​Friendly Competition -- Lithuania vs Finland

 

 

Analysis:

The Tuesday matchup between the Atlanta Dream (14-19) and the Las Vegas Aces (23-10) will take place at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

 

Lithuania

With only one loss in six games, Lithuania easily advanced to the World Cup second round of qualifying. They face formidable opponents, such as France. With Estonia, the team held two meetings to begin the planning process. The Lithuanians won the first one with relative ease (84:70). A few days later, they encountered some reasonable opposition, albeit they only allowed the other team to draw level with them in the final score of 90:88.

 

Finland

Finland have seen a surge in basketball. Even Slovenia were defeated by them during the World Cup qualification round. They finished in second position after the second round, with only one miss allowed in six matches. The Finns engaged Belgium twice as they started to get ready for them. They were defeated with a score of 71:75 in the first match, but a few days later, they exacted revenge and won 80:71.

 

Prediction

Lithuania have a considerable edge in h2h competition. But since then, the opposition's skill level has increased. Finland do not now appear to be a glaring outsider. In a recent meeting, the Lithuanians gave in to laziness, which is why they nearly lost against Estonia.

 

 

Pick: Finland +17.5

England League Cup - Blackpool vs Barrow Prediction

 

 

Analysis:

Blackpool will go face to face with Barrow on 9th August

 

Blackpool

After Blackpool concluded the past season in the lower half of the standings in Championship, Blackpool is looking to get better result this season in the second rank of English Premier league football. Blackpool started the new campaign with a win and a loss, putting them somewhere in the center of the standings once more. Blackpool played Stoke City in their previous match and this was a travel game at Bet365 Stadium. The scoreline was a 2-0 defeat in this Championship encounter. Meanwhile, Blackpool is currently without Anderson, Garbutt, Lawrence Gabriel, who are all at the moment on their injury list.

 

Barrow

In as much as Barrow ended the past season just a spot above the relegation zone in League Two, Barrow was also 6 points clear of the first team in it and was never in real danger. Meanwhile, they kicked off the new season in excellent form with a couple of exciting victories in the first 2 rounds. Barrow last League 2 encounter was against Bradford City and the match finished in a 3-2 victory. The game was played at The Dunes Hotel Stadium, with Ben Whitfield, Josh Gordon and Josh Kay netting goals. Anyway, Barrow also has their complete squad at their manager's disposal, without any suspensions or injuries.

 

Verdict:

Blackpool defeated Barrow in their previous three most recent encounters and they defeated them by 2 or more goals in 2 of those 3 matches played. That is exactly what I expect from this upcoming duel as well with lots of goals.

 

O/U Goals : Over 2.5 Goals

UEFA Champions League - Midtjylland vs Benfica

 

Analysis:

At 18:45, 9th Aug 2022, Champions League Qualifications Round at Cepheus Park Randers, Rander, Demark, where Midtylland goes head to head against Benfica. Referee Srdan

 

Midtjylland

Midtylland has left the fortress wondering how they got to the position that their last two matches were a bad performance from the team. They were able to play five matches (L2, D2, W1) with one home match being a loss so they failed at every attempt, they have not kept clean sheets in the last five matches and they were able to score 11 goals. They have brought out their best and learned from their previous match against Benfica which is going to be a tough match tomorrow.

 

Benfica

The possession at the competition is great and willing to play with the ability to score. They have always found the right functions and the stability to perform well at the table and they keep scoring and keeping straight 5 wins with a total of 21 goals in their last five matches. Haven't lost in 8 matches both home and away games with massive wins in their last match that even brought a clean sheet to run.

 

Verdict

With only one single win, Midtylland may even level the ground floor against Benfica but Benfica are out to win the game as they have more advantage and in their last meetings, Benfica will secure the win.

 

Pick: OVER 1.5

 

Prediction: 2

English Premier League - Everton vs Chelsea Prediction

 

 

Analysis:

This English Premier League game will see Everton facing off against Chelsea at their home ground of Goodison Park

 

 

Everton

Everton are up against their first guests, Chelsea. Everton have lost 12 of their previous 20 games. They are expected to play better but anyway they will face a very tough job at the beginning of this campaign because they are playing against one of the best teams in the league.

