El Clasico Thriller Caps 13-Winner Week: Supercopa, FA Cup, Carabao Cup & AFCON

Barcelona and Real Madrid delivered a five-goal classic in the Supercopa de España Final, with four goals in seven minutes of first-half stoppage time setting up a breathless evening in Jeddah. Our Pre-Match analysis identified value on both Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal in the foul markets, and both selections landed comfortably.

That El Clasico thriller headlined an extraordinary week across European cup competitions. Macclesfield pulled off the greatest FA Cup upset in 117 years, Arsenal took control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea, and Nigeria's AFCON dream ended on penalties against Morocco. Across these fixtures, Pre-Match Football and Counta AI Elite combined for 13 winners from 13 selections.

Yamal and Bellingham Deliver in El Clasico

Barcelona's 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España Final on January 11th was everything a neutral could hope for. Raphinha's brace, a Vinícius Junior solo goal, and Frenkie de Jong's late red card capped a chaotic evening at King Abdullah Sports City.

Our Pre-Match members received two selections before kick-off: Jude Bellingham Over 2.5 Fouls at 2/1 and Lamine Yamal Over 2.5 Fouls at 9/4.

Yamal was at the centre of everything. The 17-year-old committed five fouls and drew five more, won more duels than any other player on the pitch, and completed the most dribbles. His direct running repeatedly drew fouls from Real Madrid's backline, while his own pressing led to multiple infractions in the final third. A second-minute penalty initially awarded to Madrid for his challenge on Vinícius was overturned by VAR, setting the tone for a combative display.

Bellingham's box-to-box role in Carlo Ancelotti's midfield created exactly the sort of contact situations our analysis anticipated. The England international's aggressive pressing and late runs into dangerous areas generated fouls throughout the match.

Both selections landed comfortably.

Eight Cards at the Bridge

Chelsea versus Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on January 14th produced exactly the intensity expected from a London derby with silverware on the line. Arsenal won 3-2 to take a crucial advantage to the Emirates, but the card count told the story of a ferocious contest.

Our Pre-Match selections included Over 6 Total Cards at 7/2, Pedro Neto Over 0.5 Shots on Target at 11/8, and Enzo Fernandez Over 0.5 Shots on Target at 11/10.

Eight yellow cards were shown across the 90 minutes, with four to each side. Estêvão and Cucurella were booked within two minutes of each other in the first half, while Badiashile, Neto, Kepa, Merino, and Timber all found their names in the referee's notebook during a fractious second period.

Viktor Gyökeres ended a 74-day non-penalty goal drought to give Arsenal control, capitalising on Robert Sánchez's error. Alejandro Garnacho's brace off the bench kept Chelsea alive, but Arsenal head to the second leg with a one-goal cushion and three away goals.

Pedro Neto assisted Garnacho's first goal with a dangerous cross from the right, and both he and Enzo Fernandez registered shots on target during Chelsea's second-half surge.

FA Cup Third Round: Cards Land at Anfield and Moss Rose

Liverpool's 4-1 victory over League One Barnsley at Anfield on January 12th followed a familiar script: early dominance, a moment of chaos, and a comfortable conclusion.

Our selection: Over 0.0 Home Team 1st Half Cards at 5/1.

Joe Gomez received a yellow card in the 32nd minute for a foul on Reyes Cleary, landing the selection before half-time. Dominik Szoboszlai's 30-yard opener and Jeremie Frimpong's cut-inside finish had Liverpool cruising before Szoboszlai's disastrous backheel in his own six-yard box gifted Adam Phillips a goal. Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké sealed the win late on.

Meanwhile at Moss Rose, Macclesfield were pulling off the greatest upset in FA Cup history. The sixth-tier side beat reigning holders Crystal Palace 2-1, bridging 117 league places in the competition's biggest shock by league differential.

Our selection: Over 1.0 Away Team 2nd Half Cards at 5/1.

Palace received two second-half bookings as frustration took hold. Borna Sosa was shown yellow in the 62nd minute, and Marc Guéhi followed in the 76th minute. Yéremy Pino's 90th-minute free kick consolation couldn't mask one of the most humiliating results in Premier League club history.

AFCON Semi-Final: Lookman's Lone Effort

Nigeria's AFCON 2025 campaign ended in heartbreak on January 14th, losing 4-2 on penalties to hosts Morocco after a goalless 120 minutes in Rabat.

Our selection: Ademola Lookman Over 0.5 Shots on Target at 10/11.

Lookman entered the match as the tournament's leading contributor with three goals and four assists. His 14th-minute effort from the edge of the area was well-saved by Yassine Bounou, registering Nigeria's only shot on target across the entire match. Morocco's defensive plan successfully limited the Atalanta forward's influence, but not before our selection had landed.

Counta AI Elite: Extra-Time Cards and Tuesday Treble

The FA Cup third round delivered two extra-time thrillers earlier in the week, and Counta AI Elite was live for both.

Wrexham drew 3-3 with Nottingham Forest on January 9th before winning 4-3 on penalties, with three cards shown during extra time. Our selection of Over 1.5 Extra Time Cards at 7/2 landed comfortably as Ryan Reynolds watched from the stands.

Everton drew 1-1 with Sunderland on January 10th before losing 3-0 on penalties, producing exactly three extra-time bookings including Jordan Pickford in the 120th minute. Our selection of Over 2.5 Extra Time Cards at 23/10 landed on the final whistle of extra time.

On Tuesday January 14th, Counta AI Elite delivered five winners from six selections across European fixtures:

• Wolfsburg 2-1 St. Pauli: Over 0.5 First Half Goals ✓
• Napoli 0-0 Parma: Under 9.5 Total Corners ✓
• Al-Ahli Jeddah 2-1 Al Taawon: Under 9.5 Total Corners ✓
• Köln 1-3 Bayern Munich: Over 3.5 Match Goals ✓
• Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal: Over 5.5 Total Cards ✓

An 83% hit rate on the night.

All Sports: Battle Cruiser Lands at Turf Paradise

Our All Sports service picked up a winner from the US racing circuit, with Battle Cruiser at 5/2 landing at Turf Paradise in Arizona on the Each Way market.

Summary

What's Next

The AFCON final brings the curtain down on a remarkable tournament this Sunday, January 18th, as hosts Morocco face Senegal at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. It's a clash of African heavyweights: Morocco seeking their first continental title since 1976, Senegal aiming to defend the crown they won in 2021.

Arsenal will look to finish the job in the Carabao Cup when Chelsea visit the Emirates Stadium on February 3rd for the semi-final second leg. The Gunners hold a 3-2 advantage, but Alejandro Garnacho's brace at Stamford Bridge proved Liam Rosenior's side remain dangerous. Victory would send Arsenal to Wembley for the final on March 22nd.

The FA Cup fourth round follows a week later on February 14th-15th, delivering a blockbuster fixture list. Macclesfield host Brentford at Moss Rose in a tie that would have seemed unthinkable before their historic upset over Crystal Palace. Liverpool face Brighton, Aston Villa meet Newcastle in an all-Premier League clash, and Rosenior returns to Hull City with Chelsea just weeks into his reign at Stamford Bridge.

Pre-Match Football and Counta AI Elite coverage continues daily across Europe's top leagues, with the title races heating up across the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga.