TFT Issue 526!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Zulte-Waregem vs Cercle Brugge – home win at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the Eerste Klasse game between Zulte-Waregem and rock-bottom Cercle Brugge.
I live in fear that the odds will plummet on this tip as the statistics whores realise that Cercle Brugge have lost seven out of nine already this season. Still, perhaps we’ll get lucky today!
I’m taking Zulte-Waregem to win this game not just because they’re the better side or because they’re playing better football but because they look very dangerous right now. Under Dury, all the players work hard and desperately want to be in the starting eleven. The side is well-organised and will attack and defend as a unit. They’ve got hard-to-handle strikers in Leye and Habibou, not to mention the promising Naessens. There’s plenty of creativity in midfield whilst Berrier pulls the strings and overall, I really rate this side whilst Dury is at the helm. They’re frequently underestimated when they’re more than capable of upsetting any side in Belgium. They’re not Barcelona or anything like that but they’re a solid and dependable side that are motivated for every game. Without having any real stars (perhaps barring Berrier), this side is usually able to break down their opponents and hold their leads, which is pretty rare in Belgium. That in itself should be quite crucial here.
Ok, Cercle Brugge have lost seven out of nine games this season, which is probably a tad harsh when compared to their actual ability level but it’s their complacency that has put them where they are. Peeters’ side may finally be having a bit of a turnaround in form with back-to-back wins in all competitions but I think that this is the wrong game for them to continue their run, really. What they’d have wanted was Waasland-Beveren or Lierse SK, I’m sure, not an in-form and frankly very good Zulte-Waregem side. I like that Peeters has signed Eidur Gudjohnsen to revitalise his attack. Rudy and Uchebo have done quite well but Cercle Brugge have lacked that killer touch in the box this season and the veteran Icelandic striker should give them that. Smolders, William, and Van Eeno are all dangerous players on their day so I would not be so quick to dismiss Cercle Brugge in future, irrespective of their weak defence.
For today, however, I will happily underestimate what they’re capable of because I believe that Zulte-Waregem are playing too well to do anything but win this game. For me, 4/5 on in-form Zulte-Waregem doing the job today is well worth a flutter.
Verdict: Zulte-Waregem to win at 4/5.
Additional games
Wellington Phoenix vs Sydney FC – under 2.5 goals at 10/11.
It’s dangerous to wade heavily into betting on an opening game of the season so you’ve only yourselves to blame if you get stung here.
However, from a realistic perspective, I have to view 10/11 on under 2.5 goals today as a bit of a steal. Wellington Phoenix were more of an over 2.5 goals side last season due to their ability to score goals against anyone whilst playing in their beloved New Zealand. Times have changed, though, and a number of Herbert’s squad have moved on, namely striker Greenacre and midfielders Ward, Brown, and Daniel, which were easily amongst Wellington Phoenix’s best attacking players. Battler Leo Bertos remains, as does Spanish midfielder Dani Sanchez so Wellington Phoenix are not bereft of attacking options. Indeed, I was surprised to see that they captured Belgian hitman Huysegems pre-season as I really rated him during his time in Netherlands. You have to say that this Wellington Phoenix side is looking very thin nowadays, however. They’re lacking in depth, they’re lacking in quality, and they’re lacking in experience. Personally, I think that Herbert is one of the best managers in the A-League but he’s really up against it this season with more important outgoings than incomings.
Visitors Sydney FC captured the attention of the world by signing veteran Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero, which was a major coup for the club. I’ve lost count of the number of times that this side has thrown away points by drawing games that they should have won so he should play a crucial role for them this season, although it’s worth noting that he’s a doubt for today’s match. Much like their hosts, however, Sydney FC have made some very substantial losses and I don’t know how they’ll cope this year. The sale of set piece specialist Kisel to Slavia Prague was a particularly damaging one, as were the departures of strikers Bridge, Makela, and Bruno Cazarine, not to mention the talismanic midfielder Carle. Emerton has remained and only Beauchamp has left their defence so I think Sydney FC will be good enough to keep at least the majority of A-League sides out. However, I have a lot of questions over where the chances will come from for Del Piero and co. and thus think that they’ll struggle in New Zealand today.