 

Everton are not in a better shape and form, therefore would play a defensive game here striving not to concede a good number of goals. Playing at home soil is an advantage for Everton here as they have not been defeated at home by Chelsea in the past 10 played matches.

 

The departure of Richarlison will really affect Everton defense patterns. After 10 meetings between the both teams it only point to 4 victories for Everton, with 3 games being drawn, that leaves 3 wins for Chelsea. Everton have maintained a slight advantage in recent matches with Chelsea, securing one more win in the last 6 duels. They really have a lot of catching up to do regarding this fixture.

 

 

Chelsea

Despite Chelsea finishing 3rd and sealed the UEFA Champions League group stage, they really had a messy season, as they dropped out of the title race earlier than expected, finishing the season 19 points behind champions Manchester City.

 

Chelsea defeated Watford in their last match, winning the Premier League clash with a 2-1 score line. They have not been defeated in any of their last 4 matches. They were great on their away trips at the end of the previous season as they won 6 of their past 10 away matches.

 

 

Verdict:

Everton have not been defeated at home by Chelsea in the past 10 played matches. Thus they will struggle for a 5th unbeaten home streak at Goodison Park.

 

 

AH Pick: Home (+0.5/+1)

 

 

Portugal Primeira Luga- Benfica vs FC Arouca

 

 

Analysis:

Pick: 1

The match between Benfica vs FC Arouca for the Portugal Primeira Liga competition is scheduled to be played on 05 August, 2022. The match kicks off at 20:15 UK time. It will take place at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, in Lisboa.

 

Benfica

New coach Schmidt is renowned for high-intensity attacking play with plenty of risks and occasional lapses at the back – which is what has been delivered throughout the Eagles’ pre-season program too. Benfica won all five warm-up games with at least three goals in four of them and then took the Danish team apart at the Luz in a 4-1 Champions League qualifying victory that could easily have seen them score six or seven.

 

FC Arouca

It’s going to be a hard ask for Arouca, a team that stayed up by a couple of points after gaining promotion in 2020-21, to keep the scoreline from getting embarrassing on Friday – even if Schmidt decides to rest a couple of players for the second leg in Herning.

 

Verdict

A healthy 59% of Benfica’s home league games last season featured more than three goals – and that was before Schmidt arrived – so we are confident of the win and over 2.5 goals

UEFA Europa Conference League - CSKA Sofia Vs St. Patricks Athletic Prediction

 

 

Pick:1x2  CSKA Sofia  @1.45

 

Analysis:

CSKA Sofia

CSKA Sofia are set and ready to close in on another appearance. They have a wonderful record ahead of this match. They have 6 win and draw one of their last 7 games. Within that period, CSKA Sofia kept 6 good clean sheets.

 

St. Patricks Athletic

St. Patricks Athletic recorded (2W, 3D, 2L) in their last 7 games. They had 2 clean sheets during that period, a record that is very far below CSKA Sofia performance in as many games.

 

Verdict:

Undoubtedly, CSKA Sofia will win this match. They have recorded a good run both defensively and in offensive ways ahead of this game.

​UEFA Champions League -- Qarabag vs Ferencvarosi TC Game Preview

 

 

Analysis:

On Wednesday night, Ferencvaros will travel to Qarabag FK in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round matchup.

 

Qarabag

For the eighth time in 2021–22, Qarabag won the Azerbaijan Premier League, securing their place in the first round of the 2022–23 Champions League qualification. In the first round of this season's competition, they outperformed Lech Poznan 5-2 on the road to triumph, and in the last round, they defeated Zurich 5-4.

 

Ferencvarosi TC

33-time Hungarian champions Ferencvaros finished 11 points ahead of the competition last year, securing their place in the first round of this year's European Cup qualification. They defeated Tobol 5-1 overall in the first round, but they had to overcome a deficit to defeat Slovan Bratislava 4-1 away from home the previous time around to proceed to this round of the competition.

 

Prediction

The opponent will be hosted by Karabakh at home, which will provide difficulties for several rivals. Karabakh are adept at surprising opponents and are familiar with every hiccup in its home ground. It was wise to choose the hosts' triumph with a safety net.

 

 

Pick: Qarabag (0) in AH