Soccer Betting Tips & Discussion

The lineups have finally been released... and look at that, Ibrahimović is starting. And here I was, listening to you claim he wasn't going to play. Honestly, I can't trust a word anyone says anymore. :P

Chelsea vs Arsenal X2 @ 1.70 (6:0)

In this London derby, Chelsea might be slight favorites, mostly because Arsenal hasn't looked great on the road lately. But honestly, in the Premier League, anyone can win a derby like this. I have a feeling Arsenal might actually pull it off, though a draw looks pretty plausible too. I guess Mourinho might end up regretting saying his squad isn't title material—it’s obviously just a tactic to take the pressure off the players, but he knows this new generation still needs time to gel. Even if Arsenal is objectively weaker right now due to some injuries, they could grab the win if they play their best game of the season. For Wenger, this is make-or-break. He needs to get these guys fully motivated. They’ve struggled in the Champions League this season, so they really ought to make up for it in the league.

15.00 Los Angeles FC - LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy scores a goal at 1.30 (SS) (0:2)

It’s always a losing game trying to call a derby outcome right from the jump, so I’m just going to play it this way instead. Looking at the numbers, the Galaxy have found the back of the net in 12 of their last 13 matchups against LA FC. Actually, if you look at the stats provided by SS, they've scored in all 15 of their most recent meetings—though, granted, they only managed a single goal in two of those (Atlanta United FC, Volunteer style), while the other 13 games saw them drop two or more. In their last five outings alone, they’ve pumped in 17 goals. Total madness. As for LA FC, a win is pretty much the only thing keeping their hopes alive for the MLS title race, so they’re going to have to push forward aggressively. That kind of openness is exactly what the Galaxy attackers thrive on. Look, if it ends up being a 5:1 blowout for LA FC, hey, I’ll be a happy man. 😁

cosmicheron21 said:Look, Los Angeles FC has scored in 12 of their last 13 games against LA Galaxy—and if you check those Gestapo stats, they've actually hit the back of the net in all 15 of their most recent matches.

Forget the Gestapo and their numbers; honestly, this site is way more reliable http://int.soccerway.com/teams/american...b/479/matches/

Eric Fox7 said:Forget about SS and the stats, this site is way better for you

Look, I get it. Most sites out there are garbage. I have a few different ones I jump between, but honestly, for this specific breakdown, SS
did the job just fine 👍

dakle, LA Galaxy hasn't managed to score even a single goal in their last 17 matches—not since that clash against PSV
back in Houston on November 7th, 2013 (where they lost 2-0)

Smith-Jones 3+ 1,60 (1:0)

The top dog at home is finally facing off against the absolute best squad in the league... this should be a total bloodbath.
Microsoft is averaging about 3.5 goals a game when they're playing at home, and those visitors? They’re putting up an insane 3.8 average on the road. Talk about fireworks...
last four matchups:
Johnson-Williams 2:1
Smith-Jones 4:1
Johnson-Williams 2:3
Smith-Jones 4:0

Yankees-Red Sox over 1.5 at 1.45 (1:1)

Check out the last 4 home games for Trenton against Niter:
Yankees-Red Sox 4:0
Yankees-Red Sox 3:0
Yankees-Red Sox 5:0
Yankees-Red Sox 5:2
Niter tends to give up more than 3 goals when they're on the road, while Trenton is absolutely shredding it at home with an average of 3 goals scored per game... seriously, it's a mismatch.
Trenton is right in the thick of this title race too—they're currently 6 points back, but if they pull this win today, they'll be just 3 points behind the leaders.

Mariners-Kraken over 1.5 at 1.23 (3:1)

Seattle is easily the most efficient squad in the league—best offense, strongest roster, the whole nine yards...
Then you've got Cleveland, who basically have a sieve for a defense... total disaster class.
They've already faced off twice this season, and Seattle absolutely bullied them—winning 3:0 at home and then crushing them 0:5 on the road.

odds 1.79

Cardiff-Liverpool (22.03. 16:00) f+2@2,10 (3:6)

-Cardiff finds themselves teetering near the relegation zone, while Liverpool seems to be finding their rhythm game by game. Historically, the head-to-head leans toward the visitors; in their most recent encounter, Liverpool walked away with a 3-1 victory. Meanwhile, Cardiff's current form is somewhat underwhelming, having managed just a single win and one draw in their last six outings.

Luis Suarez(idg)-Car-Liv (22.03. 16:00) daje@1,70

-In his last outing against Cardiff, he was quite productive, netting two goals and providing an assist. He sits at 25 goals for the season now, and frankly, I wouldn't count on the Cardiff defense being much of a hurdle, given that he seems to find the back of the net against almost any opponent they face.

