Today's featured game is the UEFA Europa League game between Russian champions Rubin Kazan and German champions VFL Wolfsburg. Rubin Kazan have impressed me in European competition this season and I consider them rather unlucky to have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League. I didn't expect much from them, to be honest, so they've impressed me substantially by very much earning their wins. Visitors VFL Wolfsburg have been up and down so many times this season that I've lost count but one thing that does remain constant for the Germans is conceding goals, which makes today's trip to Russia even harder.

Rubin Kazan are yet to lose at home in European football this season despite hosting some of the biggest and more experienced sides in European competition i.e. Barcelona, Internazionale, and Dynamo Kiev. Rubin Kazan drew all three games at home in the UEFA Champions League before being knocked out but were impressive throughout their group stage, even claiming a rare win at Barcelona, something that few other sides can claim to have done. Rubin Kazan's success, unlike most Russian sides, hinges on their tactical prowess rather than their home advantage. Russia is a horrendous place to travel to anyway as a potent Hapoel Tel-Aviv found as they travelled from Israel to lose 3-0 although the game wasn't even at Rubin's ground due to weather conditions. It's bitterly cold in Russia this time of year and that does play a part in increasing the struggle for visiting sides. Rubin Kazan are very adept defensively and you sense that if they go in front then they'll win the game as a result. Rubin Kazan also beat CSKA Moscow a few days ago in the Russian Super Cup without conceding a goal so their confidence and momentum is good at the moment and they'll prove a stern test for their German opponents.

VFL Wolfsburg though - who knows what to think of them? They score a lot of goals and concede even more! They're one of the worst defensive sides in the Bundesliga but one of the most potent so it depends which Wolfsburg turns up. They had been poor in the Bundesliga for some time before appointing a new manager and have since gone five games unbeaten in all competitions, winning their last four games consecutively. They're back to their usual selves with their freescoring style but that will be tested to the maximum on their nightmare trip to defensively-astute Rubin Kazan today, who have conceded just one goal at home in four European games. Wolfsburg drew 2-2 at Villarreal in their UEFA Europa League away game but could and probably should have lost the game after being guilty of giving some easy chances to Villarreal thanks to poor defending. Wolfsburg were also knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stages and lost two out of their three away games then with their only success being in Turkey against a demoralised and out-of-form Besiktas JK. Wolfsburg have already travelled to Russia and lost here when they faced CSKA Moscow in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League so will not have fond memories of the difficult trip east. Kazan is an intimidating venue for any side so it'll be interesting to see how Wolfsburg approach this game.

This is my featured game for the day but the very fact that it's in the UEFA Europa League screams "be careful!" to all punters. Rubin Kazan are more than capable of using their superb tactics to win this game efficiently and I do expect them to do so with their strong home advantage. However, Wolfsburg are on fire currently and their potency is good so they will give Rubin a tough test. However, the odds on a home win look good value for the Russian champions to win as they're consistently underestimated by the bookies so I think it's worth a punt today. 

Verdict: Rubin Kazan to win at evens.

Thursday's Picks

My tips:

Deportivo Quito vs Internacional - home win at 7/5.

Ah, the joy of altitude! Quito, one of the most difficult venues in South America, tonight plays host Ecuadorian Primera A champions Deportivo Quito as they entertain Brazil's Internacional.

 Deportivo Quito have been unimpressive domestically this season with some disappointing displays and even more disappointing results with their most recent being a loss at home to bitter rivals Liga de Quito. That won't sit well with tonight's hosts so they should have additional motivation for this game tonight. Deportivo Quito lost their only Copa Libertadores game this season at Uruguayans Cerro but now have their first home game of the competition. Deportivo Quito made their maiden voyage into this competition last season and have never lost at home during their fleeting appearances despite hosting both Cruzeiro and Estudiantes De La Plata, winning two out of their three home games. No side likes travelling to Quito so the home advantage really is a massive advantage for Deportivo Quito and the hosts need it at the moment too. They've got enough quality in their squad to do damage to Internacional tonight, however, so the odds do look good value.

Internacional lost on their last visit to Quito, albeit against Deportivo's bitter rivals Liga de Quito back in 2007's Copa Libertadores. Like most Brazilian sides, Internacional don't travel particularly well with just two wins outside of Brazil in their last seven away games in the Copa Libertadores. That record is in the past, admittedly, but it's still relevant in terms of how a side (and sometimes even a nation) travels. Internacional have some match practice as they're mid-way through their state championship in which they're doing well without particularly impressing. Internacional won their only Copa Libertadores game of this season at home to Deportivo's title rivals Emelec Guayaquil in an unconvincing 2-1 victory. Internacional don't deal well with physical sides generally but that's the kind of game they'll get from Deportivo Quito tonight so it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

Although I won't deny that Internacional are the better footballing side out of these two outfits, the game is being played in a frankly hostile Quito venue at alarming altitudes so I'd put these two sides on par with each other for that reason. Deportivo Quito are yet to convince this season but have the perfect opportunity to kickstart their season tonight as they have their traditional home advantage and the ability to make it count. Brazilian sides rarely have joy in Ecuador, like most sides, and Internacional shouldn't be any different. So long as Deportivo Quito remain physical (whilst keeping eleven men on the field!) against Internacional then the flowing football of the Brazilians should be disrupted sufficiently enough for the Ecuadorians to claim a narrow home win in what should be a low-scoring game. After all - I seriously doubt that we'll see an over-zealous display from Internacional at such an altitude or they'll most likely die so the hosts should have their chances to do damage tonight.

Verdict: Deportivo Quito to win at 7/5.

Recommended bets:

My sole recommendation today is a Copa Libertadores four team accumulator with Deportivo Quito, Cruzeiro, Sao Paulo, and Emelec Guayaquil at 12/1. Cruzeiro have a difficult away game but against a poor side so the bookies have called this correctly at 4/6, unfortunately - I had hoped for 4/5 or perhaps evens at some generous bookies! The same is applicable for Sao Paulo, unfortunately - these fuckers must be reading my blog, eh?! Again, odds are spot on for Emelec Guayaquil at 4/6 - I like this bet an awful lot, they've impressed me this year - and the risky one is Deportivo Quito who are under-performing a little but are deadly at home.

For the complete picks listing, see below!

UEFA Europa League:

Hamburger SV vs Anderlecht (7) over 2.5 goals
Rubin Kazan vs VFL Wolfsburg (7) 1-0
Atletico Madrid vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (6) over 2.5 goals
LOSC Lille vs Liverpool (6) 1-1
SL Benfica vs Olympique de Marseille (6) over 2.5 goals
Juventus vs Fulham (6) 2-1
Panathinaikos vs Standard de Liege (6) 1-0
Valencia CF vs Werder Bremen (4) 1-1

Copa Libertadores:

Nacional Asuncion vs Sao Paulo (7) 1-2
Emelec Guayaquil vs Cerro (8) 2-0
Deportivo Italia vs Cruzeiro (7) over 2.5 goals
Deportivo Quito vs Internacional (6) 1-0

Singaporean S-League:

Etoile vs Woodlands Wellington (6) 1-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Today's featured game is between Pakhtakor Tashkent and Al Shabab in the Asian Champions League. Uzbek hosts Pakhtakor are the second-biggest side in Uzbekistan and have some good experience in this competition. Al Shabab have good experience in this competition but the Saudi Arabian side aren't consistent with their performances as an opening day draw at home to Iranians Sepahan emphasised.

Pakhtakor Tashkent are somewhat in the shadow of "Big Phil" Scolari's FC Bunyodkor but remain a very good side themselves. Uzbekistan is rapidly becoming the place not to go to in search of points with Uzbek football on the rise due to the wealth of their two leading clubs. Previously Uzbekistan had only produced the likes of Maksim Shatskikh and Mirdjalal Kasimov that had been consistently successful in European football but their numbers are gradually increasing. Pakhtakor are unbeaten in their last six home games in this competition, winning four out of those six games. Pakhtakor are in their fifth consecutive year of Asian Champions League football and have matured well since their exposure to different footballing styles, even becoming one of the better sides in this competition. Pakhtakor reached the quarter-finals of last season's competition so they'll look to at least emulate that this time around. Pakhtakor tend to struggle more on the road as you'd expect but won their opening Asian Champions League game at Al Ain of United Arab Emirates so today's hosts are furthering their game even moreso. Few sides have an easy ride here and although Saudi Arabian sides have had more joy here in recent years than other sides have, I still fancy a maturing Pakhtakor Tashkent to do damage today.

Al Shabab have already endured a disappointing draw at home to Sepahan of Iran in this year's competition so don't enter this game feeling too pleased! They've lost their last two away games consecutively in this competition and have won just one out of their last five away games in this competition. Al Shabab haven't been involved in high-scoring games in this competition for a little while now with the Saudis playing a more compact style but also a more goal-shy style. Despite their experience in this competition, however, Al Shabab appear to be on the decline and will most likely struggle in what is now one of the toughest away games that a side can play in this competition.

Although I expect a tight game between two capable sides, I feel Pakhtakor Tashkent have developed enough and have enough momentum to overcome a somewhat under-performing Al Shabab today.

Verdict: Pakhtakor Tashkent to win at 9/10.

Wednesday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Banfield - home win at 9/10.

Uruguayans Club Nacional de Montevideo have a superb record at home in this competition with just one defeat in their last fifteen games, a defeat which came against eventual runners-up Estudiantes De La Plata. Club Nacional have won eleven of those games so I think it's fairer to say that despite the lack of geographical advantage, this remains one of the more difficult away games to play in this competition. Club Nacional often score two goals or more which makes them a difficult side to contain and they needed those goals in their 3-2 win at home to Ecuador's Deportivo Cuenca in their opening game of this tournament as the Uruguayans failed to convince consistently. Club Nacional take this competition very seriously, however, as they indicated by taking a draw from a lengthy trip north to face Morelia of Mexico. Club Nacional have won both domestic games since that trip north against rivals Racing Montevideo and Montevideo Wanderers whilst scoring five times so Club Nacional are only just entering their stride, which bodes ominously for their opponents tonight.

Visitors Banfield are yet to strike any kind of consistency following a dominant Apertura campaign. They've lost a good number of players since then so that does explain it but it does leave us a tad bemused as to where to look when they play! On one hand, Banfield laboured to a 2-1 home win against Morelia in the Copa Libertadores before travelling to a nightmare tie in Ecuador against Deportivo Cuenca and breezing it 4-1! Yet this Banfield side only managed a 0-0 draw at Atletico Tucuman in their last domestic game so just where are Banfield at? Even the wisest cannot say! What I will say is that they're not playing well on the road irrespective of their result in Ecuador. Domestically, they've lost two out of their four away games, drawing once, and winning once. They've lost to some poor sides too i.e. Chacarita Juniors. Banfield don't concede many but on the road they tend to struggle to score. Banfield will be motivated for this game not only because they want to do well in the competition but also because of the traditional rivalry. However, I don't think they've got the experience in this competition to take on a side like Club Nacional so could struggle tonight.

We should see a very good game but a very heated game between these two sides. Argentina vs Uruguay and their respective club sides always brings a traditionally high rivalry and that's all the motivation that Club Nacional will need to awaken their dominant home form in this competition. Club Nacional are more experienced than Banfield in this competition and are very potent at home so the home win looks favourable tonight.

Verdict: Club Nacional de Montevideo to win at 9/10.

Pohang Steelers vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima - home win at 13/10.

Reigning champions Pohang Steelers lost their opening game at Adelaide United, which wasn't the best start to defending their crown. However, where the Korean side are strongest is at home where they've won their last five home games in the Asian Champions League consecutively, avoiding defeat in all but one of their home games in this competition ever! The only side to win here was Adelaide United, ironically - Pohang Steelers really don't like this side! Pohang Steelers have gone from strength to strength in this competition and will be looking to further their impressive home record by adding the name of Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a list that already contains millionaires Bunyodkor, Tianjin Teda, and Central Coast Mariners to name a few.

Visitors Sanfrecce Hiroshima compete in their very first Asian Champions League competition and it showed as they were beaten 1-0 at home in their opening game against Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng. This is a real learning curve for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and unfortunately for the Japanese side there aren't many tougher away games than Pohang Steelers in this competition currently. The defeat will have concerned Sanfrecce Hiroshima but surely not as much as their lack of goals scored in that game? In this competition, you simply must score goals at home to have any chance of progressing because this competition can make you travel approximately 3000 miles if you're unfortunate to draw a side that far away - not the kind of game you can enter lightly. I think Sancfrecce's lack of potency and experience in this competition will hit them hard and they'll most likely succumb to defeat in South Korea today.

Pohang Steelers have developed experience and maturity very rapidly in this competition and should have too much for their opponents today. Sanfrecce Hiroshima not only failed to impress in their opening Asian Champions League game but also drew their opening game of the J-League at home to Shimizu S-Pulse - a poor result by their standards - so I expect a disgruntled and inexperienced Sanfrecce Hiroshima to lose today at what are rather generous odds.

Verdict: Pohang Steelers to win at 13/10.

Teplice vs Viktoria Plzen - home win at 10/11.

Teplice currently lead the Gambrinus Liga after a decent start following their return from the winter break as they drew at Ceske Budejovice and won at home to Bohemians Prague. Although the results themselves may not appear much on paper, what I would say is that a side needs consistency to win titles and the problem with most Czech sides in challenging Slavia Prague & Sparta Prague is a lack of that consistency, something that Teplice are rapidly gaining. Teplice don't play particularly good football but they're very efficient with it which is the key to their success. They've got good spirit as they showed by coming from behind last match to win and are strong at home as they've proven already this season with five wins and three draws from eight games. Teplice don't score many goals - approximately 1.5 goals per home game - but they boast one of the best defensive records in the division with just four goals conceded in their eight home games - an average of a goal every two games. Teplice should have enough momentum and spirit to make their ability count - particularly at home - so will prove a real force for Viktoria Plzen today.

Viktoria Plzen are a strange side. They don't play good football but tend to focus all of their tactics around keeping goalscoring and goal-conceding low whilst avoiding defeat at all costs. They've only lost two out of their nine home games on the road this season which is largely due to them boasting the best defensive record in the division away from home - a goal conceded for over every two games played. Viktoria Plzen aren't particularly dominant on the road as they sacrifice their limited potency in favour of defensive prowess. However, their two defeats on the road this season have come against strong home sides with strong defensive ability - Banik Ostrava and Pribram - in narrow home wins so I expect something similar today.

Teplice are better than Viktoria Plzen but there's not masses in it. However, home advantage favours the hosts and all that supports the visitors is their strong defensive displays. That said, Viktoria Plzen don't have a good record here with seven defeats in their last eight visits and that might just play on their minds today too. Either way, the odds on the home win are quite generous as Teplice have more than enough to see the job done in this game.

Verdict: Teplice to win at 10/11.

Accumulator fodder:

Shandong Luneng, Gamba Osaka, Suwon Bluewings, Sepahan, Al Hilal, Grasshoppers Zurich, Girondins de Bordeaux, Airbus.

Recommended bets:

Shandong Luneng, Gamba Osaka, and Pohang Steelers at 6/1.

Suwon Bluewings, Pakhtakor Tashkent, Al Hilal, and Sepahan at 6/1.

Teplice, Girondins de Bordeaux, Grasshoppers Zurich, and Airbus at 6/1.

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

UEFA Champions League:

Real Madrid vs Olympique Lyonnais (5) 2-2
Manchester United vs AC Milan (7) over 2.5 goals

Copa Libertadores:

Once Caldas Manizales vs Monterrey (5) 2-2
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Banfield (6) over 2.5 goals
Independiente Medellin vs Corinthians (6) under 2.5 goals
Alianza Lima vs Juan Aurich (5) 1-1
Caracas vs Flamengo (6) 1-1

Asian Champions League:

Shandong Luneng vs Adelaide United (7) 1-0
Gamba Osaka vs Henan Jianye (8) over 2.5 goals
Pohang Steelers vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (6) 2-1
Armed Forces vs Suwon Bluewings (8) 1-3
Pakhtakor Tashkent vs Al Shabab (7) 1-0
Sepahan vs Al Ain (8) 2-0
Al Ahli vs Al Sadd (5) over 2.5 goals
Al Hilal vs Mes Keman (8) 2-0

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Charleroi vs Lokeren (6) 2-1

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Turnhout vs Boussu Dour Borinage (5)

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Teplice vs Viktoria Plzen (7) 1-0

English Premier League:

Burnley vs Stoke City (6) 1-1

English Championship:

Reading vs Derby County (6) over 2.5 goals

French Ligue 1:

Girondins de Bordeaux vs Auxerre (7) 2-1

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Beira-Mar vs Estoril (6)

Serbian Super Liga:

Napredak vs Hajduk Kula (6) 1-0
Jagodina vs Partizan Belgrade (7) 1-2

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Domzale vs Nafta Lendava (6) 1-1
Drava vs Rudar Velenje (6) 0-1
Interblock Ljubljana vs Gorica (7) 1-1
Koper vs Olimpija Ljubljana (6) 2-1
Celje vs Maribor (7) 1-2

Swiss Super League:

Grasshoppers Zurich vs Aarau (8) 2-0
Bellinzona vs St.Gallen (6) 0-0

Swiss Challenge League:

Biel-Bienne vs Lugano (5)
Kriens vs Servette (6)
Stade Nyonnais vs Locarno (7)
Schaffhausen vs Wohlen (6) over 2.5 goals
Wil vs Vaduz (7)

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Deportivo Anzoategui vs Deportivo Tachira (7) 1-1

Welsh Premier League:

Cefn Druids vs Airbus (8) 2-1
Haverfordwest County vs Prestatyn Town (6) 1-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Today's featured game is the Copa Libertadores game between Bolivar La Paz and Estudiantes De La Plata. The Bolivians have already lost two Copa Libertadores games and simply aren't good enough to do any damage in this competition. Visitors Estudiantes De La Plata are in a bit of sporadic form currently but their overall ability is unquestionable so it should be an interesting game at high altitude.

