Tromso vs Stromsgodset
FreeFirst things first – apologies for any games being displayed incorrectly these past couple of weeks during my vacation. This shouldn’t occur again although I would hasten to point out that some countries possess an FA department that are complete reprobates and will change the game being played on that day with only a few days notice.
Secondly, the dastardly Malaysian Premier League will now be added to my daily picks. The majority voted in favour of this addition so it will be instilled as soon as I can do so.
Moving onto today’s featured game, however – we’re in the Tippeligaen today, focusing on Tromso’s home encounter with Stromsgodset. Both of these sides are very much what you would call “home sides” as in that most of their points tend to come at home. There’s no doubt in my mind that Tromso are capable of becoming a side that’s good anywhere, although their performances so far this season don’t appear to justify that remark. As you’ve probably guessed, I’m calling a home win today. The bookies are giving a meager 4/7 on this outcome so I’m tempted to veer into the handicap bet. I’ve seen 2/1 for Tromso to win with -1.75 handicap. Why? Well, the hosts have been participating (successfully) in European football of late as they overcame Belarusian outfit Dinamo Minsk. As well as being a morale-booster for the Arctic outfit, they’ve also won four from their last five games (four wins at home, one draw away) in all competitions, they’ve beaten the -1.75 handicap in each of those four home games and only conceded two goals over their past five games. Today’s visitors Stromsgodset have conceded in their past eleven games consecutively. However, don’t misconstrue that and hammer all your money on the handicap as the visitors do have an uncanny record of scoring in the majority of the games that they concede in. Ironically, they’ve only one once in their last five games (which also included two defeats and two draws) which was the reverse fixture of this game, winning 2-1. One thing I do expect here today is goals, so taking over 2.5 goals at evens looks a real bargain. I fancy a home win; if you want me to call a scoreline then I’d say 3-1. I’d also recommend taking both sides to score because Tromso may utilise some caution ahead of their mid-week encounter against Croatia’s Slaven Koprivnica in Europe so may rest some players but should still be more than capable of beating the handicap. As a final point, Tromso managed to overcome the handicap in this fixture last season – they really should be able to do so again. There’s a lot of value in this game so enjoy yourselves!
Sunday’s Picks
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
My tips:
Tromso vs Stromsgodset – home win with -1.75 handicap at 2/1, over 2.5 goals at evens, both sides to score – see introduction for full details
SV Mattersburg vs Rapid Vienna – home win with draw no bet at 3/1 or double chance at 6/5. These odds are phenomenal when you consider that SV Mattersburg only tend to take their points at home and that Rapid Vienna will be looking ahead to their game in Cyprus mid-week. The visitors have been superb in Europe this season. Indeed, I can’t praise them enough for winning so convincingly at Vllaznia Shkoder in Albania because it’s a very tough away game for any side. They’ve clearly out to topple Salzburg from their throne. However, there’s no getting around that they will rest players today and that the hosts are only good at home. In my book, that makes this a worthy bet because I can’t see an away win here unless Rapid Vienna boast a better squad than I credit them with.
Sturm Graz vs Wiener Neustadt – both sides to score. I’d imagine a home win to be on the cards here but my focus is on both sides scoring. After an emphatic start to their Bundesliga campaign, Wiener Neustadt travel to one of the title challengers Sturm Graz with the knowledge that their hosts have their eyes on next week’s tricky encounter in Montenegro against OFK Petrovac. The visitors aren’t the best side in the world by any stretch of the imagination, but they absolutely walked their division last year and managed to scored consistently in virtually all of their games. Sturm Graz are prone to conceding strange goals at home and that coupled with the fact that they’ve not played in a Bundesliga game yet this season spells out a possible jaded start with an under-strength squad against a morale-boosted Wieder Neustadt. I wouldn’t bet on the outcome but I do fancy both sides to score.
Corinthians vs Palmeiras – home win at 11/8. These are absolutely bargain odds for a home win. Corinthians are the best home side in the Brazilian Serie A currently with six wins from seven games. They enter the game on the back of three straight wins. Palmeiras are a good side but weakened after the loss of top striker Keirrison, despite their recent good form. They managed to lose away to Goias last match and I think that might just take its toll on today’s game. Had they won the game, this game today would have been much harder for me to call but it’s very difficult to take on a talented Corinthians side on their own turf and obtain three points whilst entering the game with only a defeat from their last game in the minds of the players. Palmeiras are ok on the road but I don’t see them getting anything here today. Expect plenty of goals too!
