After Champions League action in midweek it's back to domestic matter for Nordsjaelland
Betfair's Live Video service covers football leagues from all corner off the globe. This weekend's menu includes action from Denmark, Portugal and Australia - Abelson Info have once again covered four matches in detail
Halmstads vs Sundsvall
Saturday 13:30
There's a huge match in Sweden on Saturday as Halmstads host Sundsvall in the first leg of the Allsvenskan Playoff, this is the fight for the last place in next year's top division, will Sundsvall retain their place or will they be relegated? Will Halmstads climb out of the Supperettan at the first time of asking or will they be banished for another year?
After 19 years in the top division Halmstads went down last year. They're desperate to bounce straight back up and under young manager Jens Gustafsson they have played attacking football all season and ended as the top scorers in the Superettan. Unfortunately due to an alarming end of season dip in form they ended third in the table and now face the challenge of a promotion playoff.
Sundsvall had a disappointing campaign and with only six wins all year seem somewhat fortunate to even have a chance of saving their place in the Allsvenskan. They have failed to gain a victory in the last eleven matches and have gone eight in a row without a win on their travels. They must be nervous and it won't help that goalkeeper Tommy Naurin injured his knee in last weeks match and will now miss both legs of the playoff.
With so much at stake over the 180 minutes these first leg matches often end up being cagey nil nil draws but Halmstad should get the win in this one. Halmstad have only lost one at home all year and in Mikael Boman and Gudjon Baldvinsson they have a strikeforce that should cause Sundsvall problems they can't handle.
Recommended Bet:
Back Halmstads to win @ 2.3211/8
FC Nordsj v Randers
Saturday 16:00
Danish champions Nordsjaelland welcome Randers to Farum Park on Saturday hoping to continue an undefeated run at home that has lasted since March.
The 'Wild Tigers' of Nordsjaelland were mauled themselves in midweek by Juve in a 4-0 reverse in the Champions League, they will be eager to put in a better performance back in the more comfortable environment of the Danish Superliga. They currently sit second, four points behind FC Copenhagen and will be keen to put pressure on the league leaders who don't play until Sunday. Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation Nordsjaelland will look for loan striker Joshua John to rediscover his shooting boots, after an outstanding start to the season the goals have dried up for the Dutchman on loan from Twente, if Nordsj are to retain the crown this year then he needs to start delivering the goods again.
Randers sit in fifth and will be happy with their start to life back in the top division. Colin Todd has returned as coach for a second spell and despite not scoring many his team look well organised and have now gone five away matches without a loss. They should be the fresher of the two sides and will hope to catch the champs on a bad day. Ronnie Schwartz is their most dangerous goal threat and if they can stay solid at the back they will try and supply him with some chances on the counter.
I expect the class to shine through in this one, despite their midweek exertions Nordsjaelland should be angry after being embarrassed in Turin and after winning three in a row at home without conceding they should have enough to continue their impressive home form.
Recommended Bet:
Back FC Nordsj to win @ 1.664/6
Adelaide United vs Perth Glory
Sunday 06:00
Sunday's A-League clash at the Hindmarsh Stadium sees the Reds of Adelaide United pitted against third place Perth Glory in a tussle for top spot in Southern Australia.
Both teams have started well this season with Adelaide storming to the top of the table winning four of their opening five encounters. After finishing second from bottom in last season's A-League standings, manager John Kosmina will be more than determined to wrong the rights of that dismal campaign, and lead The Reds to a long awaited piece of silverware.
The main reason for this early season success can be accredited to the fine goalkeeping displays of Eugene Galekovic, who's impressive shot stopping has flattered the Adelaide defence with them only conceding three goals thus far.
Perth Glory have also proved their title credentials early on with nine points gathered from a possible 15. However their dominant displays at the NIB Stadium have been overshadowed with zero points from away trips so far, a problem that Scottish manager Ian Ferguson will want to put right in Adelaide.
Glory's skipper Jason Burns is again missing from this crucial encounter with a problematic quad injury - something that went somewhat unnoticed in last weekend's impressive 3-2 victory over Newcastle Jets.
However, combining this possible weakness in the Glory midfield with Adelaide's in-form Argentine striker Jeronimo Neumann, could prove the difference in this battle down-under.
Recommended Bet:
Back Adelaide United to win @ 2.427/5
Sporting Lisbon vs Braga
Sunday 20:15
To the Portugese capital we go, for a Primeira Liga clash between a struggling Sporting Lisbon side hoping to get their season off and running and a Braga side fresh off the back of a damp and disappointing midweek defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
The hosts have had a disappointing start to this year's league campaign. With a solitary win from their first eight league encounters, pressure is building on new head coach Franky Vercayteren who has failed to impress both domestically or on the European scale, with no wins in their less than threatening Europa League group.
Goals have proved the biggest issue for Sporting so far, with them only finding the net six times in eight games - the second fewest in the league behind Maritimo. Striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel has looked impressive in parts but with an uninspiring midfield behind him, chances have been few and far between.
Braga have impressed early on this season. Unbeaten in their last five league games, through to the next round of the Portugese Cup and still in with a fighting chance of getting out of their Champions League group - there is plenty to smile about for 'The Archbishops'. They have already proved themselves to be a title contending force this season, and the prolific strike double act of Eder and Alan have kept Braga in touching distance of the always dominant Porto and Benfica.
This fixture rarely ends in a draw with only two of 26 games ending with the honours even. Expect this one to go against the form book and turn the Portugese League on its head with Sporting Lisbon taking the share of the spoils allowing under pressure head coach Franky, to relax...
Recommended Bet
Back Sporting Lisbon to win 2-1 @ 10.09/1
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