Azerbaijan vs Andorra
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Today’s secondary featured game is the International Friendly in Germany between Azerbaijan and Andorra.
Quite why Azerbaijan are so short here is beyond me. They’ve had a reasonable amount of exposure to Brazilian football over the past few years and it is improving the standard of the Azeri side, which is now capable of dominating games with possession. They’ve done well in numerous games over the past few years although it’s worth noting that the vast majority (if not entirety) have been at home. This is not a side to underestimate but it’s certainly not a side that are used to being such heavy favourites and that heaps the pressure on and makes it harder to play. Regular striker Javadov is missing for Azerbaijan today, which is a hefty blow for them, as is the absence of Mammadov in midfield. There’s still enough experience and quality in this Azeri side to grind out a win here but on neutral turf with a largely inexperienced side at their disposal, it’s hard to see them running away with this one.
As far as footballing quality goes, Andorra are way down the list. I think we can all agree on that point. However, they’ve become a very experienced side over the years due to generally fielding the same side for the vast majority of their games. Subsequently, Andorra are now a lot harder to beat than they used to be. They’re smarter defensively and a lot more physical, enough so to actually rile their opponents, based on what I have seen. Don’t get me wrong here – a Netherlands or Germany should absolutely pummel Andorra but this is Azerbaijan, not a footballing giant, so I really wouldn’t be so keen to dismiss the Andorrans here.
Just to reiterate my point – if you gave Andorra a +2.5 handicap in all of their last thirteen games then you’d have won ten times. Not many sides rip them apart nowadays, basically. Russia managed it, Armenia scraped it (I was happy to see it, though, as I tipped them to do so! Took a wonder goal to break the deadlock too) and Armenia did it again at home, albeit in much more convincing fashion. You have to attack really well and to be clinical to punish Andorra nowadays and I can’t say that the Azeri side are capable of doing that. For me, giving Andorra a +2.5 handicap is very appealing at 7/5, although do approach this one with caution as it’s a friendly.
Verdict: Andorra to win with +2.5 handicap at 7/5.
Wednesday’s Picks
My tips:
International Friendlies:
Netherlands vs Slovakia (8) 2-0
Spain vs South Korea (7) 2-1
Switzerland vs Romania (6) 2-1
Sweden vs Iceland (6) 2-1
Azerbaijan vs Andorra (6) 1-0
USA vs Brazil (4) 1-2
Toulon Tournament:
Netherlands vs Mexico (6) 2-1
France vs Turkey (7) 2-0
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
Inter Turku vs FC Lahti (8) 2-0
Finnish Ykkonen:
SJK vs OPS Oulu (6)
Viikingit Helsinki vs Hameenlinna (5)
AC Oulu vs KooTeePee Kotka (6)
HiFK Helsinki vs PK-35 Helsinki (7)
Enjoy your free betting tips!