TFT Issue 384!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Twente Enschede vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam – away win with draw no bet at 9/10.
Today’s featured is the Eredivisie encounter between Twente Enschede and AFC Ajax Amsterdam.
McClaren’s Twente have gone off the boil lately, partially through tiredness and partially through unrest in the camp. I mean, there was the issue with goalkeeper Mihaylov and his supposed affair with one of his teammates’ wives. He’s back in the squad for this game but there’s a chance that problems still exist for Twente. In addition to that, Belgian attacker Chadli is “certain” to leave the club in Summer with Fulham his likely destination, according to his agent. It’s like Twente are gradually unravelling, year after year. It started with Janssen moving on, who was followed by Janko, and now Chadli. Who is next – De Jong? Douglas? I don’t know how long this Twente side can continue for with players leaving. They don’t have much depth as it is and the cohesion that they have can only go so far without depth. McClaren always seems to have this ability to make his side grind out wins but lately they’ve even been faltering on that front. Consider that star striker Luuk de Jong is apparently out for this game with an injury and we have a Twente side that is ripe for the taking, especially with largely unconvincing displays leading them into this game.
By stark contrast, Ajax look every inch the league leaders that they are right now and I cannot look beyond them getting a positive result today. We all know how good they are in attack with their excellent pass and move style that all Ajax youngsters are taught. Now Ajax finally have a proper target man in Sigthorsson and that completes the final piece of the jigsaw, in my eyes, as Ajax lacked a proper finisher whilst he was suffering with injury. Defensively, the pressure is off because they’re doing more with the ball due to having a proper forward up front and let’s face it – in a goal-flled division, Vertonghen and Aiderwereld are amongst the more reliable defenders, which helps Ajax massively. Van der Wiel’s return may upset the solidarity of their defence but he improves their attacks with his mazy runs from full-back and Ajax are now looking a lot more dangerous than they have for the last few months. Their displays have been ruthless and impressive and they bring a lot of momentum into this game.
With the above in mind, I can only look at taking Ajax with draw no bet cover at 9/10 as a bargain here.
Verdict: AFC Ajax Amsterdam to win with draw no bet at 9/10.
Additional games
Bohemians 1905 vs Marila Pribram – away win with draw no bet at 9/10.
I was once a big advocate of Bohemians 1905 but this is a doomed side right now. They’re not a particularly good side but they were notorious for their strong home support, widely rumoured to be the best in the Czech Republic, and their tenacity. They always used to believe in themselves in home games, which made them one of the hardest sides to go and play in the Gambrinus Liga. Penetrate those factors, though, and you discover a very mediocre side with no leadership and little quality. They’re a host for spent veterans and nervous youngsters and it’s really showing now. They’ll have done astonomically well if they manage to avoid the drop this season, in my view. They’ve bagged just one goal in their last six games, which came against Viktoria Zizkov, who are currently one of the few sides that are actually below Bohemians 1905. They’ve lost thirteen out of their last fourteen games and they’re not looking like to improve that any time soon.
I’m not a huge fan of Pribram but their spirit is undeniable. This side never knows when it’s beaten and always scores goals. I figured that they’d find life tough in the second half of the campaign with leading goalscorer Wagner leaving in the January transfer window. However, the true strength and belief in this squad ha shown since then with Pribram continuing to attack well and score goals freely. They’ve bagged fifteen goals in their last six games and few sides can match that in the Gambrinus Liga, let alone better it! Pribram are not compact defensively; any side in the Czech Republic can score against them. However, it takes a committed and efficient display to beat them and I just don’t see Bohemians 1905 as being capable of that right now.
For me, the away win with draw no bet cover is pure gold at 9/10.
Verdict: Marila Pribram to win with draw no bet at 9/10.
Lyngby vs Midtylland – away win at 4/5.
Ah, here’s another side with zero hope, albeit in another country – Lyngby. Lyngby have never been able to defend but now that their attack has given up and that their confidence is shot to shit following a 4-0 battering at home aganst relegation rivals SonderjyskE. That result was followed by a 3-0 drubbing at cash-strapped Silkeborg, which leaves Lyngby with seven goals conceded and no goals scored in their past three games whilst being five points from safety. Times are very hard for today’s hosts and I don’t see how they’ll get out of this mess with the two clubs immediately above them both capable of raising their game.
Happily, this game still means something to Midtylland or I might not have bothered with it. Midtylland need the points to continue battling for European football next season, however, and thus they need three points today. Midtylland enter the game on the back of five games without defeat and they’ve won their last two consecutively, keeping clean sheets in those two games. The return of the instrumental Jakob Poulsen to their side has had an immediate impact and with the arsenal of powerful Nigerians in their ranks, it’s beyond hard to see how Lyngby can cope with their superior opponents today.
