Month: April 2024

Semi Final stage of CONCACAF Champions Cup and an all Mexican match at Estadio Hidalgo in Pachuca.

Pachuca finished 7^th in Liga MX with 29 points. In this competition so far they have 3 wins and 2 draw so far but have scored 14 goals in that time (6 against Philadelphia and 5 against Herediano) Recent all competition form is 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. Club America just won the Liga MX Clausera with 35 points. In CONCACAF Cup they started season as top seed. Entering at the quarter final stage they proved why, putting 9 past New England. Their only other match so far the 1-1 in the 1^st leg. America’s recent form is 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.

Team news:  Pachuca miss Celso Ortiz, Gustavo Cabral and Israel Luna. Club America will just miss Emilio Lara.

Head-to-head statistics: 6 games – 1 wins Dortmund, 3 draws and 2 wins PSG

Betting selection – Away goals rule still applies to this tournament so a different approach for sure. The 1-1 in Azteca was a surprise but America dominated.  Pachuca will surely try to contain and that will be difficult for sure. Take Club America qualify at 1.67 or 4-6 bet365.

European Champions league at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.  Looks a close tie this one and this first leg should be a tight affair. These two already faced off in the group stages.

Dortmund are 5^th in Germany Bundesliga, fighting to take their place in next years UCL.  Overall form in UCL this year is 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats. Home form of 3 wins and 2 draws from their 5 games. Recent all competition form is 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. PSG are top of Ligue 1 with a 12 point gap over Monaco with 3 games left. Overall UCL form is 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses.  Away form of 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses.

Team news: Home side are without Bensebaini and Haller injured.  Maatsen, Malen and Hummels are doubts. No new injury worries for PSG who indeed rested a host of players at the weekend for this game.

Head-to-head statistics: 6 games – 1 wins Dortmund, 3 draws and 2 wins PSG

Betting selection – PSG won one and the other game was drawn in the group stage. PSG finished behind the Germans by 3 points. However I feel PSG are going to the final though and take PSG draw no bet at 1.83 or 5-6 Betfair.

Two teams who used to regularly feature in the top league meet at Coventry Arena with just one team with a something to play for. Ipswich would be favourites for 2^nd place and automatic promotion with a win here.

Coventry’s season is over, and they are just playing for position with 2 games left. Overall, they have 64 points and are placed in 9^th. 17 wins, 13 draws and 14 defeats this season. Home form is 9 wins, 8 draws and 4 defeats. Recent all competition form is 1 win, 2 draws and 4 defeats with no wins in 5 games.  Ipswich are in joint 2^nd position with Leeds in Championship. They have inferior goal difference by a large margin so must finish at least a point ahead with 2 games left. Overall Ipswich have 26 wins, 12 draws and 6 defeats. Away form is 11 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats. Recently they had 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.

Team news: Centre back Liam Kitchings is suspended. Fabio Tavares season is over. Doubts for them over Victor Torp and Ben Sheaf. Ipswich are without Brandon Williams but have Wes Burns back to fitness.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 6 wins Coventry, 6 draws and 8 wins Ipswich.

Betting selection – This will be Coventry’s 4 game in just 10 days which also included extra time and penalties against Man Utd last week.  Squad is tired and stretched thin here in what for them is a nothing match. Ipswich need the win and 3 points. Back Ipswich win at 1.80 or 4-5 Unibet.

Two of the biggest sides in the world go head-to-head at Allianz Arena in Munich in this Champions League semifinal first leg.

Bayern are fighting for 2^nd place in Bundesliga as Leverkusen have run away with the league. In UCL this season their record is 7 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. At home in UCL is unbeaten run of 4 wins and 1 draw. Recent all competition form for the Munich men is 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. Real Madrid needs just 4 points to have the title mathematically sewn up with 5 games left in La Liga. Overall UCL form for them is 7 wins and 3 draws from 10 games. Away UCL form of 4 wins and 1 draw.  Real Madrid is unbeaten in a staggering 40 matches going all the way back to September. In that time, they have 30 wins and 10 draws.

Team news: Bayern have Alphonso Davies back from suspension. They have three doubts in Musiala, de Ligt and Laimer but expect to have them available. Dani Carvajal is the only new missing man for the visitors.

Head-to-head statistics: 16 games – 4 wins Bayern Munich, 3 draws and 9 wins Real Madrid.

Betting selection – First leg ties are always tough to decipher as teams used to be cagey under away goals rule but with that no longer in play games are now more open. I take Harry Kane score anytime at 13-10 or 2.30 with bet365. He has 42 already this season and he can add to that tally here.

Ataturk Olympic Stadium on  Monday night for this mid-table clash in Turkey Super Lig.

Karagumruk are 17^th in the league and sit in the last relegation place but are just one point from safety. Overall they have a record of 8 wins, 9 draws and 16 defeats. Home form of 6 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses. Recent form is 1 wins, 2 draws and 5 defeats.  Antalyspor are 9^th in Super Lig with 45 points and are 7 points off European places. with 32 points in total. Overall form is 11 wins, 12 draws and 10 defeats. Away form is 4 wins, 4 draws and 8 defeats. Recent form is 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeat.

Team news: Home side are without Ryan Mendes and Emre Mor suspended. Veysel Sari and Erdogan Yesilyurt are suspended for the visitors while Bunyamin Balci could return but is still doubtful.

