Icelandic sides eye cup glory

7Feb 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner scours the globe to find two more picks to boost the bank today.

As the dust settles following a night of international fixtures, there's not a lot to choose from in the football calender today - but that's not to say that there isn't value out there if you look hard enough.

We're off to Brazil for our first pick, as Olaria host Macaé in the Taca Guanabara, with both sides looking to improve recent form.

The home side go into this one sitting seventh in Group A, and are still looking for their first win in this competition following two draws and three losses so far.

Chiquinho de Assis's side secured a decent 1-1 draw at Resende in their last outing, and that suggests that they may have turned a corner following three consecutive defeats on the bounce.

And the Azulao, who turn out at the Estadio de Rua Bariri, will be desperate to build some momentum as they face Group B whipping boys Macaé, who sit bottom of the table having shipped 12 goals in five games.

The visitors have lost four of their opening five games in this competition, and a 3-1 home loss to Botafogo in their last clash will have knocked confidence in the away camp.

Toninho Andrade's side will be desperate for three points in order to move off the bottom of the table, but on recent form, that looks unlikely - and I'm backing the home side to come out on top in a hard fought encounter.

Bet 1: Olaria (HOME) @ 2.32

Back to chillier climes now, as second tier Vikingur line up against Urvalsdeild side KR Reykjavik in the Reykjavik Cup.

The home side go into this one in inconsistent form, having won just two of their last five at the Vikin Stadium - and just two clean sheets from their last nine suggests that they may struggle to contain their higher division rivals in this one.

Boss Olafur Pordason will be keen for his side to put in a performance in what will be a keenly contested tie, but four goals shipped in their last two games indicates defensive weaknesses that KR will be looking to take advantage of.

The top tier side finished the last campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Keflavik, and five unbeaten from their last eight away from the KR-Vollur will give them confidence ahead of this one.

Runar Kristinsson's side have scored nine goals in their last five on the road, and will be desperate to continue that attacking form in order to avoid a humiliating scalp by their rivals this evening.

The last time these two sides met, KR ran out 2-0 winners - and I fancy the Urvalsdeild side to do another job on their opponents in this one.

Bet 2: KR (AWAY) @ 1.5