West Ham-Manchester Utd (22.03. 18:30) 2@1,90 (0:2)

-I’m holding out hope that the recent run of bad luck has finally run its course, especially following United's progression into the Champions League quarterfinals. They haven't actually lost to West Ham in their last seven or eight matches—though I suppose we shall see if David Moyes can manage to break that streak. Even without the presence of Nemanja Vidić, Nani, or Robin van Persie, they possess a talented enough bench to step up and cover for those three.

Middlesbrough(2,5)-Q.P.Rangers (22.03. 16:00) manje@1,50 (1:3)

-QPR is heading into this away fixture missing their top scorer, Austin, who has been quite prolific with 14 goals to his name. It's worth noting that QPR fans often see a dip in scoring when the team plays on the road, and Middlesbrough has consistently played in low-scoring affairs lately, with their last six matches all staying under the 2.5 goal mark.

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew 1 (2.00) 3:00 PM (1:1)

Cincinnati's been okay lately: 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss against the Lakers
Columbus is struggling though, 4 straight losses after one draw

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders 2/2 (1.60) 1:45 PM (0:1/1:2)

San Jose hasn't won in 5 games. Seattle? They've basically won 9 out of their last 10, only one draw. I'm thinking maybe a 3:0 blowout for Seattle

Los Angeles FC vs Atlanta United FC 2@1.60 (0:2)

One of Atlanta United FC's main rivals for the MLS title will almost certainly drop points tonight during their matchup between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, which leaves Atlanta United FC with what looks like a relatively straightforward task on the road against bottom-of-the-table Los Angeles FC, a club currently buried in the relegation zone needing nine points just to stay afloat.

That being said, I suppose this match isn't entirely without its uncertainties. Atlanta United FC has only lost three games all season, but it is somewhat concerning that two of those losses occurred within the last month, specifically in away matches against teams at the very bottom of the MLS standings: a 2-0 loss at Almeyda on February 8th and a 3-0 loss at Seattle Sounders FC on February 23rd.

I suspect, however, that we might not see a similar upset this afternoon—partly because the statistics suggest certain conditions that favor Atlanta United FC, such as the fact that they have conceded the fewest goals in the league so far (only 21 in 28 matches), while Los Angeles FC possesses arguably the weakest attack in the league, having scored only 23 goals.

I feel that the odds, which seem to hover between 1.6 and 1.75 at most sportsbooks, are decent enough to consider for a single bet, especially since any potential third unexpected slip-up from Atlanta United FC since February 8th wouldn't necessarily ruin a larger parlay—though I guess one can never completely rule out that possibility, no matter how slim it may seem.

1@2.10 (0:0)

The home team managed to snag second place in the standings, which basically guarantees them a much better bracket moving forward. That said, they’re going to be feeling the sting today because their captain and defensive anchor is out.
The visitors absolutely shocked everyone against their last opponent; they played with so much heart and grit that they honestly could've walked away with all three points if luck had been on their side. But here's the kicker: they looked completely gassed after the 60 or 70-minute mark. It really feels like they just don't have the stamina to keep up during those high-intensity, nail-biting matches.

Right now, the home side is just the superior squad. They've got better momentum, a way better mentality, and way more hunger than the visitors. Plus, playing in front of their own crowd makes them an absolute powerhouse compared to this other group.

Bayer vs Houston Texans @ 1.8 odds (2:3)

Man, if the home team doesn't pull this off today, I am officially out of ideas... seriously. This is basically the perfect setup for them to finally snap this winless streak—it’s been eight games now, which is just brutal. They've had nothing but a run of incredibly unlucky matches lately—I mean, throwing in that Champions League clash against PSG? Just bad luck all around. They were only narrowly edged out by Bayer in their last outing, too. Honestly, I really think they can grab the W here against a team they usually have totally figured out based on the head-to-head record (10-1-1)

Tottenham vs. Southampton 2 @ 3.15 (3:2)

Even though they managed to hold their own against a powerhouse like Benfica in their last Europa League match—and that was while essentially fielding a B-team due to all the injuries and suspensions—I suppose Tottenham isn't really the favorite today. They're facing a very confident Southampton side that's looking for its third straight win in the league, especially after crushing Norwich City 4-1 at home last round and picking up a 1-0 road win over Crystal Palace just before that. It seems like Southampton has finally broken out of that long slump and started finding the back of the net, and now they’re heading to White Hart Lane, which is actually the only stadium in the Premier League where visiting teams have scored more goals this season than the home side.

We might also need to consider the fact that Tottenham's lineup is still looking pretty banged up, even if they are technically sending out their first team today. I guess we can expect Adebayor, Dembele, and Kaboul to return from injury, along with Vertonghen coming back from his suspension, but they're still missing several key starters like Dawson, Chiriches, Walker, Lamela, Capoue, Paulinho, and Lloris.