Bolivar La Paz have already lost their two Copa Libertadores games this season, conceding five goals and scoring just once. They lost 2-0 at Juan Aurich, which is fairly respectable considering how bad Bolivian sides are on the road, but have also lost 3-1 at home to Alianza Lima, where Bolivar are supposed to be strongest. Home advantage is all that Bolivar have over other sides when playing in this competition but even that isn't serving them well currently due to atrocious defending. Bolivar will be happy that their domestic campaign started since their last Copa Libertadores game, giving them additional match practice, in which they won at Jorge Wilstermann. Bolivar have a very tough game tonight, however, as they host last year's Copa Libertadores runners-up.

Estudiantes De La Plata are a bit frustrating at the moment, aren't they? They've lost at home to Argentinos Juniors and away to Alianza Lima of late, two rather surprising results, and yet have annihlated Juan Aurich and San Lorenzo de Almagro already this season so what to make of them? Their ability is unquestionable; their reliability has become dubious. Estudiantes' problem of late appears to be a combination of two things - goal-shy displays and over-confidence. One thing is certain, however - they take this competition very seriously and will look to win this game for sure. The altitude is a real test for them as their last test in Peru saw them battered 4-1. However, Juan Aurich are at least a competent side - Bolivar La Paz are not. Estudiantes need a game where they can unlreash their pent-up goal rush that is building inside them, much like Lanus at Blooming Santa Cruz in Bolivia of late, so this could well be the catalyst for Estudiantes to starting playing well again.

Betting against the altitude always leaves me wary so do approach this game with caution. However, I can't ignore the fact that Estudiantes are at least five times better than Bolivar La Paz - there's such a gulf here. Estudiantes lost their only away game in the Copa Libertadores this season convincingly - they walked into the game over-confidently and underestimated their opponents. I don't envision the same mistake today against much lesser opponents, opponents that have already lost at home to an average side this season. Estudiantes are far too good for Bolivar to deal with and odds of this calibre are worth taking in my opinion.

Verdict: Estudiantes De La Plata to win at evens.

Tuesday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Jeonbuk Motors vs Kashima Antlers - away win at 29/20.

I'm basing this bet on two things because it's difficult to call the early stages of the Asian Champions League with such contrast in leagues, styles, and even geographically. My factors are simple: experience and ability.

Jeonbuk Motors are a South Korean side who enter this competition for the first time in three years and they didn't leave a lasting impression then, winning just two of their six group games, one of which was against a fellow South Korean side. They've won their opening game in this year's Asian Champions League but frankly any side that cannot beat an Indonesian side in this competition needs serious assistance due to the severe contrast in leagues. South Korean football is definitely on the up and they'll be up for this game for rivalry reasons due to the visitors being Japanese. However, the hosts are somewhat inexperienced in this competition after years of being out of it and I suspect it might show today.

Kashima Antlers are one of Japan's biggest and best clubs. They're playing in this competition for the third season in a row as a result and are looking to further their reputation as one of the better sides in it. They breezed through the group stage last season and were unlucky to be knocked out by Seoul in the following round after drawing 2-2 and going out on penalties despite playing with ten men for a good portion of the game. Kashima Antlers will no doubt have that in mind as they travel to face another South Korean side today and it may even spur them on a little. Kashima Antlers are a very good side with a lot of experience and even bring some momentum into this game after beating title rivals Urawa Red Diamonds in the J-League at weekend so the visitors do have a good chance today.

South Korean and Japanese clubs naturally have a big rivalry for obvious reasons so they usually produce good games to watch for varying reasons. However, Kashima Antlers are simply a better side than Jeonbuk Motors. Neither side will lie down for this game so I expect a lot of goals but I also expect the experience and ability of Kashima Antlers to win them the game at rather generous odds for a proven side in this tournament.

Verdict: Kashima Antlers to win at 29/20.

Notts County vs Chesterfield - home win at 4/5.

Notts County have won their last three games consecutively, including a difficult but convincing 3-0 win at Accrington Stanley. Notts County are now unbeaten in five League Two games and are well on their way to building up a superb burst of momentum. Notts County are the second-highest goalscoring side in the division so backing them always has that extra reassurance. Notts County have already won nine out of fifteen home games this season, losing just once along the way, so they're a strong side at home. Notts County have rattled in nine goals in their last three games without conceding a goal so they're absolutely on fire at the moment. They average scoring over two goals per home game and boast the best defensive home record in the division by averaging conceding a goal ever 1.5 games. Ultimately, the wealthy Notts County are looking very good for this game for various reasons and stand a good chance of taking three points tonight.

Visitors Chesterfield had their excellent run of form brought to an abrupt halt by Aldershot Town lately. They recovered well by winning at Cheltenham Town last match but their momentum was interrupted so they're not looking as menacing as they had been prior to their defeat. Chestefield's massive strength is their dominant home form with their Achilles heel being their haphazard away form. Chesterfield have already lost eight out of seventeen away games in League Two this season and are one of just two sides in the top eight of League Two to have conceded more than they've scored on the road. That kind of record isn't one to take to an in-form and potent Notts County so I think they're going to struggle tonight>

Both of these sides are very capable at either ground irrespective of Chesterfield's relatively poor away form so it'll be interesting to see what occurs. However, with the irresistable form of Notts County at the moment and the unreliable nature of Chesterfield on the road, you have to feel that there's value in backing the moneybags Notts County tonight!

Verdict: Notts County to win at 4/5.

Sillamae Kalev vs Flora Tallinn - away win at 9/5.

These odds intrigue me. Sillamae Kalev had a very good Meistriliiga campaign last season but they're not a better side than Flora Tallinn irrespective of whether they finished above them or not. Estonia is about two teams - Flora Tallinn and Levadia Tallinn. I won't deny that Flora Tallinn have weakened in ability of late but they're still the second-strongest club in Estonia so this game certainly has my attention.

It'll be interesting to see how Sillamae Kalev deal with the pressure of being expected to do well this season especially as I don't consider them to be a particularly good side - perhaps on par with the likes of Trans Narva or even Nomme Kalju. Sillamae Kalev won twelve out of eighteen home games in the Meistriliiga last season so they're certainly a force to be reckoned with. However, I don't believe in one-off glory like Sillamae Kalev until it's proven consistently. I believe that Sillamae Kalev's home record against Flora Tallinn reveals a lot more with four home games against Flora Tallinn having resulted in three convincing away wins and one fortune home win. Flora Tallinn have won seven out of ther last eight meetings with Sillamae Kalev at either ground and are a bigger and better side so it'll be interesting to see how well the bookies have looked at this game.

Flora Tallinn lost the Estonian Super Cup against Levadia Tallinn a few days ago and they won't like that but competitive match experience is competitive match experience so at least Flora Tallinn have something to bring into this game. The gap between Levadia and Flora is increasing each season with Levadia Tallinn now the unquestionable giants of this league. However, Flora very much remain the second biggest side and I can't see that changing due to just one good season for Sillamae Kalev and one below-par season for Flora Tallinn. Although I think Sillamae Kalev will give Flora Tallinn a good game today, I find it hard to overlook odds of 9/5 for the better side to win any game!

Verdict: Flora Tallinn to win at 9/5.

Bala Town vs Newtown - lay Bala Town at 10/11.

Bala Town have now lost two games consecutively so their momentum has taken a sizeable dent. They were facing two of Wales' top three sides so their defeats are very much understandable for the newly-promoted outfit. However, good runs can't last forever and Bala Town's has certainly been punctured lately so it'll be interesting to see how they react to that. The problem I have with Bala Town is that they don't score enough goals. Despite their defensively assured displays, they just don't score enough so when their luck does go against them, they're going to find it hard to pull themselves out of the mire again. That's what I'm banking on occurring tonight against Newtown so I find it hard to believe that Bala Town will win the game.

Newtown are some way down the table but this is a little misleading in some ways. They're in thirteenth place due to their shoddy defensive displays and that certainly is a concern ahead of a complicated trip to Bala Town. However, let's not gloss over the fact that Newtown are good goalscorers on the road when measured up against their actual away form with an average of approximately 1.5 goals scored per away game. Newtown are more experienced in this division than Bala Town are and that could count against the hosts tonight. Let's also not overlook the fact that Newtown have won two out of their last three away games with their only defeat being against one of the big three in Wales and yet they still managed to score twice. Newtown have notched up six goals in three away games so they're not to be underestimated tonight.

Ultimately, I don't rate a previously driven Bala Town that has suffered a couple of heavy reality checks in recent times against an experienced Newtown side that score a good amount of goals on the road and a Newtown side that are playing well away from home currently. The odds on Bala Town surprise me tonight considering they've won less than half of their home games this season so I do like the look of laying them tonight.

Verdict: Lay Bala Town at 10/11.

Accumulator fodder:

Arsenal, Changchun Yatai, Bury, Queens Park Rangers, Nomme Kalju, Levadia Tallinn, Tampere United, Rangers, Tampines Rovers, Llanelli

Recommended bets:

Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, Notts County, Bury, and Queens Park Rangers at 9/1.

Levadia Tallinn, Flora Tallinn, and Nomme Kalju at 6/1.

Estudiantes De La Plata, Rangers, Tampines Rovers, and Llanelli at 6/1.

Changchun Yatai, Kawasaki Frontale, Esteghlal, and Al Ittihad at 4/1.

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

UEFA Champions League:

Fiorentina vs Bayern Munich (5) 1-0, draw no bet
Arsenal vs Porto (8) over 2.5 goals

Copa Libertadores:

Racing Club Montevideo vs Cerro Porteno (5) 1-1
Bolivar La Paz vs Estudiantes De La Plata (7) over 2.5 goals
Universidad Catolica vs Universidad de Chile (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Deportivo Cuenca vs Morelia (6) under 2.5 goals

Asian Champions League:

Chanchun Yatai vs Persipura Jayapura (9) -1.75 handicap
Melbourne Victory vs Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (6) 1-1
Kawasaki Frontale vs Beijing Guoan (8) over 2.5 goals
Jeonbuk Motors vs Kashima Antlers (6) 1-2
Esteghlal vs Al Jazira (8) 2-0
Al Wahda vs Bunyodkor (5) 1-1
Al Gharafa vs Al Ahli (6) 1-1
Al Ittihad vs Zob Ahan (7) 2-1

English Premier league:

Sunderland vs Bolton Wanderers (7) 0-0
Portsmouth vs Birmingham City (5) 1-0

English Championship:

Peterborough United vs Sheffield United (6)
Preston North End vs Doncaster Rovers (6)
Watford vs Swansea City (7)
Ipswich Town vs Cardiff City (6)
West Bromwich Albion vs Sheffield Wednesday (7) over 2.5 goals
Crystal Palace vs Bristol City (6)
Queens Park Rangers vs Plymouth Argyle (8)

English League One:

Tranmere Rovers vs Leeds United (6)
Carlisle United vs Millwall (6)
Milton Keynes Dons vs Swindon Town (5)
Oldham Athletic vs Leyton Orient (6)

English League Two:

Accrington Stanley vs Macclesfield Town (6)
Bury vs Darlington (8)
Crewe Alexandra vs Grimsby Town (6)
Port Vale vs Bradford City (6)
Notts County vs Chesterfield (7) over 2.5 goals

Estonian Meistriliiga:

Sillamae Kalev vs Flora Tallinn (5) 1-2
Flora Paide vs Lootus (6) 1-0
Kuressaare vs Maag Tammeka Tartu (6) 1-1
Levadia Tallinn vs Trans Narva (8) over 2.5 goals
Nomme Kalju vs Viljandi Tulevik (8) 2-1

Finnish Liiga Cup:

Tampere United vs JJK Jyvaskyla (8) under 2.5 goals

Scottish Premier League:

Kilmarnock vs Rangers (8) 0-1
St.Mirren vs Motherwell (6) 1-2

Singaporean S-League:

Tampines Rovers vs Young Lions (8) 2-1

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Mineros de Guayana vs Trujillanos (6) 2-1

Wales Premier League:

Llanelli vs Port Talbot Town (9) over 2.5 goals
Bala Town vs Newtown (4) 1-1
Carmarthen Town vs The New Saints (7) 0-1
Welshpool Town vs Connah's Quay Nomads (6) 1-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Today's featured game is the League One encounter between Colchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Colchester are bidding to make a swift return to the Championship following relegation last season and are well-placed to do so after an impressive season. Brighton will count themselves fortunate to still be in this division by next season with the seasiders battling valiantly against relegation.

Colchester United have been very strong at home this season, winning thirteen times in sixteen League One games. They average scoring nearly two goals per home game and only Millwall boast a better defensive record that tonight's hosts. Only league leaders Norwich City have won more home games than Colchester so backing tonight's hosts at home is becoming something of a common thing! Colchester have won their last four home games consecutively, scoring seven times and conceding just once. They appear to have the right blend of potency and defensive reliability, enough so for them to achieve promotion to the Championship this season if they continue as they are. Colchester play good football and are one of the top sides in the division so it's no surprise to see them where they are. Colchester have won three out of their last five games, losing just once along the way, so their momenum is good too.

Visitors Brighton have a superb away record for reasons I've not really been able to work out yet! They simply score a lot of goals away from home and although they concede a lot of goals too, Brighton tend to end up avoiding defeat in their away games, having succumbed to just four defeats in seventeen away games. Only league leaders Norwich City have scored more away goals than relegation-battling Brighton & Hove Albion so the visitors are a threat in most away games which is why I suspect that the odds are so good for tonight's home win when compared to the quality gap between the two sides. However, what he bookies have considered is that Brighton's list of defeats on the road, small as it is, follow a similar pattern - they lose to sides that are better than they are by a substantial amount. Three of their four away defeats in League One this season have been on trips to Swindon Town, Norwich City, and Huddersfield Town respectively - all sides that are a lot better than Brighton. Although the visitors aren't going to make life easy for Colchester United today, you have to feel that they're going to be dealt with by their talented hosts in a similar way to their contemporaries before them.

Brighton are on a good run of form with no defeats in three games, winning twice along the way, but they're facing a side that are a lot better than they are today. Brighton's potency will be put to the test by a strong Colchester defence as they travel to one of the toughest sides in the division. Although the fairytale may continue for Brighton after this game, I can only see them losing to a Colchester side that is not only strong at home but is twice the side that Brighton are.

Verdict: Colchester United to win at 4/5.

Monday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Arsenal de Sarandi vs Colon de Santa Fe - away win  at 5/4.

Hosts Arsenal de Sarandi boast a bizarre record in the Clausura this season; they're the only side to have lost every home game without scoring a goal. It's not like Arsenal have faced sides with the calibre of Velez Sarsfield for all three games either, although the first game was undeniably Velez Sarsfield, but the other two defeats were against Tigre and Chacarita Juniors - two of the weakest sides in the Primera Division. The fact that Arsenal have even failed to score against their contemporaries is frankly disgraceful and is sure to have damaged them mentally. That said, Arsenal won their last game 3-2 at Rosario Central so tonight's hosts do bring some momentum into this game. However, goal-shy displays and atrocious defending tend to mean that the bigger sides beat you and that is what stares Arsenal in the face tonight.

Colon de Santa Fe are one of the better sides in Argentina currently and have shown it sporadically in their current campaign, winning three times in seven games. Colon have played four away games in the Clausura, winning once, drawing twice, and losing once. Colon's biggest flaw is not scoring enough goals but that shouldn't be an issue against an Arsenal side that cannot keep a clean sheet. Colon have played Velez Sarsfield, Banfield, Tigre, and Chacarita Juniors on the road so far so losing just once during those games looks a bit more respectable than the cold statistics alone suggest. Colon scored twice in each of their two games against the weaker opponents - Tigre and Chacarita Juniors - beating one side and drawing with the other. If Colon formulate their haphazard defence into any kind of shape ahead of tonight's game then they'll surely win the game because they're twice the side that Arsenal are and they're more than capable of scoring goals.

Although Argentina's Primera Division has been somewhat frustrating lately, I'm hoping that comes to an end tonight. Arsenal de Sarandi are one of the weakest sides in the division and they're hosting one of the better sides. With Arsenal yet to register a goal or a point in three home games and Colon de Santa Fe scoring goals for fun, you have to feel that the away win does bear considerable value tonight.

Verdict: Colon de Santa Fe to win at 5/4.

Sliven vs Cherno More Varna - away win at 5/4.

Sliven have fallen massively after their impressive A PFG campaign in recent times due to internal issues and player sales. Instead of competing for a European place they're not trying their best to stay in the division - they're struggling, too. Their first game back from the winter break saw them overcome Montana 1-0 in a nervous encounter. Sliven still have enough ability to overcome fellow relegation battlers like Montana so the result was not unexpected but they struggle against some of Bulgaria's better sides i.e. Cherno More Varna. Sliven do have a good home record this season with four wins in eight games and boast a strong defensive record too. However, they average scoring just over a goal per home game so you can see that any solid defensive side will take points from this game as Sliven don't score enough.

Cherno More Varna are one of those sides although their away form doesn't reflect it. They've lost five out of eight away games this season, scoring just six times but conceding eleven times. However, Cherno More have had a rather bizarre season and their form has suffered as a consequance. However, a good win at home to rivals Chernomorets Burgas in their first game back from the winter break should hopefully spur them on to bigger and better things - starting today. Cherno More's ability isn't in question - only their consistency. Let's not forget that Cherno More feature somewhat regularly in European football with appearances in the UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup for two seasons running, just in case you were doubting their ability! I have a lot of faith in Cherno More's ability and although it's a shade early to call whether they'll continue in their haphazard ways or will build some kind of consistency up, I'm prepared to take the risk that they will as they're the better of these two sides by some way.

