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Stabaek have been improving recently, they are now on a four game unbeaten run which includes draws against the third and fourth sides in the league, they may well be second bottom but they are at last getting their act together.

Haugesund have lost their last two games including a 6-0 thrashing against Rosenborg, their confidence has been hit and this game presents a great chance for Stabaek to extend their unbeaten run and claim all three points.

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I like the look of the draw in this one, very little separates the two sides in the table, just a single point and recently both have been drawing their games, if both teams play to form then a draw is the most likely outcome.

Take the draw

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I like the look of DC United in this one and expect them to claim all three points against Philadelphia Union tonight.

These two are not in good form at the moment, they are both struggling for momentum and any advantage that is presented could make the difference and in this game DC have the advantage of being at home.

Philadelphia have not won away from home since March, that was nine road games ago, they have lost their last three away MLS games on the bounce and there is no reason to see that changing tonight.

DC United are not the most consistent at home, but they have beaten the likes of the Red Bulls at home and are certainly a better home side than what Philadelphia are away.

Home win for me

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

It is really easy to pick Rosenborg to win this one, but I am not at all confident that they will, in fact I believe there is more chance of a draw than an away win.

Rosenborg are the best side in Norway without a doubt, they are already six points clear at the top and a win here today would see them go nine points clear, but the truth is that Rosenborg are vulnerable away from home and are top because of their dominant home form.

Rosenborg have drawn four of their last five away league games against all sorts of different opponents, basically they are struggling to break teams down on their travels.

Lillestrom are not a good team and their home record is poor, however, they have beaten the teams in third and fourth at home recently and while I do not think they will do that to Rosenborg I do think they will raise themselves for this game, that is what appears to be happening when Lillestrom host the better sides, they perform far better.

I will go with the draw, it represents very good value.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I see this one ending in a draw come 90 minutes.

Only two points separate these two after 16 games and while Ostersunds are fairly strong at home they did lose against Sundsvall 5-0 back in May.

Ostersunds are better than that result and at home will feel confident they can avenge that loss, but Sundsvall have that psychological advantage and the chances are that these two will be far more evenly matched today than back in May. 

All things considered I am going for the draw in this one.

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I really do like Jonkopings Sodra, they play very positive football and this has been reflected in their results, which has seen them currently in 11th position, not bad for a promoted team.

Falkenberg are woeful, they are rock bottom with just 8 points from a possible 48, they have won just once from eight home games and lost the other seven, including the last five on the bounce.

All things considered I am going for an away win.

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I am fairly confident that the Royals will sneak a win here and at very decent odds, in fact, when I first analysed this game I actually pencilled the Royals in giving up 1.5 runs, so you can imagine my surprise at the high odds on an outright win without giving up any runs.

Royals to win outright.

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I am going with over 8.5 runs in this one between the Cardinals and Braves, I am very confident that it will be the batters and not the pitchers that have the better game this evening and that runs will flow.

Over 8.5 runs for me.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am a little surprised at the huge odds on offer on a Rangers win and I will take advantage of the sportsbooks generosity. It seems that the faith in Astros pitcher Keuchel is a lot higher with the odds makers than it is with me.

A Rangers win is the value here.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I take the Tigers to win his one and to win it by a couple of runs at least, I do not trust the Mets pitcher Syndergaard, he is very inconsistent and vulnerable and I fully expect the Tigers batters to take him to task early on.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

First game of the season for these two and on paper you would have to say that Newcastle look a good thing, but you cannot go by that when it is the first game, no one has a clue how the new transfer signings will fit in and you cannot use pre season friendlies as any sort of guide as they are notoriously unreliable.

But, that does not mean that there is not a pick to be had, there is, it is on the overs market.

The reasoning is simple, defences are vulnerable at the start of the season, they tend to be new and both these teams can score goals, basically it is a case of vulnerable defences against half decent forwards.

Take overs

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The overs has been set quite high in this, however, it is justified.

These two teams are awful, Helsingborg cannot buy a home win recently and Gefle have no idea what a win looks like on the road.

