This weekend's football action is packed with thrilling games, and we're starting with a look at the Austrian Bundesliga.
Sturm Graz is taking on BW Linz on Saturday, and there's plenty to talk about. Graz has had a strong start, winning three of their first four league games, while Linz has struggled in the top league.
We'll dive into this match and more as we go through our weekend treble. Stay tuned for all the details!
Acca Leg 1: Sturm Graz v BW Linz, Saturday, 4pm
The first leg of our weekend treble sees us take in action from the Austrian Bundesliga where Sturm Graz look to maintain their strong start to the campaign with a home encounter versus BW Linz, who have had quite the opposite start to life in the top league.
Sturm Graz have had to negotiate European qualification games over the course of this month alongside their league action, so they can be upgraded on a count of them winning three of their first four league battles. I say an upgrade as they did have two UEFA Champions League qualification clashes with PSV Eindhoven to contend with, and whilst they failed to progress in that tie, the fact they’ve still been focused on their league form is a big tick in my eyes. They did draw at home to Austria Klagenfurt in between both legs when a 1.40 home favourite, but they did play most of that match with ten men. Now they can put Europe to one side for now, they can fully focus on Bundesliga fixtures, and they’ll expect three points here.
BW Linz haven’t quite maintained the momentum they earned from last season after winning promotion out of 2. Liga, going winless in four, including three defeats. Their last two losses saw them go down 2-0 to LASK and 5-0 at home to Rapid Vienna, who I’d put as sides in a similar bracket to that of Sturm Graz, but if anything just behind. Only usual league champions Salzburg finished ahead of Graz last season. This is a team used to winning games, and BW Linz are likely to have to take their medicine in this one and try to pinch a point at best.
Sturm Graz are yet to concede a league goal this season, whereas BW Linz have already shipped 12 goals; an average of 3.00 per game. That may continue here, especially with Sturm Graz beating this handicap in their opening two league games, which came before they had European clashes as a bit of a distraction. Now they’ve had a week to prepare for this, they should be set for a commanding performance.
I’m happy to back Sturm Graz -1, meaning we only get a pay-out if they win by at least a two-goal margin. I just don’t see that not happening.
Acca Leg 2: Sevilla v Girona – Saturday, 8.30pm
The second part of our weekend acca presents an attractive-looking contest coming out of Spain when Sevilla and Girona go head-to-head in La Liga. Sevilla are another side that have had something of a distraction in the opening weeks of the season when they had to take on Manchester City in the UEFA Super Cup Final, which they lost on penalties. That was arguably their best performance of the season, as they’ve been anything but convincing in league action.
Sevilla have lost both of their opening league games, despite being favourites to win on each occasion. Arguably this clash with Girona is tougher than the other two, especially given the type of game Girona likes to play. They’ve proved especially hard to beat away from home for some time. Even so, of their nine away league losses last season, only one of those was by more than a one goal margin, which isn’t bad considering they were a newly-promoted side last season.
Saturday’s away team have begun the season with a strong away draw at Real Sociedad, before enjoying a comfortable home success over Getafe by a 3-0 score. Considering they are now minus top scorer from last season Taty Castellanos, they too can be upgraded for their start to the campaign. All the pressure is really on Sevilla here, who are expected to challenge near the top of the standings after their struggles last season, which also included a very poor start.
Even though we’re at an early stage, there will be a degree of desperation from Sevilla to win this one. Girona did the double over them last season so they travel without fear, knowing they can get the job done here. Sevilla are really in need of new signings as well, especially with quite an ageing side at their disposal. Girona remains a club on the up, and they’ll come here expecting a positive outcome.
I do think Both Teams to Score is the right play here to form out the second leg of three selections. I do not trust Sevilla defensively in the slightest, and there has been no evidence in their opening games to suggest they can keep a clean sheet. Girona will come under pressure at times though, it is just how they play on the road. Sevilla are good for a goal, but they are favourites here and I wouldn’t touch that at all.
Acca Leg 3: Aarhus v Lyngby, Sunday, 1pm
Finally, we take in a Danish Superliga clash between Aarhus and Lyngby, which should be an intriguing contest on the West Coast of the country. It certainly isn’t the most attractive of clashes on the card from this league across the weekend, but I have a pretty confident play that jumped straight off the page.
Aarhus are a team that is starting to break into those bracket of clubs that will regularly contest the European qualification spots in this division. It might be a stretch to expect them to win the league any time soon, but they are amongst the teams just below that, and they’ll win their fair share of matches this season. They’ll expect three points at home to a Lyngby outfit that tends to struggle playing away from home. However, both have started the campaign with identical form, but Aarhus are odds-on here to win and make it four unbeaten in all competitions.
It was a memorable campaign for Aarhus last season after earning a spot in Europe, but they found Club Brugge too hot to handle over two legs, ending their European dream really before it even begun. Again, having to negotiate and focus on those qualifiers early in the season can be tricky, but the only league loss to their name came at home to in-form Nordsjaelland, which can between both ties with the Belgian outfit.
Now Aarhus do play an eye-catching brand of football and they will keep the ball and look to play through the thirds. The issue I have with them is they don’t always kick on, and tend to make heavy work despite looking in good control in many matches they play. They’ve failed to win their last two despite scoring first; both ending in draws. This wasn’t so much of an issue last season, but it is still early days, so things could change in that regard.
As mentioned, the hosts will expect to beat Lyngby, they are just the sort of team that opponents will expect to beat. I would say this is the sort of league where you are made to work for your wins, even if a short price to oblige. Both teams have seen each side net in three of their opening five league matches, and with Lyngby being a dangerous team on the break, I fancy them to score against their short-priced opposition.
Both Teams to Score will complete the treble, which pays just under 5/1, and it may still do so based upon any price changes between the time of writing and kick-off.
Weekend Acca Tips
- Sturm Graz – 1
- Sevilla v Girona BTTS
- Aarhus v Lyngby BTTS
- Acca Pays 4.77/1
