he Lechia Gdańsk vs. Górnik Zabrze match will open the round of 16 of the STS Polish Cup. It will be a special encounter for John Carver. The English coach will begin his second year with the green and whites. Lechia Gdańsk has been performing very well in the PKO Ekstraklasa recently. In their last three matches, the Tri-City team has collected seven points and is just one step away from leaving the relegation zone. Naturally, Tomas Bobcek has made a huge contribution to the Gdańsk team's results, having already scored 11 goals this season and leading the scoring charts. Górnik Zabrze, on the other hand, still leads the PKO Ekstraklasa standings, but their recent results are less than impressive. In Zabrze's case, they have only collected one point in their last three matches, which has meant they are closing in on the chasing pack. However, this year, the Silesian team could lose their leading position. The hosts are slightly more valuable than their opponents at 17,75 million vs 16,78 million. Lechia plays at their home stadium with the advantage of a home crowd, so they could also seek a win to advance, although in the event of a draw there will be penalties. In this case, I choose to play Asian at home, which will be voided in the event of a draw. Possible results: 1-0, 2-0. gl

Before heading out in search of more league points against Mansfield Town next Tuesday, December 9th, Steven Schumacher's men face Vertu Trophy and FA Cup matches. First up, Bradford City face the Vertu Trophy last-32 at the Toughsheet Community Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday evening), before a trip to the County Ground on Saturday to face League Two heavyweights in the FA Cup second round. Boasting a 100% record from the group stage, Wanderers enter the Vertu Trophy knockout stages with another clean sheet. Thierry Gale remains suspended after his red card against Rotherham United, but Bolton have a fully fit squad to choose from against Bradford City. Jordi Osei-Tutu shrugged off a weak leg against Luton Town, and there could be an opportunity for Victor Adeboyejo to get his first competitive minutes since February following his recent return to training. The Nigerian striker has been out since February but had already anticipated this match as his return to action. Will Forrester is also expected to make his second appearance of the season, after facing Oldham Athletic in the final group game. The Wanderers – winners of the trophy in 2023 – reached the quarter-finals last season and will secure a round of 16 match if they overcome Bradford, who ended the Whites' eight-game winning streak with a goalless draw in their last League One away game. Both teams are likely to be significantly changed from last month's meeting, but the Wanderers have the squad depth to cope with the situation, while also looking to offer further opportunities to players aiming for a league title and who have already made their mark in this season's Trophy, leading the Wanderers to three consecutive wins and 10 goals in the group stage. Bolton are worth significantly more than their opponents at 19,70 million vs 6,10 million and are playing this second round of the Cup in their home stadium, with the advantage of a home crowd. In this case, I choose the 1 sign with possible 1-0/2-0.

Today is the EFL Trophy matchday in the UK. Battling to finish first in Southern Group B of the EFL Trophy, Bristol Rovers welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday. Darrell Clarke's Rovers may be in poor form overall, but they come into this clash undefeated in the EFL Trophy and have already qualified for the round of 16. Meanwhile, Tom Cleverley's Plymouth are in somewhat worse shape than their lower-tier opponents and are currently on a five-game losing streak. On Saturday, the Pilgrims followed up their 2-0 FA Cup elimination at the hands of Wycombe Wanderers with a 3-1 away defeat at Huddersfield Town. The latest defeat has left Cleverley's men stuck at the bottom of League One with just 13 points, though hope remains, considering they're just four points behind 20th-placed Leyton Orient and 19th-placed Exeter City. Plymouth will be desperate to halt their terrible form with another cup triumph this Tuesday. Injuries and international call-ups are leaving manager Tom Cleverley with little room for rotation. Six players are currently missing through injury, though Xavier Amaechi and Joe Edwards are expected to return before the end of 2025, while the likes of Caleb Watts are out until the new year. Despite this, these are two teams in different leagues, with the visitors significantly more valuable at 6,50 million vs 13,50 million. It seems risky, but Plymouth will need to use some of their remaining starters and will still have the hunger to break their poor run of results. I expect a proud victory here with results 0-1 / 0-2, but in this case I cover it with Asian -0.25 which with a draw pays half. gl

Independiente is enjoying its best period of the semester. The Avellaneda team, which has gone 15 games without a win in all competitions, with seven draws and eight losses, is coming off 3-0 victories against Platense and Atlético Tucumán. On Monday, they will visit Deportivo Riestra, which is unbeaten in 27 home games, with 15 wins and 12 draws. El Rojo will be playing its last chances to advance to the Clausura Tournament playoffs and qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, objectives for which depend on a combination of other results. The away team is significantly more valuable at 7,99 million versus the 56,95 million market value. It will be the last train. Independiente is holding on to hope. The goal, at this point, is to try to finish 2025 as dignifiedly as possible. Away victory with an Asian option. gl

Liga 2 match in Spain Burgos CF faces matchday 13 of the Liga HyperMotion, hosting CD Castellón at El Plantío this Monday, aiming to add to their fifth consecutive win. The team, led by Luis Miguel Ramis, will be looking for a victory to keep their hopes alive in the first match of a week, which concludes with the Burgos derby against CD Mirandés. The Burgos come into the clash in great form, in third place with 21 points, after winning their last three league games and their cup debut against Atlético Tordesillas. In their last match, Ramis's men stormed past Butarque, including a comeback, and will aim to secure all three points this Monday against CD Castellón. For their part, Orellut's team CD Castellón, strengthened after a late comeback against Málaga, will visit the fourth-placed team, one of the league's most in-form teams. The hosts have a good home record with 3W 2D 1D and will face the 15th-placed team with 15 points. Burgos remains higher valued at 18,70 mln vs. 15,70 mln on the market. The visitors have had ups and downs compared to the home favorites, who have won three straight. A home win with an Asian option. gl