TFT Issue 371!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Heracles Almelo vs RKC Waalwijk – lay Heracles Almelo at 11/10.
Today’s featured game is the Eredivisie game between Heracles Almelo and RKC Waalwijk.
I like Heracles a lot but the absence of midfield engine Overtoom is a big problem for them today. They don’t mind not having the ball because they usually work hard enough to get it back but without him in there, I’m not sure they’ll be able to function as a unit today. Heracles’ defence is even more vulnerable without his and Quansah’s protection in midfield and their strikers see less of the ball because Heracles themselves see less of the ball. Everton and Armenteros are dangerous strikers when they’re allowed to be but that’s not going to be so easy for Heracles to engineer today, even on their beloved artificial turf.
RKC continue to play some lovely football, irrespective of their scorelines, and that encourages me to keep backing them. They enter this game on the back of two consecutive wins, the most recent of which was a 2-1 victory in Waalwijk over Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven so morale is high. RKC are fighting for a UEFA Europa League Play-Off place and why not? They’re playing well enough to feature in it! They’ve got a few regulars out today – Bandjar, Duits, ten Voorde – but RKC are a very solid and consistent unit and don’t rely excessively on any of their players. Well, perhaps barring Sno from time to time! RKC are just a very enjoyable side in the sense that they play with spirit, they enjoy their footballl, and they’re easy on the eye.
For me, Heracles are too short here. They have their artificial turf, of course, but they miss a key player here and are always likely to concede. RKC arguably play better football and have been very impressive of late so my call is to lay the hosts at 11/10.
Verdict: Lay Heracles Almelo at 11/10.
Additional games
Kortrijk vs Standard de Liege – home win with draw no bet at 4/5.
I’ve not had any team news to back up my thoughts here but I expect Kortrijk to be able to “do” Standard de Liege today. Kortrijk play an attractive brand of attacking football and despite lacking the resources to be an Eerste Klasse force, they don’t fear any side and they generally score goals. Even financial problems at the club don’t sway Kortrijk from playing entertaining football and scoring goals and I admire that spirit that they have that guides them through such times. Indeed, that spirit is something that Standard really hate playing against and that probably explains two consecutive losses at Kortrijk for today’s visitors. Kortrijk do have some talented individuals and their togetherness means that they really should have the opportunities to win this game. Remember that there’s no pressure on Kortrijk – anything they get in this group is a bonus, particularly UEFA Europa League football! Standard de Liege are strong at home but vulnerable on the road. The absence of Cyriac has harmed their attack in recent times with little cohesion up front and Standard don’t appear to be too happy with wantaway goalkeeper Bolat, who has been the Eerste Klasse’s best goalkeeper in the current campaign for me. Standard’s togetherness is gradually slipping away and that showed during their 1-1 draw with Club Brugge lately. Although Standard are a good side with some very talented individuals, I don’t think they’ll have much joy at plucky and pressurising Kortrijk.
For me, there’s value on the home win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Verdict: Kortrijk to win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Nordsjaelland vs Silkeborg – home win at 11/10.
Although sometimes guilty of not taking many of their chances, Nordsjaelland are a very good side and they’ve been allowed to demonstrate that in the Superligaen this season. They play attractive possession football and few sides can penetrate them because of their solid defence, not least because it’s hard to get the ball off them! Eight wins from twelve home games in the Superligaen this season tells you one of the reasons why Nordsjaelland are vying with FC Copenhagen for the title and although I don’t think that they’ll manage it, they’re certainly not giving it up without a fight. Nordsjaelland have the players in Lawan, Mikkelsen, and Beckmann to win this game and given that they tend to create a lot of chances at home, I fancy them to do well in this game.
Helpfully, battling Silkeborg have a mini-crisis ahead of this game with their attacking options severely limited following the news that Faroese international Holst, Estonian hotshot Saag, and attacking midfielder Flinta all miss out today. All three are important parts of Silkeborg’s attack and despite his experience, the prospect of facing Henrik Pedersen as a lone front man at his age won’t frighten any defence. It’s their ability to score goals that stops Silkeborg losing more away games than they actually do but without that, I don’t see how they’ll cope – they’ve only managed to keep two clean sheets away from home this season! Silkeborg are the kind of side that simply won’t give up and I respect them for that but with so many influential attacking players missing for the visitors today, I have to favour a Nordsjaelland win at good odds.
Verdict: Nordsjaelland to win at 11/10.
