Home and Away: Trelleborgs eyeing top three ahead of Lunds visit

Jonno Turner previews action in Sweden, and Switzerland, in his opening Home and Away column of the week...

We're off to Sweden for our first pick of the day - and focusing on Division One action, as in-form Trelleborgs host Lund at the Vangavallen.

The hosts line up for this clash unbeaten in three home outings, and will be keen to maintain that positive form as they look to pile the pressure on the top three.

Anders Grimberg's side have seemingly adjusted well since being relegated from the Superettan last campaign, and will be keen to chalk up another three points in order to move closer to reinstating their second tier status at the first attempt.

And after a faltering start to the season, five unbeaten suggests that the Blues have found their stride - and that momentum will stand them in good stead this evening.

Visitors Lunds travel to Skane County having lost three of their last four outings, and that will have knocked confidence in the away camp.

Boss Leif Engqvist will be desperate for his side to arrest that slump here, but 12 goals shipped in their last five outings suggests that the Klostergardens side have weaknesses at the back which could cost them tonight.

It's now five games since Lunds took maximum points on the road, and three consecutive losses ahead of this clash indicates that travel sickness has set in - leaving them sitting 13th in the table, three points away from safety.

Bet 1: Trelleborgs (HOME) @ 1.7

 

Switching our attentions to goings-on in Switzerland now, as Croatia face Portugal at the Stade de Geneve.

Igor Stimac's side will be reeling following Friday's World Cup qualification group loss to Scotland in Zagreb, and will be keen to make amends here - but their record in friendlies is not the best.

Just two wins from their last seven suggests that Croatia struggle for motivation in these games, and that could play a major part against a side with as much quality as their opponents this evening.

And the Croats are without several key names here - as the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Nikita Jelavic and Eduardo all miss out.

Portugal go into this one high in confidence following a 1-0 victory over Russia which saw them jump back into pole position in Group F - and six games unbeaten from seven on the road suggests they are well capable of securing victory here.

Two clean sheets on the bounce indicates that Paulo Bento's side are well organised defensively, and I think they will be hard to break down for a Croatia side missing quality up top.

The Portuguese have scored in every game but one since their Euro 2012 exit last year, and they are likely to trouble to Croatia rearguard here, too.

Bet 2: Portugal (AWAY) @ 2.4

Bet HERE

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