Astana vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Preview and Predictions

With both teams sitting at a single point after opening two games, the head to head encounter in the third round might be the crucial in their Europa League destiny.

Astana have already dropped two points in front of their fans two weeks ago when they only drew 1-1 with Slavia Prague and the victory over the Israeli side is a must if they want to keep their knockout phase chances alive.

Astana

The Bulgarian manager Stanimir Stoilov is just inches away from securing the domestic title after Sunday’s home victory over the fourth-placed Irtysh.

The Blue and Yellows are now four points clear at the top of the standings with three games left to play and a game in hand on the second-placed Kairat who are the only threat to their crown at this stage.

As for the Europa League campaign, a single point in two games can’t be regarded as a special success.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

The visitors have just started their domestic campaign which sees them holding the second place after opening seven rounds in Ligat Ha’al.

Jordi Cruyff’s men notched two goals in each of their last two outings in the top flight of the Israeli football, but Vidhar Kjartansson, Omer Atzily & company are yet to score in the group phase of Europa League.
Astana vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Head to head

Thursday’s clash at Astana Arena will be the first ever head to head encounter between the two sides.
Astana vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Prediction

Both teams have found it tough to score in the European competition and given the third-round clash will have a massive importance for them, we just can’t see goals galore.

This makes the Under 2.5 goals FT by far the best of the betting options, while the draw appears to be the most likable of outcomes.
Astana vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Bets

You can’t go wrong with the Under 2.5 goals FT bet at the odds of 1.72.

The second option would be the draw at 3.20.

Switzerland vs Hungary: Preview and Predictions

Switzerland will be looking to maintain the perfect record on Saturday evening when they are set to host Hungary in their last World Cup qualifier on the home soil.
The venue is St. Jakob-Park in Base and the opponent is EURO 2016 contestant Hungary.

Switzerland

Vladimir Petkovic has been doing a magnificent job with the Swiss national team in this qualifying term, but it is interesting to note that La Nati can still fail to qualify for the World Cup in Russia in spite of winning each of their previous eight matches.

The hosts are three points clear at the top of the Group B standings, but the potential defeat in the last round’s match in Portugal would send them into the playoffs.

Swiss’ main strength lies at the back as the team conceded only three goals in eight matches. Benfica’s Haris Seferovic is the main option on the other side of the court as he notched four goals for Switzerland and three for Benfica at the start of the season.

Hungary

The Magical Magyars are one of the biggest disappointments of the entire qualification term since they took only ten points in eight matches after showing decent displays at last year’s EURO in France.

The German manager Bernd Storck has had huge troubles with his team’s efficiency in the recent period as Hungary failed to find the target in five of their last six matches (including friendlies).

This involves an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Andorra back in June.
Switzerland vs Hungary: Head to head

Switzerland leads the head to head tie by two wins ahead of their 12th meeting with Hungary.

Rossocrociati came on top in a five-goal thriller with the Hungarians in the second round back in October last year when the substitute Valentin Stocker notched the match-winner in the 89th minute of the game.
Switzerland vs Hungary: Prediction

The hosts have won six games on the bounce without conceding a single goal along the way and we can’t expect anything else but the continuation of such an impressive form against the struggling Hungarians on Saturday.
Switzerland vs Hungary: Bets

The first bet is Switzerland to win to nil at 5/6 odds

You can also take Haris Seferovic to score anytime at 11/10

Northern Ireland vs Germany: Preview and Predictions

Germany is sitting on top of the Group C standings with a 5 point cushion over Northern Ireland. And their duel on Thursday is extremely important in deciding who gains the automatic qualification spot.
However, Low’s team are in pole position to achieve this as they need just 1 point from the remaining two matches.

But for Nord Iron, they must beat Germany and win the next match away at Norway. But, also hope the lose their final group game against Azerbaijan.

Meantime, Northern Ireland had already qualified for the play-off with the third placed team cannot catch them as they are 9 points behind.

Germany are coming with a 100% win record in the qualifiers with 8 wins with a massive goal aggregate of 35-2.

On the other hand, Northern Ireland can boast of a 100% win record at home with an excellent defensive record, scored 12 and conceded none so far.
Northern Ireland vs Germany: Head-to-head

Germany are unbeaten in the last 7 meetings with Northern Ireland, with wins in the most recent six.

The reverse leg of the corresponding fixture was a 2-0 win for Low’s men.

Northern Ireland’s last win against Germany can be dated back to 1982/83 season when they bagged a double in home and away matches of the Euro 84 qualifiers.
Northern Ireland vs Germany: Predictions

It is a relatively young squad from Germany that will take the center stage in Belfast on Thursday. But, this is the same bunch of players that helped the team to lift the Confederations trophy in Russia earlier this year. Plus, the team can be considered stronger with the likes of Toni Kroos, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels joining the ranks.