Lyngby vs SonderjyskE – home win with draw no bet at evens.
Lyngby’s mini-revival continues with only the two Zealand clubs and Aalborg BK having been able to beat them in the Superligaen since the start of 2012. Lyngby have produced strong displays in all of their games, even those that they lost, so I have a lot of confidence in them right now. They’re unbeaten in two games with an impressive 1-4 win at relegation battlers HB Koge and a 0-0 draw with a good AC Horsens leading them into this game. Lyngby still have defensive problems in the sense that they have no ability to defend but they believe in themselves, they have momentum, and they’re scoring goals so I fancy them to do well today.
SonderjyskE are notorious in Denmark for their defensive ability but they’ve started shipping goals alarmingly easily of late. The form chart doesn’t reflect it as well as it could but holes are appearing in the SonderjyskE defence that weren’t previously there. Rumour has it that Bechmann is out, which would be a nice boost for my tip as he’s an important part of the SonderjyskE attack. The visitors are also notorious for being brilliant one week and horrendous the next week so let’s hope they’re due a horrendous display because the hosts are good enough at the moment to pounce if that’s the case.
Either way, I don’t see SonderjyskE winning this one so we should be ok with draw no bet on Lyngby, even with the dodgy defending traits of the hosts.
Verdict: Lyngby to win with draw no bet at evens.
AC Horsens vs Brondby – home win with draw no bet at 9/10.
Horsens have really impressed me this season. They were a good attacking side earlier this season with lethal duo Toft and Gilberto Macena setting the Superligaen alight. However, the Brazilian moved to Shandong Luneng, which forced Horsens into adapting a new tactical approach. In the past few weeks, we’ve seen Horsens develop their defensive game massively so that even a single goal tends to win them their games. Horsens have kept three consecutive clean sheets ahead of this game and have won two of those games as a result so why not upset sleeping giants Brondby today? They’ve definitely got the players and the cohesion to manage it and the inspirational Martin Retov will be keen to contribute against his former club, I’m sure! Horsens are a solid and dependable unit at the moment so I’ll give them the nod today.
Helpfully, Brondby are pretty awful right now. They can still score goals but they cannot defend whatsoever. The only side that they’ve managed to beat in April was a horrendous OB Odense outfit and although Rommedahl, Bernburg, and Krohn-Deli can be dangerous attacking players, Brondby simply aren’t a very good unit right now and thus I think they’ll find games like these very hard.
I’m awaiting team news to confirm my thoughts but I still like the generous odds on Horsens winning this one with draw no bet cover as Brondby will have to play very well indeed to win here.
Verdict: AC Horsens to win with draw no bet at 9/10.
TPS Turku vs MyPa Anjalankoski – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
TPS Turku were very efficient in the pre-season Liiga Cup and I expect them to carry that into their Veikkausliiga campaign. Indeed, TPS actually won the competition so that’s a nice morale booster for the title challengers. Aaritalo is still one of the best strikers in the country and Kolehmainen is a good playmaker so TPS Turku have the necessary players to create/score goals. Full-back Hurme sits this one out today but TPS are at full-strength aside from that. TPS may not be the most easy on the eye side in the Veikkausliiga but they’re certainly one of the most efficient nowadays, especially with Tanska now at the heart of their defence, and thus I fancy them to do well here.
MyPa are simply one of the worst sides in the Veikkausliiga. They’ve been a crap side for some years now and how they’ve avoided the drop to the Ykkonen is anyone’s guess, really. Sihvola, Anttilainen, and O’Neill are your main strikers – that means your side is going to struggle to score goals. Saxman is your only good midfielder now that Okkonen has left – oh dear. Your defence is composed predominantly of Ykkonen players, as is most of your squad in general. Yeah, you get the idea. MyPa have a battling spirit that they’ll never lose and they’re the kind of side to really upset the odds from time to time but on paper and in reality, they’re a pretty horrendous side.
For me, TPS are capable of beating the -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5 and they should have at least enough in the tank to activate the insurance policy here today.
Verdict: TPS Turku to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
FC Honka Espoo vs VPS Vaasa – home win at 9/10.
