Friday Football Cheat Sheet: All the best bets in one place

The Terriers are currently enjoying their best unbeaten streak for a decade (W4-D4-L0) and have posted W7-D3-L3 as hosts this term…

Huddersfield 2.6213/8 v Stoke 3.052/1, the Draw 3.3512/5
19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football

We could well see goals at both ends when promotion-chasing pair Huddersfield and Stoke face-off at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Mark O’Haire says: “Huddersfield haven’t enjoyed head-to-head encounters with Stoke this century, tabling a solitary success in nine league meetings dating back to 2001/02 (W1-D4-L4). The Terriers were turned over 2-1 in the reverse match-up and haven’t beaten the Potters at the John Smith’s Stadium since 1997, a four-game winless streak (W0-D3-L1).

“The hosts have performed above pre-season expectations to be perched inside the top-six as we approach February. The Terriers are currently enjoying their best unbeaten streak for a decade (W4-D4-L0) and have posted W7-D3-L3 as hosts this term, silencing six of their 13 guests. However, Carlos Corberan’s men rank 16th on Expected Points (xP).

“Stoke have flirted with the play-off positions throughout the campaign but the Potters have been unable to find any consistency in results since October’s international break (W5-D2-L9). Key injuries have played apart, although the visitors have also failed to fire in the final-third when playing away, scoring multiple goals just three times in 13.”

Mark’s bet: Back Both Teams To Score @ 1.9420/21

Paul Higham also concentrates on the Championship clash at the John Smith’s Stadium for today’s props column.

Paul says: “It’s to the bookings market we go for this one, but not in the usual form as this time when going through recent results we actually fancy this game could turn out rather good natured.

“Stoke are quite high up on the bookings charts, but they’ve been on their best behaviour recently on the road with just one booking in each of their last three away games.

“Huddersfield at home, meanwhile, have had precisely zero cards in two of their last four home games, while QPR, Blackpool and Sheff Utd have all hosted Stoke and picked up no cards in the game.”

“There’s obviously volatility here and one flash point could see the yellows coming out in a hurry, but under 2.5 cards in the game here brings a nice return with some decent very recent stats to back it up.”

Paul’s bet: Back under 2.5 cards @ 2.89/5

Venezuela 1.75/7 v Bolivia 5.95/1, the Draw 3.7511/4
22:00
Live on Premier Sports 1

Venezuela have struggled in this qualifying campaign and sit bottom of their pool, but our South American expert still makes a persuasive case for backing them tonight.

Nathan Joyes says: “Tipping up a Venezuela side who have won one match in their last 14 might appear to be mad, and their price may appear a little short, but Bolivia’s away form is even worse.

“Since 2000, Bolivia have played 51 World Cup qualifiers away from home. They have failed to win any of those matches.

“The reason for Bolivia’s current position is purely down to their home form. They play their home matches in La Paz, which is over 3,000m above sea level and they can deal with the extremely high altitude levels. Remove that key element and Bolivia are a poor outlet.

“Uruguay, Paraguay and Peru have all recently lost in Bolivia, struggling to cope with the conditions. Yet all three opponents won and scored three against Bolivia in their respective reverse fixtures.”

Nathan’s bet: Back Venezuela and over 1.5 goals @ 2.1011/10