Reading vs Ipswich

Reading and Ipswich are in a similar kind of form when they lock horns at the Madejski Stadium on Friday evening. Both teams also earn a win in their fifth round match before heading into the international, only the second victory of the season.
Reading started their season with a 1-0 home win against Preston, but suffered back-to-back defeats against Wolves and Newcastle in their next two games. They ended their losing streak with a 2-2 home draw against Brighton before earning the 1-0 away win against Cardiff in their fifth match.
Ipswich Town also started their season campaign with a 4-2 win against Barnsley. They have to wait till the match day five for their second league win of the season, which came at home against Preston by a 1-0 margin. However, they lost once so far this season, 2-0 at Brentford. While they drew the remaining two games against Wolves and Norwich.

Reading vs Ipswich: Head-to-Head Stats

Reading won the corresponding fixture of last season by a 5-1 margin, but they lost in the reverse fixture at Ipswich 2-1.
Reading are on a five match winning run at home against Ipswich. Their only lost just once to Ipswich in the last 10 home meetings.

Reading vs Ipswich: Prediction

Ipswich Town have registered just one win in their last 8 away matches in the Championship. But they also managed to get 5 draws during the period. Also they failed to score in the two away games they played so far this season.
While Reading have a very strong home record against Ipswich and have won in all of the last five games. So Reading must edge a win, which is also backed by the overall away form of Ipswich from their past 10 meetings.
Also judging by the current scoring form of both teams, the match is expected to see fewer goals. Therefore, I also go with my correct score prediction of a 2-0 win in favour of Reading at odds of 17/2 (9.50).

Reading vs Ipswich: Betting Tips

Reading to win at 6/5 (2.20)
Under 2.5 goals at 13/20 (1.65).

Switzerland vs Portugal

The European Champions Portugal start their road to FIFA World Cup 2018 with a tough away fixture against Switzerland.

The Swiss team had a decent run at the Euro 2016 as they reached the first knock-out round of the tournament from a tough group containing the hosts France, Romania and Albania. They were drawn against Poland in the round of 16 and lost out on the penalty shoot-out. The Schweizer also had also made it to the last three World Cups and reached the first knock-out round on 2006 and 2014.

Portugal won their first major tournament at the summer tournament beating hosts France by an extra time goal. Cristiano Ronaldo, who got injured during the final showdown at Euro 2016 will be solely missed in Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Switzerland. Their head-coach Fernando Santos named the same squad that went to France and they will be coming to Basel with high confidence.
Switzerland vs Portugal: Head-to-Head

This is the first meeting between Portugal and Switzerland since their group stage encounter at the Euro 2008 at this very stadium in Basel. The Swiss grabbed a surprise 2-0 win over Portugal, but finished bottom of the group, while Portugal progressed as group winners.

Switzerland’s record against Portugal in 6 home meetings read 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. While they share 3 wins each from 10 meetings on all venues, with 4 matches seeing draws.
Switzerland vs Portugal: Prediction

This is a tricky fixture considering the fact that these two sides are favourites in a group that consists of Hungary, Latvia, Faroe Islands and Andorra. So it is very likely that both coaches adopt a very cautious approach in the group opener. As a reason, there are no clear favourites and the teams will welcome share of the spoils at the full time whistle.

Also 7 of the 10 meetings between these two sides saw under 2.5 goals and it is a very good bet considering the nature of this fixture.
Switzerland vs Portugal: Betting Tips

Under 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.50)
First Half – Draw at 12/11 (2.05).

Ukraine vs Iceland

Andriy Shevchenko is set to make his competitive debut as the head-coach of Ukraine national football team when they host for the World Cup qualifying opener on Monday evening.

Ukraine were the first team to eliminate from the group stages of the Euro 2016. The poor showing at the competition in France has brought an end to Mykhaylo Fomenko’s tenure as head-coach and he has been now replaced by their all-time leading goal scorer Andriy Shevchenko. His main task will be to take the team to the World Cups in Russia. Their only appearance at the World Cup in five attempts was at the 2006 edition in Germany.