However, there is an additional factor that should be taken into consideration before betting on this game but don't worry - it should favour the selection! Bulgaria is one of the bigger places for corruption in football in Europe nowadays as has been proven numerous times in recent years and as a result you do get some rather fishy results from time to time. Generally, when head-to-head results follow in a certain pattern then they tend to continue in a pattern, let's put it that way. Cherno More have won all three of their encounters with Sliven without even conceding a goal, winning twice at home and once away. Whereas I'm not suggesting for one second for legal reasons that this game is actually fixed, I'm saying that if there is fixing to be done then it could very well be in a game like this as past records do tend to support.

Anyway, the away win is good value and I think Cherno More have what it takes to do the damage today.

Verdict: Cherno More Varna to win at 5/4.

Accumulator fodder:

Arminia Bielefeld, Valencia CF, Slavia Prague

Recommended bets:

Just the one for me today - Slavia Prague, Colchester United, Valencia CF, and Arminia Bielefeld at 6/1.

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

San Lorenzo de Almagro vs Chacarita Juniors (5) 1-0
Gimnasia De La Plata vs Rosario Central (6) 2-1
Arsenal de Sarandi vs Colon de Santa Fe (7) 0-1

Bulgarian A PFG:

Sliven vs Cherno More Varna (7) 0-1

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Slavia Prague vs Ceske Budejovice (8) 2-0

Danish Superligaen:

Aalborg BK vs FC Nordsjaelland (6) 1-0

English Premier League:

Wigan Athletic vs Liverpool (7) 0-1

English League One:

Colchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion (8)

French Ligue 2:

Laval vs Metz (7)

German Bundesliga 2:

Arminia Bielefeld vs Karlsruher SC (8)

Greek B Ethniki:

Ionikos Nikaias vs Doxa Dramas (6)
OFI Crete vs Kerkyra (7)

Italian Serie B:

Piacenza vs Reggina (5)

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

De Graafschap vs Cambuur Leeuwarden (6) over 2.5 goals
Den Bosch vs Volendam (7)
Dordrecht '90 vs Oss (4)
Omniworld vs Go Ahead Eagles (6)
Zwolle vs AGOVV Appeldoorn (7) over 2.5 goals
Helmond Sport vs Fortuna Sittard (8)
MVV Maastricht vs Eindhoven (7)
RBC Roosendaal vs Emmen (5)
Telstar vs Excelsior (8)

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Vitoria Guimaraes vs CD Nacional (5) 1-0

Romanian Liga:

Brasov vs SC Vaslui (6) under 2.5 goals
Pandurii Targu Jiu vs Universitatea Craiova (6) 1-1

Singaporean S-League:

Balestier Khalsa vs Albirex Niigata (6) 0-0

Spanish Primera Liga:

Valencia CF vs Racing Santander (8) over 2.5 goals

Swiss Challenge League:

Thun vs Winterthur (6) over 2.5 goals

Turkish Super Lig:

Eskisehirspor vs Galatasaray (6) 0-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Today's featured game is the Serie A encounter between Cagliari and Catania. Cagliari have been strong at home this season and will look to continue that run today whereas Catania have been weak for the majority of the season both home and away so are deservedly battling relegation.

Cagliari enter this game on the back of two consecutive defeats but both of those games were away from home which is where the Sardinians are weakest. At home, Catania are a superb side, particularly of late. They've got ten games unbeaten at home whilst winning seven times so they're certainly a force to be reckoned with. The only sides to take a point away from Cagliari during this tyrannical home form are SSC Napoli, AS Roma, and Fiorentina respectively which each away side needing to score at least two goals to prevent Cagliari from winning. Cagliari aren't watertight defensively which is a shame as that's all that underpins their overall quality. However, when it comes to scoring goals at home in Serie A, only Genoa have scored more at home than Cagliari with today's hosts averaging scoring over two goals per game so to disregard their potency would be foolish. Cagliari have scored twenty-five goals during those ten games which is a frankly terrifying record and the hosts have every opportunity to win yet again at their fortress today.

Visitors Catania are a resilient little side from Sicily that never give anyone an easy game. However, they tend to lack a lot in the goalscoring department which is largely why they're battling against relegation. They average scoring less than a goal per away game currently and have already lost seven out of thirteen away games in Serie A this season so look likely to struggle against a rampant Cagliari. Catania have performed admirably in recent times, however, avoiding defeat in six out of their last seven Serie A games with AS Roma the only side to beat them along the way. Catania have pulled off some heroic results of late by winning at the likes of Lazio and at home to Bari in emphatic fashion so they do carry some good momentum into this game. However, they've only scored twice in their past three away games so their record does flatter them somewhat.

Ultimately, Cagliari are twice the side that Catania are - fact. They score so many goals that it's hard to see Catania's defence keeping them out, especially as no side has managed to do that against Cagliari here this season. Cagliari have scored at least two goals for all of their last ten home games so I sympathise with in-form Catania because they're going to have to do something that they rarely do and score a lot of goals to take anything from this encounter or else they'll simply be outscored, which is precisely what I expect to happen. The odds on the home win surprise me somewhat but I'll ride it as it looks a great bet in my eyes!

Verdict: Cagliari to win at evens.

Sunday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Huracan vs Tigre - home win at evens.

Huracan aren't the most convincing of Argentinian sides at the best of times but they are hard to beat, particularly at home. They've played three home games in the Clausura this season, winning twice, and drawing once. They've beaten Newells Old Boys and Velez Sarsfield here in epic games whilst holding high-flying Godoy Cruz de Mendoza to a goalless draw so they've been strong at home so far this season. Huracan's biggest problem tends to be scoring goals but five goals scored in three home games indicates that they're gradually resolving that issue. Huracan have only been beaten by potent Lanus and Estudiantes De La Plata this season so it's fair to say that Huracan are certainly hard to beat at the moment.

Visitiors Tigre have started their Clausura well but are ultimately living on borrowed time with a rather impotent attack. Tigre have only scored in four of their seven games so far in the Clausura and naturally aren't finding wins easy to come by as a result. Tigre aren't a good side; in fact, I consider them to be one of the worst in the Primera Division. They've finally began to show that too with two consecutive 1-0 defeats against Independiente and San Lorenzo de Almagro respectively. Not only do those results leave Tigre a little demoralised but they do highlight a lack of goalscoring ability that will underpin their overall performances considerably for as long as it's present.

Although both of these sides will be lingering somewhere near the bottom of the table at the end of the Clausura, Huracan are the better of these two sides and they're showing it at the moment. Huracan are looking more threatening in front of goal and have been consistently strong at home this season so should beat a demoralised and goal-shy Tigre with relative ease tonight.

Verdict: Huracan to win at evens.

Independiente vs River Plate - home win at evens.

Independiente enter this game having won all three of their home games in the Clausura whilst averaging scoring over two goals per game. They've beaten a talented Estudiantes De La Plata along the way as well as bitter rivals Racing Club Avellaneda in the Avellaneda derby so Independiente haven't simply crawled past inferior opponents to be where they are currently. They won 1-0 at Tigre last match and the only side to beat them this season is an impressive Velez Sarsfield so Independiente are looking more of a threat than I expect them to this season already. They've won three out of their last four games so their momentum is good and they won their last encounter with River Plate last season, winning 3-1 away from home.

Visitors River Plate managed to steal a 1-0 victory at home to San Lorenzo de Almagro in their last match but are still far from convincing. Their win last match was just their second of the season so far and looks likely to be one of ther last if they continue playing such unimpressive football. River Plate have been far from impressive in general this season which is worryingly evident with disappointing results both home and away against the likes of Arsenal de Sarandi and Gimnasia De La Plata respectively. River Plate simply aren't scoring goals and although they're not conceding too many goals themselves, they're going to have problems winning games if that's the case. Independiente are scoring goals so River Plate need to get at least one in this game to have any chance of taking something but frankly they don't look capable of doing so, which leaves the home win looking rather good value to me. 

Verdict: Independiente to win at evens.

Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Litex Lovech - lay Litex Lovech at 13/8.

The bookies overrate the bigger sides in Bulgaria rather excessively which has always intrigued me because I'm not sure why they do. Don't get me wrong - there are some big gulfs between clubs in Bulgaria but take today's game for example. Pirin Blagoevgrad are not as good as Litex Lovech but they've conceded just three times at home in the A PFG this season, a home record bettered only by Litex themselves. Blagoevgrad have only lost twice in eight home games and tend to enjoy stifling their opponents which is why they've got such a commanding home record. When you consider the above information, it's hard to comprehend just why Litex are 2/5 to win this game. Litex are the better side, as I mentioned previously, but they have failed to win three of their eight away games this season in the A PFG so they can be undone on the road. Litex don't score excessively on the road and do tend to concede a token goal so why they're such heavy favourites to win on a trip that they've only won twice on in their last four visits is beyond me!

I rate Litex much higher than Blagoevgrad but I'm not seeing any reason for them to have it all their own way today. Although Litex are capable of doing a job on Blagoevgrad, the value has to be in laying Litex today.

Verdict: Lay Litex Lovech at 13/8.

Atletico Huila vs Millonarios Bogota - home win at evens.

Atletico Huila enter this game as one of the highest goalscoring sides in the Primera A currently with an average of nearly two goals scored per game. They're unbeaten at home and despite winning just one of their three home games they remain a potent side with over two goals scored per home game on average. Atletico Huila crushed La Equidad Bogota 4-1 in their last home game so they do carry some momentum into this game and will look to use it against Millonarios tonight. Atletico Huila are basically looking very potent, particularly at home, and that should be enough do damage to Millonarios Bogota tonight.

Visitors Millonarios have never won at Atletico Huila in the Primera A and have lost three out of their last five visits here. They're not shaping up well in terms of amending that fact either with three defeats from three away games in the Primera A already this season. Millonarios average conceding three goals per away game currently and score less than a goal per game so it's easy to see why the fare so badly on the road. Millonarios are a presentable side but their away form tends to be poor and this season is no exception so I don't see why a potent Atletico Huila won't run riot tonight against a leaky Millonarios Bogota.

Verdict: Atletico Huila to win at evens.

Banik Ostrava vs Jablonec - home win at 10/11.

Banik Ostrava have won more home games in the Gambrinus Liga this season than any other side with seven wins in nine games, drawing the other two. Banik Ostrava average scoring just less than two goals per home game and rely heavily on their strong defence which concedes an average of just over a goal per every two home games. Banik Ostrava are generally a very well-organised side, particularly in defence, so they tend to do well in this league as it's not the most prolific of leagues! Banik Ostrava travelled to Viktoria Plzen on their first game back from the winter break and claimed a valuable point in a 0-0 draw so it's clear that maturity is creeping into their displays as that trip is not to be taken lightly by any Czech side. I quite fancy Banik Ostrava as dark horses to win the Gambrinus Liga because of this maturity that they're gaining, particularly with the abject league displays of both Czech giants - Sparta Prague & Slavia Prague - and they stand a good chance of doing so due to their ruthless efficiency and consistent manner. If Banik Ostrava do intend to win the Gambrinus Liga this year then today's opponents Jablonec are a side that they must beat to do so but that's one factor of their challenge that they'll no doubt relish. Why? Well, not only do Banik have a strong home record this season but they've also got the record of having beaten Jablonec here for four seasons running now with Jablonec having not won here since 1997. With the above in mind, Banik Ostrava are looking good for this game today!

Visitors Jablonec are playing well this season and are over-achieving as a result. It also aids their cause that no Czech side is dominating the league this season so Jablonec still have a realistic shot at the title. However, in terms of actual quality, they're one of the weaker sides near the top of the table and it's only a matter of time before that begins to show. They won 3-0 at home to Bohemians 1905 last match but frankly I'd expect te majority of Gambrinus Liga sides to emulate that result so I'm not exactly sitting here in awe. Jablonec tend to struggle on the road despite having won four out of eight away games already this season. This is largely due to the fact that they don't score many goals which is largely due to the fact that they're not a very good side as I've already pointed out! The reason they do well on the road is because their defence is strong. However, it's worth noting that Jablonec's two away defeats this season have come against strong home sides Teplice and Sparta Prague respectively so a win for yet another strong home side, Banik Ostrava, is far from out of the question.

We should see a relatively low-scoring game between two title rivals that shouldn't really be title rivals. As a result, I expect a somewhat nervy display from both sides as they try to impose themselves as one of the leaders in the race for the Gambrinus Liga and the results of that can be disastrous. However, Banik Ostrava are more experienced than Jablonec in this field and are more consistent and reliable so the home win today looks a good call to me.

Verdict: Banik Ostrava to win at 10/11.

Lombard Papa vs Debreceni VSC - away win at 5/6.

Newly-promoted Lombard Papa entered the Soproni Liga with a bang initially but are gradually being "found out". They've won five out of nine home games but have also lost four. Theyve lost two out of their last three home games in the Soproni Liga and tend to struggle against the bigger and/or better sides, both of which Debreceni VSC certainly are. Papa drew at MTK Budapest on their first game back from the winter break but this is a severely unprepared MTK Budapest side that were crushed 4-1 at Budapest Honved yesterday in a lacklustre display so I certainly wouldn't read much into that draw! Papa are beginning to look like a side that was recently promoted, basically, and they're going to find games tough against the likes of Debreceni VSC if they continue their unconvincing displays.

Although it took Debreceni VSC a long time to break down a stubborn Diosgyor VTK in their first Soproni Liga game back from the winter break, Debreceni VSC showed just how good they can actually be by smashing three goals past Diosgyori VTK in the last ten minutes of the game thus reaffirming their status as one of Hungary's biggest and best sides. Their display may have been a tad rusty but their overall ability remains entact and this result gives them good momentum to bring into this game. Unlike opponents Lombard Papa, Debreceni VSC have a few competitive games under their belt following the winter break following two League Cup games against Fehervar and Nyiregyhaza Spartacus respectively so the visitors have that extra bit of fitness ahead of this game. Although Debreceni VSC's away form hasn't been overly convincing this season due to some goal-shy displays, the one thing that Debreceni VSC have done since consistently since the winter break is score goals, something they've done ten times in three games so that issue should resolved soon enough!

Papa simply aren't good enough to keep a rampant Debreceni VSC side out today, in my opinion, and should succumb somewhat easily to their more illustrious opponents.

Verdict: Debreceni VSC to win at 5/6.

Feirense vs Freamunde - home win at 5/6.

Feirense have been a constant force at home in the Liga de Honra this season with six wins in ten games. Only league leaders Portimonense have scored as many home goals as Feirense have in this campaign so Feirense are looking rather potent ahead of this game. Feirense are unbeaten in their last three games and have won two of those games against Trofense and Santa Clara respectively - two promotion rivals - so Feirense should be somewhat buoyed ahead of this game and should make it count.

Visitors Freamunde are without a win in four games having drawn twice and lost twice. Their morale has dropped because of it as Freamunde continuously find themselves on the receiving end of negative results against the more in-form sides in the division i.e. Portimonense, Oliveirense etc. Freamunde have only lost three out of eleven away games in the Liga de Honra this season but all three defeats have come against the bigger and better sides of the division so it's easy to see that Freamunde have a ceiling to their ability and seem to bump into it every now and then!

Freamunde aren't good enough to cause problems here today and they tend to struggle against the better sides of the division, something that Feirense definitely are, so I'm siding with the momentum and the home advantage by calling a Feirense win today.

Verdict: Feirense to win at 5/6.

Real Zaragoza vs Atletico Madrid - home win at 6/4.

This is a bold call considering that Atletico Madrid are twice the side that Real Zaragoza are but it's one that I have some quiet hopes for!

Real Zaragoza have played well lately as they've now got some hidden agenda known only to themselves which means that they can now play well! Their general form both at home and on the road is unconvincing so I'm choosing to overlook those statistics in favour of their recent displays. Zaragoza have won three out of their last five Primera Liga games, drawing once and losing just once. They've won some very impressive games including an away win against Getafe whilst keeping a clean sheet and by beating Sevilla CF at home. Zaragoza bring a lot of confidence/momentum into this game as a result so look set to cause Atletico Madrid a lot of problems tonight, particularly with nine goals scored in their last five games.

Atletico Madrid won their last Primera Liga game 4-1 at home to Valencia although that scoreline was more dictated by cards and penalties than footballing quality. The fact is that Atletico Madrid's domestic campaign is now fruitless so they'll no doubt be looking towards the approaching game mid-week with Portugal's Sporting Clube de Lisboa and will maybe consider resting a few of their bigger names. Atletico have already lost seven out of twelve away games in the Primera Liga this season and average conceding nearly two goals per away game so their leaky defence is generally the reason behind their lack of success. Atletico Madrid's last away trip in the Primera Liga resulted in defeat at a battling Almeria side so I see no reason why a slightly more talented Zaragoza side are unable to claim a similar result.

This should be a good open game between two sides that don't really have an awful lot to lose but both enjoy scoring goals. I expect a lot of goals in this game as a result but I feel Zaragoza's form versus an inconsistent and defensively-inept Atletico Madrid sees a valuable home win emerging so it has to be worth a flutter!

Verdict: Real Zaragoza to win at 6/4.

Neuchatel Xamax vs Young Boys Bern - away win at 5/6.

Barring a humblin at Basel, Young Boys Bern have been superb after their return from the winter break, winning three games consecutively. Their last win was at home to out-of-sorts FC Zurich, which was very impressive for different reasons as Young Boys Bern played eighty minutes of the game with ten men and trailed for approximately seventy minutes before scoring two goals with ten men and ultimately winning the game. This kind of dogged tenacity and confidence in their own ability builds great momentum and Young Boys Bern are looking even better for it now. Young Boys Bern have won three out of their last four visits here and have enough momentum to do the same again today. Neuchatel Xamax are yet to win a game after their return from the winter break, drawing two away games and losing two home games. This string of results will demoralise them, particularly with repeated home defeats. The defeat at home to Basel was acceptable; the 3-1 battering at home to St.Gallen most certainly was not so Neuchatel Xamax are certainly looking vulnerable ahead of their game today with Young Boys Bern.

