Mark O'Haire - Barca Backed & Swiss Goals

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6 min

Football betting analyst Mark O’Haire went 2/2 last weekend, so he’s back, this time with a focus on Belgium and Switzerland…


BARCA BACKED IN PAMPLONA

Barcelona continued their exceptional start to Hansi Flick’s tenure by making it seven wins from seven in La Liga on Wednesday night. The Blaugrana weren’t as convincing as recent weeks during their 1-0 success over Getafe, but the victory restores the Catalans’ four-point advantage at the summit ahead of their Saturday night showdown with Osasuna.

The trip to Pamplona shouldn’t hold any fear for Barca, who demolished Villarreal (5-1) and Girona (4-1) in their previous two away days in La Liga. Robert Lewandowski has now plundered seven goals this season, whilst Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have also been hugely influential in the final-third with the side creating and converting at will.

However, injuries have begun to bite. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is out long-term, and joins the likes of Ronald Araujo, Frenkie De Jong, and Gavi on the sidelines. Unsurprisingly, Barcelona haven’t looked completely secure defensively and their midweek win saw the group keep only their second clean sheet of the campaign.

Osasuna will provide plenty of punch of their own. Last season, the Gorritxoak scored seven goals at their El Sadar base hosting Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and the hosts have already gotten on the scoresheet in all four of their home fixtures thus far, and so with that in-mind, I fancy Vicente Moreno’s men to make their mark and contribute.

Ultimately though, Barcelona are difficult to dismiss right now and the opportunity to back the Blaugrana at 2.06 to secure top honours in a match involving Over 2.5 Goals holds plenty of appeal. The Catalans are capable of covering the goals line on their own – scoring 17 in their last four La Liga dates – and they remain the team to beat in Spain.

  • Osasuna vs Barcelona – Barcelona to win & Over 2.5 Goals – 1 unit @ 2.06

SWISS GOALS TO FLOW

The Swiss Super League continues to provide plenty of thrills and spills with the opening seven rounds featuring 3.21 goals per-game and a tasty 45% of fixtures featuring four goals or more. Saturday evening’s encounter between Young Boys and Grasshoppers has plenty of potential with neither side able to keep their sheets clean this term.

Understandably, goals have therefore been prominent in both teams’ outings making the Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score selection an eye-catcher at 1.95.

Defending champions Young Boys bagged their first Super League success of the season last weekend, although the Berne club remain right in the mire. The hosts have shipped multiple goals in five of their first seven league showdowns, allowing a massive 1.62 Expected Goals (xG) from open play – one of the worst tallies across the whole division.

That should provide plenty of encouragement to Grasshoppers. The visitors have already notched against two of the division’s three early pacesetters, scoring in five of their seven overall encounters. However, the Zurich club have also given up at least two goals in five of their opening seven matches, landing six Over 2.5 Goals winners and five BTTS pay-outs.

Considering Young Boys have returned an impressive six from seven haul in both the Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score markets, a repeat stands-out at close to even-money.

  • Young Boys vs Grasshoppers – Over 2.5 Goals & BTTS – 1 unit @ 1.95

Recommended Bets

  • Osasuna vs Barcelona – Barcelona to win & Over 2.5 Goals – 1 unit @ 2.06
  • Young Boys vs Grasshoppers – Over 2.5 Goals & BTTS – 1 unit @ 1.95

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