If I had to choose then I’d probably edge toward Sydney FC to win this one but to be honest, I’d much rather take under 2.5 goals at 10/11 with both sides having lost some key attacking players pre-season without properly replacing them.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 10/11.
Fluminense vs Botafogo – home win at evens.
As far as spectacles go, I much prefer the Sao Paulo derbies to the Rio de Janeiro derbies. However, I do tend to find more value in the Rio de Janeiro derbies and I’m hopeful that today’s game will prove to be a good value bet.
For me, there’s only one side that has played like champions in Brazil this season and that’s Fluminense. I think that Abel Braga’s boys have been more consistent than any other side in the country. They’ve looked very dangerous in attack and very solid at the back too. They’re good at taking the lead, they’re good at holding a lead, and they’re good at frustrating their opponents. They have their weak spots, just like any side does. For example, they will struggle to score goals if Fred isn’t playing. However, only defender Leandro Euzebio is absent tonight so Fluminense should be able to continue their good run of form if they keep their cool. The finesse of Fred, the pace of Wellington Nem, the incisive passing of Thiago Neves – they’re just too much to handle. It’ll take a very good Botafogo display to stop Fluminense today, in my view.
It’s not so much that I think Botafogo aren’t capable of such a display but more that I don’t rate their ability to score goals away from home right now. Their lack of a “star” in their attack really bothers me when it comes to backing them. Herrera hasn’t had enough matches this season and they’ve not replaced “Loco” Abreu either. It’s all well and good having some of the best midfielders in the country but they’ve got an attack that even the likes of Ponte Preta don’t envy, you know? At home, their midfielders Elkeson, Andrezinho, Lodeiro, Fellype Gabriel, and especially Seedorf run riot and usually cause enough confusion to allow Botafogo to score. Away from home, though, it’s really not a coincidence that they’ve failed to score in three out of their last four away games. I just get the impression that they’re not as keen to play their matches right now as they were when the lights were flashing around Seedorf’s name in the transfer market window. It’s like reality has bit them in the backside and they don’t like it.
Perhaps I will be proven wrong here but I feel that the unit of Fluminense is too strong for the hit-and-miss Botafogo, hence my interest in the home win at evens.
Verdict: Fluminense to win at evens.
Santos vs Internacional – under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Most bookies recognised the likelihood of this one going under 2.5 goals but newcomers Marathonbet boldly kept their odds out at 4/5 and to me, that’s almost like buying money here.
I watched the reversal of this fixture and the two sides cancelled each other out well. It was during the Olympics, however, so both sides were missing substantial attacking talent and thus the 0-0 was no great surprise. Given the cautious approach of Internacional in all of their away games and the absence of Neymar for Santos, I can’t help but feel that another 0-0 is a very realistic possibility tonight.
Santos are not a one-man team but against a solid defensive unit like Internacional, Santos need a spark somewhere, a spark that they just don’t have. Ganso is gone now so who will carry the team for games like these? I thought Felipe Anderson was magnificent when the two sides met in Porto-Alegrense but Santos still didn’t score as a result.
I can see why people are backing Internacional here as it would be a bit of a surprise if they were to lose with Santos missing Neymar. Still, I can’t bring myself to do it as I know perfectly well that any goal scored by a home side against Internacional will generally mean that the game ends as a 1x. Internacional almost never score more than one goal against a side, especially away from home. That’s even less likely today with star playmaker D’Alessandro on the sidelines, as is star striker Leandro Damiao. The clever Dagoberto also sits this one out, leaving the onus upon Guinazu, Forlan, and the young Fred. I just don’t see them winning this one, you know?