There's a big gulf in class between these two sides and there's now also a big gulf in momentum. With both of those gulfs favouring the league leaders Young Boys Bern you have to feel that the away win boasts considerable value today.

Verdict: Young Boys Bern to win at 5/6.

Accumulator fodder:

Lokomotiv Sofia, Levski Sofia, Omonia Nicosia, FC Copenhagen, Everton, Olympique de Marseille, Internationale, Palermo, America, AFC Ajax Amsterdam, Groningen, Twente Enschede, Legia Warsaw, Portimonense, Red Star Belgrade, Partizan Belgrade, Malaga, Lugano, Penarol.

Recommended bets:

Omonia Nicosia, Banik Ostrava, FC Copenhagen, Olympique de Marseille, and Sporting Clube de Lisboa at 7/1.

Everton, Girondins de Bordeaux, Olympiakos Piraeus, and Internazionale at 5/1.

Panathinaikos, Debreceni VSC, Cagliari, and Palermo at 6/1.

AFC Ajax Amsterdam, Twente Enschede, Groningen, SL Benfica, and Malaga at 5/1.

Huracan, Cucuta Deportivo, Real Cartagena, and America at 9/1.

Newells Old Boys, Deportivo Pereira, Atletico Huila, and Penarol at 11/1.

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

Huracan vs Tigre (7) 1-0
Newells Old Boys vs Godoy Cruz de Mendoza (7) 2-1
Independiente vs River Plate (7) 1-0
Argentinos Juniors vs Velez Sarsfield (6) 2-2

Australian A-League:

Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory (7) 2-0
Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets (6) 2-1

Austrian Bundesliga:

SV Kapfenberg vs Rapid Vienna (6) 1-2

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Germinal Beerschot vs Zulte-Waregem (7) 1-1
Mechelen vs Racing Genk (5) 0-1

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

OH Leuven vs Tubize (6)

Bulgarian A PFG:

Pirin Blagoevgrad vs Litex Lovech (5) 1-1
Montana vs Botev Plovdiv (7) 1-0
Levski Sofia vs Minior Pernik (9) 3-1
Sportist Svoge vs Lokomotiv Sofia (8) 0-2

Colombian Primera A:

Cucuta Deportivo vs Deportes Quindio (7) 1-0
Boyaca Chico vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (5) 1-2
America de Cali vs La Equidad Bogota (6) 0-0
Cortulua vs Deportivo Pereira (6) 0-1
Real Cartagena vs Envigado (8) 2-1
Atletico Huila vs Millonarios Bogota (7) 1-0

Cypriot Division 1:

Nea Salamis vs Omonia Nicosia (9) -1.75 handicap
APOEL Nicosia vs AEL Limassol (7) 1-0
Apollon Limassol vs Anorthosis Famagusta (6) 1-2

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Kladno vs Sparta Prague (7) 0-1
Banik Ostrava vs Jablonec (6) 1-0

Danish Superligaen:

Esbjerg vs Randers (7) 2-1
HB Koge vs Silkeborg (7) 0-1
Brondby vs SonderjyskE (7) 2-0
FC Copenhagen vs AGF Aarhus (8) over 2.5 goals

Ecuadorian Primera A:

El Nacional Quito vs Macara Ambato (6) 1-0
Emelec Guayaquil vs Barcelona Guayaquil (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game

English Premier League:

Everton vs Hull City (8) 2-0

English FA Cup:

Reading vs Aston Villa (6) 1-2
Chelsea vs Stoke City (4) 1-1

French Ligue 1:

Grenoble Foot vs Le Mans (6) 2-1
Olympique de Marseille vs Lorient (8) 2-0
Girondins de Bordeaux vs Montpellier HSC (8) 2-1

German Bundesliga:

FC Nurnberg vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen (7) 0-1
Hoffenheim vs FSV Mainz 05 (5) 1-1

German Bundesliga 2:

Union Berlin vs MSV Duisburg (6)
1860 Munich vs St.Pauli (5)
Augsburg vs Paderborn (7) over 2.5 goals

Greek Super League:

Ergotelis vs Atromitos (6) 1-0
PAS Giannina vs Asteras Tripolis (6) 0-0
Panionios vs Xanthi (7) 1-0
Panathinaikos vs Levadiakos (8) 2-0
Iraklis vs Olympiakos Piraeus (8) 1-2

Greek B Ethniki:

Diagoras Rodos vs Ethnikos Piraeus (6) over 2.5 goals
Ilioupoli vs Aigaleo Athens (6) under 2.5 goals
Kalamata vs Panserraikos (6)
Olympiakos Volos vs Thrasivoulos (8) over 2.5 goals
Panaitolikos Agrinio vs Ethnikos Asteras (7)
Pierikos Katerini vs Anagennisi Karditsas (7)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Lombard Papa vs Debreceni VSC (8) 0-2

Italian Serie A:

Cagliari vs Catania (8) over 2.5 goals
Bari vs Chievo Verona (5) 0-0
Sampdoria vs Lazio (7) 1-0
Palermo vs Livorno (8) over 2.5 goals
Bologna vs SSC Napoli (5) 1-1
Siena vs Parma (6) 1-1
Atalanta Bergamo vs Udinese (6) 2-1
Internazionale vs Genoa (8) over 2.5 goals

Japanese J-League:

Vissel Kobe vs Kyoto Purple Sanga (6) 0-0
Omiya Ardija vs Cerezo Osaka (6) 2-1

Mexican Primera Division:

Pumas UNAM vs Puebla (6) 1-0
Indios vs Tigres UANL (5) 1-1
Santos Laguna vs Atlante (7) over 2.5 goals
America vs Queretaro (8) 2-0

Dutch Eredivisie:

Roca JC Kerkrade vs Feyenoord Rotterdam (6) 1-2
Sparta Rotterdam vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (8) over 2.5 goals
Groningen vs VVV Venlo (8) over 2.5 goals
Utrecht vs NEC Nijmegen (6) 1-0
RKC Waalwijk vs Twente Enschede (8) 0-2

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Legia Warsaw vs Odra Wodzislaw (8) 2-0
Piast Gliwice vs GKS Belchatow (5) 0-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Maritimo vs Academica de Coimbra (6) 2-1
Belenenses vs Sporting Clube de Lisboa (8) 0-2
SL Benfica vs Pacos de Ferreira (8) -1.75 handicap

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Estoril vs Santa Clara (5)
Feirense vs Freamunde (7)
Oliveirense vs Trofense (6)
Varzim vs Gil Vicente (7)
Sporting Covilha vs Carregado (6)
Portimonense vs Penafiel (8)
Fatima vs Desportivo Aves (6)

Romanian Liga:

Gaz Metan Medias vs International (7) 2-0
Otelul Galati vs CFR Cluj (6) 1-2
Politehnica Iasi vs Unirea Alba Iulia (7) 2-0
Unirea Urziceni vs Steaua Bucharest (6) 1-1

Scottish Premier League:

Falkirk vs Celtic (7) 1-2
Dundee United vs Hearts (6) 1-0

Serbian Super Liga:

Rad Belgrade vs Red Star Belgrade (8) 1-2
Cukaricki vs Hajduk Kula (6) 0-0
Partizan Belgrade vs Javor Ivanjica (9) 2-0

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Tatran Presov vs Kosice (6) 2-1

Spanish Primera Liga:

Malaga vs Deportivo Xerez (8) 2-0
Espanyol vs Villarreal (6) 1-0
Real Mallorca vs Sporting Gijon (4) 1-1
Osasuna vs Getafe (5) 2-1
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Valladolid (8) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Real Zaragoza vs Atletico Madrid (6) over 2.5 goals

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Elche vs Hercules Alicante (7)
Real Sociedad vs Numancia (6) under 2.5 goals
Real Murcia vs Levante (6)
Cadiz vs Albacete (4)
Real Betis Balompie vs Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (6)

Swiss Super League:

Neuchatel Xamax vs Young Boys Bern (7) over 2.5 goals
St.Gallen vs Aarau (7) 1-0
FC Zurich vs Luzern (5) 1-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Lugano vs Stade Nyonnais (8)
Vaduz vs Le Mont (7)
Biel-Bienne vs Wil (7)
Lausanne Sports vs Kriens (4)

Turkish Super Lig:

Ankaragucu vs Gaziantepspor (6) 1-1
Manisaspor vs Denizlispor (6) 1-1
Fenerbahce vs Antalyaspor (6) 2-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Arsenal Kiev vs Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (5) 0-1
Metalurg Donetsk vs Shakhtar Donetsk (7) 1-2
Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih vs Tavriya Simferopol (6) 1-1
Vorskla Poltava vs Metalurg Zaporizhya (6) 1-0
Obolon Kiev vs Chernomorets Odessa (7) 1-0

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Cerrito vs Defensor Sporting (6) 1-1
Fenix vs Cerro (5) 1-0
Atenas vs River Plate Montevideo (6) 2-1
Penarol vs Cerro Largo (8) over 2.5 goals

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Atletico El Vigia vs Centro Italo (7) 1-0
Real Esppor Club vs Monagas SC (5) 1-1
Deportivo Lara vs Llaneros de Guanare (6) 2-1
Mineros de Guayana vs Trujillanos (5) 1-0
Zamora vs Estudiantes de Merida (6) over 2.5 goals
Zulia vs Yaracuyanos (6) 1-1
Deportivo Anzoategui vs Deportivo Tachira (6) 1-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Today's featured game is the Ekstraklasa encounter between Slask Wroclaw and Jagiellonia Bialystok. Slask Wroclaw have had a fairly good campaign this season, particularly at home, and will look to further that today. Visitors Jagiellonia Bialystok now have a real monkey on their back with a thirty-two game run without an away win so they're looking worried on the road more often than not.

Slask Wroclaw welcome back former Bolton Wanderers defender Jaroslaw Fojut, which is a big boost for the hosts as he's been out for some four months now. Slask have already won six out of nine home games this season but they've even stronger with Fojut. Slask average scoring approximately 1.5 goals per home game and only giants Legia Warsaw have conceded less goals at home than today's hosts have. Slask drew their first game back from the winter break at Polonia Bytom, which is a fairly respectable result with Polonia having only lost once at home all season long. Slask are only missing Dudek and Lukasiewicz so are well-placed to further their impressive home form today.

Visitors Jagiellonia are fast becoming legend in Poland for their lengthy run without an away win. It's not that Jagiellonia aren't capable because they're a good side but they had bad luck and have now merged that with the expectation that they won't win their away games and that now plays on the players' minds. Jagiellonia haven't scored enough on the road this season with just seven goals scored in nine games so they do tend to struggle, particularly as they average conceding over a goal per away game. They've only lost three out of their nine away games but their six draws shows that it only takes a strong home display to overcome them. Jagiellonia are missing Kascelan, Lewczuk, Renusz, and one of their most important midfielders - Bruno. Kascelan is under investigation in terms of the legality of his appearance in this game due to Jagiellonia being his third club of the season and Lewczuk is suspended but the other two are rumoured to have been dropped ahead of this game, which should be a hefty blow for Jagiellonia. They've got the opportune moment to try Grzyb but Jagiellonia need an assured display today to take anything from the game and I just don't feel that they're capable currently. Marcin Burkhardt has been the subject of speculation in Poland lately with his move from Korona Kielce having finally been permitted. The irony of that situation, of course, was that Jagiellonia lost at Korona last match in a game no doubt fuelled by the ongoing saga. Ultimately, Jagiellonia have entered this stage of their campaign with more problems than when they left it in December and morale is lessened following a disappointing defeat at Korona so Jagiellonia look a little suspect ahead of this game.

Although there's little to choose between these two sides in terms of quality, Slask have far more in their favour than an under-performing Jagiellonia side that have problems both on and off the field so the home win should boast considerable value today.

Verdict: Slask Wroclaw at evens.

Saturday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Boca Juniors vs Racing Club Avellaneda - home win at 4/5.

Boca Juniors' last match was a 4-4 draw at Primera Division favourites Velez Sarsfield did much to further my belief in their current level of ability. They may be without a win in their past five games but they've drawn their last four games consecutively whilst scoring six goals so it's only a matter of time before they make it count. I suspected defeat against Velez would send Boca crashing to the depths that they've discovered over the past couple of seasons yet again but Boca held their own and have earned considerable credit for taking a point from that game. Boca will be pleased to see Racing travelling here as the hosts have won the last five out of six home meetings against Racing, drawing the other game, so Boca will have a bit of an advantage mentally ahead of this game. Boca's home form isn't too impressive this season but I think they've got enough potency in them currently to improve that tonight against a struggling Racing side that Boca tend to enjoy playing.

Visitors Racing Club Avellaneda have played three away games this season and lost all of them. They've not conceding excessively but the fact that they've scored just once coupled with the fact that they are travelling to one of the most potent sides in Argentina currently looks ominous for the visitors. As I mentioned earlier, Racing don't have a good record here and three defeats, one draw, and just one victory in their last five games won't have done much for their momentum either. Basically, Racing are looking prime candidates to lose this game and I'm seeing little from their camp to suggest that anything other than a home win will occur here tonight.

Boca Juniors are currently the second most potent side in the Primera Division behind Velez Sarsfield so they've certainly got the goals to do the job tonight. They need to stop drawing and start winning so an ailing Racing Club Avellaneda should be the perfect opponents for them as they've proven to be poor defensively so far this season and have lost all three of their away games. Therefore, the value should be in the home win tonight!

Verdict: Boca Juniors to win at 4/5.

Once Caldas Manizales vs Deportivo Cali - home win at 10/11.

Once Caldas Manizales enter this game on the back of three consecutive wins in all competitions, a run which was started by their home win against Brazil's Sao Paulo in the Copa Libertadores. Once Caldas have since beaten Millonarios Bogota at home and Atletico Nacional de Medellin away in their last game and whereas neither side are particularly good, I still consider Once Caldas' results to have given them strong momentum and their attacking potency has increased as a result with the hosts averaging scoring two goals per game at the moment. Only league leaders Real Cartagena have scored as many as Once Caldas have so far this season so tonight's hosts look good to do some damage to Deportivo Cali.

Deportivo Cali are starting to struggle this season due to a lack of potency. They're not conceding excessively in general but are the biggest conceding side on the road in the Primera A with ten goals conceded in four away games, all of which they've lost - by far the worst away record in the division on every level. They've scored twice in their four away games and haven't won in any of their last three games in all competitions so they're looking rather susceptible tonight.

Ultimately, the better of these two sides is in good goalscoring form and they're at home. They're hosting a side that has lost every away game this season emphatically and a side that has little to prove that they have what it takes to take anything from this game tonight so the home win should be somewhat routine as well as good value.

Verdict: Once Caldas Manizales to win at 10/11.

Slaven Koprivnica vs Sibenik - home win at 4/5.

Slaven Koprivnica's "welcome back to the Prva Liga" after the winter break was a 5-0 defeat at giants Hajduk Split, which is an acceptable outcome but an unacceptable scoreline. It will have hurt Slaven because they're a better side than the scoreline reflects although their away form does little to back that statement up. However, Slaven remain a very able and reliable home side with an average of over two goals scored per home game and seven wins in nine games so far this season. Slaven have won this fixture for seven out of their last eight meetings and Sibenik have never won at Slaven Koprivnica so the hosts have yet another advantage ahead of the game today.

Visitors Sibenik have had an oustanding campaign and currently occupy third place in the Prva Liga as a result. However, this was largely due to their defensive strength rather than their attacking potency as they boast one of the best defences in the division but also have a record that shows only Zadar outside of the relegation zone having scored less goals than they have. Sibenik's first game after the winter break was a very disappointing draw at home to Zadar but a result that reflected just how much Sibenik are over-achieving this season so Sibenik could be set for a big jolt as they come back down to earth tonight.

Slaven are as consistent as ever at home and are one of the top four sides in Croatia despite problems off the field this season. They're always a threat at home and their record reflects that perfectly. Sibenik aren't good enough to be where they are and I expect a potent Slaven side to expose them tonight as the visitors simply don't score enough goals to counter them.  

Verdict: Slaven Koprivnica to win at 4/5.

Pribram vs Mlada Boleslav - home win at 7/5.

Pribram have been a constant threat at home all season long in the Gambrinus Liga with only Banik Ostrava having won more home games than they have. Pribram have won six out of eight home games and although they don't score as many goals as I'd like them to, they do tend to keep opponents out to a substantial enough level for the home win to arise far more often than not. Pribram's first game back after the winter break was a valuable and respectable draw at giants Sparta Prague so they'll bring a good level of momentum into this game today. Pribram are a very able side and I've seldom seen them in as good condition as they are now to further their impressive home form.

Visitors Mlada Boleslav are a side capable of matching Pribram on their day. However, despite being the joint second best goalscorers in the Gambrinus Liga this season, Mlada Boleslav are still lingering mid-table after a series of random and yet somewhat frequent disappointments in games that they should be winning. A prime example would be their first game back from their winter break which resulted in a 1-0 home defeat inflicted by relegation-threatened Kladno; a completely unacceptable result. Mlada have already lost four out of eight away games this season and a result like that against Kladno won't help them improve it momentum-wise so I suspect they'll struggle today against a strong Pribram side.

This is one of the riskier calls that I've made today and yet one of the ones that I like the most. Pribram don't have a good record against Mlada Boleslav but I don't think that they'll get a better shot at beating them than they have today with the visitors conceding goals far too easily currently.

Verdict: Pribram to win at 7/5.

West Ham United vs Bolton Wanderers - home win at 5/6.

