TFT Issue 506!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
I know, I know – 16 tips on a Friday is unheard of. You can imagine my displeasure at having to write them all out on a Thursday night, especially when I dislike betting on Fridays! Still, I like them all so let’s hope for some rare Friday luck! I hope you all find today’s post useful whether it’s in pre-match betting or as an in-play guide!
Featured game
HJK Helsinki vs Jaro Pietarsaari – HJK Helsinki to score over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Today’s featured game is the Veikkausliiga game between reigning champions HJK Helsinki and rock-bottom Jaro Pietarsaari. As far as I am concerned, you can either take this one pre-match or in-play as there should be value in it either way.
HJK are not as strong this season as they were last season; we can’t beat around the bush on that front. That said, they’re still arguably the top side in Finland and they definitely have the biggest squad too. Be realistic here; how many other sides could lose 5-7 first-team players pre-season and still be challenging for the title? Not many, especially not in Finland. HJK are very much the side to beat in Finland and their home form shows why. On their artificial turf at the Sonera Stadion, HJK dominate most sides, hence them winning nine out of twelve home games this season whilst averaging scoring over three goals per game. I don’t think Muurinen has actually decided his best attacking side and I don’t think he cares, either. With Makela, Savage, Sadik, Pelvas, and hot prospect Pohjanpalo to choose from, who can blame him? He’s got more options up front than most other sides in the Veikkausliiga have put together, especially now big Sadik is back from his lengthy lay-off. Muurinen’s signings (perhaps barring Ashraf) have all been very smart. Look at Vayrynen – he’s far, far too good for the Veikkausliiga and it’s shown in every game he’s played in the blue-and-white of Helsinki this season. The same goes for Perovuo (although obviously not to the same level). They can mix it up with promising youngster Schuller and old battleaxe Okkonen if need be. Zeneli and Mannstrom provide the width, as does the advancing Sorsa from full-back. HJK have plenty of creative and potent threats in attack and although their defence isn’t as secure as last season, this side is very much engineered to score goals. They’ve bagged eight goals in their last three home games and they’ve only scored less than two goals in a home game on three occasions this season, just to give you an idea of how consistent and reliable HJK tend to be at home, which is precisely what I expect from them today.
I like Jaro. I like their manager Eremenko, too. I don’t want them to be relegated, to be frank. Unless Haka capitulate under their new manager, though, I think it will be them as KuPS really are too good to be relegated. Jaro’s surge of momentum has come to an abrupt end and this side has now suffered five straight defeats as a consequence. Morale is low and there are very few players in this squad who can change it. Agyeman was one of the few match-winners that Jaro had but he’s left on loan and signed for TPS Turku so he won’t be playing here. Eremenko used his old contacts at HJK to secure Egyptian striker Ashraf on loan although I’m not entirely sure why as their strike duo of Jonke and Niang are lethal with the right service. The big problem is that you look at this side and you don’t see where the chances will come from. They’ve got some decent/average players in midfield but no special players now Agyeman has gone. They’re a mess defensively and now that Vaganov is out too, it’s beyond impossible for me to consider that HJK will end this game without scoring at least twice. Jaro have conceded at least three goals in three out of their last five Veikkausliiga games and lost here 4-1 earlier in the season against a rusty HJK side thanks to some bloody awful defensive mistakes and I expect more of the same today.
HJK not winning this game would be a big surprise. I’m not interested in the handicap, though – I know how good Jaro’s front two are if they get the service that they deserve and I know that HJK are not as secure defensively as they once were. However, their firepower is very good so taking HJK to score over 2.5 goals at 5/6 looks superb to me, even for a cursed Friday!
Verdict: HJK Helsinki to score over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Additional games
Kortrijk vs Club Brugge – over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
I have to admit that I was very surprised to see odds of 5/6 on this selection today. Perhaps the bookies will be the ones laughing after it but I like this bet very much and I’ll explain why.
Contrary to their statistics in the Eerste Klasse thus far, Kortrijk are an attacking side; a goalscoring side. They lost some important attacking players pre-season but they’ve still a side that scores goals at will if the right players are in their squad. Chavarria, Veselinovic, and Joseph-Monrose were their three-pronged attack. All three moved on at the end of last season with the former two returning to Anderlecht. Anderlecht have too many forwards, though, which has led to Chavarria returning to Kortrijk, which is great news for Kortrijk. His pace and trickery alongside big N’For should provide a lethal attack for Kortrijk this season and I expect to see it bloom from this game forth. We should see more of Oussalah and Pavlovic now that Chavarria is here to act as a link-up man and I like that thought as they become the goalscoring force that they’re notorious for in Belgium. They’re not as good defensively as their record portrays, either – their main weapon is that they tend to work harder than most other sides, which is hard for their opponents to handle.
