Football Bet of the Day: Zebras to earn their stripes

Charleroi v Yellow-Red Mechelen
Tuesday 19:30

In Argentina last night, Arsenal de Sarandi were given every chance of victory but came up with a draw. Visiting Talleres took the lead, but had a man sent off just before half-time. Arsenal found an equaliser, then Talleres had another man sent off. When Arsenal couldn't find a winner, they were given an 84th-minute penalty. Which they missed. 1-1 and not our favourite ever start to a week.

We're in Belgium today. A single First Division A game brings eighth-placed Yellow-Red Mechelen to fourth-placed Charleroi. The Zebras have won six of their last seven home matches and we fancy them to ease past Mechelen.

Karim Belhocine's hosts have not conceded a single goal across those seven games, with only top-of-the-table Club Brugge able to hold them to a 0-0 draw. Their most recent four wins have been by margins of 2-0, 3-0, 5-0 and - last time out against seventh-placed Zulte-Waregem - 4-0.

Wouter Vrancken's visitors returned to the top flight this season. They are a decent W6-D1-L5 on the road, but have lost three of the most recent four. Against the three teams alongside Charleroi in the top four, they are W0-D0-L3, losing by scores of 0-1, 0-3 and 0-3. We fancy the hosts to win this one and, for an odds-against punt, are taking Charleroi -1.0 on the Asian Handicap. It's a winner if they win by more than one; if they win by just the one, stakes are returned.