West Ham United have a poor head-to-head record with Bolton as they've now lost their last five meetings consecutively. It's worth pointing out that four of those were away though! However, West Ham are looking better now than they have for the majority of the season so far so look in good shape to break the duck. They've finally got a presentable attack back with Cole being back in business and numerous other strikers competing for a place alongside him i.e. Franco, Ilan, McCarthy - all proven strikers on one level or another around Europe. West Ham were beaten 3-0 at Manchester United in their last game but it was a strange game, truth be told. I was at the game and although Manchester United won 3-0, it was one of the most boring 3-0 wins I've ever seen because there weren't many chances for either side so I do think that the result flattered my beloved Manchester United. West Ham's heads dropped after a while but their workrate remained high throughout and West Ham did cause problems initially; they were arguably even unlucky not to score. West Ham have won their last two home games consecutively without conceding whilst scoring five times so they're the games that I'd look more towards for reassurances regarding just where West Ham are currently.

Visitors Bolton have struggled immensely following the lengthy injury suffered by defensive stalwary Gary Cahill and now look a lot more likely to be relegated in my opinion as he's a massive loss. Bolton have conceded seven times in their last two away games and haven't scored in either so look very poor currently. They won their last game 1-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers but I've absolutely no idea how they managed to do so with Wolves hitting the woodwork twice and deserving at least a draw from that game. I suppose it's testament to Wolves' luck of late but Bolton's luck may just run out against a West Ham side threatening to burst into a vein of good form and they've got the players available to them to do it. Bolton look short on goals as ever and have already lost eight out of their thirteen away games in the Premier League this season whilst conceding an average of two goals per game and scoring less than a goal per game so frankly they look likely to be beaten in any away game.

These two sides should not be competing with each other to avoid relegation. West Ham are a big club with big players and should be mid-table at least, which is where I expect them to finish this season if they keep their attack entact. Bolton have brought upon their own problems by allowing negative manager Gary Megson such a lengthy spell in charge and by not spending their money well but they're another side that should be comfortably mid-table by now. However, West Ham are the better of these two sides and frankly have better players so the home win looks good today for me.

Verdict: West Ham United to win at 5/6.

Aldershot Town vs Burton Albion - home win at 10/11.

Aldershot Town enter this game on the back of a 1-0 win at home to Bradford City mid-week. This result improved Aldershot's already strong home record as well as them doing so against an in-form Bradford City so the hosts will have taken a lot of momentum from that game. Aldershot have now won nine out of seventeen home games in League Two this season and have only been beaten twice whilst averaging scoring two goals per home game so they're a constant threat at home. They've won their last two games consecutively and stand a good chance of continuing that run, particularly as they're such a potent side - the fourth-highest scoring side in League Two, incidentally.

Visitors Burton Albion are such a bizarre side that it's unreal. Seldom does a side score so many goals following promotion from the division below so it's hard to know just how they're going to play. What remains constant with Burton Albion is that they cannot defend for shit with only Crewe Alexandra and bottom-placed Darlington having conceded more goals than they have this season. Burton tend to be outclassed more often than not in this division and three defeats in their last five games illustrates that point well. They've already lost seven out of sixteen away games this season and have conceded six goals in their last two away games so could and should struggle immensely against an impressive Aldershot Town side that are frankly better than they are today.

I can't put it much more simply other than that Aldershot are too good for Burton. Aldershot are extremely reliable at home and I can't see a sporadic Burton side changing that today.

Verdict: Aldershot Town to win at 10/11.

Rotherham United vs Bradford - home win at 4/5.

Rotherham United enter this game on the back of a 4-0 defeat against Rochdale. The defeat will have hurt Rotherham United but their ability cannot be questioned so it's important not to write them off. Rotherham have still won seven out of sixteen home games this season and although they've drawn too many at home due to not scoring enough goals, Rotherham remain one of the best sides in this division and tend to show it when given chance. Only Notts Couty boast a better defensive record at home than Rotherham so the hosts do at least have a solid foundation for their performances. Rotherham have won three out of their last six games and have only lost once so they do bring momentum into this game and should be able to make it count.

I'd normally stay away from Rotherham after a result like their previous game against Rochdale but frankly Bradford City are a poor side and shouldn't be able to test Rotherham today. Bradford may have only lost six out of sixteen away games this season but they're one of the weakest sides in the division when it comes to conceding goals on the road and that tends to hamstring their performances on the road. Their last game was a 1-0 defeat at Aldershot Town, a result which ended their little burst of form, so Bradford should really return to their disappointing selves. Bradford are beginning to lose some of their motivation with relegation and promotion both virtually impossible so shouldn't be able to pose a serious threat to Rotherham United today.

I would emphasise some caution on this selection as it is a derby of sorts but Rotherham really should be too good for Bradford today irrespective of form.

Verdict: Rotherham United to win at 4/5.

Racing Club Lens vs Paris Saint-Germain - home win at 5/4.

Racing Club Lens aren't one of Ligue 1's better sides but they're a strong home side with seven wins in thirteen home games, losing just three times along the way. They don't score excessively but their stubborn defence tends to keep opponents out enough for home wins to prevail over draws and defeats. Lens have won their last three home games consecutively in all competitions and when you consider that this list includes Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco you then have to take Lens rather seriously at home. They'd be much further up the table if their potency was more reliable but we don't have the luxury of the choice there, regrettably! Nonetheless, Lens are a very strong home side and sides must play well to take anything from this game.

Paris Saint-Germain are capable of taking three points from this trip today but look likely to do anything but win the game after a bad run of form. Their last match saw them lose the "El Clasico" 3-0 at home to bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille; a result which caused their own fans to fight amongst themselves and which now means that Paris Saint-Germain will have no fans for their home game with Boulogne at the end of the month. Paris Saint-Germain's results in general of late have been poor with Paris Saint-Germain having lost 3-0 at home to Lorient, for example. The visitors have now lost five out of their last seven Ligue 1 games because they're conceding far too many goals and offer little in the way of attack so it's hard to see them doing damage against Lens today, particularly with their away record showing that they've already lost seven out of thirteen away games this season.

Although I consider Paris Saint-Germain to be some way better than Racing Club Lens, the fact remains that Paris Saint-Germain look anything but a threat today. They're poor on the road, they're conceding too many, and they're not scoring goals. Whereas I accept that a draw at Lens is a possibility, you have to feel that the drive hosts will take advantage of their fortress and secure three points today.

Verdict: Racing Club Lens to win at 5/4.

Zalaegerszegi TE vs Ferencvaros - home win at 5/6.

Zalaegerszegi TE are one of those frustrating sides that are capable of consistently finishing where they are in the Soproni Liga currently - fifth - but let themselves down at key stages. However, home games don't tend to be where today's hosts struggle; the away games are their Achilles heel. ZTE have already won five out of seven home games this season and average scoring over two goals per home so they're a reliable force on their own turf. ZTE didn't play last week due to their game with Paksi SE being called off, which was fortunate as I envisioned them losing that game! ZTE now have the opportunity to start the second part of the Soproni Liga campaign at home and should make the most of that fact against a weak-travelling Ferencvaros.

Giants Ferencvaros have found life in the Soproni Liga much more challenging than when they were relegated from it for obvious reasons. They've taken points at home but they struggle massively on the road with five defeats in eight games, winning just once on the road all season. Ferencvaros are one of the lowest scoring sides in the division away from home with less than a goal scored per away game on average. Ferencvaros may have stumbled to a home win against Szombathelyi Haladas in their last match but it's going to take a monumental effort for them to take anything from this game and I frankly think it's a bridge too far for them currently so we should see a home win today.

Verdict: Zalaegerszegi TE to win at 5/6.

AS Roma vs AC Milan - away win at 21/10.

This is definitely my boldest and most stupid call of the day with both of these sides playing very well currently but it's one I like the look of.

AS Roma are unbeaten in an outstanding sixteen Serie A games now, a run which has seen them even begin to push Internazionale at the top of the table so credit must go to Ranieri and his stretched side for this achievement. However, they've lately suffered two embarrassing 3-2 defeats against Panathinaikos of Greece and it appears to have affected their play somewhat. AS Roma won unconvincingly at home to lowly Catania in between these two defeats and drew 2-2 at SSC Napoli following their exit from the UEFA Europa League. Whereas a draw at Napoli is certainly respectable in the current climate, I just think that AS Roma are looking a tad more suspect in defence and their confidence has definitely taken a knock. Roma have won more home games than any other Serie A side this season with eleven wins in thirteen games - which makes this call even bolder! - but all runs have to end sometime and Roma are looking like they're slowing down in my book.

Unfortunately, AC Milan don't have a good record in Rome with no wins here against Roma since 2005, which is a total of five visits, two resulting in draws and three in defeat. However, AC Milan's football since facing (and during!) their game with Manchester United has been superb and they've looked a real threat. I've not seen any side dominate a defensively-astute Bari side on their own turf so convincingly as AC Milan did lately and Ronaldinho looks to be on his way back to the top, which naturally inspires the ageing AC Milan side. They won at Fiorentina lately despite trailing for the majority of the game and won at home to local rivals Atalanta Bergamo 3-1 in their last Serie A game so AC Milan are strong mentally and have a good level of potency currently so they stand every chance of causing an upset tonight.

Both sides are missing some big players for this game but I believe AC Milan to have more strength in depth so should cope better with the proviso that both Ronaldinho and Pato start the game. Roma are missing Mexes, Toni, and Daniele De Rossi is a doubt for the game - three big blows for the Romans. AC Milan are missing Zambrotta, Onyewu, Gattuso, Antonini, and Thiago Silva, Seedorf, Flamini, and ex-Roma winger Mancini are all doubts. I can't see Leonardo not fielding Seedorf whether he's injured or not and the rest I don't class as big "missing" players for AC Milan, personally.

I expect a close game between two good sides in good form but I genuinely feel that AC Milan can do to AS Roma what AS Roma did to Juventus a few weeks ago by beating all the odds and overcoming their title rivals due to a strong surge of momentum. Either way, it should be one of the best games of the day to watch so I'd recommend watching regardless!

Verdict: AC Milan to win at 21/10.

Brescia vs Grosseto - home win at 5/6.

Brescia are ever-reliable at home which is why you see them featured on this blog so often! No side has won more home games than they have in Serie B this season although Empoli and Ancona can both match their home wins. Brescia have won ten out of fourteen home games, drawing twice and losing twice. They average scoring nearly two goals per home game and appear extremely serious about returning to Serie A after a lengthy absence, which makes a change from their usual haphazard Serie B campaign! You can tell when Brescia are serious because they start avoiding defeat on the road, something they've now done for their last four away games, winning twice and drawing twice. Brescia have won their last three games consecutively and have won their last five home games consecutively so momentum and confidence is through the roof currently. Brescia aren't the most potent of sides but frankly they don't have to be with their magical ability of winning games somewhat effortlessly.

Visitors Grosseto are a good side but they've got some way to go before they can even begin to match up to Brescia. They've only lost four out of thirteen away games in Serie B this season but tend to draw the majority as they've not yet mastered the ability to win on the road as they're simply not good enough to do so yet. I generally avoid betting against Grosseto if I can help it because they have a tendancy to be very resilient and potent but their crushing 4-0 defeat at home to Crotone last match should have damaged them immensely mentally and should leave them somewhat shellshocked ahead of their tough trip to Brescia today. Grosseto's away defeats in this division do tend to come against the better sides with their last two away defeats being against Lecce and Torino respectively so it's reasonable to expect Brescia to produce a similar display today to overcome their resilient visitors.

Verdict: Brescia to win at 5/6.

Monterrey vs Pachuca - home win at evens.

This game sees the clashing of two of Mexico's most potent sides currently. Only on-fire Guadalajara have scored more goals than Monterrey have in the Clausura so far with Monterrey averaging scoring over two goals per game. Monterrey have already won six out of their eight Clausura games, tasting defeat just once along the way. They've played four home games in the Clausura already and have won all of them convincingly, conceding just once along the way. Monterrey have won their last five games in all competitions consecutively so their confidence and potency is phenomenal at the moment. Monterrey are one of the favourites for this season's Clausua title and on this kind of form it's easy to see why that is.

Visitors Pachuca are considered by some to be dark horses in the Clausura and I can see why that might be. Pachuca also average scoring over two goals per game but have only won four out of eight games this season, losing three times. They've let themselves down lately with no wins in three games, losing their last two home games consecutively in convincing fashion and without scoring a goal. Interestingly enough, Pachuca have only lost one of their three away games this season so they're a tough nut to crack on the road as Puebla found when they lost 5-3 at home to Pachuca in a bizarre encounter. However, a crushing 3-0 defeat at home to Pumas UNAM last match should be enough to discourage Pachuca enough for them to become passengers in what is frankly a frightening fixture against a Monterrey side that nobody wants to face currently!

Monterrey have won this fixture for three seasons running now and have even beaten the -1.75 goal handicap in each game so it's worth taking a cheeky punt on the handicap, particularly with Monterrey looking so potent currently. Pachuca are in for a rough ride tonight and I can't see their defence or attack being strong enough to take anything from this game.

Verdict: Monterrey to win at evens.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla CF - lay Real Madrid at 2/1.

This is another bold call but you have to like it!

Real Madrid have won convincingly of late by scoreline but not by performance. You can only ask a side to score goals against the opponents that are in front of them - that's true - but I do feel that their results of late have flattered them. Real Madrid are relying far too much on individual ability rather than collective ability and that dominant reliance showed on their trip to Lyon lately where they were frankly outplayed and were fortunate to lose by a single goal only. Madrid scored five against Tenerife of late but frankly you'd expect them to do that. I was impressed by their 6-2 win against Villarreal but this is a Villarreal in a transition period with a new manager so again it's an accountable result. Real Madrid have won every home game in the Primera Liga so far this season so my hat goes off to them - they're the only side that can claim to have done that so far. They've average scoring over three goals per home game so it's a bold call indeed to go against them but that's what I intend to do!

So...why? Sevilla CF haven't being playing too well of late but I have to confess that I consider Sevilla CF to be the best away side in the Primera Liga. Why? Well, they're the only one that can change their style to counter their opponents which is why they've won more away games than they've lost this season. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Valencia all have their own style of football but they're all somewhat one-dimensional in my opinion i.e. they don't have a Plan B. Sevilla CF do have a Plan B which is something I respect them a lot for. They've not played too well lately but their general football in a match is superb to watch and Sevilla CF tend to use it to their advantage too! Sevilla boast one of the best defensive records in the division away from home so Madrid have their work cut out tonight.

Madrid may be unbeaten at home but so were Mallorca until Sevilla visited! I appreciate that Madrid and Mallorca are worlds apart but my point is that Sevilla are more than capable of causing a real upset. Sevilla absolutely battered Madrid earlier this season in the reversal of this fixture and had it not been for a magnificent display from Iker Casillas then Madrid would have been beaten by at least four goals. Sevilla are a better team than Madrid, in my opinion, and I'm banking on that to count a lot tonight.

Irrespective of the form of either side, however, you have to feel that taking Sevilla not to lose any game at 2/1 bears a lot of value, really! This takes more of an interesting look when you consider that Sevilla have won on two of their last three visits here in epic encounters and furthers my point about them being a better team than Madrid. One thing is for sure - this will be another cracking game that is not to be missed!

Verdict: Lay Real Madrid at 2/1.

Newtown vs Aberystwyth Town - away win at 10/11.

Newtown have already lost five out of their ten home games in the Premier League this season so it's easy to see why they're lingering just outside of the relegation zone. They score a good level of goals but they concede far too many with just Caersws and today's opponents Aberystwyth Town having conceded more goals at home than they have. Newtown have only won once in their last four home games, losing twice and drawing once. Most worryingly for Newtown, however, must surely be the fact that they've only scored once during those four games. Their potency appears to have deserted them entirely of late and that has to be a concerning factor as they're hosting one of the best away sides in the Premier League currently, particularly as the visitors today are a better side than Newtown, frankly.

Aberystwyth Town have won more away games in the Premier League than any other Welsh side this season - which includes the big three of Llanelli, Rhyl, and The New Saints - so you can see how well the visitors today are doing. They've won eight out of twelve away games and average scoring approximately 1.5 goals per away game. Aberystywth have won their last three games consecutively (including a difficult trip to Neath Athletic) and generally play very well on the road. With momentum favouring them and their ability on the road growing with each game, it's hard to overlook the away win at generous odds for the better of these two sides today.

Verdict: Aberystwyth Town to win at 10/11.

Accumulator fodder:

Salzburg, Sturm Graz, Austria Vienna, Anderlecht, Lierse SK, Eupen, CSKA Sofia, Teplice, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic, Norwich City, Rochdale, Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich, VFL Wolfsburg, Kaiserslautern, PAOK Salonika, Fehervar, Gyori ETO FC, Morelia, AZ Alkmaar, Heracles Almelo, Lech Poznan, Porto, Rangers, Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona, Basel, Dynamo Kiev, Metalist Kharkiv, Club Nacional de Montevideo, Bangor City, Llanelli, and Rhyl.

Recommended bets:

Anderlecht, Manchester United, Olympique Lyonnais, VFL Wolfsburg, and PAOK Salonika at 5/1.

Arsenal, Newcastle United, Swindon Town, West Ham United, and Norwich City at 7/1.

Bangor City, Rhyl, Llanelli, and Aberystwyth Town at 5/1.

Aldershot Town, Rochdale, Rotherham United, and Heracles Almelo at 7/1.

Bayern Munich, Kaiserslautern, Brescia, and AZ Alkmaar at 5/1.

Slask Wroclaw, Lech Poznan, Ruch Chorzow, and Rangers at 5/1.

Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona, Basel, Dynamo Kiev, and Metalist Kharkiv at 5/1.

Salzburg, Sturm Graz, Austria Vienna, Teplice, and Gyori ETO FC at 5/1.

Boca Juniors, Once Caldas Manizales, Club Nacional de Montevideo, and Monterrey at 10/1.

