Zwolle v ADO Den Haag, Sunday, 1.30pm
WITH a Europa League play-off place still a possibility, Raymond van Barneveld's beloved ADO Den Haag travel to the Ijsseldelta Stadium knowing three points is vital if they are to leapfrog rivals Heerenveen in dramatic, last-day style.
The visitors sit only two points behind the all-important eighth spot and come into this fixture with a moral-boosting victory over Feyenoord in their last outing – which notably ended the Rotterdam side's push for Champions League football.
With five places and four points separating these two sides, it would be fair to say both have endured an inconsistent campaign. With little movement from both their league positions throughout the season, it is no surprise neither side has managed to put a run of three wins together throughout the year.
This combined with the lack of a prolific scorer between them means both sides have had to rely on grinding out victories and taking points off the sides around them.
Prolific … perhaps not but Den Haag's Dutch striker Mike van Duinen has performed well this season. With 11 goals to his name and an ever-present in the starting side, the 21-year-old looks to have a bright future ahead of him in the Eredivisie.
With nothing to play for except for an 11th-placed finish, the hosts will come into this fixture with their summer holiday heads on.
Escaping the relegation play-offs with back-to-back wins a fortnight ago, Art Langeler's side will be happy with their debut Eredivisie season safe in the knowledge they will be playing top-flight football again next campaign.
Although they have only managed to pick up nine victories – their 3-1 away win to PSV will surely rank highly on the list of this season's achievements.
Relying on Heerenveen or Groningen dropping points, Den Haag know their fate is out of their hands. However, with three points the minimum requirement for Maurice Steijn's side, expect them to come out strongly in Zwolle doing all they can to keep the pressure up on a nervy last day in the Eredivisie.
With everything else settled, all eyes will be on this race for eighth place, which in turn will dot the i's and cross the t's on another exciting Eredivisie season.
Recommended Bet
Back ADO Den Haag to win @ 2.3
Back a 2-0 ADO Den Haag win @ 6.0
Genk v Anderlecht, Sunday, 5pm
WITH Anderlecht getting their title bid back on track last weekend the topsy-turvy nature of the Belgian play-off continues this weekend as Genk play hosts in a crucial clash at the Cristal Arena.
With four points being taken in four play-off fixtures, Anderlecht fans were rightly starting to fear the worst as the chasing pack closed in on the title holders.
After winning the regular season by a comfortable distance, the play-off format has played into the hands of the title pretenders with pressure coming from all angles.
A Genk win could see them move top after starting this weekend in fourth and with three games to go the smallest of margins could end up deciding whose home the Belgian title goes to.
The hosts have made easier work of the play-offs than their visitors so far. Taking 11 points from seven games, Genk have looked genuine title contenders and confirmed this status last weekend with a phenomenal 4-0 away win against in-from Zulte-Waregem.
Finishing third in the regular season, Mario Been's side were considered the best of the rest as the chasing pack failed to keep up with the pace set by Anderlecht and Zulte. With the best form coming into the play-offs, a big push for the title was expected and so far the Genk boys haven't disappointed.
In-form striker Jelle Vossen has looked dangerous all season. Scoring 20 goals in the previous two seasons he is only three away from that incredible feat of consistency again and with three games remaining the Belgian striker will fancy his chances of reaching that target.
With only two wins from their seven play-off games so far for Anderlecht, John van der Brom knows the importance of this weekend's fixture and will be eager as ever to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since February.
As ever their strikeforce will be their main threat. Mbokani, de Sutter and Jovanovic haven't been shy of goals this season and will be confident of finding holes in a Genk defence that have been rather generous to attackers this season.
An Anderlecht win will see them retain their two-point lead at the top of the tree (at the very least) and with Zulte and Club Brugge facing tricky away ties the purple and white's could have one hand back on their title after this weekend has concluded.
Recommended Bet
Back Anderlecht to win @ 2.28
Back 2-1 Anderlecht @ 9.4
Milesey (Betfair)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
when u say lay what do u mean by that milesey??
BET AGAINST, in other words, backing Roma win/draw, so you are backing against a Milan win, so when you Lay a team, the draw, or other team to win, gives you a win, if you Lay a horse, then your backing the rest of the field, for your saying that horse won’t win, therefore if anything else wins you WIN.
Milesey
ATLETICO MADRID v BARCELONA
Atletico Madrid will come into the game with Barcelona from a very packed week, after having played Celta Vigo on Wednesday. Before the game with Celta Vigo, Atletico Madrid finished the game against Deportivo La Coruna in a goalless draw. They have a fantastic home record, but their motivation might waver slightly with the Copa Del Rey final against Real Madrid next week.
The Colchoneros have not been able to continue their scorching early- to mid-season form, but have remained consistent enough to get a top-three spot – something which means Radamel Falcao may well stay with the club.
Simeone is not one for rotation, but with Friday’s Copa Del Rey final approaching, he may give starts to Crisitian Rodríguez and Cata Díaz. Mario Suarez is doubtful through injury, but Thibaut Courtois and Diego Costa should feature after recovering from their respective ailments.
Barca may already be champions if Real Madrid have been beaten away to Espanyol on Saturday night. Barcelona beat Real Betis with 4-2 in a game that showed the state of decline Barca is in, seeing as they were led on the scoring table twice, but thanks to the genius they can’t play without (Leo Messi, of course) who scored twice, and David Villa who is starting to gain some confidence in the game after his injury, they won the match.
Tito Vilanova will have Victor Valdes back to the side and also Lionel Messi finally looks fit enough to start and having scored a brace against los Verdiblancos. Javier Mascherano rejoined regular training after suffering a knee injury a month ago. Pedro has recovered from his stomach bug and Sergio Busquets was given the green light. Both players will be available and should make the starting lineup. Eric Abidal and Carles Puyol are undergoing individual training regimes and should soon bolster the defensive ranks
Atletico’s striker Radamel Falcao has scored 33 goals in 38 appearances this term while Lionel Messi has netted 46 Liga goals this season in 31 appearances.
Barcelona have won their last 5 matches against Atletico in all competitions. There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 26 of Barcelona’s last 29 games in La Liga. The Blaugrana have scored at least 2 goals in 28 of their last 31 league matches.
Barcelona @ 1.95 888sport
1:3 Correct Score @ 15.00 totesport
Over 2,5 goals @ 1.55 mybet
Messi anytime goalscorer @ 1.62 paddypower
Milesey
Nice write up on the Anderlecht game Milesey.
If Anderlecht want to win the title and guarantee the group stages of the champions league next season, they need to win this game.Especially after Waregem won last night.
Will have a few quid on Anderlecht at 5/4
Recommended Bet
Back Anderlecht to win @ 2.28
Back 2-1 Anderlecht @ 9.4
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RESULT
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BELGIUM: Jupiler League – Championship Group
Genk 1 – 2 Anderlecht
Milesey
yes i understand what u mean by lay thanks,another few winners today nice pick on anderlecht