TFT Issue 515!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Apologies for the number of games today. As ever, take what you wish and let’s hope for some luck, eh?
Featured game
Teplice vs Viktoria Plzen – away win at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the Gambrinus Liga game between Teplice and giants Viktoria Plzen.
Seven games have gone now and Teplice find themselves at the bottom of the division. They’ve never been the most efficient or consistent of sides but what they used to be notorious for was their insufferable tenacity when it comes to pissing off their opponents and their ability to score goals. This season, they look bereft of confidence and belief, let alone tenacity, and they’ve bagged just three goals in seven games. All good and bad runs come to an end but Prerost’s team is really struggling right now and they’ve not deserved to take any points of late, hence their predicament. It’s a bit weird that they’re in this position, truth be told. They’ve struggled financially for a while but they’ve kept hold of Mahmutovic up front and his fellow Bosnians in midfield – Ljevakovic, Melunovic, and Cojic – so they’re hardly bereft of quality. Keric is a good striker at this level – when fit – and Jarolim is a cracking addition to a midfield that already contains veteran playmaker Vachousek. I can name six sides off the top of my head that are a lot worse than Teplice (on paper) but they’re not the ones at the bottom of the table. Teplice are struggling in all the key areas because of their mental issues and have scored just once in their past five Gambrinus Liga games. In addition to the above, their best defender, old Petr Lukas, is suspended today and the centre-back’s absence leaves us with a virtual guarantee that Teplice will concede at least one goal here.
Of course, we need a “frosty” Viktoria Plzen display to make sure it happens. Teplice will jump on any side that doesn’t give 100% against them so as long as the visitors aren’t shattered from their win against Academica de Coimbra earlier this week then they really should deliver the goods. There are some sides in the Gambrinus Liga that Viktoria Plzen don’t like playing against because of their playing style but Teplice isn’t one of them as they’ll usually give as good as they get, which gives Viktoria Plzen the time and space to maneouvre their way around their opponents and score goals. Viktoria Plzen have beaten Teplice for four consecutive league meetings in a row now and I really expect this game to be another one win today. Viktoria Plzen do have injury problems themselves with winger Kolar and their best striker Bakos both on the sidelines. Bakos’ fellow countryman Duris and fat Horvath in midfield are both doubts for this game but I expect at least one of them to feature. Truth be told, Viktoria Plzen have a lot of depth in their side and the fact that they can call upon Darida, Rajtoral, Hanousek etc. in midfield even with Kolar and potentially Horvath being out demonstrates the strength of their midfield. As long as they take their chances against a vulnerable Teplice defence then they really should claim three points today.
For me, the value has to be on the away win at 4/5. Be careful, though – these two sides like to play open and attacking football so be prepared for a few heart-attacks if you watch it!
Verdict: Viktoria Plzen to win at 4/5.
Additional games
Club Brugge vs Cercle Brugge – over 3 goals at 11/10.
This should be an interesting one today. Obviously, both sides play at the Jan Breydelstadion so nobody has home advantage.
Club Brugge obviously tend to win the majority of their games against close neighbours Cercle Brugge but please be wary of the fact that this is the game of the season for Cercle Brugge in every single year and they will work very hard to get a result here.
Will they have any joy? I don’t honestly know. Their morale must be pretty poor following six consecutive defeats. Their defence has looked old and slow and they’ll be particularly vulnerable against a quick and exciting Club Brugge attack. Still, van Eeno, Smolders, Uchebo, and former Anderlecht forward Iachtchouk can be threats if the sun is shining and I do expect Cercle Brugge to make something happen here. Their fans might eventually forgive a 0-3 drubbing against Anderlecht but losing without a fight against their bitter rivals will cause riots in the streets of Brugge; it just won’t happen!
Realistically, Club Brugge should flatten Cercle Brugge with their tremendous firepower and they most likely will. However, Club Brugge have just come back from a 4-0 humbling in France against Girondins de Bordeaux so who knows where their heads are at? They’re dubious enough in defence to concede plenty of goals here and with their opponents unquestionably fresher than they are, I fancy Cercle Brugge to at least score here. However, given that Cercle Brugge have shipped at least two goals per game for five out of their last six games, you have to fear for them today. I’d make a case for Club Brugge possessing the strongest and most varied attack in Belgium this year and I feel that they’ll rip Cercle Brugge apart if they apply themselves correctly.
However, knowing how this fixture has the potential to sting, I’d rather avoid the 1×2 market unless betting in-play. Instead, I’m happy to opt for over 3 goals at 11/10 as I expect both sides to score and Cercle Brugge to concede a number of goals.