Visitors Club Brugge are definitely the better side here but you’re a braver man than I am if you take that bet here. I know it’s tempting to take a side on paper that scores so many goals but there’s something funny about Guldensporenstadion and Club Brugge know it; they’ve not won here in their last four attempts in the Eerste Klasse. You have to fight like warriors to get a result here and Club Brugge have some players that are not grafters despite being talented. I won’t deny that Club Brugge have tremendous firepower, though – Tchite, Vazquez, Bacca, Lestienne, Vleminckx – they’re all good strikers. What a midfield, too – hotshot Meunier, experienced Jorgensen, playmaker Zimling, battleaxe Odjidja-Ofoe, clever Blondel, and the superb Rafaelov make hard games for all opponents of Club Brugge. Their defence is susceptible, though, as ever. It’s either too slow, playing too high a line, or making too many stupid mistakes to be relied upon with any kind of confidence. Leekens’ team is scoring goals for fun, though, and they’ll need to do that here to win as I’m sure that they’ll concede.
Therefore, I’d much rather plump for over 2.5 goals at generous odds of 5/6 rather than take the risk of the away win at what is essentially one of the toughest away venues in Belgium for my money.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Osijek – under 2.5 goals at evens.
I have to confess that I’m a bit too cynical nowadays to accept that this game will be anything but a home win. Without necessarily playing the best football, Dinamo Zagreb tend to win the majority of their games and especially so at home. They’ve actually had a penalty awarded in their favour in every Prva Liga game this season so don’t bet against them not winning today, as tempting as the odds may be. It’s only on rare occasions that this side doesn’t win at Maksimir, I assure you!
However, as far as the match itself goes, I think we’re in for an under 2.5 goals today. Osijek have done very well this season when it comes to stopping other sides from playing against them. They’ve not done well when the impetus has been on them to attack and score goals as they’re simply not very good at it and other sides pick their defence apart when they’re forced forward into attacks. It’s in defending and counter-attacking where Osijek’s strengths lie and to be honest, they’re not that good at counter-attacking! Well, perhaps that’s a tad harsh on Osijek – they’re good at the act of counter-attacking; I just don’t rate their finishing on them. How many goals have their strikers scored since Maglica departed for Hajduk Split pre-season? Yes, that’s right – none. Their midfield is fresh and mobile but goalscoring is not a strength of Osijek’s and I doubt they’ll have sufficient chances here today for them to change that, much as though their motivation will be high. Dinamo will no doubt play their usual game and win this one via their typical penalty or perhaps a bit of magic from Sammir. Kovacic returns today to boost Cacic’s options and they’ve got goalscorers in Cop and Rukavina. Vrsaljko is always a threat on the flank and the steel of Jerko Leko is there in case they do need a bit of composure and experience in midfield. Dinamo could and should win this one although I do think that they’ll be made to battle for it by Osijek’s defence. Osijek rarely concede more than once in Zagreb and although I’d not dare say that they won’t do that today against a side boasting such strong attacking options, what I would say is that Dinamo tend to score goals efficiently rather than playing with flair and creativity. That in itself gave me the thought to “Dutch” the 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines here. However, I find plenty of value in taking under 2.5 goals at evens and that is my preferred choice here, especially when you consider that Dinamo Zagreb will be very intent on making sure their players don’t work too hard ahead of their tough UEFA Champions League game with FC Porto next week.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at evens.
Jablonec vs Marila Pribram – home win with -1.5 handicap at evens.
Well, we’re six games into the Gambrinus Liga and already the table looks as it should with Plzen and Sparta battling for top spot and Jablonec and Slovan Liberec vying for third spot. Odds on these four being the top four at the end of the season?! I’d take whatever they offer!
Onto more pressing matters, though – one of the unwritten rules of Gambrinus Liga betting is to not oppose Jablonec at home. Quality-wise, only Viktoria Plzen and Sparta Prague can win here but even they struggle. I don’t know what it is about this place that other sides find so hard to deal with, though. Jablonec aren’t an especially good side but old Lafata scores goals for fun when playing at the Chance Arena. Jablonec play with plenty of belief at home and they attack with conviction, which tends to be enough for them to overcome their opponents. Cizek is having a great season and there’s bags of experience in this side so I always rate Jablonec on their own turf.
