Wednesday’s football tips: Holders Iraq out to seal Gulf Cup semi-final slot

Merry Christmas to one and all but if you're looking to escape the festivities for a while there's a couple of intriguing games at the Arabian Gulf Cup today.

It was a mixed bag in Group A yesterday with Qatar letting me down but hosts Kuwait delivering as they claimed a surprise 2-1 win over the UAE.

Now it's over to Group B for their second round of games today and holders Iraq can book their slot in the semi-finals with a win over Bahrain.

Both teams won their opening matches in the section so it's a tricky one to call but the Iraqis are BoyleSports' 23/20 favourites to make it two victories from two.

Bahrain vs Iraq top betting tips

Iraq's defence provided the platform for their win over Yemen to kick off Group B as they shut out the opposition and sealed a 1-0 win in the second half.

But it was the strikers who got the job done for Bahrain as they claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia in the other match.

That makes me think BTTS stands a chance today and it pays 10/11 with BoyleSports. Combining that with a win for the Iraqis boosts the odds to 4/1.

A draw wouldn't be the worst result for both sides so it could be a bit cagey to begin with. That makes the half-time draw another decent option but it only pays 20/23 with BoyleSports.

Yemen vs Saudi Arabia top betting tips

Yemen put up a decent fight against the Iraqis in their opener so I'm surprised to see them as big as 16/1 for their clash with the Saudis today.

It's a game Saudi Arabia need to win to keep their semi-final hopes alive so that's probably why they're just 1/8 for the victory at BoyleSports.

But they could find Yemen a tough nut to crack and it might be worth backing the outsiders in the handicap. Backing Yemen at +2 pays a decent 7/5 and that could stand a chance if they repeat the defensive display from their first group games.

Saudi Arabia might need to show some patience and backing most goals to come after the break pays 10/11.

Maccabi Haifa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv top betting tips

There's a cup final in Israel this evening as Maccabi Tel Aviv battle Maccabi Haifa at Netanya Stadium for the Toto Cup Al.

Both sides are in decent form, with Tel Aviv unbeaten in their last eight games and Haifa losing just once across the same run of matches.

It ended in a 2-0 win for Tel Aviv when these sides faced off in the league earlier this season so they look decent value at 11/8 with BoyleSports for the win in 90 minutes.

Cup finals are often tense affairs so the half-time draw is a good option at 21/20 while betting against both teams to score also appeals at 20/21.

Wednesday's Super Singles

• Iraq win and BTTS 4/1 BoyleSports
• Most goals second half in Yemen v Saudi Arabia 10/11 BoyleSports
• Maccabi Tel Aviv to win 11/8 BoyleSports.

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