Hoffenheim vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Preview and Predictions

Hoffenheim got off to a poor start in their debut season in Europa losing both of their opening ties in the group phase to the likes of Sporting Braga and Ludogorets.

The third-round clash with Istanbul Basaksehir will thus be the last train to catch for the Germans who are desperate to claim the victory in front of their fans at WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

Hoffenheim

Julian Nagelsmann’s side kept the fine goal-scoring form they had in the last season, but the new campaign (in both Bundesliga and Europa League) sees them concede goals with ease.

Die Kraichgauer allowed at least two goals in four of their last five outings in all competitions, but they still hold the high fourth position in the top flight of the German football.

Istanbul Basaksehir

The team led by Abdullah Avci was one of the most pleasant surprises of the last term of Super Lig.

A bit tougher schedule caused the slower kick off to the new campaign, but they seem to have caught the right rhythm with back-to-back wins over Goztepe and Alanyaspor in two previous fixtures.

Their Europa League campaign is, however, on thin ice, with them collecting no more than a single point from two rounds.
Hoffenheim vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Head to head

This is going to be the first ever head to head meeting between the two sides.
Hoffenheim vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Prediction

The Germans are favourites without doubts as they are desperate for points, but the Over 2.5 goals FT seems to be much more appealing option given their poor defensive form in the recent weeks.
Hoffenheim vs Istanbul Basaksehir: Bets

The main betting pick is Over 2.5 goals FT at the odds of 1.53.

The more adventurous punters will like Hofenheim to win & BTTS at 2.88

Bulgaria vs France: Preview and Predictions

France will have a very tough test on Saturday when they need to pick up three points if they want to save the top position in the Group A.
Les Bleus are only a single point ahead of Sweden at the top with two games left to play and Bulgarians can be a tricky opposition on their soil.

This guarantees a very entertaining evening of football on Saturday at Stadion Vasil Levski in the Bulgarian capital.

Bulgaria

Bulgarians have already helped Didier Deschamps and his men a lot by beating Sweden 3-2 on the home court last month.

They have made Stadion Vasil Levski a fortress in this qualifying term since Petar Hubchev’s side won five games on the trot on the home soil netting as many as five goals past the likes of Netherlands and Sweden.

France

Deschamps’ men have been heavily criticized after a shocking goalless draw with Luxembourg at Stade de France in the previous round.

Interestingly, it came only three days after Les Blues bagged four in a demolishing victory over Nethertlands (Thomas Lemar’s brace and goals from Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe).
Bulgaria vs France: Head to head

Bulgaria have always been a tricky opposition for France and you should not be surprised to know that the teams have seven wins each ahead of their 16th H2H encounter.

Additionally, Bulgaria have won six and drawn one of their seven matches with France on the home court.
Bulgaria vs France: Prediction

The value simply has to be with the Bulgarians here as they are heavily underestimated by the bookies, being priced up at 12/1 to pick up the victory.

We’ll remind you – Bulgaria have 6-1-0 in H2H matches with France on the home ground and they have won each of their last five home fixtures in general.
Bulgaria vs France: Bets

The first bet is Bulgaria or Draw Double Chance at 10/3
You can also try with the BTTS option at 11/10

Malta vs Lithuania: Preview and Predictions

Malta will be looking to grab their first points of the campaign on Thursday evening when they host Lithuania in a clash without any significance to the Group F standings.
Malta

Pietro Ghedin’s side managed a shocking 0-1 victory over Ukraine in a friendly match play in the summer of 2017, but they failed to back it up in following qualifying fixtures.

Malta scored no more than two goals in eight matches and they lost all but a single game (against Slovenia on the home court) by at least two goals difference.

Lithuania

The visitors were off to a strong start winning five points from opening three fixtures, but they lost each of five that followed to stay nine points off the fourth-places Scotland in the standings.

