Weekend Betting Tips

Slaven Belupo v Šibenik

Slaven Belupo have had a good pre-season with several comfortably wins as a warm-up for the opening day. They are generally strong at home and a number of impressive new signings have strengthened their squad that finished mid-table last season.

Šibenik have lost a number of players over the summer, and were plunged into chaos on the verge of the new season after their coach resigned following a 3-0 home defeat by Anorthosis in the Europa League.

Šibenik have a poor record away to Slaven Belupo, taking only 3 points from 15 previous meetings, and I cannot see this changing.

Bet: Slaven Belupo to win @ 1.8

Final Result: Slaven Belupo 1 - 0 Sibenik

Shakhtar Donetsk v Zorya

Shakhtar began their season with a 7-1 victory in the Super Cup, followed by a 2-0 victory over Kryvbas and a 1-1 draw away to Zaporizhzhya. They have looked a little sluggish, but are still getting the results. The signing of Eduardo from Arsenal will be an enormous boost to their attacking threat.

Zorya have gained 1 point from 2 home matches so far, and this will be their first away trip of the season. They have only won 1 game away from home since September 2008, and in every game against Shakhtar since 2006, they have lost by 2 or more goals.

Zorya do not like playing either away from home, or against Shakhtar. Shakhtar will win this, and hopefully by a couple of goals.

Bet: Shakhtar -2AH @ 2.05

Final Result: Shakhtar 1 - 0 Zorya

Raith Rovers v Cowdenbeath

Raith are expected to fight against relegation this season, although have been encouraged by 3 wins out of 4 during pre-season. Despite the fact that the Challenge Cup is not viewed particularly highly, they will be looking to use it as a psychological boost for the upcoming season.

Similarly, Cowdenbeath are expected to be struggling against relegation as well. However, they have lost their two main strikers from last season, leaving them with only John Dempster up front, who scored 5 goals in the division below. They have several injuries and many trialists, who are unable to play in this match.

Raith will be looking to get one over on Cowdenbeath ahead of their meeting on the opening day of the season. They are in much better shape than their cup opponents here.

Bet: Raith Rovers -1AH @ 2.02

Final Result: Raith 0 - 1 Cowdenbeath

Bohemians v Aston Villa

Bohemians are midway through their season, and played in the Champions League on Tuesday and the league last night. It would be surprising if they were to put out their strongest team less than 24 hours after playing in the league, and with another league match coming up next week. They were in a similar situation last week, when a weakened team lost 3-0 against Wolves.

Aston Villa lost 2-1 to Basingstoke with a mixed team, and beat Peterborough 3-2 with another mixed team last weekend. This time, they are expected to name a strong line-up as they step-up preparations for the new season. So long as the James Milner saga has not distracted the players, this should be a straightforward victory.

Wolves won 3-0 here last week, and Villa are a stronger team than their Midlands rivals. Bohemians have promised to give Villa a challenge, but the Premiership team should be too good for them.

Bet: Aston Villa -1.75AH @ 1.95

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Bohemians

Rubio Nu v Sport Colombia

Rubio began the Clausura with a 0-0 draw against Tacaury, despite being the better team in that match. They missed a number of good chances to seal the 3 points. They were very strong at home in the Apertura, going unbeaten until they experimented a little in the final two games.

Sport Colombia were dominated last week against Olimpia, losing 3-0. An early red card was a blow for Sport Colombia, but they are without an away win in 9 games now, conceding 20 goals and scoring only 5. They will be struggling to stay in the division, having finished 11th out of 12 in the Apertura.

Rubio have never lost to Sport Colombia and this run should continue tonight. They don’t score too many goals, but should be able to against a porous Sport Colombia defence.

Bet: Rubio Nu to win @ 1.67

Final Result: Rubio Nu 1 - 0 Sport Colombia

Universidad Catolica v ESPOLI

Universidad Catolica finished 11th out of 12 in the 1st Stage, but have begun the second half of the season better, with a morale-boosting 3-0 against Deportivo Quito last week. They were unfortunate to lose 2-0 to top team, Emelec, the week before, suggesting they are finding some form.

ESPOLI finished 10th in the 1st Stage, but are currently 7 games without a win and have lost 5 in a row away from home since a 3-2 win over today’s opponents back in May. Their key defender, Ojeda, captain, Arce, and midfielder, Marquez, are all missing today.

Universidad Catolica seem to be finding some decent form in the second half of the season, and are a decent bet to pick up the 3 points here.

Bet: Universidad Catolica to win @ 2.25

Final Result: Universidad Catolica 0 - 0 ESPOLI