Northern Ireland’s points in the competitions so far has come on the back of some composed defensive performances. But the team managed by Low are more than capable to find a way through.
Northern Ireland vs Germany: Bet Tips

Over 2.5 match goals for 1.70 odds

Zeljeznicar vs AIK

AIK invested a lot to be a competitive side in Allsvenskan, when they brought in U21 Sweden's captain Kristoffer Olsson on the midfield, and when they also presented Simon Thern from Herenveen, they were seen as strong competitors. AIK have a recent history with Bosnia - after they signed Sloboda Tuzlas striker, Sulejman Krpic, in hopes that he would bang goals in Sweden. Unfortunately, he did not succeed and AIK terminated the contract with the Bosnian striker. Despite the interesting squad, AIK have been one of the bigger disappointments in Swedish football 2017.

Coach Rikard Norling is a possession coach, but his biggest problem is to generate offense. Defensively, AIK have the best defense in Sweden, but have barely averaged one goal per game this season, which consequently leads to getting the boring stamp. It is difficult to disagree, AIK are playing very unsexy for the time being and lack offensive weapons. This is particularly the case when playing away games. Even the Faroe Island side Klaksvik managed a 0-0 result against AIK, but lost the following game 5-0. Surely, against part time professionals, AIK can generate results at home. They are extremely passive as visitors, and expect no different this time when they visit Sarajevo in Bosnia, in hot weather and hostile supporters against a much dangerous team than their recent Faroese opponents.

AIK plays a 3-5-2 formation with wide wingbacks, and rely on veteran striker Henok Goitom and Eero Markkanen. Two quite static forwards with size. Squad wise, AIK look OK with an overall healthy squad, despite some questionable slow performances.


Zeljeznicar got past FK Zeta in the previous round, by being very dominant at home, with 62% possession and three times more attempts than their opponents. Slavko Petrovic is a coach who has been around in the Balkans and coached in Serbia, and now also in Bosnia. In fact, looking at it statistically, his most successful time as a coach has been in Zeljeznicar where he has only 4 losses in 34 matches. In simplified terms, it is a difficult side to beat, not least at home.

For the hosts, their top striker Ivan Lendric (32/19) left the club following a transfer to France. He is of course a key piece in Zeljeznicar and even scored the vital goals versus Zeta in the qualifying round prior to this stage.

Playing in the Balkan countries is never easy, and especially when you are from the opposite part of Europe, being the northern. The trips are long, the weather is much different and the type of opponents are generally technically superior. The Swedes often struggle in matches as soon as they travel to Southern or Eastern Europe. They appear more passive and play without the same confidence and rely on their phsyicality to get a result. In other words, AIK have not travelled to Bosnia to play attractive football, but instead prefer to keep it close and try to settle it at home, where it can be a different story.

The question mark is how Zeljeznicar will cope without their main striker in the long run. However, the team appears comfortable at home, and have threats in Asim Zec who is quick, agile and dangerous when it comes to scoring, even from his attacking midfield position. The Bosnian side will dominate AIK when it comes to taking care of the ball, that is obvious. The Swedes will make sure they are organized, and rely on set pieces where AIK have good sized players in Eero Markkanen (197cm) and Henok Hoitom (189cm) and Deni Avdic (193cm) when needed.

I see this game being challenging for AIK in a weather that will be humid and sticky, and make it difficult to keep intensity for 90 minutes. It leans to be low scoring, but I see Zeljeznicar being the team that tries the hardest to go for the victory and therefore I like the protection for draw no bet, while giving trust to the Bosnians to clinch a victory.
Bet: Zeljeznicar 0 Asian handicap @ 1.94

Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburger SV: Preview and Predictions

Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburger SV
German Bundesliga
Date: Tuesday, 4th April 2017
Kick-off at 19:00 UK / 20:00 CET
Venue: Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund).

Dortmund dropped to fourth in the Bundesliga standings after a 1-1 away draw at Schalke on the weekend. Their gap with second placed RB Leipzig is widened to 4 points. Meanwhile, Hoffenheim on the automatic Champions League zone is at a catch-able 1 point distance. The good news for Dortmund is that Hoffenheim will be having a tough fixture against Bayern Munich, while they entertain Hamburg at the Signal Iduna Park.

Thomas Tuchel’s men are on a moderate run in the build up to this home fixture. They won in 4 of the last 7, but lost 2 and drew 1. The defeat at rock bottom side Darmstadt is the lowest point during the period.

However, Dortmund are unbeaten at home in Bundesliga games this season. They picked up 9 wins and 3 draws during the period.

Hamburger seem to have finally found their best form under Markus Gisdol. They have managed to pull out of the relegation zone after picking 5 wins and 2 draws in the last 8 matches. But suffered a heavy 8-0 loss at Bayern during the period. However, there is little room for comfort as HSV are staying with a 1 point cushion over the bottom 3 teams.
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburger SV: Head-to-head

It was a goal fest when the teams met at Hamburg early this season. The match produced 7 goals with Dortmund running out as eventual winners with a 5-2 score-line.

Now Dortmund have won back-to-back games against Hamburg after having gone without a win in the previous 4 with 3 losses and a draw.

At the Signal Iduna Park, the teams share 2 wins each from the last four matches.
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburger SV: Prediction

Hamburg might be near the relegation zone, but they are expected to give a tough test to Dortmund aided by the confidence found from the recent outings. However, with a strong record at home, Dortmund will eventually get their win, but this will be only by the slimmest of the margins.
Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburger SV: Bet Tips

    Asian Handicap, Hamburg +1.5 at 1.95