For me, the away win is a must at 4/5.
Verdict: Midtylland to win at 4/5.
HB Koge vs AC Horsens – away win at 9/10.
This preview follows a very similar approach to the above preview. HB Koge are already relegated in their minds with the club already planning to off-load some of the higher-earning players at the club whilst also looking at ways to restructure themselves to survive financially into (and hopefully beyond) next season. Koge are on a bad run, conceding goals for fun, and that should continue here. Horsens aren’t as good as Midtylland are but they do have good goalscorers and this game does still matter to them, which is important. Therefore, the away win beckons to me again here.
Verdict: AC Horsens to win at 9/10.
SonderjyskE vs Brondby – over 2.5 goals at 10/11.
They might not concede as many goals as most Superligaen sides, Brondby, but they’re terrible in front of goal and it could potentially cost them their place in the Superligaen next season. It really is true to say that no club is too big to be relegated. Brondby are ten points clear of the drop zone at the moment but are in bad form. Only two sides to have scored marginally less goals than Brondby have this season and those two clubs are two of three that are currently below them in the table. There’s no cohesion nor conviction in this Brondby team and far too often they find themselves relying on individual players such as veteran Rommedahl or ex-Ajax youngster Krohn-Deli. Brondby can be a good side; they just don’t show it very often! SonderjyskE, on the other hand, are riding the crest of a wave. They find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being above Brondby in the Superligaen table and it’s primarily down to their recent form that that is the case. They’ve miraculously won five out of their last six Superligaen games and you can tell how high confidence is by the way they ripped apart FC Copenhagen in the DBU Pokalen, albeit eventually crashing out via the away goals rule. SonderjyskE aren’t a notorious goalscoring side but confidence is high and they’re scoring goals as a result of that. Brondby coud do with the point and both sides have reason to attack and score goals, with the above in mind, so over 2.5 goals is my call at 10/11.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 10/11.
Esbjerg vs Skive – home win with -1.5 handicap at 5/6.
I can’t shed more light on this other than to say that there is a huge quality gap here. Esbjerg are the best side in the league and eight wins from nine home games shows that, especially with them averaging scoring nearly three goals per home game. They’ve got confidence, experience, and firepower in abundance so it’s hard to not take them seriously here. Skive love to upset the odds with their free-flowing, all-out-attack approach. It doesn’t always work, though, because they lack the quality player to carry it off. They sold their top goalscorer back in January and this is the type of game that I expect to see it show in, especially with a crap defence being all that they have left to fall back on. For me, Esbjerg should clear the -1.5 handicap today.
Verdict: Esbjerg to beat the -1.5 handicap at 5/6.
EB/Streymur vs HB Torshavn – home win at evens.
For me, EB/Streymur are still the better of these two sides and it should really show today. HB Torshavn bolstered their midfield pre-season by signing former Manchester City midfielder Mouritsen, who gives them an additional attacking option. However, HB have no actual strikers of any substance and it shows in the big games. HB’s form looks better than it is a they’ve had what I would label as “the right games”; let’s see how they fare against their rivals today. I can explain EB/Streymur’s failings in the Meistaradeildin thus far this season (e.g. former manager at KI Klaksvik) but they’ve often done what I’ve expected them to do and I expect them to win here as long as they contain HB’s talented midfield because they’re a much better side nowadays.
Verdict: EB/Streymur to win at evens.
IFK Mariehamn vs FC Honka Espoo – home win with draw no bet at 910.
I’m not a big fan of the IFK side this season but they’re the “Crazy Gang” and they always have spirit as a result. IFK do possess some good players, in their defence, but it takes the right opponents in order for them to win games and to me, Honka are the right opponents today.
IFK won 0-2 at a plucky Haka side in the Veikkausliiga before winning 1-4 at Gnistan earlier this week in the Suomen Cup so confidence is high right now. Forsell, Kangaskolkka, Ekhaile – they’re all good players, especially Forsell, and whatever Lyyski is saying to them before games is working. How IFK are surviving following a complete re-vamp of their defence pre-season is beyond me but it does tell you how strong their determination is. In Aland, IFK are a very hard side to face and with two wins leading them into this game, I fancy them to win this one today.
Honka are a bigger club than IFK and apparently have better players but you’d do well to pick them out based on their displays in the Veikkausliiga thus far. Honka are a bunch of talented kids, in essence, but they’re not showing that at the moment. Barring Dudu, you struggle to find that experience and that belief in the Honka team and that makes you question how long this bad run will continue for. It’s not so much that they’re not winning games; bad luck can make that happen. No, it’s the fact that they’re not deserving to win games that concerns me and I think that they’re in for a nightmare game against a physical IFK side away from home if they’re not on top of their game today. Honka were flattered by their 0-3 win at Atlantis earlier this week in the Suomen Cup, although credit to them for grinding out the win. Each time Honka have encountered a hard-working side in the Veikkausliiga this season they’ve really struggled, though, with both VPS Vaasa and newly-promoted FC Lahti having outplayed them in recent times.
