Month: April 2024

We head to Northern Portugal and Braga region for an exciting Liga Portugal match that could settle the league for Sporting Lisbon.

Famalicao are 8^th in Liga Portugal with 35 points, 8 ahead of playoff relegation place but miles behind European places. Overall form is 8 wins, 11 draws and 9 losses. Home form reads 5 wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats. Recent form for them is an unbeaten run of 4 games (including a 2-2 draw with Porto) Sporting are top of the league with 24 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. Away from is 10 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats.  Sporting are unbeaten in 15 games (14 wins and 1 draw) – and have won the last 6 straight league matches.

Team news: Full squad for the home side here. Sporting have no new injury worries either.

Head-to-head statistics: 12 games – 2 wins Familcao, 3 draws and 9 wins Sporting.

Betting selection –As ever in Portugal we have to navigate the odds whenever one of the “big 3 play “ – odds of 1.33 or 1-3 away are too short.  Take Sporting -1.5 at 2.02 or 41/40 bet365.

Champions League returns and we head to Olympic Lluis Companys. Barcelona look to make their 1^st semi-final since the fateful 4-3 to Liverpool in 2019.

Barcelona won the 1^st leg 3-2 with some great attacking play but also managed to contain PSG and Mbappe in particular for most parts.  Barcelona are on a 13 match unbeaten run in all competitions and have won the last 6 games on the bounce.

Team news: Just two new problems for Barcelona with Sergi Roberto and Christensen both supended. No new injury problems for PSG.

Head-to-head statistics: 12 games – 5 wins Barcelona, 4 draws and 3 wins PSG.

Betting selection – Two suspensions for Barcelona but more worryingly for them is a number of players 1 yellow card from a semifinal suspension. PSG were weak 1^st leg and surprisingly Mbappe was underused and peripheral. I think this will be closer than last game with PSG nervous to overstretch – at least early on. Take Barcelona -0.0/0.5 at 1.98 Bet365. Half stakes returned if it’s a draw.

Stamford Bridge and EPL for our Monday night betting tip. Chelsea is chasing an outside hope of European qualification. Everton are hoping to avoid relegation but with more points deductions looming are in a precarious position.

Chelsea is in 9^th position with 44 points and are 6 points behind European places. Overall form is 12 wins, 8 draws and 10 defeats. Home form is 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats. Recent form is an unbeaten run of 7 games which includes 3 wins and 4 draws. Everton have been hit by 2 points deductions and could see more. This season they have 9 wins, 8 draws and 14 defeats, but they sit on 27 points. They are just 2 points above relegation zone.

Team news: Chelsea will be without Alex Disasi and Enzo Fernandez here. They have doubts over Raheem Stirling and Robert Sanchez also. Malo Gusto is back however. Everton have Onana, Danjuma and Gueye back.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 8 wins Chelsea, 5 draws and 7 wins Everton.

Betting selection – Hard game this one to decipher on a win basis. I think both sides are strong and for sure Everton are better than their league position suggest. Take both scores Yes at 1.57 or 4-7 Betfair.

Alanya up next for some Turkey Super Lig and a clash between two inform sides on Monday night.

Alanyaspor are 10^th with 42 points, just 6 behind European qualification. Overall form is 10 wins, 12 draws and 9 losses. Home form sees 6 wins, 6 draws and 3 losses. They are unbeaten in 7 games, winning the last four. Galatasaray are top of the league by 2 points with 7 games remaining. Overall, they have 27 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat. Away form is 11 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. Recent form sees an unbeaten run of 20 games which includes 13 straight league victories! They have not lost since early November.

Team news: Full squad availability for the home side. No new injury worries for the visitors who finally have Serge Aurier fit.

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

Betting selection – Both sides in wining form and confident. Galatasaray miles above everyone in this league though except for Fenerbahce. Odds are quite low on Galatasaray even though away from home. Take Galatasaray win and both score at 2.75 or 7-4 Williamhill.

We move to EPL and a visit to Anfield, Liverpool will want to bounce back after their hammering at home to Atalanta on Thursday.

Liverpool are 2^nd in EPL on inferior goal difference to Arsenal. Overall, they have 21 wins, 8 draws and 2 defeats. Home form is still unbeaten with 13 wins and 3 draws. Recent league form is an unbeaten run of 8 games with 6 wins and 2 draws. Palace are in 14^th with 30 points and a 5-point gap over Luton in relegation zone. Overall form is 7 wins, 9 draws and 15 defeats. Away form of 3 wins, 5 draws and 8 defeats. Recent form is poor with 1 win, 3 draws and 4 defeats.

Team news: No new injury problems for Liverpool who saw the return of Diogo Jota and Alexander-Arnold on Thursday.  No new injury problems for Palace either.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 15 wins Liverpool, 2 draws and 3 wins Crystal Palace.

Betting selection – Liverpool were terrible in Europa Liga Thursday so are now concentrating on the league. You would think they will bounce back and double their efforts now. Palace are dangerous but lately have been struggling. Take Liverpool halftime win and fulltime win at 8-11 or 1.72 Coral.

The entire city of Bilbao was out for their Copa del Rey victory parade and although the fans will have sore heads the team will be out of three points and UCL participation next season.

