With Euro 2020 done and dusted, the Hollywoodbets Super League suspended and pre-season looming for our favourite English Premier League clubs in the midst of the active transfer window, I’ve selected a solid bet from the lesser-known leagues across Europe.
Friday 16 July
Belarusian Vysshaya Liga
Slutsk 6/1
Draw 31/10
BATE Borisov 4/10
(15:45)
Slutsk returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over Sputnik in the 90th minute of the match after suffering back-to-back league defeats to Ruh Brest and Shakhtyor Soligorsk.
Despite sharing the spoils in a goalless draw with Vitebsk last weekend, I fully expect BATE to continue their excellent form on their way to chasing down log leaders Shakhtyor. The visitors previously won six games on the trot prior to the Vitebsk clash.
BATE have now kept seven clean sheets in a row, back Away Win To Nil (Yes) at 12/10.
Saturday 17 July
Finland Veikkausliiga
AC Oulu 8/1
Draw 37/10
HJK Helsinki 2/7
(17:30)
AC Oulu are rooted to the foot of the table on four points after 11 games, their 1-0 loss to Honka was their third defeat in four matches.
Defending champions HJK Helsinki find themselves in imperious form, winning 11 straight games. Their midweek second leg UEFA Champions League qualifying encounter with Montenegrin club Buducnost Podgorica will do little to slow down the HJK juggernaut.
For the second time on your multiple, select Away Win To Nil (Yes), but this time at 9/10 odds.
Croatian 1. HNL
Lokomotiva Zagreb 28/10
Draw 43/20
Hajduk Split 9/10
(18:55)
The new Croatian season gets underway and I’ve found a safer option than champions Dinamo Zagreb to beat Slaven Belupo while keeping a clean sheet on Friday evening at 19/20.
Hajduk Split comfortably beat Lokomotiva Zagreb 2-0 in both of their previous meetings at the back end of last season. The away win is a gift at 9/10.
Norwegian Eliteserien
Sarpsborg 28/10
Draw 23/10
Bodo/Glimt 17/20
(20:00)
Sarpsborg’s third loss in four games finds them languishing at the bottom of the log, just two points away from the danger zone.
Bodo/Glim, on the other hand, battled Legia Warszawa in midweek UEFA competition in order to qualify to play on the continental stage. With the visitors coming off a high-octane, must-win situation, the playing field might have been equalled.
However, I fully expect Bodo/Glim to claim their third straight win over the hosts at the Sarpsborg Stadion.
Belgian Super Cup
Club Brugge 7/10
Draw 51/20
Genk 32/10
(20:45)
Belgium Division A Champions Club Brugge take on the winners of the 2020/21 Belgian Cup, Genk, in the 2021 Belgian Super Cup final at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
10 of the last previous 11 games between these sides have seen both teams find the net. At 6/10, you simply have to follow the trend.
Sunday 18 July
Belarusian Premier League, Women
Dinamo Brest vs Vitebsk (16:00)
*Betting available closer to kick off.
To be completely honest, I follow the Dinamo Brest women’s team solely to monitor the progress of Banyana Banyana defender Lebogang Ramalepe.
Dinamo Brest come off 10 wins on the bounce, whereby they scored 77 goals. If you’re going to put your money on a football team to win, there’s no safer bet.
MULTIPLE @ 22/1
BATE Borisov Away Win To Nil (Yes) 12/10
HJK Helsinki Away Win To Nil (Yes) 9/10
Hajduk Split Win 9/10
Bodo/Glimt Win 17/20
Club Brugge vs Genk BTTS (Yes) 6/10
Written by Bryan Naicker