Last weekend proved to be one of the toughest times for any punter to catch their bets with plenty of favourites failing to deliver on what is expected of them with a number of upsets occurring across Europe’s top leagues. Nobody could have predicted last week’s turn of events, so let’s hope things work in our favour this time around as we try to form that ultimate bet slip for the weekend.
Nottingham Forest vs Bristol City (Saturday)
Nottingham Forest have had the worst possible start to the new season in the English Championship, losing all three of their ties thus far. In contrast, they host a Bristol City side who have won all three of their games played. Forest are also one of three teams yet to score in the division. Despite their torrid form this term, they’re still priced up as the bookmakers’ favourites, allowing punters to play it safe.
Valencia vs Real Betis (Saturday)
The bookmakers continue to offer plenty of value this weekend as Valencia have been generously priced up as slight outsiders on home soil against Real Betis. Strange considering the Bats are joint-leaders in the Spanish La Liga, while Real Betis have lost their last two league games. What makes matters worse, Betis have conceded six goals in their last two encounters. Valencia have one of the best home records at the Mestalla Stadium where they remain unbeaten there this campaign, following up from their record of just one defeat on their turf last season.s.
RB Leipzig vs FC Schalke (Saturday)
RB Leipzig will be hoping to continue their fine displays and live up to their own high standards that they’ve set over the past couple of years. Julian Nagelsmann’s are currently unbeaten in the new campaign, claiming four points from their opening two ties. They did manage to win their only home game, though, which was followed by a 1-1 stalemate at Bayer Leverkusen. Schalke ended off last season with a run of three consecutive defeats. Now, they’ve begun the new campaign with two losses on the bounce, suggesting that it could be worrying times for the Schalke faithful.
Sparta Prague vs Jablonec (Saturday)
Sparta Prague have had a perfect start to the new season, winning all five of their encounters played thus far. Sparta Prague, as expected, lead the standings in the Czech Republic top flight, and are the league’s joint-highest scorers, netting a minimum of three goals in all five of their matchups this campaign. Jablonec have been impressive at their home ground, but are yet to win away from home this term. Its highly unlikely that they’ll pick up their first away win in their toughest fixture all season.
Suggested Bet: Sparta Prague to win
Value Bet: Both halves over 1.5 goals
FC Twente vs Emmen (Saturday)
FC Twente look like a completely different side that struggled in the bottom half of the Dutch Eredivisie last season, now fighting for top honours at this early stage, claiming seven points from their first three games. At home, FC Twente won both of their ties quite convincingly, while they also fought hard to get a point at Feyenoord. Emmen are yet to win a match this season and lost their only away game played this campaign. They have, however, found the back of the net five times in their three encounters.
St. Johnstone v Celtic (Sunday)
St. Johnstone have a mammoth task on their hands this Sunday as they host high-flying Celtic. The visitors are still unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership this season. Celtic have won seven of their eight games so far, scoring 23 goals – the most in the league, despite having a game in hand over log-leaders, Rangers. St. Johnstone have lost three matches in a row, failing to score in any of those ties.
Atalanta v Cagliari (Sunday)
Atalanta, who have famously made their name by the large amounts of goals they score, have been up to their old tricks again. In their two games played in the Italian Serie A, they’ve found the back of the net eight times already. More impressively, both matches were played away from home, against Torino and Lazio, where Atalanta scored four goals in each tie. Cagliari are yet to win a game this term, and recently lost to Lazio, who, as mentioned, were hammered by Atalanta.
Stade Rennais vs Reims (Sunday)
Stade Rennais will be hoping to build on their impressive start in the French Ligue 1 where they lead the standings on 13 points from their opening five matches. Since their draw in the opening round, Stade Rennais have gone on to win four game in succession. The form line has been the complete opposite for Reims. Since the visitors’ opening round stalemate, they’ve gone on to lose four in a row.
Bodo/Glimt v Sandefjord (Sunday)
Bodo/Glimt’s pursuit of invincibility continues when they host Sandefjord this weekend. The hosts are yet to lose a tie this season, winning 17 of their 19 matches played, including all nine at home. During that run, Bodo/Glimt have netted a staggering 67 goals – 21 more than any other side in the league. Sandefjord have struggled for consistency this term, losing six of their 10 away games played.
KV Oostende vs Excel Mouscron (Sunday)
KV Oostende will be hoping to stretch their unbeaten run in the Belgian top flight when they look to make it six games in a row without tasting defeat. In their way is an Excel Mouscron side who lie rock bottom of the standings, being the only team in the league yet to win a game this term. Mouscron have also netted just three times in seven matches – the lowest tally in the division. KV Oostende have proven to be very difficult to break down, which suggests Mouscron’s winless run could continue.