I expect the odds to be jumping up and down for this game as nobody really knows what to expect from Honka this season but I’m going to stick my neck out and take them to win here. Honka parted company with Schuller and Savage pre-season, both of which joined rivals HJK Helsinki. That leaves Honka with predominantly unknown youngsters and yet the side still functions. Honka’s setup is very good because their kids play the same way as their first-team and thus the players that they bring into their senior team blend straight in. Honka play an attacking style of football so they’re a side to be respected in that sense. However, their defence is pretty shambolic and that usually costs them points in games. That said, only some of their Veikkausliiga opponents have the firepower to trouble them and VPS aren’t one of them, in my view. Helpfully, Rexhepi is a doubt for Honka and his absence would dramatically improve Honka’s defending or at least ease the number of mistakes that they make. Honka weren’t at their best in the Liiga Cup and yet still progressed rather well. A bit more experience and tactical knowhow and they’ll be back up near the top of the Veikkausliiga again and in some ways I think that a home game with VPS is the perfect way for them to start the season.
VPS aren’t an easy side to play against but they’re going to come to Espoo and park the bus, which gives Honka time to build their attacks and they’ll generally penetrate ultimately. VPS’ attackers are…poor, to say the least. They did well to capture Parikka from HJK Helsinki although opinion in the media is divided as to how successful he’ll be in Vaasa. They brought Woodbine back from HJK to sure up the VPS defence and with ex-HJK holding midfielder Fowler in their squad too now, there’s plenty of strength and organisation for VPS this season. I still have doubts over their ability to score goals, even against Honka’s questionable defence, but I do think they’ll be a tough nut to crack this season.
That said, it’s going to take some time for VPS to become that 100% solid unit again following the departure of Tanska, Chencinski, Kokko, Inutile, and Hietaharju pre-season. There are some key core players there and considering that regular defender Koskimaa, goalkeeper Henriksson, and attacker Bjork are absent today, it’s hard to imagine that VPS will be completely galvanised here. Therefore, I’m going to stick my neck out and take the home win at 9/10.
Verdict: FC Honka Espoo to win at 9/10.
KuPS Kuopio vs JJK Jyvaskyla – over 2.5 goals at 3/4.
It’s derby day in Kuopio and as ever, there’s only one way to approach it; goals. Statistics lean toward there being less goals in the opening day of the Veikkausliiga calendar each season so approach this one with caution. However, both of these two rival clubs play attacking football and tend to both score and concede goals freely as a result. The departure of Nwakaeme leaves the goalscoring duty to Ilo and Venelainen – or so we thought! They have also signed big Estonian hitman Zahovaiko and he should prove to be a very good addition, especially when his fellow countrymen Puri gets his papers to play for the club as it’ll bolster KuPS’ attacking options massively. Their artificial turf is not easy to play on so this game could go either way, really. JJK play better football and have arguably the strongest midfield in Finland with Gruborovics being the heart of it. However, their defence is even worse than KuPS’ (if possible!) so it’s hard to take them seriously in away games, as good as they unquestionably are. Wusu’s return to full fitness gives JJK more energy up front, which is useful if only to create space for the midfielders behind him as he does tend to miss more than he scores. He’s a very useful player to JJK in one way or another, however, and he certainly contributes to this goalscoring JJK side.
Either way, I expect goals here. It’s hard to find open games at the start of the season but I’d frankly take over 2.5 goals in this derby at 3/4 on any day of the season, such is the generosity of the price.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 3/4.
FC Lahti vs Haka Valkeakoski – away win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Sami Ristila’s Haka have earned a reputation as a plucky side that nobody likes to play against. They’re not an especially good side but few sides work harder than they do and it’s largely due to the motivational abilities of Ristila that they do so. There are some good players in the Haka squad and match-winners to boot so I will give them a lot more respect this season than I did last season, as they stung many bets last season. They’ve brought in Puustinen to bolster their attacking options, which is interesting, as the former Manchester United striker is a capable player but does require the right manager to show it. Headless chicken Metzger is no longer the only option for Haka, which helps, and with ex-HJK playmaker Dema in midfielder alongside clever Robinson, I think Haka are capable of producing surprise results this season, just as they did last season. They’ve added depth to their squad and I like them, to be blunt. They’re a better side than Lahti, basically. Lahti have a couple of good players but they’re playing in a new stadium today and their only good attacker – Rafael – misses this game today. Lahti will attack to try and score goals but they’re simply not very good at it. Their defence often concedes stupid goals, which we saw on many occasions in the Liiga Cup, so I have to go against them here. Lahti may be a bigger club than Haka but Haka have everything that Lahti crave right now so the away win with draw no bet at 11/10 for the better-organised side really appeals to me today.
