Rijeka looks like a completely different team since Kek arrived. They’re finally playing actual football instead of just hoofing the ball blindly into the stands. They’ve already racked up three wins in a row, and honestly, I’m expecting a fourth one today. On the other hand, Osijek is struggling big time; they’re in terrible shape and dealing with a massive pile of suspensions and injuries.
Willem II vs PSV 2 1.30@HL
PSV is in a heated title race, and frankly, they are leagues ahead of their opponent today. Willem II is sitting dead last in the standings with almost zero chance of avoiding relegation given how poorly they’ve been playing lately. PSV absolutely needs this win, and I fully expect them to deliver.
Borussia Dortmund vs Augsburg 1 1.35@HL or 1.45@HL+
Even though Borussia has that second leg against Malago on Tuesday—meaning there's a decent chance Klopp might rotate the squad to give some starters a breather—I still think they'll hunt for a victory at the always packed Westfalenstadion (now known as Signal Iduna Park 😁). They'll want that confidence boost heading into Tuesday. The visitors are fighting to stay afloat, but pulling off an upset away at Dortmund is a tall order.
Juventus vs Pescara 1 1.15@HL
It’s top of the table versus the bottom of the table, and the bottom team is in total meltdown mode. Juve needs a comfortable win here just to build some momentum before their massive Wednesday showdown against Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid vs Levante 1 1.15@HL
I suspect Cristiano Ronaldo’s hunger for goals will be just too much for the visitors to handle. Plus, Real definitely wants to pull ahead of Atletico Madrid in the standings.
Personally, I’m going to toss Cedevita 1 against Split (1.15) from basketball onto this parlay.
The Russians are staring down a massive two-goal deficit from the first leg, which means they have absolutely no choice but to come out swinging from the opening whistle. Honestly, their performance in the first match was abysmal—they played like they were stuck in mud, and predictably, they got punished with two goals for their lack of effort. They’ll be missing Criscito due to injury, along with Neto who's serving a suspension, and midfielder Zirjanov. On the other side, Basel is likely going to park the bus, focusing entirely on protecting that two-goal cushion and praying for a lucky counter-attack. They're dealing with some depth issues too, missing Die in defense, plus Yapi, Degen, Jeftic in the midfield, and striker Bobadilla. Personally, I think the home side's superior quality will eventually crack the defense; I expect them to find the back of the net in both halves, potentially forcing this thing into extra time.
Rubin Kazan vs Levante 1 1.95@SSmaybe even Rubin to advance at 1.85@SS
Following that scoreless draw in the first leg, I believe Rubin actually holds the upper hand to advance, especially playing on home soil. Levante just lost their main attacking threat, Martins, who headed off to MLS a few days ago, so we'll have to see if they can even function offensively without him.
Chelsea vs Steaua Bucharest f+2 2.0@SS I think this one is pretty straightforward. There is a massive gulf in class here, and I'm expecting an aggressive, dominant Chelsea performance to secure their spot. To make matters more interesting, the controversial president over at Steaua made some rather pointed comments after the first leg that should serve as perfect fuel for the English squad's motivation. Even though I've had a rough run lately specifically picking against Chelsea, I find myself having to take this matchup at these odds.
Kenneth Ward said:Here’s a classic folk song for you:
I’m calling it right now: Lazio vs AS Roma is going to be an absolute shootout. I’ve got my money on over 2.5 goals in this matchup. Expect plenty of action. 1.70 @SS 👍 We all know exactly how AS Roma plays under Zdeněk Zeman—it’s pure, unadulterated attacking football. There’s zero hesitation and absolutely no playing it safe; they just throw everything at the opponent and expect whoever outscores the other to take the win. Looking at Lazio, they’ve got plenty of firepower up front, so I’m bracing myself for a high-scoring affair. I’d say we're looking at a 2-1 or a 1-2 result, depending on which side manages to edge it. If you look at the last two derbies, they both ended with that exact same scoreline, so history seems to be repeating itself.