In my opinion, this is IFK’s game to lose. I fancy the big time with draw no bet cover at 9/10.
Verdict: IFK Mariehamn to win with draw no bet at 9/10.
Jaro Pietarsaari vs KuPS Kuopio – away win with draw no bet at 9/10.
Despite not playing that badly, Jaro enter this game on the back of three consective losses. MyPa wanted it more in their game in Anjalankoski but the defeats against HJK came purely from truly abysmal defending. Eremenko needs to sort that out rapidly or Jaro may find themselves in the Ykkonen next season. Players such as Niang, Agyeman, and even Emet are good attackers and can punish sides. Defensively, though, Jaro are a bit of a joke right now and I think that they’re going to find another very hard game against a potent KuPS side. KuPS have Zahovaiko, Ilo, and Venelainen all back for this game and their aerial prowess will no doubt cause mayhem in the dubious Jaro defence. KuPS have bags of talent in their midfield when it comes to creati chances and although they’re a shade weak at the back themselves, they still have more firepower than their hosts. My sole concern over KuPS would be their exhausting game with TPS Turku earlier this week but it’s early enough in the season for KuPS to be able to ride the tiredness and claim three points here, in my view. Therefore, my call is the away win with draw no bet cover.
Verdict: KuPS Kuopio to win with draw no bet at 9/10.
TPS Turku vs Haka Valkeakoski – under 2.5 goals at 10/11.
The popular choice here will undoubtedly be the home win and the handicaps etc. but I have my reservations over both of those today. TPS are the better of these two sides; that much is not in doubt. However, TPS are primarily a counter-attacking side and you saw how much they struggled when they hosted a MyPa side that didn’t even want to leave their own half. MyPa won the game 0-1 and although TPS have impressed since then, there are times to back them and there are times to avoid doing so and I think the latter is the best approach today.
TPS had a tiring game with KuPS in Kuopio earlier this week, crashing out of the Suomen Cup on penalties so tiredness could be an issue for the hosts here. They don’t have a huge squad; Rajamaki simply has a very good starting eleven. If TPS are tired, which I expect them to be, as it’s their third game in seven days, then Haka are the last side you want to face.
Haka crashed out of the Suomen Cup in extra-time against MyPa earlier this week but the difference is that they rested players for that game whereas TPS didn’t in their game. Haka still have some energy to coax from Dema, Puustinen, Robinson, and Kastrati, not to mention Metzger, who didn’t play at all earlier this week. Haka haven’t played well so far this season but Ristila is a notoriously good man-motivator and his sides almost always put that extra degree of hard work in against the bigger sides so I expect a strong Haka display today.
TPS could and should win this game but this smells like a trap to me, to be honest. I fancy Haka to go defensive, block off TPS’ attack with two banks of four, and to counter-attack with pace. On paper, it should be a comfortable home win but I expect something like a 1-0, 0-0, or possibly even a 0-1 if TPS play as ineffectually and naively as they did when they faced MyPa.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 10/11.
FC Lahti vs Inter Turku – away win at evens.
Lahti have had some kind words said about them in recent times for their work ethic and passing style but they’re not an especially good side and it should show against an actual good side. Lahti’s defence is one of the worst in the Veikkausliiga, for my money, and also have injury problems ahead of this game. They had no Suomen Cup game earlier this week so they should be fresh but the absence of Rafael and Kemppinen deprives Lahti of a realistic attacking threat (Kari and Shala don’t do much for me) and the absence of new signing Makitalo robs Lahti of their best player so far this season. Conclusion? Long game ahead for Lahti.
Inter Turku are not only better than Lahti but they have a better manager too. Inter Turku may have lost at impressive Ykkonen outfit KooTeePee Kotka earlier this week in the Suomen Cup but Dragtsma isn’t stupid; he rested players in that game. He knows HJK are weaker this season and that the Veikkausliiga title is their priority. Goalkeeper Bahne returns today, as does integral midfielder Kauko. Big striker Sirbiladze only played half of the game earlier this week and basically Inter Turku value three points today much more than a Suomen Cup run. With the superb Ojala and Sirbiladze linking up better and better in each game, it’s hard to look beyond an Inter Turku win here too.
For me, the away win looks very appealing at evens.
Verdict: Inter Turku to win at evens.
Kecskemeti TE vs Gyori ETO FC – away win at 11/10.
