TFT Issue 301!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Ivory Coast vs Angola – over 2 goals at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the African Nations game between Ivory Coast and Angola.
Ivory Coast are already through to the latter stages of the competition and a draw today will see Angola go through too. That said, evne if Angola lose, they’ll still need Sudan to record a reasonably comprehensive victory over Burkina Faso to progress, which is somewhat unlikely.
However, Angola are one of those sides that don’t appear to have any tactical structure. They can quite literally score or concede against anyone. In Flavio and Manucho they have two experienced and able strikers so Angola scoring a surprise goal here would not be impossible. Ivory Coast are the daddies, though – I do expect them to win this game to make it three wins from three to scare their rivals. Maybe they’ll even rest a couple of players here in preparation for the next round? Either way, they’re the strongest side in the tournament for my money and I expect them to score at least once here. Angola’s defensive capabilities are slim to say the least and keeping out the best side in this tournament would surprise me.
Either way, I can only see goals here, one way or another. I think the odds on the Ivorians winning this game look a little long, irrespective of Angola’s ability to upset the odds every now and then. Nonetheless, over 2 goals at 4/5 looks very appealing here.
Verdict: Over 2 goals at 4/5.
Additional game
Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid – away win at 7/5.
You’ll almost never find me going against Osasuna in Pamplona and you’ll almost never find me backing Atletico Madrid away. This tip really is a rare one for me!
However, I’m going to do just that today because of one man; Diego Simeone. I never throught I’d see anyone quell the mayhem that eternally surrounds Atletico Madrid but surprisingly the Argentinian boss has done so. He’s whipped Atletico into shape, actually giving them a defensive shape, the ability to keep the ball, composure, and the ability to give star striker Falcao the service that he needs. Atletico Madrid have leapt from zero to hero in my books because this side look capable of doing a lot of damage to any Primera Liga side right now.
It takes a special performance to win in Pamplona nonetheless. Osasuna are tricky customers at home and not many sides know that better than Atletico Madrid, who have struggled both here and at home against the Basque side. Osasuna look rejuvenated this season with talismanic midfielder Raul Garcia returning but it’s just paving over the cracks of what is easily their weakest squad for some years. Their home record this season is overly flattering for a season with very little firepower and I think that they’ll be undone here as a result.
Osasuna have looked a little weary lately whereas Atletico Madrid have never looked better. I’ve genuinely never seen a side destroy Real Sociedad in San Sebastian like Atletico Madrid did and if they can do that against a better version of Osasuna then I’m sure that they can do the same again today with the proper application. I’ll never write off Osasuna at home but Atletico Madrid look irresistable right now so the away win looks alluring at 7/5.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid to win at 7/5.
Team news
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Maccabi Tel-Aviv – Vered and Pavicevic are absent. Haimov is expected to replace Levi. Medunjanin is expected to leave shortly so will not feature.
Ironi Kiryat Shmona – Gazal and Njobvu are absent. Badash returns.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Osasuna – Balde, Sola, Roversio, Ruben, Shojaei, and Echaide are absent.
Atletico Madrid – Lopez, Gabi, and Diego are absent.