That said, both teams are generally involved in games that have goals in them, Helsingborg have had 28 goals in their eight games at home and Gefle have had 21 goals in their seven away games, in better words both teams have had an average of three or more goals per game.

Take the overs

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I like the look of the draw in this one.

I know that Tromso are favourites and that Aalesunds are poor away, but if you look closer there is every reason to think a draw has a good chance here.

Tromso have not won at home in their last four league games, in fact they have won just twice all season at home.

Aalesunds have won just once on the road this season but they have had a couple of very good results recently at home and against a team that is poor at home they will feel that they can get something from this game, I share that belief.

Take the draw

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I do not rate Scottish football at the moment, Celtic were very lucky to progress last night in the Champions League and Hearts were humiliated in the last round against a team from Malta, now we have Aberdeen going to Slovenia needing either a high score draw or a win to progress, I simply do not see that happening and fully expect the home team to beat the Scots.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Swedish outfit AIK lost the first leg 1-0 in Greece and will be confident that they will be able to beat Panathinaikos in the return leg.

I share that confidence, however, I am not convinced that AIK will progress, they may win on the night, but the chances are they will fail to qualify, probably due to an away goal.

Take AIK to win the game.

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The first leg ended 1-1 in Serbia and now that the second leg is back in Belarussia I am confident that Dinamo Minsk will make home advantage tell and win the game and progress to the next round of the Europa League.

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HJK surprisingly won the first leg in Sweden and have the advantage going into this second leg of the Europa League, however, Goteborg are the better team and will be wound up to put things right in Finland today.

I am taking Goteborg to overcome the first leg deficit and defeat the home side.

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Fenerbahce won the first leg narrowly 2-1 and Monaco need only a 1-0 win to progress, of course the Turkish side need just a draw, however, I am very confident that Monaco will win this game and either progress or force the game into extra time.

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The first leg between these two finished 2-2 in Russia and I believe that the second leg will have the same sort of outcome, namely a draw. that advantage does lie with Anderlecht but they would be happy with a 0-0 or 1-1 draw as that will see them progress, in better words the Belgium's will play for a draw and I am not convinced that the Russians are good enough to force a win.

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Ajax are not the team they were years ago and it is no surprise to see them draw at home and now need a win away to qualify for the next stage, that said, PAOK are not world beaters either and I am more confident in another draw between these two as opposed to either of them emerging victorious come 90 minutes.

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Young Boys lost the first leg 2-0 and have a mountain to climb if they want to qualify for the next stage, they will be full on attack mode throughout the game and I expect them to sneak a win, however I do not see them progressing, Shakhtar have too big a lead and will be defensive minded, they are hardly going to attack when they are away and sitting on a two goal lead.

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The first leg between these two finished without either team scoring, it showed how organised Hapoel are and I expect them to maintain that organisation and to claim a narrow win.

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A draw is all Steaua need to progress but I cannot see them going for a 0-0 here, they will be conservative and try to keep a clean sheet, but they are at home, they know they are probably better than Sparta Prague and they will want to put a cushion between themselves and the Czech side.

I am very confident that Steaua will win.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I actually see goals in this game, Dundalk like goals it seems and BATE are not immune to high scoring games either, this is a second leg of a European tie and the circumstances lend me to believe that we will see at least 3 goals scored.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I was a little surprised on the odds for Crvena Zvezda, I expected them to be a lot shorter and will happily help myself to the generous odds on them winning.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I would have liked Rosenborg to qualify for the next round of the Champions League, but unfortunately I cannot see that happening and take the Cypriot outfit to get the win in front of their home fans.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Dinamo Tbilisi have to overcome a two goal deficit from the first leg, I am not sure that they can do that but I am confident that they will get the win in this leg in front of their own fans.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am confident that Qarabag will kick on and win this game and qualify for the next stage of the Champions League.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

