Home and Away: Back Fram to maintain impressive start to the new campaign

21May 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner looks at action in Iceland and Saudi Arabia as he goes in search of two more winners in his Home and Away column...

Wrap up warm - as we're off to Iceland for our first pick of the day, where Urvalsdeild bottom side IA welcome Fram to Akranes.

The hosts go into this one in miserable form, and three losses from their opening trio of league outings suggests that Pordur Pordarson's side may struggle this campaign.

But it's not just the defeats that will be ringing alarm bells down at the Akranesvollur - it's the manner in which the Skagamenn lost those games, and eight goals shipped in that time makes it clear where their problems lie.

Pordarson's side have lost their last five on the bounce including cup ties, and conceded a whopping 16 goals, which indicates that Fram are likely to be presented with a chance or two here.

The visitors line up for this clash unbeaten in the new campaign, and will be full of confidence following two wins and a draw from their last three on the road.

Porvaldur Orlygsson's charges sit seventh in the table following that start, and will be keen to get another three points on the board in order to pile the pressure on the top six.

History certainly favours the visitors, and Fram have won the last three league meetings between these two sides - including one away from the Laugardalsvollur.

Bet 1: Fram (AWAY) @ 2.54

Switching our attentions to slightly warmer climes now, as we travel to Saudia Arabia - where Al Ahli face El Jaish at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, looking to secure their place in the next stage of the AFC Champions League.

A 1-1 draw from the first leg of this tie certainly gives the hosts an advantage going into this clash, and Aleksandr Ilic's Al Ahli side will be keen to extend the formidable home form which has seen them lose just one from 13 on their own patch - a run which dates back to the end of December.

The Royals sit fifth in their domestic table, some 20 points off pole position, and that increases the need for them to enjoy a prosperous run in this competition.

And two home wins on the bounce ahead of this clash will have boosted confidence in Jeddah ahead of this clash.

Visitors El Jaish travel from Qatar suffering from inconsistent form - and just one win from five on their travels suggests that they may struggle in this one.

Razvan Lucescu's side would have been looking to make the most of home advantage and take a lead into this second leg, but that was not to be, and the aggregate scoreline of 1-1 leaves them on the verge of being knocked out of this competition.

The Doha side have not kept a clean sheet away from the Suhain Bin Hamad Stadium in five attempts, and I reckon that could cost them here, against an Al Ahli side full of momentum.

Bet 2: Al Ahli (HOME) @ 1.69