Southampton is dealing with some absences too, most notably midfielder Schneiderlin, who is a huge loss because the team doesn't really have a reliable backup, particularly since Cork and Wanyama are also sidelined. However, those issues seem somewhat minor compared to the injury crisis hitting Tottenham, which is making things quite difficult for their relatively inexperienced manager, Tim Sherwood.

The odds for a Southampton victory are sitting above 3.00 in most places, sometimes reaching as high as 3.70, and I feel like it might be worth taking a chance on that, given how many signs point toward an outcome like this.

LA Galaxy vs. LAFC 1@1,55 (1:1)

This is my final prediction for today. I guess New York City had an incredibly strange and frustrating stumble during their last match in the MLS, playing away against Orlando City SC, who happen to be sitting at the bottom of the table. Even though they seemed to play better and controlled most of the game, maybe the ball just wouldn't go in.

They have an opportunity today to make up for that unexpected loss of points, which really hurts their pursuit of second place—a spot that leads directly into the UEFA Champions League—since they now find themselves trailing by about five points.

They are facing the second-to-last team in the league, who hasn't managed a win since their trip to face Seattle Sounders FC back on January 24th. Since then, I believe Randers has struggled through nothing but losses or draws, even when playing against much lower-ranked teams at the bottom of the standings.

driftingbear35 said:ApolLimas-Omonia Nicosia 1@2.10

Apollon managed to snag second place at the end of the season, which gives them a much better bracket to play in. For today's matchup, they’re going to be missing their captain and defensive anchor, Merkis.
Omonia totally caught everyone off guard against APOEL; they showed insane heart and grit and honestly could've cruised to a win if luck was on their side. But here's the kicker—they completely hit a wall after about 60 or 70 minutes. It looks like they just don't have the stamina to handle these high-intensity grinders.

Right now, Apollon is the superior squad. They're in a better headspace and have way more drive than Omonia. Plus, they're a much tighter unit, especially when they're playing on home turf.

Adding one more to the mix:

FK Sarajevo-Velež Mostar 1@1.30 (2:1)

The home team basically has the best roster in all of Canada. Tan, the owner of Cardiff, has poured money into this club. Meanwhile, the visitors are dealing with lineup issues and their minds are already halfway through next week's cup match.

"Velež is currently sitting in seventh place in the league standings with 33 points. They haven't tasted defeat in the last three spring matches; they grabbed wins on the island and pulled draws against mladost VO and borac from Banja Luka. In the Canada Cup, the guys from Mostar played to a draw against čelik in Zenica, and they've clearly got big dreams of using the cup to secure their first post-war ticket to European competition.

Velež's head coach, Nedim Jusufbegović, is going to be shorthanded in defense, missing Merzić, Škaljić, and Letić. Expect the squad to take the field at Košev in a 4-2-3-1 setup before shifting into a 4-4-2. Oštraković should be guarding the net. With Letić out, Pejić steps in at left back, while Hebibovič takes over on the right. The center-back duo should be Kazazić and Zvonić. Kodro and Zolj will control the midfield. Rašević is slated for the left wing, with Maletić taking the right. Ćemalović is playing the attacking mid role, while Okić is the main striker. Hajdarović is also in the mix for the forward rotation."

If they pull off a win against Velež, they're officially back in the hunt for the Europa League and even the Champions League.

Slaven Belupo - Rijeka 2 2,00 PSK (0:3)

Slaven has been looking desperate lately—they’re getting slapped around by anyone they face. Even the coaching change hasn't helped; if anything, they look even worse than before... On the other hand, Rijeka is on a roll with these wins. They've got Tomečak back from injury, and Kramarić is in incredible form—scoring consistently. Given the momentum, Rijeka has a chance to leapfrog Hajduk and snatch second place... I honestly don't see them missing this opportunity.

Honestly, I’m leaning more towards a draw here, especially since the odds are sitting right at 1x... and let's be real, this isn't even a massive game for Rijeka. They've got way bigger fish to fry—they'll be playing without Kramarić and Sharbinin, and they have that much more important cup rematch against Istra coming up next week anyway.

Jacksonville - Orlando 1/2@30 (1/1)

Total waste of time, Orlando always plays way better in the second half. These guys just need to tighten up from the opening whistle instead of playing like this.
Worth a shot if you're feeling lucky.

