International Cup of Champions

Annan have seen an average of four goals scored per game at home this term, while they’ve rattled off successive 3-1 victories in League Two. They meet a Stranraer side who have hit form, scoring 10 times in a three game unbeaten run.

West Ham find themselves five points from safety and that is unlikely to improve on Saturday. Fulham beat in-form Nottingham Forest on Monday to make it five wins in eight Premier League games and they look far too strong for a Hammers side who have conceded 35 league goals and lost six of their last eight home matches.

Ross County have lost four straight games, conceding 13 times in that stretch. They’re bottom of the table with seven defeats in 10 home games, while leaders St Johnstone have won 5-0 and 4-2 in their previous two matches.

Cove Rangers have lost five of their nine trips so far this term, while they’ve been beaten 3-1 and 2-1 in meetings with Peterhead. The hosts have won five home games this term, but they have shipped 1.44 goals per game at home, beating bottom side Kelty Hearts 3-2 in their previous home game.

Falkirk travel to Dundee with an 11-point advantage despite being only three places higher. Dundee have lost seven of their last nine Premiership games and struggle for goals. Falkirk have three clean sheets in four away matches and have scored regularly against bottom-half opposition.

Estoril’s only defeat in their last six Primeira Liga home games came against second-placed Sporting, so they should be trusted to get the job done against Alverca. The visitors have won only two of their last nine matches on the road and should be vulnerable.

Estrela have lost 4-0 at Sporting and 3-1 at Porto in their last two away league games and another defeat could be on the cards at Famalicao. The hosts sit sixth in the Primeira Liga and they swatted aside Estoril 4-0 in their last outing at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.

Each of Nigeria’s last four games have seen both teams score, including their 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their tournament opener. They meet a Tunisia side who beate Uganda 3-1, with the Tunisians conceding in six of their last seven.

St Mirren are two places and five points above Kilmarnock and have won their last two Premiership home games. They have scored in four straight league matches. Kilmarnock have one win in eight away games and have lost nine of their last 11 Premiership fixtures.

Udinese could not break their losing habit last weekend, suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Fiorentina in their last Serie A outing. The hosts are enduring a difficult run of results, having lost four times in their last six Serie A games, so back Lazio to take the points.

Both teams have scored in three of the last four meetings between these sides, one of which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Blues drew 2-2 at Newcastle last time out and Villa are in irresistible form following ten straight victories, so this should be a high-scoring encounter.

Fiorentina enjoyed a big win last time and can follow that up at Stadio Ennio Tardini against Carlos Cuesta’s hosts. The hosts look frail defensively. Parma have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last seven Serie A games and have conceded 11 goals at home this season. Parma have won just one of their last ten home games in Serie A, losing four of the last six. They have been beaten in their last two at home.

Hearts are riding high at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and are fancied to get one over on their rivals in this Edinburgh derby. The visitors have won 12 of their 18 league games this season and should be too strong for a Hibees team who have lost three of their last five.

Manchester City have put together a seven-game winning run across all competitions and they’ve won their last three Premier League games by three-goal margins. Forest’s form has dipped with three defeats in their last five league games.

Manchester City have put together a seven-game winning run across all competitions and they’ve won their last three Premier League games by three-goal margins. Forest’s form has dipped with three defeats in their last five league games, so City should be able to cover a -1 handicap at the City Ground.

Arsenal beat Brighton 2-0 in the EFL Cup at the end of October, while the visitors are winless in four matches and have scored just one goal across their last three games, and they have failed to score in three of their last five match-ups with the league leaders.

Venezia are third in Serie B, and they’ve had little trouble at home to the league’s bottom sides. They’ve hosted five of the bottom seven, winning every game and scoring 13 times. Entella are sixth-bottom, having lost six of their first eight trips, including four defeats by a two-goal margin or greater.

Ross County have lost four straight games, conceding 13 times in that stretch. They’re bottom of the table with seven defeats in 10 home games, while leaders St Johnstone have won 5-0 and 4-2 in their previous two matches.

Manchester City have put together a seven-game winning run across all competitions and they’ve won their last three Premier League games by three-goal margins. Forest’s form has dipped with three defeats in their last five league games, so City should be able to cover a -1 handicap at the City Ground.

West Ham find themselves five points from safety and that is unlikely to improve on Saturday. Fulham beat in-form Nottingham Forest on Monday to make it five wins in eight Premier League games and they look far too strong for a Hammers side who have conceded 35 league goals and lost six of their last eight home matches.

Burnley have lost seven of their last eight games and have some of the worst underlying data in the Premier League. They look unlikely to get anything out of an Everton team who have been solid this term and should be too strong.

