This weekend sees the start of the summer and a bit of a blind alley for those of you that solely bet on the Prem or English leagues in general. However comma if you're still desperate to bet and win then I'm here to offer some tips on the football that is still continuing over these warm/cold summer nights. We have leagues such as the Russian Premier league as well as a host of South American leagues going on throughout the time we have to be without the Prem action. In international terms there is also the European Under 21 Championships kicking off on Saturday and the Copa America to begin in Argentina in a few weeks time. All of this provides ample opportunity to make some money if you're willing to do some research and see what's what in thes strange foreign lands. Music comes from the ever present Millencolin and the truly thumping Man Or Mouse.
Belarus U21 v Iceland U21, Saturday 1700
The first match of the European Under 21 tournament from Denmark sees Belarus taking on Iceland. Both sides have fared pretty well in getting to the last eight as they have. Iceland in particular are of the impression that they have unearthed a 'Golden Generation' in the current side and are hoping this tournament will herald a new era in Icelandic football. Belarus themselves have taken great heart from holding a Spain U21 side to a draw recently that contained a number of players playing regularly at Primera level in Spain. I see this being a good advert for the whole tournament. Iceland scored 33 goals in qualifying to see themselves top scorers and also conceded goals at a fairly alarming rate at the other end. Belarus have been a much more tight unit, but will be under great pressure not to lose if they go behind. I think Iceland are a decent bet for the whole tournament if they commit to simply outscoring the opposition and as such I think the 2.25 available at Coral on them beating an unremarkable Belarus side seems decent value to me.
Spain U21 v England U21, Sunday 1945
For those of us who take an interest in the next generation of the world's best players, England kick off their U21 campaign on Sunday evening. The bookmakers make Spain fav's for the whole tournament and it is easy to see why that is. They have a number of players already playing in the Primera division and doing pretty well there.they also play a similar style of football to that which has seen the senior side dominate world football for the past 3 or 4 years. Similarly to the senior side though, they struggle to turn their immense possession into goals. Whilst the senior side have the likes of Villa, Torres and Llorente to call upon, the juniors have to look to the likes of Pool reserve Dani Pacheco. England also look good at this level, but lack a natural goalscorer. The much vaunted Connor Wickham is a fine talent, but is not a poacher. Also Benik Afobe of Arsenal is a fine physical player with plenty of pace, but finishing is not his strength. Both sides will see this game as a must-not-lose and this could see a stalemate. I would back under 2.0 goals at odds of 2.5 with Bet365.
Anzhi v Spartak Nalchik, Friday 1445
The first match in this weekends Russian Premier League sees last seasons surprise package Nalchik travelling to high flying Anzhi. Whilst we are only 10 matches into the season it is often fairly easy to see patterns emerging. The distances teams often have to travel in Russia means that teams can often make unlikely pushes for prominence on a very good home record. Anzhi have so far got a record of played 5, won 3 and drawn 2 at home. Nalchik were last seasons home team and their poor away form has continued so far this term with a record of played 5 drawn 2, lost 3 and won 0. I would be very happt to take BlueSq prices of 1.8 on a home win tomorrow afternoon.
Spartak Moscow v Rubin Kazan, Friday 1800
The last game tomorrow from the Russian Prem sees Spartak hosting Kazan. Most people will now be familiar with Rubin due to their Champions League campaigns and greta results against Barcelona. They are still a formidable team, but sides such as CSKA and Zenit are now reascerting their financial muscle and heading back toward the summit of the table. Spartak are a team on the up with players like the striker Ari now scoring plenty of goals. They may not have the backing of other teams, but shrewd signings like that have made them a team to watch. At home they have only lost once in 6 matches and have only conceded 2 in doing so. Rubin's recent success has been built on being extremely hard to beat at home and that has continued this season. But, away they have found results harder ot come by with 1 win from 5 and 7 conceded. I fancy this to be a tight match, but Spartak should come out on top. Back them at 2.76 on Betfair.
Estudiantes v River Plate, Sunday 2000
The Argentinian Clausura is entering a critcal period of the season and River Plate are scrapping for the points needed to help them avoid the 3 season average relegation. Most poeple who take a passing interest in South American football will know that Boca Juniors and River Plate are traditionally Argentina's big two. The problem for River is that they have failed to make any big money from recent graduates and find themselves in deep financial trouble. Because of their money worries they have sold the rights to their players to third parties at ever younger ages and therefore have gotten far less of the transfer fees when they have moved on. Estudiantes, on the other hand, have re-emerged as a powerhouse of Argentinian football. They have been challenging, and winning, the Apertura and Clausura championships over the past few seasons and representing the country well in the Copa Libertadores. Having lost some major players though they are not the team they were. I see this being a hard fought match with few goals. Back Under 2.0 goals at 2.1 with Victor Chandler.
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