TFT Issue 481!
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Featured game
Elfsborg Boras vs Helsingborg – home win at 5/6.
Today’s featured game is the Allsvenskan game between high-flying Elfsborg Boras and sleeping giants Helsingborg.
Following their 4-1 demolition of title rivals Malmo, Elfsborg are packed full of confidence. They’ve now won eight out of nine at home this season with their only other game being a draw. The goal that they conceded against Malmo was just their third goal conceded in Boras this season, just to give you an idea of how strong Elfsborg are here. I mean, they’ve obviously got their fans but their hard artificial turf makes it very hard for sides to beat them here. Their defence isn’t in great shape with Fridgeirsson joining Larsson on the sidelines although the return of Jonsson does aid them. Their lethal attack and lightning wingers make Elfsborg very hard to take on, though. A win today sees Elfsborg go six points clear at the top of the Allsvenskan and I really fancy them to get it too.
HIF have not shaped up well for this game. A few days ago, everything looked rosy for them, you know? They’d signed Finnbogason from Lokeren (he was only on loan previously), signed Ghanaian starlet Accam from Osterlund, and had won three consecutive games, not to mention progressed to face Celtic in the UEFA Champions League. However, something happened yesterday which has really pissed Helsingborg off and it’s the fact that Finnbogason has now…not signed for them. Instead, he’s opted to sign for Heerenveen in the Netherlands. Incensed doesn’t begin to describe how HIF feel as they claim the deal was already done so they’re lodging a complaint with UEFA. The problem ahead of this game with Elfsborg is that they have nobody to score goals for them. They have decent forwards but Finnbogason is a big target man; a proper striker. They don’t have anyone like that in their squad. Helsingborg have experience but where will their goals come from? They’ve got a lot of important defensive players out too in Edman, Wahlstedt, Hantsveit, and Lindstrom. Helsingborg will try to contain Elfsborg here but only a fortuitous Mjallby have managed to avoid defeat here this season so I don’t rate their chances.
For me, the home win has to be viewed as a bit of a steal at 5/6 today.
Verdict: Elfsborg Boras to win at 5/6.
Additional games
Zulte-Waregem vs Kortrijk – home win at evens.
This one is a bit of a derby so do approach it with caution. However, I like Zulte-Waregem under their current manager Dury, who is the only one who can get the best out of them. Berrier is a great playmaker under him and Habibou is a top target man under him. This side has great organisation and scores more goals at home than they’re expected to. Kortrijk are not a bad side either but only usually excel at home. They lost a lot of important attacking players pre-season and I think it’s in games like these where it’ll show. I think we’ll see plenty of open football but at home, I fancy Zulte-Waregem to emerge successful at evens.
Verdict: Zulte-Waregem to win at evens.
Nautico vs Bahia – home win at 5/6.
Bahia are one of my favourite Serie A teams but they’re in a bad way right now. Take them away from home and give them a depleted squad for weeks on end in what is easily one of the busiest periods of Serie A football and you’ll see them floundering. They’ll never stop battling but they’re short on quality and they concede too many goals. Nautico are a solid home side and despite missing some regulars themselves, they’re still a very good home side and really should take advantage of Bahia’s growing list of absentees.
Verdict: Nautico to win at 5/6.
Zadar vs Dinamo Zagreb – away win with -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
In the past, Zadar have been a bit of a nightmare to face at home with their negative/defensive tactics. However, things have changed and they’ve started to try and play more open football. It’s partially working as they’re getting down the field quicker. However, they’re not converting their chances and they’re conceding a lot of goals as a result of it. Zadar are hosting the best side in Croatia today and irrespective of Dinamo’s committments elsewhere next week, they’ve got more than enough firepower to really punish minnows Zadar today.
Verdict: Dinamo Zagreb to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at evens.
Split vs Cibalia Vinkovci – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10.
Eh, Split are very, very solid at home. They defend religiously and take their chances very well indeed. They’re one of the ultimate home sides in Croatia over the past couple of years and can usually be relied upon. Cibalia, on the other hand, are going from bad to worse. They’re playing bad football and getting bad results because of it. They’re not as bad as the Prva Liga suggests but they’re certainly playing that badly right now. I just can’t help but feel that we’ll see a strong home win here.
Verdict: Split to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 11/10.
