Okay, here we go again. A lot of competitions within Europe are now within a crucial phase.
Due to the absence of an internet connection at home I probably saved a lot of money with placing no bets.
From this weekend on, my bets are back. This time I made my selection without looking @ the odds. I have selected 8 games in which I think I can predict the winner without taking to much risks. At the end of the season some more factors kick in, while selecting the game.
- Is the season over for the team (already relegated, avoided relegation, no chance anymore on a European ticket). Such teams only play for the pride (depending from country to country) and the money.
- Also in a lot of teams where the outcome is already known, youngsters will get a chance to show their capabilities. These youngsters are very motivated, which can turn a game around.
- Is a team still in the running for a European Ticket or the title.
- Can a team still win the cup?
All these things have to be put into consideration when choosing your bets.
My picks from this week:
Belgium:
In Belgium the race for the championship is still close. Anderlecht has a 2 point lead over Genk. At the bottom of the table, Lierse is fighting back and still has a small chance to avoid direct relegation. Anderlecht has a though away game at Roeselare, who with held Standard last year of a chance on the tittle. Genk has an on paper easier home game against Moeskroen.
AA Gent (4) – Mons (9) (Won)
AA Gent has to win this game to keep up with Standard in the battle for the third place and a ticket for the Uefa Cup. For Roeselare the season is over. They are on a save place and don’t have any chance anymore on an European Ticket. I predict an easy win for AA Gent.
Racing Genk (2) – Moeskroen (11) (Won)
If Racing Genk wins this match, they will put immense pressure on Anderlecht who will face an hour after the outcome of this game Roeselare. With the terrific home crowd this should not be an obstacle in Genk’s race to the championship.
Netherlands:
In the Netherlands it is already known who is going to relegate an who will be playing the play-offs for relegation, but at the top of the table nothing is decided yet. Nr 1 will be champion, but the number 2 until 5 will be battling for the second CL ticket. So it is possible that PSV will end with no nothing after their lead of 11 points was given away. 4 other teams are battling for the last ticket for this play-offs (Feyenoord, Heereveen, Roda and Groningen).
Roda JC (7) – Heracles (14) (Won)
Roda still has a chance on a ticket for the play-offs where the second CL ticket will be given to the winner of this play-offs. First of all they have to win their own match, secondly Feyenoord and Heereveen have to draw. They will take the victory against Heracles, who just avoid relegation.
Excelsior Rotterdam (16) – AZ (1) (Lost)
If AZ wins this game they probably will win the title for the first time in 26 years. If they win, Ajax has to win with 7 goals more than AZ does. Let’s be honest, while everything can happen in Football, I don’t see this happen. With the drive for the title I don’t see AZ losing this game and the title.
France
Lyon has won the title! But still nobody knows already who is going to win the remaining CL tickets.
Toulouse (4) – PSG (16) (Lost)
Toulouse is still in running for a CL ticket with direct qualification for the group phase of the CL. They are 1 point behind the second place. So a home win against PSG is mandatory!
Lyon (1) – Le Mans (13) (Won)
Lyon won last the title without playing. I hope that want to give this title some extra shine with a home victory against Le Mans. For Le Mans the season is as good as over. A small chance on a Uefa Cup ticket but then a lot of teams has to start losing points.
Spain
It is long ago that the title battle in Spain was so close. 7 match days left and still 3 teams have a realistic chance on the Title. Sevilla, Barcelona and Real Madrid. This weekend Barcelona has on the paper the easiest match of the three. But as always you are never sure.
Barcelona (1) – Real Sociedad (19) (Won)
There is still a small chance that Sociedad can avoid relegation and Barcelona still has the lead of the Primera Division. So a lot is at stake. Both teams will be very motivated but Barcelona has so much more power and quality that they will win this game 90 times out of 100. Enough to put my money on Barca!!
One whole euro on each combo.
Combo 1: Lyon, Roda JC and Barcelona -> 2.22 -> Won
Combo 2: Toulouse and KRC Genk -> 2.81 -> Lost
Combo 3: AA Gent and AZ -> 1.75 -> Lost
Good Luck,
Dremeber