Kecskemeti are never an easy side to take on in their own backyard. They’re a good goalscoring side, especially with striker Lencse in the form of his career. However, their defence is always susceptible and that’s more true than ever with essential defender Mohl suspended for this game. Joining him on the sidelines is the heart of Kecskemeti’s midfield – the Serbian Savic, who is also suspended. This side never loses its spirit but they lose the core of the team without those two players and I don’t see how they can hold out against Gyori with those absences in mind. The visitors aren’t known for their strong displays on the road but with European football on the agenda, only three points will do and they won’t get a better shot at Kecskemeti than they do today. I see value in the away win at 11/10, especially with five wins from their last six games leading them into this match.
Verdict: Gyori ETO FC to win at 11/10.
Fehervar vs Ferencvaros – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
Although Ferencvaros are the big side here, I massively favour Fehervar because they’re everything that Ferencvaros aren’t nowadays. Fehervar are the epitome of composure and control under Paulo Sousa. True, they’re not always the most entertaining of sides but they’re consistent, they’re efficient, and they’re ruthless. Fehervar still have a lot to play for and they should be able to make it count here as Ferencvaros are in their usual mire, conceding goals for fun. Ferencvaros are still the circus that they always were and as much as they’d love to get something from this game, I can only see them failing against a frankly superior Fehervar side and they’ll most probably fail via their usual method of having men sent off unnecessarily. Therefore, my call is for Fehervar to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5, although I’d not take it if the odds drop below 4/5.
Verdict: Fehervar to win with a -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
Bologna vs Genoa – home win with draw no bet at 4/5.
I can only imagine that the odds on Bologna winning this game are either down to too many absent/potentially absent players and/or match-fixing but either way, I fancy them a lot with draw no bet at 4/5. When it comes to playing at home, few sides demonstrate how good they are as well as Bologna, who become Barcelona when they play at home. Well, they’re not quite in that vein but this side rarely concedes on their own turf and usually have enough in the tank to trouble their opponents. The most potent threat that they’ve wielded this season has been Uruguayan hot prospect Ramirez, who is reportedly a doubt today, although I’m not sure that I buy it. His fellow midfielder Perez is also a doubt but again, I’m not sure how much of this is a smokescreen as Bologna are not safe from relegation yet. Four games without defeat lead Bologna into this game so they do have momentum. They’ve got firepower in di Vaio, Acquafresca, and Diamanti and they have plenty of support from midfield so I fancy Bologna to upset their opponents today.
Visitors Genoa are not in a good way. They’ve been banned by the Italian FA until the end of the season from playing with any crowd in their home stadium following the firework assault that their fans unleashed upon Siena as Genoa were trailing 0-4 against the relegation-threatened side. The game was resumed some time later and the result was 1-4. Genoa followed this “display” up with a plucky but pointless 1-0 loss at the Giuseppe Meazza San Siro against AC Milan as the same old story arose again; Genoa were too defensive. On the road, this Genoa side does not attack enough and it costs them a lot of points each season. Who knows – if they’re not careful then it could send them to Serie B next season.
Genoa do have some very good players, especially in Palacio, Gilardino, Kucka, and old hand Rossi. However, Bologna are a much more unified side right now and I think that they’ve got more than enough to exploit a vulnerable and demoralised Genoa side so my call is the home win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Verdict: Bologna to win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Roda JC Kerkrade vs PSV Eindhoven – lay PSV Eindhoven at 6/5.
It’s not a big game for PSV Eindhoven but for local rivals Roda JC Kerkrade, this is their Cup final. Roda have been very strong at home this season with Syrian striker Malki in amazing form and his finishing has inspired his team to good displays. Roda aren’t the most secure of sides defensively but they’re lethal going forward and you’ll not find them more motivated than they are today, especially with UEFA Europa League on the horizon – deservedly so, too.
PSV will do very well to win at Roda today, in my view. Roda have only lost four times at home this season in the Eredivisie and PSV aren’t in great shape under Cocu, looking somewhat flat despite possessing one of the best attacking line-ups in the division. Defensively, PSV are a bit of a joke, really. They concede way too many goals due to a lack of communication and cohesion and I don’t forsee that having changed ahead of this game. Goalkeeper Isaksson is still out and full-back Pieters joins him on the sidelines for this game, for whom PSV do not have a replacement. PSV might possess some wonderful attacking players but it doesn’t matter if you concede more goals than you score. The youthful attack of PSV struggles mentally when PSV fall behind and they’re a bit tired after a long season, hence PSV dropping points on the road pretty frequently over the past few months.
With the above in mind, I see a lot of value in laying PSV at 6/5.
Verdict: Lay PSV Eindhoven at 6/5.