Pribram – well, they’re shits to bet for or against, if you’re superstitious! They turn up when they have no right to and they capitulate when they should win! Still, this season shows all too well that they are not scoring goals and that’s a huge problem. They moved quickly to loan back former striking hero Wagner from Viktoria Plzen and he’ll help them beat the drop this season, I’m sure. He’s yet to register in six games, though, and his fellow strikers have all suffered similar fates. I’m sure that they eventually will clock up a win this season but I would be amazed if that turned out to be today. The Chance Arena is one of the few venues where Pribram do as they’re told, usually taking a battering from Jablonec. In fact, they’ve lost 5-1 during their last two visits here. A cheeky punt on 5-1 today, anyone?!
I’ve not heard any team news regarding this game, sadly, so it may be prudent to do some digging before taking the plunge. What can I say, though? This should be a very one-sided game if things go as they usually do and thus the -1.5 handicap appeals to me today at evens.
Verdict: Jablonec to beat the -1.5 handicap at evens.
Esbjerg vs OB Odense – away win at 13/10.
OB are 13/10 here? I’d love to know why!
I’d be the first to say that they’re nowhere near the side that they were a couple of years ago but there’s a reason that they’re where they are in the Superligaen this season and it’s because they’re working exceptionally hard. They got rid of the deadweights and the free-loaders such as Mendy and Djemba-Djemba. Instead, they brought in grafters and now they look a solit unit again. I doubt they’ll be challenging for much this season but they’ve built a side to endure under Bech and I admire that. They’ve recognised that they’re not good enough to dominate anyone nowadays and they’ve adapted themselves accordingly. Every point that OB have got this season has come about because they’ve worked bloody hard for it, which was a characteristic that they really missed last season. I have to be honest, too – I’m really impressed with who they’ve brought in to do their dirty work. Big Morten Skoubo up front has been around and he’s a handful. Marcus Pedersen has tremendous potential and Rurik Gislason has bags of pace and skill. Only a determined Aalborg BK have managed to handle OB Odense this season; everyone else has failed to deal with their tenacity. I respect Esbjerg’s tenacity as it’s literally all that they have left with their atrocious defence and dwindling attack but that’s all that they have, in a nutshell. Rieks’ departure leaves them very short of quality and it’s more than evident too. Esbjerg have never been able to defend and that fused with their inability to score goals makes them sitting ducks for the right opponents. I think OB Odense have more than enough about them today to make their hard work count. For me, there has to be value on the away win at 13/10.
Verdict: OB Odense to win at 13/10.
Haka Valkeakoski vs IFK Mariehamn – under 2.5 goals at 10/11.
Haka have finally appointed a new manager following the sacking of Ristila and it was an intelligent one, in my view. They’ve brought in Malinen from AC Oulu and his sides know how to defend, which is precisely why he was brought in, I suspect. If they keep clean sheets for the majority of the remaining campaign then they’re not going down because Jaro are. Malinen has to cope without pacey Metzger and regular midfielder Marco Matrone so I’m not so sure about Haka’s chances of actually winning this game. I mean, Robinson will always be a dangerous threat, as will his fellow compatriot McFaul, but scoring goals is something that Haka simply don’t do very well. They should be motivated to perform for their new boss today, though, and they need points so I expect a tenacious display from Haka.
IFK Mariehamn may look like they’d be pushing for three points here, based on their Veikkausliiga placing. You could be forgiven for thinking that they have a legitimate shot at the Veikkausliiga crown but I would immediately dismiss such notions, whether I am made to look a fool or not at the end of the season. This side was built around playmaker and set piece specialist Forsell, who has now moved on to Bursaspor. It’s really not a coincidence that they’ve only won two out of their five games since his departure and I think we’ll see them win less and less as the season draws to a close. They’re still very well-organised and hard-working but goalscoring is not a forté of theirs and playing away from Aland does not suit them at all. The return of Kangaskolkka does give them a shot at doing well here and let’s be brutally honest; they are a better side than Haka are. Still, you all know as well as I do the effects that a new manager can have at a club and IFK are a shade vulnerable right now so I am curious to see the final scoreline today.
Nonetheless, taking under 2.5 goals appeals to me a lot at 10/11 as neither side will push for another goal if they have the lead and both sides struggle to get the lead in their respective circumstances.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 10/11.
