Matt’s Sunday European Picks!

International Football Tips

 

Bordeaux V Rennes

 

Sunday 27th September – 20:00 GMT

 

The current champions of France, Bordeaux, take on an ever improving Rennes side tomorrow in a game which should go the way of the champions and current leaders of the French Ligue 1. Both teams remain unbeaten in the league but something has got to give and we feel it could be the away team’s unbeaten tag in jeopardy.

 

Bordeaux have been sensational in the past 12 months or so and they have enjoyed a lot of success within that period. They have been back in Champions League action and they’ve also halted the Lyon express when they won the league title last season. They will be aiming to be the very next powerhouse in France and they have started in a ferocious manner, winning five out of six in the league.

 

The current champions of France have made home advantage count in recent home fixtures, winning three on the bounce this season but they’re currently on a run of ten consecutive wins at the Stade Chaban Delmas. Not only that but you have to stretch all the way back to the 7th October to when Bordeaux last lost a home fixture in the league, with the champions unbeaten in 36 games. That’s an incredible statistic and with that in mind, you can’t see Rennes getting anywhere near Bordeaux.

 

Both Yoann Gourcuff & Marouane Chamakh have been in sublime form, scoring four and three goals receptively in the league. They have already scored 14 goals, conceding just three, with nine of those 14 coming at home.

 

Rennes have made an impressive start themselves and they find themselves in a handy position in fourth, four points behind Bordeaux. However, Rennes do struggle on the road to actually win games with two of their three away fixtures thus far ending in draws, and, those draws were against lesser opposition in the form of Nice & Lens, both occupy position in the lower half of the table. They did smash Grenoble 4-0 in their most recent away encounter but Grenbole are rooted to the very bottom of the league with not a single point to their name.

 

 

Matt’s Tip: Bordeaux to WIN

 

The odds on a home win are surprisingly tasty considering how prolific Bordeaux actually are on home soil. Rennes will put up a fight for the points and they could very well cause Bordeaux a few problems but in the end the home side should prevail and remain as the current top dogs in France, for the time being at least.

 

ODDS: 8/11 or 1.73 – WilliamHill

 

 

Side Bet: Both teams to score (YES)

 

Rennes haven’t failed to score on their travels this season, scoring seven away goals in just three away outings. They will have their fair share of chances but they will need to take theirs if they are to keep up with the high flying Bordeaux.

 

ODDS: EVENS or 2.0 – Bet365

 

 

 

Catania V Roma

 

 

Sunday 27th September – 14:00 GMT

 

 

Roma continue their recovery under Claudio Ranieri after a disappointing start which seen them lost their opening two fixtures, although, both defeats were against worthy opposition in Genoa (3-2) and Juventus (1-3). However, Roma should at least be competing with the big boys and those defeats will only hinder the already shaky support of Ranieri.

 

Since those two defeats Roma have gone on register seven points from a possible nine, winning two against Siena (1-2) and Fiorentina (3-1), whilst they could only manage a 3-3 draw away at Palmero in their most recent encounter in Serie A. The latter being an absolute corker of a game. However, Roma are slowly getting into gear and although their defence has been very unconvincing, conceding 11 already this season, they have shipped just as many in return and a quick reform at the back should be all that’s required to get back onto winning ways.

 

Roma should dispatch a poor Catania on Sunday, a team currently in the relegation zone without a single win in five games. Catania did hold Lazio to a 1-1 draw in their most recent home fixture but they did come up short against Sampdoria earlier on, losing 1-2. Catania will have a tough battle on their hands just to stay in the top flight this year and they will have to concede that some guys will be a lot harder than others to get anything out of, this will be one of those.

 

Matt’s Tip: AS Roma to WIN

 

A resurgent Roma should comply here and make it three wins in four games. The simple fact that Totti is injury free at present is a huge plus in itself and he will be a big influence in how Roma fair in a contest they have to win in order to get their title challenge back on track.

 

ODDS: 21/20 or 1.95 – Expekt

 

 

Side Bet: Francesco Totti to Score Anytime

 

Totti, at 32 years-of-age, is still Roma’s best and most influential player. If he is on form then Roma tend to do well. He will need to lead by example as club captain and help guide his side back to winning ways. A goal or two away at Catania would be the catalyst to greater success for Roma.

 

ODDS: EVENS or 2.0 – SkyBet