Gianluigi Buffon is still one of the best in the world
It's that time of the week where Paul Robinson selects a home win, an away win, a match to go over 2.5 goals and a match to go under 2.5 goals. Here are his selections:
Bet 1: TPS (HOME) @ 1.5 (1/2)
We kick off with a mid-afternoon clash from Finland as TPS should have more than enough to see off the poor travelling RoPS.
After finishing third in the Veikkausliiga last season, TPS have made a solid start at mounting another title challenge. While they're only fifth in the table after a dozen fixtures, they're only four points off top spot and have a game in hand over the sides in second and third.
Marko Rajamki's men have won four of their six home matches this term and they had an excellent home record last year as well. It's also worth noting that they've won their last three encounters with today's opponents at Veritas Stadion.
RoPS were promoted back to the top flight after a rebuilding season in the Ykkonen following a match fixing scandal in 2011. In truth, they've been somewhat of a yo-yo club in recent times and that is largely down to their dire record away from home.
Kari Virtanen's side have picked up just a single point from a possible 21 on their travels in 2013 and that has been pretty much par for the course for their away matches in the Veikkausliiga. They've lost 32 of 37 since 2009 and I can't see that improving today.
Bet 2: Newell's Old Boys (AWAY) @ 1.25 (1/4)
It's over to Argentina now for what looks like a very one-sided cup game between the lowly Talleres and the mighty Newell's Old Boys.
Newell's are currently the best team in Argentina and are on course for a historic treble of domestic league, domestic cup and the Copa Libertadores. Leading the way is star striker Ignacio Scocco but even if he fails to perform, Newell's have plenty of class all over the field. Gerardo Martino's men are just as dangerous away as they are at home - rarely failing to score and often winning.
While Talleres are dominating their own league, they ply their trade at a much lower level. They did manage to knock out a top flight club in the form of Belgrano in the earlier rounds, but this will be a whole different test entirely.
Newell's Old Boys are a very short price here considering they are away, but as they will so badly want to win the treble, I can't see any slip ups and the odds still represent value.
Bet 3: Brazil v Mexico (Over 2.5 goals) @ 1.61 (8/13) - Live on BBC3 @ 20:00 GMT
It's Confederations Cup action now as Brazil take on Mexico in a match-up that has all the ingredients for a few goals.
The Brazilians opened up with a 3-0 victory over Japan but they were made to work relatively hard for it as the neat and tidy Japanese put in a creditable performance.
We all know that most of the teams in this competition are using it as a warm-up for next year's World Cup but there is perhaps the most pressure on Brazil to take it seriously. With Spain beating Uruguay it's likely that they will win Group B and Phil Scolari will certainly want to avoid them until the final. That means that a win over Mexico is vital otherwise Italy could well take top spot.
Following their loss to the Italians, Mexico know that a win is required to stand any chance of making the semi-finals. After looking good during 2012, 2013 hasn't been as kind and they've drawn too many games. Scoring goals has been the problem, however they did at least find the net last time - albeit from the penalty spot - but they'll surely have to attack tonight, and that will leave them vulnerable to the likes of Neymar, Oscar and Fred on the counter.
Bet 4: Italy v Japan (Under 2.5 goals) @ 1.6 (6/10) - Live on BBC1 @ 23:00 GMT
We finish with the other Confederations Cup match as Italy and Japan clash in Group A. The Azzurri are now in pole position to qualify for the knockout phase and victory tonight could well seal the deal if Brazil win earlier in the evening.
Italy saw off the Mexicans thanks to a majestic Pirlo free kick and a Balotelli poke so I fully expect Cesare Prandelli to send his players out to put in a 'classic Italian performance'. By that I mean they will likely keep it very tight and just do enough to get the job done. We've seen it time and time again throughout the years, whatever the personnel, and that should lead to a low-scoring affair.
Japan may be the only team to have qualified for next year's World Cup but they'll probably be one of the first to be knocked out. For all their neat build up play against Brazil they rarely threatened the goal and if they couldn't score past that defence, they will find it even tougher against Italy's.
Under 2.5 goals is short at odds-on and both of this pair's openers went over, however I'm very confident about this one being low-scoring and have to include it in the multiple.
Recommended Multiple
Back TPS @ 1.5 (1/2); Back Newell's Old Boys @ 1.25 (1/4); Back Over 2.5 Goals in Brazil v Mexico @ 1.61 (8/13); Back Under 2.5 Goals in Italy v Japan @ 1.6 (6/10); The Multiple pays approximately 4.83 (4/1)
Multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.
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