Verdict: Haka Valkeakoski to win with draw no bet at 11/10.
HJK Helsinki vs IFK Mariehamn – home win with -1.5 handicap at 11/10.
HJK had arguably the best side that the Veikkausliiga has ever seen last season and deservedly won…well, everything! They had two squads of players to rotate and it showed. HJK were a mighty force and you could back them consistently and make money from doing so, which was great!
This season, things won’t be exactly the same. HJK lost about five to seven regulars pre-season and although they have predominantly sourced replacements, it takes time to gel the newbies and also it has to be noted that HJK aren’t as good as they were despite replacing the departed players. I mean, consider that Pukki has gone and that Savage has come in. Pukki is a better player than Savage but Savage will still do a job when he adjusts. HJK still have a very good squad and are expected to lift the Veikkausliiga trophy this season, which is something that I wouldn’t disagree with, but I doubt it will be so straightforward this season. Target man Sadik and winger Sorsa miss out today, which doesn’t help HJK in the process of integrating their new players. They weren’t convincing in the Liiga Cup but still won efficiently and that I will always respect about Muurinen’s team. HJK still have to win over the doubters and I’m sure that they will but be wary!
So why handicap them today? Well, IFK Mariehamn made a lot of changes too and they have to blend them, which will take time. They’ll be boosted by the return of ex-players Lyyski and Jagne, for instance, and they still have Kangaskolkka leading the line and set piece specialist Forsell in midfield. However, we saw Olesen, Bellisomo, de Abreu, Emet, and Strandvall leave pre-season, which is basically three-quarters of their defence and half of their midfield. Winger Okodugha is still injured and IFK’s midfield needs more than just Forsell, good though he is. So we can perhaps expect some surprise results from IFK Mariehamn this season, especially when they play at home in Aland, but let’s wait a few weeks before that happens because it’s hard to envision them achieving it now with new faces in their squad.
In Helsinki, and on artificial turf, there’s generally only one winner and that’s HJK Helsinki. I don’t expect a great game here but the hosts have enough in their arsenal to beat the -1.5 handicap at good odds today.
Verdict: HJK Helsinki to beat the -1.5 handicap at 11/10.
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Koln – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
It remains to be seen as to what effect Koln’s new manager will have on the team but their morale is battered, their defence is a mess, and their attack relies entirely on Lukas Podolski. So many things are going wrong with Koln and their financial problems, not to mention that shit with Peszko and the taxi driver. Koln are just a mess right now and they’re not good enough to grind out results away from home when they’re in such a mindset. At home, they could maybe cause a surprise but I don’t see them having the unity to do well here. Gladbach are a bit shattered after a long season of playing predominantly the same eleven players but there’s still life in them as they push for European football. They’ve got the personnel to win this game and the finesse to win it comfortably against demoralised and ineffectual Koln and at 4/5, I’m happy to take Gladbach to beat the -1 Asian Handicap as the hosts not winning this game would surprise me today.
Verdict: Borussia Moenchengladbach to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
Dainava vs Ekranas Panevezys – under 2.5 goals at 7/5.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 7/5.
Tromso vs Sandnes Ulf – home win with -1.5 handicap at 11/10.
Sandnes Ulf have been able to hold their own since being promoted to the Eliteserien but I can assure that that has stemmed from their fixture list rather than their quality. Truth be told, Sandnes Ulf are a Divisjon 1 side playing in the Eliteserien. I mean, seriously – which of their players is good enough to be playing at this level? Only Raskaj, and that’s when it suits him. Their defence is old and slow. Their attack is predictable. They’re not good enough to monopolise possession. I admire their work ethic and belief but there’s little else to this side which leads me to believe that this could be a very long season for Sandnes Ulf. They’ve got their first huge test in the Eliteserien with the lengthy and nightmarish trip to the Alfheim Stadion in Tromso to play on its fabled artificial turf. Tromso may have lost Rushfeldt and Abdellaoue pre-season but Arst and Ondrasek are good enough to win them this battle at least, as they demonstrated against Stabaek lately. I have my concerns over the longevity of Tromso’s title push on the basis that their attack isn’t as effective as it was but they’re still a very solid side, especially at the back, and they’ve got enough firepower and experience to beat a side that they’re frankly better than today. As with all things Tromso-esque, it may take some time, but the hosts can beat the -1.5 handicap today if they convert their chances.
Verdict: Tromso to beat the -1.5 handicap at 11/10.