Wolves have taken only two points from their 17 Premier League outings and look destined for relegation. The visitors have lost 11 on the spin and they have scored just twice in their last eight outings. Liverpool are chasing a fourth straight victory and can do so to nil.

Aston Villa have won seven straight Premier League matches but they are not relying on their defensive discipline to grind out results as they have conceded in seven of their last eight victories and both teams have scored in six of their last seven on the road.

Sunderland are the only Premier League side other than Arsenal not yet to taste a home defeat, having won five and drawn three of their eight matches on Wearside. The Black Cats could build on that against Leeds, who have suffered defeat in six of their eight away league games.

Both Crystal Palace and Tottenham are struggling as of late and this could be an end-to-end affair. Eight of Tottenham’s last nine games have gone over 2.5 goals and the same is fancied in a game in which both teams could score too.

Phil Foden has eased the scoring pressure on Erling Haaland in recent weeks with six goals in his last five league games. He can continue his purple patch with a goal at Forest.

Brentford forward Keane Lewis-Potter has stepped up to the mark in Dango Ouattara’s absence at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring twice against Wolves last time out. The former Hull man can continue his fine form in this one.

Thierno Barry got his first Everton goal against Nottingham Forest recently and appears to have nailed down the starting spot up front. He has an expected goals figure of 2.7 and should be able to get on the scoresheet against a leaky home backline.

Six goals in 11 Premier League appearances against West Ham is an excellent return and Raul Jimenez is likely to add to that impressive tally on Saturday. The Hammers simply can’t defend, shipping three goals in each of their last two games, and the veteran Mexican will be buoyed after scoring the winner against Forest on Monday.

Tom: Hugo Ekitike has 11 goals to his name this season and five of those have come in his last four outings. The Frenchman has registered the most shots in Liverpool’s squad this season and against the worst team in the league, he should be able to add at least one goal to his tally for the campaign.

Ian: Hearts made it four wins from four Scottish Premiership matches against the Old Firm when they beat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle on Sunday and the leaders look unlikely to slow down when they head across Edinburgh to take on Hibernian.

James: Motherwell have gone 10 games without defeat in the league, winning six and drawing four, while they have tasted success twice and shared the spoils three times across their last five away fixtures.

Aaron A: Torino have battled their way to successive 1-0 victories over Cremonese and Sassuolo in Serie A and they can make it three wins on the spin when they welcome Cagliari to the Stadio Olimpico di Torino.

Aaron R: Pisa have lost three of their last four league games to nil, while they’ve failed to score in home defeats by Roma, Inter Milan, Udinese, and Parma this season. Back the Old Lady to join that list at odds-against, with the visitors conceding the second-fewest Expected Goals in Italy’s top-flight.

Gareth: Lazio have lost four of their eight Serie A trips and have only scored four goals across those games. Udinese have a mixed home record but have won three of their last five games at this venue, including wins over Napoli and Atalanta, and as big price underdogs they look worth the risk against this inconsistent Lazio outfit.

Over half of Gent’s home games have featured three or more goals, while the hosts have conceded twice in three of their last four league starts. Westerlo have a poor away record, but they’ve still scored 14 times in nine trips, while conceding over two goals per game.

Venezia are third in Serie B, and they’ve had little trouble at home to the league’s bottom sides. They’ve hosted five of the bottom seven, winning every game and scoring 13 times. Entella are sixth-bottom, having lost six of their first eight trips while shipping over two goals per game.

Bottom side Ross County have seen 28 goals scored across their last seven fixtures, while leaders St Johnstone have scored 19 times in their nine away league games so far. There have been four or more goals in 44% of their trips and they face a Ross County side who have shipped 21 goals in their last seven, so back this to be high-scoring considering the visitors have netted nine goals across their last two games.

Empoli haven’t failed to score at home in Serie B this season, netting 16 times in nine matches. They meet an in-form Frosinone side, who have won each of their last five. Both teams have scored in the visitors’ last two games, while Empoli have managed only two home clean sheets so far.

Each of Nigeria’s last four games have seen both teams score, including their 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their tournament opener. They meet a Tunisia side who beate Uganda 3-1, with the Tunisians conceding in six of their last seven.

Annan have seen an average of four goals scored per game at home this term, while they’ve rattled off successive 3-1 victories in League Two. They meet a Stranraer side who have hit form, scoring 10 times in a three game unbeaten run.

Empoli haven’t failed to score at home in Serie B this season, netting 16 times in nine matches. They meet an in-form Frosinone side, who have won each of their last five. Both teams have scored in the visitors’ last two games, while Empoli have managed only two home clean sheets so far.