Verdict: Over 3 goals at 11/10.
Montana vs Cherno More Varna – under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Pre-season, cash-strapped Montana were forced to part with three of their best attacking players, hence their predicament this season. Montana are well-known for their attacking football in Bulgaria, especially at home. They were capable of the surprise at home last season because of this and that characteristic is now pretty much gone, sadly. It’s going to be a very tough season for little Montana, to be blunt. Nonetheless, they’re a spirited and determined side and I think that they’ll cause Cherno More Varna problems today. Cherno More Varna are the better side but away from home with no momentum whatsoever they’re certainly not in the best position to win this game. Cherno More Varna have a lethal attacking trio – when they’re playing well – but when they’re not, the visitors today just look horribly bereft of ideas in the final third. They’re quite good defensively; not many sides score a lot of goals against them. In attack, though, they just look a mess this season.
Both sides are capable of winning this one so stay away from the 1×2 market. Based on the way the two sides have played thus far, though, I’m left with no option but to consider under 2.5 goals a good value bet at 4/5.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Hajduk Split vs Slaven Koprivnica – home win at 9/10.
Since they sold Vukusic, I’ve been a bit hesitant about backing Prva Liga heavyweights Hajduk Split. No wins in four Prva Liga games is hardly the most ideal form to bring into this fixture, either. I’ll give Hajduk a bit of leeway, though – three of those games were away from home.
Hajduk’s problems today were increased by the news that striker Maglica is unavailable so it’ll all be down to Montenegrin forward Vukovic today. Still, that doesn’t concern me too much as Hajduk rely predominantly on their excellent midfield to cause damage anyway, hence Caktas already bagging four goals this season. Radosevic, Andrijasevic, Oremus, and Caktas are a solid bunch of midfielders and I think that they’ll provide enough support today in order for Hajduk to break their poor run and beat a good Slaven Koprivnica side today.
If Hajduk are missing arguably their two strikers, though, why have I opted to take them to win today? It does seem strange on the fact of it, especially when you consider that Slaven Koprivnica are the closest side to the top two in the Prva Liga that there’s ever been, even though they’ve still not mastered the art of winning away from home. However, they enter this game on the back of a 1-3 home defeat against Rijeka, which won’t sit well with them. The main news from the Slaven Koprivnica camp today was their number of absentees, though. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that over a third of their starting eleven are missing out today. Their midfield has been decimated by the absences of Rak and Canadija whilst regular forward Saban and essential defender Puric both miss out too. Vugrinec is still lethal in front of goal and Busic is a handful if not handled properly (although his former club should know how to handle him) but without Rak in their midfield, I do have to question how many chances that they’ll be able to create, even with Delic still available. Slaven don’t have a good record in Split, losing seven out of their last eight Prva Liga visits here and actually having lost four out of the last five meetings between the two sides in general. It’s hard for me to envision them changing that today, even with Vugrinec in their ranks.
For me, there should be value on the home win at 9/10.
Verdict: Hajduk Split to win at 9/10.
Dukla Prague vs Slavia Prague – over 2.5 goals at evens.
In the past, Dukla Prague would solely focus their attempts on stopping the big Prague duo from scoring against them as they love to derail their more illustrious neighbours. However, Dukla Prague should have more confidence here because they’ve looked good in attack for the last season or two. They still can’t defend very well but the work extremely hard in the Prague derbies because they believe that Slavia and Sparta stole their crown as Dukla used to be the dominant side in the Czech Republic. Dukla Prague really should attack from the start and this side will score goals, especially against a shoddy Slavia Prague defence. That said, Dukla’s defence has looked worse than ever this season so quite how they’re going to handle Kisel and his wonderful free-kicks is beyond me. Kisel has inspired this whole Slavia team this season and you can see how confident they are because of it. They’re still a horribly poor side but they have one player who is effectively God in this league and that is Karol Kisel. He can make or break this game for Slavia Prague. I’ve not a clue who will triumph in this game, if anyone, but I can’t see two such leaky defences being able to keep this one to a low-scoring game, hence my selection of over 2.5 goals at evens.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at evens.
Midtylland vs Brondby – home win at evens.
Midtylland look to have struggled in the Superligaen this season, at least on the face of it. Three wins in nine games isn’t ideal for any side, really, and they know that they can do better.
