Derry have a solid away record this term, as they come into this clash with just two defeats in 11 away trips. They’ve lost just one of their last six matches in the league, but they’ve also only won once in that time. Too many draws has been an issue for the Candystripes so far, despite them moving into the top four in the league. Will they pick up a much-needed win in this clash, or are they set to struggle at a ground where they haven’t won in six visits.
Cork have only lost once in their last five games, with that loss coming against champions Dundalk. That 2-0 loss was the only time in their last five home games that Cork have conceded more than once. They’ve got a decent record at the back at home, conceding just a goal per game at their own ground. However, their big issue comes up front, where they’ve scored just seven times in nine home matches.
Overall, Cork have seen under 2.5 goals in 89% of their home games, while they’ve seen less than three goals in 11 straight league games. Given that 60% of Derry’s Premier Division clashes have finished with fewer than three goals scored, we can’t see this being a high scoring affair. We’re going with under 2.5 goals as our tip for this clash.
Last season, Cliftonville failed to play more than two games in UEL qualifying, though they did perform well against Danish side Nordsjaelland, who’re undoubtedly harder to face than Barry. If they can get to within a single goal of holding useful top-level Danish opposition to a draw, then it’s easy to feel upbeat about Cliftonville’s chances of denying Thursday’s Welsh hosts.
In the betting, given that they’re much more experienced at this level, Cliftonville are easy to side with. Against a Barry side that has lost two on the bounce at home and that has no experience of playing in on the continent, the visitors really ought to be slightly shorter in the betting, so ‘Cliftonville Draw No Bet’ stands out as a viable option.
Philadelphia have won four straight matches against New England, outscoring them 12-3 in that sequence, but New England come into this match with a four-match unbeaten streak.
The battle to avoid the humiliation of finishing bottom of the group, potentially without a single point, while neither of these teams can reach the final four there is plenty of pride at stake.
England were among the pre-tournament favourites so the pressure is on Aidy Boothroyd's side to pick up at least one victory from a campaign that started well against France but unravelled with the sending off of Hamza Choudhury.
While Croatia have lacked firepower, England have been left to rue what was an incredibly attacking squad selection, conceding six goals in two matches.
Romania are just as tough to break down at the back, having let in only four goals in 10 matches. Six of their last eight matches in the qualifiers saw fewer than three goals scored, so we expect this clash to be tight. With that in mind, we’re going against goals in this one, as we’re backing under 2.5 goals to be scored.
Veteran forwards Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfán provide the goal threat in the Peru squad, but both aren’t as nimble as they used to be and shouldn’t bee too difficult to mark. Radamel Falcao captains Colombia and has scored 34 goals in 84 caps for his country, but like the Peru forwards he isn’t the player he used to be after a couple of serious injuries. We’re confident that under 2.5 goals will be scored and that we wont see both teams score on Sunday, and have predicted a final scoreline of 0-0. This is a fixture that rarely sees both sides score and has on the last eleven occasions produced under 2.5 goals, so it’s no wonder we’re backing a goalless draw.
Things just seem to be going Spurs’ way in the Champions League this season.
It will be a close game but I can see Pochettino’s side edging it in extra time.
This clash will be crucial, especially as Cittadella have to bounce back from a defeat in the home leg of the last round. Cittadella were able to win 3-0 away to Benevento in their last game, while they have put together a strong record at home this season. They were able to win nine of their 18 home games, which includes a 3-0 hammering of Verona here in their meeting earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Verona were beaten in seven of their away trips, with their record on the road letting them down overall. They head into this clash with five defeats in their last six trips to the Walled City. We are backing that run to continue, as we see Cittadella taking a first-leg lead on Thursday. A home win is our tip for this clash, as we don’t expect Verona to turn around this month’s defeat here in a hurry.
Ultimately, this is a tie that is far from over and Caracas have every chance of coming back. Man for man, there’s not a huge amount between the two, as the close first leg showed, but with home advantage, Caracas will be hopeful of making a comeback.
All things considered, we like the look of backing a home win here and feel it provides the best value as far as the betting is concerned. Caracas are quite a powerful home outfit, Liverpool aren’t the best of travellers and that leads us to believe that the hosts will run out 1-0 winners; meaning the tie would have to be settled from the spot.
Ultimately, neither team arrives with any great momentum behind them and have been below par for quite some time now. Nonetheless, for all their struggles in recent weeks and over the entire season, Corinthians have remained a powerful force on their own patch, losing just 2 of their 16 matches there, winning 8 times in the process and taking that into account, they should be able to give a Sao Paulo outfit that’s had the more impressive campaign overall a run for their money.
Calling a result looks difficult in this one and it could go either way but instead, great value looks set to be found in backing both nets to be hit. Each party will be playing with an attacking style as they chase the win and action is normally found in this fixture, with 5 of the previous 7 clashes between the two seeing goals at either end. 3 of Corinthians’ last 4 matches have also featured both sides scoring and we can envisage that sequence being built upon in a 2-2 draw.
When we consider Las Palmas’ strong home form in conjunction with both Rayo’s recent defensive efforts on the road and their lack of both goals and creativity away from home in general it becomes somewhat easy to support the hosts.
As things stand, Arsenal will have all of the pressure firmly placed upon their shoulders. Sure, they have a two goal lead after the first leg, but this is their only route to the Champions League for next season, and that puts tremendous strain upon them. Valencia will apply a ton of pressure to the visiting Gunners and will force them to salt this win away. In the end, the English side will just about do it, with their incredibly strong attack to be thanked after another shaky defensive showing.
There will be fireworks when Ajax and Tottenham face each other at Johan Cruijff Arena in what is expected to be a great match. The Amsterdammers did well to beat Spurs 1-0 in London and they are now on a quest to defend their slim lead. The Dutch champions look unstoppable at the moment and seeing that Harry Kane remains in the recovery room, home win should be considered in the return leg.
The Premier League side head into Wednesday’s football game with a severely-weakened squad and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Ajax’s party at Johan Cruijff Arena. The Amsterdammers crushed Willem II 4-0 in their last league match, which is yet another reason why we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. Dusan Tadic, who is in the form of his life, will be the man to watch in the home team.
Atlanta have won their last three meetings against Montreal, outscoring them 8-2.