Bilbao are 5^th in La Liga with 56 points and are just 2 points behind Atletico Madrid in 4^th. Overall form shows 16 wins, 8 draws and 6 defeats. Home form of 11 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat. Recent form reads 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats. Villarreal are 10^th with 38 points and are safe from relegation but seemingly to far from European places. Overall, they have 10 wins, 8 draws and 12 defeats. Away form reads 5 wins, 4 draws and 5 defeats. Recent form in all competitions is 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats.

Team news: Ruiz de Galarreta is suspended so misses this one, keeper Unai Simon returns though.  Berchiche and Herrara are available also. For Villarreal Bailly, Terrats and Pino are out. Femenia and Moreno return from suspension.

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 9 wins Athletic Bilbao, 7 draws and 4 wins Villarreal.

Betting selection – Bilbao have not made UCL since 2014/5 and are desperate to do so this year. Villarreal are in good form but at San Mames and on the back of the wonderful cup parade they will surely be boosted and take the win. Athletic Bilao win at 3-4 or 1.75 Unibet.

Italy and Turin for the “Derby della Mole” two sides not in the greatest of form in what will be a feisty local clash.

Torino are 9^th in Serie A with 44 points, they are only 6 points off a European place. Overall form is 11 wins, 11 draws and 9 defeats. Home form is 7 wins, 6 draws and 2 defeats. Recent form is 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. Juventus are 3^rd in the table with 62 points. Overall form is 18 wins, 8 draws and 5 defeats. Away form is 8 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats. Recent form is 3 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats.

Team news: Neither team has any new injury or suspension issues.  

Head-to-head statistics: 20 games – 1 wins Torino, 4 draws and 15 wins Juventus.

Betting selection – Huge derby and Torino will give their all here. Both side are not really clicking offensively and goals are hard to come by. Derby situation and the Draw at 3.10 or 21-10 WilliamHill is the bet.

La Liga and we head to Andalusia for a bottom v top clash. Cadiz look to escape the relegation zone while Barcelona are too far behind Madrid in the title chase, one eye will be on Tuesday and PSG in UCL.

Cadiz sit in 18^th and are 3 points behind Celta in safety. Overall form reads 4 wins, 13 draws and 13 defeats. Home form 4 wins, 7 draws and 4 defeats. Recent form 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. The visitors are 2^nd in league with 67 points but are 8 behind Real Madrid. Away league form see Barcelona unbeaten with 8 wins and 6 draws. Recent form sees them undefeated in 12 games in all competitions with 9 wins and 3 draws.

Team news: No new injury news for Cadiz, they are still without Koume, Gomez, San Emeterio and Hernandez. Barcelona lose suspended trio Martinez, Cancelo and Lewandowski.  

Head-to-head statistics: 9 games – 2 wins Cadiz, 2 draws and 5 wins Barcelona.

Betting selection – Barcelona will have one eye on UCL for sure but can use their squad here to still get the win. In will come Joao Felix, Torres and Lopez. While Pedri and de Jong are also just returning and can benefit from game time. Take Barcelona win at 1.90 or 9-10 10bet.

The Augsburg arena for this Bundesliga clash with two teams who have surprised with their seasons. Augsburg were touted for the lower end of the table and Union played UCL football for the first ever time this year.

Augsburg are in 7^th place with 36 points from 28 games. Overall, they have 9 wins, 9 draws and 10 losses. Home form reads 5 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats. Recent form is 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. Union is in 13^th but are just 7 points behind the home team. Overall, they have 8 wins, 5 draws and 15 defeats. Away form reads 2 wins, 3 draws and 9 defeats. Recent form 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats.

Team news: Serious problems for Augsburg, out for sure are Dorsch, Gumney and Rexhbecaj. While issues with Iago, Mbabu, Jensen and Jakic. All of them with decent game time this season. Union misses Gosens and Tousart suspended plus Roussillon injured.

Head-to-head statistics: 16 games – 5 wins Gil Vicente, 7 draw and 4 wins Sporting.

Betting selection – Augsburg simply have too many injury issues to take seriously here. Potentially 9 players unavailable. Close game this anyway so take Union Berlin double chance at 1.80 or 4-5 Betfair.

Friday night and we travel to Braga to see if Sporting can get three points nearer to the Primeira Liga title.

Gil Vicente are in 14^th with 28 points, just 2 points off the relegation playoff place. Overall form is 7 wins, 7 draws and 14 losses. Home form reads 5 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats. Recent form sees a winless run of 6 games. Three draws and three losses (last three games all lost) Sporting are top of the league with 71 points and a 4-point lead over Benfica with a game in hand. Overall, they have 23 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.  Away form reads 9 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.  Recent league for sees an unbeaten run of 14 games with 13 wins and 1 draw, their last league loss was early December!

Team news: Winger Tidjany Toure is suspended for Gil Vicente and their only new doubt. No new injury worries for Sporting who have 1^st choice keeper Antonio Adan back to fitness.

Head-to-head statistics: 19 games – 3 wins Gil Vicente, 1 draw and 15 wins Sporting.

Betting selection – Sporting are in supreme form and will not want to let up in their chase for a 1^st title since 2021. Gil Vicente are struggling and I expect the losing run to continue. Match odds are 1.25 or 1-4 on Sporting win which is low. Take Sporting Lisbon win to nil at 2.10 or 11-10 Bet365.