TFT Issue 476!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Slavia Prague vs Sigma Olomouc – away win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Today’s featured game is the Gambrinus Liga game between sleeping giants Slavia Prague and the difficult Sigma Olomouc.
Slavia Prague finally produced a stroke of genius in re-signing Karol Kisel pre-season. He was the only good player in their side a couple of seasons ago and his free-kicks, vision – everything, in fact – drove Slavia Prague away from the relegation zone. He’s an excellent player at this level and it’s no surprise that he’s bagged two in two since his return to the Czech Republic. Jarolim’s experience alongside him almost gives Slavia Prague a presentable midfield, which is a scary prospect. Vicek is finally out of their attack with Vosahlik scoring the goals, which is handy. Slavia Prague are still very short on quality, however, and that’s reflected in their horrendous defensive displays thus far. Slavia Prague look good on paper in the sense that they’ve bagged five goals in two games. However, they’ve played two poor sides and now that they’re facing a good side, I fancy them to really struggle here.
Visitors Sigma Olomouc aren’t the most consistent nor reliable of away sides in the Gambrinus Liga. However, they’re considerably better than their hosts and I’m banking on that showing today. They’ve no European committments to distract them and I can’t see how on earth a mediocre Slavia Prague defence can handle big Hubnik up front for half a second, let alone the experience and creativity of Heinz and Daniel Rossi in midfield. As long as Sigma Olomouc keep their heads and take their chances then I fancy them to get a favourable result here. The absence of goalkeeper Zlamal presents a problem for the stability of the away side but I am prepared to take a chance here.
I won’t beat around the bush, gents – crap or not, Slavia Prague are still not an easy side to face on their own turf. They have a lot of very passionate supporters and they’ve got their leader back in Kisel. However, as far as quality goes, Sigma Olomouc are much the better side, for my money, and they really should win this one. Taking the away win with draw no bet appeals to me a lot at 11/10.
Verdict: Sigma Olomouc to win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Additional game
CSMS Iasi vs Petrolul Ploiesti – away win at 5/6.
Perhaps I am jumping the gun with moneybags Petrolul Ploiesti. After all, they’ve still got a lot to learn as far as cohesion goes. However, I can’t help but view odds of 5/6 on them beating a side that they’re much better than as something of a steal here.
Unlike many sides before them that have been promoted, CSMS Iasi have not got the ability to keep sides out. Most sides that get promoted tend to sit deep at home and hang on to leads. CSMS Iasi attack like lunatics and although they nick the odd goal, it tends to end terribly for them when they encounter a good side, hence their 1-2 loss against Otelul Galati and their 5-2 loss at Dinamo Bucharest. It’s been tough for the newbies, to be fair – they’ve had a baptism of fire since promotion in facing some of the better clubs in Romania. Nonetheless, they’ve looked out of their depth in each game and with only a handful of experienced players, I can’t see things improving for them today.
Petrolul Ploiesti haven’t looked secure at the back and they do have a lot to learn, as I mentioned at the start. However, they’ve got so many talented attacking players in this side that even an average display from the visitors should yield a positive result. They’ve got more than enough individuals to win them this game if things aren’t going too well, despite the allegedly unfavourable pitch. Petrolul need to stay together and work hard to be the side that their chairman wants them to be but irrespective of that fact, Petrolul really should win this game whether they turn it on or not.
For me, there surely has to be value on the away win at 5/6.
Verdict: Petrolul Ploiesti to win at 5/6.
Team news
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Standard de Liege – Bolat, Kanu, Gershon, Opare, Tavares, and Batshuayi are absent.
Waasland-Beveren – No absentees.
Croatian Prva Liga:
Inter Zapresic – Milardovic may debutise.
Osijek – Sorsa, Leskovic, and Smoje are absent. Petrovic is a doubt.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Dukla Prague – Maly is absent.
Teplice – Rosa, Hosek, Dolejs, and Jursa are absent. Veverka is a doubt.
Slavia Prague – Cicman, Dobrotka, and Vicek are absent.
Sigma Olomouc – Dreksa and Zlamal are absent.
Danish Superligaen:
OB Odense – No absentees.
Midtylland – Jannsen and Hassan are absent. Kibebe returns.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Valerenga Oslo – Kongshavn is absent.
Odd Grenland Skien – Eriksen is absent.