FC Copenhagen vs Brondby – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 9/10.
It’s the traditional Zealand derby and I’m going to bravely enter it full throttle by whole-heartedly backing Copenhagen to batter Brondby. Simply put, this is the worst Brondby side for some time and they lack just about everything. Even Krohn-Deli is losing his marbles so only old Rommedahl looks interested. Admittedly, this is a huge game for Brondby as they love to piss FC Copenhagen off but Copenhagen are starting to look good under Jacobs. They absolutely flattened AGF in their last game and it would have been more had they not got complacent. Copenhagen are two times better than Brondby nowadays and despite this being a fierce derby, you really have to favour Copenhagen in this one in a big way.
Verdict: FC Copenhagen to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 9/10.
Feyenoord Rotterdam vs Heerenveen – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
It’s finally happened; Heerenveen’s lethal trio of last season have all left. Dost, Narsingh, and now Assaidi have all left. They’ve signed Icelandic striker Finnbogason to help out in the goals department but he can’t play today. Heerenveen have next to no firepower, as their game against NEC Nijmegen indicated all too well. Feyenoord are not reliable at all in keeping clean sheets but they’ve got a good unity and they always score goals. Feyenoord often win their first home game of each Eredivisie campaign. I can’t help but feel that this should be a straightforward game for Feyenoord as long as they take their chances.
Verdict: Feyenoord Rotterdam to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 4/5.
Spartak Moscow vs Rubin Kazan’ – away win with draw no bet at 7/5.
Lastly, today’s long shot is Rubin to take advantage of Spartak today. Spartak have looked good so far this season but they are not great in the cohesion department, hence them often capitulating when things don’t go their way. That’s the reasoning behind them taking a pounding at Petrovskiy lately against Zenit. Zenit weren’t that much better than Spartak but Spartak imploded after they missed the penalty. Heads dropped, defending went to pieces, McGeady was (harshly) sent off, and Spartak will do well to recover today. They still have good players but a lot of their attacking play goes through McGeady. New signing Kallstrom is still out and Spartak find themselves with a bit of a mental block and with a lack of creativity. Rubin excel in playing big Russian sides as they defend very well and are smart tactically. Spartak are the perfect side for them to face as the Rubin counters will not be dealt with by Spartak. My sole concern would be the absence of the important Bocchetti for Rubin in defence but they still look very strong and patient to me. For me, there’s value in taking Rubin with draw no bet today.
Verdict: Rubin Kazan’ to win with draw no bet at 7/5.
Team news
Brazilian Serie A:
Fluminense – Deco, Fred, Edinho, Mateus Carvalho, Wellington Nem, and Marcos Junior are absent. Carlinhos, Bruno Vieira, and Anderson are doubts. Valencia returns.
Sport Recife – Moacir and Rivaldo are absent. Cicinho, Willian Rocha, and Magno Alves return.
Nautico – Kieza, Souza, Ronaldo Alves, and Rogerio are absent.
Bahia – Danny Morais, Fahei, Titi return. Ze Roberto, Coelho, Jeferson, Madson, Vander, Elias, Kleberson, and Avine are absent. Claudio Pitbull may debutise.
Sao Paulo – Rhodolfo, Osvaldo, Fabricio, and Canete are absent. Luis Fabiano is a doubt. Lucas Moura returns.
Ponte Preta – Tony, Wescley, Bruno Nunes, and Rene Junior are absent. Caio is a doubt. Rildo returns.
Bulgarian A PFG:
Minior Pernik – Mihov and Hristozov are absent.
Lokomotiv Sofia – Hristov may debutise.
Botev Vratsa – Vladinov, Rangelov, Chalakov, Valeriev, Naydenov, and Tsvetkovski are absent.
Pirin Gotse Delchev – New coach – Tenev.
Slavia Sofia – Yourukov has left.
Montana – Lichkov, D.Iliev, and Kostadinov are big doubts. Yanachkov returns.
Etar – Rusev is absent. N.Petrov is a doubt. Neri may debutise.
Cherno More Varna – Atanasov, Kamazola, R.Kolev, and Palominho are absent.
Croatian Prva Liga:
Cibalia Vinkovci – Matos and Juric are absent. Tokic may debutise. Line-up named – Matkovic, Rugasevic, Lucic, Zuparic, Mitrovic, Mazalo, Culic, Vitaic, Puljic, Koledic, and Bartolovic.