To put it bluntly I think under 2.5 goals is almost a guarantee here. It’s virtually a sacrilege to say that in this business as it almost certainly means that it won’t happen in accordance with Sod’s Law! However, on a more serious note, I think you’d have to be terrifically unlucky to take under 2.5 goals in this game and to lose your bet with all of the important attacking players missing for both teams.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Wigan Athletic vs Everton – away win at evens.
I don’t like opposing Wigan as they’re far too frequently underestimated for my liking. However, I’ve been so impressed with Everton this season that I’m left with no choice but to take the away win today.
Everton’s problem has never been their motivation, nor has it been their quality. For me, their problem has always been a lack of competition for places in the starting eleven. Competition increases spirit, banter, work-rate, determination – everything. It’s not a coincidence that Everton looked amazing last season after simply signing Jelavic and loaning Donovan. Despite having limited resources, Moyes has signed another couple of gems in the battling Naismith and the clever Mirallas, both of which bolster Everton’s limited attacking line. Fellaini has matured an awful lot and with Anichebe finally not injured, Moyes has plenty of options to choose from and the Merseyside outfit are reaping the benefits of it. The signing of Pienaar has given them a great boost down the flanks, too – his pace and skill at times shows precisely why he was one of Ajax’s kids once upon a time. To top it off, Everton have one of the more solid defensive backbones in the English Premier League so when this spirited and well-organised side play well, you’d do well to be wary of them.
Everton have a very strong record against Wigan and I find it unlikely that it’ll change today. Wigan play nice football and have potent threats in towering Di Santo and pacey Kone, not to mention ever-improving Shaun Maloney. However, this side really struggles to keep their opponents out and that’s cost them a lot so far this season. Wigan’s players don’t lose belief with the influential and outspoken Martinez as their boss but they don’t stand much chance of winning games nowadays when they can’t hold leads and struggle to take the lead in the first place.
I like Wigan; I think they deserve more credit than they get, and not just for their crazy run last season. However, I think that Everton are streets ahead of them so as long as the Liverpool-based outfit produce their usual display then the away win appeals to me at evens.
Verdict: Everton to win at evens.
West Bromwich Albion vs Queens Park Rangers – home win at 5/6.
Steve Clarke’s WBA are far from the finished article but I have to admit that I’ve really liked what I’ve seen thus far. At The Hawthorns, any Premier League fan will tell you that you’re in for a tough game and Clarke’s well-organised Baggies will continue that reputation, I’m sure. What I like about this WBA side is that it’s full of experienced, proven, and hard-working players. Everywhere you look in this team, there is quality. Brunt’s set pieces, Gera’s passes, the pace of Odemwingie, the tenacity of Long, the strength of Lukaku – the list goes on. God, when Mulumbu plays well he looks like the best player in the universe at times! He drifts from the sublime to the ridiculous far too easily but he’s unplayable when he plays well. There are plenty of match-winners in this team and they’re a well-supported bunch, not to mention being a reliable overall. You know what you’re getting with this side, essentially. They’re not the best side in the world and they don’t claim to play the best football but they’re determined, hard-working, dangerous, and frankly good to watch, in my opinion. As long as they show up as they normally do today then I expect them to make it four wins from four home games.
Do QPR have better individuals than WBA? In all honesty, they probably do. Wright-Phillips, Granero, Dyer, Cisse, Johnson, Hoilett, Julio Cesar, Diakite, Nelsen, Fabio, Park, Bosingwa – they’re all either very good players or were very good players and their career is in its twilight. You just can’t argue with those names on paper, especially not when it comes to experience of playing at the highest level. So why are QPR playing like mugs? Getting used to one another is one factor but to be honest, I’ve always found that Hughes gels his sides very quickly and very well. What’s the real issue here? For me, I think it’s that Hughes isn’t in charge. It simply must Tony Fernandes, their outspoken owner. Do we really think that Mark Hughes realistically suggested Julio Cesar when Fernandes asked him who he wanted to bring to the club to help them improve? No, of course not, because he’s not a realistic aim for a club like QPR. He’s still a world-class goalkeeper but that in itself makes you wonder why he’s here and how he was persuaded to come here. I fear for QPR, to be honest – they’re showing a lack of unity and to me, it’s because they don’t know who is in charge. Losing at home against a resilient and well-organised but poor-travelling West Ham side just isn’t good enough and nor is being drubbed 0-5 at home by Swansea. QPR are really going to struggle against a unified WBA side today unless they randomly produce a miraculous display and I just don’t see how that will happen.