I think that they’ll get back to basics today, to be honest. It’s not Midtylland’s ability as a squad that has caused them problems but a lack of depth in a congested fixture list and also their apparent inability to defend. Still, Midtylland know how to win at home, hence their three wins this season coming in four of their Superligaen home games. They’ve no more UEFA Europa League committments to distract them now that Young Boys Bern beat them over two legs so their focus should be 100% back on the Superligaen. They’ve got a lot of talented players too, Midtylland. Igboun is a real handful, as is Dutch forward Janssen. Hassan and Uzochukwu are full of beans at all times and add to the pace and power of the team as a whole. Albaek and Olsen tend to do the damage from midfield and Andersson as a back-up really isn’t a bad alternative! Defensively, Midtylland are hit-and-miss, it’s true, and I won’t back them to win if they’re facing a side that can score goals.
Happily, Midtylland host a Brondby side today that has never looked less likely to score goals. Almost all of their good players have now left the club with just Mike Jensen remaining and even he has stated that he will not extend his contract with the club. Brondby do bring momentum into this game following four Superligaen games without defeat but there’s still no firepower in this side. Rommedahl will punish opponents if given the chance to do so but his advancing years mean that those opportunities are limited, to say the least. They have brought in Anitpas to bolster their attacking options and Albrechtsen’s signature has already led to Brondby showing improved defensive displays. These signings are just paving over the cracks, though – there are still plenty of problems at this club and I expect them to really struggle to avoid the drop this season because they have too many kids, not enough experience, and very close to zero firepower.
As long as Midtylland play their usual game here and take their chances then they really should win this game, just as they have done for their last four games against Brondby. Taking Midtylland to win at home against most Superligaen sides is always worthy of consideration at generous odds of evens.
Verdict: Midtylland to win at evens.
Liverpool vs Manchester United – over 4.5 cards at 10/11.
I’ve seen a lot of people blabbering on about how Liverpool are at long odds and how United will smash them but to be honest, I think any of you that bet on the 1×2 market here are fucking nuts.
I’m a United fan and I can assure you that United never play well at Anfield nowadays. The only time we’ve looked semi-decent there was in the 2-1 defeat in the FA Cup last season! I don’t think I’m being biased when I say that United are the better side nowadays but the fact is that Liverpool work much, much harder than United do at Anfield every single time. It’s the same whenever Liverpool host United or City nowadays – they simply hate Manchester as a whole.
Defensively speaking, Liverpool are making a lot of mistakes this season but then again, United are making a few as Ferdinand struggles to fit back in and other return from fitness. United are looking a bit complacent for far too long in their games this season too. I just can’t bring myself to back either side here; there are too many variants and the quality difference is rarely shown in games at Anfield nowadays. On top of that, there’s a huge amount of pressure on Liverpool today for obvious reasons so yeah – you’re mad if you back a winner here.
Bookings, though – I feel that’s where the money is. This is a pressure cooker of a game between two huge rivals. The supporters will want blood and Liverpool will want this even more than normal, which makes them more committed than ever. That tends to lead to over-zealous challenges. Then you may see some retaliation (especially if Scholes is playing!) and there’s also the possibility of defenders getting booked here because of the mistakes that keep being made by both sides. Given the rivalry and the above information, I think taking over 4.5 cards is the only way to approach this game today.
Verdict: Over 4.5 cards at 10/11.
Catania vs SSC Napoli – over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
These two sides are very attack-minded, which tends to leave them both at the wrong ended of the “goals conceded” statistics chart. However, both sides do excel in the final third of the field so I fancy over 2.5 goals a lot here. Napoli managed to rest a lot of players mid-week against AIK in the Europa League and thus should have fresh players today. The trip to Sicily is one that they’ve always struggled with, though – they need to be at their best to pick up three points here, irrespective of Catania’s defensive laxity. Catania play a very fierce and tenacious brand of football and are never a side to underestimate. They may lack an out-and-out poacher in their ranks but there are a number of gifted finishers and they will cause problems, given chance. Napoli’s 3-5-2 will get a stern test from the Sicilians today and it’s a test that Napoli have not passed here for a long time. Both sides have plenty of goals in them and I find it hard to pick a winner because of that. However, taking over 2.5 goals at 9/10 looks appealing as long as nobody gets sent off early in the game due to being temperamental, which is something that both sides tend to struggle with over the course of the season.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 9/10.
Siauliai vs Suduva Marijampole – away win at 6/5.
I won’t lightly oppose Siauliai on their own turf in the A Lyga due to the tremendous attacking power that they have. However, the fact that key playmaker Vezevicius has now left the club and that essential defender Rimavicius misses out today makes me think that Siauliai will struggle more than normal here. They can’t defend as it is so the absence of Rimavicius is pretty damning. The fact that Cesanelli and hotshot Rimkevicius are up front does bother me because they’re the most lethal duo in Lithuania right now. However, I do question how many chances they’ll get against a superior Suduva side without their best playmaker.