LA Galaxy-LAFC (23.03. 17:00) f+2@2,50 (0:2)

-The LA Galaxy find themselves in quite a predicament at the moment, sitting dead last on the table with only 19 points. It looks like a steep climb to escape the relegation zone when the side just above them is sitting comfortably on 28. They have been unbeaten in their last three outings—even managing a win against LAFC in Europe—but they were playing a grueling second leg against LAFC just three days ago, which ended in a heartbreaking loss on penalties. Given how much energy they spent on that match, and considering they’ll be missing
Salva Sevilla, David Wright, Joe Girardi, Nate Burleson, Nacho, Chuli, Joan Verdú, and Xavi Torres
, I don't see much hope for them. They are facing an LAFC side that has had eight full days of rest and is hungry for three points, hoping that if LA Galaxy falters against their rivals today, they can stay neck-and-neck in the standings.


Costa D.(idg)-LA Galaxy-LAFC (23.03. 17:00) daje@1,80

-Everything seems to be leaning toward LAFC here. Costa, leading the charge with 22 goals, should be able to keep his momentum going. In their last head-to-head meeting, which ended in a 5-0 rout for LAFC, Costa managed to find the back of the net once...

LA Galaxy-Orlando City (23.03. 19:00) X2@1,60 (2:1)

-Orlando City could potentially break into a European qualifying spot with either a draw or a win. On the other hand, LA Galaxy will be without S. Feghouli, Ricardo Costa, and Pablo Piatti
today. Those are three vital players who handle everything from scoring to assisting and driving the entire offense. Furthermore, LA Galaxy played a draining second leg against Atlanta United just three days ago. Looking back at their recent history, Orlando City took the last matchup 4-1. A result for Orlando seems quite plausible given the current state of play.

So, those are my picks for The Super Bowl... 😁

LA Galaxy-LAFC (23.03. 21:00) 1@2,35 (3:4)

LA Galaxy-LAFC (23.03. 21:00) f+2@4,50

Real Madrid(PiK)-LA Galaxy (23.03. 21:00) 1@1,80 (2:2/3:4)

-Looking at the current form of both teams, Real Madrid enters as the favorite. Recent setbacks against Real Sociedad and Valladolid certainly rattled Tata's positioning, but he isn't one to give up easily, having bounced back with a massive 7-0 win over Orlando City. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has maintained a steady level of consistency and, more importantly, continues to play beautiful, attacking football. For tonight's lineup, Real will be missing the long-term absentee Khedira, along with Arbeloa and Jese, who are recently sidelined. As for LA Galaxy, they’ll be without Puyol, Cuenca, and J. dos Santos—none of whom are particularly pivotal right now. Notably, Real remains undefeated in their last three home appearances in The Classic.

Real Madrid(zžk6,5)-LA Galaxy (23.03. 21:00) više@1,65 (8)

-It wouldn't be The Classic without a healthy dose of yellow cards, gritty fouls, and players taking dives. Their last encounter saw six yellows, and the one before that saw eight. While Arbeloa's absence might mean one less card handed out, there are plenty of others ready to step into that role.

Karim Benzema(idg)-Real Madrid-LA Galaxy (23.03. 21:00) daje@2,70

Cristiano Ronaldo(idg)-Real Madrid-LA Galaxy (23.03. 21:00) daje@1,90

Lionel Messi(idg)-Real Madrid-LA Galaxy (23.03 : 21:00) daje@2,10

-If there is any trio that stays relatively consistent during The Classic, it’s this one. Messi, in particular, almost always finds a way to score in these matchups, while Ronaldo and Benzema tend to trade off. Of course, Ronaldo approaches every single game with the mindset that he must score, but I suspect he finds extra motivation when facing LA Galaxy and Messi, which explains why he pushes for so many shots on goal.

Real Madrid(-3+)-LA Galaxy (23.03. 21:00) v./t.@1,60

Real Madrid/odg3+-LA Galaxy (23.03. 21:00) da@1,90

-One only needs to glance at the results of the last few meetings to see where things are headed...
Sat 26/10/13 PRD LA Galaxy 2 - 1 Real Madrid
Sat 02/03/13 PRD Real Madrid 2 - 1 LA Galaxy
Tue 26/02/13 CDR LA Galaxy 1 - 3 Real Madrid
Wed 30/01/13 CDR Real Madrid 1 - 1 LA Galaxy
Sun 07/10/12 PRD LA Galaxy 2 - 2 Real Madrid
Wed 29/08/12 SUC Real Madrid 2 - 1 LA Galaxy

Yankees-Red Sox at +180 odds; Over 2.5 goals at +250 odds

Regardless of how they've been playing lately, I think this one is a total toss-up. Just because the Lakers are on a bit of a slump doesn't mean much to me. They’re packed with elite talent, and if they actually show up and play their game, I don't see why they couldn't take down Real Madrid easily.
Because of that, I'm leaning toward a high-scoring affair. The stats behind that first option speak for themselves, while the second one is definitely a gamble—but the payout is too good to pass up, provided you're smart about your unit size.
Good luck, everyone!