As ever, if there any questions/explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

Boca Juniors vs Racing Club Avellaneda (7) 2-1
Lanus vs Estudiantes De La Plata (6) over 2.5 goals

Austrian Bundesliga:

Salzburg vs Wiener Neustadt (10) -1.75 handicap
Sturm Graz vs SV Ried (9) 3-1
Austria Vienna vs LASK Linz (9) over 3.5 goals
Austria Karnten vs SV Mattersburg (6) 0-0

Austrian Liga 1:

Admira Wacker vs Wacker Innsbruck (5)

Belgian Eerste Klasse:

Charleroi vs Anderlecht (8) 1-2
Cercle Brugge vs Lokeren (7) 2-0

Belgian Tweede Klasse:

Brussels vs Tournai (6)
Lierse SK vs Ronse (8) over 2.5 goals
Eupen vs Boussu Dour Borinage (9)
Dender vs KVSK United (6) under 2.5 goals
Antwerp vs Tienen (6)
Red Star Waasland vs Turnhout (5)
Standaard Wetteren vs Beveren (4)

Bulgarian A PFG:

Lokomotiv Plovdiv vs Chernomorets Burgas (6) 0-1
Beroe vs CSKA Sofia (8) 0-2

Colombian Primera A:

Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota vs Deportes Tolima (6) 2-1
Independiente Medellin vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (6) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Once Caldas Manizales vs Deportivo Cali (8) 2-0

Croatian Prva Liga:

Varteks Varazdin vs Istra 1961 (7) 2-0
Lokomotiva Zagreb vs NK Zagreb (7) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Rijeka vs Cibalia Vinkovci (5) 2-1
Inter Zapresic vs Hajduk Split (7) 0-1
Slaven Koprivnica vs Sibenik (6) 1-0
Zadar vs Karlovac (7) 0-0
Croatia Sesvete vs Medimurje (6) 1-1
Osijek vs Dinamo Zagreb (6) 1-2

Cypriot Division 1:

Aris Limassol vs A.E.Paphos (6) 1-1
Ermis vs Doxa (5) 1-0
APOP/Kinyras vs APEP (8) 2-1
Enosis Neon Paralimni vs Ethnikos Achnas (6) 0-0

Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:

Teplice vs Bohemians Prague (8) 2-0
Slovacko vs Brno (6) 1-1
Slovan Liberec vs Viktoria Plzen (6) 1-0
Bohemians 1905 vs Sigma Olomouc (5) under 2.5 goals
Pribram vs Mlada Boleslav (6) 1-0

Danish Superligaen:

Midtylland vs OB Odense (7) 1-1

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Espoli Cayambe vs Macara Ambato (5) 1-1
Independiente vs Universidad Catolica (6) 0-0
Deportivo Quito vs Liga de Quito (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

English Premier League:

Arsenal vs Burnley (10) -1.75 handicap
West Ham United vs Bolton Wanderers (8) 2-0
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester United (8) 0-2

English Championship:

Blackpool vs Ipswich Town (5)
Bristol City vs Doncaster Rovers (6)
Cardiff City vs Middlesbrough (6)
Crystal Palace vs Sheffield United (6)
Derby County vs Watford (6)
Newcastle United vs Barnsley (8)
Nottingham Forest vs Swansea City (5)
Peterborough United vs Coventry City (6)
Plymouth Argyle vs Preston North End (5)
Queens Park Rangers vs West Bromwich Albion (6) over 2.5 goals
Sheffield Wednesday vs Leicester City (6) under 2.5 goals

English League One:

Swindon Town vs Bristol Rovers (8) over 2.5 goals
Charlton Athletic vs Stockport County (8)
Exeter City vs Oldham Athletic (6)
Gillingham vs Huddersfield Town (5)
Hartlepool United v Southend United (6)
Leeds United vs Brentford (7) under 2.5 goals
Milton Keynes Dons vs Leyton Orient (7)
Norwich City vs Yeovil Town (8)
Tranmere Rovers vs Southampton (6)
Walsall vs Millwall (7)
Wycombe Wanderers vs Carlisle United (6)

English League Two:

Accrington Stanley vs Notts County (6)
Aldershot Town vs Burton Albion (8) over 2.5 goals
Bournemouth vs Morecambe (7) under 2.5 goals
Bury vs Dagenham & Redbridge (7)
Cheltenham Town vs Chesterfield (5)
Crewe Alexandra vs Barnet (7)
Darlington vs Torquay United (7)
Grimsby Town vs Shrewsbury Town (7)
Hereford United vs Macclesfield Town (6)
Port Vale vs Northampton Town (6)
Rochdale vs Lincoln City (8)
Rotherham United vs Bradford City (8)

English FA Cup:

Portsmouth vs Birmingham City (5) 1-0
Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur (6) 1-1

French Ligue 1:

Boulogne vs Olympique Lyonnais (9) -1.75 handicap
Stade Rennais vs AS Monaco (6) 2-1
OGC Nice vs AS Nancy-Lorraine (5) 1-0
Racing Club Lens vs Paris Saint-Germain (6) 2-1
Sochaux vs Toulouse (5) under 2.5 goals
Auxerre vs Valenciennes (7) 1-0
Saint-Etienne vs LOSC Lille (6) under 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga:

Koln vs Bayern Munich (8) under 2.5 goals
Werder Bremen vs VFB Stuttgart (6) 2-2
Hamburger SV vs Hertha BSC Berlin (7) under 2.5 goals
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Schalke 04 (6) 1-1
SC Freiburg vs Hannover 96 (6) over 2.5 goals
VFL Wolfsburg vs VFL Bochum (8) 2-0
BV09 Borussia Dortmund vs Borussia Moenchengladbach (7) over 2.5 goals

German Bundesliga 2:

Energie Cottbus vs Alemannia Aachen (5)
Kaiserslautern vs FSV Frankfurt (8) under 2.5 goals

Greek Super League:

Kavala vs Aris Salonika (7) 1-1
PAOK Salonika vs Panthrakikos (10) -1.75 handicap
Larissa vs AEK Athens (5) 1-1

Greek B Ethniki:

Agrotikos Asteras vs Rhodos (7)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Nyiregyhaza Spartacus vs Paksi SE (5) 1-0
Diosgyori VTK vs Fehervar (8) 1-2
Budapest Honved vs MTK Budapest (7) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Zalaegerszegi TE vs Ferencvaros (7) 2-1
Gyori ETO FC vs Vasas Budapest (8) over 2.5 goals
Kecskemeti TE vs Ujpest (7) 0-1

International Friendly:

Venezuela vs North Korea (6) 0-0

Irish Premier League:

Sligo Rovers vs Shamrock Rovers (6) 1-2

Italian Serie A:

Fiorentina vs Juventus (7) 1-1
AS Roma vs AC Milan (6) 1-2

Italian Serie B:

Crotone vs Albinoleffe (6)
Modena vs Ancona (5)
Cittadella vs Empoli (5)
Torino vs Frosinone (6)
Brescia vs Grosseto (8)
Mantova vs Lecce (7)
Gallipoli vs Padova (6)
Ascoli vs Salernitana (6)
Triestina vs Vicenza (5) under 2.5 goals

Japanese J-League:

Shonan Bellmare vs Montedio Yamagata (5) 1-0
Jubilo Iwata vs Vegalta Sandai (7) 2-1
Tokyo vs Yokohama F Marinos (7) 1-1
Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Shimizu S-Pulse (6) over 2.5 goals
Kashima Antlers vs Urawa Red Diamonds (7) over 2.5 goals
Kawasaki Frontale vs Albirex Niigata (6) 2-1
Gamba Osaka vs Nagoya Grampus (7) 2-0

Mexican Primera Division:

Monterrey vs Pachuca (7) over 2.5 goals
Jaguares vs Guadalajara (7) over 2.5 goals
Morelia vs Estudiantes Tecos (8) 2-0
San Luis vs Cruz Azul (6) 0-0
Atlas vs Toluca (5) 1-1

Dutch Eredivisie:

AZ Alkmaar vs Heerenveen (8) 2-0
ADO Den Haag vs Vitesse Arnhem (6) 1-1
Heracles Almelo vs Willem II (8) 2-0
NAC Breda vs PSV Eindhoven (6) 0-1

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Slask Wroclaw vs Jagiellonia Bialystok (7) 1-0
Lech Poznan vs Cracovia Krakow (8) 2-0
Lechia Gdansk vs Polonia Warsaw (6) 1-1
Ruch Chorzow vs Zaglebie Lubin (8) 2-0

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Porto vs Olhanense (9) 2-0
Rio Ave vs Naval de Maio (5) 1-0
Vitoria Setubal vs Sporting Braga (6) 1-2

Romanian Liga:

Gloria Bistrita vs Astra Ploiesti (6) 1-0
Dinamo Bucharest vs Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt (8) 2-1

Scottish Premier League:

Hibs vs Kilmarnock (7) 2-0
Hamilton Academicals vs Aberdeen (6) 1-1
Rangers vs St.Mirren (9) 2-0
St.Johnstone vs Motherwell (6) 0-0

Serbian Super Liga:

Jagodina vs OFK Belgrade (7) 1-0
Partizan Belgrade vs Javor Ivanjica (9) 2-0
BSK Borca vs Borac Cacak (5) under 2.5 goals
Napredak vs Smederevo (6) 2-1
Cukaricki vs Hajduk Kula (6) 0-0
Metalac GM vs Vojvodina Novi Sad (6) 0-1
Spartak Subotica vs Mladi Radnik (7) 2-1

Slovakian Corgon Liga:

Nitra vs Senica (6) 1-0
Artmedia Petrzalka vs Ruzomberok (5) 0-0
Dubnica vs Spartak Trnava (5) 0-1
Dukla Banska Bystrica vs Slovan Bratislava (6) 1-1
DAC Dunajska Streda vs MSK Zilina (6) 1-2

Slovenian Prva Liga:

Rudar Velenje vs Celje (6) 2-1
Nafta Lendava vs Interblock Ljubljana (7) 2-0
Olimija Ljubljana vs Domzale (6) 0-0
Gorica vs Drava (5) 1-0
Maribor vs Koper (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

Spanish Primera Liga:

Deportivo La Coruna vs Tenerife (8) 2-0
Almeria vs Barcelona (8) 1-2
Real Madrid vs Sevilla CF (5) 2-2

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Girona vs Huesca (6)
Las Palmas vs Cordoba (5)
Celta de Vigo vs Recreativo de Huelva (7) under 2.5 goals
Villarreal II vs Cartagena (6)
Castellon vs Real Union Club de Irun (5)

Swiss Super League:

Basel vs Grasshoppers Zurich (8) over 2.5 goals
Sion vs Bellinzona (7) 2-1

Swiss Challenge League:

Yverdon Sport vs Gossau (7)
Wohlen vs Locarno (7)
Servette vs Schaffhausen (6)

Turkish Super Lig:

Sivasspor vs Istanbul BB (6) 1-0
Kasimpasa vs Kayserispor (6) 1-2
Diyarbakirspor vs Bursaspor (7) 0-1
Trabzonspor vs Genclerbirligi (7) 2-1

Ukrainian Premier League:

Zorya Lugansk vs Karpaty Lviv (6) 1-1
Illichivets Mariupol vs Dynamo Kiev (8) 0-2
Metalist Kharkiv vs Zakarpattya Uzhhorod (8) 2-0

Uruguayan Primera Division:

Danubio vs Racing Club Montevideo (7) 2-0
Central Espanol vs Tacuarembo (6) 1-1
Rampla Juniors vs Liverpool Montevideo (5) 1-1
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Montevideo Wanderers (8) over 2.5 goals

Venezuelan Primera Division:

Aragua vs Caracas (6) 1-1

Welsh Premier League:

Rhyl vs Neath Athletic (8) over 2.5 goals
Port Talbot Town vs Carmarthen Town (6) 2-1
Airbus vs Caersws (6) 2-0
Bangor City vs Welshpool Town (8) 2-0
Cefn Druids vs Llanelli (9) -1.75 handicap
Newtown vs Aberystwyth Town (7) 1-2
Porthmadog vs Haverfordwest County (6) 0-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Dusseldorf are currently the best home side in the Bundesliga 2 with ten wins from twelve games, scoring over two goals per home game on average whilst conceding an average of nearly one goal per every three home games. No other Bundesliga 2 side can get near this record; that's how convincing Dusseldorf are at home. Their away form tends to underpin their overall performance but happily that's not an obstacle for us tonight. Only Augsburg have scored more goals at home than Dusseldorf have this season but no side has conceded less than Dusseldorf have at home. Dusseldorf have won their last nine home games consecutively and haven't conceded for five home games so to say Dusseldorf are well-placed to win this game would be understatement of the century!

Visitors Greuther Furth are a side that I rate highly but have disappointed me a lot this season as a result. Their home form hasn't been as dominant this time around with tonight's visitors having lost far too many home games this season. Their away form has been quite good but again they've lost too many games, games that they could and should have at least drawn. Greuther Furth are scoring goals but their problem is that they're conceding too many goals so their goals scored tend to be more redundant in the overall outcome. Greuther Furth have already lost five out of eleven away games this season so they are vulnerable on the road against the right opponent. Greuther Furth have won their last two games so carry some momentum into this game. However, they're facing a side that is of Bundesliga standard and I don't think that they're ready to take on that kind of force and could be taken apart by a rampant Dusseldorf tonight.

The efficiency and potency levels of Dusseldorf are frighteningly German in essence with the hosts being strong at home on such a consistent basis. It's hard to envision a sporadic Greuther Furth side taking anything from this ground tonight on the basis that the hosts are unbelievable in front of goal and in regards to keeping other sides out. Quite frankly, these odds baffle me - this has to be one of the biggest bargains I've seen in recent times!

Verdict: Fortuna Dusseldorf to win at evens.

Friday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Lokomotiv Mezdra vs Slavia Sofia - away win at 9/10.

Lokomotiv Mezdra are one of those sides that frequently disappoint - the kind that you have to love to bet against! They've already lost eleven games out of their sixteen played in the A PFG and look destined for another long, hard battle against relegation. They've lost five out of eight home games, winning twice twice along the way. Lokomotiv Mezdra average conceding over two goals per home game and scoring just over a goal per game so it's easy to see why they struggle. Lokomotiv Mezdra's welcome back from the winter break was a 3-0 crushing at mighty Litex Lovech so they're not in the best frame of mind as they enter this game.

Visitors Slavia Sofia haven't proven themselves consistently on the road this season, however. There's no doubt in my mind that Slavia are amongst the top six sides in Bulgaria currently but the fact that they've won just twice in eight away games illustrates why I am a little concerned ahead of this game. However, the fact that only Minior Pernik, Litex Lovech, and CSKA Sofia have conceded less goals than Slavia have on the road indicates how strong today's visitors can be. Their problem has been goalscoring away from home, something that only newly-promoted Sportist Svoge have done less than Slavia this season. However, a win last match against Sportist Svoge will give Slavia Sofia some momentum as they enter this game as they've picked up right where they left off prior to the winter break and their ability isn't in question so they've got a good chance of doing damage today.

I'm expecting a low-scoring game between these two sides for obvious reasons but I think Slavia Sofia have enough in their favour to make the away win good value today. They're the better side and their momentum will surely improve their away form in due course and what better place to start than Mezdra today?

Verdict: Slavia Sofia to win at 9/10.

TPS Turku vs HJK Helsinki - away win at 7/5.

This is probably my riskiest call of the day but I do like the look of it.

TPS Turku aren't the same as last season as I've explained in great detail over the past few weeks. Their form indicates it with TPS proving to be incapable of playing against the big sides i.e. Honka Espoo, IFK Mariehamn. TPS' only "claim to fame" so far this season is beating bitter rivals Inter Turku, who are a big side but one I discount from the above ruling due to the fact that it is a derby. It took TPS Turku seventy minutes in their last Liiga Cup game to overcome a resilient but defensively unreliable FC Lahti with TPS winning the game 1-0. The performance and result weren't impressive and I'm failing to see any real reasoning behind TPS Turku turning up tonight against the infamous HJK Helsinki, particularly with the hosts having avoided defeat here since 2003, winning four times and drawing once.

HJK Helsinki are still the best side in the country. It pains me to say that a little as I do favour Honka Espoo but HJK's potency and efficiency is second to none and I thoroughly feel that they'll win the Veikkausliiga again this season. The Liiga Cup, however, who knows? This competition is largely a testing ground for new players but it's one that HJK appear to have taken very seriously this season and thus stand a good chance of winning. HJK have played at least three tough Liiga Cup games so far but managed to draw 3-3 at Honka Espoo (despite trailing 2-0 at one point), beat IFK Mariehamn somewhat convincingly, and conceded a late goal at home to Inter Turku to draw the game. HJK's ability to score goals isn't in question but the sides that tend to pose a problem for the giants of Finnish football are those that can either match their potency or keep them out. I don't currently classify TPS Turku as being either of those two sides so the game today should be very interesting indeed.

TPS Turku won't make this game easy for HJK Helsinki but with lessened ability and a new manager being their biggest handicaps currently, it's hard to see TPS Turku taking anything from the game. HJK Helsinki's current manager was in charge of TPS Turku last season so he'll know his ex-players inside out. He's doing well with HJK already this season and with the Veikkausliiga reigning champions having such a dominant record at TPS Turku, you have to feel that there's value in the away win.

Verdict: HJK Helsinki to win at 7/5.

Cesena vs Sassuolo - home win at 6/5.

I'm a tad dubious about this call because I believe Sassuolo are better than Cesena but there's enough to support the home side to considering back them tonight.