RSC Anderlecht vs Club Brugge 1 I’ll take those odds at 1.55 @SS. It’s a solid play if you're looking for some value, though I know some of you might find it a bit conservative. Personally, I like the positioning here.👍 RSC Anderlecht is hitting their stride at exactly the right moment. They just pulled off a massive upset by taking down Zenit Saint Petersburg in the LP, and they’ve carried that momentum straight into the league, crushing their last two matches by huge margins. On the flip side, you have Club Brugge, and frankly, they look absolutely desperate. They’ve dropped three straight league games, and honestly, if I were looking for an opportunity to strike, this is it. It’s the perfect setup for RSC Anderlecht to capitalize on everything that is currently falling apart for the visitors.
Mallorca vs Barcelona 2-1 1.25 @SS👍 Mallorca is currently in absolutely abysmal form, while FC Barcelona finds themselves in a position where they desperately need to redeem themselves following that loss in Glasgow. They really need to get back on track to maintain their edge over Real Madrid. And honestly, we don't even need to dive into the head-to-head history—everything points squarely in favor of Barcelona.
The matchup between Volga and Zenit Saint Petersburg ended with a 2-0 result. 1.40 @SS👍 Even though they dropped the ball in the LP, facing off against Volga is actually the perfect opportunity to get that winning momentum back on track. Zenit Saint Petersburg has been looking sharp in their domestic league lately, and they really need to keep the pressure on CSKA Moscow, who currently hold a six-point lead over them.
PEC Zwolle vs Ajax 2 The odds for this one are sitting at 1.55 on the SuperŠansa line, whereas they're usually hovering around 1.45.👍 This is honestly one of the last real opportunities for Ajax Amsterdam to make a serious dent in the title race. They’re currently sitting 10 points behind FC Twente, so they really can't afford any slip-ups here. To make matters even more interesting, they’ve got PEC Zwolle coming to town, and frankly, the timing couldn't be more perfect for them. PEC Zwolle is currently languishing in 17th place and their recent form has been nothing short of desperate. If Ajax wants to stay in this fight, they need to step up now.
Man, I’ve been sitting here trying to wrap my head around the Manchester City vs Tottenham matchup, and honestly? It's a tough one to call. You look at the dynamics between these two, and there is just so much tactical tension on the table. It feels like one of those high-stakes clashes where everything hinges on whether one side can actually handle the pressure when the game inevitably shifts gears. I'm still processing the angles here, but it's definitely going to be a heavy hitter. 1.60 @SS👍 Manchester City has been struggling quite a bit this season, conceding far too many goals, and honestly, Tottenham Hotspur isn't much better off right now. Because both defenses look so shaky, I’m fully expecting an open, end-to-end match where both sides find the back of the net. Looking at their last two meetings—which ended 3-2 and 5-1—it seems like a high-scoring affair is exactly what we're in for.
The odds are sitting at 11.43.
Good luck to anyone attempting to follow along with this.
Well, that’s everything. It's all wrapped up now. I truly hope someone was actually paying attention and following along with all of this.🙂
Lazio-Roman Reigns over 2.5 goals 1.70@SS We all know how Roman Reigns plays under Miloš Zeman—purely offensive, zero calculation, just an all-out brawl where whoever scores more wins. Lazio has plenty of firepower, so I’m expecting at least a 2-1 or a 1-2 result, depending on which way you want to lean. The last two derbies wrapped up with those exact scores too.
LA Galaxy-Seattle Sounders 1 1.55@SS Anderlecht has hit a really solid stride lately; they actually managed to take down favorites Zenit in the LP and have cruised through their last two league matches with massive margins. Meanwhile, Club Brugge is absolutely desperate. They’ve dropped their last three league games, making this the perfect moment for Anderlecht to exploit the visitors' meltdown.
Mallorca-FC Barcelona 2 1.25@SS Mallorca is in a complete tailspin right now, while FC Barcelona desperately needs to make up for that loss in New York City and maintain their lead over Real Madrid. Honestly, we don't even need to look at the head-to-head history here; everything points toward FC Barcelona.
Volga-Zenit 2 1.40@SS Even though they stumbled in the LP, Volga is the ideal opponent for them to get back into a winning rhythm. On the other hand, Zenit is looking sharp in their domestic league and they absolutely have to keep pace with CSKA Moscow, who currently holds a six-point lead over them.
