Betfair Live Video Preview: A chance to see the team of the year...from Belgium

2Feb 2013

Betfair

Yet more treats from Betfair Live Video this weekend. There's action from Australia and Turkey on Saturday and it's all about Benelux on Sunday.

Newcastle Jets vs Sydney FC

Saturday 06:30

It's 'squeaky bum time' in the Aussie A-League. With the regular season ending at the end of March, thoughts are turning to the top six places and the scrap for that all important place in the Final Series.

Sydney travel to the Jets with both sides right in the mix for a place in the playoffs. Five points separate the bottom six sides and with the Jets and the Sky Blues sitting in fifth and eighth place respectively, a win for either at the Hunter Stadium will dramatically boost their chances of sealing one of those illusive playoff spots.

The Jets come into this clash unbeaten in four and are arguably finding their first slice of real consistency this season, which has seen them climb into the playoff spots capitalising on defeats elsewhere. Defensively they have managed to close the floodgates for the time being, and by conceding only once in those four games it has gone someway to repairing the damage caused by having the third worst defence in the league to date.

Emile Heskey got himself back on the score sheet last weekend for the first time in a month - and with two goals in this fixture already this season he will be expected to repeat this feat come Saturday morning.

Sydney suffered their first defeat in four games on Australia Day at the hands of a rampant Melbourne Victory. That result aside, coach Frank Farina has got them playing exciting football for the first time this season, culminating in a 7-1 demolition job of a hapless Phoenix a fortnight ago. With the second worst goal difference in the league, the Sky Blues will be aware that goals could be crucial come the end of March - and that puts pressure on the shoulders of strikers Jairo Glaize and Alessandro Del Piero in the remaining league fixtures.

There isn't going to be much in this one with both sides starting to feel the pressure of life in the A-League. The Jets know that three points will go a long way in making them comfortable favourites for fifth spot, where as a Sydney defeat could see them slip to bottom of the table if other results aren't kind to them.

Expect the Jets to knick this one, making it three out of three against Sydney this campaign.

Recommended Bet

Back Newcastle Jets @ 2.1

Back 2-0 Newcastle @ 12.5

Bursaspor vs Galatasaray

Saturday 17:00

It's been a tricky week for the 'Green Crocodiles' of Bursaspor. Tuesday saw the resignation of much loved manager Ertugrul Saglam after a difficult first half of the season which has left them struggling in seventh spot.

After guiding Bursaspor to the league title in 2010, the club have struggled to hit the heights of that historic season with Saglam well aware of this stating, "unfortunately we haven't been able to maintain our unity as a club", in his resignation speech. Hundreds of fans turned out to thank Saglam for his efforts but now attention must turn to Saturday's clash with league leaders Gala.

The hosts have struggled to get going this campaign. With only six league victories to their name and a somewhat leaky defence, they will be relying on turning their record number of draws into victories towards the end of the season. With Scott Carson between the sticks and newly signed 'loanees' Anton Ferdinand and Maurice Edu joining the ranks, Bursaspor will be relying on the experience of these Premier League outcasts to prove the difference in their chase for a European place.

Galatasaray have been very busy this transfer window and have arguably sealed the two stand out deals in bringing Wesley Sneijder and Champions League winner Didier Drogba to the Turk Telekom Arena. With a new stadium, new sponsor and a plethora of new talent, it's clear that the Turkish champions mean business in their pursuit of European glory in the up and coming seasons.

Five points clear at the top of the Super League and scoring for fun, the Lions will be looking to extend their lead over chasing Fenerbache to eight points, playing 24 hours before their rivals. With no team hitting peak form at this stage of the season, ten points from fifteen will be seen as a respectable return by Fatih Terim's men, with many of the Gala faithful looking ahead to their last sixteen tie with Schalke in the Champions League.

A potent strike-force in Bulut and Yilmaz will no doubt be looking over their shoulder at the imminent arrival of Drogba after the African Cup of Nations. With twenty goals between them the Ivorian will have to think again if he expects to stroll into the starting eleven unchallenged.

It will be a strange atmosphere at the Bursa Ataturk Stadium, with many still in mourning over the departure of beloved manager Saglam - however when Galatasaray are in town it's always going to be a spicy affair.

The visitors have an impressive squad and are a dark horse for success in the Champions League. They should have enough to squeeze past a Bursaspor side that is lacking confidence.

Recommended Bet

Back Galatasaray to win @ 2.06

Back 1-3 Galatasaray @ 17.0

Twente v Utrecht

Sunday 13:30

Sunday lunchtime sees Steve McLaren's Twente host Ultrecht in a match that should be as tight as a drum, it's the Eredevisie's two most consistent defences squaring off and the unders markets sure look tasty for this one.

Twente lost their top spot last week after a goalless draw away to Feyenoord, PSV took their chance to leapfrog them to the top but Ajax suffered a surprise loss so minimal damage was inflicted. That goalless draw in Rotterdam was the fifth clean sheet in a row for Twente and it's their back four that is the basis of their title push this year. They have only conceded fourteen goals all season in the league and as impressive as that is they must start to pose more of a threat up front if they are to keep pace with their title rivals. PSV have scored almost double the amount Twente have but somehow only lead by a point. After going over three hours without a goal McLaren will be looking to his front three of Tadic, Chadli and Castaignos to take their chances this Sunday.

With Ultrecht only seven points off the pace and unbeaten in six Eredevisie games their manager Jan Wouters will be hoping to continue their productive run. A draw would satisfy and that points even further towards cagey affair at the Arke Stadion this Sunday. The bad news for Ultrecht is that they will be without Adam Sarota after he tore his ACL in the win over Willem II last week, his hard work in midfield will be missed and could expose their defence more than usual. They'll likely play on the counter and look for Jacob Mulenga to cause problems for Twente with his pace.

With the hosts unbeaten at home all year it looks tough for Ultrecht despite their decent away record, goals won't come easy and look for a Castaignos strike to seal it.

Recommended Bet:

Back Twente to win 1.51

Back Twente to win 1-0 @ 7.8

Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.14

Anderlecht v Standard Liège

Sunday 17:00

Betfair Live Video brings you a chance to see the form team in Europe on Sunday; Anderlecht are on fire, they've been steam rolling the Belgian top flight this season and have won eleven straight. Next to enter the ring against the heavyweights is Standard Lierge, their age old rivals, they are unbeaten in three and have just signed reinforcements but will it be enough to avoid a knockout?

With seven games remaining in the regular season and a healthy eight point lead the reigning Jupiler League champions Anderlecht should have a decent head start when the championship playoff starts. Manager John van den Bom has his team in scintillating form and they are an incredibly short 1.04 to take the title. Captained by the much coveted Lucas Biglia and with the strike force of Diumercu Mbokani and Tom De Sutter Anderlecht are a class above most teams in Belgium and their home form is pretty much perfect with only one draw tainting their otherwise faultless record.

Standard are no slouches though and sit in fourth, after not conceding in their last three matches they'll be optimistic they can make it tough for their hosts. Another boost is the arrival of new signings Loic Nego from Roma and promising Romanian striker George Tucudean, he should take the burden off lightning quick Impoh Ezekiel up top. If they can keep these two together next season they should pose a real threat to Anderlecht's dominance.

They won't make it easy but it looks too tough for the Rouches in Astrid Park, business as usual for the Mauves.

Recommended Bet:

Anderlecht to win @ 1.67

Anderlecht to win 2-1 @ 8.4