This will be a tight game but I do expect Aalborg to come out on top and get all three points against Odense.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Molde are in free fall at the moment and are very beatable at this time, Valerenga are having an awful season and these are the sort of games they must take advantage of, I am going for Valerenga to win this.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Two evenly matched teams and a very close game is expected, a draw looks the value pick here and that is what I will be backing.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I take Kalmar to overcome Djurgarden in this match up. Djurgarden cannot get a win away from home for love or money, they have lost six in a row on the road and I see no reason why Kalmar will not make it seven.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I fully expect the LA Dodgers to defeat Arizona today and to beat them by at least two runs.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am confident that the Nats and Giants batters will score the runs today that will see over 9 runs or over in total.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Fancy the draw in this one, LA have been in red hot form recently winning their last four games on the bounce, however, while they have won their last two road games in the MLS they are still vulnerable, Seattle have been very inconsistent this season and lost to LA just three weeks ago, but that was a close game and I am confident that Seattle will do better this time round and claim a point.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I expect a bag full of runs between the Rangers and Royals and fully expect that the overs will come good today.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am taking the Twins to beat the White Sox by at least a couple of runs today.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I see runs in this match up between the Pirates and Brewers, I am very confident that we will see at least 10 runs in this one today.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Stromgodset all day long for me in this one, not only do I expect them to win , but I expect them to win by at least two goals and cover the spread.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

On paper Sporting KC should win this one, but Portland have been improving, yes they lost last week against NYC and Sporting KC are formidable at home, but Portland have drawn their last four away matches and Sporting KC are not unbeatable at home.

Take Portland on the spread and get both the draw and away win on your side

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am confident that the Phillies will win this one over the Braves and to beat them by at least a couple of runs.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am going for the Rockies to spring a surprise today and claim an unexpected win over the Mets.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am confident that Houston will win this one and win it by at least two runs.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am taking the Blue Jays to win this one and to win it by at least a couple of runs.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I like the look of the draw in this one, having done my analysis and research, as well as based on my own viewing of these two teams in action a draw looks the value pick.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

It is hard for me to look at anything other than a home win for Haugesund today, Yes Sogndal are quite impressive recently on the road but they will have to raise their game if they expect to leave Haugesund with anything.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I will be taking Aalesunds to defeat Lillestrom this afternoon in Norway. The Home side appear to have settled at home, while Lillestrom still cannot buy a win away from home

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I take the LA Angels to win this one outright against the Boston Red Sox.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Texas are the pick in this one, I fully expect them to beat the Royals and beat them with a bit in hand.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am taking the Reds to beat the Padres this evening and to win by a couple of runs at least.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am going for overs in this one, I am confident that the hitters on the respective teams will get the better of the pitchers.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I take the Braves to emerge the winners in this match up with the Phillies this evening and to win the game by a couple of runs.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Detroit are the value in this one, I am confident they will beat the Astros and cover the spread.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am going for over 8.5 runs in this match up between The Miami Marlins and St Louis Cardinals, I see both batters having a good outing against the pitchers. 

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am taking the San Francisco Giants to cover the spread and beat the Nationals by at least a couple of runs.

All my Soccer picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Top of Western Conference New York City faces off against second placed Eastern Conference side Colorado Rapids in what promises to be a classic.

I am taking New York to win outright, they are formidable at home while Colorado cannot buy an away win, they have won just twice on the road all season and have drawn four of their last five, they need to do better than that against New York City.

This is also City's first home game after four away's and they will look to bounce back from a 4-1 humbling against the Red Bulls.

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I am backing Ostersund to win this one against Elfsborg. 

I am taking Ostersunds based on having watched them and Elfsborg in their most recent game, I felt that Ostersunds were very unlucky to lose against Elfsborg just five days ago, I thought that Ostersunds were the better team throughout and I expect them to get revenge today.

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I fancy Gefle to spring a little surprise here and claim all three points.

Gefle lost 2-0 in their most recent game against Norkopping, which is no shame considering they were playing the best team in Sweden., previous to that they won 4-2 at home against Kalmar and they strike me as a team that is finally starting to get their act together.

Hammarby are not in great form themselves, they did beat Gefle last time they met but this game is at Gefle and that makes a difference.

Take Gefle at good odds to win.

