Get the best bets on Thursday from our football experts as Liverpool and Arsenal meet in the Carabao Cup as well as Spanish Super Cup action and the latest at the African Cup of Nations…
“Liverpool’s defence and midfield will be stronger than their attack, so backing a low scoring win for the hosts, seems the best way to boost their price. A home win and under 3.5 goals is 3.259/4.”
Cameroon 1.241/4 v Ethiopia 21.020/1, the Draw 6.25/1
16:00
Live on Sky Sports Football
The second round of match begins at the African Cup of Nations on Thursday and our previewer is anticipating an uptick in goals.
James Eastham says: “Looking to make it two wins from two, Cameroon are a good bet to beat Ethiopia on Thursday afternoon.
“The Indomitable Lions needed two Vincent Aboubakar penalties to see off Burkina Faso (2-1) in their opening game but produced a good all-round performance and deserved the three points.
“We backed Cameroon in our pre-tournament preview to win the entire thing. Their price has come in from 10.09/1 to 8.07/1 since before the tournament began.
“There’s a good balance and purpose about this Cameroon side, and they should be far too strong for their opponents.”
James’ bet: Back Cameroon to win by exactly 1 goal @ 3.211/5
Atletico Madrid 2.0421/20 v Athletic Bilbao 4.57/2, the Draw 3.412/5
19:00
Live on BT Sport 1
The reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid take on last season’s Super Cup winners Athletic Bilbao, in the second semi-final.
Dan Fitch says: “It’s been a poor defence of their La Liga title for Atletico. Already out of this season’s title race, their 2-2 draw with Villarreal at the weekend leaves them 16 points behind Real Madrid.
“Bilbao drew 0-0 at Alaves and are ninth in La Liga. League success is always going to be tough for a club with Athletic’s unique recruitment strategy, but they have proved themselves as cup specialists. They have reached the final of the Copa del Rey in each of the last two seasons and beat Barcelona 3-2 in the Super Cup final last season.
“The value could be with Bilbao given their cup exploits and the erratic form of Atletico this season.”
Dan’s bet: Back Athletic Bilbao double chance against Atletico Madrid at 1.9520/21
Paul Higham also focuses on the Spanish Super Cup semi-final as he backs a familiar face to get on the scoresheet for Atleti.
Paul says: “While there are plenty of stars on show, the man for the big occasion for us is Atleti striker Luis Suarez, who we’re backing to have a big impact on this game.
“Suarez is back from a suspension so will be chomping at the bit, and the Uruguayan is never one to play within himself in these big games so having been banned for grabbing five bookings in La Liga will not hold him back here.
“He’s a good price to be booked here at 3.39/4 as he’s been booked in some other high-pressure games, such as against Real Madrid and then two other Madrid derbies against Getafe and Rayo Vallecano.
“Throw in a yellow card in both Champions League games against former club Liverpool and these are ideal conditions for Suarez to get booked.
“We can garnish this bet though by backing some attacking input from Suarez, who with seven La Liga goals this season hasn’t his is usual heights but could be getting back into form.”
Paul’s bet: Back Luis Suarez to score & get carded with Bet Builder at around 8.515/2
Liverpool 1.9620/21 v Arsenal 3.953/1, the Draw 3.953/1
19:45
Live on Sky Sports Football
Liverpool are missing key players at the African Cup of Nations but they are still expected to win this rearranged first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
Dan Fitch says: “The hosts will be able to put out a stronger side than would have been the case had the original first-leg gone ahead. Liverpool are perhaps a little shorter than they should be, in what looks likely to be an even contest, but with home advantage they are the worthy favourites.
“Liverpool’s defence and midfield will be stronger than their attack, so backing a low scoring win for the hosts, seems the best way to boost their price. A home win and under 3.5 goals is 3.259/4.
“Under 2.5 goals is the outsider at 2.285/4 which looks a little big with Liverpool missing Mane and Salah. A Liverpool win and under 2.5 goals is 5.79/2.
“That’s not to say that Liverpool are completely without firepower. Salah’s exploits this season have rather overshadowed the achievements of Jota, who is having a fine campaign for the club. The Portuguese forward has found the net 12 times in 23 appearances this season and with Jota needing to step up with Mane and Salah out, odds of 2.757/4 for him to score look big.”
Dan’s bet: Back Liverpool and under 3.5 goals @ 3.259/4
Paul Higham offers his perspective on the Anfield clash for the Betfair Game of the Day and recommends backing goals at both ends.
Paul says: “Liverpool have scored more goals against Arsenal (43) than any other side under Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, and there should be more goals here again given the last five League Cup ties between the two have seen 28 goals – and that’s including a 0-0!
“Arsenal are also top scorers in this season’s competition with 16 so all things being considered you’d be quite comfortable taking 15/8 to go over 3.5 goals in the contest – especially if you throw in a few changes to the teams here and there.
“Last season’s League Cup blank is the only clean sheet Arsenal have kept at Anfield in the last 11 visits – but they’ve also scored in nine of those 11 matches so you need to tag on ‘both teams to score’ to almost any bet you’re having here.”
Paul’s bet: Back Liverpool to win & both teams to score @ 3.55/2
AC Milan v Genoa
Thursday 20:00
Tobias Gourlay‘s confident AC Milan can cruise home in the Coppa Italia tonight.
Tobias says: “We’ve crossed the Med today and come to Italy for one of this evening’s Coppa Italia round-of-16 matches. AC Milan host Genoa and we fancy the Rossoneri to get the job done at the San Siro.
“Stefano Pioli’s Milan are W7-D1-L2 hosting domestic opposition in Serie A this term and going well in second place. The margin of victory was at least a couple of goals in 5/7 of those league successes.
“Genoa are second bottom and struggling in Serie A. Andriy Shevchenko’s men are winless on the road in the league (W0-D5-L5). Against top-10 outfits like Milan that record falls to W0-D1-L4 – with the draw coming against 10th-placed Sassuolo recently. They conceded 12 times across the four defeats and we’re backing Milan to beat them with something to spare tonight.”
Tobas’ bet: Back AC Milan -1.5 on the Asian Handicap v Genoa @ 1.8810/11
Source: Betfair Spanish La Liga
