Football Tips 06/05/2014 -

Iwata came down from J1 league last year after a 20 year stay and need to keep the points coming in if they wish to hold on to an automatic promotion place. Opponents Ehime are minnows in comparison, having never finished higher than ninth in the second tier. Iwata have won three of their four away games this season, scoring nine goals. Ehime have picked up seven points from their opening five home games (beating two of the bottom three), failing to score in three of these games. Iwata’s Ryoichi Maeda is an established Japan international and has filled his boots with seven goals so far – a loyal servant to the club who is far too good for this league, he may well get a few goals today at Ehime prefecture.

Haka have won the last five head to head meetings with Oulu in Valkeakoski. Haka boss Juho Rantala has told the press that he has Oulu all figured out, and that is why he was appointed – to take Haka back to the Premier League following their relegation in 2012. The club sacked former Motherwell boss Harri Kampman after he took them to a second place finish last season. Only first place is good enough for Haka at this level, whilst Oulu’s only aim is to survive at this level.

Fiorentina played three days ago so will find it difficult to maintain fitness and concentration across the ninety minutes here today. The Lillies have conceded in seven of their last eight games in Florence. Sassuolo have won their last two away fixtures, and if they can get something out of this game they can greatly increase their chances of avoiding relegation. Sassuolo managed to find the net against the title winning defence of Juventus, so should be capable of scoring against a side who have kept only three clean sheets in their 17 home league games this season. Sassuolo top-scorer Domenico Berardi in a star of the future, and scored four against Milan in January, whilst Simone Zaza is also a promising attacking talent.

The Chiefs must win this one or they will forfeit the league title to the Mamelodi Sundowns. The Chiefs have won eight and drawn three of their 14 away league games this season, whilst Pretoria have scored only five goals in their last eight games. Chiefs chief Stuart Baxter is a veteran coach and knows that a trophyless season is not good enough for the Kaizers, so will be aiming to at least win his last two games to give himself a decent chance of holding on to his job for next term.