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I can see runs flowing n this game between the Angels and the Red Sox and that is my pick, Over 8.5 runs

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I fancy the Rangers to bounce back from their loss to Oakland last night and claim a win over the Royals. The Royals done well for us last night, but I do not see them repeating the trick against Texas.

I am taking Texas to win and win by a couple.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am going with the White Sox in this one, I expect Chris Sale to get the White Sox off to a good start, especially after his recent antics and my confidence in John Lackey of the Cubs is low and I expect the White Sox batters to get after him today.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I believe that the totals has been set too low and I intend to take advantage, I do see runs in this one, certainly more than 7.5 runs and that is my pick for this match up between the Braves and Phillies

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am confident that the batters for both sides will find runs tonight and that there will be more than ten runs overall.

Aberdeen v Maribor

Scottish outfit Aberdeen take on Slovenian side Maribor in the Europa League third qualification round.

The level of Scottish football recently appears to have dropped significantly, Celtic lose in Gibraltar and Hearts get dumped by a Maltese side, but at least Aberdeen seem to be playing to form.

That said, Slovenian football is arguably on the same level as Scottish football and Maribor could spring a surprise here, I certainly expect them to score at least once.

Aberdeen are at home of course and they will be looking to take a win to Slovenia for the second leg and so I do expect them to attack, I also expect that they will find the back of the net at least once.

Considering I expect both sides to score and that either team could go on and win then going over 2 goals is the value bet here.

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I am confident that the Brewers will win this one today and win it by at least a couple of runs.

Lokomotiva Zagreb v Vorskla

I take Croatian side Lokomotiva Zagreb to have too much for Ukrainian outfit Vorskla and to get the win here in 90 minutes.

Lokomotiva Zagreb are quite strong at home, they only tend to lose at their home ground against the better Croatian sides, they beat RoPS of Finland 3-0 in the last round at their home ground and I really do expect them to be able to defeat Vorskla this evening.

Vorskla are not so bad really, but an analysis of their away games in Europe has shown that they do not perform so well when travelling, though in all fairness there is very little to go on, they lost early on last year in the qualification rounds and you have to go back to 2011 for their last set of results.

Bottom line for me is that Lokomotiva Zagreb are the better side, they are decent at home and they are playing against very beatable opposition, I would be very disappointed if the home side do not win this one.

Larnaca v Spartak Moscow

I expect there to be goals in this one between Cypriot side Larnaca and Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.

Cypriot football is not too bad, it is not minnow football like Andorra or Liechtenstein, but it is not on the same level as Russian club football either.

That said, that does not mean that I think Spartak will win this one, Larnaca are more than capable of putting in a decent performance and I expect them to give a good account of themselves this evening in Cyprus.

It would of course be no surprise to see Spartak win this one, but I certainly do not think they would win it easily, they will have to defend strongly against Larnaca, who know that they must take something to Moscow for the second leg.

I expect both sides to score at least once and I do expect a winner to emerge, probably Spartak, but I do not have nowhere near enough confidence in them to back them outright.

Best outcome I see is this game having at least three goals in it and that will be my pick.

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I am confident that the Royals will beat the Angels by at least a couple of runs tonight. 

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I really like the look of overs in this one, the pitchers do not fill me with confidence and I fancy the batters of both sides will engage in a run feast.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Runs look on the agenda between the Twins and the Braves this evening and that is the pick for me in this match up, over 8.5 runs.

Astra v FC Copenhagen

First leg of this champions league qualifier pits the champion of Romania against the champion of Denmark in an intriguing match up.

It is difficult to know which league is actually stronger, I would lean towards the Romanian league as being the stronger, but not by much.

Both sides domestic leagues have just got started with Astra getting off to a shocker, losing 4-1 at home to Dinamo Bucharest, but that happens with first games of the season, they will have settled since that result and I expect a better performance from them tonight.

Copenhagen have won both their domestic games 3-0 and 4-0 respectively and they won their last champions league qualifier against Ireland's Crusaders 7-0 on aggregate, in better words, their last four games have seen 14 goals scored with none conceded.

So, we have a home side that is smarting from an opening league game thrashing against an away side that is scoring for fun.