Dinamo Zagreb – Krstanovic, Kovacic, Badelj, and Tomacek are absent.
Inter Zapresic – No absentees.
Istra 1961 – Cagalj is absent. Pamic and Linic return.
Osijek – Milicevic, Pusic, and Sorsa are absent. Ibriks and Kvrzic are doubts. Line-up named – Vargic, Aleksic, Smoje, Vrgoc, Leskovic, Jugovic, Novakovic, Kurtovic, J.Misic, Perosevic, and Zulim.
Split – Serdarusic, Piric, Babic, Radeljic, and Krizanac are absent.
Rijeka – Mierzejewski and Mutambo are absent. Cesarec may debutise.
Zadar – Terkes and Mrsic are absent.
Danish Superligaen:
Silkeborg – M.Svensson, Ramussen, and Kiilerich are absent.
Randers – No absentees.
FC Copenhagen – Ottesen is absent.
Brondby – Albrechtsen is absent. Goodson returns.
English Premier League:
Arsenal – Oxlade-Chamberlain and Koscielny are absent. Walcott is a doubt.
Sunderland – Bardsley, Brown, and Vaughan are absent. Sessegnon is a doubt.
Fulham – Dempsey is absent.
Norwich City – Whittaker, Butterfield, and Garrido are absent. Pilkington and Hoolahan are doubts.
Queens Park Rangers – Barton, Mackie, and Traore are absent.
Swansea City – Sinclair is a doubt.
Reading – Kebe and Roberts are absent. Karacan is a doubt.
Stoke City – Pennant is a doubt.
West Bromwich Albion – Dorrans is absent. Olsson and Morrison are doubts.
Liverpool – No absentees.
West Ham United – Maiga, Diarra, and Collison are absent.
Aston Villa – Agbonlahor, Albrighton, and Dunne are absent.
Newcastle United – Cisse, Ba, Ben Arfa, and Cabaye are doubts.
Tottenham Hotspur – Gomes, Parker, and Modric are absent.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
HJK Helsinki – Makela is absent.
JJK Jyvaskyla – Wusu, Pasoja, and Tuomanen are absent. Latikka and Virtanen are doubts.
Inter Turku – Ojala and Bahne are absent.
FC Honka Espoo – Rexhepi, Ahola, and Aijala are absent.
KuPS Kuopio – Holopainen and Joenmaki are absent.
FC Lahti – Hukka, Kari, Veltheim, and Kemppinen are absent. Lansitalo returns. Ngueukam may debutise.
Finnish Ykkonen:
RoPS Rovaniemi – Maisonvaara, Lahdenmaki, and Vesala are absent. Tyystala returns.
Hameenlinna – No news.
KooTeePee Kotka – No news.
OPS Oulu – Huovinen is absent. Leandro Costa and up to eight new Nigerian players may debutise here.
SJK – Dorman, Penninkangas, Tiitus Lehtinen, and Yliharsila are absent. Cleaver and Hietaharju return. Kloo has been fired.
HiFK Helsinki – Kastrati, Hirvonen, Koskinen, Ranta, and Britschgi are absent. Karkkinen and Heinanen are doubts. Kibona returns.
Viikingit Helsinki – No news.
PK-35 Helsinki – Raimi, Karki, Faton Seferi, Oravainen, Weckstrom, and Kabashi are absent.
Dutch Eredivisie:
Feyenoord Rotterdam – Goossens, de Vrij, Elabdellaoui, te Vrede, and Clasie are doubts.
Heerenveen – Assaidi has left. Finnbogason and Kums are absent.
PEC Zwolle – Slot, Ketting, Olivje, and Boer are absent.
Vitesse Arnhem – Ibarra is absent.
NAC Breda – Seuntjens, Zonneveld, Edwards, and Leugens are absent.
Twente Enschede – Rendla, Boschker, is absent and Mihailyov is a doubt.
PSV Eindhoven – Pieters and Engelaar are absent. Wijndalum is a doubt.
Roda JC Kerkrade – Donald and Delorge are absent.
VVV Venlo – Maguire is absent.
FC Utrecht – Zullo, Bovenberg, and Ayoub are absent.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Jagiellonia Bialystok – Porebski is absent. Cionek is a doubt.
Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala – Patejuk has left.
Widzew Lodz – Batrovic, Mrozinski, and Kowalski are doubts. Hachem and Mehdi are in Ramadan atm and may not be 100% fit. Dudek had harsh words about his former club – Slask Wroclaw – and is determined to play well here.
Slask Wroclaw – Mila, Gikiewicz, Mraz, Pawlec, and Stevanovic are absent.
Lech Poznan – Murawski and Wolakiewicz are doubts.
Ruch Chorzow – No absentees.
Polish Liga 1:
Brzesko – Smolka, Oswiecimka, and Trznadel are absent.
Kolejarz Stroze – No news.
Katowice – No news.
Cracovia Krakow – Jarabica is absent.
Sandejca Nowy Sacz – Zlatohlavy left.
Flota Swinoujscie – No news.
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
SL Benfica– Aimar and Gaitan are doubts.
Sporting Braga – Yazalde, Paulo Cesar, Eder, Manoel, Luis Alberto, Baiano, and Cristiano are absent. Custodio and Douglao are doubts.
Rio Ave – Alberto Rodriguez, Jan Oblak, and Tiago Pinto are absent.
Maritimo Funchal – Obrahim, Ruben Brigado, Wellington, and Marcio Rozario are absent.
Romanian Liga:
Petrolul Ploiesti – Szukala has left.
Rapid Bucharest – Rui Duarte and Pancu return.
Gloria Bistrita – Trasca is absent.
Vaslui – Niculae is a doubt.
Russian Premier League:
Spartak Moscow – McGeady, Kallstrom, Parshivlyuk, Gatagov, and Bryzgalov are absent.
Rubin Kazan’ – Bocchetti and Sharonov are absent.
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod – Salugin is absent.
Lokomotiv Moscow – Torbinsky and Guilherme are absent.
FK Krasnodar – No absentees.
Rostov-na-Donu – Okoronkwo and Kirichenko are absent.
Scottish Premier League:
Ross County – Lawson and Scott are absent.
Celtic – McGeouch, Murphy, Stokes, Bangura, Ibrahim, McCourt, Brown, Forrest, and Twardzik are absent. Hooper is a doubt.
Hearts – Hamill, Ridgers, and Templeton are absent.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Hogg and Tudur-Jones are absent.
Kilmarnock – Hay and Heffernan are absent.
Motherwell – Saunders, Daley, and Hammell are absent.
St.Johnstone – Tade and Vine are absent.
Aberdeen – McGinn is absent.
St.Mirren – Reilly and Guy are absent.
Hibernian – Stevenson is absent.
Serbian Super Liga:
Spartak Subotica – No news.
Vojvodina Novi Sad – Skuletic and Trajkovic are absent.
Hajduk Kula – No news.
Radnicki Nis – No news.
BSK Borca – No news.
Sloboda Sevojno – No news.
Donji Srem – Neutral venue in Novi Sad.
Partizan Belgrade – Vukic is absent.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Real Mallorca – Abdon, Alvaro Gimenez, and Pablo Mari are absent. Arizmendi is a doubt.
Celta de Vigo – No absentees.
Malaga – Recio is absent. Eliseu is a doubt.
Sevilla CF – Hiroshi is absent. Javi Hervas is a doubt.
Getafe – Arroyo, Samuel, and Hugo are absent.
Espanyol – No absentees.
Swedish Allsvenskan:
Elfsborg Boras – S.Larsson, Jawo, and Fridgeirsson are absent. J.Jonsson returns. Helsingborg – Sadik, Lindstrom, Edman, Wahlstedt, and Hanstveit are absent. In a bizarre u-turn, Finnbogason has left and signed for Heerenveen.
Turkish Super Lig:
Karabukspor – Yigit Incedemir is absent. Ilhan Ozek is a doubt.
Trabzonspor – Gustavo Colman is absent.
Elazigspor – Sinan Ozkan, Ali Zorlu, and Caner Bulut are absent. Game played at neutral venue in Izmir.
Fenerbahce – Volkan Demirel and Serdar Kesimal are absent.
Gaziantepspor – Cenk Tosun is absent. Murat Ceylan is a doubt.
Sivasspor – Bednar is a doubt.