Cesena owe their entire season to being hard to beat. Following promotion from Serie C, Cesena have only been beaten five times in twenty-seven games, which is frankly an amazing record for them. Most newly-promoted sides burn out by now but the stern tactical displays of Cesena continue to roll onwards. Cesena have been strong at home this season with eight wins in fourteen games, drawing four times, and losing just once. Along with Empoli, they're the lowest-conceding side at home in the whole of Serie B and also average scoring nearly two goals per home game. Cesena's recent form hasn't been as impressive as it could be but a win last match at home to Ascoli could give them the momentum that they've been lacking of late.

Visitors Sassuolo's excellent run of form has well and truly been scythed from beneath their feet with three consecutive defeats. Worryingly for Sassuolo, two of those games have been at home. I can just about accept their defeat at home by Brescia but the defeat at home by Gallipoli and away to Mantova are simply not good enough. Sassuolo's defending of late has been appalling with tonight's visitors conceding six goals in three games, scoring just twice along the way. Their potency has nose-dived along with their defensive ability so Sassuolo are in a bad way currently. Sassuolo may have only lost two away games in Serie B this season but I doubt they'll be much more likely to lose an away game than they are tonight in their current form (or lack of!) so there should be value in the home win.

Although Cesena have stuttered a little of late, they remain composed and strong at home for the vast majority of the time. This is not the kind of venue that a disorganised and demoralised Sassuolo side can travel too and hope to take points away from. To win here you must be in-form and spot on tactically, two things Sassuolo simply aren't currently. I don't rule out the possibility of a draw in this encounter but I think Cesena have enough in attack to exploit Sassuolo's defensive ineptitude of late whilst keeping the visitors out with their usually strong defence.

Verdict: Cesena to win at 6/5.

AGOVV Appeldoorn vs MVV Maastricht - home win at 10/11.

AGOVV Appeldoorn have been fairly strong at home in the Eerste Divisie this season with seven wins in fourteen games. They average scoring nearly two goals per home game and whereas they can't really compete with the "big boys" of the division, they're certainly a competent side on their day. Fortunately for us, AGOVV are very much "on their day" currently with three consecutive wins leading into this game. They've not just beaten some menial relegation battlers for the duration of those three games either - they've battered Excelsior 4-2 and won at a strong home side - Volendam - without even conceding so AGOVV will have some strong momentum currently. They concede more than they should but their potency and momentum are unquestionable so they're worthy of consideration tonight.

The other side to this is that MVV Maastricht are utterly horrendous away from home. They've not lost in their last two away games, admittedly, but to whom - Omniworld and Volendam? I respect their draw at Volendam but defeat at Omniworld is one of the lowest things that a side in this divsion can do, in my opinion! MVV have already lost nine out of fourteen away games in the Eerste Divisie this season, a record only beaten by that of Fortuna Sittard and Omniworld, so MVV certainly do have issues. It's a shame because they're a good side in essence but consistently fail to produce on the road. MVV average conceding well over two goals per away game and although they're not goal-shy themselves, they do tend to be outscored.

Although MVV are unbeaten in four games, I'm yet to be convinced that they're back to their best. They're still an atrocious away side so an in-form AGOVV home win has to be taken seriously tonight.

Verdict: AGOVV Appeldoorn to win at 10/11.

Eindhoven vs Emmen - home win at 4/5.

Eindhoven have impressed me a lot in the past few weeks with a ruthless attacking style of football. They've won seven out of their last nine Eerste Divisie games whilst scoring twenty-one goals - an average of over two goals scored per game. They've won some tough games too, winning at Go Ahead Eagles and at home to Cambuur Leeuwarden, so this appears to be more than a temporary burst of form. Eindhoven are virtually brainless in defence but their attacking potency has long been a strongpoint of theirs irrespective of their league placing. Only a handful of sides have scored more than Eindhoven have this season so Emmen will have to be either very potent or very strong defensively tonight, two things that I personally think that they're incapable of!

That said, in Emmen's defence, they've scored ten goals in their last four games so they've certainly been able to find the net in recent times. However, Emmen have already lost eight out of thirteen away games this season and their average of conceding nearly three goals per away game is doing them a lot of damage. They only just average scoring a goal per away game so the contradicting records indicate just why Emmen fare so badly on the road. A disappointing draw at home to Oss last match should really have ended their momentum run and I expect them to struggle against an in-form and potent Eindhoven tonight as a result.

Although there's not much between these two sides quality-wise, the incredible potency of Eindhoven cannot be denied and I fancy them to do the job tonight against Emmen with plenty of goals being scored!

Verdict: Eindhoven to win at 4/5.

Bala Town vs The New Saints - away win at 5/6.

Now these odds I like! Bala Town may have been on a good run of late but the newly-promoted side are now facing another of Wales' "big three" and will have to produce a superb display to do anything but lose this game.

Bala Town have already won five out of ten home games in the Premier League, losing just twice. They've done well following promotion but this has largely hinged upon their reliable defence as their displays have been somewhat goal-shy, a factor which will most likely come back to haunt them in the latter stages of this season. Bala Town remind me a little of Prestatyn Town when they were first promoted so there's hope for Bala Town looking at how difficult Prestatyn are to beat now. However, the fact is that there's a massive gulf in class between Bala Town and the "big three" in Wales, something which was illustrated perfectly in their 5-2 drubbing at Rhyl last match.

The New Saints haven't been good enough on the road this season in my opinion with just four wins in nine games. They've been superb defensively with just four goals conceded in nine games - the best defensive record on the road in the Premier League - but their abysmal tally of just seven goals scored in nine games appears to be hindering their progress substantially. Indeed, only lowly Porthmadog have scored less away goals than The New Saints this season so goalscoring is most certainly a concern of theirs. However, their level of ability is unquestionable so you've got to fancy them to take down Bala Town tonight.

I've been waiting for a little while now to see Bala Town host one of the bigger sides as I hoped the bookies might overrate the hosts, which appears to the case ahead of tonight's game. I'm a bit disappointed that they're hosting The New Saints before Rhyl or Llanelli as those two sides are far more potent and thus dangerous but we'll have to make do with what we have. Don't expect many goals here tonight but the gulf in class should leave us with a good value away win.

Verdict: The New Saints to win at 5/6.

Connah's Quay Nomads vs Prestatyn Town - away win at 11/10.

Connah's Quay Nomads are just one of the five "bottom clubs" in the Premier League which just lose to the majority of their fellow Premier League sides and tend to only take points off each other. Connah's Quay Nomads may have only lost four out of nine home games this season but the fact that they don't even manage to score a goal per home game on average spells trouble for the hosts tonight. They've lost their last three games consecutively so momentum is dry and they've not scored in any of those games so goals are somewhat dry too. They were crushed 3-0 by Aberystwyth Town in their last home game and that result will have hurt them the most considering their supposed home strength. I suspect Connah's Quay Nomads may be somewhat demoralised from their barren run and look likely to struggle tonight with goal-shy displays dominating their results.

Prestatyn Town are generally a home side but I expect them to do well against lesser opponents tonight. Prestatyn used to make a living out of stopping other sides scoring but havechose to become rather potent this season, which is a useful asset to boast. You could possibly have viewed Prestatyn Town as a Stoke City of the Welsh Premier League last season but this season they're more like Wigan Athletic in the sense that they attack recklessly and score a lot of goals but tend to forget about defending! Prestatyn are in a good vein of form however as they've gone four games without defeat in the Premier League. They've had two very impressive away games lately with a credible draw at Neath Athletic and the 5-0 demolition of Welshpool Town so Prestatyn are gradually becoming better on the road. They've won four out of eleven away games this season, losing four times too, but scoring an average of nearly two goals per game so it's only a matter of time and application before they become reliable on the road. Prestatyn do concede a lot of goals but I can't envision that being an issue against a goal-shy Connah's Quay Nomads tonight, particularly with the visitors in such fine form!

I'm not usually a fan of taking Prestatyn Town to win on the road but there's enough in their favour to day to make this bet a good value bet in my book! They're scoring goals for fun and they're on a good run of form so outscoring goal-shy Connah's Quay Nomads tonight should be a somewhat simple affair.
Verdict: Prestatyn Town to win at 11/10.

Accumulator fodder:

Fortuna Dusseldorf, Bohemians, Excelsior, Go Ahead Eagles, Wisla Krakow.

Recommended bets:

Fortuna Dusseldorf, Wisla Krakow, and AGOVV Appeldoorn at 5/1.

Bohemians, Go Ahead Eagles, and Prestatyn Town at 5/1.

Excelsior, The New Saints, and Eindhoven at 5/1.

As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

Austrian Liga 1:

Salzburg II vs Austria Vienna II (7)
First Vienna vs Hartberg (5)
Dornbirn vs Austria Lustenau (6)
Lustenau vs SCR Altach (6)
St.Polten vs Gratkorn (6)

Bulgarian A PFG:

Lokomotiv Mezdra vs Slavia Sofia (7) 0-1

Finnish Liiga Cup:

TPS Turku vs HJK Helsinki (6) 1-2

French Ligue 2:

Strasbourg vs Angers SCO (5)
Chateauroux vs Bastia (6)
Clermont Foot vs Brest (5)
Sedan-Ardennes vs Stade Malherbe de Caen (7)
Arles vs Istres (6) under 2.5 goals
Laval vs Metz (8)
AC Ajaccio vs Vannes OC (6)
Le Havre vs Dijon FCO (6)
Guingamp vs Nimes (6)
Nantes vs Tours (4)

German Bundesliga 2:

Hansa Rostock vs Rot-Weiss Ahlen (5)
Rot-Weiss Oberhausen vs Koblenz (6)
Fortuna Dusseldorf vs Greuther Furth (9)

Hungarian Soproni Liga:

Szombathelyi Haladas vs Kaposvari Rakoczi (6) 2-1

Irish Premier League:

Bohemians vs Sporting Fingal (8) 2-0
Bray Wanderers vs Dundalk (6) 0-0
Drogheda United vs UCD (7) 2-1
St Patrick's Athletic vs Galway United (6) 1-0

Italian Serie B:

Cesena vs Sassuolo (6) under 2.5 goals

Dutch Eerste Divisie:

AGOVV Appeldoorn vs MVV Maastricht (7) over 2.5 goals
Veendam vs Omniworld (6)
Excelsior vs Oss (9) -1.75 handicap
Den Bosch vs Helmond Sport (6) over 2.5 goals
Eindhoven vs Emmen (7) over 3.5 goals
Volendam vs RBC Roosendaal (6)
Fortuna Sittard vs Telstar (5)
Go Ahead Eagles vs Dordrecht '90 (8) over 2.5 goals
Cambuur Leeuwarden vs Zwolle (5)

Polish Ekstraklasa:

Korona Kielce vs Polonia Bytom (5) 1-1
Wisla Krakow vs Arka Gdynia (8) under 2.5 goals

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Uniao de Leiria vs Leixoes (6) 1-0

Romanian Liga:

Rapid Bucharest vs FC Poli Timisoara (6) 0-0

Spanish Segunda Liga:

Gimnastic de Tarragona vs Salamanca (6) under 2.5 goals

Welsh Premier League:

Bala Town vs The New Saints (7) 1-2
Connah's Quay Nomads vs Prestatyn Town (7) 0-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Anyway, today looks a real desert for all but the bravest or more foolish gamblers with few games to choose from and a horrible card in Argentina. I'd recommend keeping punts low if at all!

Today's featured game is the only one that takes my fancy somewhat which is the Primera Division game between Atletico Tucuman and Newells Old Boys. Atletico Tucuman are a decent home side but a poor side in comparison to the remainder of the Primera Division and the latter is featuring far more than the former in the Clausura thus far. Newells Old Boys are yet to convince me that they're the force that they convinced some people that they were in the Apertura but they're playing well of late so are worthy of consideration.

Atletico Tucuman are having a lot of problems because they're not scoring goals. They've never been a prolific side in this division but two goals scored in six games isn't good enough. What side can hope to do well with an average of a goal scored every three games? Atletico Tucuman have only lost one of their three home games but they've not been convincing in any of their games. Atletico Tucuman's biggest hope of late was their reliable defence but a 3-0 demolition by Lanus in their last Primera Division game soon laid waste to that idea. Atletico Tucuman are basically having a lot of problems if they can't keep a side out and I expect that to be the case tonight.

Newells Old Boys have forgotten all about their defensive prowess shown in the Apertura in favour of a more traditionally-themed Argentinian tactic; all-out attack! Newells may be without a win on the road this season but they've only actually played one game so I think we can discount that statistic! Newells have scored seven goals in their last three Primera Division games so they're on fire potency-wise. They've beaten a resolute Boca Juniors side, reigning champions Banfield, and drawn with an in-form Lanus side so Newells are pulling off some good results of late thanks to their attacking form. Although Newells have conceded in each of those games it's their potency that reassures me regarding this bet. I can't see Newells not scoring and I can't see Atletico Tucuman scoring so the away win looks logical here.

I'm not an avid fan of the away wins in Argentina but ultimately a home side that isn't scoring goals hosting an away side that is not only scoring goals but is also better than they are makes the away win look favourable. Newells are playing well against good opponents and Atletico Tucuman are struggling against average opponents by majority so the away win should hold value tonight.

Verdict: Newells Old Boys to win at 6/5.

Thursday's Picks

My tips:

There's no other value bets that I can see today although there's potentially value in laying the four home sides in Argentina at 6/1. Aside from that, come back at weekend!

For the complete picks listing, see below!

Argentinian Primera Division:

Chacarita Juniors vs Gimnasia De La Plata (6) 1-1
Atletico Tucuman vs Newell's Old Boys (6) 0-1
River Plate vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (7) 0-0
Banfield vs Colon de Santa Fe (5) 1-1

Colombian Primera A:

Millonarios Bogota vs Boyaca Chico (6) 1-0

Portuguese Liga de Honra:

Desportivo Chaves vs Beira-Mar (5)

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Secondly - be wary with your bets today because international games can be hell as we saw with the ridiculous results last night in the U21 Qualifiers!

Thirdly - A big "fuck off" to the Germany U21 side for their ridiculous defensive display and their inability to score goals when required to!

Anyway, today's featured game is the International Friendly between Cyprus and Iceland. Cyprus have begun to impress in recent times as their developing footballing nation begins to stake its claim on the footballing map. Visitors Iceland are beginning a gradual descent in terms of their reputation and level of ability with the majority of their good players entering the twilight of their careers and their youngsters not being quite ready yet despite a very impressive performance by Iceland U21 last night against Germany U21.

Cyprus have gained something of a cult reputation in recent years when playing at home after claiming some impressive scalps. For instance, in their most recent World Cup Qualifying campaign, the only two sides to win in Cyprus were two very fortunate Italy and Republic of Ireland sides respectively. Cyprus scored in both of those games and indeed scored in all of their home games in that campaign, which is a total of ten goals in five games - an average of two a game. Cyprus' most recent home game in the World Cup Qualifiers was a 4-1 demolition of a good Bulgaria side so Cyprus are certainly not to be underestimated. They play good football and it's started to show, even with their club sides like APOEL Nicosia, Omonia Nicosia, Anorthosis Famagusta etc. who have put in impressive stints in European competition over the past few years. Cyprus are a side on the up and their impressive home form and potency illustrates that point well.

Iceland, like most Scandinavian sides, don't travel well. In their World Cup Qualifiers, they only managed to take one point from a possible twelve, drawing 2-2 at rivals Norway but losing at Republic of Macedonia, Netherlands, and Scotland respectively. Few sides have an easy ride against Iceland as they're usually good defensively but they simply don't score enough goals overall. Iceland are a different side on their own turf but that's one advantage we shouldn't have to take into consideration today as we're considerable nearer the equator! Iceland's last two away games were friendlies and were rather poor results with a defeat at Iran and a draw at Luxembourg being their results. Whereas Cyprus were a very similar side to Luxembourg a good 5-10 years ago, the hosts today are a lot better than they used to be and I expect to see that show today.

I expect a low-scoring game between these two sides but I'd be surprised to see anything but a home win here.

Verdict: Cyprus to win at evens.

Wednesday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

England U21 vs Greece U21 - lay England U21 at 13/10.

I'm not basing this on much more than that England U21 are a long way from a united force currently and Greece U21 are one of the better European U21 sides currently based on recent displays.

Prior to their last match where they were beaten 2-1 by Portugal U21, Greece U21 had gone ten games unbeaten, winning six times along the way. They're very compact defensively and efficient in attack, much like their senior side. I recall watching England U21's trip to Greece U21 back in September and how England U21 emerged with a point is beyond me as they were frankly played off the park. Greece U21 have few big names - unless Sotiris Ninis is in town - but they're such a good unit. It'll take a monumental effort to dislodge them and I just don't think England u21 are capable of it.

England U21 haven't looked the same since their European U21 Championship Final defeat against Germany U21. They've overcome Republic of Macedonia U21 twice but each time in rather unconvincing fashion - and yes, I'm including their 6-3 home win! There's no doubts over the capability of England U21's players but as a unit they've got an awful lot to learn and I don't think they've gelled enough to damage a solid Greek defence.

An early goal would probably shatter this bet but don't underestimate the Greeks, whatever you do - they're more than capable of getting a result off England U21 tonight.

Verdict: Lay England U21 at 13/10.

Deportes Quindio vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla - away win at evens.

I've not got much faith in Atletico Junior Barranquilla on the road. In fact, I don't have much faith in any Colombian side playing away from home. However, they remain one of the better sides in Colombia, something which has been proven consistently in recent times so if anyone is going to break the mould then it's them.

Deportes Quindio are one of the few Colombian sides I can select that I'd tip to lose a home game too, which falls nicely for us. Deportes Quindio simply aren't a very good side and they're being found out in a big way this season with five defeats in six games, drawing the other encounter. A simple glance at the Clausura table indicates why they're having so many problems as they're the only side in the Primera A yet to score a goal. They've lost both of their two home games against two good sides - Deportes Tolima and Atletico Nacional de Medellin - but two sides that aren't particularly good on the road, surprise, surprise! Deportes Quindio have got big issues, bluntly, and I think it's going to cost them their somewhat excellent home record in head-to-heads against Atletico Junior Barranquilla with the hosts having won the last five meetings between these two sides in the Primera A.