Zwolle-Ajax 2 1.55@SS (SuperSport) otherwise 1.45@SS For Ajax, this is one of their final chances to actually stay relevant in the title race. They’re already trailing Twente by 10 points, so a matchup against Zwolle is basically a gift. Today's home team is sitting in 17th place and is in atrocious form.
Manchester City-Tottenham Hotspur over 1.60@SS Manchester City has been struggling quite a bit this year, conceding far too many goals, and Tottenham Hotspur isn't much better in that department. Because of that, I’m anticipating an wide-open match with both sides finding the back of the net. Their last two meetings ended exactly like that (3-2 and 5-1).
Charlotte vs. Dallas 2 1,45 @SS I honestly think you have to take the Dallas side here given these odds. They played a few days ago and ended up covering by a massive 27 points. Even though they started this season without Dirk Nowitzki, they’ve been playing better than anyone expected. They'll be missing Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion again today, and there's a chance Vince Carter might miss out too after getting banged up against the New York Knicks yesterday, but let's be real: their roster is still significantly deeper than what Charlotte is putting on the floor. On the other side, the Hornets will be shorthanded without Henderson and potentially missing their center, Haywood.
Cleveland vs. Chicago 2 If the Bulls can lock down Irving, they should walk away with this win without much trouble. Their roster is objectively deeper, and even though they’re playing without their franchise cornerstone, Derrick Rose, they’ve become experts at navigating that exact scenario.
Golden State vs. Memphis 2 Golden State has been spiraling since that massive trade involving the Bucks last year. They’ve transitioned into a young squad that—granted—has enough spark to catch anyone off guard, but honestly, making a deep playoff run this season is going to be an uphill battle for them. Memphis, on the other hand, boasts a far superior lineup. After that loss to the Clippers, it’s high time they notched their first victory. If you look at the numbers, the stats are clearly pointing toward Memphis.
Minnesota vs. Sacramento 2 I’m putting my money on a young, talented Sacramento squad over Minnesota, who are currently struggling with the absence of two of their biggest stars. Sacramento dropped their opener against Chicago in a dead heat, but they looked solid during the preseason, so I truly believe they have the tools to pull this one off.
Rondo Over/Under 16.5 Under Rondo started the season strong, dropping 20 points against the Heat, and lately, he’s been consistently clearing this line when facing them. However, facing the Bucks today makes me lean heavily toward the under. Last year, he stayed under this mark almost every single time, and I’m betting on history repeating itself—hoping he decides to focus on facilitating the offense rather than hunting his own shot.
Torino vs SS 1X 1,2@SS I decided to play it safe here with a double chance bet. Torino has hit the ground running this season; that 5:1 away win against Atalanta BC was particularly impressive. On the other hand, Cagliari Calcio has had a disastrous start, sitting on just two points after losing at home last week to Pescara—who, frankly, is one of the worst sides we've seen all year. To make matters worse, they'll be missing both Cossu and Pinilla today. Losing your best players, especially in the attacking department, makes it incredibly difficult to find the back of the net against a Torino defense that looks rock solid and hasn't suffered any major absences.
FC Basel vs Servette FC 1 1,25@SS Basel hasn't exactly been convincing this year. They’ve offloaded several key players and are still clearly struggling to find their rhythm. However, they’re facing Servette FC today, which is arguably the worst team in the Swiss Super League right now, having managed only two points after eleven rounds. With Servette bouncing from one loss to another, this is the perfect opportunity for Basel to grab three points and start closing the gap on the top of the table, where they belong.
FC Barcelona - Real Madrid Real Madrid to score 1,35@SS Barcelona is dealing with massive defensive vulnerabilities, so it would be a genuine shock if Real Madrid failed to find the net at least once. We all know how El Clásico has played out in recent years—it almost always ends with both sides scoring. Given that the likely defensive pairing for Barca today will be Song and Javier Mascherano, who aren't exactly your prototypical center-backs, I expect Real Madrid's attackers to capitalize. They have to push forward, especially considering they're chasing a massive eight-point deficit.