Suduva are one of just three sides that can come to Siauliai and claim to be the better side. They’ve looked good lately too, only failing to beat bitter rivals Ekranas in Panevezys due to capitulating at the end of the game. They ran out 4-1 winners against Tauras Taurage in their last game, though, and you know that they’ll bring that momentum into this game. Siauliai may have the most in-form duo in the A Lyga in their ranks but Suduva would rightly claim that they’ve got the best in Rafael Ledesma. He’s very experienced at this level and the fact that he’s bagged fourteen in twenty-six games since returning to the A Lyga demonstrates that perfectly. Both he and Luksys are very hard to play against, as is big Beniusis. Eliosius and Urbsys are the mainstays in midfield and unlike their hosts, Suduva do have a competent defence. That won’t matter here, though – everyone concedes against Siauliai when playing against them away from home and I doubt it’ll be any different for Suduva today.
However, Suduva do have a much better all-round squad than their hosts and given how horribly Siauliai defend, you really have to feel that Suduva are worth a punt at 6/5, especially with two very important players missing out for Siauliai today.
Verdict: Suduva Marijampole to win at 6/5.
Aberdeen vs Motherwell – away win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Unlike most Scottish Premier League sides, Motherwell actually have a good record at Pittodrie. That doesn’t make today’s game any easier for the visitors but the fact that they’ve done it before is comforting, especially given how horrendously hard Aberdeen are to beat at home.
At times, you have to wonder if Aberdeen do want to win their home games because they seem so content with their usual 0-0 or 1-1 scorelines that it’s hard to believe that they want to win. To be fair to the hosts, they’re bloody good at frustrating sides and they’re very well-organised. Not many sides in the SPL come here and get a result, I can tell you! That’ll be the same today with old Craig Brown at the helm, who perfects the art of defending in his team’s home games. Aberdeen are very much like a more experienced and competent Ross County, if you want a comparison to draw. They’ve actually drawn four consecutive home games 0-0 now, a record which stretches back to May! They’re short of firepower so they tend to rely on their defence to bail them out. Score against them, though, and they’ll usually succumb.
That’s what I expect from a progressing Motherwell side today. They’ve won on their last three visits to Aberdeen and I think that they’re capable of doing the same again today. They’ve strung two wins together following their exit from European competition and those two facts combined are no coincidence, either. It’s not a secret that Motherwell don’t have two squads of players, unlike Celtic – they can only focus on one tournament at a time. Now that they’re focusing on the league, though, they look much better for it. Higdon and Murphy have looked unplayable at times this season and there are few players currently in the SPL that are harder to handle that skilful Ojamaa. There’s plenty of energy and organisation in midfield and their defence is solid enough. Motherwell are no Celtic but they’re certainly the second-best side in Scotland right now for my money.
For me, there has to be value on the away win with draw no bet cover today.
Verdict: Motherwell to win with draw no bet at 11/10.
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Malaga – over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Do you even need me to preview this type of tip any more? I doubt it! Still, I’ll do it anyway.
Athletic are struggling to come to terms with things at the moment and their boss Bielsa is too. Firstly, Bielsa needs to understand that Gurpegi cannot replace Javi Martinez in central defence. He lacks the composure of Martinez. He lacks the passing of Martinez. He lacks the leadership of Martinez. Nobody in the red-and-white of Bilbao would ever doubt Gurpegi’s committment to the cause but it’s no shame to say he’s not as good as someone that they’ve just sold for a fee in the region of 40,000,000 Euros. Gurpegi is a battling holding midfielder and with the greatest of respect, that’s all he’s good at. I don’t know why Bielsa hasn’t tried reverting back to a more recognisable 4-4-2 with San Jose and Amorebieta at the heart of it because that works. Let him use a winger at left-back to form the 3-5-2 when attacking, if he so desires, but making this side a 2-6-2 or a 2-6-3 like it usually is when Athletic attack is just foolish. Sides know how to play against them, how to score against them. Every side they’ve faced this season (barring Real Valladolid) have managed to score against Athletic. Betis stuffed five past them here at San Mames! To top it off, Llorente has come back and looks like he’s never seen the back of the net before. He missed a gluttony of chances against Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona mid-week; hopefully he’ll be back to his best today. Athletic are struggling to cope without Ander Herrera dictating the tempo in the middle of the park too. He’s out today as well, which really doesn’t help. Athletic still do enough to create chances and Malaga aren’t good enough at the back to stop them but this Athletic side is missing quite a number of things right now and Bielsa looks a little bit out of his depth for the first time in a long time.