VPS Vaasa vs FC Lahti – both sides to score at 4/5.
This should be another fascinating one, really. I favour VPS because they’re a very solid side this season but FC Lahti have impressed me a lot of late so a surprise is not impossible.
Holding midfielder Fowler is absent for VPS, which is a blow as they’ll find it hard to contain Lahti without him. Parikka’s absence isn’t ideal but Morrissey is the core of this VPS attack so I am not too bothered. The return of Koskimaa will be a welcome one for VPS fans after his absence but he’ll be far from match fit. The same can be said of his fellow defender Woodbine, who has only just got back from international duty and will almost certainly be knackered here. Still, Heini, Lod, and Strandvall give Morrissey plenty of help up fornt so I expect VPS to score here, especially in front of their own fans where they almost always turn it on.
Lahti have been crap on the road so far this season and maybe they will be today. However, they look a completely different side now that they have a goalscorer in their side in Ngueukam. The pressure is off Rafael, which should leave him free to embrace his playmaker-esque role and there’s plenty of fight in this Lahti side although they’re undeniably short of quality overall. Lahti have looked confident and enthusiastic of late and they’re scoring goals for fun so they won’t be afraid of VPS today, as tough a venue as Vaasa can be to play at.
I expect an unusually open game in Vaasa and both sides really should score here if they play as well as they both have in their respective games. Both have the firepower required for this one to win at 4/5.
Verdict: Both sides to score at 4/5.
MyPa Anjalankoski vs Inter Turku – over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
As baffling as it unquestionably is, MyPa are still battling for a European place next season and they may well get one. They’ve played some superb football despite being desperately short of quality and many sides have found them really hard to play against in the Veikkausliiga. At home, they’ve been beaten just once this season, actually emerging victorious in seven out of their eleven home games. They don’t concede many at home, either, which is the secret behind most of their home games going under 2.5 goals. MyPa fuse hard work with good football and that combination has proved to be deadly this season. That said, they’re entertaining one of the most potent sides in Finland today and I’m confident that Inter Turku will at least score here. Sure, there’s no Lehtonen available but there’s Sirbiladze, Paajanen, Kauko, and especially Ojala who can cause problems today. I’ve not got much faith in Inter actually winning this game, as essential as it is for them to keep winning, as there are far too many regulars out for my liking, including Bahne and Bouwman, neither of which Inter have a natural replacement for. I expect both sides to attack with conviction here and to score goals so taking over 2.5 goals at 5/6 does appeal to me a lot in this game, especially given the importance of it in the battle for European football.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Augsburg vs VfL Wolfsburg – over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
I had a lot of faith in Wolfsburg pre-season given the quality of their manager and the excellent signings that they’d made but they completely imploded against Hannover 96 and took a pounding because of it. Therefore, we have to revert back to expecting of Wolfsburg what we did of them last season; to sporadically score goals and always concede them.
Now, Wolfsburg have a better group of individuals than Augsburg do but Augsburg are a better unit than Wolfsburg are so I’ve no idea who will actually triumph here. I would edge toward Augsburg on the basis that Wolfsburg clearly still have a long way to go whereas Augsburg are a fairly complete unit. Augsburg were spirited but outplayed in their difficult away game with Schalke 04 but that’s no more than was expected for a side with limited quality. At home, they tend to be a force to be reckoned with, not that they showed it against Dusseldorf in their opening Bundesliga game. Prior to that defeat, only Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and Stuttgart had won at Augsburg since their loss against Hoffenheim. They’ve got plenty of pace and power up front but their defence looks weaker than last year, which is a problem for them. They will score goals, given chance, but they’re going to concede more than they should too. Wolfsburg are in the same boat but with better quality players, essentially.