Benfica vs. Barcelona Over 1.5 goals @SS Look, even though Barcelona enters this matchup as the heavy favorite, I’m convinced Benfica will find the back of the net at least once. Let’s be real: Barcelona’s defense is looking pretty shaky right now without Piqué and Puyol sidelined by injuries. Aside from those matches against Granada and Valencia, Barca has scored in basically every game, and frankly, they’ve created plenty of high-quality chances. Of course, Barcelona is going to score—they almost certainly will—and while I wouldn't rule out the Over 2.5, I’ve decided to play it safe and stick with a more conservative option here.
BATE Borisov vs. Bayern Munich Away Win @SS This one is straightforward. Bayern is the massive favorite. While BATE might have thrown some people a curveball recently, I think their win against Lille was a fluke. At the end of the day, Bayern is a global powerhouse, and they should be able to handle this without breaking a sweat.
Juventus vs. Shakhtar Donetsk I'm still torn between a straight Home Win @SS (1.7 @SS) or the Over @SS (1.85 @SS) There are valid arguments for both sides of this one. If you go with a Juve win, you look at their recent run in Serie A and their current roster. Plus, there's a huge psychological factor: they are finally back in the Champions League, and that hunger for a win is definitely palpable. On the flip side, Shakhtar possesses immense attacking firepower but tends to struggle defensively. To make matters worse, Juventus has a total liability in their backline—Bonucci—who seems to gift the opposition scoring opportunities almost every other game. Any die-hard Juve fan will tell you he's been a headache. If Shakhtar can capitalize on one of his lapses through Mkhitaryan, who is playing out of his mind this season, we could see something unexpected.
As for me, I’m putting my money on these favorites in the weekly sweep:
Werder 1 - Stuttgart is dealing with some significant roster gaps right now, especially after that grueling match in the Europa League. They aren't exactly firing on all cylinders lately, whereas Werder seems to be finding their rhythm and playing better with every game.
Twente 1 - My reasoning here is purely based on the talent gap between Twente and Heerenveen. Heerenveen has offloaded way too many key players; they just don't have the depth anymore to compete with the heavy hitters like Twente, PSV, or Ajax.
Manchester City 1 - I could easily pivot to a goals-based bet here, which wouldn't be a bad move, but I’m sticking with a straight home win. Their squad is simply superior. The only real wildcard is whether Pep decides to get experimental with the lineup again.
Copenhagen 1 - Like brightviper173 mentioned earlier, they are steadily finding their footing. They've climbed to the top of the table and are facing an opponent currently sitting dead last. Even if the Europa League schedule starts to take a toll, I think their bench is deep enough to handle it.
Lazio 1 - They’ve had a stellar start to the season—three wins and a respectable draw away at Tottenham's stadium. They have plenty of rotation options, so fatigue shouldn't be an issue. Genoa, on the other hand, tends to play much better when they're at home.
Galatasaray 1 - That performance against United was impressive; honestly, a little luck and they could have walked away with a point. Now they're facing a side that just got promoted to the top flight, making them clear favorites.
Benfica 2 - It actually surprised me how much they rested their starters against Celtic; it was almost like they were overconfident that they couldn't lose. That might actually work in our favor for today's odds. Besides, Academica had a brutal matchup against Plzen in Europe, and I doubt they have the depth to rotate effectively to combat fatigue.
St. Gallen 1 - This one is a pure momentum play. The home side is riding a three-game winning streak, while the visitors are reeling from three consecutive losses.
Kenneth Ward said:I’m going to try this approach for my first parlay today—just a quick double:
Dnipro vs. PSV Both teams to score @ 1.70 We're looking at two sides that live and die by their offense, so I’m banking on both finding the back of the net. The Americans are playing some solid football in their domestic league lately; they've got Juande Ramos pulling the strings on the bench, the young talent Konopljanka, and a few high-caliber Brazilians (Giuliano, Matheus) alongside our own Kalinica and Strinica. They definitely pack a punch upfront, even if their defense leaves them wide open. It’s the exact same story with PSV—aggressive attacking style paired with a shaky backline. On the local betting boards, I might look at over 3.5 goals or just over 2.5, but we'll see how it plays out.
