I enjoyed plenty of success last week, with nine correct Match Tips and two correct scores. Let’s see how I get on this time! You can bet on the matches here.
Malawi 1 v 0 Botswana – Tuesday 10 September – World Cup qualifier – Under 2.5 Goals (1.40)
These two sides require a play off tie in order to reach the group stage for the World Cup qualifiers. The tie is in the balance, too, after a 0-0 draw in the first leg on Saturday. Considering that there is bound to be tension in the air I don’t expect many goals, especially because there have been Under 2.5 Goals in nine of Malawi’s last ten matches in World Cup qualifying. The same has happened in their last six games against the visitors. As for the result, the Flames haven’t conceded in their last three home games overall, and Botswana are winless in their last four games. I’m going for a Home Win.
Ukraine 2 v 1 Nigeria – Tuesday 10 September – Friendly – Ukraine Win (1.65)
This is a tough ask for the Super Eagles, who haven’t played together since the AFCON in July. Since then a few significant players, including Odion Ighalo and John Obi Mikel, have retired. They have also only won one of their last seven friendlies. In contrast, Ukraine have only lost two of their last 25 friendly games, winning 15. They are also on a four-game winning streak overall. I think Ukraine will extend that run and win again here.
Lille 2 v 1 Angers – Friday 13 September – Ligue 1 – Lille Win (1.80)
After they finished second last season, Lille haven’t come firing out of the blocks this time around. They’ve taken six points from four games, although I should point out that they have won both of their matches at home. That means that they have won eight of their last ten home games, including each of the past six. Angers are fourth with nine points but, although they have won all three of their home games, they lost 6-0 to Lyon in their only away game. They also lost 5-0 to Lille in their final away game last season. I’m going for a Home Win.
Amiens 0 v 2 Lyon – Friday 13 September – Ligue 1 – Lyon Win (1.80)
Amiens have lost three out of four games so far this season, leaving them 18th in the table. Their only points this season have come against ten-man Lille, which means that they have won just three of their last 15 games in Ligue 1. Lyon began the season with back-to-back wins before stumbling in their next two games. They had the second best away record in Ligue 1 last season and have won all seven of their previous games against Amiens (including four last season). I can only see an Away Win.
Fortuna Dusseldorf 2 v 2 Wolfsburg – Friday 13 September – Bundesliga – Both Teams to Score (1.55)
The fixture list hasn’t been kind to Fortuna Dusseldorf. They have won once and lost twice so far this season, although those defeats were against Leverkusen and Frankfurt, who are top teams. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, have won two and drawn one in the Bundesliga. I think a good bet here is Both Teams to Score. It’s been a winning bet in Fortuna’s last 12 league games and in six of the last ten for Wolfsburg. It’s also happened in three of their last four meetings since 2012. I’ll go for a Draw, too.