s a lot of poor sides in the Ykkonen this season and that’s something Viikingit Helsinki have taken advantage of. However, morale can’t be that high now that promotion is all but beyond them and with essential defender Sesay absent, I think there’s a possibility of Viikingit stumbling here.
I have no doubts at all over Lahti being the better of these two sides. The fact that they can attract the likes of loanee Sanevuori from Inter Turku speaks volumes about that, really. It’s happened at a good time, too, with regular defenders Miranda and Sinisalo both absent for this game. Lahti’s attack is what interests me, however. Rafael, Shala, and Kemppinen form arguably the most dangerous attacking trio in the division with only Stafsula of AC Oulu coming close to their power in attack. They’ve got Lansitalo in back-up and in attacking midfielder Turunen and promising youngster Rantanen they have a good level of support. Lahti are a side built on goalscoring rather than defending and it shows, too. They’ve won four out of their last five away games and are unbeaten away from home since May. Lahti are the highest goalscoring side in the Ykkonen away from home and in as good form as they currently are, you have to rate their chances highly of succeeding here.
The final point I’d make is that Lahti only realistically have two tricky games left this season; this one, and the home game with KooTeePee Kotka. If they win both of those then promotion is theirs, in my view – they can win the rest of their games easily enough. Additionally, PK-35 Helsinki have a derby with Viikingit Helsinki looming and a tie with AC Oulu in the pipelines so it’s Lahti’s to throw away. For me, they’ll be very highly motivated today and I really think there’s a good chance of them securing three points against a Viikingit side that just isn’t as good as they are.
Team news – Viikingit Helsinki miss Sesay and have doubts Pannula and Pulkkinen whereas FC Lahti miss Sinisalo and Miranda.
Verdict: FC Lahti to win at 11/10.