The very best European football leagues will resume in a few weeks with clubs getting themselves in readiness by playing pre-season friendlies. We’ve got a selection of matches that will help you with your betting this Saturday.
Betting will be available closer to kick-off time.
Saturday 5 September
Eintracht Braunschweig TBA
Draw TBA
Heracles TBA
(TBA)
Eintracht Braunschweig’s 10-match unbeaten streak on home soil was ended in a friendly last time out. Heracles’ form was very poor in the Eredivisie thanks to their leaky defence. Both Teams to Score (Yes) is the way to go.
Aarhus TBA
Draw TBA
Nordsjaelland TBA
(TBA)
Aarhus have won four of their last five matches including their UEFA Europa League qualifying round match in impressive fashion by 5-2. Nordsjaelland were poor at the back end of the previous season losing five times and drawing twice in seven games. Five of the last six meetings between these side have been goal fests, take Over 2.5 Goals.
Lamia TBA
Draw TBA
Larissa TBA
(TBA)
Lamia were the draw specialists after football resumed, playing out to five stalemates in seven competitive games. Larissa also ended the Greek Super League with three goalless draws on the bounce and are winless in 11 attempts on the road, drawing five times. A low-scoring affair is expected but my money is on these sides to share the spoils.
Braga TBA
Draw TBA
Santa Clara TBA
(TBA)
Braga have an excellent record on home soil winning seven times in 10 outings at the Estadio Municipal de Braga. Santa Clara have claimed just one win in seven matches away from home. Braga are tipped to avenge their 3-2 defeat back in June and kick off the season with momentum.
Shakhtar Donetsk TBA
Draw TBA
Olimpik Donetsk TBA
(10:00)
Shakhtar Donetsk enjoyed a fantastic 2019/20 campaign and will look to improve on that by going even further in European competitions. Olimpik Donetsk come into the clash with three consecutive losses. The hosts are tipped for the win but if you’re looking for more value take the (-1) Handicap.
Espanyol TBA
Draw TBA
Almeria TBA
(10:00)
Espanyol were relegated from the Spanish La Liga and will be aiming to win the Segunda division this season. Almeria lost the promotion play-off game to Girona and will have the same target as their opponents. Take Espanyol for the win.
Rayo Vallecano TBA
Draw TBA
Fuenlabrada TBA
(10:00)
Rayo Vallecano ended the season off well at the Estadio de Vallecas. In their 11 games at home, the hosts lost just once, drew five times and won six. Fuenlabrada were just as impressive and eventually finished equal on points with Rayo. These teams are tipped to share spoils just like their meeting last September.
Seongnam 47/10
Draw 28/10
Jeonbuk Motors 11/20
(10:30)
Seongnam come into the clash winless in three matches after back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Ulsan and Pohang Steelers. The reigning champions Jeonbuk Motors’ five-game winning streak was ended thanks to a 90th-minute strike against Gangwon last time out. The visitors are tipped to get back to winning ways.
Yokohama F. Marinos 2/1
Draw 31/10
Kawasaki Frontale 1/1
(11:00)
Yokohama F. Marinos’ three-match winning streak ended with two goals in added time that cruelly saw the hosts share the spoils in a 3-3 draw against Vissel Kobe. Kawasaki Frontale asserted their dominance at the top of the log with a 5-0 win. The previous meetings between these sides have been high-scoring affairs, take Over 2.5 Goals.
Shonan Bellmare 26/10
Draw 26/10
Vissel Kobe 17/20
(11:30)
Shonan Bellmare are rock bottom of the Japan J1 League and come into the clash losing eight straight matches. Vissel Kobe come into the clash with back-to-back draws against quality opposition Kawasaki Frontale and Yokohama F. Marinos. The away win is tipped confidently.
Cerezo Osaka 21/20
Draw 24/10
Urawa Reds 24/10
(12:00)
Cerezo Osaka have been impressive winning four of their last five games, losing just once to top side Kawasaki Frontale. Urawa Reds have won three of their last four matches but have a poor record on their travels, losing three times in five visits. The hosts are tipped to claim their third straight victory over this opponent.
Hebei CFFC 57/10
Draw 15/4
Shanghai SIPG 4/10
(12:00)
Hebei CFFC will feel they have a chance after back-to-back home victories. Shanghai SIPG are unbeaten in four matches away from home, with two wins and two draws. Back Shanghai SIPG confidently to pick up their fourth consecutive win over Hebei.