Malaga, on the other hand, look the picture of composure right now. I never thought I’d say that about them, especially not after their financial problems etc. pre-season. Their players haven’t complained, though – they’ve just gone about their business as usual and are second in the table with three wins from four Primera Liga games this season. Indeed, they enter today’s game on the back of a staggering 3-0 win against Russian heavyweights Zenit St.Petersburg, courtesy of a sublime display from hot prospect Isco. They’ve acquired former Barcelona and Real Madrid hitman Saviola as well as Santa Cruz up front so that young Juanmi has competition and what a forward line to boast, eh? It’s amazing to see how well they do without fat Baptista! Eliseu’s driving runs, the skill of Joaquin, the composure of Camacho and Toulalan, the intelligent play of Portillo. Pellegrini is very good at building sides and that’s precisely what he’s done at Malaga. True enough, they will miss Cazorla come the end of the season but the fact is that the core of this side is very strong, especially when it comes to attacking. Defensively, I think they can be damaged a lot more than statistics so far this season suggest. I think that they’re slow at the back and they’ve yet to take on a powerful hitman such as Llorente yet. This should be a tough test for Malaga today and I’m keen to see how they fare at the intimidating San Mames.
I’d not dare take a winner here but taking over 2.5 goals at 5/6 looks a steal with the proviso that Llorente remembers how to score goals again.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Elazigspor vs Bursaspor – away win at evens.
Newly-promoted Elazigspor have one hell of a task ahead of them today! They’re facing a very accomplished Bursaspor side and they’re not even able to do it in their home stadium! No, this game will be held in Ankara, which has far more Bursaspor fans than Elazigspor fans.
On top of that, they’re facing a Bursaspor side that is not only rock-solid at the back but a Bursaspor side that has now become dangerous in front of goal too. Batalla and Pinto’s blooming partnership up front whilst being supported by the likes of Ipek is proving too much for most opponents to handle. How Elazigspor hope to handle any of the above is completely beyond me, to be honest, because they’re essentially a new team of cast-offs from other clubs that still haven’t gelled for obvious reasons. A fairytale result against Fenerbahce is the only light that’s come out of this season for the newly-promoted side because they’ve been hopelessly outplayed in all of their other games in the Super Lig this season, losing them all without even scoring a goal. They do have some dangerous players in the likes of Tum, Zaki, Feindouno, and Faubert but you can’t expect miracles from a side that hasn’t played together for long. They’re a bunch of fairly able strangers, essentially, and whilst that might be enough to score points off similar quality sides, I very much doubt that it’s enough for them to beat a very good and well-organised Bursaspor side.
For me, the value has to be on Bursaspor winning this one at evens. I’ve not seen them as dangerous in front of goal as they are now since Sercan Yildrim was last here!
Verdict: Bursaspor to win at evens.
Team news
Argentinian Primera Division:
Atletico Lanus – Coronel is absent. Romero is a doubt.
Boca Juniors – No absentees.
River Plate – Ramiro Funes Mori and Mercado are absent. Villalva and Guirre are doubts.
Racing Club Avellaneda – Corvalan is a doubt.
Colon de Santa Fe – Prediger is absent.
Newell’s Old Boys – V.Lopez is a doubt.
San Martin de San Juan – Pocrnjic is absent. Grabinski is a doubt.
Quilmes – No absentees.
Belgian Eerste Klasse:
Charleroi – Leandro, Lazitz, Pedro, and Keita are absent.
Racing Genk – Joneleit, Anele, and Koteles are absent.
Club Brugge – Trickovski, Meunier, Rafaelov, Zimling, Donk, Larsen, Stenman, and Almeback are absent.
Cercle Brugge – Verbist and Smolders are absent.
Brazilian Serie A:
Atletico Goianiense – Ricardo Bueno, Gustavo, Rafael Cruz, Adriano Pimenta, Leonardo, Felipe Brisola, Bida, Marinho, Danilinho, and Diego Giaretta are absent. Joilson returns.
Flamengo – Leo Moura, Wellington Bruno, Maldonado, Renato Abreu, Mattheus, Muralha, and Wellington are absent. Cleber Santana may debutise.
Botafogo – Renato, Lucas Zen, Marcelo Mattos, Antonio Carlos, and Vitor Junior are absent. Elkeson and Seedorf return.
