
Today in Football 04/09/26
Matches in Focus
- Al-Shabab v Al-Hilal — Saudi Pro League
- Ipswich v Liverpool — Premier League
- Stuttgart v Köln — Bundesliga
Yesterday in Review
We needed a bounce back, and we got one. No main card yesterday — plays went out on Twitter only (follow @PlayrPropPerson) since we wanted to wait for lineups to drop first — and it was a clean sweep, 3/3, banking +2.67u (+76.3% ROI). Huge day today, focused on three games where I absolutely love some spots. LET'S RIDE, PPP GANG.
Shabab v Hilal
I can't believe we're here again. The books still haven't understood how much quicker, more technical, and just generally levels above the rest of the league Crysencio Summerville is. We've already cashed on him 2/2 times (08/28, 09/01) and here we go again. Like it matters, Al-Shabab have conceded 7 goals in 4 games, and have faced nobody even close to the level of Al-Hilal's attacking talent.
Speaking of attacking talent, Al-Hilal have just signed Ollie Watkins and Gabriel Martinelli (who won't be ready to start this match) from the Prem. First, this only helps Summerville's production — the more goals they score, the more he's bound to get in on the act, playing alongside all of them. Watkins came off the bench and scored the final goal in a 3-0 win against relatively stronger opposition in Al-Ahli. He lied through his teeth to the media afterwards, saying the level was "as good as the Premier League" — can't blame the guy for backing his new employer after checking his bank balance. He should start this match, more than ready to go and destroy some Saudi league defenders for life-changing money. If he doesn't start, we let the bets void and wait till next week to cash in on him.

🇳🇱 Summerville G/A @ 4/6 (Bet365) — 2.5u
🇳🇱 Summerville Assist @ 9/4 (Bet365) — 0.5u
🏴 Watkins Anytime Goal @ 8/13 (Bet365) — 2.5u
🏴 Watkins 2+ Goals @ 3/1 (Bet365) — 0.5u
Ipswich v Liverpool
Really exciting Friday night match. Liverpool are the obvious big favourite, but Ipswich have a lot of positives to go off, and some of their new signings have been good. Liverpool also have some new hope even after 2 draws in their first 2 matches. Víctor Muñoz was a huge bright spot last week — his fiery mentality and playing style are awesome and entertaining.
Maeda is kind of Ipswich's own Muñoz — get it behind, press the hell out of defenders, and be great in transition. They both track back well and help their full-backs too, which matters for both teams.
Focusing the bets on these two: this should be a high-pace game with lots of transitions, and attacking players fouling to stop them. Both players love getting stuck in and putting in some transition-stopping fouls. Liverpool will press when they don't have the ball (don't count out Ipswich pressing too), and Ipswich will need Maeda to track back and help whichever full-back he faces out there — very well could be on the same side of the pitch, fouling each other senseless:
🇪🇸 Munoz O1.5 Fouls Committed @ 7/4 (Bet365) — 1u
🇪🇸 Munoz O2.5 Fouls Committed @ 6/1 (Bet365) — 0.25u
🇪🇸 Munoz O3.5 Fouls Committed @ 18/1 (Bet365) — 0.25u
🇯🇵 Maeda O1.5 Fouls Committed @ 5/4 (Bet365) — 1u
🇯🇵 Maeda O2.5 Fouls Committed @ 4/1 (Bet365) — 0.25u
Stuttgart v Köln
Poor Stuttgart had the privilege of playing their champions and record goalscorers Bayern — got the usual Bayern treatment, losing 5-1 away in Munich, so judging them off that game is just impossible. Besides, Stuttgart do have some attacking depth, so picking the right ones is the real task.
This is a home match I expect them to win. Köln have a top player as their talisman and prime playmaker in Said El Mala, who scored in MD1 in the Bundesliga, but he wasn't spotted training with the team the day before the game, dealing with an illness all week.
Demirović and Undav can both score tomorrow — scratch that, they will both score tomorrow. I think Stuttgart are a potential top-4 side in the Bundesliga this season, after they finished 4th last season, qualifying for the UCL. They'll want the good feelings at home going again after a poor start against the machine that is Bayern. Both gunmen will start, were prolific last season, played well at the World Cup, and should be prepped and ready for the new year.

🇩🇪 Undav Anytime Goal @ 4/5 (Bet365) — 1.5u
🇩🇪 Undav Assist @ 3/1 (Bet365) — 0.5u
🇧🇦 Demirović Anytime Goal @ 11/10 (Bet365) — 1u
🇧🇦 Demirović 2+ Goals @ 13/2 (Bet365) — 0.25u
Remember to follow @PlayrPropPerson on Twitter for more picks and in-play updates.
Total staked: 12u . For The Love Of The Game.

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