10 Matches You Should Punt On This Weekend

With the main focus expected to be in England and Spain, we take a closer look at some of the lesser-known leagues across the globe, as football slowly returns to normality during these difficult times. From a betting perspective, empty stadiums certainly have an influence on how each match pans out, so we may have to work our way around the system as the hunt to strike a 10/10 bet slip continues this weekend.

Watford v Middlesbrough – Friday

It’s certainly going to be a huge task for Watford this season, as it would be for any team that gets relegated. The Hornets struggled for consistency last term and went through a handful of coaches on their way down to the Championship. They now have Vladimir Ivic in their ranks, a Serbian coach who thrives on attacking football. Middlesbrough finished just five points off the relegation zone last season and scored the least amount of goals in the entire division. Watford have as many as 11 players missing, including the likes of Troy Deeney, Gerard Deulofeu and Ismaila Sarr, while Abdoulaye Doucoure has left to join Everton.

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock – Saturday

Aberdeen started the new campaign off in the worst possible way last month, losing in their opening game, albeit against a top-class Rangers side. Since then, they’ve won the three matches that followed successively, while they also won 6-0 in their UEFA Europa League qualifying matchup. Kilmarnock picked up their first win of the season last time out, though they have played two games more than their opponents. The visitors are also yet to win away from home.

1.FC Nuremberg v RB Leipzig – Saturday

With the German Bundesliga returning next week, cup action takes centre stage this weekend as the DFB-Pokal throws up some fascinating ties to punt on. RB Leipzig will be hoping to kick-on from where they’ve left off in previous seasons and start their season on a winning note. Nuremberg were almost relegated down to Germany’s third tier after surviving through a penalty shoot-out in the relegation/promotion play-offs. It could be yet another long season for the hosts, while Leipzig will be pushing for more of the same.

Partizan Belgrade v Rad Belgrade -Saturday

It seems to be a huge mismatch in the Belgrade derby as Serbian heavyweights, Partizan, host minnows, Rad. At home, Partizan have won both of their matches, scoring nine goals, while they’re yet to concede a goal, meanwhile, Rad have lost all of their away trips and are yet to score a goal on the road. Despite their excellent defensive record at home, Partizan are also the joint-leading scorers so far in the division.

Ulsan Hyundai v Daegu – Saturday

Korean log-leaders, Ulsan Hyundai, can return to winning ways after a disappointing draw against Gwangju. To be fair, Gwangju were unbeaten in five games before that. Despite the setback, Ulsan Hyundai stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches across all competitions. Daegu are winless in their last five encounters, losing four times in that run. Ulsan Hyundai have the best defensive record in the league, while they’re also by far the highest scoring team in the division.

Lille v Metz – Sunday

With the French Ligue 1 already two weeks into their season, punters should have more of an understanding on who to put their money on by now. Lille seems like the stand-out pick after claiming four points from their opening two matches. They also had the second-best home record last campaign, winning 11 of their 15 games played in a season that was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. Metz have played just once but suffered a home defeat to Monaco in their first encounter.

Bodo/Glimt v Odd BK – Sunday

Odds are the next club standing in Bodo/Glimt’s way of invincibility as the host look to go the entire campaign undefeated. From their 16 matches played, Bodo/Glimt have won 14, including all seven games played at home. They have a game in hand and still boast a 10-point lead at the top of the standings in Norway. Odds are definitely capable of an upset on their day, but given the form the home side are in, you can’t back against them.

Kawasaki Frontale v Sanfrecce Hiroshima – Sunday

Kawasaki Frontale boasts a healthy lead at the top of the Japanese top flight, sitting eight points clear above the team in second place. Next up is a fairly favourable tie to stretch their lead at the top of the standings against Sanfrecce Hiroshima who hover around the mid-table spots. Kawasaki Frontale are unbeaten at home and have won seven of their eight matches played at their turf, scoring 23 goals – seven of them coming from Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao.

Heracles Almelo v ADO Den Haag – Sunday

If ADO Den Haag have a similar season to the one they had last term, it could be worrying times ahead for the Dutch side. They were saved by the league’s decision to declare the season null and void, sitting on 19 points after 26 games, while they had also lost 10 of their 13 away games. Heracles Almelo were in the top half and were just finding their groove as their season came to an abrupt end. Heracles were impressive at home and can certainly back themselves to get the job done here.

Zenit v Arsenal Tula – Monday

Zenit will be hoping to continue their superb home form when they welcome Arsenal Tula to the Gazprom Arena on Monday afternoon. The champions of Russia went the entire season unbeaten on home soil last term and have already won their opening two games at their turf this campaign. They’ve picked up where they left off last season, while Arsenal Tula have lost both of their away matches played already.