Udinese vs. Anzhi Over 2.5 goals @ 2.50 As for Udinese, they're missing some heavy hitters today. Brkic (their starting keeper), Basta (absolutely vital on the right flank), and Benatia (a cornerstone of the defense) are all out. There's also a good chance di Natale stays on the bench to rest up for the next Major League Soccer match, meaning Ranegie—that striker who joined from Malmo—will likely start. Honestly, he isn't nearly the level you'd expect; if Muriel hadn't dealt with that injury, he wouldn't even be an option, let alone a starter for Guidolin. On the flip side, Anzhi has their full squad ready to go. Hiddink is almost certainly going to throw Eto'o and Traore straight into the attack. For the Russians, this Europa League run means everything, so they aren't going to sit anyone important. It seems like a no-brainer that we'll see plenty of goals here.
Dnipro 2:0 (PSV is officially banned from my tickets after they completely blew it against Utrecht last weekend) Udinese 1:1 (Di Natale ended up scoring in the end, but it didn't matter since I'd already lost my bet on the PSV game, so there's your only consolation)
lonetiger17 said:No apologies necessary, everything is fine. You explained yourself clearly enough. I was watching the lineup coverage on ESPN. Look, that’s just an assumption on my part, but when someone is officially sidelined with an injury, you don't even need to guess. 🙂 In any case, I'm betting Anzi isn't going down today. A double chance on the draw or their win seems like a safe bet, though honestly, backing them for the outright win is looking pretty tempting given those odds.
And here is the final Udinese lineup: Padelli, Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi, Faraoni, Badu, Willian, Lazzari, Armero, Pereyra, Ranegie
I’m not sure if you follow Italian news, but check out these sources: http://www.calciomercato.it/news/176...massiccio.html It says Di Natalea will be on the roster, but he’ll likely start on the bench. Let's be real—he’s getting up there in age and just can't handle a heavy workload of consecutive games anymore. That said, the coach mentioned he isn't planning any massive shake-ups to the lineup.
http://www.calciomercato.it/news/175...hio-Anzhi.html According to this, Basta picked up an injury during last week's game against Siena (right quadriceps), and there’s a very slim chance he’ll suit up against Anzhi.
As for Benatia, I'm a bit iffy. A lot of the Italian sites are listing Codu in the starting XI instead of him. It’s basically a coin flip whether he actually plays or not. My apologies for the uncertainty.
I’m going to try this approach for my first slip today, a quick double:
Dnipro Dnipro-PSV Over 1.5 goals @ SS We’ve got two teams here that live and breathe attacking football, so my gut says both sides will find the back of the net at least once. The Ukrainians are playing quite well in their domestic league lately; they’ve got Juande Ramos pulling the strings on the bench, a young talent like Konoplyanka, and some high-quality Brazilian flair with guys like Giuliano and Matheus, plus our own Kalinic and Strinic. They definitely have the firepower, even if their defense leaves them a bit exposed. It’s the exact same story with PSV—aggressive mindset, shaky backline. On the sportsbook app, I might also look at Over 2.5 or even Over 3.5, but we'll see how it plays out.
Udinese-Anzhi Away Win & Over 2.5 @ SS Looking at Udinese today, they’re looking pretty thin. Brkic (their starting keeper), Basta (a massive presence on the right flank), and Benatia (crucial to the defense) are all out. There’s also a good chance Di Natale stays on the bench to save his legs for the next MLS match, meaning Ranegie—that striker they grabbed from Malmo—will likely start. Honestly, he isn't nearly up to the task, and if Muriel weren't sidelined, he'd only be the third option for Guidolin anyway. On the flip side, Anzhi has their full squad available. Guus Hiddink is almost certainly going to lead with Eto'o and Traore up front. For these Russian clubs, the Europa League is everything, so they aren't going to rotate their stars. It seems like a safe bet that the away side takes this one comfortably.
Bayern vs. Valencia Home win, 1.5@SS A lot of people have already weighed in on this matchup, but here’s my take. This year's German champions are looking even more formidable than last season, whereas Valencia, despite some smart signings, is currently struggling with a massive injury bug. The home side is only missing Gomez, but honestly, our local star center has stepped up and covered him perfectly. It is always crucial to secure a win in the first leg, and I don't see the Bavarians playing any games with this one.