Kaiserslautern TBA
Draw TBA
Sandhausen TBA
(13:30)
Kaiserslautern have won four consecutive league games on home soil without conceding and have done fairly well with their pre-season fixtures. Sandhausen find themselves in a division higher than their hosts and will be full of confidence after winning three of their last four matches on their travels. Totals Over 2.5 Goals is the way to go in this matchup.
Vitesse TBA
Draw TBA
Darmstadt TBA
(13:30)
Vitesse are well into their pre-season, winning three games followed by three draws. Darmstadt are inconsistent on the road losing three times and winning twice in the last five attempts. The home win is the way to go with Chelsea striker Armando Broja expected to feature heavily while on-loan.
Heerenveen TBA
Draw TBA
Zwolle TBA
(14:00)
Heerenveen come into the clash after losing five consecutive preseason friendlies. Zwolle lost twice and edged the other three encounters 1-0 from their five matches. The past three meetings between these opponents have been low-scoring affairs, take Under 2.5 Goals.
Heidenheim TBA
Draw TBA
St. Gallen TBA
(15:00)
Heidenheim have lost once and won twice from three pre-season friendlies. St. Gallen continued from where they left off last season, comprehensively winning two games by an 8-1 aggregate score. The away win is a solid bet.
Shamrock Rovers 6/10
Draw 5/2
Bohemians 5/1
(15:00)
Shamrock Rovers’ gap at the top of the standings was cut to two points following back-to-back goalless draws. Bohemians are hot on the heels of Rovers with five wins on the bounce. The hosts are tipped to claim their fourth straight victory against Bohemians at 6/10.
Fortuna Dusseldorf TBA
Draw TBA
Paderborn TBA
(15:00)
Fortuna Dusseldorf and Paderborn will both be aiming to gain promotion after being relegated from the German Bundesliga. Fortuna come off a 2-2 draw against Vitesse, while Paderborn drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund. These sides are expected to share the spoils.
Werder Bremen TBA
Draw TBA
Hannover TBA
(15:30)
Werder Bremen have won all five of their friendly matches and have found goals easy to come by. Hannover’s matches have also been free-scoring. When these sides meet goals are a must, take Over 2.5 Goals.
Cologne TBA
Draw TBA
Utrecht TBA
(15:30)
Following five straight wins against teams from the lower divisions, Cologne met Wolfsburg and were humbled by a 3-0 defeat. Utrecht won three of their last four matches and will come into the clash full of confidence. Back Over 2.5 Goals in this matchup.
Schalke TBA
Draw TBA
Bochum TBA
(15:30)
Schalke have been inconsistent in their pre-season friendlies and don’t give any confidence in this encounter. After three games without scoring, Bochum beat a second-string Dortmund team 3-1. These sides played out to draws in their last two meetings and I’m expecting that trend to continue.
LASK TBA
Draw TBA
Jahn Regensburg TBA
(16:00)
LASK will be looking for a fresh start to the season after ending the previous one dismally. Jahn Regensburg are winless in 10 matches across all competitions. Take the hosts to get back to winning ways.
Galatasaray TBA
Draw TBA
Kasimpasa TBA
(16:00)
Galatasaray will be keen to get the new season kicked off after finishing 13 points behind the champions Istanbul Basaksehir in 6th spot. Kasimpasa are poor on their travels winning just twice in nine occasions. Take Gala to claim a fifth straight win over Kasimpasa.
Watford TBA
Draw TBA
Tottenham Hotspur TBA
(16:00)
Watford were relegated despite captain Troy Deeney scoring four times in his last four Premier League matches. Tottenham have played three friendlies and have been on the winning side against the likes of Ipswich Town, Reading and Birmingham City. My money is on Jose Mourinho’s men.
BB Erzurumspor TBA
Draw TBA
Trabzonspor TBA
(16:00)
Newly-promoted BB Erzurumspor will be keen to get started in the Turkish Super Lig winning five of their last six games. Trabzonspor ended the last campaign off poorly and were in with a shot of clinching the title but failed to be consistent. The visitors are tipped to win this clash comfortably.