Brann Bergen vs Stromsgodset – home win at evens.
I don’t like going against ‘godset because they’re a good side and I admire them for their attacking style. However, let’s face it – outside of Drammen, they’re sitting ducks. They improved their away form in the Eliteserien considerably last season, and their performances even moreso. However, due to their status as a feeder club, players depart each season and thus the average age of the squad is reducing each year. Stromsgodset still have some very able attacking players and they play well enough to score plenty of goals, too. However, I’d make a case for them having one of the worst defences in Norway and that is consistently proven! Stromsgodset will lie down for no side but they’re on natural turf today and they don’t tend to fare too well there. Brann Bergen were an unpredictable side for years until the last twelve months or so. They’ve become more consistent and reliable. Hell, they’ve even signed some good players now whereas there used to just be Huseklepp. There’s a lot of pace, skill, and strength in this Brann attack and I cannot imagine for one second that ‘godset will be able to handle them. Brann’s defence has been vulnerable so far this season too, however, and they may well concede today as a result. Few sides can keep clean sheets against Stromsgodset! However, Brann have a much more experienced side than Stromsgodset and on their own turf with some very good players at their disposal, I have to favour the home win at evens.
Verdict: Brann Bergen to win at evens.
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Real Mallorca – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
I would strongly advise waiting for the line-up before deciding whether to bet on this game or not. In order for it to win, my personal viewpoint is that Llorente and Herrera must both start the game. If they don’t, then this tip could “push” or lose. Llorente is the focal point of Athletic’s attacks and they need him to break through a solid Mallorca defence and Herrera is pivotal in unlocking defences such as these too. The doubt over Muniain for this game with his eye problem concerns me a little but Susaeta and de Marcos bring enough skill to the flanks to bother me unduly against a predictable Mallorca side.
Always bear in mind that Athletic are very unlikely to keep a clean sheet because that’s not what they focus on – they focus on attacking. However, I think they can score a few goals against Mallorca today with the visitors missing both Chico and Nunes from defence. Considering that defence is Mallorca’s strongest area, that poses a pretty big problem, especially with engine Tissone and fellow midfielder Pina both doubts. Indeed, old hand Marti in midfield also misses out today so this Mallorca side is in a bit of disarray. They rely heavily on their organisation to allow Gonzalo Castro to do the damage at the other end but with potentially no ball-winners and no composure in defence, Mallorca are in a very bad way here.
Castro may produce some magic and allow Mallorca to score here but Bilbao should emerge victorious from this game with the proviso that Bielsa plays the right team. He’s got the UEFA Europa League in mind so again, please check the line-up before betting. However, if the above is correct, then Bilbao should beat the -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Verdict: Athletic Club de Bilbao to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Syrianska Sodertalje vs AIK Solna – under 2 goals at 7/5.
I’ve genuinely not seen an Allsvenskan game this season where AIK Solna haven’t required help to score goals. Whether it’s a goalkeeping error or bad defending, AIK simply cannot score goals from open play without assistance. I appreciate that the Allsvenskan is hardly the home of consistent and accurate defending and thus mistakes will happen but the impotency of AIK is frightening at times. I can see why they splashed the cash on Celso Borges from Fredrikstad because without him, they’d really be struggling. Defensively, they’re rock solid and you won’t see them concede many goals this season as a result. However, I’m finding it really hard to back them to win games because of their impotency and nothing has changed over the past few weeks to convince me otherwise. I mean, AIK are a better side than Syrianska but so what? It’s goals that count. You think Syrianska will lie down and take it in Sodertalje? I doubt it. They may miss a couple of players today if the rumours are true but I doubt they’ll be scoring here anyway – AIK are very good at defending. However, I’m not sure that AIK will score either – it depends on their breaks. I expect a 0-0 or 0-1 but with the above in mind, taking under 2 goals appeals to me a lot at 7/5.
Verdict: Under 2 goals at 7/5.
Mjallby Solvesborg vs Atvidaberg – home win at 6/5.
