Frank Lampard’s tears to return
Bet 1: Back Aston Villa @ 1/1 – KO 15:00 BST
One year on from their Wembley defeat to Fulham, Aston Villa are back again for the richest game in football, and this time, I’m a firm believer that they will get the win.
Experience in a match of this nature is vital, and for me, Villa have a lot more than Derby. They have more players who have been involved in big games, and for all the good that Frank Lampard has achieved this year, it’s still his first season in management.
I expect this to be quite tight, with little more than a goal in it, but Villa are the team to beat here, and I expect them to get the job done inside of 90 minutes – just like they did in the two league fixtures.
Avai to register their first success
Bet 2: Back Avai @ 29/20 – KO 00:00 BST (Tues)
The selection have made a solid, if not spectacular start to life in Brazil’s top flight, as they have drawn three and lost two of their opening five outings.
Getting their first win on the board will be important to Geninho and his players, and they won’t get too much of a better opportunity here.
Both of their matches in front of their own fans this term have ended all square, and tonight they take on a side who have lost both of their away fixtures.
Ceara were also beaten in 10 of their 19 on the road last year, and they won just three times. Their away losses at Cruzeiro and Goias this season don’t make great reading, and I expect them to continue their negative trend here.
A repeat of last season for CSA
Bet 3: Back CSA @ 29/20 – KO 00:00 BST (Tues)
My third pick is also a Brazilian Serie A club who are yet to win this season, but like Avai, CSA, have drawn three and only lost twice.
What I really like about their chances tonight is that they have held both Palmeiras and Santos in their two home fixtures, and those two clubs are strong title contenders.
The visitors, Goias, have made a strong start to their campaign with three wins from five, but the other two were defeats, and they have had a relatively kind run of fixtures.
Away from home it’s been one win and one defeat, but when these two newly promoted clubs met on this ground in Serie B last season, it was CSA who ran out the 2-1 winners.
Source: Betfair UK English Championship