For me, the value has to be on the home win at 5/6; bigger and better sides than QPR struggle here. I know; I’m a United fan and we never play well at The Hawthorns!!
Verdict: West Bromwich Albion to win at 5/6.
IF Fuglafjordur vs HB Torshavn – home win at 11/10.
This is easily the biggest game in the Faroe Islands today with IF Fuglafjordur desperately needing three points to stand any chance of winning the Meistaradeildin whilst HB Torshavn can’t afford to lose if they intend on playing in the UEFA Europa League next season.
IF haven’t lost in twelve games now, however, so Christensen’s side definitely have the bit between their teeth. They’re not an especially good side, IF, but what I like about them is their unity. It’s hard to list a group of players in their ranks that would make their way into the squads of the likes of EB/Streymur with the sole exception of living legend Clayton Soares. Twenty-three goals in twenty-six games tells you that the Brazilian knows how to find the net in this league and he’s easily one of the most composed finishers in the whole nation. Add hard work to a strong finisher and you have a strong side in this country, though, which is precisely what IF are doing right now. I can’t really name another side that works as hard as they do, perhaps barring the elder TB Tvoroyri.
HB Torshavn are going to have to find a way to combat that tenacity and it’s something that they rarely manage to achieve in Fuglafjordur. They’ve lost five out of their last six visits here and IF arguably have a better side now than they’ve ever had in their previous meetings. The fact is that HB Torshavn, despite being a heavyweight of Faroese football, are a very lazy side. They’re not short of talent in the slightest; in fact, they’ve easily got one of the best midfields in the nation. However, you’ll no doubt note from their games that they concede goals very easily and tend to disappear against sides that work hard against them. Sure, they’ve won three consecutive games ahead of this one but who have they beaten? Relegation-threatened B68 Toftir? Doomed Suduroy? You could point to their 3-1 win against a resilient TB Tvoroyri as an impressive result, given how strong their opponents for that game are away from home. However, you do need to bear in mind that TB missed six out of their regular starting eleven for that encounter and suddenly all of the pieces fall into place. HB have not looked the same since midfield starlet Hallur Hanssen moved on and as good as Poulsen, Samuelsen, Mouritsen, and Benjaminsen unquestionably are, the fact is that HB Torshavn are not a complete unit. They lack unity at the most crucial of times and against one of the most unified sides in the Faroe Islands, I find it very hard to envision them getting a result here.
For me, the home win at 11/10 has to be worth a bet today.
Verdict: IF Fuglafjordur to win at 11/10.
Genoa vs Palermo – home win at 11/10.
There is just one factor that I don’t like about this game today and it’s match-fixing. These two sides have sliced and diced in the past when it comes to fixing games. Genoa are on friendly terms with everyone; they’ll throw games for anyone, especially the Milan clubs. Genoa are the club that never progresses, you know? There’s strong reasoning behind that, I am sure! Palermo are from Sicily and you really don’t need me to tell you any more than that! So long as Palermo haven’t rigged this one for their usual 0-1 trick (you can always tell it’s a fix with Palermo when they win 0-1 because they cannot keep clean sheets against anyone with their samba 5-3-2) then Genoa should be well worth a flutter here.
