Match Previews and Predictions
December 17th: Match Previews & Expert Betting Tips
Betting tips for the week ahead: The week is set to be action-packed with various cup matches across Europe, featuring teams battling for progression in their respective tournaments.
This article previews some key fixtures in the Romanian Cup, Italian Cup, Dutch Cup, and Spanish La Liga 2, alongside betting insights to consider.
Romanian Cup: Otelul vs. Sepsi
Otelul and Sepsi will meet on Tuesday evening at 8:00 PM in the final round of Group D of the Romanian Cup at Otelul Stadium.
Otelul is currently in fourth place in the group with three points. They were defeated away by Miercurea Ciuc in the first round but won 4-2 in Ramnicu Valcea.
They must win this match and rely on other results to reach the quarter-finals. They have only two wins in their last 15 official matches and haven’t won at home since August 30, when they defeated Sepsi.
Sepsi is mathematically eliminated from the quarter-final contention after poor performances, losing to Resita and Alba Iulia.
Their focus is on reaching the Super League play-offs, and they face U Cluj next. Six of Sepsi’s last seven away games have been against GG, with spectacular matches. Otelul won the last direct encounter 2-0, and all three past confrontations had 2-5 goals.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Over 0.5 goals in the first half
- Tip 2: Under 2.5 goals in the match
Italian Cup: Juventus vs. Cagliari
Juventus and Cagliari will clash in the round of 16 of the Italian Cup at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Tuesday at 10:00 PM. Juventus, despite being undefeated in their last few matches, have drawn their last four championship games, including against weaker teams like Venezia.
They have recorded seven draws in their last ten matches across all competitions. This cup match presents a crucial opportunity for Juventus to secure a win and regain momentum.
Cagliari, on the other hand, enters the match following two consecutive 1-0 defeats in the championship to Atalanta and Fiorentina.
They have progressed in the Italian Cup by defeating Carrarese 3-1 and Cremonese 1-0. However, they have struggled away from home, with just one victory this season against Parma.
Probable Lineups:
- Juventus: Perin; Danilo, Kalulu, Gatti, Rouhi; Luiz, Locatelli, Fagioli; Conceicao, Weah, Mbangula.
- Cagliari: Scuffet; Wieteska, Palomino, Obert; Azzi, Deiola, Marin, Felici; Rape; Lapadula, Pavoletti.
Betting Tips
- Tip 1: Juventus to win
- Tip 2: Under 2.5 goals
Romanian Cup: Gent vs. Zilina
Gent and Zilina will face off in round 3 of the Romanian Cup groups on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 8:00 PM. The probabilities are: CSM Resita victory: 33%, Draw: 31%, Csiksereda victory: 36%.
In recent games, over 2.5 goals have been scored in 3 of the last 5 matches. Csiksereda has shown improvement, winning 2 consecutive championship matches and scoring 5 goals.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Both teams to score (GG) or over 3 goals
- Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals
Romanian Cup: Ramnicu Valcea vs. Unirea Alba Iulia
Ramnicu Valcea will play against Unirea Alba Iulia in the 3rd round of the Romanian Cup groups on Tuesday, December 17, at 8:00 PM. The probabilities are: Unirea Alba Iulia victory: 34%, Draw: 31%, Ramnicu Valcea victory: 35%.
Both teams have scored in 4 of Unirea Alba Iulia’s last 5 games. Ramnicu Valcea, a strong team in the 3rd League, has achieved 6 consecutive wins but lost 2-4 to Otelul Galati in the last round of the Romanian Cup.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Ramnicu to win or Both teams to score (GG)
- Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals
Dutch Cup: Maastricht vs. Feyenoord
The duel between Maastricht and Feyenoord in the round of 16 of the Dutch Cup is set for Tuesday, December 17, at 10:00 PM.