Feyenoord Rotterdam vs AZ Alkmaar – home win at 6/5.
Despite Guidetti missing this game for Feyenoord, I have every faith in their ability to win the game. Feyenoord’s youngsters are always 100% more motivated for the big games than they are the smaller games, which is the usual approach of young players, to be fair. Guidetti has the finesse and composure of the team in front of goal but Feyenoord do have other attacking players with talent such as Fernandez, Cisse, and Cabral, not to mention Schaken. As long as Bakkal and Clasie are on the top of their respective games than Feyenoord have a great chance of extending their outstanding run of form as they bid to be playing UEFA Champions League football next season.
Helpfully, AZ couldn’t be more vulenrable ahead of this trip to De Kuip as they’re a very tired side due to naming virtually the same eleven all season long. AZ are far stronger at home than they are on the road anyway but without Viergever and Moisander available in defence, it’ll take a mammoth effort from the visitors to get a result at a very difficult venue. They’ve looked very unconvincing and ineffectual of late, AZ, and a determined and enthusiastic Feyenoord would have been the last side that they’d wanted to face today but that’s who they’re stuck with.
As long as Feyenoord don’t lose their heads when they get their inevitable chances, I fancy them to beat AZ at 6/5.
Verdict: Feyenoord Rotterdam to win at 6/5.
GIF Sundsvall vs Orebro – both sides to score at 5/6.
GIF Sundsvall have started their Allsvenskan campaign well, in my view. They were a bit ineffectual in front of goal in their first couple of games but awoke with a 4-0 win against Syrianska and have played well since then. Indeed, they should have taken three points from their trip to IFK Norrkoping, having been presented with numerous chances to secure three points due to bad Norrkoping defending but failing to take them, eventually falling upon their own sword due to their own weakest area; defence. They did well on their trip to Stockholm when they took on AIK, too. They conceded a goal from a long way out but still kept their heads and fought back to claim a deserved 1-1 draw. They’re a plucky and battling side, GIF. They do lack finesse more often than not but they dominate games better than they’re given credit for, although it must be noted that their defence is shocking. I expect them to create some chances at home today and they should be able to take them, too.
Orebro are a better side than GIF this season but they’ve shown it in exactly…none of their games. The lack of replacement for Almeback in central defence for Orebro means that they’re likely to concede in just about every remaining Allsvenskan game this season. Grahn has done well since his move from Mjallby as he bids to fill the role of both Bedoya and Gerzic, which is an interesting proposition to say the least. Nonetheless, he’s helping Orebro become more dangerous in attack and let’s face it; Orebro do have very good attacking players in Rama, Bamberg, and Haddad, although Haddad is yet to feature this season. Youngseter Atashkadeh has stepped up to the plate well with three goals in five games and he could help inspire a stale Orebro side to a much-needed win here.
In saying that, I am merely pointing out that this is a game that Orebro could win and not that I believe that they will win. For the record, I don’t think they will win because they’re defending like morons, they don’t have enough confidence, and they don’t like playing on natural turf. However, they’ve got a good enough attack and good enough individuals to take advantage of their hosts today. GIF have better morale and understanding than their opponents, though, so I think we’re in for an interesting game here. My call is for both sides to score at 5/6 but I am not so keen on over 2.5 goals as I think that a draw would be a decent result for both sides, all things considered.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 5/6.
Djurgarden vs Kalmar FF – home win at 11/10.
I like this one a lot more than I should if you consider that Djurgarden’s attempts at defending are generally standing in a square instead of a line and that their attempts at marking from set pieces are generally with pens.
However, what I really like about Djurgarden this season is the massive belief that they’ve developed. I don’t know where it’s come from but Djurgarden have an admirable never-say-die attitude that makes them look really good. Djurgarden have lost two consecutive games ahead of this one but for my money, they’ve not deserved to lose either of them! They lost 2-3 against a superior Malmo side despite trailing 0-2 during that game. They fought back with great spirit, scored two good goals, and even struck the woodwork before Malmo punished their adventurous hosts by scoring a goal on the counter-attack. In their 4-3 defeat against Mjallby, all of the goals that Djurgarden conceded came from bad defending. I’m happy to find you a video if you want me to show you what I mean because the first goal was just an absolute joke with goalkeeper Jensen not communicating with his defence and Ericsson being allowed to head into an empty net from the edge of the 18-yard box. Djurgarden’s defence really is a big issue for them. However, despite being four goals down in Solvesborg, Djurgarden’s heads didn’t drop. James Keene immediately went up the other end of the field and scored a beautiful strike to give Djurgarden faint hope. The second-half was all about Djurgarden as they totally set about Mjallby. Defender Toivio scored a sweet free-kick and influential winger Hamalainen added a goal as the game drew to a conclusion but on the balance of play and possession, I simply cannot understand how Djurgarden didn’t get something from that game, nor their game with Malmo.