Shakhtar vs. Nordsjaelland Home win, 1.3@SS The Ukrainian champions are the clear favorites here. They have the Champions League experience, an objectively superior roster, and a serious chip on their shoulder after getting knocked out of the group stage last year—something they definitely didn't plan for. On the other hand, the Danes are making their debut. While they aren't dealing with major injuries, they do have a slight handicap: they lost a derby against Copenhagen last Saturday, blowing their lead in the final minutes. They don't exactly have a deep bench, so fatigue is likely going to start biting at them.
Bayern Munich vs. Valencia 1 1.5 @SS I know plenty of people have already weighed in on this matchup, but here’s my take. This year's German champions have actually bolstered their squad even more than last season, whereas Valencia—despite some decent signings—is dealing with a massive injury crisis right now. The home side is only missing Gomez, but honestly, our guy in the center has stepped up and filled that void perfectly. It is absolutely vital to secure a win in the opening match, and I don't see the Bavarians playing any kind of cautious games here.
Shakhtar vs. Nordsjaelland 1 1.3 @SS The Ukrainian champions are the clear favorites in this one. They have the Champions League pedigree, a demonstrably superior roster, and a massive chip on their shoulder after getting knocked out of the group stage last year—something they certainly didn't intend to happen. On the other side, the Danes are making their debut; while they aren't hit hard by injuries, they do have a slight handicap: they lost their derby against Copenhagen last Saturday in the dying minutes after leading most of the game. They definitely lack depth, so fatigue should start to set in around here.
Kenneth Ward said:I’m going to take a shot at this double:
Borussia Dortmund - Ajax 1 1.45@SS After that underwhelming performance in the Champions League last year, Dortmund is definitely looking to make their mark this season. That said, being tossed into this so-called "group of death" has probably rattled their rhythm a bit. Still, their opening opponent is exactly the kind of side they need to hunt down all three points against, as they are objectively the superior squad compared to Ajax.
PSG - Dynamo Kyiv 1 1.65@SS It’s interesting—just the other day, Zlatan Ibrahimović mentioned that the Champions League isn't the top priority for this French squad this year. But let’s be real, we all know how much Zlatan dreams of lifting that trophy. Of course, the team needs time to gel, but with a roster this stacked, they should at least be making it to the Round of 16; after that, anything can happen. Honestly, he’s capable of carrying them to a win against the visitors from Kyiv on his own. Even though Kyiv has bolstered their ranks this year, they’re still sitting six points behind Shakhtar Donetsk. To be fair, PSG hasn't looked incredibly convincing in their domestic league lately, but after two straight wins, it's clear things are finally starting to click.
Dortmund 1:0 (Robert Lewandowski😁) PSG 4:1
I hope someone followed along with these picks. Then again, most people probably cashed in on the LA Galaxy game anyway, so it doesn't really matter.🤣🤣
Borussia Dortmund - Ajax 1 1.45@SS After that lackluster showing in the Champions League last year, Dortmund is clearly looking to make an impact this season. That said, being tossed into what everyone is calling the "group of death" has probably rattled their composure a bit. Still, they absolutely have to go all out against this first opponent; on paper, they are objectively the superior side compared to Ajax, and anything less than three points would be a disaster.
PSG - Dynamo Kyiv 1 1.65@SS It’s interesting because just a few days ago, Zlatan Ibrahimović suggested that the Champions League isn't the top priority for this French squad this year. But let's be real—we all know how much Zlatan dreams about lifting that trophy. Of course, the team needs time to find their rhythm, but with a roster this stacked, they should be aiming for at least the round of 16, if not more. Honestly, he's capable of carrying them to a win against the visitors from Kyiv on his own. Even though Kyiv has bolstered their squad this year, they're still trailing Shakhtar Donetsk by six points. To be fair, PSG hasn't looked incredibly convincing in their domestic league lately, but after picking up two straight wins, it's clear things are finally starting to click.
Utrecht vs PSV 2 1.5 @SS When you look at the current form, there isn't much of a debate here. After stumbling with an opening loss, PSV has come out swinging with some incredibly convincing victories, and I fully expect them to keep this momentum rolling today. They have to stay neck-and-neck with teams like Seattle Sounders and LAFC if they want any shot at the title. If there’s a single variable to worry about, it might be fatigue from international duty for a few key players, but let’s be honest—their roster depth is just significantly superior.