Corinthians – Danilo, Fabio Santos, and Chicao are absent. Alessandro and Emerson return.
Ponte Preta – Wescley, Gustavo, and Giancarlo are absent. Edson Bastos is a doubt. Ze Sergio is interim boss for this game.
Vasco da Gama – Nilton, Auremir, Carlos Alberto, and Douglas are absent. Felipe and Alecsandro return.
Sao Paulo – Rafael Toloi, Fabricio, and Canete are absent. Ganso will debutise. Paulo Miranda and Douglas return.
Cruzeiro – Everton, Leandro Guerreiro, Fabinho, Alex Silva, William Magrao, Sandro Silva, and Mateus are absent. Leo and Borges return.
Atletico Mineiro – Marcos Rocha, Junior Cesar, and Rafael Marques are absent. Jo is a doubt. Guilherme and Leonardo Silva return.
Gremio – Fabio Aurelio, Julio Cesar, and Bertoglio are absent. Fernando returns.
Internacional – Juan, Kleber are absent. Elton, Fabricio, and Rafael Moura return. Guinazu and Dagoberto are doubts.
Bahia – Neto, Avine, Coelho, Ze Roberto, and Jonas Carioca are absent. Souza returns.
Sport Recife – Magrao, Reinaldo, and Edcarlos are absent. Hugo and Rithiely are doubts. Diego Ivo and Gilberto return.
Coritiba – Sergio Manoel, Roberto, Keirrison, Rafinha, Jackson, Emerson, Cleiton, and Bonfim are absent. Manager Marquinhos Santos has said the starting eleven will be the same as it was for the game against Santos.
Bulgarian A PFG:
Montana – Y.Todorov is a big doubt.
Cherno More Varna – Kamazola, Alexandrov, Kolev, and Dimitrov are absent.
Etar – Hikmet may debutise.
Litex Lovech – Bodurov may be dropped due to bad form.
Slavia Sofia – Gaal is absent. Matsui may debutise.
Lokomotiv Sofia – No absentees.
Chernomorets Burgas – Trifonov, Mendez, and Baldzhyiski are absent.
Minior Pernik – Pavlov and Trayanov are absent. New boss – Todorov.
Croatian Prva Liga:
Hajduk Split – Maglica is absent.
Slaven Koprivnica – Rak, Pilipovic, Puric, Canadija, and Saban are absent. Geng is a big doubt. Line-up named as Rodic, Baric, Kovakovic, Bubnjic, Maras, Gregurina, Batarelo, Brlek, Glavica, Delic, Vugrinec.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Zbrojovka Brno – Kaufman and Pasek are absent.
Vyoscina Jihlava – No absentees.
Teplice – Hosek and Lukas are absent.
Viktoria Plzen – Kolar, Pavlik, and Bakos are absent. Horvath and Duris are doubts. Fillo has left. Adamov may debutise.
Dukla Prague – Pospech is absent.
Slavia Prague – Dobrotka and Zakostelsky are absent.
Mlada Boleslav – Chramosta, Rolko, Zahustel, and Smejkal are absent. Fillo may debutise. Taborsky has left.
Hradec Kralove – Malinsky is absent. Plasil and Klapka are doubts.
Danish Superligaen:
AC Horsens – Kryger, Agesen, and Fagerberg return.
OB Odense – No absentees.
Midtylland – No absentees.
Brondby – No news.
FC Copenhagen – No absentees.
Silkeborg – No absentees.
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
FC Lahti – Kari and Kemppinen are absent. Hukka, Mero, and Grossohmichen are doubts.
JJK Jyvaskyla – Wusu and Markkula are absent.
Haka Valkeakoski – Pirinen and McFaul are absent. Marco Matrone, Hjelm, and Metzger return.
Jaro Pietarsaari – Wargh and Vaganov are absent.
HJK Helsinki – Savage and Lindstrom are absent.
Inter Turku – Diallo, Bahne, and Parviainen are absent.
KuPS Kuopio – Holopainen and Voutilainen are absent. Joenmaki is a doubt. Hynynen and Nissinen return.
MyPa Anjalankoski – Sesay is absent. Ramadingaye and Lody return.
VPS Vaasa – Parikka and Uimaniemi are absent. Strandvall returns.
IFK Mariehamn – Nurme is a doubt.
French Ligue 1:
Girondins de Bordeaux – N’Guemo, Ben Khalfallah, Maurice-Belay, and Sane are absent. Bellion, Chalme, Sacko, and Olimpa return.
AC Ajaccio – Mutu is absent.