Iceland’s fairytale run at the Euros is still fresh in the memories of many football fans. They qualified to the knock-outs with an unbeaten record from a group which contained Portugal, Hungary and Austria before eliminating England in the round of 16. Their run was put to an end by France in the quarter finals. Drawn into a moderate group alongside Croatia, Finland, Kosovo, Turkey and Ukraine, they will fancy their chances to earn their first World Cup competition.
Ukraine vs Iceland: Head-to-Head

The previous meeting between Iceland and Ukraine was in the Euro 2000 qualifying tournament. Ukraine defeated Iceland in the away leg 1-0 after drawing 1-1 in the home leg. This will the first time these teams are meeting since September 1999.
Ukraine vs Iceland: Prediction

Ukraine can boast of a strong home record as they have won in 5 of the last 6 matches. They also kept three consecutive clean sheets at their home soil. The failure at the Euros cannot be taken lightly, but in all reality there is plenty of talent in this young squad.

Iceland’s record while playing away from home is nothing to write about. They are left with only 2 wins from their last 9 away games, while they lost 7 during the period. Therefore a combining of form analysis and head-to-head record is pointing towards a narrow win for Ukraine.

Despite their goal drought at the Euros, Ukraine have score in each of their previous 6 games. With Iceland also scoring in each of their last 8 away games, there is a higher chance for this game to see both teams scoring. This could automatically result in 3 or more goals at the end of 90 minutes.
Ukraine vs Iceland: Betting Tips

Ukraine to win at 3/4 (1.75)
Both Teams to Score at 21/20 (2.05)
Over 2.5 goals at 5/4 (2.25).

Hull vs Manchester United

Hull made a perfect start into the new season, as the team managed to get a home victory over current Premier League champions from Leicester 2:1 in the season opening game, but then also got the three pointer last weekend beating all the odds in their away game against Swansea winning it with 2:0 result. Home side looked better for the most of the game, but the visitors showed their fighting spirit in last quarter of the match and were awarded for it.

They opened the scoreline in 79th minute via Maloney and hit the opponents again in second minute of additional time with a goal from Hernandez, even though the hosts were the ones who had the ball more in between. Not only that, the players of Hull won over Exeter in EFL Cup game last Tuesday evening 3:1 away from home. Having such a perfect start they currently hold the first position together with giants such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea and surely want to keep the moment as long as possible.

Hosts should be playing with 4-3-3 formation having Diomande, Snodgrass and Hernandez as their forwards. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor, central defenders Alex Bruce and Michael Dawson and right back/midfielder Moses Odubajo are all sidelined with injuries without performing in the new season. No changes are expected in the team of Mike Phelan this time.


Manchester United also started the new season on the right foot, firstly by winning the Super Cup game (Community Shield) with a 2:1 victory over Leicester, but then have easily overcame first two obstacles in Premier League. They have won over Bournemouth 3:1 away from home in the season opening match, but also took a comfortable 2:0 victory at home against Southampton last Friday evening.

Ibrahimovic was once again their key player, opening the lead in 36th minute, while the victory got sealed six minutes into the second halftime from a penalty kick taken by Zlatan. The team didn’t have much of the ball possession, but showed simply way how they should be playing, since they proved to be very effective out of decent number of chances created during the match.

Manchester United is set to play in 4-2-3-1 formation with Ibrahimovic as their central striker and Martial, Mkhitaryan and Rooney as his first offensive help. Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is still not fully fit, but anyway coach Mourinho isn’t counting on him this season. Chris Smalling made his first appearance this season in a victory over Southampton and he could replace Daley Blind. Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also make his first full debut, but no changes except these two are expected.

    Man Utd have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches (Premier League).

Hull has won first two matches and will surely be going into today’s game with a boosted morale. Manchester United remains strong favorite and my first betting option is their victory combined with total goals, since I believe Hull will be very dangerous as well, while United alone is capable of scoring three.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals & Manchester Utd to win @ 2.37

Konyaspor vs Besiktas

Konyaspor had a great previous season, ending the competition at the third position and earning the ticket for the group stage of Europa League. They have opened up the new season with a point taken away to Rizespor, in the game where they could have earned something more, with the opposition’s equalizer coming quite late during the game.

