With football purists keen for the new season of premium football across the best European leagues to begin, we take a look at a few lesser-known teams and leagues that have already begun and could possibly fatten up our soccer betting purses.
Friday 30 July
Belgian First Division A
Genk 6/10
Draw 28/10
Oostende 48/10
(20:45)
Genk will seek to claim maximum points for the first time this campaign after beginning the season with an underwhelming 1-1 draw with Standard Liege last Friday thanks to a 90th-minute Theo Bongonda equalizer. Oostende, on the other hand, suffered a convincing 3-0 defeat at home to Sporting Charleroi. The home win is the way to go.
Saturday 31 July
Danish Superliga
Viborg 49/20
Draw 43/20
Midtjylland 1/1
(16:00)
Newly-promoted Viborg play host to Midtjylland on Saturday. The hosts come into clash off the back of a win over Nordsjaelland and a draw against defending champions Brondby. Meanwhile, Midtjylland contest a crucial UEFA Champions League qualifier against Celtic in midweek action. Put your money on Viborg or Draw in the Double Chance market at 13/20.
Finish Veikkausliiga
HJK Helsinki 7/10
Draw 43/20
Seinajoen JK 39/10
(16:00)
HJK Helsinki have been excellent at the Bolt Arena, winning six of their last games on home soil in convincing fashion. Seinajoen JK have been in decent form themselves, however, the only result I see is champions HJK Helsinki claiming a fourth consecutive victory over Seinajoen JK. My money is firmly on HJK Helsinki at 7/10.
Austrian Bundesliga
LASK 21/20
Draw 22/10
Rapid Wien 43/20
(17:00)
LASK come into the clash, winning four straight games across all competitions, scoring 11 goals while keeping four clean sheets. The hosts begun the season with a win over Rheindorf Altach last weekend and will look to build on that performance. Rapid Wien have been poor on their travels since last season, just claiming two wins in nine trips away from the Allianz Stadion. However, this time around I see them getting something from LASK who haven’t beaten them in nine attempts. Take Rapid Wien on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 6/10.
Swiss Super League
Young Boys 3/10
Draw 4/1
Grasshopper 72/10
(20:30)
Swiss champions Young Boys come off a 4-3 win over Luzern, while newly-promoted Grasshopper were downed 2-0 at home, courtesy of Basel. The hosts won nine of their last 10 games at the Stadion Wankdorf and are short-priced favourites to continue the trend. For the sake of getting more value, I suggest taking Over 2.5 Goals in the Additional Totals at 5/10.
Belgian First Division A
Eupen 28/10
Draw 5/2
Anderlecht 19/20
(20:45)
Eupen were left disappointed last weekend after sharing the spoils in a 2-2 stalemate with Club Brugge, conceding in the 90th minute. Anderlecht felt the absence of midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, who left for Arsenal, two weeks ago. Vincent Kompany will be hoping to rally his troops to kick-start their season following a humbling 3-1 at home to Union Saint-Gilloise. Back Anderlecht to return to winnings ways at healthy odds of 19/20.
Sunday 1 August
Swiss Super League
Basel 11/20
Draw 28/10
Sion 4/1
(16:30)
Sion, who finished second from bottom last season, travel to St. Jakob-Park on Sunday afternoon in search of points against Basel who will be looking to reclaim the league title from Young boys this campaign. Basel have only lost once in 10 of their previous clashes on home soil which inspires little confidence in backing an upset. I’m all in on Basel to win at 11/20.
Austrian Bundesliga
Wolfsberger 2/1
Draw 22/10
Sturm Graz 12/10
(17:00)
Wolfsberger shared the spoils in a disappointing 1-1 draw away at newly-promoted Austria Klagenfurt, while Sturm Graz suffered a 3-1 defeat to champions Salzburg. Interestingly, five of the last six games between these opponents has seen either team receive a red card, making it a difficult result to call. Take Both Teams To Score (Yes) at 11/20 instead.
MULTIPLE @ 49/1
Genk Win 6/10
Viborg Win or Draw 13/20
HJK Helsinki Win 7/10
Rapid Wien Win/Draw 6/10
Young Boys vs Grasshopper – Over 2.5 Goals 5/10
Anderlecht Win 19/20
Basel Win 11/20
Wolfsberger vs Sturm Graz – BTTS (Yes) 11/20
Written by Bryan Naicker