Olympique de Marseille – Barton, Diawara, and N’Diaye are absent.
Evian Thonon Gaillard – M’Madi, Bugnet, and Tie Bi are absent. Ben Khelifa, Mongongu, Rabiu, and Sorlin return.
LOSC Lille – Martin, Kalou, Mouko, Vandam, Soumaoro, and Rodelin are absent. Bruno and Rozenhal return.
Olympique Lyonnais – Bastos and Gourcuff are absent.
German Bundesliga:
VfB Stuttgart – Audel, Didavi, Ibisevic, Molinaro, and Hoogland are absent.
Werder Bremen – Stevanovic is absent.
Hoffenheim – Jaissle, Wiese, and Chris are absent.
Hannover 96 – Diouf, Schulz, and Huszti are absent.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen – No absentees.
Borussia Moenchengladbach – No absentees.
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Ironi Ramat Hasharon – Malka has left. Fernandes, Yitzhak return. Borhal may debutise.
Hapoel Tel-Aviv – Abutbul and Gordana are absent. Yadin has left.
Italian Serie A:
Atalanta Bergamo – Biondini, Capelli, Carmona, Ferreira Pinto, Marilungo, and Radovanovic are absent. Schelotto and Peluso are doubts.
Bologna – Krhin is absent. Acquafresca and Riverola are doubts.
Cagliari – Cossu is absent. Camilleri is a doubt.
Catania – Keko is absent. Potenza and Terracciano are doubts.
Genoa – Rossi, Vargas, and Velazquez are absent. Jankovic is a doubt.
Internazionale – Chivu, Mariga, Stankovic, and Obi are absent. Palacio, Mudingayi are doubts.
Lazio – Brocchi, Diakite, Konko, and Radu are absent. Cana and Candreva are doubts.
AC Milan – Bonera, Muntari, Pato, Robinho, Strasser, Didac Vila are absent.
SSC Napoli – Britos is absent. Inler is a doubt.
Palermo – Brienza, Cetto, Sanseverino, Zahavi are absent. Giorgi and Mantovani are doubts.
Pescara – Chiaretti, Romagnoli, Savelloni, Terlizzi, and Togni are absent.
AS Roma – Bradley, De Rossi, Dodo, Lobont, Osvaldo, and Perrotta are absent. Totti is a doubt.
Sampdoria – Antonio, Da Costa, and Poli are absent. Eder is a doubt.
Siena – Campagnolo and Larrondo are absent. Ze Eduardo and Bolzoni are doubts.
Torino – Birsa and Suciu are absent. Barbosa is a doubt.
Udinese – Lazzari and Muriel are absent. Mazzarani, Domizzi, and Brkic are doubts.
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Siauliai – Vezevicius has left. Rimavicius is absent.
Suduva Marijampole – No absentees.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Haugesund – Andreassen, Haukas, Nilsen, and Skjerve are absent.
Sandnes Ulf – Videnes, U.Andersen, B.Andersen, Westlye, Pepa, and Haugland are absent. Hoiland is a doubt.
Odd Grenland Skien – Eriksen, Berge, Brenne, and Andersson are absent.
Molde FK – Hovland, Hussain, Gatt, and Eikrem are absent.
Sogndal – Naess, Rudolfsen, and Roed are absent.
Tromso – Sahlman is absent. Johansen may return.
Stabaek – Aase and Cunningham are absent.
Fredrikstad – Dure and Gueye are absent.
Rosenborg BK – Braathen, Strandberg, and Hoiland are doubts.
Brann Bergen – Kalvenes and Sokolowski are absent. Demir and Huseklepp are doubts.
Norwegian Divisjon 1:
Kongsvinger – Johansen, Fazlagic, and Moen are absent.
Sandefjord – Royrane and Gabrielsen are absent. Brix is a doubt.
Baerum – Findstad, Lundemo, and Cornell are absent.
Mjondalen – Boldt, Strange, Ronningene, Bernstein, and Aziz are absent. Ingelsten is a doubt.
Ranheim – Lokberg is absent.
Alta – Erlandsen, Ngom, and Nikolaisen are absent.
Strommen – Nordheim, Amundsen, and Olsen are absent.
Bryne – Nyberg and Stenersen are absent. Pozniak is a doubt.
Tromsdalen – No absentees.
Hamarkamaratene – Hogan, Gundersen, and Sjolstad are absent.
Bodo Glimt – Nordberg, Berglann, Sane, and Jakobsen are absent.
Notodden – Dale, Jahr, and Granerud are absent.
Sarpsborg 08 – Berge is absent.