Atvidaberg look immense on the Allsvenskan charts right now but that’s a great example of how the table lies because they’re not great. In fact, they’re pretty far from great – they’re average at best. I admire their attacking football and their belief but they’ve had a favourable fixture list thus far and a bit of luck to boot with Orebro squandering some good chances in their 3-4 win at the start of the season and the chances that Gefle gifted them in their 6-1 win. This is a much harder game for Atvidaberg and I think they’ll be caught short as a result. They have to firstly deal with the strong winds that forever encircle Solvesborg, which is one hell of a battle in itself. Not many sides win at Mjallby for that reason but the hosts are no mugs either. Ekenberg and Fejzullahu are dangerous strikers when they want to be and a weak defence like Atvidaberg’s is vulnerable at all times. Only a good Hacken side has exploited Mjallby’s defence so far this season with today’s hosts looking very calm and collected for the vast majority of their playing time thus far. There’s plenty of pace and grit in this Mjallby side and whilst they’re playing in Solvesborg, they should always be treated with respect. Atvidaberg will have to play really well to get a result here, in my view. Their attacking style may allow them to score goals but they’ll concede them too, and that’s pretty fatal in Solvesborg. Atvidaberg have a tough task to break through the wall that is Mjallby’s defence and thus with all of the above in mind, the home win appeals to me for Allsvenskan regulars Mjallby over newcomers Atvidaberg.
Verdict: Mjallby Solvesborg to win at 6/5.
IFK Goteborg vs Orebro – over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
Angelarna have been very unlucky so far this season. Barring their shit display in Sodertalje, they’ve actually played well and been undone by bad luck and daft decisions. I mean, Norrkoping’s first goal in Goteborg was from the penalty spot as a cross was blocked in the penalty area, apparently by a hand, whilst replays clearly show that it hits the defender in the centre of the chest. Goteborg have dominated games against Norrkoping and AIK without getting anything substantial from either game but one thing is clear – despite IFK’s outstanding attack, their defence still needs work. Sides still create lots of chances against them and that is a problem.
Hysen, Gerzic, Selakovic (who returns today) can all aid IFK in beating any other side in Sweden; we all know that. IFK’s attack is not one to treat lightly at any point, contrary to what the Allsvenskan table shows. However, confidence is dropping due to this bad luck that they’re experiencing and I doubt that’ll ease today. Orebro are a bit shit this season but only in defence where they lack a leader. Their midfield is ok and their attack has looked surprisingly good, albeit not too clinical – yet. The personnel is there to trouble their hosts today, though, and I certainly wouldn’t bet against Orebro scoring here. Orebro don’t tend to fare too well on natural turf so you have to expect the superior hosts to win this game and I do expect that. I was even toying with the idea of the handicap but I don’t believe that IFK have the confidence to beat the handicap right now. They’ve got more than enough ability and firepower to win this game comfortably, however, and Orebro should be the ideal opponents for them due to their shitty defence now that Almeback is gone.
With the above in mind, I have to look favourably on taking over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
Team news
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Kortrijk – Vandenbrouck, Cvitkovics, Zukanovic, and Pavlovic are absent.
Standard de Liege – Cyriac, Kanu, and Pocognoli are absent.
Club Brugge – Stenman, Lestienne, Zimling, and Deschilder are absent.
AA Gent – Arzo, Boere, Bruls, Jorgensen, Lepoint, Melli, M’Sila, Soumahoro, Anderbruggen, and Wallace are absent.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Jablonec – Vukovic and Kocourek are absent. Jarolim and Kovarik are doubts.
Dukla Prague – No absentees.
Bohemians 1905 – Nikl, Zizka, and Kaufman are absent.
Mlada Boleslav – Johana, Kalina, Zahustel, Opiela, and Fabian are absent.
Viktoria Zizkov – Milosavljev, Sivric, Cermak, and Folwarczny are absent.
Viktoria Plzen – Darida and Prochazka are absent.
Sigma Olomouc – Koutny, Jirous, Horava, and Petr are absent.
Marila Pribram – Tarczal, Hejda, Plesko, Divisek, and Stochl are absent.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
TPS Turku – Hurme is absent. Okaru is a doubt.
MyPa Anjalankoski – O’Shaugnessy and Roivainen may debutise.
FC Honka Espoo – Rexhepi is a doubt.
VPS Vaasa – Bjork, Koskimaa, and Henriksson are absent.
FC Lahti – Rafael, Kari, and Grossohmichen are absent. Mero is a doubt.
Haka Valkeakoski – Pesonen is absent.
HJK Helsinki – Sadik and Sorsa are absent. Kansikas, Moren, and Pelvas are doubts.
IFK Mariehamn – Okodugha is absent. Jagne and Gadzo are doubts.
KuPS Kuopio – Puri, Tabe, Joenmaki, and Hynynen are absent. Zahovaiko may debutise.
