Paul Anderson7 said:I’m feeling a bit skeptical about this one too. Then again—Lyon's B-team is loaded with solid players looking to prove themselves. Still, Portland should find the back of the net... it isn't a massive payout at 1.30, but I think it's a relatively safe bet.
If you aren't sold on a Portland win, but you're convinced they'll score, why bother risking cash on a measly 1.3 (it's actually 1.4 on FanDuel), when for both teams to score, you get a much better 1.85 (1-1)? Besides—Lyon hasn't just been conceding to Betis in their last seven away games, and Portland hasn't just been failing to score against Seattle in their last fifteen home matches...
I find myself frequently betting on Manchester City games to stay under 1.5 goals in the first half—especially when they're facing mid-to-lower table sides. Usually, the odds hover somewhere between 1.5 and 1.8... As for the lower English leagues, I often have Coventry (League One) on my parlay for both BTTS and Over 2.5. Then there’s Alfreton—they’ve hit BTTS in 12 of their last 13 matches this season, with 11 of those also being Over 2.5. Forest Green has been similar—9 of their last 13 were BTTS and Over 2.5, plus one more just BTTS, and they even had an 8-0 blowout once. Halifax in the Conference has also been reliable—8 of 13 for BTTS and Over 2.5, plus another BTTS and another Over 2.5... For BTTS or Over 2.5, I also like to look toward the Swedish second division. My favorites there are Varberg—averaging 3.6 goals per match, with 22 of their 27 games going over, and they've only kept a clean sheet once, though they've failed to score about 7 or 8 times—and Degerfors, who average 3.2 goals per game. They're pretty balanced between scoring and conceding; in their last 10, every single one was BTTS, and 8 went Over 2.5. It's a shame their season is wrapping up so soon...
Based on what we've seen so far—it’s clear Napredak is struggling near the bottom of the table. Their only wins have come against teams just as weak as they are, like Segesta and Zelina... which puts them right in that basement tier of the league. Austin FC, however, seems to be on a steady trajectory back toward where they belong—the top flight. They stumbled early with a loss out in Dugopolje, but they quickly found their footing by taking down three former major league sides—think teams like Inter Miami, LAFC, or maybe Portland. I'd only count a draw at home against Gorica as a slip-up... and given who this club is, I won't even call that loss to Radnik in Sesvete a true defeat. Even though they lost some talent over the offseason, they kept the core together—and some key players even returned. All things considered, Austin FC is a much more formidable squad than Napredak... and if they're serious about making that jump back to MLS, they really can't afford to drop points against teams like this.
There’s a high volume of intense matchups on the schedule today—games where you can really expect plenty of scoring...
5:00 PM — City vs. United... odds at 2.00 for a home win—plus three or more goals... interesting...
Both sides have handled their business in Europe quite effectively—and the strikers are looking hungry. Given how they played against each other earlier this season, there was zero tactical stalling and plenty of goals... I expect the same kind of fireworks today.
8:45 PM — AC Milan vs. Napoli: Both teams to score at 1.75... BetMGM.
Two more Champions League contenders have checked all the boxes for me—I’m expecting goals from both... Milan is still missing El Shaarawi, but Allegri doesn't seem particularly rattled by the absence—he's signaling a three-attacker setup today, so the intent is clearly offensive. As for Napoli, they simply have too much firepower to play any other way. Milan has netted 10 goals over their last four matches, while Napoli has put up 11... if they each manage just one goal today, I'll be perfectly satisfied.
3:00 PM — Roma vs. Lazio — Both teams to score — 1.70 — DraftKings
Another derby, another goal fest... The season kicked off on a high note with three decisive wins against teams like Orlando, Charlotte, and Buffalo—but that’s almost secondary. The real headline for the fans is that my contemporary, Totti, just signed a two-season extension... which is huge. I truly hope he treats himself for his birthday this Friday—maybe by gifting us a goal against New York... 😁 As for Lazio—aside from being thoroughly handled by Juve twice now—they generally get the job done. They rested their key starters during Thursday's matchup against Legion Warsaw, so there are absolutely no excuses for today... It’s rare for these big rivalry matches to end up scoreless—fingers crossed we see some action on the scoreboard today...
Despite everything—and there's been plenty—Inter Miami remains the class of the league, whereas Portland has likely hit rock bottom this season. Sure, they managed to scrape a win against the Seattle Sounders, but that says more about Seattle’s poor performance than anything impressive from Portland. Assuming there isn't any unnecessary officiating interference... I expect Inter Miami to finally secure a convincing victory.
