Hidden Gems - Weekend predictions!

All of the bookies are focusing their army of analysts and researchers on the top leagues, while using mostly freelance advice for odds for smaller leagues. This means that almost every weekend there are games that fall between the cracks, providing a good opportunity to earn some cash from games you would never consider on normal day. However, as stats constantly prove betting on smaller leagues is more profitable! Below are 4 of these ‘Hidden Gems’ fixtures for the coming weekend:

USM Alger – MC Oran (Algerian Ligue 1) 

WIN for USM Alger

In the history of this fixture USM Alger have been hugely dominant on home turf throughout the years – (W12 D3 L0)! In general USM Alger rely heavily on their home games for wins, with record at home in league so far this season impressive (W7 D1 L2). 

Positive impact in coming weeks expected also from fact that new head coach (former player and crowd-favourite) was appointed recently!

The visitors will be missing important striker for game too – Benamar Mellal (3 goals and 3 assists this season) sidelined. Added to that the fact that MC Oran have won just 2 of their 10 away league games so far and home win looks even more likely. 

Tom Tomsk – Krasnodar II (Russian FNL) 

WIN for Tom

Due to major injury crisis that has hit Krasnodar’s senior squad right now exactly 4 midfielders (I. Zhigulev; A. Chernikov; Kaio; D. Utkin) that would have started as usual for Krasnodar II in the league are not available as they are called to help the first team. 

Also to get to Tomsk Krasnodar had to fly for 5 hours (3,400 km). Remoteness of Siberian team regularly gives them home advantage. Tom are known as very tough to play at home and they have conceded just 6 goals in the 12 home league games so far, losing only 2 of them (W6 D4). For kick-off temperature will be below freezing, with steady snowfall also in the forecast.  

Zorya – Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukrainian Premier League) 

WIN for Zorya or DRAW 

Zorya start this Championship Play-off sitting just 2 points off 2^nd spot, with only top 2 in Ukraine qualifying for Champions League! At same time Shakhtar have the title all but won already, lead at the top is 14 points. This clearly brought drop in motivation with 2 of last 3 league games very shaky. 

Also Pitmen played gruelling Europa League away match in Germany on Thursday. Usually after away European games Shakhtar rest at least 4-5 regulars in next domestic match. They already missing through injuries main anchor man T. Stepanenko and aggressive winger M. Solomon. 

Zorya have problems too – main goalie M. Shevchenko out injured + playmaker V. Yurchenko doubtful. Also game will be played in front of empty stands, but despite that Zorya’s motivation remains very high to achieve first ever Champions League appearance.    

Olympic Safi – Moghreb Tetouan (Moroccan Botola Pro) 

DRAW 

Olympic Safi are the draw specialists in Morocco – 12 draws in 19 rounds (W3 L4)! Added to that the fact that 6 of the last 8 games between sides have also ended in draws (1 win each in other 2 fixtures) and this outcome looks magnet again.  

Moghreb are not shy on drawing games themselves (7 in 19 rounds). They also struggle for goals in away games vs. Olympic, scored just the 1 goal in last 4 away games. 

Good luck all!

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