Lokeren vs Mechelen
Saturday 19:00
The group stage 2 is complete and this weekend sees the commencement of the final stages of the Europa League playoffs in Belgium. Lokeren are at home first as they take on Mechelen at the Daknamstadion.
These two were practically inseparable during the regular season with Mechelen finishing just a point behind Lokeren. However both teams were significantly more successful on their home turf so Lokeren will be looking to take the initiative in the opening leg on Saturday.
Manager Peter Maes will be confident that his East Flanders team can make a strong start to the contest after his team demolished Oostende 6-1 in their last home game.
In all Lokeren have bagged nineteen goals in the playoffs so far and are looking way more prolific now than they have all year.
Hans Vanaken and Nill De Pauw should start up front but keep an eye on Cyriel Dessers who has sprung into action recently scoring four in the playoffs. Swiss Mijat Marić is also always a threat too, he has eleven to his name, astonishing for a defender.
Visitors Mechelen will make the trip from Antwerp wary of their hosts hot goal scoring form and will look to keep the game tight. However they will not just play for a draw as they won't have much of an advantage in their home leg as their stadium is being renovated so the second leg will be played at a neutral venue.
Having won five of their playoff group games they should be full of confidence and in Serbian Dalibor Veselinović they will probably have the most dangerous striker on the pitch but I'm still backing against them.
Lokeren boast a strong record against Mechelen and have won five of the last six at home against them. With the emotion of the loss of their team-mate Gregory Mertens still fresh in the memory expect a big performance from the home team.
Recommended Bets:
Back Lokeren to win @ 2.30
Back Half Time/Full Time Draw/Lokeren @ 5.60
Coritiba v Grêmio
Saturday 22:30
Time to turn our attention to the Brazilian Campeonato and the action comes live from the Estádio Couto Pereira as Coritiba play host to Gremio as they go in search of their first league win of the season.
Marquinhos Santos' team from Parana finished a modest fourteenth last year but their record on their own patch was formidable winning over half their home games.
Santos' has called on his team to put in a big effort to try and regain the love of their disillusioned fan base. Their opening day loss caused anguish and they only scraped past Fortaleza on penalties in the midweek cup game.
Gremio make the trip from Porto Alegre having started the campaign in more impressive fashion.
Scolari's team have boasted the best defence in Brazil for the last two seasons but they've lacked firepower.
A score draw with Ponte Prata was followed by a cup success in midweek and this season Gremio already look to have developed a more attacking outlook despite the loss of Barcos in the summer.
With their travelling fans probably the most vociferous in the land Gremio will not be daunted by their travels and I expect them to at least grab a point on Saturday night.
Recommended Bets:
Back the draw @ 3.05
Saturday 19:00
The group stage 2 is complete and this weekend sees the commencement of the final stages of the Europa League playoffs in Belgium. Lokeren are at home first as they take on Mechelen at the Daknamstadion.
These two were practically inseparable during the regular season with Mechelen finishing just a point behind Lokeren. However both teams were significantly more successful on their home turf so Lokeren will be looking to take the initiative in the opening leg on Saturday.
Manager Peter Maes will be confident that his East Flanders team can make a strong start to the contest after his team demolished Oostende 6-1 in their last home game.
In all Lokeren have bagged nineteen goals in the playoffs so far and are looking way more prolific now than they have all year.
Hans Vanaken and Nill De Pauw should start up front but keep an eye on Cyriel Dessers who has sprung into action recently scoring four in the playoffs. Swiss Mijat Marić is also always a threat too, he has eleven to his name, astonishing for a defender.
Visitors Mechelen will make the trip from Antwerp wary of their hosts hot goal scoring form and will look to keep the game tight. However they will not just play for a draw as they won't have much of an advantage in their home leg as their stadium is being renovated so the second leg will be played at a neutral venue.
Having won five of their playoff group games they should be full of confidence and in Serbian Dalibor Veselinović they will probably have the most dangerous striker on the pitch but I'm still backing against them.
Lokeren boast a strong record against Mechelen and have won five of the last six at home against them. With the emotion of the loss of their team-mate Gregory Mertens still fresh in the memory expect a big performance from the home team.
Recommended Bets:
Back Lokeren to win @ 2.30
Back Half Time/Full Time Draw/Lokeren @ 5.60
Coritiba v Grêmio
Saturday 22:30
Time to turn our attention to the Brazilian Campeonato and the action comes live from the Estádio Couto Pereira as Coritiba play host to Gremio as they go in search of their first league win of the season.
Marquinhos Santos' team from Parana finished a modest fourteenth last year but their record on their own patch was formidable winning over half their home games.
Santos' has called on his team to put in a big effort to try and regain the love of their disillusioned fan base. Their opening day loss caused anguish and they only scraped past Fortaleza on penalties in the midweek cup game.
Gremio make the trip from Porto Alegre having started the campaign in more impressive fashion.
Scolari's team have boasted the best defence in Brazil for the last two seasons but they've lacked firepower.
A score draw with Ponte Prata was followed by a cup success in midweek and this season Gremio already look to have developed a more attacking outlook despite the loss of Barcos in the summer.
With their travelling fans probably the most vociferous in the land Gremio will not be daunted by their travels and I expect them to at least grab a point on Saturday night.
Recommended Bets:
Back the draw @ 3.05