Genoa have settled down quickly enough and their back four looks stable again. Importantly, their strike duo of Immobile and Borriello are linking up better and better as each game goes by. Add to that the support of Jankovic, Jorquera, Toszer, Seymour etc. and you have a potent attack. There’s more to come from them, I’m sure, but Genoa are starting to look like their old selves now, which in principle means strong and dominant home wins, usually with clean sheets too. Everyone struggles in Genova unless they’re made prior “arrangements” and poor-travelling Palermo know it, too – they’ve lost their last two visits to the north of Italy!
I do like Palermo; their enthusiasm and belief is inspiring at times. I will almost never oppose them in Sicily due to their support and their relentless attacking. However, their defence is vulnerable to say the least as they have no leader any longer. Their best goalkeeper has moved on and trying to fuse a new defence with a new goalkeeper is a task that no manager relishes. Palermo are notoriously impatient, too – they’ve already sacked one manager this season! There are no doubts in my mind that Miccoli is good enough to win this game on his own, even at the ripe old age of thirty-three, but Abel Hernandez hasn’t shown up this season and Dybala just doesn’t look ready yet. The playmaking of Donati is subsequently going to waste as there are few options for him to utilise and if Palermo aren’t scoring goals then they’re losing games because goalscoring is all that they know how to do.
Therefore, I find it hard to see an unfamiliar and poor-travelling Palermo doing anything but losing against a rejuvenated Genoa side.
Verdict: Genoa to win at 11/10.
Alaniya Vladikavkaz vs Krylya Sovetov Samara – over 2.5 goals at evens.
Hungarian target man Priskin is out so the onus is on Danilo Neco to do the damage for the enthusiastic hosts today but he won’t mind that; the Brazilian striker likes the attention. Diego Mauricio has looked a threat for Alaniya on the few occasions that he’s featured this season, though, so perhaps today is his time to shine. Alaniya haven’t won for a while so I hope that their run hasn’t affected their confidence because of Danilo Neco isn’t getting the service that he needs then they won’t score goals here; it’s as simple as that. Alaniya look convincing going forward but when it comes to defending, their attitude is cavalier to say the least. They give far too many chances away due to poor positioning and I expect to see more of that today, too – I just really need them to score against Krylya in order for this tip to win!
I like this new-look Krylya Sovetov Samara. I’m yet to be convinced that they can do the business away from home but their Paraguayan duo up front have made them a strong goalscoring side nowadays. Sides just can’t handle Caballero and Zeballos right now, hence Krylya Sovetov Samara bagging seven goals in their last three Russian Premier League games. Indeed, they’ve only failed to score against CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, and a fortuitous Amkar Perm’ this season! Without being particularly entertaining, Krylya Sovetov Samara have scored plenty of goals and have confidence in abundance following a strong run of late so who is to say that they won’t cause an upset today?
Krylya Sovetov Samara can’t defend, though – they look very weak at the back. Their hosts really should take advantage of that today. To be honest, both sides should score here and I don’t think it’ll end 1-1 so taking over 2.5 goals appeals to me a lot at evens with the proviso that Alaniya give Neco service with Rudnei and Khubulov both absent.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at evens.
Team news
Argentinian Primera Division:
Estudiantes De La Plata – Iberbia and Gelabert are absent. Angeleri is a doubt.
Quilmes – Caneo is a doubt.
San Lorenzo de Almagro – Gentiletti, Masuero, Romagnoli, and Voboril are absent.
Arsenal de Sarandi – Carbonero and Zelaya are absent.
San Martin de San Juan – Caprari is absent. Pocrnjic is a doubt.
All Boys – Soto is absent.
Colon de Santa Fe – No absentees.
Racing Club Avellaneda – No absentees.
Australian A-League:
Western Sydney – Ono is a doubt.
Central Coast Mariners – No absentees.
Wellington Phoenix – Ifill and Lia are doubts.
Sydney FC – Del Piero is a doubt.