Messi to score 1.80 Busquets to score 1.90 As I said—a decisive win is what I'm looking for. Messi hasn't played against the Ukrainians yet, and we know he's capable... plus, Busquets is in stellar form, consistently finding the net—if my math serves me right, he's got 7 in his last 9 matches.
Both sides have struggled in European competition recently. Ajax fell to Barcelona as expected, but PSV’s home loss to Ludogorets was quite a shock. PSV isn't playing well—they haven't seen a win in six matches. In Europe, it's been two losses and a draw, and in the domestic league, three draws. It’s not entirely surprising, though... they are significantly weaker this season compared to last. Ajax isn't exactly flying either, but I feel they are closer to a victory today, even playing away in Eindhoven. I don't quite have the nerve to go for a straight away win, so I'll try the Draw No Bet instead. Given how both teams approach the game, I'm anticipating plenty of goals. Looking at the odds for BTTS and Over 2.5, it seems the bookmakers agree...
So, Sassuolo finally made their big leap into the top flight after 90 years... and yet, just three weeks in, they’re already looking like they might slide right back down to the minor leagues. Despite a decent stretch of matchups—facing teams like Torino, Livorno, and Verona—they haven't managed to pick up a single point through those first three games... and scoring? They've only found the net once. Inter, however, is having a hell of a start to the season. They cruised through their first two games against Genoa and Catania, followed by a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the big rivalry match... which was actually the first goal they've conceded this year. Even with all that context, the oddsmakers are still leaning heavily toward Inter with these odds—so, how can you justify passing on that?
Despite their current standing—and considering the roster issues—the only truly significant absence from the starting lineup compared to the squad that cleared the Stuttgart hurdle is Anas Sharbini. Lešković should almost certainly feature... though Skarabot might be missing too—but let’s be honest, he’s the weak link in this Rijeka side, and frankly, Bertoša isn't much better than him. Zlomislic will likely be out as well, but Pokrivac proved against Stuttgart that he's a perfectly fine replacement... There is absolutely no merit to any talk regarding fatigue. They had a two-week break due to international duty—with Benko being the only one called up—and they played Slaven at half strength... there really is no excuse for those claims.
I see some praise for the Portuguese in the papers, but I don't buy it. Sure, they took the cup last year, but they lost five or six starters in the process. Their top two forwards are now at Dinamo and Celtic, two midfielders moved to Porto, and a center-back went to Levante... and from what I can see, they haven't brought in anyone particularly special to fill the gaps. Beyond that, they simply lack the depth required to compete on two fronts—and I suspect their domestic league takes precedence over European play. The last time they reached the Europa League group stage, they ended up getting knocked out of the tournament... likely precisely because of that heavy schedule. The last time they were in Europe was two years ago; first, they scraped past a mediocre Portsmouth with away goals (0-0 and 2-2), then they somehow managed to grind through Midtjylland (0-0 and 2-1), before finally being dismantled by Atletico Madrid (2-0 in Madrid, 4-0 away)...
Facing these Portuguese sides twice is a golden opportunity to rack up coefficient points—if they approach it correctly, success is within reach. In my view, the odds are unrealistic. This looks like an unpredictable match where all three outcomes are possible... I believe there is value in backing Rijeka to remain unbeaten at these prices.
The biggest part of this rivalry—the true heart of it—should stay in the stands today. Hats off to the Galaxy, Los Angeles, and their supporters... the atmosphere will be incredible. But the actual score? That rests entirely on how the LAFC squad steps onto the pitch. The Galaxy isn't built to park the bus—they want to actually play football—and that plays right into LAFC's hands. With all three of their attackers hitting their stride—think names like Giroud, Bouanga, and Peczell—I struggle to see any outcome other than an LAFC victory...
swiftlynx34 said:Look, I don't really care what I have to do to get access to that code...
Are you certain it's a four-digit number? Try entering that three-digit one from the back of the card—maybe add a zero in front of it. Or just try the three digits alone...
Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy - Pick: LA Galaxy at 1.80 SS
So, we have a matchup today between what many consider the two heavyweights of MLS. Both squads have bolstered their rosters—it’s reasonable to expect an entertaining affair, likely with goals on both sides. Both teams show significant strength on their right flanks—think Tucker and Bergert versus Pinto and Soudani—yet they both seem vulnerable on the left side of the defense—specifically Skarabot and Pivarić. Additionally, the Sounders will be relying on an inexperienced keeper in the net. I suspect Tucker will find plenty of opportunities to hammer shots toward Benk's head, and while Joe is talented, he won't be able to bail them out single-handedly. Personally, I'm rooting for a Tucker goal. On the flip side, I don't see how Skarabot can hold his own against Soudani—it's a shame there isn't a betting line for red cards 😁—so I anticipate a goal from him too, whether he pulls one off himself or gets a little "assistance" from an official...