I am not sure Copenhagen will win, but I do expect them to score,  they are currently scoring for fun and with Astra defence split open last week then I would say it is a good thing that the Danes will score tonight.

Astra are better than their recent home loss suggests and they will be looking for redemption tonight, I expect them to score as well and therefore will be doing the overs in this one.

Astana v Celtic

Astana are the best team in Kazakhstan, they won the title last season after finishing third in the regular season and then doing best in the championship round, they are clear leaders this season and will enter the championship round ahead of all domestic rivals.

Celtic are the best side in Scotland, they are under new management but they did make hard work of dispatching Gibraltar outfit Lincoln Red Imps, they won 3-1 on aggregate after losing in Gibraltar 1-0, a massive embarrassment.

So we have the best sides from Kazakhstan and Scotland and truth be told, I cannot say hand on heart that the Scottish leagues are any better than the Kazakhstan leagues.

Astana are actually favourites for this game and it would be no real surprise to see them emerge victors, but it would be folly to write of Celtic, they are of course a far better team than their recent results have shown and their new manager Brendan Rodgers will get it right and a 1-1 friendly draw with Leicester is not too bad, yes it is is a meaningless friendly, but it helps morale.

I do take Celtic to score but am not confident they will win, therefore I am going for the overs markets.

Bottom line is I expect both sides to score and either team can easily kick on and win, so over 2 goals is the value pick.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

This one for me was about the pitchers and I take the Reds to prove the better in that department this evening and go on and win the game outright.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I like the look of the Angels in this one and am confident that they will emerge the winners in what may end up being a tight game.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Houston are deserved favourites for this one and I am backing them to beat the Yankees this evening and not just to beat them but to beat them by two or more runs.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I have more confidence in the batters than the pitchers this evening and am confident that we will see a bag full of runs and therefore the pick is for overs.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I see there being runs in this one this evening, both the pitchers look susceptible to giving up runs and it is the overs that I am going with.

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

I am confident that the Phillies can spring a surprise against the Marlins and come away with the win

All my MLB picks are researched and analysed fully, each one carries my full confidence with a focus on picks that offer value for money.

Boston are favourites to win this one and I fully agree with the odds makers on that, in fact I am very confident that the Red Sox will win this one by at least a couple of runs.

Flamengo v América Mineiro

As soccer games go, this one is a bit of a mismatch and I fully expect the home side to win and to win easy.

This is not so much about Flamengo but about America Mineiro, they are utterly woeful, they have got just eight points from 15 games and are already seven points adrift at the bottom, they have lost six road games from seven and drawn the other, basically that is one point from a possible 21, like I say woeful.

Flamengo are not world beaters, however they are seventh, they have a 4-3-3 record at home and a win today will take them up to fifth, they have won their last two home games and have some momentum.

One last factor, in five out of their six away losses, America Mineiro have lost by two goals or more.

Therefore I am going for a home win and for Flamengo to cover the 1.5 goal spread.

Elfsborg v Östersunds FK

I am taking Elfsborg to get the better of promoted outfit Ostersunds today in the Swedish Allsvenskan.

Ostersunds have done ok so far for a promoted side, however, they are a mediocre outfit and while their away record is not so bad on the face of it, just two losses from seven, they are still very vulnerable and with just the one win on the road, very limited.

Ostersunds have drawn four times away from home, but when they get beat, they get beat in style, 3-0 and 5-0 losses confirm that, they are very defensive, though in all fairness their most recent away draw against Norkopping did buck that trend with a 3-3 result.

Elfsborg are only two points ahead of Ostersunds and their home record is average with three wins, two draws and a loss, but recently they have shown signs of building momentum with three wins and three draws in their last six games home and away.