Napoli vs Parma 1 1,6 @SS The home side is the clear favorite here, and frankly, looking at these odds, it’s a play you can't ignore. Napoli is a powerhouse when playing in their own backyard, whereas Parma is more of a "homebody" squad—they might snatch a point on the road every now and then, but they struggle away from home. To make matters worse, Parma is dealing with a massive handicap today since both Biabiany and Amauri are sidelined, leaving their attack looking pretty toothless.
Genoa vs Juventus 2 1,7 @SS Juventus kicked off the season perfectly with two clinical wins—one against Parma and another tough road win against a very strong Udinese. On the flip side, Genoa is sitting at one win and one loss. My issue with Genoa is that they seem to overhaul their entire roster every single year; they probably have the highest turnover rate in the league, and that constant shuffling always leaves them vulnerable while they try to find any semblance of chemistry. Juve doesn't have those growing pains. They took last year's solid core and added real quality with guys like Asamoah, Giovinco, and Islu. Everyone is available for the coach today, even though he’ll be watching from the stands due to a suspension. In my book, pure talent and cohesion should win this one. Straight away for the visitors.
Roma vs Bologna 1 1.45 @SS Washington D.C. is absolutely buzzing right now following the arrival of Zeman. He’s brought a sense of optimism back to the fans by offering exactly what they crave: aggressive attacking play and a youthful energy. After a minor stumble in the first round against Catania, Roma corrected course with a brilliant performance in a victory over Inter in Milan. They’re riding a wave of confidence right now, and I don't see Bologna being able to stop them. It’s true that Roma will be missing heavy hitters like Osvaldo and De Rossi today, but their bench is deep enough with guys like Destra and Pjanic to cover the gap.
Anzhi vs Krasnodar 1 1.45@SS Wrapping things up with a pick from the Russian league. Anzhi is in fantastic shape; Eto'o is scoring like he’s possessed, and he’s been joined by another major signing in Traore. Anzhi simply cannot afford to miss this opportunity to capitalize on Zenit’s recent slip-up; a win here would leapfrog them ahead in the standings. Plus, we might see the debut of Lass Diarra today, who just arrived from Real Madrid.
Kenneth Ward said:Minnesota-LA Clippers Everything about this matchup is crystal clear. Minnesota has essentially fallen out of the playoff picture entirely, while the visitors are fighting tooth and nail to secure a better seed. Given the latest news that Kevin Love will likely be sidelined, this should be a relatively smooth ride for the Clippers.
San Antonio-Memphis Even though the visitors are riding a great streak, every run eventually hits a wall. And honestly, who better to break it than the Spurs? After yesterday’s shocking loss to a depleted Lakers squad, they absolutely have to bounce back today. The Spurs have swept all three meetings between these two this year, so I’m expecting a total blowout today😁.
LeBron James over 27.5 LeBron James always puts on a clinic against the Bulls; his career average against them is an enviable 29 points, and he’s already cruised past the 30-point mark in both matchups this season. I expect him to stay on that trajectory because, frankly, after those disappointing losses from the Heat, he’s going to have to step up and take charge again today.
Blake Griffin over 19.5 The stats don't lie here—he’s cleared this line in all three matchups against Minnesota this year (scoring 21, 30, and 26). I’m looking for another big performance today, especially since if Kevin Love stays out, he'll have an easier time defensively and won't get bogged down by the foul trouble that sometimes plagues him.
Greg Monroe over 14.5 It’s almost the same story as Blake. In their three encounters this season, he’s consistently gone over this number (19, 19, and 16). Since both teams are playing somewhat disorganized basketball lately, I’m anticipating a high-scoring, wide-open game.
Lou Deng under 17.5 He’s going to be tied up defensively trying to contain LeBron James, and with Rosa Parks returning to the rotation, there’s going to be less ball in his hands. We all know his shooting struggles, so I don't see him hitting the over.
Thanks, Blake Griffin, for nothing. You and your free throws.🙂
