Watford vs Arsenal
I am betting Watford +1 and Under 2.5 Goals scored here, Watford will set up in a very defensive formation and shape, we have seen since Hodgson has come in, they are a defensive side first and under Roy Hodgson they are only conceding an average of 1.2 goals per match compared to an average of 2 goals conceded prior. Hodgson tactics are to make sure they are solid and then try and nick a goal, Hodgson will not change and this tactic leads to low scoring games. I am not sure Arsenal will be able to break down Watford with any degree of ease, I think it will be a struggle and I think Watford +1 is worth a bet as well as under 2.5 goals a point would be a good result for Watford but Watford themselves are goal shy scoring 4 goals in 10 matches and everything points to a low scoring match and I think if there is a lack of goals it would make sense to bet +1 Watford.
Watford +1 min odds 2.02
Under 2.5 Goals min odds 1.87
Manchester City vs Manchester United
I am betting Under 3 goals here and Manchester United +1.25, I think this is another game that will play tighter than the betting markets suggest they will, 6 out of the last 6 matches have finished under 2.5 goals so I think Under 3 goals is a fair shout, this United side want to play on the counter attack and they have not been as bad in recent weeks as their results have suggested they have been while I believe City are the opposite, they could easily have dropped more points especially last week away at Everton, star midfielder Ruben Dias is out injured for this match. City have only won 2 of the last 6 meetings between these sides and with the pacey United attack, we see Ronaldo dropped today because of the need for speed in the United team but they have the equipment give City a proper game of it and I think they will.
Manchester United +1.25 min odds 1.97
Under 3 Goals scored min odds 1.90
Livingston vs Celtic
Livi make it very difficult on their own patch when teams come to visit but they have a great record v Celtic, Celtic’s have not won the last 5 times they have played Livi away from home and they play a Livingston team in great form too while it feels like Celtic are going through a mini sticky patch. Celtic drew 0-0 at Hibs and they only overcame lesser the lights of St Mirren, Dundee and Dundee United after real struggles first. I think Livi will put up a great fight today so betting Livi +1.25 and under 2.5 goals, you have to go back to 2007 to find the last time Celtic won at the Tony Macaroni stadium.
Livingston +1.25 min odds 1.93
Under 2.5 Goals 1.94
Banfield vs Defensa y Justicia
Thanks to a freekick netted by Giuliano Galoppo, Banfield secured an important 1-0 away success at Platense to become group A leaders on eight points, one above six other teams. Diego Dabove’s men also made it eight league games without defeat, having won three and drawn five in that spell. At home, El Taladro have been unbeaten in the last four games, winning two and drawing two since losing to Aldosivi in November.
Defensa y Justicia are returning to their usual standards. Last time out, the team looked in good shape to beat Gimnasia LP 3-2 at home to make it seven points in four rounds in the Copa Liga Profesional, which places them into the playoffs zone in group A. In fact, the team are on three matches unbeaten, having won two and lost one since losing at Newell’s Old Boys in the season opener (which was their only loss across the last 16 league games, along with 12 victories and three draws).
Defensa has one of the three worst defenses in the league with 8 goals conceded in 8 rounds but they are always dangerous in attack as well and they are one of the top three attacks, so I expect to see goals here.
BET: OVER 2.25 @ 1.95
Newell’s vs Atletico Tucuman
Newell’s Old Boys stopped a two-game losing streak last Monday, when they managed to beat Talleres 2-1 away thanks to goals from Nicolas Castro and Cristian Lema. Javier Sanguinetti’s men are now on six points in the first four rounds in the Copa Liga Profesional, trailing fourth-placed Defensa y Justicia by one. La Lepra lost their last home match to River Plate two weeks ago, which broke a six-match unbeaten run at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa (four victories and two draws without even conceding).
Thanks to Federico Andrada’s goal in the first half, Atletico Tucuman stopped a 12-match winless streak of four draws and eight losses in the league by beating Patronato 1-0 at home last Tuesday. Juan Manuel Azconzabal’s men made it four points in as many games in the Copa Liga Profesional to also open a healthy 15-point gap over the first relegation spot in the points average table, occupied by their last opponents. On a sorry note, El Decano secured a single point from the last 30 on offer as the visiting side.
Newell’s has been strong at home, besides the defeat vs River and they will face an Atletico Tucuman that has been terrible playing away, so this should be a home win.
BET: Newell’s -0.5 @ 1.99
Boca vs Huracan
Boca Juniors had to settle for a 2-2 away draw at Independiente in a thrilling match last Saturday, when striker Dario Benedetto netted a brace. As a result, they made it eight points in this competition to remain occupying one of the playoff spots in group B and also reached seven games without defeat in league action (three victories and four stalemates). El Xeneize also are on five home matches unbeaten in domestic competitions, winning three and drawing two. They will return to La Bombonera after hosting Rosario Central at Velez Sarsfield two weeks ago.
Huracan showed great improvements in round four and put an end to a two-match losing streak in league action by beating Velez Sarsfield 2-0 at home (goals from Jonathan Candia and Matias Coccaro). Therefore, the team are now on six points in the Copa Liga Profesional group B table, trailing the last playoff berth by goal difference. Nevertheless, El Globo lost four of their last five away matches, just beating Rosario Central (4-1 in December) in that time.
Boca might not be the most reliable team, but they should have enough to beat this irregular Huracan at home.
BET: Boca -1 @ 2.05