Bohemians Prague vs Sigma Olomouc – home win at 8/5. This is one of my favourite bets of the day. Bohemians Prague are an outstanding home side but an abysmal away side. Despite finishing 13th in the Gambrinus Liga last year, the only side to have won more home games than they did was their more illustrious neighbours Slavia Prague, the winners of the Gambrinus Liga. Sigma Olomouc have a reputation of being a bizarre side when it comes to reliability. For instance, they drew at home to Iceland’s Fram Reykjavik in the UEFA Europa League Qualifiers. That, considering the difference in league and sides, is a poor result. However, they then travelled to Iceland and promptly won the more difficult game 2-0. Their away form last season was meager, much like most of the division’s away form, really. Aside from that, Sigma Olomouc have a big game in Scotland mid-week as they face Aberdeen. They’ll want a good European run to generate some revenue and will no doubt consider their opening game of the Gambrinus Liga somewhat academic, whereas their hosts will be making this their cup final as they do for every home game. At 8/5, a home win here is a steal.
AaB Aalborg vs Nordsjaelland – away win with draw no bet/double chance. The hosts appear to have chosen the shit AaB Aalborg to turn up this season as opposed to the well-organised unit. They’ve suffered some embarassing results in Europe thus far and are subsequently out of the competition to Bosnian outfit Slavija Sarajevo and they’ve also managed to lose 1-0 to AGF. Nordsjaelland, by contrast, have no European distractions this year and already boast an impressive 2-0 victory over FC Copenhagen. For those reasons, I feel a sneaky away win here is worth a punt but do keep your punt low – both of these sides are about as good as each other.
HJK Helsinki vs Haka Valkeakoski – home win with -1.75 handicap at 9/4. Despite having led the Veikkausliiga table for the majority of the season, Haka Valkeakoski aren’t good enough to be there and any tipster on the Veikkausliiga who knows what he/she is talking about will say the same thing. Their recent run of two defeats in a row are symptomatic of the pressure being placed upon players as favourites for games that they’re not good enough to be listed as favourites to win. What this now does is start them on a downward spiral mentally because they’ve not got the experience or ability to surface the side again. Unfortunately for Haka Valkeakoski, they travel to a wounded and vengeful HJK Helsinki. The hosts are amongst the favourites to win the Veikkausliiga this season and their form certainly emphasises why that is as they sit at the top of the table after fifteen games. The hosts were dumped out of European football by Vetra Vilnius this week in what can only be described as a shock result, losing 3-1 at home to a side not as good as they are, a side they managed to beat in Lithuania 1-0. From that, the hosts will want blood and Haka Valkeakoski are in the right frame of mind to give blood. I sense an absolute demolition here and a handicap looks extremely favourable, particularly the -1.75 handicap at 9/4.
RoPS Rovaniemi vs FC Lahti – home win at 7/4. These odds are particularly good as RoPS Rovaniemi are beginning to win their home games again. Not many ventures to Lapland and return with a good result. FC Lahti have endured a torrid campaign of late and currently find themselves fourth from bottom in the Veikkausliiga, just one place ahead of today’s hosts RoPS Rovaniemi, although eight points currently seperates them. The visitors were ecstatic mid-week having overcome Slovenia’s Gorica to reach the next round of the UEFA Europa League Qualifiers. However, they weren’t quite as ecstatic when they learned that their next opponent was Belgian giants Club Brugge, which is where they travel to next week. Given that knowledge, they will rest the majority if not entirety of their squad for this game and Rovaniemi is no place for a lacklustre side. I fancy a strong home win here – perhaps even consider a handicap if you feel lucky!
Tampere United vs MyPa Anjalankoski – home win at 5/6. No secrets here, guys – Tampere United are currently the best home side in the Veikkausliiga with six wins from eight. Despite both of these sides undergoing a resurgence of late, I can’t see MyPa Anjalankoski doing what they’ve done so inconsistently this season and obtain points on the road. Keep punts low, however – both of these sides are very much sleeping giants that are beginning to awaken…
KuPS Kuopio vs IFK Mariehamn – away win at 11/10. This game is very interesting because in terms of quality, IFK Mariehamn outclass KuPS Kuopio all over the park. However, their recent form indicates that they simply can’t win a game! They’re not losing games – in fact, they’ve not lost in the Veikkausliiga since losing to league leaders HJK Helsinki in May – but they’ve now drawn four games in a row! However, today is their time to shine because they’re facing the worst side in the division, a side that concedes an average of two goals per game but only averages a goalscoring record that is very nearly one goal every two games. IFK Mariehamn are no fools; they may be finding the pressure of being a force hard to control but I can’t see them not winning this game against a feeble KuPS Kuopio.
Gyori ETO vs Ujpest – home win at 17/10. Visitors Ujpest emerged with nothing to show from their recent two-legged Europa League Qualifying clash with Steaua Bucharest of Romania, as they lost both legs. Last year’s runners-up won’t like having that on their conscience as they play their first game of the new campaign away to bogey side Gyori ETO. The hosts have won this encounter the last three times it’s been played – twice in the league and once in the cup. In fact, Ujpest haven’t beaten Gyori ETO in any of the last six games between these two sides at either ground. Given the above information, I find it hard to see why the bookies favour an away win here as the hosts are more than capable of winning this game, particularly against a tired and dejected Ujpest – a potential bargain price here.
Sandefjord vs Molde – away win at 3/4. Simply put – Molde are too good for Sandefjord. That statement is applicable in terms of squad depth, quality, form and league placing. When all of those are combined, you know you have a strong case for a win. Molde have nothing to distract them mid-week, no game to prepare for – all they can do is keep on winning. I can’t see an out-of-form Sandefjord being able to resist the irresistable force that has become Molde. A price of 3/4 is good considering that all the signs point to an away win.
Brann Bergen vs Bodo Glimt – home win with -1.75 handicap at evens. Brann Bergen aren’t exactly my favourite side to bet on but they’re at home to lowly Bodo Glimt and really should despatch them without any great issue. Brann Bergen’s problem has always been consistency but again, this shouldn’t be drastically relevant against a side whose only win in their last eight games came last match against the only side in the Tippeligaen that are below them. Brann Bergen are good enough and experienced enough to break the handicap here.
CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow – home win at 6/5. This is the riskiest bet of the day without a shadow of a doubt. These two Russian heavyweight sides are both unbeaten in their past three games and are both three points behind league leaders Rubin Kazan. I think it’s fair to say that CSKA Moscow possess a better squad than Spartak Moscow but the visitors have more unity, something the hosts often lack under Zico. Here’s an interesting point, however – Spartak Moscow have won five at home and just two away whereas CSKA Moscow have only won two at home but five away. Whereas the majority of statistics are irrelevant for a derby game, I still find it very interesting. Both of these sides are more than capable of winning this game but there’s one point that tips this in favour of CSKA Moscow for me and that is that Zico always gears up his side for big games. If you look at the points CSKA Moscow have dropped this season, they’ve all been to average/poor clubs. They’ve beaten all the big sides/won all the big games – Rubin Kazan away, Zenit St Petersburg at home, Dinamo Moscow away, Krylya Sovetov Samara away, Lokomotiv Moscow at home. They simply can’t gear themselves up to beat the smaller clubs. As strange a point as it may be, that’s the reason I will be backing a CSKA Moscow victory today.
Spartak Trnava vs Slovan Bratislava – home win at 17/10. My sole reasoning for this prediction is that Slovan Bratislava have European committments mid-week as they host Greek champions Olympiakos Piraeus in the European Champions League Qualifiers. Whereas I don’t fancy their chances against that Greek machine, they will certainly require a full squad of players thus will be resting players for this game. Spartak Trnava generally aren’t good enough to overcome Slovan Bratislava in my eyes but against a weakened squad, I think they’ll jump at the chance and steal the three points.
Trelleborgs vs IFK Goteborg – away win at evens. I’m a little confused by this game and I’ll tell you why. IFK Goteborg have struggled to find their form since the mid-season break which is probably partially due to the break and partially due to squad transfers. However, they managed to win their last game which carries them into this game with some renewed confidence, surely? Well, ordinarily I’d think so, but the side that IFK Goteborg beat last game was Trelleborgs! Where does that leave us?! The visitors are a better side than the hosts but IFK Goteborg don’t travel well. All that’s tipping the scales towards an away win in my eyes is that Trelleborgs have now lost three games in a row and appear to be on the descent. How bizarre is that, to play the same side twice in a row in the same competition?! The Swedish FA must be pissing their sides! Anyway, an away win should prevail here but keep punts low.
