TFT Issue 243!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Racing Genk vs Kortrijk – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Today’s featured game is the Eerste Klasse encounter between Genk and Kortrijk.
Genk have proven to be somewhat unpredictable so far this season and the addition of new boss Been to the equation may yield further surprises yet. However, one thing that isn’t in doubt is their ability to score goals. Defensively, Genk aren’t very interested and it shows in all of their games. However, in terms of their ability to attack, create chances, and score goals, they really must be taken seriously. Star striker Jelle Vossen is back in good form and he’s dragging Genk along with him, which is especially useful for the hosts as Ogunjimi is still absent through injury and we all know how important he is for Genk’s attack overall. Genk’s strength is their midfield, however, as they have a vast array of talent and a great deal of depth to boot. You’ve probably all heard the persistent rumours surrounding playmaker De Bruyne’s future at the club and rightfully so – he’s a very interesting prospect. However, one thing that isn’t so public is the ability of say Toszer or Jose Nadson, for example. That’s especially the case for Trinidad & Tobago international Hyland, who was fantastic for Zulte-Waregem last season when he teamed up with big striker Habibou – they were untouchable at that point. Hyland has had to adapt to life in a better team this season and has also had injuries to deal with but he’s easing into the role and he does increase Genk’s offensive power. Defensively, Genk are still very short on players, not to mention the fact that they’re still rather uninterested in defending, as I mentioned earlier. However, this side is a goalscoring machine and a good display in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier this week should really get them revved up and raring to go today.
I like Kortrijk, to be honest. They’re not a great side but they work very hard and that’s always something to respect. However, therein lies their fatal flaw as they tend to attack in all of their games. Whereas that has drawn them a lot of admiring glances from the Belgian public and sympathy from opposing managers, we must face the facts and that is that if Kortrijk attack a good side like Genk then they’re going to get destroyed. Their 1-4 win against Lokeren last match was quite superb as well as baffling but I still wouldn’t read much into it. As good as the likes of Chavarria and Messouidi are, they’re still not a match for their hosts today and it really should show by the final whistle. It’s important to note that whereas Kortrijk won 1-4 last match, they’ve still actually lost the previous four games, conceding nine goals along the way. They’ve played both Anderlecht and Standard de Liege away from home this season and have lost by two goals or more in each encounter, unsurprisingly – that’s just what happens when they face good sides usually.
I suppose the question is whether Genk will capitalise on that or not, really. If they apply themselves correctly then I’ve no doubt that this bet will win, even with their makeshift backline. Kortrijk are decent but they’re out of their depth here. For me, Genk not winning this game would be a surprise and thus taking the -1 Asian Handicap for the powerful Genk at evens looks very appealing today.
Verdict: Racing Genk to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Additional game
MSK Zilina vs Senica – home win at 9/10.
I like Senica a lot but let’s be realistic here – they’re not the side that they were last season. They made some hefty losses pre-season, the most notable of which was their star striker Smetana from the Czech Republic. The sale of Luksik to ADO Den Haag certainly didn’t help, either. Senica were notorious last season for being a pain to play against because their offensive power was so strong but that’s not the case this season, hence boss Griga wisely opting to play a more defensive game. I’m astounded at how well it’s worked for them, though – they’ve been almost untouchable on the road this season with their stout defence! However, they’re travelling to face Slovak giants MSK Zilina today and I think that their weaknesses will show here, unlike in their other Corgon Liga games. MSK Zilina concerned me a lot last season due to not having any good strikers and subsequently they regularly failed to provide any kind of consistent goal threat. However, the return of Ceesay has changed that and although there’s still work to do, Zilina look a lot better for it. There’s bags of experience in this Zilina side and although it may take some time during the game to happen, I do feel that the hosts will ultimately break through and secure the win.
The odds look good enough to take a chance on to me as Senica’s odds are much more reflective of the threat that they posed to Zilina last season rather than the side that they are this season. They’ve already lost at giants Slovan Bratislava this season, Senica, and I think they’ll succumb to defeat against yet another Corgon Liga giant today as the hosts should be able to break through and hold it against a rather ineffectual Senica attack.
Verdict: MSK Zilina to win at 9/10.
Fredrikstad FK vs Start Kristiansand – home win at 4/5.