I don’t know how Magath’s team will respond to their awful defeat against Hannover but the quality is still there for them to cause problems. Subsequently, I believe that taking over 2.5 goals at 5/6 is a must here, especially as both encounters between these two sides last season involved at least two goals being scored.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Kaposvari Rakoczi vs Ujpest – over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Despite their less-than-impressive Soproni Liga placing thus far, it’s worth noting that Ujpest are not only looking motivated but have bolstered their ranks pre-season. This sleeping giant has done well in all of their games thus far, despite being handed some very tough opening games. They need time for their new signings to gel but they look good, for what it’s worth. Their performances over the last few years have been shocking but perhaps the tide is finally turning for the purple-and-white of Budapest. Belgian boss Daerden has improved their attacking capabilities and is reportedly close to signing Sonck for them too, which would be an impressive coup. This side is more of a threat today than the bookies recognise and it’ll be interesting to see if that’s reflected in the scoreline at the end of the game. Hosts Kaposvari Rakoczi are no mugs themselves but they have zero capabilities defensively. They can and will concede against everyone although in the same breath, the combination of playmaker Safaric and his fellow countryman Vrucina forges a dangerous attack for Kaposvari. They’ve only failed to score in seven Soproni Liga home games since August 2010 so you know what to expect from them when they’re at home.
I’d not entertain the 1×2 market today but taking over 2.5 goals appeals to me a lot at 4/5 as I believe we may see a surprise from Ujpest.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Zalgiris Vilnius vs Banga Gargzdai – under 2.5 goals at 2/1.
This one is the long shot of the day but the odds definitely make it worth a punt!
Zalgiris are the better of these two A Lyga outfits but I think that the odds are a joke, especially considering that Zalgiris couldn’t score a goal against them in their last meeting. Indeed, all of the heavyweights in recent times have struggled to break through what is rapidly becoming a notoriously resilient Banga Gargzdai side. You’d expect Zalgiris to find a way through sooner or later but you would have done last time. You would have done for Suduva Marijampole too, who are by far a more potent side than Zalgiris. You would for Siauliai, too, who are easily the best attacking side in Lithuania right now. None of the managed it against Banga over the past couple of months, though. This side has got an extra level of confidence right now and they will fight for every ball here. Zalgiris may well edge it but the odds are a joke. I love the idea of this one going under 2.5 goals at 2/1 as neither side pushes for a second goal when they have the lead and both are capable of defending very well, hence my selection of under 2.5 goals!
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 2/1.
Dinamo Bucharest vs CFR Cluj – away win with draw no bet at 4/5.
This one is rapidly becoming a public bet so it may be wise to climb aboard before the odds drop further.
Dinamo Bucharest are reportedly in a bad way. There have been internal fights (the biggest of which is reported to have been between Rus and Boubacar) whilst the manager is accused of favouritism. Dinamo’s players haven’t been paid in three months and they’re not playing good football. Scutaru, Axente, Cristea, Filip, Roman, Stratila, and Dobrosavlevici played earlier this week in the Cup whilst their opponents are very fresh, especially considering that Dinamo had more players playing at international level over the past couple of weeks. With limited support, limited talent, and a whole host of internal conflicts, it’s hard to see Dinamo winning this one today.
Andone knows his old club well and that showed in the Super Cup Final, irrespective of Cluj eventually losing that game in extra-time. Some say Dinamo haven’t played well since then whereas Cluj have, albeit in spells. The only problem I ever have with backing Cluj is their application because everything else is there. Quality, strength in-depth, experience – Cluj have it all. When they can’t be bothered, though, they tend to fuck things up massively and not get anything from their games. Still, Andone will have them pumped up for the game against his old club and rumour has it that there’s a particularly big kitty for the Romanian Liga winners this season so Cluj should really be taking this one very seriously indeed. They don’t miss anyone of great importance here, helpfully, so they realistically should do the job.
Either way, I would be surprised to see them lose against an inferior Dinamo side so the away win with draw no bet interests me a lot at 4/5.
Verdict: CFR Cluj to win with draw no bet at 4/5.
Zenit St.Petersburg vs Terek Grozny – home win with -1.5 handicap at 10/11.
I am full of admiration for the well-organised displays that Terek have put in of late but they’re out of their depth here. They’ve won at an out-of-sorts Dinamo Moscow and a battling display at Rubin Kazan’ but no more than that and both wins can be explained as Rubin didn’t take their chances and probably didn’t create enough of them either, not until the second-half, anyway. I like who Cherchesov has brought into the Terek squad, in all honesty. Smart signings like Rybus and Legear add to a midfield that already has Pavlenko and Georgiev and that makes them good. Their defence is experienced and the squad works well as a unit. I expect them to have a good season, in all honesty, which would make a nice change for them. However, they’re playing at Petrovskiy today, not in Chechnya or even in a more friendly place. Zenit dominate sides here and usually score a number of goals to boot. I think it’ll be hard for them but they should ultimately break through Terek and when one goal is scored, more should follow. Don’t forget what happened to Terek in Vladikavkaz – they fell behind, lost their heads, their players saw red, and they were thumped 5-0 as a result. They won’t want to see it again but they have temperamental players and this a very tough fixture so maybe we’ll see more of the same today. Either way, Zenit should be far too good for Terek today, especially with Hulk and Witsel now in their ranks. For me, the -1.5 handicap is appealing at 10/11.