They took the lead in 55th minute with a goal from central defender Vukovic, but conceded the equalizer just four minutes before the final whistle with a goal from Bassan. Overall, it was quite an equal game from both sides, with the visitors having more of the ball possession, but the home team threatening a bit more. Not that impressive performance for a team that was third and aims to continue in the same manner this season as well.

They are now facing up against the current champions and no doubt that very difficult task is ahead of them. Home side should be playing in 4-4-2 formation with Bajic and Rangelov as strikers. Left back Barry Douglas continues to be injured, as well as midfielder Ali Camdali, both without performing in the new season. That means that Mehmet Uslu will get the position of a left back this time.

After defeat in a Super Cup game against Galatasaray on penalties, Besiktas responded with much better performance last weekend at home, when the team earned 4:1 victory over Alanyaspor and opened Super Lig in the best possible way. They were completely dominant from the first whistle, opening the scoreline already in sixth minute via Ozyakup, while the things were even easier once they doubled up the lead in 43rd minute via Sahan.

Tosun scored twice in the second halftime, in 58th minute via penalty and in 78th, while the visitors were only able to reduce the deficit towards the end of the game with a goal from Akbaba from penalty spot in fourth minute of additional time. Hosts looked really well and maybe what’s the most important, effective with the chances they had. Visiting side should be playing in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Tosun as number nine, plus Sahan, Quaresma and Ozyakup as offensive support to him.

They allowed Mustafa Pektemek to move on a loan deal to Istanbul Baskasehir, bringing probably even more pressure to Cenk Tosun, but the player seems to be in fine form, netting two in their victory over Alanyaspor. Jose Sosa has moved to Milan, with the Turkish champions bringing Talisca on loan from Benfica, though the Brazilian is set to start on the bench. After a very good performance in the first round, it’s possible that we see unchanged squad from Besiktas.

    Konyaspor are undefeated in their last 15 home matches (Super Lig).

If Besiktas continues with the similar performance that they had last weekend, it will be really hard for Konyaspor to stop them. Team looks very well early in the decent, while the offensive lineup seems to be in right form. Konyaspor didn’t impress in the first round and will surely be very hard for them to once again be such a dark horses as they were in previous season.
Bet: Besiktas -0.25 Asian handicap @ 1.96

Qarabag vs Goteborg

There will be a highly interesting return leg in Azerbaijan when Qarabag will try to turn around the deficit in Goteborg, as the Swedes stole a 1-0 victory in the first leg despite being severely outplayed on the pitch in terms of chances created and possession – It comes down to effectiveness in the end, and it was a one shot wonder which saved the Swedes, and obviously they will use that goal as a cushion going to Azerbaijan. Qarabag travelled home with a disappointing feeling but have more than decent chances to make it interesting on home soil.

Let’s remain on the word “home soil” for a second, and justify one hugely important factor. Qarabag might be this Europa League qualifiers strongest home team if we look at the record, and is perhaps one of the most difficult places to visit if we overlook the big teams. The last time they suffered a home loss was against Tottenham on the 11th of November 2015. They finished with a 15-3-0 home record with 40-6 in goal differential at home in the domestic league but also gave several top teams in Europe a tough time when they visited. Therefore, the players from Qarabag feel confident in turning things around in their fortress.

Azerbaijan as a football nation might not be what immediately puts any scare in opponents, however the domestic league consist of wealthy and more importantly very ambitious clubs. The most recent examples as Gabala and Qarabag who leads this example. With striker Reynaldo, who is a proven lethal scorer in his prime age of 26, there will be chances to score more than once. Defensively they can lean on Ansi Agolli who is coming from a great Euro 2016 campaign with Albania. It might not be “well known” names but certainly experienced when it comes to international caps and Europa League / Champions League play. Coach Gurban Gurbanov is a successful coach during his time, with having won 54.6% of his coached games.


