Yesterday was a very interesting day for bettors and the average football fan alike. The pick of results saw Leicester claim a 3-1 comeback win against Liverpool. Elsewhere, City continued their dominance as they brushed aside Mourinho’s Tottenham by a 3-0 score-line.
Our picks from the Juventus vs Napoli game was a miss as Napoli put out a resolute performance to take all three points against the reigning champions courtesy a 1-0 victory. For the Manchester City vs Tottenham game, our picks were better as we saw over 2.5 goals and the penalty come through just as predicted. We tipped Ilkay Gundogan to carry on his impressive form and he did just that with yet another brace.
Speaking about the general tips from yesterday, three out of five games came through for the straight wins market. AC Milan and Lyon were stunned in their respective games. For the over 2.5 market, it was nearly a perfect run as a surprise name in Ajax were the only team that disappointed us.
Over to the goal-scorer market, Messi and Salah got on the score-sheet as predicted while Suarez, Depay and Ibrahimovic all drew blanks.
We always aim to do better and we have another chance with a good number of games across Europe’s top five leagues today.
Straight Wins
Manchester United travel to the Hawthorns and will take on a struggling West Brom side. The Baggies remain rooted in the relegation zone with only two wins all season. The Red Devils have only lost once in their last 10 fixtures across all competitions. Ole Solskjaer’s men will be looking to keep the charge on rivals City and they’re big favorites to win this one. Bet9ja and Bet365 have 1.30 odds while 1xbet have 1.33.
Still in the Premier League, Everton also take on a relegation threatened side in Fulham. Everton are becoming one of the country’s biggest entertainers, with each of their previous two competitive matches producing over 5.5 match goals. The ‘Toffees’ had to come from behind to draw (after 90+ minutes) in both of those matches, and have now conceded the opening goal in three of their previous four competitive fixtures. However, they are favorites to win against a Fulham team with only two wins all season. Bet365 have 1.95 odds, Bet9ja have 2.00 and 1xbet have 2.06.
Ligue 1 leaders Lille are widely expected to win again when they take on Brest. Lille are on a seven-game winning streak and have only lost once in their last 10 games across all competitions. Lille’s best 24-game start to a Ligue 1 season of the last decade has put them within reach of their first title since 2010/11. Bet365 have 1.50 odds, Bet9ja have 1.52 and 1xbet have 1.57.
Atalanta have blown hot and cold but we expect them to win a relegation threatened side in Cagliari. Di Francesco’s men are currently on a 14-game run of Serie A matches without a win (D5, L9) for the first time since 2010. Atalanta come into this game with full confidence after a 3-1 cup victory against Napoli in midweek. We can see them winning this one as well. Bet365 have 1.40 odds, Bet9ja have 1.44 and 1xbet have 1.48.
Revenge is on the cards when Real Madrid welcome Valencia to their home turf. In the reverse fixture, Valencia won 4-1 courtesy three penalties and an own goal. However, that is one of just five La Liga wins Valencia have registered this season. Real Madrid in the title hunt but they need rivals Atlético to slip up. Regardless of whatever happens in the title race, we expect Zinedine Zidane and company to get their revenge and win this one. Bet365 have 1.40 odds, Bet9ja have 1.43 and 1xbet have 1.45.
Over 2.5 Goals
Just one point and position separates Arsenal and Leeds in the Premier League standings. Having lost their last two successive games, the Gunners are without a win in their last three fixtures and will be all out for a win. Leeds will also look to keep up their charge following a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace from last time out. Both teams have seen the over 2.5 tip come through in three out of their last five games and we can see that happening once again today. Bet365 have 1.57 odds, Bet9ja have 1.58 and 1xbet have 1.66.
With 49 goals scored so far, Manchester United are the highest scoring side in the league this season. They have scored 12 goals in their last two games courtesy of a 9-0 win against Southampton and a 3-3 draw with Everton. Four out of United’s last five league games have also seen the over 2.5 tip come through. We already tipped United to win and we can expect over 2.5 goals as well against a side with one of the worst defences this season. Bet9ja have 1.52 odds, Bet365 have 1.57 and 1xbet have 1.64.
A decent number of goals should be on the cards when Inter welcome Lazio to San Siro today. Inter’s return of three wins ‘to-nil’ in four Serie A matches has seen them keep pace with their fellow title contenders. Conte’s men are also the division‘s best attacking side with 2.43 goals per game. However, they welcome an in-form Lazio side with six consecutive Serie A wins. It could be a tough game overall but it’s likely to guarantee a good number of goals. Bet9ja have 1.65 odds, Bet365 have 1.72 and 1xbet have 1.75.
Only Inter have scored more goals than Atalanta in the Serie A this term and that shows their attacking potent for sure. A fixture against a struggling Cagliari side represents a good opportunity for La Dea to get back to winning ways and with a good goal margin to go with. Bet9ja have 1.40 odds, 1xbet have 1.42 and Bet365 have 1.44.
Off to the Eredivisie, Feyernood and Williem II lock horns in another potentially interesting game. Feyenoord ended a three-game Eredivisie losing run with a 3-1 victory over title-chasing PSV thanks to three first-half goals. Both sides have seen three out of their last five games with over 2.5 goals and we expect that to happen once again today. Bet9ja have 1.50 odds, Bet365 have 1.53 and 1xbet have 1.58.
Anytime Goal-scorer
Calvert-Lewin
After a recent goal drought, the Everton talisman has scored in his last two successive games for the club, including a last-gasp equalizer against Manchester United last time out. With 13 goals so far this season, only Mohamed Salah has more goals than the Englishman. We’re backing him to score against a Fulham side lacking confidence at the moment. Bet365 have 2.00 odds while Bet9ja have 2.25.
Cavani
The Uruguayan forward has done a decent job so far with six goals to his name. The tally is impressive given the minutes he has been afforded. He is on decent form at the moment and has also scored in his last two successive games for the Red Devils. He will fancy his chances against a West Brom side with the worst defence by far this season, having conceded 54 goals already. Bet9ja have 2.00 odds while Bet365 have theirs at 2.05.
Lukaku
With 14 Serie A goals to his name, Lukaku is Inter’s top scorer this term and remains firmly in the race for the Capocannoniere. With AC Milan suffering a shock loss to Spezia, Inter can go top of the league with a win and Lukaku will be more than motivated to rise to the occasion as the Nerazzurri go all out for their last chance of silverware this term. Bet365 have 1.80 odds while Bet9ja have 1.90.
Benzema
Including the 4-1 loss in the reverse fixture, Benzema has scored in his last three fixtures against Valencia. He comes into this game with full confidence having scored against Getafe in midweek. As earlier said, Los Blancos are out for revenge in this one and you can count on the Frenchman to be fired up for a goal or two today. Bet365 have 1.66 odds while Bet9ja have it slightly better at 1.75.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.