Maastricht has only a 5% chance of winning, while Feyenoord has an 81% chance. Maastricht is winless in their last two Eerste Divisie games. Conversely, Feyenoord boasts a streak of three consecutive wins, including a 5-2 victory over Heracles, with a total of 12 goals scored.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Feyenoord to win
- Tip 2: Handicap -1.5 for Feyenoord
EFL Trophy: Peterborough vs. Northampton
Peterborough and Northampton will face each other in the round of 16 of the English EFL Trophy on Tuesday, December 17, at 9:00 PM.
The probabilities are: Peterborough victory: 56%, Draw: 24%, Northampton victory: 20%. In recent games, over 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of Peterborough’s last 5 matches.
Northampton, on the other hand, is in modest form with 3 defeats in their last 4 League One rounds. The two teams recently met, with Northampton winning 2-1 at home.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Over 2 goals
- Tip 2: Over 3 goals
La Liga 2: Granada vs. Cartagena
Granada and Cartagena will face off in the 20th round of the Spanish La Liga 2 on Tuesday, December 17, at 8:00 PM.
Granada has a 65% chance of winning, with Cartagena at 13%, and a draw at 22%. Granada has won 2 of their last 3 home matches, scoring 3 goals in each. Cartagena, however, suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat to Castellon in their previous game.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Granada to win or 2.5 goals
- Tip 2: Granada to win and over 3 goals
La Liga 2: Albacete vs. Levante
Albacete and Levante will meet in the 20th round of Spanish La Liga 2 on Tuesday, December 17, at 8:00 PM.
The probabilities are: Albacete victory: 36%, Draw: 31%, Levante victory: 33%. Albacete’s last three games have had under 2.5 goals. Levante, however, has had four high-scoring matches, each with at least three goals, and won their last head-to-head 3-2.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Draw No Bet (DNB) for Levante
- Tip 2: Double chance (X2)
La Liga 2: Cordoba vs. Eibar
Cordoba and Eibar will face off in round 20 of Spain’s La Liga 2 on Tuesday, December 17, at 10:15 PM.
The probabilities are: Cordoba victory: 41%, Draw: 32%, Eibar win: 27%. Cordoba’s last 5 games have all seen over 2.5 goals. Eibar, coming off two consecutive 2-1 matches, has won 3 of their last 4 championship games.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Both teams to score (GG) or over 1.5 goals
- Tip 2: Both teams to score and over 2 goals
La Liga 2: Zaragoza vs. R. Oviedo
Zaragoza will host R. Oviedo in the 20th round of Spanish La Liga 2 on Tuesday, December 17, at 10:15 PM.
The probabilities are: Zaragoza win: 36%, Draw: 33%, R. Oviedo win: 31%. Zaragoza is in modest form, with 3 defeats in their last 4 matches. Conversely, R. Oviedo is on an upswing, winning their last 2 matches and scoring 6 goals.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Double chance (1X)
- Tip 2: PSF (Player Special Field) 2
Dutch Cup: Eindhoven vs. Excelsior
Eindhoven and Excelsior will clash in the round of 16 of the Dutch Cup on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 9:00 PM. The probabilities are: Eindhoven win: 28%, Draw: 25%, Excelsior victory: 47%. Eindhoven has won 3 of their last 4 Eerste Divisie matches, with an average of 3 goals per game, but recently had 2 consecutive draws, scoring just one goal.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Double chance (1X)
- Tip 2: Draw No Bet (DNB) for Eindhoven
Dutch Cup: Cambuur vs. Waalwijk
Cambuur will face Waalwijk in the 1/16 finals of the Dutch Cup on Tuesday, December 17, at 9:00 PM.
The probabilities are: Waalwijk win: 38%, Draw: 27%, Cambuur win: 35%. Waalwijk comes from two 2-3 losses in the championship, while Cambuur has won their last two Eerste Divisie matches, scoring 2 goals in each of their last 3 games.
Betting Tips:
- Tip 1: Over 2 goals
- Tip 2: Over 3 goals