The tactics and match picture worked very well for Qarabag in the first leg – so we should expect the same lineup to take shape at home as well

While the Swedish league might be stronger than the one in Azerbaijan, Goteborg are not having a good year domestically and the victory against Qarabag at home came as a gift from above after only managing 4 shots compared to 17 for the visitors – still, it was enough to celebrate. Goteborg do have financial problems and therefore they are fully focused on qualifying for Europa League as it comes with well needed money. They have lost the title race in the Swedish league and this was particularly visible when they lost against Hammarby in the last fixture, after resting key players Tobias Hysen, Soren Rieks and the scorer from the first leg, Mads Albaek. It is a strong statement of being focused on the task at hand, but the away record for Goteborg is surprisingly weak after going 3-3-4.

Striker Gustav Engvall (15/3) will not travel with the team. Also, young midfielder Patrik Karlsson-Lagemyr (11/2) will miss the clash.

Truth comes first, and regarless of how you look at the first result, Goteborg experienced their once in a lifetime victory thanks to a wonder goal, a solid strike by Mads Albaek. The Azerbaijan side were superior in everything but efficiency, and it was a big difference in technique, passing, movement, fluency, creativity, attempts – the list certainly goes on. With home soil advantage for Qarabag and only one goal to chase, it is more than a doable task. Goteborg have been weak their away fixtures and the Azerbaijan side will hit the gas pedal from the start. Expect more dominance than in the first leg – as such, -1 asian handicap for the hosts suits well in my eyes.
Bet: Qarabag -1 AH @1.90

Gladbach vs Young Boys

Borussia Monchengladbach did what was needed in the first leg played in Switzerland seven days ago, as the German side managed to get a 3:1 victory and are now almost sure participants in the Champions League group stage for this season. Even though they didn’t have many chances created this time, the team looked very efficient in attack and there was very little what the Swiss side could do.

Visiting side took the lead in eleventh minute with a goal from Raffael a bit against the flow of the game, while the Swiss side managed to level up in 56th minute with a goal from Sulejmani, completely deservedly. Still, two minutes of lack of concentration cost the players of Young Boys a lot, since they conceded two goals, firstly in 67th via Hahn and then two minutes later as an own goal from Rochat. Players of Gladbach will now be able to enter the game much more relaxed and make a real introduction into the season since their domestic league starts this weekend.

After that game, they played in the first round of German Cup last weekend taking a narrow 1:0 victory away to amateurish Drochtersen/Assel side, with quite a rotated squad used. Home side will be missing forward Josip Drmic (13/1 in previous season), but also central defenders Alvaro Dominguez (6/1 last season) and Mamadou Doucoure (newcomer in the team) and other defensive, Marvin Schulz (8/0).


Young Boys, on the other hand, had more chances created in the first leg and the final result could have been a bit different, in their favor, however are awaiting now even more difficult task knowing that they have minimal chances of progressing further. In order to try to revert the things, they will need to attack from the first minute and see what happens, praying that they won’t be punished easily at the back.

It was good to see them back to the winning ways this weekend when the team took on Lausanne last weekend and celebrated quite easy 7:2 victory in front of own fans. It was a great response from players from Young Boys, who took the lead in second minute already via Hoarau, while other scorers were Ravet, Schick, Sutter, Lecjaks, Kubo and Frey, obviously seeming that the team has plenty of players who are in good offensive form.

After this game, the team remained at third position, having six points less than leaders from Basel and maybe more importantly, three less than second placed Luzern, position that will also be leading to Champions League qualifiers. Central defender and team captain Steve von Bergen (2/0), left full back Loris Benito (0/0), right defender Sven Joss (3/0), defensive midfielder Sekou Sanogo (2/0) , left winger Taulant Seferi (0/0) and forwards Guillaume Hoarau (5/4) and Alexander Gerndt (1/0) all remain sidelined due injury setbacks.

Even though the line is pretty high, I still believe that the chances for four goals or more are well above 50%. Young Boys will need to attack and knowing them, the team is surely capable of making the game very interesting, with scoring but also conceding goals of goals. Five or six goals scored are far from a surprise here.
Bet: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.03