Ya wont see me backing a team with just 1 goal in 5 games often like ystday, so Hellas was sweet even if I lost a little on outright. and thank you Belotti; youve worked hard and im allowing you to take a 1 game break this wknd.
Villareal -1 @+131 - have these guys pegged to finish in top 4 in a future, so their slow start was somewhat concerning losing to Levante & Sociedad to open season. but in defense for them, theyve really had a lot of injuries to deal with (I think theyre on their 3rd backup goalie today too); but the team has slowly been getting healthier and more importantly the cohesiveness, especially up front with Bacca & Bakambu. This is a solid squad right thru the lineup without any real "superstars" and when fully fit are a tough nut to crack on D (they conceded just 18 goals in 19 home matches last year)
Espanyol themselves have really started off poorly, but this is a team i swear, just seem to forever be stuck in Primera mid-table. On the road? For a team whom has really been struggling of late, I think they caught Villareal at the wrong time here for this one and think the "Yellow-submarine" will get their 4th straight win rather easily vs a team theyve been able to beat 3 out of the past 4 years here.
Scotland Cup: Qtr-Finals.
Motherwell/Aberdeen over 3 @+120, Aberdeen -1 @+135 - with a place in the semis at stake its become a 'top-of-table' party and Aberdeen are actually challenging Celtic in the early going of the season. On paper, they seem to be the much better side; but this is a Cup match, the Qtrs, & on the road to boot too; and Im always leery of this. but they should be able to handle this home side whoms wins this year have all been to teams below them in the table. going back to last year Aberdeen have won the pst 4 H2H's (1-0, 7-2, 3-1, 4-1).
Copa Lib: I've really been slacking on this tourney but gotta jump in with both feet on this one.
River/Wilstermann over 3.5 @+120
River Plate -2 @-115
River Plate to win both halves @+110
(gosh, I think I like this one too much) was gonna play this up in Bolivia but got wet feet cuz of the altitude. but if u told me the Bolivians would win 3-0, I wouldve respectfully advised you to go check into the nearest psychiatric facility.
This sets up for quite possibly the biggest "park the bus" gameplan we will ever witness this year. put a gun to my head and I dont even think Wilstermann will even cross midfield, well.... at least not with the ball at their feet. a friend says theyve been practicing defensive sets the entire week, cant say I blame them. Even if they DO manage to knock in a fluke goal..... its all the better.
Yes, River has lost two of their star players, but El Monumental is a nasty place to visit for anyone, and this is even worse for a Bolivian squad whom s*ck on the road (they all do). Though a somewhat different scenaario, the Strongest came down for a visit last year and had that same park the bus mentality, they lost 6-0.
yeah, yeah, yeah.........1st place Wilstermann have beaten TWO Brazilian squads already this year; held Palmeiras (whom are 4th in Serie A currently) to a single goal losing 1-0 in Group stages and beat them at home 3-2. then knocked out Mineiro holding them to a goalless draw on the road while giving up over 70% possession. this is how far soccer in Brazil has fallen.... two teams with bankrolls 10x larger..... at home......could only muster ONE goal vs a Bolivian squad????
are you bloody kidding me? to run a comparison of similar opponents, Athletic Tucuman, a team whom finished in 21st (out of 30 teams) last year, and currenty in 17th to start this seasons Argentine Superliga, pretty much manhandled Wilstermann winning 2-1 back in April, which was a lot closer than it appeared.
River destroyed Tucuman 3-0. (on the road too).
though theyve been stuck in the mud theres still far too much quality on this motivated as h*ll side and NOT having to worry about any threats to their backline they can push 7-8 ppl forward if they want.
this might take a bit of time to cover as Wilstermann probably will put a man guarding each post next to their goalie the full 90 minutes.
GL to all