Brazilian Serie A:
Sao Paulo – Rhodolfo, Fabricio, and Ganso are absent. Wellington and Denilson return.
Palmeiras – Luan, Maikon Leite, Fernandinho, Joao Vitor, and Wesley are absent. Correa returns.
Atletico Goianiense – Marcos, Diogo Campos, Bida, Rafael Cruz, Adriano Pimenta, Felipe Brisola, Leonardo, and Joilson are absent.
Vasco da Gama – Douglas, Tenorio, Auremir, and William Matheus are absent. Renato Silva, Jonas, and Carlos Alberto return. Felipe will be benched.
Nautico – Ronaldo Alves, Ramirez, and Marlon are absent. Kim and Alemao return. Patric is a doubt.
Corinthians – Romarinho, Emerson, Chicao, and Jorge Henrique are absent. Wallace is a big doubt.
Santos – Neymar, Adriano, Alison, Bruno Peres, Edu Dracena, Fucile, Henrique, Leo, Paulo Henrique, and Galhardo are absent. Henrique and Vitor Andrade return.
Internacional – Leandro Damiao, D’Alessandro, Dagoberto, Indio, Juan, and Bolivar are absent. Rafael Moura returns.
Atletico Mineiro – Pierre and Leonardo Silva are absent. Rever and Richarlyson return. Danilinho and Luiz Eduardo are doubts.
Figueirense – Caio, Fernandes, Heber, and Ricardo are absent. Joao Paulo returns.
Fluminense – Leandro Euzebio is absent.
Botafogo – Marcelo Mattos, Lucas Zen, Brinner, and Antonio Carlos are absent. Renato returns.
Gremio – Leo Gago, Fernando, Gilberto Silva, Fabio Aurelio, and Bertoglio are absent.
Cruzeiro – Alex Silva, Charles, Fabinho, Sandro Silva, Tinga, Wallyson, and Willian Magrao are absent.
Bulgarian A PFG:
Botev Plovdiv – Karaslavov is a doubt.
Etar – Rusev is absent.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv – No absentees.
Lokomotiv Sofia – Dafchev, Y.Petkov, P.Petkov, and Gadzhev are absent.
Montana – Kostadinov and Tsvetkovski are absent.
Pirin Gotse Delchev – No absentees.
Slavia Sofia – Popara, Yanchev, Gaal, Lopez, and Toshev are absent. Matsui is a doubt.
CSKA Sofia – Platini is absent. Priso and Yovchev return.
Croatian Prva Liga:
Rijeka – Mierzejewski is absent. Vranjes has left. All players and coaches fined after awful display against Cibalia.
Split – Piric, Babic, Marcic, Serdarusic, Vidic, and Krizanac are absent.
Osijek – Zubak, Petrovic, Pusic, Jugovic, and Sorsa are absent.
Istra 1961 – Pamic and Blagojevic are absent.
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Mlada Boleslav – Chramosta, Smejkal, Rolko, and Zahustel are absent.
Sigma Olomouc – Skerle and Zlamal are absent.
English Premier League:
Manchester City – Garcia is a doubt. Tevez and Lescott may return.
Sunderland – Cattermole is absent. Cuellar returns.
Chelsea – Sturridge is absent. Mikel, Terry, and Hazard return.
Norwich City – Bassong may return.
Swansea City – Agustien is absent. Williams is a doubt.
Reading – Federici is absent. Leigertwood returns.
West Bromwich Albion – Brunt, Jones, and Reid are absent. Odemwingie returns.
Queens Park Rangers – Diakite is absent. Bosingwa and Ferdinand are doubts.
West Ham United – O’Brien is a doubt. Reid and Carroll return.
Arsenal – Diaby and Szczesny are absent. Mertesacker returns.
Wigan Athletic – Alcarez is absent. Di Santo returns. Gomez’s red card was rescinded.
Everton – Gibson and Hibbert are absent. Naismith is a doubt.