Aarau vs Young Boys Bern – home win at 21/10. What a price! Mid-table dwelling Aarau are hosting a Young Boys Bern side that are saving their best squad for a nightmarish trip to Athletic Club de Bilbao mid-week and will naturally be fielding a weakaned squad. Aarau are no fools, however, which is why I’m a little confused that the bookies have given them 21/10 to win this game. However, I’m not here to correct their mistakes; I’m just here to hopefully take advantage of them! Take at double chance if unsure, the odds are still decent.
Karpaty Lviv vs Metalurg Donetsk – home win at 8/5. Impressive Metalurg Donetsk should have their hands tied for this game as they have an important European game mid-week. Karpaty Lviv are good enough to take advantage of it and their win at Vorskla Poltava last week would have done nothing but boost their morale. Metalurg Donetsk don’t have the squad to take something here, surely? I think 8/5 could be a real steal here but take at draw no bet if unsure.
As ever, any questions/explanations required, feel free to email me at thefootytipster@gmail.com. For the complete picks listing, see below!
Austrian Bundesliga:
SV Mattersburg vs Rapid Vienna (5) draw no bet
Sturm Graz vs Wiener Neustadt (7) both sides to score
SV Kapfenberger vs Austria Karnten (7) 3-1
Brazilian Serie A:
Santos vs Flamengo (7) over 2.5 goals
Atletico Mineiro vs Goias (7) both sides to score
Sport Recife vs Nautico (8) under 2.5 goals
Corinthians vs Palmeiras (7) 3-2
Vitoria vs Coritiba (4) 1-1
Fluminense vs Cruzeiro (6) 1-1
Gremio Barueri vs Sao Paulo (6) 1-1
Colombian Liga de Futbol Profesional:
Atletico Huila vs Independiente Santa Fe (5) 1-1
Deportivo Cali vs Deportivo Pereira (6) 1-0
Boyaca Chico vs Envigado (6) under 2.5 goals
Real Cartagena vs Independiente Medellin (4) 1-1
Deportivo Pasto vs La Equidad Bogota (5) 0-0
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (6) 2-2, at least one red card in this game
Cucuta Deportivo vs Deportes Quindio (6) 1-1
Millonarios Bogota vs Deportes Tolima (8) 3-1
Croatian Prva Liga;
Slaven Koprivnica vs NK Zagreb (5) 1-1
Rijeka vs Lokomotiva (6) both sides to score
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Bohemians Prague vs Sigma Olomouc (7) 2-1
Ceske Budejovice vs Jablonec (7) 2-0
Danish Superligaen:
Silkeborg vs Midtylland (8) 1-1
AaB Aalborg vs Nordsjaelland (6) draw no bet/double chance
Esbjerg vs Brondby (7) 1-1
Ecuadorian Primera A:
Deportivo Quito vs Emelec Guayaquil (6) 1-1
Macara Ambato vs LDU-Portoviejo (8) 2-1
Manta vs Tecnico Universitario Ambato (7) 1-0
Faroese Meistaradeildin:
HB Torshavn vs IF Fuglafjordur (8) -1.75 handicap
NSI Runavik vs B36 Torshavn (7)
07 Vestur Sorvagur vs KI Klaksvik (6) under 2.5 goals
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
FC Honka Espoo vs VPS Vaasa (6) 2-1
HJK Helsinki vs Haka Valkeakoski (8) -1.75 handicap
RoPS Rovaniemi vs FC Lahti (7) 2-0
Tampere United vs MyPa Anjalankoski (8) 2-0
KuPS Kuopio vs IFK Mariehamn (7) 1-2
Finnish Ykkonen:
TP 47 Tornio vs Viikingit Helsinki (8)
KooTeePee Kotka vs FC Hameenlinna (7)
Jippo Joensuu vs PK 35 Helsinki (6)
Hungarian Soproni Liga:
Gyori ETO vs Ujpest (6) over 2.5 goals
