Top tier Guimaraes to punish visiting Naval

9Jan 2013

Jonno Turner visits exotic climes as he selects two picks from Portugal and France to make up his Home and Away column today.

We're off to Portugal for our first pick of the day - and Guimaraes host Naval at the Estadio D Afonso Henriques, both looking to claim their first win in group B of the Taca Da Liga.

The home side are on a decent run of form ahead of this tie, and have lost just one of their last five on their own patch - which will give the Primeira Liga side much confidence as they welcome their second tier opponents this evening.

Rui Vitoria's side have smashed 11 goals in their last five outings in front of their own fans, and it is clear that they possess the necessary quality in the final third to punish their guests - but their defence has secured three clean sheets from their last five, so they must get the plaudits too.

A 0-0 draw with group leaders Sporting Braga in their last clash in this competition was a decent result for the Branquinhos - but they will be desperate to get off the mark and take three points against bottom side Naval here.

The visitors currently sit 11th in the Liga de Honra, and will be keen to arrest a slump which has seen them winless in three matches.

Boss Alvara Magalhaes has seen his side ship an average of two goals per game in that time - and those defensive slips could be instrumental in the outcome of this clash, which pits them against higher calibre opposition.

The Coimbra District side have kept just one clean sheet in nine away from the Jose Bentos, and that suggests that they will present their hosts with at least one or two opportunities this evening.

The last time these sides met, Guimaraes ran out comfortable 3-0 winners - and I'm backing the top tier side to make their quality pay here, too.

Bet 1: Guimaraes (HOME) @ 1.7

Switching our attentions for France now, and Metz travel to Bastia in the National division, looking to make it four unbeaten from five on the road.

The visitors sit second in the table, and have weighed in with some useful performances of late - but will be keen to transfer some good results in the cup into their league campaign.

Boss Albert Cartier will be delighted with his sides reaction to relegation from Ligue 2 last campaign, but desperate for them to continue the momentum they have generated in recent weeks.

And just two losses from their opening seven away games this season means that les Grenats will go into this clash full of confidence.

Hosts Bastia sit ninth in the table ahead of this one, but just two wins from their last four games suggests that they are a very beatable outfit on their own patch.

Seven goals shipped in five outings at the Stade d'Erbajolo indicates that a side with quality in the final third could punish the home side, and although they have won three on the trot in front of their own fans, you'd have to say that if anyone can give them a run for their money, it's tonights opponents.

Stephane Rossi's side have scored just 1.12 goals per game on average, in contrast to their visitors 1.88 - and I'm backing Metz to come out on top in a tight contest here.

Bet 2: Metz (AWAY) @ 2.72