Football Bet of the Day: Potter's magic set to continue

Ostersunds v Hertha Berlin
Thursday September 28, 18:00
Live on BT Sport Extra

A bit of a sickener for us last night. With Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday locked together at 0-0, Owls' striker Gary Hooper had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside. Not long afterwards, Isaac Vassell bagged the winner for the hosts. You know that GIF of Captain Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation putting his head in his hands? That.

We're off to the Winter City, Ostersund in Sweden. Ostersunds are facing Hertha Berlin in the Europa League.

The rise of Ostersunds is really quite a remarkable story. Manager Graham Potter took over the team when the club was languishing in the fourth tier of Swedish football. In six years they have risen to the top flight, and last season they won the Swedish Cup, their first ever major trophy.

Since then, they have knocked out Galatasaray in the UEL qualifiers, and they won their opening group match 2-0 at Zorya. Ostersunds tend to have quite bizarre celebrations when they achieve something - they put on a performance of Swan Lake for fans after winning promotion, and staged an open-air rock concert when they won the cup. They might have to come up with something even more outlandish if they reach the last 32 of the Europa League.

Ostersunds have only lost one of their last 20 home games in all competitions, and I think that excellent record will be extended tonight against a Hertha team that frankly looked knackered during the weekend's 1-0 defeat at Mainz. Coach Pal Dardai has left some key players at home, and the capital club's away record is poor. Hertha have won just three of their last 18 away games in all competitions, while Ostersunds have won all three of their UEL home matches without conceding a goal.

Ostersunds are 3.20 outsiders here, and I think we can use the Draw No Bet market to back them with a bit of insurance.

Recommended Bet
Back Ostersunds Draw No Bet at 2.26