Betfair Live Video: Utrecht to hold on

Utrecht to stamp out Twente's European hopes

More top notch football this weekend from Betfair Live Video, on Saturday we welcome back the Brazilian Campeonato and on Sunday we bid farewell to the Dutch Eredevisie...

Victoria BA vs Internacional
Saturday 22:30

The wait for the start of the Brazilian Campeonato is finally over and on Saturday night Betfair Live Video brings you action from Salvador of Bahia as Vitoria host Internacional.

Vitoria scrapped their way into the fourth and last promotion place from the second tier last season and after a two year absence are now looking forward to testing themselves in the top flight once again.

Early form in 2013 bodes well, they are progressing in the Copa Do Brasil and two weeks ago they won the Bahia state championship for the 27th time. Before kick off on Saturday Vitoria will parade their trophy.

There will be a feeling of celebration and anticipation at the Fonte Nova Stadium, and expect the fans to ramp up the volume. 

Southern visitors Internacional will not be overawed. They are Campeonato veterans and with Dunga at the helm have all the experience to calm such occasions.

Last season Internacional showed real promise and with Leandro Damiao and Diego Forlan as a front pairing it was hardly surprising. However their form tailed off and they lost four from their last five at the end of the campaign to finish a disappointing tenth.

2013 has seen the team refocused and they look red hot, they too won their state competition recently and the 'Gaucho Champions' should be contenders this year for the Campeonato as long as they can hold on to their stars. Inventive captain Andres D'Allessandro pulls the strings and should offer support to the strikers. 

Unfortunately for fans, and scouts, goal machine Damiao is out through injury but there will still be a lot of talent on show.

These two teams have not met since 2010 and being the first game of the season the opening half an hour may be a little cagey but expect Internacional's experience and class to shine through and earn them an away day win. 

Recommended Bet:
Back Internacional to win @ 2.747/4

Utrecht v Twente
Sunday  11:30

Betfair Live Video brings you the last ounce of action from the Eredevisie on Sunday as Utrecht host Twente in the second leg of the Europa League Playoffs Final.

Utrecht are in the driving seat, after a brilliant run of seven straight wins they earned themselves a two goal head start by beating Twente on Thursday night. Now all they need to do is hold their nerve and they'll be claiming the last Europa League spot.

Coach Jan Wouters really got his team rolling towards the end of the regular season and they only finished a point off the automatic European qualification places. 

With a stingy defence and dangerous Zambian front man Jacob Mulenga banging in the goals they seemed to find a winning formula at the right time. Finishing fifth was a big improvement on recent seasons and the club seems to be moving in the right direction.

In contrast Twente's fortunes are fading. After the glory of winning the title under Steve McLaren the club has struggled to live up to expectation. Failure to earn European participation for next year would be seen as a setback. 

Despite having scored more and conceded less than Utrecht they finished just below them in the regular season. They hadn't lost in ten until Thursday, how they react is hard to predict but they certainly have the weapons to be able to overturn the deficit. Serbian attacker Duran Tadic has certainly delivered the goods in a fine debut season at the club and striker Luc Castaignos definitely has the capability to change a game if he's in the mood.

'The Tukkers' were hard to beat all season away from home and will hope that they can nick an early goal and create a nervous atmosphere at the Stadion Galgenwaard on Sunday.

Injuries and suspensions are abundant in both camps and neither team will be led out by their club captains.

With both these team almost inseparable all year and Ultrecht impressive defence at home expect a tight game. But Utrecht should feel confident and expect them to just about shut out the Twente attacks. At least enough to claim the prize.

Recommended Bet:
Back the Draw @ 3.55n/a