WORLD football fanatic James O'Rourke (@JamesOR1) continues his quest for global value with a selection of hand-picked best bets from across the planet on Saturday.
Anyang v Suwon City | Saturday 25th July 2020, 11:00
We normally take a trip to Korea in this weekly football article, including last weekend when backing a few winners in K League 1. However, focus turns to K League 2 on Saturday, which is obviously the second-tier in the country's footballing pyramid.
We’re 10/11 games into the campaign and already the table is starting to take shape. Suwon City sit top of the pile, and will be hoping to stay there after making the trip to Anyang.
Anyang are currently occupying the number eight position in this ten-team league, but they head into this after securing only their second win of the season last time out when winning 2-0 away at Asan, which also made it back-to-back clean sheets. That however was their first win in their last seven in all competitions, and during that run including a 3-2 away loss to Suwon, a clash they were 3-0 behind in after 33 minutes.
Suwon City are starting to find their feet after initially starting the season a little inconsistently. In their first six league fixtures they had won three and lost three. It is however worth noting that all three of their league losses this season came to teams currently in the top-five, so that generally proves that normally get the job done against the rest of the pack.
The main reason that Suwon sit at the top is because of their excellent away record. Their home record reads W2-D1-L2, and that again highlights some inconsistencies whereby they probably find it tough against opponents that sit back and play on the break.
On the road, they’ve won five of their six away contests, which therefore indicates they like to when the game is a little more open. They’re averaging 2.67 goals scored in these away fixtures, conceding only three overall in the process.
Whilst they sort of matches can often be a bit of a banana skin, it is worth noting that Anyang are one of only two teams in the league yet to win at home this season. Despite their struggles, it is quite interesting to see that Anyang are ranked third in the league in relation to the amount of shots on goal.
For the record, Suwon are far and away top of standings in that regard. That again highlights the fact they won’t sit back and park the bus, and this is what they did in the away clash when losing 3-2 last month.
I like the fact Anyang will have a go as that will ultimately open this match up for the more superior Suwon to play their game. Therefore, 13/15 (Sportingbet) on a Suwon City victory has to be the play as I can only see this game being played in a manner which suits them quite perfectly.
Boavista v Rio Ave | Saturday 25th July 2020, 19:00
The scene in the Portuguese Primeira Liga is that this weekend presents the final round of fixtures in the much-delayed campaign. European places and relegation spots are still to be decided, and this contest between Boavista and Rio Ave focuses purely on concerns in the battle for 5th position. Rio Ave need to better Famalicao’s result away at Maritimo, which kicks off at the same time, to win this respective battle.
Whilst Rio Ave will be hopeful that Famalicao will indeed drop points against Maritimo, who have lost only four home encounters all season, they ultimately still have a job to do themselves. A trip to Boavista is anything but easy, regardless of the fact that they’re in mid-table with nothing to play for at the top or bottom of the standings.
Boavista have done the double over Braga, defeated Guimaraes at home and also drew with Sporting CP, too, so they’re certainly capable. Even of their seven home league losses, six of those was by a one-goal margin, so they’re always in matches and are rarely beaten heavily, unless facing the likes of Porto or Benfica. Rio Ave are not in that category, so Saturday’s hosts will believe they can end their season with a positive outcome.
Rio Ave, managed by former Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal, are an entertaining team to watch and play a neat and tidy passing game which leads to them creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities. They’re ranked in the top five in relation to average amount of possession per game, and Boavista are second from bottom in that regard, so this could be attack versus defence in periods.
This is a game Rio Ave have to win and as such you can expect them to throw the kitchen sink at this, especially late on if they really have to. Since returning from the lockdown, five of their seven matches has seen both teams score, and those five would see Over 2.5 goals scored on each occasion.
As mentioned, Boavista are a little more pragmatic in their approach, but they’re in the top eight in relation to average shots on goal. Even so, it is their final game and they may be a little bolder knowing they’ll want to finish in style, if they can.
I therefore like the look of the 5/6 (Unibet) on offer about Both Teams To Score. If a situation arises where Famalicao are maybe winning comfortable in the other game then this game could turn into basketball, and Rio Ave aren’t a cagey sort of team that will necessarily play for a 1-0.
Best Bets
Anyang v Suwon City – Suwon City (13/15 Sportingbet)
Boavista v Rio Ave – Both Teams To Score (5/6 Unibet)