West Ham United TBA
Draw TBA
Bournemouth TBA
(16:00)
West Ham did well to survive relegation and will look to build on that and try to move up the Premier League table under David Moyes. They’ve started their pre-season off with a few high-scoring victories. Bournemouth will begin their fight for promotion without their beloved Eddy Howe. The last meeting between these sides we witnessed a 4-0 thrashing, the home win is a solid bet.
Everton TBA
Draw TBA
Preston North End TBA
(16:00)
Everton have targeted Europa League football under the tutelage of Italian maestro Carlo Ancelotti and with a few good signings there’s every reason to believe that they could challenge. Preston North End have been decent playing Championship opposition but this match may prove too difficult. Take the home win confidently.
Stuttgart TBA
Draw TBA
Strasbourg TBA
(16:30)
Stuttgart have been preparing for their return to Germany’s top-flight by playing a few free-scoring friendlies. Strasbourg come off back-to-back league defeats against Lorient and Nice. The home win looks good here, get on!
Hamburger SV TBA
Draw TBA
Hertha Berlin TBA
(17:00)
Hamburger SV come off a 1-0 win over Feyenoord following a 3-2 loss to Stuttgart. Hertha Berlin have lost back-to-back friendlies against Ajax and PSV. The visitors have more quality in their ranks and are expected to edge this clash.
Crystal Palace TBA
Draw TBA
Brondby TBA
(17:00)
Crystal Palace’s preparations for the upcoming season is going well under veteran manager Roy Hodgson. Brondby will be aiming to dethrone champions Midtjylland when the Danish SuperLiga begins and have also enjoyed decent results thus far. Take Both Teams to Score (Yes).
Union Berlin TBA
Draw TBA
Nurnberg TBA
(17:30)
Union Berlin won three pre-season friendlies which was followed by two losses and 2-2 draw at Ajax. Nurnberg come into the clash winning three of their last four matches. Goals are expected in this clash, take Over 2.5 Goals.
Maritimo TBA
Draw TBA
Rio Ave TBA
(18:00)
Maritimo are unbeaten in five matches on home soil at the Estadio dos Barreiros, winning twice and drawing three times. Rio Ave were the surprise package earning a fifth-place finish and have won six of their last 10 games away from home. Back Maritimo + Draw in the Double Chance market.
Twente TBA
Draw TBA
Emmen TBA
(19:00)
Twente come into this clash full of confidence, winning three times and drawing once in four pre-season friendlies. Emmen, on the other hand, have won just once and lost five times. The home win is the way to go.
Malaga TBA
Draw TBA
Alcorcon TBA
(19:30)
At the Estadio La Rosaleda Malaga have lost once in eight matches, claiming four wins and shared the spoils in three occasions. Alcorcon are the draw specialist in Segunda Division with 18 draws from 42 games. Take Malaga + Draw in the Double Chance market.
Albacete TBA
Draw TBA
Leganes TBA
(19:30)
Albacete managed to avoid relegation by one-point last season. At the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, the hosts are tough to beat and come off four drawn games and beat Real Zaragoza 4-1. Leganes are unbeaten in seven matches with five wins and two draws. Take the visitors on the Win + Draw Double Chance.
AC Milan TBA
Draw TBA
Monza TBA
(20:45)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired AC Milan to finish the Serie A season off strongly with nine victories and three draws that eventually earned the Italian giants a valuable Europa League spot. Monza topped Serie C last season and were promoted to Serie B. However, the home side have too much quality and are expected to outclass the visitors.
Thursday 10 September
Lens 8/1
Draw 5/1
PSG 3/10
(21:00)
Newly-promoted Lens come off a 2-1 defeat to Nice at the Allianz Riviera on matchday one and will now host the reigning kings of France Paris Saint-Germain, who owe their fans goals after going scoreless for the first time in 35 games against Bayern Munich during last Sunday’s Champions League final. Former Chelsea and Sevilla midfielder Gael Kakuta was on target for Lens from the penalty spot, however, personally I rate Seko Fofana highly from watching the Ivorian for Serie A outfit Udinese last season. Fofana is set to make his debut and will be keen to get on the scoresheet for his new employers. Brazilian Thiago Silva has completed his move to Chelsea after eight seasons at the club. Go into the Multiscores market and select (1:2, 1:3, or 1:4) at 11/4 odds to get the most value out of this encounter.
Written by Bryan Naicker