Ullensaker/Kisa – Hansen, Kristoffersen, Adebahr, and Soltveldt are absent. Brenna and Mork are doubts.
Start Kristiansand – Madsen is absent.
Hodd – Ahmed, Heltne, Brandal, Kleppe, and Klock are absent.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Lech Poznan – Djurdjevic returns.
Pogon Szczecin – Bonin, Lawa, Noll, and Fabiniak are absent. Budka returns.
Slask Wroclaw – Stevanovic is a doubt, as is Diaz. Mila returns.
GKS Belchatow – Wilusz, Nowak, Michal Mak, Mateus Mak, Gonzalez, and Buzala are absent.
Polish Liga 1:
Stomil Olsztyn – No fans allowed.
Flota Swinoujscie – No news.
Dolcan Zabki – No news.
Nieciecza – Biskup, Jarecki, and Kaczmarczyk are absent.
Katowice – No news.
Polonia Bytom – Gedlek and Sinclair are absent. Pietrycha is a doubt.
Cracovia Krakow – Jarabica and Nitbazonkiza are absent.
Bogdanka Leczna – No news.
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
CD Nacional de Madeira – Keita, Mexer, Barcellos, and Skolnik are absent. Emiliano and da Costa debutise.
Pacos de Ferreira – Poulsen and Nuno Santos are absent. Luiz Carlos returns. Angulo debutises.
Vitoria Setubal – Fonseca is absent. Caleb and Jorge Luiz return.
Olhanense – Micael, Verissimo, and Vinha are absent. Abdi and Babanco are doubts. Djaniny, Bracalli, and Evandro Brandao may debutise.
Sporting Braga – No news.
Rio Ave – Jefferson, Hassan, and Tope are absent. Rodriguez and Ukra debutise.
Academica de Coimbra – No news.
SL Benfica – Luisao and Carlos Martins are absent.
Romanian Liga:
Astra Giurgiu – Djemia and Barboianu are absent.
Gaz Metan Medias – Vitinho, Muntean, and R.Avram are absent.
FC Brasov – D.Dragan is absent.
Vaslui – No absentees.
Pandurii Targu Jiu – Voiculet is absent.
CFR Cluj – Sare, Ronny, Vass, Sougou, and Deac are absent.
Russian Premier League:
Spartak Moscow – Gatagov, Pareja, Welliton, and Parshivlyuk are absent.
Rostov-na-Donu – Dyakov is absent.
Rubin Kazan’ – Arlauskis, Davydov, and Ansaldi are absent.
Kuban Krasnodar’ – No absentees.
Slovenian Prva Liga:
Maribor – Potokar is a big doubt. Arghus returns.
Gorica – N’Diaye returns.
Celje – No absentees.
Triglav – No absentees.
Domzale – Vuk, Vidmarj, Mencigar, Kostanjsk, and Balokog are absent.
Olimpija Ljubljana – No absentees.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Athletic Club de Bilbao – Ander Herrera and Inigo Perez are absent.
Atletico Madrid – Ouelasti is absent.
Malaga – Sanchez, Buonanotte, Baptista, and Fernandez are absent.
Real Mallorca – Nunes, dos Santos, and Gimenez are absent.
Real Sociedad – Agirretxe, Pardo, Xabi Prieto, Cadamuro, Castro, and Elustondo are absent.
Valencia CF – Albelda, Gago, Piatti, Canales, and Banega are absent.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – No absentees.
Real Madrid – Coentrao is absent.
Swedish Allsvenskan:
Kalmar FF – Solheim, Wasta, Nouri, and Diouf are absent.
Atvidaberg – da Silva, Nilsson, Zhubi, and Diego Silva are absent.
IFK Norrkoping – Tamm and Telo are absent.
AIK Solna – Majstorovic is absent.
Gefle – Dahlberg, Larsson, and Svantesson are absent.
Mjallby Solvesborg – Pode and Ivanovski are absent.
Elfsborg Boras – S.Larsson, M.Andersson, Mobaeck, Ishizaki, and Klarstrom are absent.
GIF Sundsvall – Danielsson and Sellin are absent.
Turkish Super Lig:
Elazigspor – Atalay, Badur, and Bulut are absent.
Bursaspor – No absentees.
Sivasspor – Sahin, Celikay, and Bednar are absent.
Kasimpasa – Coulibaly, Aygunes, Yaman, and Buyuk are absent.
Galatasaray – Bulut, Sarioglu, Baytar, and Ujfalusi are absent.
Akhisar Belediye – No absentees.