Iran’s finest take to the field once again this weekend, with only a select few enjoying the privilege of representing their clubs in the greatest football continent on the planet. The respective teams of players currently in the Iran national side have experienced contrasting fortunes throughout the past year, but there will always be tantalising wagers to place on the matches in which they play.
With the world gearing up for another weekend of enthralling action, there is no better place to start than the very home of football itself...
Charlton v Burnley
Football League Championship – 7th May – 12.30 BST
Focal Player: Reza Ghoochannejhad
After a miserable season, Charlton are relegated to League One for the second time in eight years. Reza Ghoochannejhad also faces an uncertain future in English football, with a meagre total of just four goals from 25 appearances for the Addicks since August.
Worse yet, Ghoochannejhad’s last club goal came in an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Colchester in the FA Cup on 9th January. To be the first goalscorer this weekend, against already-promoted Burnley, he is obviously a long shot at around 11/1 (+1100) on average, and 6/1 (+600) on average to score at any time in the match.
Match Tip: Although Burnley are already promoted, the Clarets must win to be absolutely certain of the league title. Unlike Charlton, the side from East Lancashire still has much to play for, and an average price of 12/1 (+1200) is offered for a hat trick from Andre Gray, who is Burnley’s runaway top scorer.
FC Utrecht v AZ Alkmaar
Dutch Eredivisie – 8th May – 13.30 BST
Focal Player: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
This weekend marks the end of the Eredivisie season. Still only 22, AZ winger Jahanbakhsh is arguably Iran’s most promising Europe-based player, having already been voted as the best player of the 2014-15 Eredivisie season.
Although a bye to the Europa League (UEL) group stage via the domestic league is already impossible for AZ, Jahanbakhsh’s uncompromising performances in the middle of the park have contributed much to his club’s challenge for a spot in the UEL final qualifying round. Utrecht may still overtake them, but it will take a win over AZ by three clear goals to do so due to their inferior firepower over the preceding 33 games.
Encouragingly, AZ are hitting form at the right time, with the team from north of Holland boasting a maximum points return and a staggering eleven goals from the last three games. Jahanbakhsh himself is currently priced at an average of 9/1 (+900) to be the first goalscorer against Utrecht, and 11/5 (+220) on average to be an anytime scorer.
Match Tip: With the convenience of a one-round bye in the Europa League at stake, neither side will want to take any undue risks. Consider strongly backing a draw, with Under 3.5 goals shared – this is currently available at a tempting average of 6/1 (+600).
Fortuna Dusseldorf v FSV Frankfurt
2. Bundesliga – 8th May – 14.30 BST
Focal Player: Ehsan Hajsafi
Hajsafi has suffered bleak fortunes in the fullback position for his club this season. At present, FSV Frankfurt occupy only the sole relegation playoff place, but with just three points separating the bottom placed club (Paderborn) from the guaranteed safety of 14th, Der Bornheimer remain in real danger of automatic relegation.
By a cruel twist of fate, FSV Frankfurt’s next match is away to the side that lies directly above them, albeit on goal difference, which can only add to the already mounting pressure.
With just two games remaining, a defeat for FSV Frankfurt on Sunday would almost certainly consign them to a relegation playoff at the very least. Worse still, FSV Frankfurt approach this game on the back of five straight defeats, and no win since 19th February.
Dusseldorf’s own winless run is not as extensive – exactly one month shorter than FSV Frankfurt’s to be specific. Ultimately, with home advantage, a Dusseldorf win appears inevitable.
Match Tip: Hajsafi is priced at an average of 9/1 (+900) as an anytime goalscorer in this encounter, and even the most loyal and brave FSV Frankfurt supporter in existence would immediately shun this in favour of other markets.
A cagey affair can be expected given what is at stake, lengthening the odds attractively in the Win Both Halves market, with the home side currently priced at an average of 17/4 (+425) to do so.
Dinamo Moscow v Rostov
Russian Premier League – 12th May – 17.30 BST
Focal Player: Sardar Azmoun
At last, gamblers have the opportunity to back an Iranian that is set to make an impact in the Individual Player markets. Having previously been linked with several English Premier League clubs, including Stoke and Everton, Azmoun has settled well into the Rostov squad, netting the equivalent of one goal in every four games.
Although this is not the sort of form that grabs headlines, 21-year old Azmoun’s international form has been scintillating, with a goals return of 150% from three games for Iran in this calendar year alone.
Azmoun scored in the recent 3-0 demolition of Zenit St Petersburg, in what was a team performance that underlined the club’s championship credentials. At the time of writing, Rostov have yet to entertain Lokomotiv Moscow, but are just two points behind leaders CSKA Moscow as the season reaches its climax.
Azmoun’s odds to be a first or anytime scorer do not offer much opportunity to yield an impressive payout, so again, the attention turns to more diverse markets.
Match Tip: A shock 2-1 defeat away to Saransk ended an impressive streak of eight consecutive clean sheets for Rostov (including six wins). There is, however, every indication that they will bounce back with ease.
Nonetheless, odds of a clean sheet for Rostov have lengthened, but it is still well worth backing that event against a Dynamo Moscow team fighting desperately to avoid involvement in a relegation playoff.
A Rostov clean sheet can currently be backed at an average of 16/11 (+145).
Written by Tamhas Woods
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