We've picked out a transcontinental 7/1 five-fold for this Sunday's action!
Huddersfield v Man City - Premier League - 13:30
We’ll start things off in the Premier League, where I’m backing Manchester City to beat Huddersfield with a -1 handicap.
Pep Guardiola’s side have emphatically returned to winning ways following their blip, winning their last five matches and scoring 24 in the process. While most of these goals have come against lower-league Burton and Rotherham, winning breeds winning and goals breed goals; regardless of the opposition, City’s players will be brimming with confidence.
I suspect confidence isn’t quite so high amongst managerless Huddersfield’s ranks. One point from their last nine Premier League matches has left them eight points from safety at the bottom of the Premier League, which perhaps explains why David Wagner and Dean Hoyle agreed to part ways.
While it was tempting to back a slightly larger handicap, Huddersfield’s home matches have generally been closely-fought, while still often ending in defeat. Chelsea are the only side who would have beaten Huddersfield with a -2 handicap at the John Smith’s Stadium – this includes the visits of Spurs and Liverpool – so despite City’s prolific recent form, you’re better off backing a -1 victory and adding another selection later on.
Thailand v China - Asian Cup - 15:00
Off to the Asian Cup second round now, where I’m expecting China to beat Thailand and progress to the quarter-finals.
The Chinese are ranked 42 places higher than Thailand in FIFA’s list, and their victories over Kyrgyzstan and The Philippines in the group stages – both of whom are ranked higher than the Thais – makes me confident of a positive outcome.
Thailand squeezed through their group despite losing their opener 4-1 against India; they did however, fall to defeat against China back in June when the two sides contested a friendly, and I’m expecting the same result on Sunday.
Fulham v Spurs - Premier League - 16:00
The absences of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min from Spurs’ clash with Fulham has seen some tentatively back the home side, but I’m having none of that.
The Cottagers have now lost three in a row – including a home FA Cup match against League Two Oldham – and they haven’t improved enough under Claudio Ranieri to stand a realistic chance of survival.
Not only have Spurs won eight of their last nine away games, but they’ve also beaten Fulham in seven of their last eight meetings; while Son and Kane have been prolific, I’m confident the likes of Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen will soften that blow.
Spurs to win.
Iran v Oman - Asian Cup - 18:00
Returning to Asia, and I’m backing Iran to beat Oman.
The Iranians are the top-ranked side in Asia – and an impressive 29th in the world – with their valiant performances in the World Cup winning their hearts of many.
Carlos Queiroz’s side cantered through their group without conceding a single goal, while Oman scraped through theirs as one of the best third-place sides.
Iran are deservedly one of the favourites to lift the trophy, and they shouldn’t have any issues against 500/1 outsiders Oman.
Barcelona v Leganes - La Liga -19:45
Finally, I have Barcelona to beat Leganes with a -1 handicap.
Like with the City match, it was tempting to have a higher handicap, but Leganes are a side who are proving very tough to break down, and there have been under 2.5 goals scored in 12 of their last 13 La Liga fixtures.
I do see Barcelona still winning this fairly comfortably, particularly because Leganes have won just one of their last 25 away matches in La Liga, but it won’t be an absolute rout.
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