Head-to-head statistics: 9 games – 1 wins Karagumruk, 3 draws and 5 wins Antalyspor.

Betting selection – Neither side is in top form but they are gathering points, draw looks a good option here but I prefer Antalyspor +0.5 at 4-5 or 1.80 Bet365.

Sunday night football and two lesser lights meet up at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Genoa are 12^th in the league and seem to be safe from relegation but no chance of European football. Overall they have a record of 9 wins, 12 draws and 12 defeats. Home form of 6 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses. Recent form is 2 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats.  Cagliari are 14^th in Serie A with 32 points in total. Just 4 points above the drop zone. Overall form is 7 wins, 11 draws and 15 defeats. Away form is 1 wins, 5 draws and 10 defeats. Recent form is 3 wins, 4 draws and 1 defeat.

Team news: Home side are without Messias, Malinovskyi and Bani but Vitinha returns. Cagliari miss Zito Luvumbo suspended and have Petagna, Mancosu and Pavoletti injured.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 9 wins Genoa, 4 draws and 7 wins Cagliari,.

Betting selection – Cagliari have a good recent run and Genoa’s season is over. However Cagliari are notoriously bad travellers. They have had 5 of the last 6 as both score yes and that looks best betting option. Take both score yes at 2.00 or Evens Betfair.

One of the best lesser-known derby matches around Europe. Sevilla visit Betis in a firecracker and one of Spain’s best derby matches outside El Clasico.

Real Betis are 7^th in La Liga and in the last spot for Euro qualification. They are just 3 points behind Real Sociedad but just 1 point above Valencia. Overall, they have 12 wins, 12 draws and 6 defeats. Home form of 8 wins, 6 draws and 2 defeats. Recent form is 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats. Sevilla are in 12^th place with 37 points. Overall form for them is 9 wins, 10 draws and 13 defeats. Away form is 4 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats. Recent form is 4 wins, 2 draw and 2 defeats although they have won the last three.

Team news: Betis are without Bellerin and Avila while Marc Batra is doubtful. Sevilla miss Gudelj, Pedrosa and Sow.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 3 wins Betis, 5 draws and 12 wins Sevilla.

Betting selection – Between them this season both sides have drawn 22 of their 64 matches. This game will be hectic and full speed – expect a lot of yellow cards and some fireworks. Take the draw at 3.40 or 12-5 bet365.

Huge North London derby that could end the title charge for The Gunners if they don’t pick up all three points.

Spurs are 5^th in EPL with 60 points, 6 points behind Villa in 4^th but with 2 games in hand. Overall, they have 18 wins, 6 draws and 8 defeats. Home form is 12 wins and 4 losses. Recent form of 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. Arsenal are top of the table by one point but Man City have played 1 game less. They have 24 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats. Away form is 11 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats. Recent all competition form is 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats.

Team news: Spurs loss Destiny Udogie for rest of season but have Pedro Porro and Richarlison back available. No new injury issues for the visitors who have Jurrien Timber available in his first game since an opening day injury.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 7 wins Spurs, 6 draws and 7 wins Arsenal.

Betting selection – Massive game this one and a loss for either side could derail their season objectives.  Spurs are just too open and their 4-0 loss to Newcastle last time out looks bad. Arsenal, I expect to have too much for the home side. Take Arsenal win at 10/13 or 1.76 10bet.

Everton will be bouncing after derailing local rivals Liverpool and will be looking to add another 3 points to their total. Futher possible deductions for them are possible so maximum points from last few games are vital.

Everton are in 16^th place in EPL with 33 points in total (deducted 8 points so far) and are 8 above Luton with 4 games left. Overall they have 11 wins, 8 draws and 15 losses. Home form of 6 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses. Recent form is 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses. Brentford are 1 place and 2 points above the home side. Overall they have 9 wins, 8 draws and 17 losses. Away form of 4 wins, 2 draws and 11 losses. Recently they are unbeaten in 5 with 2 wins and 3 draws.

Team news: Everton add Mykolenko to their injury list. Brentford have Maupay ineligible while Ivan Toney could miss this injured.

Head-to-head statistics: 7 games – 3 wins Everton, 2 draws and 2 wins Brentford.

Betting selection – Everton didn’t give Liverpool one second on Wednesday and their fans will expect more of the same tonight. I take Everton draw no bet at 1.75 or 3-4.

London derby but a lesser one as Palace make the short trip to Craven Cottage alongside the Thames

Fulham 13^th in League with 42 points, clear of relegation and not close to European places. Overall form is 12 wins, 6 draws and 16 losses. Home form of 9 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses. Recent form of 3 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses. Palace are 1 place and 3 points behind the home side. Season consists of 10 wins, 9 draws and 15 losses. Away form of 4 wins, 5 draws and 8 wins. Decent form of 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses with last three all won v top sides (West Ham, Newcastle & Liverpool)

Team news: Home side are just doubt over winger Willian. No new injury problems for Palace who could start Michael Olise who was a sub last game.

Head-to-head statistics: 13 games – 4 wins Fulham, 5 draws and 4 wins Crystal Palace.

Betting selection – New Palace coach Oliver Glasner has bedded in nicely and their football has improved alongside their results. I take Crystal Palace +0.5 at 1.75 or 3-4 bet365. We get paid on Draw or Palace win.