I fully expected a strong display from Djurgarden today because that’s what they’ve been doing all season long. Yes, they’re likely to concede, but they look so much more dangerous in attack with Keene and Ricardo Santos that I cannot help but give Djurgarden the nod here, especially with Sjolund, Chibsah, and Hamalainen behind them.
Visitors Kalmar don’t play well on the road, traditionally speaking. This is partially because their nutcase fans only tend to make themselves heard at home but it’s also because Kalmar are hopeless at recovering when falling behind. Give them a lead and they’re a pain to play against because they gain a lot of confidence and suddenly become competent in front of goal, forgetting that they’re very short on talent in the final third of the field. However, score against Kalmar first, and you can visible see the players’ heads dropping. Kalmar sold a lot of good players pre-season and although they still have some good players, they’re definitely not the side that they were. Berisha used to be a reliable goalkeeper in the Allsvenskan but he’s been at fault for a large number of the goals that Kalmar have conceded this season, in my eyes. Kalmar just don’t have the leadership nor the belief to get a result here, in my view.
I expect a pretty open an exciting game here but Djurgarden look far stronger, both mentally and physically, so I have to give them a shout at 11/10.
Verdict: Djurgarden to win at 11/10.
IFK Norrkoping vs Malmo FF – over 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Well, it’s another Cup final for IFK Norrkoping! They love the big games as they play far better as underdogs than favourites. We saw them crumble into mediocrity against GIF Sundsvall in the last couple of weeks despite being a better side but they looked top-notch against IFK Goteborg and Helsingborg earlier this season, for example. They worked hard at Elfsborg too but the Boras Arena really isn’t a friendly venue for the visiting teams with its harsh artificial turf and Norrkoping were eventually overrun.
As far as quality goes, Norrkoping have very little of it. However, they have a lot of belief, tenacity, and pace in their team and that makes it hard to play against them. Ajdarevic is the heartbeat of the team with his playmaking and set pieces and he will be a threat today. Norrkoping will pick themselves up from their loss in Goteborg lately because of the size of their opponents and to be honest, there isn’t a lot to recover from after their 2-0 defeat at GAIS Goteborg as GAIS scored two excellent long-range strikes but didn’t do much else to Norrkoping in ninety minutes. Had Hassan kept out the second strike – which he should have done – then we could have seen an interesting finale. Norrkoping relish these type of games, though – I wouldn’t bet against them upsetting the odds today.
That said, Malmo’s determination of late has impressed me. Yeah, they’re still all over the place defensively but no side has looked as smooth going forward as they have. I expected them to struggle at home against Syrianska lately and they did but they also massively impressed me by finding other ways to goal instead of their usual methods. Malmo scored two wonderful goals in that game that Syrianska simply couldn’t do anything about and it could have been worse had Malmo taken their chances as the game progressed. Malmo’s problem-solving ability, if it can be called that, has improved a lot and I like that. Star striker Ranegie is suspended for this game but that’s one area of the team that Malmo can afford absentees because they have Larsson to carry the team and hot prospect Rexhepi, who is still yet to feature this season but may do here as fellow striker Nilsson is also suspended. Malmo’s core strength is their midfield, though – Wilton, Hamad, and Durmaz are unplayable when they’re in this kind of form. Malmo could put a blind, deaf, and half-dead man up front and still score goals with those three in top form! They decimated the Djurgarden defence in Stockholm lately, especially on counter-attacks, and I expect that confidence to carry over today. Malmo have momentum following back-to-back wins and they should fancy their chances against inferior Norrkoping.
However, I point-blank refuse to take the away win here because Norrkoping are good against the big sides and Malmo only tend to deliver consistently against the big sides. Malmo have done well lately against smaller sides and it may well continue here. Realistically speaking, they’re more than good enough to beat Norrkoping today. However, it’s still early in the Allsvenskan season so I’m going to sit on the fence and see how Malmo manage to maintain their recent run against a proven bogey side for all big Allsvenskan sides. However, what I do like a lot here is the overs market because neither side has looked good at the back and both sides can score goals. Therefore, my call is to take over 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Fenerbahce vs Besiktas JK – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10.
