As more and more European leagues kick off their seasons, the weekend schedules are starting to offer an ever-increasing number of opportunities, especially if you are looking for high odds on draws.
Although every match starts at 0–0, stalemates remain a relatively rare final result, which is why the odds typically offer greater value.
Let’s take a look at the matches on offer this weekend and identify those with the greatest potential for a stalemate.
Fredrikstad vs Sandefjord (Saturday, 15:00)
The Norwegian Eliteserien is back in full force, and while the title contenders have proven to be reliable when you want to back a winning team, I often find value in the low-profile clashes from the bottom of the table.
Fredrikstad and Sandefjord have both struggled since the restart of the league and are about a loss away from dropping to the relegation zone.
While it is a fact that draws are rare in general in the Eliteserien, this is the type of clash that presents an opportunity.
Both sides struggle in attack. Fredrikstad also have the third-worst defence in the league, but they rarely concede a lot at home. The three points are a must for both sides, but I see this one ending in a 1-1 draw.
Piast Gliwice vs Wisla (Saturday, 13:45)
The Polish Ekstraklasa also kicked off last weekend, and it is a league that's very competitive. There are several solid fixtures to choose from, but I believe the earliest one on Saturday offers extra value.
Piast Gliwice barely escaped relegation last season and are likely to remain near the bottom in the new season too. Their first-round match ended in defeat, but I have to say they created plenty of chances. As long as they start converting their opportunities, they can be competitive.
Wisla finally returned to the elite after four years in the second division, which was their longest absence from the Polish elite ever. Wisla belong to the top flight, and they started the new campaign with a win.
Nevertheless, I do not believe they are ready to compete with their old rivals yet. I wasn't extremely impressed despite the win, which is why I believe there is a solid chance for a stalemate in their first away match of the season.
Hibernian vs Motherwell (Sunday, 16:30)
Hibernian and Motherwell were two of the pleasant surprises of the previous campaign in Scotland, and both are now playing qualification matches for UEFA's competitions.
Both sides played on Thursday and won convincingly. While this is the opening round in the Premiership, qualifying for Europe is the main goal right now, which could force both managers to make some rotations.
Motherwell and Hibernian finished the previous campaign next to each other, separated by four points. They were also two of the three teams with the most draws overall, with 13 and 12 in 38 rounds.
While I hate waiting an extra day for my treble, I believe this clash to be a fantastic opportunity.
Weekend Draw Treble
- Fredrikstad vs Sandefjord
- Piast Gliwice vs Wisla
- Hibernian vs Motherwell
- Treble pays 33/1 (Bet365)
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