Basically, Elfsborg will set out to attack and put Ostersunds down early on, the away side will defend vigorously like they have done in nearly every game this season, but I cannot see them holding out for the full 90 minutes and I do expect Elfsborg to emerge the victors and cover the spread.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I am taking the Dodgers to win this game and cover the spread.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I take the Rays to defeat Oakland this evening and to win by a couple of runs at least.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I am taking the Kansas City Royals to overcome a 1.5 run spread and win against Texas.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I like the look of the Cubs in this one, I am positive they will ease to victory over the Brewers and avenge last nights defeat.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I see runs in this one and am confident that we will see at least ten runs scored between the Astros and Angels.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

The Nationals look good for the win against San Diego and I fully expect them to emerge the winners by at least a couple of runs.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I am confident that the Yankees will avenge last nights loss and get the win against the Yankees today and to win by at least two runs.

Unfortunately due to time constraints I am unable to provide full written analysis of this pick, however, this pick has been fully analysed and researched and carries my full confidence.

I am very confident that Toronto will win this one against Seattle and to win it with a bit in hand.

Lillestrom v Stromsgodset 

On paper Stromsgodset should win this one, but I am not convinced that they will.

Lillestrom current form is poor and even with home advantage it would take unique circumstances to back them to win this one, I believe we have those unique circumstances.

Lillestrom are not that bad a team, yes they are in a bit of a freefall at the moment but they showed early season that they are a talented bunch and all that is required for them to turn things around is that one good game.

Stromsgodset are doing far better than I expected, they are full of confidence, however they took a hit midweek against Danish outfit SønderjyskE in the Europa league, they were 2-0 up and cruising to the next round, they conceded and had to go into extra time and they conceded in the last minute of the game after 120 minutes and were eliminated.

That sort of game can have a devastating effect, for starters they will be tired after such a long game and will also be emotionally drained, this is the perfect time for Lillestrom to be facing Stromsgodset.

If Stromsogodset would have been eliminated in any other way midweek I would have favoured them today, but the manner of their elimination I believe will have an effect today and therefore I am going for a home win.

New York RB v New York City

I am going with City to win this one and to confirm that they have totally recovered from their 7-0 loss back in May and to confirm their superiority over the local rivals following their 2-0 win over them just a few weeks ago.

For starters forget that 7-0 loss, that was a one off unlikely to ever be repeated and City showed their strength of character when they beat the Red Bulls 2-0 at Yankee Stadium the next time they met.

Red Bulls are of course formidable, especially at home, they have won six of their last seven games at the Red Bull Arena, but this is a derby game and regularly home advantage is not such an advantage.

Also, City have become formidable away from home, they have won three of their last four road games and five of their last seven away, a sign of a very good team.

Then we have current MLS form home and away, City have lost once and won five of their last six games, whereas Red Bulls have won just once in their last six games, think about that, just one win in six.

Would it be a surprise if the Red Bulls won, of course not, they are the favourites after all, but neither would it be a huge surprise for me if City win and based on current MLS form I am more confident in a City win than I am a Red Bull win.

Tromsø v Stabæk

I fancy the away side to spring a surprise here and collect all three points.

Stabaek are in form at the moment, they have won their last two away games in the league and have only lost the once in their last four league games overall, yes they are closer to the bottom than the top and their previous form was woeful,, but the signs are that they are building in confidence and are slowly gathering some momentum.

Tromso are just three points above Stabaek in the league and they seem to be losing momentum, they have won just once in their last five home games and collected just one point from nine in their last three home games, they are not consistent by any stretch of the imagination and while they are no worse than Stabaek in that department, they seem to be going backwards a little while Stabaek seem to be progressing.

This will be a tight game but I really do fancy the away side to get the win.

Helsingborg v Häcken

I like the look of the draw in this Swedish Allsvenskan game.

Basically we have two teams in inconsistent form, the home side have not won at home in their last three games, they have lost two of them and drawn once, while the away side have not lost in their last three away games with one win and two draws.

Both teams are capable when they are in good form, but neither of them are, only two points separate the sides in the league and both would probably be happy with a draw.

All things considered a draw looks the best bet.

Houston Dynamo v Whitecaps

I am going to back the Whitecaps to get the win here and at some decent odds.

My starting point is that I believe that Vancouver are the better team, the current standings back that up, however there is more to this pick than just league standings.