JJK Jyvaskyla – Latikka is absent.
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Ujpest – New coach – Leilevre.
Budapest Honved – Hadzic and Czar are absent. Delczeg returns.
Fehervar – No absentees.
Vasas Budapest – New coach earned draw in first game in charge.
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Beitar Jerusalem – Pasos, Cohen, and Moshe are absent. Moyal is a doubt.
Hapoel Acre – Danin and Mishaelof are absent.
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Zalgiris Vilnius – Skerla may debutise.
Tauras Taurage – No news.
Dainava – Sakalis is absent.
Ekranas Panevezys – Kavaliauskas returns.
Dutch Eredivisie:
Groningen – Johansson, Kappelhof, Kwakman, Bacuna, and van Dijk are absent.
Roda JC Kerkrade – Pluim, Donald, and Staelans are absent.
FC Utrecht – de Kogel and Mulenga are absent.
VVV Venlo – Holland and Molhoek are absent.
Vitesse Arnhem – Piiroja is absent.
ADO Den Haag – Ammi, N’Toko, van Duinen, and Leeuwin are absent.
AFC Ajax Amsterdam – Sulejmani and Boilesen are absent. Vertonghen is a doubt.
De Graafschap – Gyasi, Saeijs, Kujala, Evers, Rose, Wormgoor, and Nalbantoglu are absent.
Heracles Almelo – Overtoom is absent.
RKC Waalwijk – Bandjar, Duits, ten Voorde, and van Dijk are absent.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Brann Bergen – Sokolowski, Mohus, Gorud, and Austin are absent. Jonsson returns.
Stromsgodset – Hamoud and Aas are absent. Konradsen is a doubt.
Sogndal – Lund, Roed, Flo, and Mecinovic are absent.
Haugesund – Johansson and Maeland are absent. Nygaard is a doubt.
Tromso – Kristiansen is absent.
Sandnes Ulf – Holmvik is absent.
Aalesund FK – Morrison, Phillips, Ulvestad, Skiri, Sellin, and Wembangomo are absent.
Odd Grenland Skien – Semb and Lekven are absent. Eriksen returns.
Lillestrom – Hedenstad is a doubt.
Honefoss – Olsen and Gjermundstad are absent.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Lech Poznan – Krivets and Arboleda are absent.
Lechia Gdansk – Malkowski, Vucko, and Wisniewski are absent.
Ruch Chorzow – Zienczuk is absent.
Gornik Zabrze – No absentees.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Espanyol – Coutinho, Forlin, Mattioni, and Thievy are absent. Rui Fonte and Raul Rodriguez return.
Valencia CF – Soldado and Banega are absent. Albelda returns.
Real Betis Balompie – Ustaritz and Sergio Rodriguez are absent.
Osasuna – Masoud, Kike Sola, Sergio, and Bertran are absent. Nekounam and Ruben return.
Malaga – Joaquin, Toulalan, Caballero, Baptista, Kameni, Duda are absent. Demichelis and Juanmi return.
Real Sociedad – Aranburu, Demidov, Cadamuro, and Ifran are absent. Bravo and Ruben Pardo return.
Villarreal CF – Rossi and Ruben are absent. Angel returns.
Racing Santander – Tono, Picon, and Acosta are absent.
Real Zaragoza – Pinter is absent.
Granada – Jaime, Yebda, Fran Rico, Roberto, Diakhate, and David Cortes are absent.
Athletic Club de Bilbao – Ocio, Castillo, and Gurpegi are absent. Muniain is a doubt.
Real Mallorca – Nunes, Chico, Marti, and Alvaro are absent. Pina and Tissone are doubts.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – Pulido, Labaka, Joel, Diego Costa, Fuego, Michel, and Sueliton are absent. Armenteros is a doubt.
Atletico Madrid – Silvio and Antonio Lopez are absent.
Swedish Allsvenskan:
IFK Goteborg – Selakovic returns.
Orebro – Anttonen, Haddad, and Berisha are absent.
Mjallby Solvesborg – Leandersson, Ozen, and Zavadil are absent.
Atvidaberg – No news.
Turkish Super Lig:
Sivasspor – Murat Akca and Yerlikaya are absent.
Bursaspor – Ozan Ipek is absent.
Fenerbahce – Sezer Ozturk is absent.
Trabzonspor – Tayfun, Sercan, Vittek, and Brozek are absent.