Visitors Atletico Junior Barranquilla have made a solid start to their campaign with three wins, two draws, and just one defeats in their six games played. They're very much a home side which is partially why they've failed to win an away game yet in the Clausura despite three attempts but as I mentioned previously, they're not going to have a better chance to rectify that statistic. Atletico Junior Barranquilla crushed Deportivo Cali 3-0 last match so they carry substantial momentum and potency into this game, which will no doubt help matters. Atletico Junior Barranquilla are in fact one of the top goalscoring sides in Colombia which is why I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt away from home.

This should be a closer game than the statistics suggest it will but I do think that there's value in the away win here tonight.

Verdict: Atletico Junior Barranquilla to win at evens.

Austria U21 vs Denmark U21 - home win at 9/4.

These odds puzzle me somewhat. I'm not sure why the bookies rate Denmark U21 so highly 'cause I certainly don't!

I suppose it doesn't help matters that I rate Austria U21 very highly indeed but frankly they're a good side, capable of more recognition than they're given.

Austria U21 have won their last eight home games, a record dating back to 2006 when they were last held here which was against a resilient Iceland U21 side in a 0-0 draw. Since that date, Austria U21 have beaten Cyprus U21, Belgium U21, Slovakia U21, Iceland U21 (revenge!), Finland U21, Scotland U21, Albania U21, and Azerbaijan U21 respectively. Although there are some weak sides in that list there are also some good sides, sides I respect Austria U21 for dealing with so efficiently. One thing Austria U21 always do is score goals, something they've done for seventeen consecutive games now. It'd take a braver man than me to go against a frankly underrated and very potent Austria U21 side tonight and I'm not a braver man than me!

Have Denmark U21 done anything of late to convince anyone that they're of better quality than Austria U21? No. They've lost back-to-back games against Serbia U21 in their last two U21 games without even scoring a goal. They lost at Finland U21, drew at Scotland U21, and won at Lithuania U21 - not the most impressive of away records. There's no doubt that Denmark U21 are capable, particularly given their prestigious past, but the fact is that the best player they've produced recently is Niklas Bendtner and anyone who reads this blog knows just what I think of him! I just don't rate Denmark U21 as highly as the bookies do, seemingly.

Although this bet could turn around and bite me in the backside I just think that Austria U21 are a better footballing side than they're given credit for, they're at home, and they're playing a side that doesn't travel well so there should be value in the home win. 

Verdict: Austria U21 to win at 9/4.

Scotland vs Czech Republic - away win at 8/5.

This bet speaks for itself, really. Although Czech Republic haven't replaced their retiring veterans adequately - who thought that they would, seriously?! - they have still got a good level of ability and a better level of ability than Scotland. Scotland are a hard side to play at home with their battling style and dogged tenacity but they've been very poor in the past twelve months, failing to really make an impact in their World Cup Qualifying Group. They've lost their two friendlies since that qualification group against Japan and Wales respectively but comprehensively each time, conceding five goals and without scoring any. Japan are rapidly emerging as a good side but an organised defence can prevent them from scoring and Scotland just couldn't do it. The backbone of all Scottish sides over the years has been a strong and reliable defence but now they're losing that too I do being to ponder the likelihood of them keeping someone as talented as Czech Republic out.

Czech Republic have struggled to score goals themselves of late with defeat in their last friendly against minnows Azerbaijan, which was a baffling result for all concerned. A solid defence appears to have too much for Czech Republic's attack in general and it's true that since Koller retired Czech Republic haven't been as potent. They have some good strikers but no great strikers although if youngster Tomas Necid continues as he currently is then it won't be long before he is considered "great" in my opinion! Nonetheless, any side that can field the likes of Rosicky, Hubschman, Plasil, and Bednar is a side that is capable of beating Scotland and Czech Republic are capable of doing.

I'm not expecting a good game between these two sides as both seek to estalish a foothold to prevent their somewhat increasing descensions in the world of football. However, when it comes down to it on paper, Czech Republic have too much quality in comparison to Scotland and the value has to be in the away win against a Scotland side that are conceding too many and not scoring.

Verdict: Czech Republic to win at 8/5.

Algeria vs Serbia - away win at evens.

I like this bet an awful lot. I rate Serbia as a good strong unit of a team with the right level of innovation, efficiency, and reliability. Wherever you look in their side you can find reliable players with good composure. Although they'll struggle against better sides technically than themselves, I don't consider Algeria to be one of those sides!

Algeria succeed in African football more often than not because they actually know what "tactics" are. Most African sides do not! Algeria, much like Egypt, Tunisia, and even Morocco form what I call the "tactical" sides from North Africa. They're the sides that are unlikely to lose on their own continent because they play a superior tactical game reminiscent of European tactics. Algeria etc. aren't particularly good sides; indeed, there are few stars in any of the above nations. However, they're very good sides as a collective when facing opponents that have little idea on how to counter those tactics. However, Algeria are now facing an extremely tactically astute side tonight that are also bigger, better, and stronger than they are with more experienced players. Playing at home or not, Algeria are going to struggle against a very tough Serbia squad tonight and I'd be surprised to see them get anything from this game.

Serbia's only real fault in my eyes is not scoring enough goals. It works to score one goal against a lesser opponent and then deny them scoring opportunities for the remainder of the game (i.e. wins at Northern Ireland and South Korea in recent friendlies have both been 1-0) but better sides will score against them and they'll struggle. Fortunately for Serbia, however, I'm not envisioning that problem here tonight. Algeria struggle to score goals at the best of times whereas Serbia always seem to get at least one, scoring in their last ten international games successively. The natural advantage of the Serbs is their towering height, something particularly evident in giant striker Nikola Zigic - it'll be interesting to see how the Algerians deal with him. Serbia has a lot of good target men, some good set piece takers, and ultimately a lot of leadership and composure throughout their whole team.

With so much going for them and so little going against them, it's hard to not consider a Serbia win here today as good value.

Verdict: Serbia to win at evens.

Albania vs Northern Ireland - home win at  7/5.

This is one of my favourite bets of the day, a real contender for game of the day! There's not much quality difference between these two sides but I do feel that Albania are underrated by the masses. They've got some good players and the vast majority of their team are playing football in good leagues so I think it's silly to overlook them.

Albania are a solid side, particularly in defence. The Albanians in general are a very passionate race so it's understandable as to how they managed to take draws from a trip to Portugal and a home tie with Denmark. Indeed, throughout the World Cup Qualifiers, Albania were only beaten twice at home - once by Hungary in a dogged display and once by Portugal, who needed a last-minute winner from Bruno Alves to secure the win. Albania don't concede many goals here and have held both Sweden and Denmark at home this season so they're not to be shunned. Their fault could be considered to be their lack of goals but I expect Northern Ireland's defence to give them a good chance of rectifying that issue today. Albania are a good side on their home turf and I really expect that to show tonight.

Northern Ireland are missing a host of players for this game, including vital centre-back Jonny Evans through injury. They're also missing Warren Feeney, Chris Brunt, Gareth McAuley, and Damian Johnson so Nigel Worthington certainly has some difficult decisions to make ahead of this game. The missing Jonny Evans should leave a substantial gap for the likes of Salihi to expose and the dismissal of David Healy from Nigel Worthington's plans due to lack of match practice somewhat limits Northern Ireland's potency too, something that could cause real issues against a defensively sound Albania side.

Friendly or not, I expect a very passionate and tenacious display from both sides with most likely few goals being scored. Both sides will fight to the death but I feel the home advantage plus missing players for Northern Ireland should make the home win a good value bet if Albania can find that ever-elusive goal.

Verdict: Albania to win at 7/5.

Accumulator fodder:

Australia, Japan, Syria, Iran, Belgium U21, Estudiantes De La Plata, Finland, Netherlands, England, Portugal, Mexico.

Recommended bets:

Australia, Japan, Syria, and Iran at 3/1.

Moldova U21, Belgium U21, Netherlands U21, and Republic of Ireland U21 at 5/1.

Estudiantes De La Plata, Atletico Junior Barranquilla, and Deportivo Cali at 5/1.

Serbia, England, Finland, and Netherlands at 6/1.

Cyprus, Albania, Mexico, and Portugal at 7/1.

As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

Asian Cup:

Australia vs Indonesia (9) -1.75 handicap
Japan vs Bahrain (8) under 2.5 goals
Hong Kong vs Yemen (6) 0-1
Syria vs Lebanon (8) 1-0
Uzbekistan vs United Arab Emirates (7) 2-1
Oman vs Kuwait (5) 0-1
Jordan vs Singapore (7) 2-0
Iran vs Thailand (8) over 2.5 goals

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifiers:

Georgia U21 vs Estonia U21 (6) 0-0
Andorra U21 vs Moldova U21 (7) 0-1
Belgium U21 vs Malta U21 (9) -1.75 handicap
Montenegro U21 vs Bulgaria U21 (6) 1-0
Italy U21 vs Hungary U21 (7) 1-0
Netherlands U21 vs Poland U21 (8) 2-1
England U21 vs Greece U21 (5) 1-1
Republic of Ireland U21 vs Armenia U21 (8) 2-0

Argentinian Primera Division:

Estudiantes De La Plata vs Argentinos Juniors (8) over 2.5 goals
Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs Lanus (5) 2-2
Tigre vs Independiente (5) 0-1

Colombian Primera A:

La Equidad Bogota vs Independiente de Santa Fe Bogota (5) 1-0
Atletico Nacional de Medellin vs Once Caldas Manizales (6) 1-1
Real Cartagena vs Independiente Medellin (5) 1-1
Envigado vs Cortulua (6) 1-0
Deportivo Pereira vs America de Cali (7) 2-1
Deportes Tolima vs Atletico Huila (7) 1-0
Deportivo Cali vs Cucuta Deportivo (7) 2-0
Deportes Quindio vs Atletico Junior Barranquilla (6) 0-1

Finnish Liiga Cup:

FC Lahti vs MyPa Anjalankoski (6) 1-1

International U21 Friendlies:

Cyprus U21 vs Ukraine U21 (7) 1-2
Austria U21 vs Denmark U21 (6) 2-0
Norway U21 vs Switzerland U21 (6) 1-1
Czech Republic U21 vs Finland U21 (6) over 2.5 goals

International Friendlies:

Republic of Macedonia vs Montenegro (7) 1-1
Cyprus vs Iceland (8) 2-1
Georgia vs Estonia (5) 1-1
Moldova vs Kazakhstan (6) 2-1
Malta vs Finland (8) 0-1
Hungary vs Russia (6) 0-1
Romania vs Israel (7) 2-1
Luxembourg vs Azerbaijan (6) 1-1
Saudi Arabia vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (6) over 2.5 goals
Poland vs Bulgaria (6) 1-0
Albania vs Northern Ireland (6) 1-0
Wales vs Sweden (7) 0-1
Belgium vs Croatia (6) 2-2
Scotland vs Czech Republic (7) 0-1
Angola vs Latvia (6) 1-2 (Neutral venue)
Ivory Coast vs South Korea (6) 1-1
Greece vs Senegal (7) 1-0
Slovakia vs Norway (6) over 2.5 goals
Turkey vs Honduras (6) over 2.5 goals
Algeria vs Serbia (7) 0-2
South Africa vs Namibia (7) under 2.5 goals
Switzerland vs Uruguay (6) 0-0
Austria vs Denmark (5) 1-0
Netherlands vs USA (8) -1.75 handicap
Germany vs Argentina (5) 2-1
Italy vs Cameroon (6) 1-0
Slovenia vs Qatar (7) 1-0
France vs Spain (6) 1-2
England vs Egypt (8) -1.75 handicap
Portugal vs China (9) -1.75 handicap
Venezuela vs Panama (7) 2-1
El Salvador vs Guatemala (7) 2-0
New Zealand vs Mexico (9) -1.75 handicap (played in Los Angeles, USA)

Enjoy your free betting tips!

Velez Sarsfield are notorious for being extremely efficient and well-organised; two characteristics that you don't tend to associate with Argentinian sides. That said, their disappointing 3-2 defeat at goal-shy Huracan last match whilst being reduced to nine men suggests otherwise but I'm still confident with my point! Velez have won two out of their three home games in the Primera Division this season, drawing the other encounter. Velez have scored an average of two goals per game and have generally been convincing barring a rather rusty opening day draw with a good Colon de Santa Fe side. Velez have given some very assured performances wherever they've played this season (barring last match) - in Venezuela in the Copa Libertadores, at home to last year's Copa Libertadores runners-up Cruzeiro, keeping a clean sheet at rivals San Lorenzo de Almagro, annihlating well-organised Independiente - the list goes on. My point is that Velez are simply a good side that is very well-organised and has a good level of ability, probably the best in Argentina in my opinion. Velez haven't lost at home to Boca in Boca's last four visits with Velez winning three times and drawing once. Indeed, Boca have only beaten Velez once at either ground in their last six meetings so you can see how the balance is shifting in this division.

Boca Juniors are still a giant club within Argentina but their performances are somewhat lacklustre and disappointing nowadays. Their glory days appear to be behind them and it's always sad to see that, in my opinion. The fact that Boca have only won once in the Primera Division this season despite playing six times speaks volumes. They've only overcome a defensively-inept Lanus side whereas they've been held to draws by the likes of Godoy Cruz de Mendoza, Atletico Tucuman, and Argentinos Juniors and were even crushed 4-2 by Newell's Old Boys. Boca simply aren't a good side anymore and only manage to produce good performances against below par sides generally. Boca may have only lost once this season but they've just not looked like winning, something which has to be concerning for them. If a side like Atletico Tucuman can go to Boca Juniors and emerge with a clean sheet then Boca have issues.

I feel Velez Sarsfield are twice that side that Boca Juniors are nowadays, frankly. Their form in head-to-heads and in general in recent times is far more assured and they tend to be ruthless with it. Velez are more than capable of embarassing Boca Juniors tonight and it wouldn't surprise me if they did. Boca will come here for the draw but I just don't think they're good enough to get it, simply. The odds on the home win should be very much worthwhile tonight.

Verdict: Velez Sarsfield to win at 4/5.

Tuesday's Picks

My tips:

As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:

Aldershot Town vs Bradford City - home win at 11/10.

I love backing Aldershot Town, although they did fuck us all over winning at Chesterfield last match! Nonetheless, this is a testament to their capability so I'll never hear a bad word against them!

Aldershot have won eight out of sixteen home games this season, losing just twice along the way. Their form has been patchy of late but their ability is unquestionable. Their predominant strength is goalscoring, something that they average doing more than twice per home game, which is one of the best records in League Two. They're not shy when it comes to conceding goals, unfortunately, but they tend to outscore their opponents and make this game a very tough away trip. Aldershot haven't won either of their last two games but when you consider that those two games were against Notts County and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively then you can understand why. In fact, Aldershot were 2-0 up at home to Dagenham before capitulating and losing 3-2 so although their mental strength and composure may need some work, their actual ability is very good. I think Aldershot's impressive win at Chesterfield last match will give them some good momentum given how strong Chesterfield are at home and the fact that Aldershot kept a clean sheet so they stand a good chance of winning tonight.

Visitors Bradford City are one of the biggest clubs in this division and are very capable but continually fail to impress. The reasoning behind this is that they concede too many goals. I mean, any side that has scored twenty-five goals in fifteen away games in League Two has to be considered capable at the very least but then consider that they've conceded twenty-six goals and you see where their problems lie. Bradford actually have a good away record; better than their home record, in fact. That factor does concern me a little as they've only lost five away games in League Two this season. However, this is a side that has only scored in two of their last five games so don't be too taken in by them!

I'm expecting a good game between two good sides tonight with plenty of goals. However, I feel that Aldershot will expose Bradford's defensive ineptitude tonight and hope Bradford's little burst of form is turned on its head by a tough away game.

Verdict: Aldershot Town to win at 11/10.

Accumulator fodder:

Notts County, Spain U"1, Brazil, Scotland U21, Northern Ireland U21, Germany U21.

Recommended bets:

Germany U21, Spain U21, Northern Ireland U21, and Scotland U21 at evens.

Brazil, Notts County, and Aldershot Town at 5/1

As ever, if there are any questions/explanations required then feel free to post a comment! For the complete picks listing, see below!

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifiers:

Germany U21 vs Iceland U21 (8) -1.75 handicap
Luxembourg U21 vs Bosnia-Herzegovina U21 (6) 0-1
Spain U21 vs Liechtenstein U21 (10) -1.75 handicap
San Marino U21 vs Northern Ireland U21 (8) 0-2
Scotland U21 vs Azerbaijan U21 (8) under 2.5 goals.

Argentinian Primera Division:

Rosario Central vs Arsenal de Sarandi (6) 2-1
Velez Sarsfield vs Boca Juniors (8) 1-0
Racing Club Avellaneda vs Huracan (5) 1-1

English League One:

Bristol Rovers vs Stockport County (7)
Southampton vs Huddersfield Town (6)

English League Two:

Aldershot Town vs Bradford City (7)
Darlington vs Port Vale (6)
Rochdale vs Rotherham United (5)
Cheltenham Town vs Hereford United (5)
Notts County vs Macclesfield Town (8)
Torquay United vs Dagenham & Redbridge (6)

French Ligue 2:

Arles vs Sedan-Ardennes (5)

International Friendly:

Republic of Ireland vs Brazil (8) -1.75 handicap
Turkey U21 vs Slovakia U21 (4) 1-1
Portugal U21 vs Sweden U21 (7) 2-1
France U21 vs Croatia U21 (7) 1-0

Welsh Premier League:

Caersws vs Connah's Quay Nomads (6) 0-0

Enjoy your free betting tips!