Well, this is it now – if Start don’t win this game then they’re relegated, effectively. That’s never a good way to approach a game like this and I think it’ll hurt them, to be honest. They can only get points at home and I think their recent burst of form has come a little too late. They’ll work hard here but to defeat Fredrikstad you have to beat their fans who are frankly amongst the best in the league. The absence of Borges is a big blow for Fredrikstad but I’m still happy to take the home win here because Start have to push on and that will leave lots of space for pacey Elyounoussi to operate in. I think we should see a lot of goals here but in front of their own fans and against a Start side that has to attack, I fancy Fredrikstad to secure their status in the Eliteserien by beating Start today at decent odds of 4/5.
Verdict: Fredrikstad FK to win at 4/5.
Levante vs Valencia CF – away win at 7/5.
Ok, so Levante have had a superb start to the Primera Liga – kudos to them. I can only respect that, especially given the financial problems Levante have had for a long time. This side has a great work ethic and grit that few other sides possess and subsequently, no side has an easy ride here – even mighty Barcelona.
However, this isn’t an ordinary game, is it? This is a Valenciana derby and it’s one that Levante don’t have a good record in for obvious reasons. Indeed, this has to be one of the few times that they’ve entered this game thinking that they have a chance. Maybe they will get something here too; who knows? Football is never 100% predictable.
However, for me, Valencia are the winners of this game. They’re not what they were, admittedly, and their striker situation does concern me. However, the main reason that this Valencia side is still a threat in the Primera Liga is their away form, not their home form, contrary to what many believe. Last season, only Real Madrid and Barcelona won more (or even the same amount) of away games as Valencia did and the season before that only Sevilla CF could better Valencia’s prowess on the road. The visitors today do love to play out of the spotlight and possess lethal players when it comes to counter-attacking. For me, they’ve got a better chance of winning this derby than the odds suggest, even given the impressive displays of their in-form hosts.
Levante will make Valencia work hard here but that’s how Valencia tend to play on the road anyway so I’m not concerned. Levante have failed to score against Valencia in three out of their last four attempts and given the superiority of their opponents and the generous odds that the away win is available at, I find it very hard to look beyond a Valencia victory tonight.
Verdict: Valencia CF to win at 7/5.
Team news
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Germinal Beerschot – No absentees.
Mons – Franqaert is absent.
Zulte-Waregem – Maazou returns.
Sint-Truiden – Delorge returns.
Lierse SK – Ayew, Frans, Thompson, and Dequevy are absent. Vandooren is a doubt.
OH Leuven – Dehond and Ruytinx are absent. Chuka and Kaminski are doubts.
Westerlo – Dekelver and Marcao are absent. Wils and Corstjens return.
Lokeren – Trompet, Finnbogason, and Mokulu are absent. De Bock is a doubt.
Racing Genk – Ogunjimi, Simaeys, Joneleit, Hubert, Grimi, and Masuero are absent.
Kortrijk – Vandenbroek is absent.
Bulgarian A PFG:
Ludogorets – Bakalov and Minev are absent.
Lokomotiv Sofia – Yordanov and Meshich are absent.
Slavia Sofia – No news.
Rakovski – Shtarkov and Ashimov are absent.
Cherno More Varna – Andreev is absent. Palominho is a doubt.
Beroe – No absentees.
Litex Lovech – Bodurov is absent.
Chernomorets Burgas – Krumov is absent. Tsonkov is a doubt.
Cypriot Division 1:
Omonia Nicosia – Aloneftis and Davidson are absent.
Apollon Limassol – Noro, Matousovic, Avgousti, and Bagoura are absent.
Enosis Neon Paralimni – Benjeloun is absent. Faria returns.
Ethnikos Achnas – Kasio, Pinchelli, and Lars are absent. Filaniotis and Ignatov are doubts. Poyiadijs returns.
AEL Limassol – Airosa, Vouo, Perikleous, and Tsiakkas are absent.
Angennisi Deryneia – No absentees.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Marila Pribram – No absentees.
Bohemians 1905 – Lukas, Nikl, and Kaufman are absent.
Slovan Liberec – Zieris and Daniel are absent.
Ceske Budejovice – Bakala, Novak, and Riedel are absent. Brezinsky, Machovec, and Lengyel are doubts.
Sigma Olomouc – Skerle and Murin are absent.
Sparta Prague – Kusnir and Grajciar are absent. Kweuke is a doubt.