They have these bizarre betting limits—honestly, who knows what kind of games they’re playing behind the scenes... 😁 Every single matchup seems to have its own arbitrary cap. For some games, you can barely drop a few dozen bucks—take the Chelsea vs. Kansas City Chiefs game, for instance, with odds at 14; they'll let you put down $25 on the underdog, but you could bet over a thousand on Chelsea. Then there are the mid-range ones—like a matchup between a team from Seattle and one from Chicago, where I'm seeing limits around $400 for one side, $212 for the other, and maybe $222 for a third option. Or take a game like Lokomotiv vs. Slaven—they'll allow $250 on the favorite, but only $86 on the underdog, and $108 on the draw... meanwhile, on certain high-profile matches, you could practically bet the deed to your house—I saw a limit of $18,000 today for a specific game... 😁
When it comes to parlays—which is my bread and butter, naturally—the logic is simple: as the total odds climb, the betting limit drops. If I'm running a 10-leg parlay with total odds around 130, the limit sits at roughly $70. Eventually, it hits a floor of $50, regardless of how insane the payout looks.
And get this—there is no maximum payout. I actually tested it by placing a measly 10-cent bet just to see if it would clear... and it went through without a hitch. If a massive ticket actually hits—which, let's face it, won't happen—🤣 it's not because they're afraid of going broke... it's more about ensuring they don't run out of cash to lend to all those Russian oligarchs... 🤣
Seattle Sounders vs. Viktoria Plzeň — 2-1, 1.55 SS
It’s possible the Sounders aren't entirely out of this—but I’m convinced Plzeň is the superior side. Based on what those watching reported, Seattle missed three clear shots at the net... all of which went in. The Czechs started slow, but once they realized the game was slipping away, they hammered home three quick goals just to regain control. They also had a solid warm-up on Friday, blowing out Bohemians in a blowout win—I expect them to play with that same intensity here, making an upset virtually impossible...
northernpuma said:Krasno... 🤦 Any progress on your end? I put in a withdrawal request on the 5th... still nothing, naturally. Just checking in... 🙂
Regarding Marathon—though this isn't strictly about them—I have a general question about withdrawals from international bookmakers. Has anyone here dealt with withdrawing funds directly to a Visa card? Specifically, I’m using my Chase card for everything—ATMs, daily spending, all that. Logically speaking, the money should hit the account without any issues... right? 😁 I'm asking because I chose this withdrawal method for the first time—there’s no fee involved—so I figured that wouldn't be the issue... Does anyone actually know anything about how this works? 🤷
Sent an email last Friday regarding that payout ID I received when I first requested the withdrawal—they mentioned they would look into it... meanwhile, I went ahead and filed another withdrawal request this past Thursday.
I also use my Visa card—I've only really dealt with payouts through Unibet, since they were the only ones I used for both sports betting and poker... which is how I withdrew my funds. I didn't run into any issues there; the money usually hit my account within two or three days. As for Marathon, I haven't actually used them yet...
Sparta Prague (-1) vs. Mladá Boleslav — Home win — 1 — Odds: 2.10 @ DraftKings...
By securing this win, Sparta has a genuine shot at getting back into the title race—bringing them within just two points of the leaders with only three matches left in the season... Sparta played a cup match against this exact same opponent just a few days ago—and they dropped the second leg at home, 1-2... which effectively ended their shot at the trophy. Now, the cup is out of reach. All that remains for Sparta is the league title—and I suspect every single strategic move from here on out will be focused on catching up to the leaders... They’re currently trailing by five points, though the gap is even wider when you consider the leaders have a game in hand. According to yesterday's updates from the club—Sparta will be facing some significant hurdles for this matchup... Mario Holek is out due to injury (starting defender), Tomas Zapotocny is also sidelined (another starter in defense), and Leonard Kweuke is serving a suspension—which leaves them without their starting striker as well. On the other hand, Sparta will be facing Mladá Boleslav again—just like they did three days ago... They’ve already secured their spot in the top flight, sitting comfortably right in the middle of the standings. They aren't facing relegation, yet they aren't in the hunt for those Europa League qualifying spots either. I truly believe they achieved exactly what they set out to do by reaching the Cup final—where they'll go head-to-head against Jablonc on May 17th... which is only five days away. The lineup for this matchup shows five key defensive gaps—and that's not even counting the offensive side... We’re looking at Lukas Magera out with an injury—he's a starting striker—plus Radek Dosoudil, who's a starting defender, and Petr Johana, also a starting defender, currently serving a suspension. On top of that, we have Jan Kysela, Tomas Janicek, and Radek Sirl—all starters—unavailable for selection... quite a blow to the backline. The stakes for Sparta are significantly higher in this matchup—and they certainly have the motivation to match. If they slip up here, their chances of reaching the finals and clinching the championship title are essentially dead in the water... They have plenty to play for, especially since they’re facing a weakened Mladá Boleslav backline that offers the perfect opportunity to settle the score from their previous cup loss. On the other hand—with everything focused on that five-day turnaround for the Cup final against the Jabloniec equivalent—I suspect they won't be pushing anyone too hard... they'll likely avoid risking any unnecessary injuries or anything like that... I see a Sparta win looking pretty likely—and honestly, over 2.5 total goals feels like a safe bet too—but I’ve decided to go with Sparta to win by more than one goal... given that those specific defenders are out of the lineup.
