Whose “Cup" of Tea Will Thursday Be? : Accumulator Tip for December 18

This Thursday, Telecomasia publishes three Cup games from the Taca de Portugal (two events from the Portuguese Cup) and the Turkiye Kupasi; the Turkish Cup.

Torn for thrill upon thrill in the Round of 16, giants of the Portuguese domestic league, Sporting and Porto, will play against Santa Clara and Famalicao, respectively. Galatasaray will play the fifth round of the Turkish Cup against the all-familiar foe, Istanbul Basaksehir.

Santa Clara vs Sporting CP

At the Estadio Sao Miguel, Santa Clara will contest against Sporting CP ahead of the Round 16 of the Taça de Portugal, in a winner-takes-all ninety-minute affair, as both sides set their sights on the quarter-finals. History has seen Sporting CP as the more dominant side in ten meetings with eight victories, while Santa Clara has only two wins.

Os Ascorianos (Santa Clara) entered the competition in the third round, narrowly edging past Espinho by penalties after a goalless brawl in normal time, winning 4-2 after extra time to earn their place in the fourth round against fourth-tier side, Comercio Industria, which saw their play improve, a 3-0 finish.

For Sporting CP, it was brutality from the start - with a 3-2 affair over Pacos Ferreira in the third round, and a 3-0 win against Marinhense. Interestingly, Verd e Broncos (Sporting CP) has scored three goals in their two entry games into the Taca de Portugal - six offensive goals while conceding two.

This contest will be strictly judged by their performances in the domestic league. Firstly, this will definitely turn out to be a high-intense clash. However, Sporting has more discipline and takes pressure better than Santa Clara. My take is for a close-contested affair, but with Sporting triumphing at full-time.

Bet: W2

Porto vs Famalicao

Porto comes face-to-face with the Quarterfinals, but with Famalicao standing in their view in the Round of 16, which will take place at the Estadio Dragao, Porto’s home turf. Famalicao comes into this clash as the weaker underdogs, still yet to relish victory over their counterparts after ten recent meetings.

In the domestic league, the Liga de Portugal, the Dragons have scorched everything in their path, seizing thirteen victories and holding on to one tie. The 2-0 victory against Tondela set the mood for the 2-1 win against Swedish Allsvekan side, Malmo FF, in the UEFA Europa League; a victory that spurred their 3-1 win against Estrela Amadora, a sharp turnaround in the fate shared in their last meeting- a previous 2-0 Estrela win. Their Cup run has been marked with tremendous victories - a 4-0 victory against Celoricense and a 3-0 win against Sintrense. Seven goals scored, and no concessions.

Famalicao has a similar trend in the Cup with a 3-0 win against Sao Joao Ver in the third round and a 2-1 win against thirteenth-placed league side, Estoril Praia in the fourth round. The whole ball game here screams a BTTS -YES, but Porto’s superiority cannot be overlooked. A victory will not be far-fetched in this clash.

Bet: W1

Galatasaray vs Basaksehir

Matchday One of the Turkish Cup, the Turkiye Kupasi, unfolds with Galatasaray pairing against Istanbul Basaksehir at the Rams Park in Istanbul. In direct ten clashes, there have been seven victories for Galatasaray, two stalemates, and one for Basaksehir.

Galatasaray enters this tournament about unbeaten in their last four league matches, holding a 3-2 win over Genclerbirliği, a 1-1 tie against Fenerbahçe, a 3-2 victory against Samsunspor, and a 4-1 win against Antalyaspor.

Istanbul Basaksehir comes into this match unbeaten in the last three matches, i.e, a 3-1 win against Kasimpasa, a 1-1 win against Fernabahce, and a 2-0 victory against Samsunspor. Interestingly, Basaksehir has scored in nine of their last ten league games. This season, there have been three meetings between the sides, and Galatasaray has taken victory on all occasions. Osimhen’s absence due to his unavoidable AFCON exit will be felt on the frontlines.

Since I do not see a one-sided outcome, my bet here will be for goals on both sides.

Bet: BTTS-YES