We're delighted to welcome James O'Rourke to the site ahead of the weekend. James is a regular contributor over at our friends WeLoveBetting and has been a valuable member of the team there for a number.
This week he shares his tips with us here at MFT, traversing the globe in search of a trio of winners from Australia, Switzerland and Portugal.
Sydney v Melbourne Victory
Saturday 8.45am
There is no better way to start your weekend viewing than taking in what is known locally as ‘The Big Blue’ when Sydney entertains Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League. Whilst a quick glance at the league table will show The Victory bottom of the standings, they do remain only six points off the play-offs with eight games remaining, meaning victory over their rivals on Saturday has to be their aim.
Sydney have endured an up-and-down campaign for sure, and Head Coach Steve Corica has just about managed to hold onto his job despite failing to maintain a challenge for top spot. They recently went on a three-game winning streak, which began by defeating their upcoming opposition 2-1 away from home, but they’re now winless in two, leaving them just inside the play-off line on goal difference.
One thing is for sure, neither team are turning up looking for a draw in this one. Recent wins over top of the table and city rivals Melbourne City as well as Wellington Phoenix have given Victory a glimmer of hope of resurrecting their season. They’ve also won two of the last three head-to-head renewals, with both wins coming on the road, so they travel knowing they’re capable of causing an upset, in the eyes of the bookies.
The 11/10 on offer for Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals from 10Bet just cannot be ignored. This has paid out in the last four meetings, and despite challenging nearer the top, Sydney only have two clean sheets to their name this season, with 12 of their 18 league clashes also seeing at least three goals. The selection has also paid out in five of the last six involving the away team, so goals has to be the play here.
Winterthur v Young Boys
Saturday 5.00pm
It is a classic case of top versus bottom in the Swiss Super League on Saturday when champions in waiting Young Boys make the hour-and-a-half journey to Winterthur, who are only bottom on goal difference. After finishing an unforgiveable third last season, the title is everything to Young Boys and under the management of Raphaël Wicky they have rediscovered their mojo suitable enough, with them currently 13 points clear at the top.
Now Winterthur, playing their first season in the Swiss top flight since 1982, have at least become harder to beat in recent times. They returned from the winter break losing 5-1 away to Young Boys, with the top team blitzing into a 3-0 lead inside half an hour, but since then it is only one defeat in five, whilst across their previous six at home they’ve returned four wins, a draw and a solitary loss, and it is home form which is likely to keep them up, if anything.
The hosts are well-rested ahead of this one having played last Sunday, but the visitors did have a big cup tie in the week, where they fielded close to their strongest side to despatch second tier outfit Thun 5-0. With them so clear at the top of the standings, they’ll no doubt be especially keen to add a Swiss Cup title to an expected double haul at the end of the season. 2019/20 was the last time they’ve won that, with is a bit of a draught by their high standards.
It would appear they’ve taken their eye off the ball in the league recently given how comfortable they are at the summit. Three draws in their last four league clashes has come as a result of a degree of rotation in Wicky’s line-up, and he’ll likely continue that given they’ll face rivals Basel and second place Servette in quick succession in a few weeks’ time.
Young Boys have lost only one Swiss Super League match all season, and that shouldn’t become two come full time on Saturday. Utilising the bet builder on Bet365, combining Young Boys Double Chance alongside Both Teams To Score pays 20/21, and is a worthy investment. This game is more important to Winterthur, and despite running away with the league it is still 64% of Young Boys’ game featuring BTTS. It has particular paid out in their last six league games, and the previous for involving Winterthur.
Chaves v Porto
Saturday 8.30pm
If you are Porto and you lose a league game then it is always a big deal and last weekend saw them go exactly that. It was a night to forget for Sérgio Conceição’s side as they not only lost 2-1 at home to Gil Vicente, but they ended the match with nine men. Whilst they will be minus Joao Mario and Mateus Uribe for this one, they’ll stick expect to bounce back against Chaves.
Chaves currently sit ten points above the relegation zone, meaning they are well positioned to achieve their pre-season target of avoiding relegation after achieving promotion out of Liga Portugal 2 last season via the play-offs. Earlier season victories over current top four occupants Braga and Sporting CP proves that they’re capable of in any given game, but Porto did easily win the last head-to-head 3-0.
Porto now having an eight-point gap to overcome to league leaders Benfica means that every game is virtually must-win for them. Having also lost in the UEFA Champions League to Inter prior to last week’s shock home loss means it is back-to-back defeats for the first time since August 2019. Ironically, the first of those two losses also came against Gil Vicente!
This is a bit of a free hit for Chaves given they are of course huge underdogs, but they generally keep things tight at home. Seven of their ten home league clashes have failed to break the three goal barrier, and Porto have shown to be capable of getting the job done on their travels, too. They’ve only shipped seven away goals, with eight of 11 featuring two goals or less.
This game is purely about the result for Porto and we don’t expect them to as easily as their slim odds suggest they will. Porto to Win and Under 3.5 Goals is priced at 13/10 with Coral, and that has to be snapped up. Chaves’ league goals have only contained four goals or more on three occasions, whilst that has happened just twice on the road for Porto, too.
James' Tips
- Sydney v Melbourne Victory – BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals (11/10 at 10Bet)
- Winterthur v Young Boys – BTTS and Young Boys Double Chance (20/21 at Bet365)
- Chaves v Porto – Porto to Win and Under 3.5 Goals (13/10 at Coral)
- A £10 treble returns £94.30