Nine of Dender’s previous 10 games have seen both teams score, with the bottom club keeping only two clean sheets this term. Mechelen have scored in seven of their eight meetings with the bottom six, including a 3-1 win at Dender earlier this term.

Each of Nigeria’s last four games have seen both teams score, including their 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their tournament opener. They meet a Tunisia side who beate Uganda 3-1, with the Tunisians conceding in six of their last seven.

Aston Villa have won seven straight Premier League matches but they are not relying on their defensive discipline to grind out results as they have conceded in seven of their last eight victories and both teams have scored in six of their last seven on the road.

West Ham find themselves five points from safety and that is unlikely to improve on Saturday. Fulham beat in-form Nottingham Forest on Monday to make it five wins in eight Premier League games and they look far too strong for a Hammers side who have conceded 35 league goals and lost six of their last eight home matches. While a win may prove beyond West Ham, the threat of Jarrod Bowen and creativity of Mateus Fernandes means they should at least give their growingly worried fans something to cheer at the London Stadium. Fulham have managed just one clean sheet in six games.

Celtic should be able to claim a second win under Wilfried Nancy against bottom side Livingston, but the hosts could still find the net. Both teams to score has occurred in four of Celtic’s last six Premiership away games, and they have been vulnerable at the back recently.

Cove Rangers have lost five of their nine trips so far this term, while they’ve been beaten 3-1 and 2-1 in meetings with Peterhead. The hosts have won five home games this term, but they have shipped 1.44 goals per game at home, beating bottom side Kelty Hearts 3-2 in their previous home game.

League Two leaders Spartans have won five of eight away trips this term, conceding in seven of those games. Edinburgh City have lost four times at home this term, while BTTS has landed in all eight of their home matches.

Bottom side Ross County have seen 28 goals scored across their last seven fixtures, while leaders St Johnstone have scored 19 times in their nine away league games so far. There have been four or more goals in 44% of their trips and they face a Ross County side who have shipped 21 goals in their last seven, so back this to be high-scoring considering the visitors have netted nine goals across their last two games.

Annan have seen an average of four goals scored per game at home this term, while they’ve rattled off successive 3-1 victories in League Two. They meet a Stranraer side who have hit form, scoring 10 times in a three game unbeaten run.

Both teams have scored in three of the last four meetings between these sides, one of which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Blues drew 2-2 at Newcastle last time out and Villa are in irresistible form following ten straight victories, so this should be a high-scoring encounter.

Edinburgh City have seen an average of 4.13 goals per game at home this term, while they won 3-2 at Forfar in their last outing. League leaders Spartans have scored 16 goals in their eight trips, and they head to a side who have won 4-3, but lost 3-1 (twice) and 4-1 across their last four at home.

Six goals in 11 Premier League appearances against West Ham is an excellent return and Raul Jimenez is likely to add to that impressive tally on Saturday. The Hammers simply can’t defend, shipping three goals in each of their last two games, and the veteran Mexican will be buoyed after scoring the winner against Forest on Monday.

Burnley have lost seven of their last eight games and have some of the worst underlying data in the Premier League. They look unlikely to get anything out of an Everton team who have been solid this term and should be too strong.

West Ham find themselves five points from safety and that is unlikely to improve on Saturday. Fulham beat in-form Nottingham Forest on Monday to make it five wins in eight Premier League games and they look far too strong for a Hammers side who have conceded 35 league goals and lost six of their last eight home matches.

Rangers have won three of their last four Premiership home games and lost just once in their last ten at Ibrox. They have scored in 11 of their last 12 league matches. Motherwell have just one win from seven games when priced as underdogs this season.

Inverness have won five of their eight away trips to top the Scottish third tier, while they’ve won three of four visits to the bottom four including a 2-0 success at Montrose. The hosts have lost to nil in both meets with Inverness this season and they’ve lost five of nine home outings.

No team in the Premier League has drawn more games than Bournemouth’s seven this season and they could be forced to settle for another stalemate when they visit Brentford, who have only lost one of their eight home games this season.

Four of the last six head-to-heads between these two have ended in stalemate and after two impressive performances to start the group stages from two of the biggest teams in the tournament, this could be the same.

West Ham find themselves five points from safety and that is unlikely to improve on Saturday. Fulham beat in-form Nottingham Forest on Monday to make it five wins in eight Premier League games and they look far too strong for a Hammers side who have conceded 35 league goals and lost six of their last eight home matches.

Juventus have scored exactly twice in four of their last six games, while they’ve generated 6.6 xG across their previous three starts. None of Pisa’s home games have featured more than two goals this term, while under 2.5 has landed in 75% of the visitors’ away games.