I’d be cautious with this one—neither the Patriots nor the Jets have much of a history of playing with handicaps, and the Jets aren't exactly known for being the underdogs lately, especially when they head into New England. The last time that kind of imbalance happened back in 2007... since then, it's been two 1-0 wins for the Patriots, three 1-1 draws, and one 3-0 blowout for the Jets.
Regarding these absences—I’m not entirely sure where you're sourcing your data—but calling Janicki and Schiller starters is a stretch... at least for this season. Janicki has been sidelined with injuries for quite some time now; he’s only managed ten appearances all season, and even those were back in the fall. As for Schiller, his playing time hasn't improved much—he isn't even in the squad this spring. It’s clear he didn't meet their expectations, so he's heading back to the club in Prague. They have definitely weakened the roster—they have, certainly—especially considering they still have Miller, who is in his prime at just 37... 😁Johan probably won't see any playing time—given his injury status—but they’ll likely rely on that veteran presence at defensive midfield, David Jarolim. It’s a different outlook than their last match a few days ago, where Boleslav fell 2-1 in Prague... just missing Johan makes a difference. We should also keep in mind that young Boleslav always gets incredible support in Prague—it’s only about a thirty-minute drive for the fans to get there... 😉
I’m not saying a handicap isn't possible—certainly, the team will do everything in their power to secure those three points and stay in the title hunt—but personally, I wouldn't touch this for even a single dollar. Given how low the odds are, it’s just too much risk for too little reward...
They claim—on their site—that withdrawals can take 3-5 business days. Well, I’m sitting here on day 10... I requested my payout back on April 27th and still haven't seen a dime. I sent them an email on Monday to ask what the hold-up was and when I might see the funds, only to get a canned response saying it’s being processed and takes 3-5 business days. So, I just sent another one—letting them know I've read the fine print and fully understand the policy, yet here we are, well past the 10-day mark and still nothing...
And then, yesterday, I went ahead and requested another withdrawal...
Inter Miami vs. Orlando City - both teams to score YES @ 1.90 SS
Both squads are backed into a corner—every single match is essentially a survival test... there’s no room for tactical playing or "calculating" here. They have to go for the win, because a draw helps absolutely no one. Expect fireworks from the opening whistle—I'm leaning heavily toward a high-scoring affair. Excelsior vs. Cambuur - Away Win @ 1.60 SS
It’s the final round of the USL Championship, and there’s only one big question left hanging: who secures that direct promotion? It’s down to Volendam or Cambuur. Both sides have been flawless over the last six games. For Cambuur, tonight is strictly about the win—if they pull it off and Volendam fails to beat the Go Ahead Eagles, they snatch first place and automatic promotion. Their opponent, Excelsior, is completely unmotivated... they would probably be fighting tooth and nail to stay in the league if places like Veendam and AGOOV hadn't already folded due to bankruptcy. As it stands, they’re just going through the motions—waiting for this final stretch to end so they can move on from this season as quickly as possible.
LA Galaxy vs. CF Montréal - Montréal fails to score @ 1.75
It's a classic matchup—the league's top-tier defense against one of the worst offenses out there (only San Jose struggled more this season). LA Galaxy has conceded just 25 goals in 30 matches, and only 8 of those happened at home in 15 games. They’ve slipped slightly in recent form—letting Real Madrid pull ahead in the standings—but this feels like the perfect moment to get back on track... Over their last six outings, they're sitting at 4:2, and in their last three meetings against Montréal, they've kept clean sheets (2:0, 1:0, and 0:0). I'd say 1.75 is a pretty solid value for this play...
