Following an unsuccessful spell in Russia with Rubin Kazan in which first team opportunities were hard to come by to say the least, and several loan spells in the Portuguese lower leagues, Alireza Haghighi is now finally enjoying life at Primiera Liga side Maritimo. Despite having suffered an opening weekend defeat at the hands of giants Sporting Lisbon, the Iranian goalkeeper will be looking to make the number one jersey his own this season, with Maritimo among those being backed for relegation in the football tips from bookmakers.

The 28-year-old has twenty-three apperances for the Iran national team to date, and will be hoping that success in Portugal can help him to challenge the likes of Alireza Beiranvand and Mohammadreza Akhbari for a starting place in Carlos Queiroz’s squad. Despite being rank outsiders at bookmakers Coral for the 2018 World Cup, the fact that Iran have maintained their position as the number one ranked team in Asia demonstrates improvements made under their Portuguease manager. Iran finished in top spot in their opening round of qualification for the World Cup, and with a next fixture against Qatar, backing Team Melli to reach the finals for the fifth time in their career could be one of the best football tips this year. Coral tip Iran to reach the finals in Russia, having done so in Brazil in 2014.

Meanwhile, Haghighi’s former club Persepolis FC are currently sitting top of the Persian Gulf Pro League following three wins in their opening four matches. Having finished as runners up last time around, Persepolis will be looking to go one better this season, and are among the favourites in the football tips from Coral to do just that. Having failed to win the title since back in 2008, when Haghighi was still at the club, Croatian manager Branko Ivanković keen to bring back the winning ways having joined from Dinamo Zagreb last year.

The famous Persepolis do not play again until September, when they travel to the Sahand Stadium to take on Tractor Sazi. With their opponents just one place behind them in the league table, it could well be a difficult match for Ivankovic’s men, however they still remain the favourites for victory in the football tips from Coral.
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