German Bundesliga:
Bv09 Borussia Dortmund – Koch, Bakalorz, Focher, Hornschuh, Kringe, Le Tallec, and Owomoyela are absent.
VfL Wolfsburg – Hitzlsperger, Kahlenberg, and Lakic are absent.
Werder Bremen – Ayik, Avdic, Balogun, Boenisch, Borowski, and Silvestre are absent.
Koln – Andrezinho and Chihi are absent.
Nurnberg – Nilsson is absent.
SC Freiburg – Bickel, Brandstetter, Mujdza, and Nicu are absent.
Hoffenheim – Gulde and Jaissle are absent.
Borussia Moenchengladbach – de Camargo is absent.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen – Barnetta, Ortega, Adler, Renato Augusto, and Bellarabi are absent.
Hamburger SV – Arslan, Bruma, Petric, Stepanek, and Ilicevic are absent.
Italian Serie A:
Palermo – Barreto and Della Rocca are absent. Pinilla and Miccoli are doubts.
Bologna – Cruz, Diamanti, and Portanova are absent.
Novara – Ujkani, Dellafiore, and Lisuzzo are absent. Coser and Ludi are doubts.
AS Roma – Totti, Lobont, Cicinho, Borini, Juan, Kjaer, and Pizarro are absent.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Fredrikstad FK – Borges and Horn are absent.
Start Kristiansand – Hoff returns.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Korona Kielce – Kuzera and Kazmarek are absent.
GKS Belchatow – Popek and Jarmuz are absent.
LKS Lodz – Wieszczycki is their new boss.
Ruch Chorzow – Malinowski, Straka, Djokic, and Olszar are absent.
Lechia Gdansk – Machaj, Lukjanovs, and Sazankow are absent.
Widzew Lodz – Broz, Zigajevs, Madera, Pinheiro, and Ukah are absent. Dzalamidze and Dudu return.
Polish Liga 1:
Ruch Radzionkow – No absentees.
Dolcan Zabki – No news.
Olimpia Elblag – Takeda may debutise.
Bogdanka Leczna – Pesir, Zukowski, and Nikitovic are absent.
Olimpia Grudziadz – No news.
Kolejarz Stroze – Kowalczyk and Szufryn are absent. Cebula returns.
Gornik Polkowice – No absentees.
Flota Swinoujscie – Misan and Kalinowski are absent.
Piast Gliwice – Krzycki is absent.
Wisla Plock – No absentees.
Sandecja Nowy Sacz – Berlinski, Eismann, Trzeciakiewicz, Szeliga, Wilk, and Trochim are absent.
Zawisza Bydgoszcz – Zawistowski, Cuper, Klofik, Geworgian, Skowronski, and Slifirczyk are absent.
Russian Premier League:
Rostov-na-Donu – Radic and Yankov are absent.
Tom’ Tomsk – Tigorev is absent.
Anzhi Makhachkala – Boussoufa and Angbva are absent.
Krylya Sovetov Samara – No absentees.
Terek Grozny – Legear, Utsiev, Katz, Yatchenko, Mauricio, and Asildarov are absent.
FK Krasnodar – Mikheev is absent.
Dinamo Moscow – Voronin and Garnet are absent.
Spartak Moscow – de Zeeuw and Kozlov are absent.
Scottish Premier League:
Hibernian – Booth, Thornhill, Hart, Welsh, and Murray are absent.
Dunfermline Athletic – Mason, Thomson, Hardie, Rutkiewicz, Bell, Phinn, and Barrowman are absent.
Kilmarnock – Bell and O’Leary are absent.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Cox, Hogg, Piermayr, Ros, Tudur Jones, and Doran are absent.
Rangers – Naismith and McCulloch are absent.
Dundee United – Dillon, Swanson, and Severin are absent.
St.Mirren – McShane is absent.
Hearts – No news.
Serbian Superliga:
Javor Ivanjica – No absentees.
Vojvodina Novi Sad – Lazetic and Merbashvili are absent.
Smederevo – Bojatovic is absent.
Rad Belgrade – Luka returns.
BSK Borca – Radunuovic and Djuric are absent. Kovacevic is a doubt.
Partizan Belgrade – No absentees.
Borac Cacak – No news.
Jagodina – Stojkov and Vasiljevic are absent.
Metalac GM – No news.
Novi Pazar – No news.
Red Star Belgrade – No absentees.
OFK Belgrade – Purovic, Pavlovski, and Perovic are absent.