There are Champions League qualifiers, along with Europa League qualifiers. Teams from the Premier League are in action in the Carabao Cup Round of 32. Celtic travel to St Mirren, while PSG look to end their three-match winless streak at home against Metz. Legacy, financial freedom, and honor, everything is on the line.
We have a plethora of options and they are all enticing. From European cup competition to domestic cups, it is all on offer, and we plan on making the most of it.
The cups are always tricky and we have learnt from our mistakes. Teams from different domestic setups and varying forms turn out completely opposite. This especially rings true in UEFA competitions. Olympique Lyon finished the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season in 7th place but made it all the way to the semifinals.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope our slections rake in the dough for us. So, without further ado, let’s get straight to the action of the day, shall we?
16/09/20: Featured Match: PSG vs Metz
Preview
No one would have hoped for the results that Paris Saint-Germain have managed. The reigning French champions and UEFA Champions League semi-finalists are winless in successive Ligue 1 outings.
While Les Parisians missed first team regulars to Covid-19 in the earlier games, it is suspension which will see three players miss out against Metz. Neymar, Leandro Parades and Layvin Kurzawa all receiving red cards in their 0-1 defeat to Marseille.
Metz are on a similar run of poor form. They have lost their two opening fixtures and travel to Parc des Princes to change their fortunes. Given the current circumstances, anything can happen and the French minnows will count their blessings to come across PSG in this form.
PSG to win
Both teams are in poor form. While it could be expected from Metz, it is unfathomable for the Parisians. The odds always favor the hosts this is no different.
PSG must be seething with anger and they will make Metz pay. Vincent Hognon knows and will send out his team to get a point from this fixture. Without Neymar, the hosts will be blunt but it will not be that big a deal as they should be welcoming Kylian Mbappe back.
PSG have a lot to make up for and they will start it against Les Grenats. Normally, odds on PSG will be at 1.14 to win but given their form, Bet365 is offering 1.25 for their win. Clearly there is value to be had.
Goals – Over 2.5
There are no guarantees about PSG’s goalscoring form. They have yet to trouble the scorers but when they do open their account, no one knows what their wrath will be.
There are so many intangibles that we are staying well clear from the scoring predictions. For that, we travel to Scottish Premiership where Celtic travel to St Mirren.
The last time St Mirren won against Celtic in Scotish top-flight football was back in March 2010, a decade ago. A lot has changed since then but Celtic’s dominance remains unhinged.
Neil Lennon’s side should take the points home but are suffering from an injury crisis. Celtic have five players out and it will be a sluggish match. However, the champions have enough in the tank to make it over 2.5 goals in the match. Bet 365 is offering reasonable odds of 1.50 and it is our selection going forward.
Anytime goal-scorer – Albian Ajeti
It would have been easier for us to pick Neymar if he was available. With question marks on Kylian Mbappe’s availability, he is out of contention as well. The same goes for Mauro Icardi.
PSG will score goals, from whose boots they will come is unknown. Probably Angel di Maria or Pablo Sarabia. We are nothing taking a punt on them, especially with odds of 2.3 and 2.1. There is no value there.
Celtic provide us the best opportunity for this. The Bhoys have two new strikers lining up for them and the duo are acclamitising to their new surroundings. Bet365 is offering odds of 1.95 for Patryk Klimala, while Albian Ajeti getting on the scoreboard will net 1.83.
It is the young Ajeti who we are backing to continue his goalscoring form. The 23-year-old has scored three goals in three appearances. He will fancy his chances to make it four against a Mirren defense which has leaked eight goals so far.
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.