Get the best bets from our football experts for Friday’s action with Mark O’Haire on a big game in the Championship, Serie A and more…
The Terriers are enjoying their best unbeaten league streak for well over a decade – a 16-game sequence (W9-D7-L0) that includes four straight triumphs and seven clean sheets in Town’s most recent 12 outings.
Schaffhausen 3.185/40 v Yverdon 3.211/5, the Draw 3.39/4
18:30
Tobias Gourlay heads to Switzerland this evening where he’s hoping to see Schaffhausen scale the heights against Yverdon Sport in the second-tier Challenge League.
Tobias says: “Fourth-placed Schaffhausen slipped up 0-1 against Stade Lausanne-Ouchy last time out at Lipo Park. But that was their first defeat since Martin Andermatt took the reins (W7-D1-L1).
“Promoted Yverdon Sport are W2-D2-L8 on the road this season. Ulrich Forte’s men have lost their last two away from home by the same scoreline (0-2) against the teams in second and third. At even money or so, we’re backing Schaffhausen to make it a hat-trick of defeats for them this evening.”
Tobias’ bet: Back Schaffhausen @ 3.185/40
Tranmere 3.211/5 v Mansfield 2.6413/8, the Draw 3.39/4
19:45
Tranmere aim to rekindle their spark on Friday night against Mansfield but the chances of that happening don’t look good, according to our League Two expert.
Ian Lamont says: “Winning to nil was Tranmere’s MO for a while – nine in 12 from early December to February 8. Charlie Jolley, Elliott Nevitt and Jay Spearing led the way. But nobody in the team has more than Kieron Morris’ five goals. For the Stags, Jordan Bowery at least has just one fewer than Oates’ seven.
“Both teams need to find a striker, perhaps. But if you have goals from all over the team, managers say it is an advantage. Tranmere have been undone by revitalised Newport and Northampton in big scoring games in the past two weeks. Before that teams coming back to form to defeat them were Walsall and Hartlepool.
“Mansfield are very much in form. While I don’t expect results will let them keep third spot come Saturday teatime, I expect them to get a taste of it for a few hours at least. In the coming weeks, we will then really see the the colour of their metal.”
Ian’s bet: Back Mansfield to win at Tranmere @ 2.6413/8
West Brom 1.865/6 v Huddersfield 5.39/2, the Draw 3.613/5
20:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event
Misfiring West Brom welcome play-off chasing Huddersfield to The Hawthorns for Friday night football.
Mark O’Haire says: “West Brom haven’t enjoyed recent match-ups with Huddersfield as the Baggies have pocketed only two victories in nine league dates going back to 1998 (W2-D1-L6). The Baggies have also found the going tough when welcoming the Terriers to The Hawthorns, returning just two wins in nine in home head-to-head meetings since 1991 (W2-D3-L4).
“West Brom 1.9010/11 started the season superbly but the Baggies season has unravelled from October. Albion have returned W7-D6-L12 since the start of October – only four second-tier clubs have collected fewer points in that sample – with the hosts failing to even score in 12 of their 18 league fixtures since November’s international break.
“Huddersfield 4.507/2 have performed above expectations to be sat inside the top-six. The Terriers are enjoying their best unbeaten league streak for well over a decade – a 16-game sequence (W9-D7-L0) that includes four straight triumphs and seven clean sheets in Town’s most recent 12 outings. The guest have also lost just twice at top-half teams (W3-D3-L2).”
Mark’s bet: Back Both Teams To Score ‘No’ @ 1.804/5
Atletico Madrid 1.321/3 v Cadiz 16.5, the Draw 5.24/1
20:00
Live on Betfair Live Video
The La Liga champions are in action on Friday night and our previewer expects them to sign off with a win before they prepare for their Champions League clash with Manchester United…
Tom Victor says: “Atlético Madrid will want to prepare as well as possible for their Champions League trip to Manchester, and a third straight league win would do the trick.
“Diego Simeone’s side were back to something approaching their best at Betis last weekend, leapfrogging their opponents in the process, and should find it easy against a Cádiz side averaging 1.97 xGA per game on the road.”
BTTS? No
Over/Under 2.5? Over
Tom’s bet: Back 3-0 @ 8.615/2
Source: BetFair Tips