Finnish Ykkonen:
AC Oulu – Juuso Majava, Hinkula, and Haipus are absent. Sohlo and Siira return.
SJK – Luis Fernando, Touka Tumanto, and Penninkangas are absent.
HiFK Helsinki – Kibona, Antman, Heinanen, Tanner, Pyhala, and Ranta are absent.
OPS Oulu – No absentees.
Jippo Joensuu – Korpela and Rissanen are absent. Tahvanainen is a doubt.
Hameenlinna – No news.
PK-35 Helsinki – Xhaferi returns.
KooTeePee Kotka – No news.
RoPS Rovaniemi – Obilor, Rivera, Turcios, M.Lahtinen, and Kokko are absent.
Viikingit Helsinki – No news.
French Ligue 1:
Montpellier HSC – Mounier, Utaka, and Bedimo are absent.
Evian Thonon Gaillard – Angoula, Govou, Bugnet, Ehret, Kone, Cambon, and M’Madi are absent. Tie Bi and M’Barki return.
Bastia – Ilan, El-Azzouzi, Moizini, and Cahuzac are absent.
Troyes – Drouin, Psaume, Camara, Enza-Yamissi, and Bettiol are absent. Bahebeck returns.
LOSC Lille – Kalou, Martin, and Mavuba are absent.
AC Ajaccio – Eduardo is absent. Andre is a doubt.
Stade de Reims – Sekkat, Ayite, Toudic, Fortes, and Peuget are absent. Liebus returns.
OGC Nice – Anin, Dao Castellana, Pentecote, M’Bow, Hennion, Fofana, Bautheac, and Kolodziejczak are absent.
Sochaux – Dias, Mikari, and Daf are absent.
Stade Rennais – Sane, Montano, and Apam are absent.
Toulouse – Zebina returns.
Valenciennes – Traore, Pujol, Massampu, and Djuric are absent. Gomis returns.
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Maccabi Haifa – Davidovic and Pilyavski are absent. Boccoli and Vered return. Zeiri may debutise.
Hapoel Ramat Gan – Reuven is absent.
Bnei Sakhnin – Embamba is absent. Abbas returns.
Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv – Hrepka is absent. Galvan returns.
Ironi Ramat Hasharon – No absentees.
Hapoel Haifa – Berkovic is absent. Roash returns.
Maccabi Netanya – Shitrit is absent. Shivhon is a doubt. Neutral venue – Ramat Gan.
Hapoel Acre – Abu-Ria is absent. Ben-Dayan may debutise.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv – Vered is absent.
MS Ashdod – Zemakh is absent. Peti returns.
Italian Serie A:
Chievo Verona – New boss – Corini. Pellissier, Luciano, Paloschi, and Squizzi are absent. Rigoni is a doubt.
Sampdoria – Gastaldello, Juan Antonio, Eder, Poli, and Pozzi are absent. Tissone is a doubt.
Genoa – Rossi and Ferronetti are absent. Vargas, Jankovic, and Kucka are doubts.
Palermo – Zahavi, Milanovic, Mantovani, and Brienza are absent.
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Kruoja Pakruojis – Pocevicius is absent. Skroblas returns.
Banga Gargzdai – Mgeladze is absent.
Dainava – Kliukoit is a doubt.
Suduva Marijampole – No absentees.
Dutch Eredivisie:
Willem II – Branderhorst and El Harouchi are absent.
RKC Waalwijk – Ramos, Janssen, and Jungschlager are absent.
Vitesse Arnhem – van der Struijk and Chanturia are absent.
Heerenveen – Kum and Zuiverloon are absent.
PEC Zwolle – Slot, Avdic, Boer, and van der Berg are absent.
Heracles Almelo – Schenkeveld, Veldmate, Koenders, and Vejinovic are absent.
Roda JC Kerkrade – Kadar, Delorge, and Djum are absent.
VVV Venlo – Nwofor and Reimerink are absent.