This may well be a feisty derby but there’s only one side that looks up for such a game right now and that’s Fenerbahce. Today’s hosts miraculously won 1-2 with bitter rivals Galatasaray lately and that means that they have a chance of the Super Lig title, which means that they won’t give in. Galatasaray’s easy win at Trabzonspor means that nothing but a win will suffice for the hosts today and I think that they’re playing well enough and with enough determination to do it. Their counter-attacking style is effective and they’ve got the firepower to upset Besiktas today. I’d possibly argue that Besiktas have better attacking players than Fenerbahce but they play when they feel like it. Besiktas are in a bad way right now because they hit a patch of bad form but their big players have gone missing since then because they’re not receiving the adoration that their fans previously lavished upon them. Subsequently, we have a lot of players playing for Besiktas at the moment that cannot be bothered to do so and have no motivation either way with the Super Lig campaign all but over. Besiktas are weak defensively as it is but if they lose their offensive power then they rapidly become a very big joke indeed. Fenerbahce have question marks over some good attacking players today but with motivation at its highest and a strong win leading them into this game, I have to consider taking Fenerbahce to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10 as a good value bet today.
Verdict: Fenerbahce to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10.
Team news
Bulgarian A PFG:
Botev Vratsa – Rangelov and Kovachev are absent.
Kaliakra – Dimitrov and Phillipov are absent.
Levski Sofia – Mladenov and Tasevski are absent.
CSKA Sofia – P.Stoyanov, Bolado, Junior, and K.Stoyanov are absent.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Jablonec – Vukovic is absent. Pitak is a doubt.
Hradec Kralove – Rezek, Fisher, and Klapka are absent. Cerny and Fukal are doubts.
Dukla Prague – Vorel is absent.
Mlada Boleslav – Kysela, Zahustel, Kalina, Opiela, and Fabian are absent.
Bohemians 1905 – Nikl, Kaufman, and Nerad are absent.
Marila Pribram – Slapak is a doubt.
Danish Superligaen:
Lyngby – E.Larsen and Rasmussen are absent. Aabech and Boysen return.
Midtylland – D.Olsen returns.
HB Koge – No news.
AC Horsens – Toft, Hajdarevic, Lodberg, and Drachmann are absent.
SonderjyskE – No absentees.
Brondby – Dumic returns.
FC Copenhagen – P.Larsson and Delaney are absent.
Aalborg BK – Bogelund is absent. Augustinussen returns.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
FC Lahti – Mero, Makitalo, Grossohmichen, Rafael, and Kemppinen are absent.
Inter Turku – Parviainen is absent. Bahne, Kauko, Diallo, Kauppi, and Gnabouyou return.
Jaro Pietarsaari – Aho, Brunell, and Haanpaa are absent.
KuPS Kuopio – Puri is absent.
IFK Mariehamn – Okodugha is absent. Wiklof is a doubt.
FC Honka Espoo – Rexhepi is absent.
MyPa Anjalankoski – Kaipio is absent. Olajide Williams may debutise.
HJK Helsinki – Sadik is absent.
TPS Turku – Hyyrynen is absent.
Haka Valkeakoski – Pesonen is absent.
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Kecskemeti TE – Savic, Pekar, and Mohl are absent. Bori is a doubt.
Gyori ETO FC – No absentees.
Fehervar – No news.
Ferencvaros – No news
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Hapoel Ironi Ramat Hasharon – Lavi is absent. Nusbaum is a doubt. Suissa returns. No crowd allowed.
Beitar Jerusalem – Ibinder and Shusan are absent.
Italian Serie A:
Atalanta Bergamo – Brighi, Capelli, Cigarini, Marilungo, and Stendardo are absent. Bellini is a doubt.
Bologna – Casarini, Crespo, Gillet, Pulzetti, and Krhin are absent. Mudingayi, Perez, and Ramirez are doubts.
Cesena – Rennella, Pudil, Moras, Colucci, Martinez, and Martinho are absent. Mutu, Iaquinta, Del Nero, Calderoni, and Lauro are doubts.
Fiorentina – Vargas, Kroldrup, Cerci, Boruc, and Amauri are absent. Montolivo and Pasquale are doubts.
Genoa – Jankovic is absent. Sampirisi, Constant, Bovo, and Antonelli are doubts.
Internazionale – Castaignos, Samuel, and Stankovic are absent. Zanetti, Milito, Lucio, and Chivu are doubts.
Juventus – Mari is absent. Pepe is a doubt.
Lazio – Brocchi, Candreva, Hernanes, Klose, Lulic, Makinwa, and Stankevicius are absent. Radu is a doubt.
Lecce – Julio Sergio, Cuadrado are absent. Miglionico is a doubt.
AC Milan – Inzaghi, Pato, and Roma are absent. Thiago Silva and Ambrosini are doubts.
Novara – Ujkani, Morganella, Ludi, and Marianini are absent. Jeda, Mascara, Rigoni, and Silva are doubts.
Parma – Ferrario and Mariga are absent. Okaka and Zaccardo are doubts.
Siena – Angelo, Calaio, Rossi, and Giorgi are absent. Destro and Gonzalez are doubts.