Both teams have scored in three of the last four meetings between these sides, one of which ended in a 2-2 draw, and that could be the way to go for correct-score punters with Chelsea far from convincing odds-on favourites. The Blues drew 2-2 at Newcastle last time out and Villa are in irresistible form following ten straight victories.

Over half of Gent’s home games have featured three or more goals, while the hosts have conceded twice in three of their last four league starts. Westerlo have a poor away record, but they’ve still scored 14 times in nine trips, while conceding over two goals per game.

Each of Nigeria’s last four games have seen both teams score, including their 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their tournament opener. They meet a Tunisia side who beate Uganda 3-1, with the Tunisians conceding in six of their last seven.

Pisa have failed to score in seven of their first eight home games this term, while Juventus have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions. Juve have the second-lowest xG against in Serie A and their improved form under Spalletti should see them ease to victory over the second-bottom hosts.

Estoril’s only defeat in their last six Primeira Liga home games came against second-placed Sporting, so they should be trusted to get the job done against Alverca. The visitors have won only two of their last nine matches on the road and should be vulnerable.

Genk have won once in their last six matches, while they’ve lost both home encounters with the sides above them in the standings. Cub Brugge won this fixture 2-1 at home, while the visitors are in impressive form having beaten Gent and Dender in their previous two, scoring seven times.

Cercle Brugge are bottom of the form table in the Belgian top-flight, while they’ve won only once in 10 home matches. Over 2.5 goals has landed in 70% of their home matches, while league leaders USG have scored a league-high 35 goals and they’re set to add to that on Friday.

The visitors have won six of their last seven league games, while they’ve picked up four wins on their travels this term. The third-placed side should wrap up another three points when they visit a Standard outfit who have lost all four encounters with the top four.

Hull should be backed to beat an out-of-form Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday. They are fourth in the Championship, having won 11, drawn four and lost seven of their 21 games this season, while Sheffield Wednesday are propping up the table with just one win so far.

Sheffield United have hit form, winning five of their last seven matches in the Championship. Wrexham have suffered two defeats in their last three matches, but they’ve netted in all of their 11 home games this term. The Blades have only kept clean sheets away at the bottom three, so back them to win a high-scoring encounter.

Wycombe went through a bit of a wobble in early December but they claimed a 2-1 victory at home to Bolton last weekend and can follow by defeating Luton at Kenilworth Road. The Chairboys are progressing nicely under Michael Duff and look tough opposition for the Hatters, who are winless in four.

Plymouth have climbed out of the relegation zone with three straight wins and their surge can continue with a victory over Reading at Home Park. Argyle triumphed 5-1 at Doncaster last Saturday and are playing well enough to cope with the Royals, who have won just once on their league travels.

Grimsby haven’t won a league game in eight attempts and look opposable against Oldham, who have moved above them in the table. Oldham were impressive 3-1 winners at home to Tranmere last Saturday and they can dig out at least a point at Blundell Park.

Cheltenham are making incredible progress under Steve Cotterill and their surge away from the lower end of the table can continue with a home victory over Shrewsbury. Cotterill’s side have collected 20 points from the last 11 matches and they look the likelier winners against fifth-bottom Shrews.

Newport have suffered five defeats in seven games, while they have been beaten in eight of their first 10 home matches this term. Barnet have gone off the boil of late, but they’ve picked up four victories on their travels ahead of this visit to the league’s bottom side. Both teams have scored in four of Barnet’s last five and in three of Newport’s previous four, so back the visitors to win and concede.

Sheffield United have hit form, winning five of their last seven matches in the Championship. Wrexham have suffered two defeats in their last three matches, but they’ve netted in all of their 11 home games this term. The Blades have only kept clean sheets away at the bottom three, so back them to win a high-scoring encounter.

Anderlecht have the second-best home record in Belgium’s top flight, winning seven of their first 10 games. Charleroi have scored nine times across their nine trips. They meet an Anderlecht side who concede chances, even at home, so back the visitors to score in another defeat.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in six of Cardiff’s last seven league games, while visitors Exeter have lost eight of their 10 away trips this term. Exeter have lost 2-1 in two of their last three on the road, while Cardiff have scored three or more goals in their previous three home League One outings.

Cercle Brugge are bottom of the form table in the Belgian top-flight, while they’ve won only once in 10 home matches. Over 2.5 goals has landed in 70% of their home matches, while league leaders USG have scored a league-high 35 goals and they’re set to add to that on Friday.

There have been at least three goals scored in nine of Newcastle’s last 10 games across all competitions and in eight of Manchester United’s last 10. Both sides have been better going forward than they have at the back in recent weeks and that suggests they can combine for at least three goals.