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Viking Stavanger – Ornskov and Sigurdsson are absent. Nisja is a doubt.
Aalesund FK – Rorvik, Sellami, Fuhre, Carlsen, Myklebust, and Wembangomo are absent. Barrantes is a doubt.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Korona Kielce – Golanski and Kuzera are absent.
Zaglebie Lubin – Horvath is absent. Hanzel is a doubt.
Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala – Konieczny is absent. Sokolowski returns.
Gornik Zabrze – No news.
Lech Poznan – Wolakiewicz is absent. Arboleda is a big doubt. Lovrencsics and Djurdjevic return.
Piast Gliwice – Szumski, Urban, Jurado, and Swierczok are absent.
Polish Liga 1:
Brzesko – Smolka may return.
Olimpia Grudziadz – Klus is absent.
Stomil Olsztyn – Swiderski is absent.
Sandecja Nowy Sacz – New boss – Swierad. Kowalski, Kalisz, Szymura, Wisniewski, and Kosiorowski are absent.
LKS Lodz – No news.
Flota Swinoujscie – Spiaczka returns.
Bogdanka Leczna – No news.
Kolejarz Stroze – Cichy is absent.
Katowice – Sadowski, Beliancin, and Wolkowicz are absent. Cholerynski is a doubt.
Tychy 71 – No absentees.
Cracovia Krakow – Pilarz and Szeliga are absent.
Zawisza Bydgoszcz – Kopacz returns.
Portuguese Liga Sagres:
SL Benfica – E.Perez, Gaitan, Lima, and Aimar are doubts. Cardozo is absent.
Beira-Mar – Camara is absent. Balboa is a doubt. Cintra debutises.
Romanian Liga:
Viitorul Constanta – Turcu is absent.
Petrolul Ploiesti – Grecu is absent.
Turnu Severin – No absentees.
Rapid Bucharest – Abrudan, Pavlovici, Burca, Rui Duarte, and Constantin are absent.
Gaz Metan Medias – Buchta, Vasilache, Alex Munteanu, and Vitinho are absent.
Dinamo Bucharest – Ba is absent.
Russian Premier League:
Lokomotiv Moscow – Pavlyuchenko, Shishkin, and Corluka are absent.
Kuban’ Krasnodar – No absentees.
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod – Plesan and Ryzhkov are absent.
Mordovia Saransk – Yurchenko and Dujmovic are absent.
Alaniya Vladikavkaz – Priskin, Dacosta, Rudnei, Khubulov, and Mera are absent.
Krylya Sovetov Samara – Nemov and Kornilenko are absent.
Slovenian Prva Liga:
Koper – New boss – Vagnoli. Guberc is absent. Palcic is a doubt.
Domzale – Simunovic, Vrhunc, Osmanaj, S.Vuk, and Vidmar are absent.
Olimpija Ljubljana – Dzafic, Zorc, Lovrecic, Bozic, Ivelja, and Trifkovic are absent.
Mura 05 – No news.
Celje – No absentees.
Gorica – Jogan is absent.
Spanish Primera Liga:
Real Betis Balompie – Castro, Lopez, Chica, and Nono are absent.
Deportivo La Coruna – Pablo is absent.
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid – No absentees.
Real Sociedad – Agirretxe, Bravo, and Elustondo are absent.
Espanyol – Mattioni, Garcia, and Baena are absent.
Real Valladolid – Valiente and Sastre are absent.
Real Zaragoza – Pinter and Obradovic are absent.
Getafe – Alexis is absent.
Turkish Super Lig:
Elazigspor – Badur, Bulut, and Zeegelar are absent.
Akhisar Belediye – Yilmaz, Cebe, Duymus, and Bikoko are absent.
Galatasaray – Ujfalusi, Baytar, and Elmander are absent.
Eskisehirspor – Coskun is absent.
Istanbul BB – No news.
Genclerbirligi – No news.