Udinese – Isla, Badu, and Floro Flores are absent Coda, Fanchone, and Ferronetti are doubts.
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Ekranas Panevezys – Andelkovic is absent
Kruoja Pakruojis – Slavickas is absent.
Zagiris Vilnius – No news.
Dainava – No news
Suduva Marijampole – Ledesma is a doubt.
Vilnius – No news.
Dutch Eredivisie:
Roda JC Kerkrade – Staelens and Pluim are absent.
PSV Eindhoven – Isaksson and Pieters are absent.
Feyenoord Rotterdam – Swerts, Guidetti, Ramsteijn, and El Ahmadi are absent.
AZ Alkmaar – Ortiz, Viergever, and Moisander are absent. Beerens is a doubt.
Twente Enschede – de Jong, Rendla, and Bengtsson are absent.
AFC Ajax Amsterdam – Sulejmani and Boilesen are absent.
NEC Nijmegen – Goossens, Wellenberg, Koolwijk, and Nijland are absent.
RKC Waalwijk – van Dijk, Janssen, Braber, and Bandjar are absent.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Brann Bergen – Sokolowski, Mohus, and Jonsson are absent. Austin returns.
Valerenga Oslo – Kone, Haestad, Tomassen, Muri, and Solli are absent.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Slask Wroclaw – Socha and Fojut are absent. Mila is a doubt.
Zaglebie Lubin – Kowalczyk is absent.
Legia Warsaw – Hubnik is absent. Zyro, Wolski, Zewlakow, and Ljuboja return.
Jagiellonia Bialystok – No news.
Polish Liga 1:
Bogdanka Leczna – Magdon is absent.
Arka Gdynia – Pruchnik is absent. Benat returns.
Kolejarz Stroze – Grzylak is a doubt.
Polonia Bytom – Kulpaka is absent.
Dolcan Zabki – Chylaszek is absent. Piesio returns.
Pogon Szczecin – Noll is absent
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
Vitoria Setubal – Amaro, Meyong, Ney, Amoreirinha, and Miguelito are absent. Zahavi, Concalo, and Kiko return.
CD Nacional de Madeira – Skolnik and Juliano are absent. Jota and Oliver return.
Beira-Mar – Camara, Yohan Tavares, and Tiago Cintra are absent. Zhang, Marques, and Turan return.
Pacos de Ferreira – Cassio, Luisinho, Caetano, and Manuel Jose return. Tony and Arturo Alvarez are absent.
Rio Ave – Anselmo, Wires, Fabio Faria, Rafa, and Gomes are absent. Tarantini, Braga, and Eder return.
SL Benfica – Luis Martins, Andre Almeida, Miguel Vitor, and Jardel are absent. Pinto and Witsel return.
Scottish Premier League:
Celtic – Forrest is absent.
Rangers – Naismith, Papac, and Davis are absent.
St.Mirren – No absentees.
Hibernian – Stack and Galbraith are absent. O’Connor is a doubt.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Real Madrid – No news.
Sevilla CF – Medel, Manu, Kanoute, and Perotti are absent. Palop, Spahic, and Guarente are doubts.
Real Zaragoza – Pinter is absent. Alvarez and Micael return.
Athletic Club de Bilbao – Ocio, Castillo, Gurpegi, and Aurtenetxe are absent.
Malaga – Juanmi, Recio, Baptista, Monreal, Mathijsen, Caballero, and Toulalan are absent.
Valencia CF – Canales, Banega, Pablo Hernandez, and Albelda are absent. Tino Costa, Aduriz, and Mathieu return.
Real Betis Balompie – Molina, Dorado, Ustaritz, and Sergio Rodriguez are absent. Pozuelo returns.
Atletico Madrid – Silvio and Antonio Lopez are absent. Diego Ribas and Perea are doubts.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – Labaka, Casado, Javi Fuego, and Suleiton are absent. Tito, Arribas, and Tamudo return.
Barcelona – Pique, Abidal, and Villa are absent. Guardiola will leave the club at the end of the season and be replaced by Vilanova.
Swedish Allsvenskan:
Djurgarden – No news.
Kalmar FF – Sjostedt, Fagercrantz, and McDonald are absent.
IFK Norrkoping – No news.
Malmo FF – Vinzents, A.Nilsson, and Ranegie are absent.
GIF Sundsvall – Danielson is a doubt.
Orebro – No news.
Turkish Super Lig:
Eskisehirspor – Hurriyet, Sezgin, and Serdar are absent.
Bursaspor – Carson and Pinto are absent.
Fenerbahce – Sezer, Sow, and Emre are absent. Alex and Serdar are doubts.
Besiktas JK – Sivok, Necip, Tanju, and Almeida are absent.