Verdict: Zenit St.Petersburg to beat the -1.5 handicap at 10/11.
Real Madrid II vs Sabadell – home win with -1 Asian Handicap at 6/5.
This one is simply about goalscoring ability, basically. I took the same bet with Barcelona II at home and I’ll do the same today with Real Madrid II. Sabadell love to be in control of games; don’t forget that. If they can play their way, they simply won’t concede; that’s their primary concern in each Segunda Liga game. To beat them, you have to take them out of their comfort zone and away from their tiny pitch. At home, they call the shots, hence a vastly superior Almeria and a good Hercules Alicante both losing at Sabadell lately. Away from home, they’re more vulnerable and I expect them to lose most of their away games this season because they have no response when they concede the first goal. This side has no answer and no alternative if that happens, which is precisely what I expect to happen today. Sabadell will push out and may even have some joy with a dubious Real Madrid II defence but in doing so they’re going to concede a few goals. I think this is very much a lose-lose game for Sabadell because I think Real Madrid II will exploit them whichever way they try to play it. For me, there’s value on Real Madrid II -1 Asian Handicap at 6/5, especially if they score the first goal.
Verdict: Real Madrid II to beat the -1 Asian Handicap at 6/5.
Dundee United vs Ross County – under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Dundee United have been one of the more impressive SPL sides this season, hence them continually using the same line-up. Why would you fix something that isn’t broken? They should really win this one too, although the odds are a tad short for me when you consider that Ross County haven’t lost a game for what – 40-odd games now? That record will come to an abrupt end at some stage, quite possibly even today, but that record gives Ross County confidence and I think that they’ll frustrate Dundee United here with their rigid 4-5-1. Dundee United have the firepower to break through Ross County, one way or another, but I think that it’ll take them time and it’ll be very hard going. Daly and Russell look good enough to eventually do the damage so this may be one to in-play if Dundee United get to around 10/11 but the value has to be under 2.5 goals at 4/5, in my opinion, especially with Ross County having scored twice and conceded once over their past five SPL games, hence my selection.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Syrianska Sodertalje vs IFK Norrkoping – away win with draw no bet at evens.
The motivation factor is quite clearly on the side of relegation-threatened Syrianska but I have little faith in them being able to command games, you know? They’re too weak to do it! They concede stupid goals when they try to assert their authority and they don’t score goals frequently enough nor consistently enough. Sharbel Touma is the leading light of their attack as he’s by far the best player in their team but he can’t play today, which is a pretty huge blow for Syrianska. Regular defender Somi misses out too, which again doesn’t help. Signing playmaker Harbuzi in the transfer window was a smart move, I feel, but he’s still yet to feature so that also doesn’t help Syrianska. Syrianska are a bunch of misfits that work hard and love to upset the odds. When it comes to doing what is expected of them at home and breaking sides down, however, they tend to fall short and usually have men sent off whilst doing so.
Can IFK Norrkoping capitalise on that? I think so. They both use artificial turf so this isn’t going to be a particularly hard one for IFK Norrkoping. The visitors have more experience and better players than their hosts and despite essential defender Skjonsberg being absent for them today, I still rate their ability to put the ball in the net much more highly than I do Syrianska’s, irrespective of the fact that Ajdarevic no longer players for IFK. Thovaldsson and Nyman have looked good up front this season in the Allsvenskan and there’s plenty of support for them from midfield. One particular weapon that IFK have is their pace on the counter-attack and they should be able to wield it perfectly here as Syrianska have to attack them with points being more necessary to them than to their opponents. Away from home, IFK have only lost against heavyweights/good goalscoring sides this season and there’s a good reason for that. They may be daft defensively sometimes but they’re smart tactically and they know how to score goals. Underestimate IFK at your own peril!
They don’t need the points but I think they’ll get all three today. Syrianska are too bland and predictable when it comes to trying to break other sides down and without influential leader Touma available, I can’t see Syrianska beating what is essentially a better side than themselves. Therefore, my call is for IFK to win with draw no bet at evens.
Verdict: IFK Norrkoping to win with draw no bet at evens.