Both teams saw over 2.5 goals in their frist match and with plenty of world class attacking talent on the pitch, this match should see over 2.5 goals.

Newport have suffered five defeats in seven games, while they have been beaten in eight of their first 10 home matches this term. Barnet have gone off the boil of late, but they’ve picked up four victories on their travels ahead of this visit to the league’s bottom side. Both teams have scored in four of Barnet’s last five and in three of Newport’s previous four, so back the visitors to win and concede.

Lincoln passed a major test last weekend by winning 2-1 at home to Cardiff and they can defeat promotion rivals Stockport at Edgeley Park. The Imps have taken ten points from their last four fixtures and are going through a better spell than Stockport, who haven’t won a home game since October.

Fleetwood moved up to ninth after back-to-back victories and can claim another maximum when taking on Tranmere at Prenton Park. The Cod Army have grown into the season and seem to be heading in the oppositive direction to 16th-placed Tranmere, who have lost two on the bounce.

Bristol Rovers picked up a 1-1 draw at Crewe in their first match under Steve Evans, but they remain in a perilous position and may struggle to cope with promotion-chasing Bromley. The Pirates may find themselves out-muscled by Andy Woodman’s Bromley, who have won three on the spin.

Middlesbrough are more prolific in front of goal than their opponents, and they look the best bet when they host Blackburn at the Riverside Stadium on Friday.

Northampton moved into the top half after last Friday’s 3-1 victory at home to AFC Wimbledon and they look likely winners against Burton at the Pirelli Stadium. The Cobblers are doing their best work on home soil but they have every chance against Albion, who are winless in four league games.

Manchester United have been fairly strong at home but their form has dipped of late. The hosts are scoring on average just under two goals per-game and Newcastle have hit 10 goals across their last five league games so an entertaining clash should be in store following United’s 4-4 draw in their last home outing.

The visitors have won six of their last seven league games, while they’ve picked up four wins on their travels this term. The third-placed side should wrap up another three points when they visit a Standard outfit who have lost all four encounters with the top four.

Notts County have won on their last three League Two road trips and they have a decent chance of defeating Chesterfield at SMH Group Stadium. The Magpies won the shot count 13 to one in the 0-0 draw at home to leaders Walsall and they can see off the Spireites, who are three points beneath them.

Blackpool won 2-0 at Wigan last time out and should be able to follow that up by beating out-of-form Doncaster. Rovers have lost their last three games and have struggled on the road all season, losing six of their 10 League One trips.

Anderlecht have the second-best home record in Belgium’s top flight, winning seven of their first 10 games. Charleroi have scored nine times across their nine trips. They meet an Anderlecht side who concede chances, even at home, so back the visitors to score in another defeat.

Hull should be backed to beat an out-of-form Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday. They are fourth in the Championship, having won 11, drawn four and lost seven of their 21 games this season, while Sheffield Wednesday are propping up the table with just one win so far.

There have been at least three goals scored in nine of Newcastle’s last 10 games across all competitions and in eight of Manchester United’s last 10. Both sides have been better going forward than they have at the back in recent weeks and that suggests they can combine for at least three goals.

Morocco have not lost in over a year, and they head into the competition as favourites to lift the trophy. They won 2-0 in their opener, their 13th victory in 14 matches.

Anderlecht have the second-best home record in Belgium’s top flight, winning seven of their first 10 games. Charleroi have scored nine times across their nine trips. They meet an Anderlecht side who concede chances, even at home, so back the visitors to score in another defeat.

Wrexham are unbeaten in their last eight league games at the Racecourse Ground, but Sheffield United have got their act together after a dismal start and can come out on top of this one.

The Blades have been full of goals in recent Championship matches and can return from Wales having secured a 3-2 success.

Manchester United have been fairly strong at home but their form has dipped of late and they may have to settle for a third consecutive home draw against a Newcastle side who have just one defeat in their last seven. The hosts are scoring on average just under two goals per-game and Newcastle have hit 10 goals across their last five league games so an entertaining 2-2 draw has a chance.

Nick Woltemade has tended to impress in bursts this season as he scored in four successive games for Newcastle through September and October, while he followed up a goal against Everton at the end of November with an assist against Spurs. Woltemade scored twice against Chelsea at the weekend looks a contender to get on the scoresheet in Manchester.

Anderlecht have the second-best home record in Belgium’s top flight, winning seven of their first 10 games. Charleroi have scored nine times across their nine trips. They meet an Anderlecht side who concede chances, even at home, so back the visitors to score in another defeat.