This can certainly be regarded as a failure for the team led by Edgaras Jankauskas. Lithuania have been very easy to break down lately as they allowed as many as seven goals in back-to-back losses to Scotland and Slovenia.
Malta vs Lithuania: Head to head

Lithuania are yet to beat Malta on the road as they have failed to do so in two previous friendly encounters at Ta’Qali Stadum ( a win and a draw for the hosts).

The first clash in this qualifying term saw a 2-0 victory for Lithuania in Vilnius thanks to late second-half goals from Fedor Cernych and Arvydas Novikovas.
Malta vs Lithuania: Prediction

We certainly don’t expect to enjoy the beauty of the game on Thursday evening at Ta’Qali Stadium.

A single goal will likely make the difference, and it could likely end up to be in Lithuania’s net given their poor form and the lack of motivation here.
Malta vs Lithuania: Bets

The top betting pick has to be Under 2.5 goals FT at the odds of 1/2

The alternative bet is Malta to win to nil at 11/2

Osijek vs Luzern

In the second qualifying round of the Europe League Osijek hosts Luzern in Gradski Vrt. Osijek finished fourth in the league last season while Luzern finished fifth. The teams are pretty well matched up on transfermarkt with Osijek worth a bit more. Of course the level of the league is much higher in Switzerland but Luzern has had financial problems lately and had to sell some of their infuential players. Osijek on the other hand finally has some money to spare. The team that always produced quality player was always stressed for cash but with the Hungarian injection the results are starting to show. For this season they got two promising talents from Lokoimotiva - Grezda and Bockaj while the other players remained.


Luzern on the other hand had to sell Ricardo Costa (33), Cedric Itten (28), Francisco Rodriguez (25), Nicolas Haas (23), Tomislav Puljić (12) , Sally Sarr(4) and their best scorer Schneuwly (33). They got a few good names like Demhasaj, Schulz, Schwegler, Gwan Jong but certainly not the level of the players they sold.


Osijek has had a few matches in this competition but not recently. They have huge motivation to impress infront of the home crowd and I think they will do it. Luzern also has some matches in Europe League but never won away. Osijek is a team that will grow while Luzern is of an unknown quality. Osijek had a very good preparation period and also started 20 days earlier than Luzern. Osijek to take a win at home.




Pick     Osijek     Odds          2.06

Manchester United vs Everton: Preview and Predictions

Manchester United vs Everton
English Premier League
Date: Tuesday, 4th April 2017
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Old Trafford.

The draw against West Brom is particularly disappointing for Manchester United as this adversely their top four finishing chances. Sitting at 5th in the Premier League table, there is are 5 points behind Manchester City on fourth. Meanwhile their Tuesday’s opponent Everton are 7th with a 2-point gap.

Manchester United’s last 13 home matches involves 8 draws with wins in the remaining 5. If you look at the last five at the Old Trafford, there is only 1 win. Expect a 1-1 draw against Liverpool, the ones against Hull, Bournemouth and West Brom were all winnable.

Everton will be disappointed after falling to a 3-1 loss in the Liverpool derby at Anfield. But it is important for them to get over this as they were undone by nothing but some individual brilliance from Sadio Mane and Coutinho.

The Toffees have now lost back-to-back away games, before Liverpool it was at Tottenham. They are also win-less in the last four away games.
Manchester United vs Everton: Head-to-head

The reverse leg of the current campaign was a 1-1 draw. It was a late penalty from Leighton Baines that cancelled out Ibrahimovic’s goal. Manchester United won in the three previous meetings against the Toffees.

At the Old Trafford, the only Everton win since 1999 happened two seasons ago in 2013. While United won in 14 of the 19 along with 5 draws.
Manchester United vs Everton: Prediction

This could be a cagey one with Manchester United going through a tough phase with a higher number of draws at home. Everton are coming on the back of a tough fixture against city rivals Liverpool. But just like most of the recent visitors to Old Trafford, they will also back themselves to take something out of the match.

I do not see Everton winning this by any means, but there is also little chance for an outright United win. A draw will be the most probable outcome from this fixture.
Manchester United vs Everton: Bet tips

    Draw at FT at 4.33
    Correct Score: 1-1 at 8.50