Team news
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Kortrijk – Matton is absent.
Club Brugge – Blondel is absent. Meunier, Rafaelov, and Donk are doubts.
Croatian Prva Liga:
Dinamo Zagreb – Tomacek is absent. Carrasco and Brozovic will debutise. Kovacic returns.
Osijek – No news.
Danish Superligaen:
Esbjerg – No absentees.
OB Odense – Vadocz and Silberbauer may debutise.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
Haka Valkeakoski – Metzger and M.Matrone are absent. New boss – Malinen. Attakora may debutise.
IFK Mariehamn – Kangaskolkka returns.
HJK Helsinki – Ashraf has left on loan. Mannstrom is a doubt.
Jaro Pietarsaari – Ashraf and Vaganov are absent. Irwin may debutise. Agyeman has left on loan.
MyPa Anjalankoski – Sihvola, A.Lody, and Ramadingaye are absent. Sesay is a doubt. Hockey game today that is expected to command the attention of the majority of MyPa fans so attendance should be low.
Inter Turku – Bahne, Diallo, Lehtonen, Kauppi, Bouwman, and Laiho are absent. Lehto has left on loan.
VPS Vaasa – Parikka and Fowler are absent. Koskimaa returns. Woodbine is a doubt, as is Lod.
FC Lahti – Backman, Kari, Kemppinen, and Hukka are absent. Hietanen and Grossohmichen are doubts. Tuomi returns.
French Ligue 1:
Paris Saint-Germain – Douchez, Le Crom, Lugano, van der Wiel, Thiago Silva, Lavezzi, Tiene, Sissoko, Bodmer, and Luyindula are absent.
Toulouse – Aguemon, Firmin, and Vidal are absent. Yannick Djalo may debutise.
Stade de Reims – Fortes, Ramare, Fofana, Ayite, and Toudic are absent. Souare returns.
Montpellier HSC – El Kaoutari is absent. Estrada returns. Yanga-Mbiwa may be rested.
German Bundesliga:
Augsburg – Jentzsch, Philip, Bah, Callsen-Bracker, Koo, Musona, Nebel, Thiede, and Molders are absent.
VfL Wolfsburg – Helmes, Pilar, Drewes, Cale, Knoche, Kyrgiakos, Madlung, Russ, M.Schulze, Arnold, Hasani, Kich, and Medojevic are absent.
German Bundesliga 2:
Energie Cottbus – Brinkmann and Brzenska are absent.
FSV Frankfurt – A.Jung, Gaus, Leckie, Tosunoglu, and Schlicke are absent.
Ingolstadt – Metzelder and Buchner are absent.
Union Berlin – Kohlmann, Kopplin, Zoundi, and Parensen are absent.
VfL Bochum – Esser, Acquistapace, Fabian, Dabrowski, Delura, Aydin, and Toski are absent.
1860 Munich – Makos is absent.
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Szombathelyi Haladas – Rado is absent.
Kaposvari Rakoczi – Waltner is absent.
Ujpest – Sonck may feature.
Ferencvaros – No news.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Stromsgodset – Strand and Aas are absent. Kovacs, Johansen, Konradsen, and Madsen return. Kwarasey is a doubt.
Aalesund FK – Barrantes, Morrison, Stewart, and Phillips are doubts. Tollas and Ulvestad return.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala – No news.
Slask Wroclaw – Mila is absent. Levy is new boss.
Pogon Szczecin – Noll and Lawa are absent.
Wisla Krakow – Sobolewski and Boguski are absent.
Polish Liga 1:
Cracovia Krakow – Jarabica and Nitbazonkiza are absent.
Warta Poznan – Magdziarz is absent.
Katowice – Rakels returns.
Nieciecza – Skolorzynski, Kaczmarczyk, Biskup, and Jarecki are absent.
Romanian Liga:
Dinamo Bucharest – Ba and Koulibaly are absent. Tucudean is a doubt.
CFR Cluj – Sare, Ronny, Vass, and Deac are absent. Muresan returns. Dos Santos, Aguirregay, and Bjelanovic may debutise.
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt – Garcia is absent.
FC Brasov – D.Dragan, Buga, and Viveiros are absent.
Scottish Premier League:
Dundee United – Mackay-Steven and Vignal are absent.
Ross County – Fotheringham is absent.
Swedish Allsvenskan:
Syrianska Sodertalje – Touma and Somi are absent.
IFK Norrkoping – Skjonsberg is absent.