Icelandic Landsbankadeild Karla:
IBV Vestmannaeyjar vs Stjarnan Gardabaer (5) 1-1
FH Hafnarfjordur vs Breidablik Kopavogur (9) -1.75 handicap
Irish Premier League:
Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers (6) 1-1
Derry City vs Cork City (7) 1-1
Japanese J-League:
Albirex Niigata vs Montedio Yamagata (7) 2-1
Jubilo Iwata vs Yokohama F Marinos (7) 2-0
Kyoto Purple Sanga vs Kawasaki Frontale (5) 1-1
Latvian Virsliga:
Dinaburg Daugavpils vs FK Jurmala (7) 2-1
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Vetra Vilnius vs LKKA Teledema Kaunas (7) under 2.5 goals
Suduva Marijampole vs Banga Gargzdai (9) -1.75 handicap
FK Siauliai vs FK Taurus Taurage (8) 2-1
Ekranas Panevezys vs Kruoja Pakruojis (9) -1.75 handicap
Mexican Primera Division:
Cruz Azul vs Jaguares (6) 1-0
Indios vs Monterrey (7) 1-2
Tigres UANL vs Puebla (6) 0-0
Atlas vs Pumas UNAM (7) 1-1
Toluca vs Guadalajara (8) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Morelia vs Santos Laguna (6) 1-1
Norwegian Tippeligaen:
Viking Stavanger vs Lyn Oslo (8) 2-0
Sandefjord vs Molde (8) 1-3
Valerenga Oslo vs Odd Grenland Skien (6) 1-1
Tromso vs Stromsgodset (7) over 2.5 goals, both sides to score
Brann Bergen vs Bodo Glimt (8) -1.75 handicap
Rosenborg BK vs Lillestrom (9) 2-0
Norwegian Adeccoligaen:
Sarpsborg vs Bryne (7)
Stavanger vs Alta (6)
Lov Ham Bergen vs Moss (8)
Nybergsund vs Honefoss (5)
Mjondalen vs Haugesund (6)
Tromsdalen vs Hamarkamaratene (6)
Skeid Oslo vs Notodden (5)
Russian Premier League:
CSKA Moscow vs Spartak Moscow (8) over 2.5 goals
Spartak Nalchik vs FK Moscow (7) 0-0
Kuban Krasnodor vs Terek Grozny (6) 1-0
Russian Division One:
FK Chita vs Energiya-Khabarovsk (5)
MVD Rossiya Moscow vs Luch-Energiya Vladivostok (3)
FK Krasnodor vs Shinnik Yaroslavl’ (6)
Anzhi Makhachkala vs FK Nizhnyi Novgorod (7)
Volga Nizhnyi Novgorod vs Salyut Belgorod (7)
KamAZ Nab Chelny vs Metallurg Lipetsk (8)
Volgar Gazprom Astrakhan vs Alaniya Vladikavkaz (7)
Cherno Novorosisk vs Baltika Kaliningrad (8)
Slovakian Corgon Liga:
MSK Zilina vs Senica (7) 2-1
Spartak Trnava vs Slovan Bratislava (5) 1-0
Slovenian Prva Liga:
Drava vs Koper (7) 1-1
Rudar Velenje vs Maribor (9) 0-0
Gorica vs Olimpija Ljubljana (7) 1-0
Swedish Allsvenskan:
Trelleborgs vs IFK Goteborg (7) 1-2
Elfborg Boras vs Djugardens (7) 2-1
Helsingborgs vs Gefle (5) 0-0
Swedish Superettan:
Vasalunds vs Syrianska Sodertalje (6)
Qviding Goteborg vs Ljungskile (6)
Assyriska Sodertalje vs Falkenbergs (8)
Swiss Super League:
Aarau vs Young Boys Bern (6) 1-0
Luzern vs Grasshoppers Zurich (7) 1-2
Sion vs Basel (6) 1-1
Swiss Challenge League:
Thun vs Yverdon Sport (6)
Vaduz vs Biel-Bienne (6)
Ukrainian Premier League:
Zakarpattya vs Vorskla Poltava (6) 0-0
Metalurg Zaporizhya vs Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih (6) 1-0
Obolon Kiev vs Zorya Lugansk (5) 1-1
Karpaty Lviv vs Metalurg Donetsk (7) 2-1
Uruguayan Primera Division:
Racing Club de Montevideo vs CA Cerro (7) 2-1
Defensor Sporting vs Liverpool Montevideo (7) 2-0, at least one red card in this game
River Plate Montevideo vs Club Nacional de Montevideo (6) 1-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!