TFT Issue 228!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Viktoria Zizkov vs Slavia Prague – under 2 goals at 6/5.
Today’s featured game is the Gambrinus Liga game between newly-promoted Viktoria Zizkov and sleeping giants Slavia Prague.
Since promotion, although Viktoria Zizkov have proven to be a tougher foe than anticipated, they’re still horribly short in front of goal and it’s really hurting them. They’ve managed to score just twice over their past five games in all competitions and they’ve worryingly been quite leaky at the back during that run too. However, their home games against sides that are marginally better than they are or perhaps on a par show a familiar pattern each time they’re played; low-scoring, and usually won by the away side as Viktoria Zizkov just cannot break through sides. Looking at their attack, it’s easy to see why they’re not scoring goals, really – there’s just no quality there. Tenacity will only take you so far and as much as it helps the hosts keep the scoreline low on their own turf, it’s not helping them get points by scoring goals.
Slavia Prague would perhaps be a blessing in disguise for today’s hosts to face under different circumstances as there’s still bad morale in the camp with new players trying to fit in and constant fan protests week after week. Chances are strong that we’ll see more protests today, too, with new boss Straka being placed in charge for the first time. As his career was very much with the dark red-and-white side of Prague, the brighter red-and-white side of Prague won’t welcome him here for obvious reasons. Since the takeover, Slavia Prague have improved some positions e.g. goalkeeper with ex-Zenit St.Petersburg Contofalsky between the sticks. This does aid Slavia’s defensive game, not that you’d know it from the poor results they’ve had thus far due to varying factors. Slavia should be galvanising as a unit though, week by week, and it does show in their displays. Away from home, they’re still horribly poor in front of goal, hence them not scoring in any of their last four away games in all competitions. They may well score here; most do against Viktoria Zizkov. However, I don’t see them scoring many as that’s just not something they’re good at – yet.
For me, this game has unders all over it. The hosts can’t score and the visitors can’t score. Straka won’t want to lose his first game in charge whereas the hosts would take a great deal of comfort from taking points off a heavyweight of Czech football. For me, going under 2 at 6/5 could well be worth a fluter today.
Verdict: Under 2 goals at 6/5.
Team news
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Viktoria Zizkov – No absentees.
Slavia Prague – Frejlach, Kores, Simecek, Hanus, and Paprciak are absent. New coach Straka’s first game in charge.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
IFK Mariehamn – Wicks, de Abreu, Vartto, Mikko Paatelainen, and Markus Paatelainen are absent.
Jaro Pietarsaari – Aho is absent.
Inter Turku – Osinachi, Parviainen, and Kallio are absent.
Haka Valkeakoski – Pesonen, Koljander, Heina, Kauppinen, Chavez, and Mattila are absent. Dema is a doubt.
MyPa Anjalankoski – Okkonen, Anttilainen, Votinov, and Kukka are absent. Saxman is a doubt. Aho, Koskinen, Hietanen, and Timoska return.
KuPS Kuopio – No absentees.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Start Kristiansand – Stokkelien, Milicevic, and Madsen are absent.
Brann Bergen – Kalvernes, Torp, and Bajter are absent. Amankwah is a doubt.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Widzew Lodz – Broz, Zigajevs, Ben Radhia, Ukah, and Alves are absent.
LKS Lodz – Kujawa is absent. Wyparlo returns. No LKS fans allowed for this game.