Weekend Tips

Only catch up games in Belgium this week and we welcome back Croatia and Hungary from their winter breaks, although there's only one game worth looking at in Croatia. I looked at all of them and either Hajduk Split or Dinamo Zagreb are too short to be worth bothering with or there are no clear trends: sometimes that's the way it is.

As usual, teams in bold are possible wins, teams in BOLD CAPS are possible home bankers.


Friday
Hungary
6:00pm
FERENCVAROS v Kecskemeti
One of the weird aspects of this game is how unlikely a draw might be - Ferencvaros didn't draw at home during the first phase (12 since last home draw), Kecskemeti didn't draw away (18 since last away draw). The hosts are on a four game home winning streak in the league so we'll go with them; they need a morale boost at the moment due to experiencing financial difficulties again and I can tell you from personal experience that when the Florian Albert Stadium is full, it's an incredibly intimidating place for the opposition.


8:15pm
Portugal
Vitoria Guimaraes v Academica
Academica are currently on a three game losing streak on the road while Vitoria are one of the more improved home teams this season. If the visitors lose it again like they did last Saturday then laying them could pay out. Trying to be professional here but Academica really annoyed me last weekend and I hope they lose ;-)

Saturday
Hungary
3pm
ZALAEGERSZEGI v Szombathely
The current top three won all six games against the current bottom three in the opening stage and although the current price may not look like it, it represents value.


Greece
3:15pm
Iraklis v Xanthi
This game should have less than 2.5 goals in it but the price is too low and in actual fact laying Xanthi is a better idea as Iraklis have only lost three times in the last 20 home games in the league. Last year was the first time Xanthi had won at Iraklis for over 15 years.


Croatia
4:00pm
Istra v Hrvatski
Hrvatski are on their way back to 2.HNL but Istra can still save themselves from relegation, even though the bottom four are going down this season. Oppose Hrvatski as a starting point as I'm not 100% sure that Istra have the goals to win this.


Portugal
4:00pm
Pacos de Ferreira v Vitoria Setubal
Straight Dutch (Pacos win/draw), although the draw might stand a better chance of paying out. Vitoria unlikely to keep a clean sheet and a scoring less than one goal away from home this season.


Portugal
8:15pm
Olhanense v Porto
Under 3.5 goals - arguably the most interesting game in Portugal this weekend as unbeaten Olhanense (unbeaten at home this season) entertain the runaway leaders. One of the reasons the hosts may be unbeaten is that this is only the second home game they've played against the big three (2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon last time out) and although Olhanense's defence will be tested by Porto, this still looks like a low scoring game


Sunday
Greece
3:15pm
PAOK* v Kavala
Going back to 1994, PAOK have won all six games without scoring a goal; a home win is still possible, but I'd be a bit hesitant about backing a PAOK clean sheet as they've only kept two at home this season; Kavala have scored in eight of their eleven away games this season.
*Not a home banker, these are just the initials.


Hungary
3:30pm
Vasas Budapest v Fehervar
Over 2.5 goals - always worth remembering that NB1 is a very goal friendly league, despite it being the lowest ranked league I'm familiar with. Yes, lower than the Veikkausliiga.


Portugal
6:00pm
BEIRA MAR v Portimonense
Lay Portimonense - haven't won away all season, haven't won at Beira Mar in the last four visits. Be cautious if backing the hosts though as Portimonense are making everyone look better because they're so bad.


Greece
7:00pm
Panionios v Olympiakos
Originally came up as a low goals recommendation, but this is about as nailed on as an away win can get, especially as Olympiakos tend to take their shooting boots to what's basically a home game for them.