There is the fact that Houston have only one win in their last eight MLS games, whereas the Whitecaps are on a three match unbeaten run.

Now, these are small things, it has to be acknowledged that Houston are quite strong at home, they have lost just the once there all season, while the Whitecaps have lost 6 from 9 road games, but it is the current form and momentum that has me believing that the Whitecaps can spring a surprise here.

Bottom line for me is that right now it is the Whitecaps that are on an unbeaten run and that Houston are struggling to buy a win in the MLS.

All things considered I am taking the Whitecaps to spring a surprise and win this one.

Rays @ Athletics

I am taking the A'S to win this one and to win it with a bit in hand.

The Rays starting pitcher Drew Smyly is hardly in good form, he is 2-11 for the season, has given up four on more runs in eight of his last nine starts and has a 8.03 ERA over that period, whatever way you dress it up, he is not in good form.

Oakland's Kendall Graveman is in far better form, his last seven starts have seen him return a ERA of 2.64 and in comparison to Smyly, he is in brilliant shape.

I see the A's getting off to a strong start and maintaining it throughout.

Take the A's to win by at least two runs.

Colorado Rapids v Dallas

I am taking the Rapids to win this one in a massive game between first and second in the Western Conference.

Dallas currently sit top three points ahead of Colorado, however they have played three games more and will lose the top spot if they lose this game tonight.

Dallas are not formidable on the road, they have lost 6 times from 11 away games, they have won on just four occasions, which is rather a poor return for a team that is sitting at the top of the table.

Colorado are dominant at home, in ten games they have won eight and drawn two, that is very close to being the definition of a fortress.

Both teams are obviously in decent form but I cannot get away from the home dominance of Colorado against the weak away form of Dallas and for me that will be the difference between these two tonight.

All things considered I am going for a home win.

Toronto v DC United

I like the look of the draw between these two this evening.

Toronto are fairly decent at home, there is no getting away from that, but a closer look at their home record reveals that while they have lost just the once they have won less than 50% of home games, they have drawn as many times as they have won.

DC United have won just once away from home all season, not a good record, but as with Toronto, once you drill down you will see that they have drawn 60% of all their away games, they have lost three times, won once and drawn an incredible six times.

Add to that the fact that just two points separate these two teams in the league and it is hard to say that one side is better than the other.

Now, there have been special circumstances this season, as an example Toronto played their first eight games away from home, however it has all evened out now and the bottom line for me is that there is almost nothing to choose between the teams and they both love a draw.

All things considered I am going for a draw in this one.

Dodgers @ Cardinals

I am going with the Cardinals to win this one.

The Cardinals got the better of the dodgers in long game last night, finally beating them after 16 innings and I feel there is very good reason to see them doing it again today.

For starters the Cardinals pitcher Mike Leake is in great form, he has won his last two starts in which he has racked up no less than 21 strikeouts without a single walk.

Dodgers Kenta Maeda is a decent pitcher for sure, but his most recent game was bad and there is not much to follow him once he leaves the field.

All things considered I am going with the Cardinals to win.

Mets @ Marlins

I am taking the Mets to win this one against the Miami Marlins this evening.

Both teams are evenly matched and the odds should be much closer, it is not as if the Marlins are better than the Mets in every area.

The Mets won yesterday and I see no real reason why they cannot repeat the trick today, both teams have decent young pitchers starting and it will probably come down to which sides batters have the better game.

In a fairly even match up it pays to go with the Mets purely from a value point of view and that is exactly why I will be backing them today.

Cubs @ Brewers

The Cubs have clearly had the better season, they are in good form at the moment, they are on a two game winning streak and are clear favourites for this one, yet I am opposing them and going for the Brewers to emerge victorious.

The reasoning is that the Chicago starting pitcher John Lackey, is not in great shape at this time, he is not as effective on the road and now seems the perfect time for the Brewers to be facing him.

On the other side we have Zach Davies, who is in good form, he has a 2.95 over his last 13 starts and I have far more confidence in him getting the Brewers off to a good start rather than I do in Lackey for the Cubs.

I am taking the Brewers to win this one.