It’s that time of the week again where we run through a selection of the most exciting matches from Europe’s top leagues taking place this weekend and offer our best bets and value picks.
Leicester v Leeds United (Saturday)
Leicester will look to build on their newfound momentum when they take on lowly Leeds United in the Premier League at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. The Foxes are seeking a third straight victory following wins over Randers in the Europa Conference League and Burnley in the league on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch has the task of steadying the ship at a Leeds side that has lost four consecutive matches and are presently dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Burnley v Chelsea (Saturday)
It’s been a difficult week for the European champions, from losing to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, to their billionaire owner Roman Abramovich putting the club up for sale. While the mood around Chelsea isn’t great at the moment, they should still get the better of a Burnley side they have a fine record against and who find themselves in the relegation zone.
Alaves v Sevilla (Friday)
In La Liga action on Friday night, Sevilla look to build on their impressive result against Real Betis last weekend when they take on Alaves at the Estadio de Mendizorroza. Both sides are at opposite ends of the table, with Sevilla second place in the league standings, while Alaves are stuck in the relegation zone. With their sights set on challenging Real Madrid for the La Liga title, the Rojiblancos won’t settle for anything less than maximum points.
Elche v Barcelona (Sunday)
Barcelona will be looking to continue the impressive form that has seen them go unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions, and as a result, claw their way back into the top four and secure a place in the last 16 of the Europa League. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been in red-hot form since making the switch from Arsenal, and the Gabon hitman will look to fire his new team to another important victory against an Elche side who were thumped 3-0 by bottom side Levante last time out.
Leipzig v Freiburg (Saturday)
Leipzig host Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, and with the clubs sitting fourth and fifth respectively, level on 40 points, this match presents an opportunity for either side to pull further away and closer to securing a coveted top four spot. Leipzig will have an advantage playing at their Red Bull Arena where they’ve won all three of their games there this year. As for Freiburg, their form on the road leaves plenty to be desired.
Mainz v Borussia Dortmund (Sunday)
Borussia Dortmund travel to Mainz on Sunday hoping to keep their title hopes alive. They may still be well off the pace with Bayern Munich boasting an eight-point lead at the Bundesliga summit, but Marco Rose’s side will know there’s still a long way to go and will be determined to keep the pressure on the leaders. Meanwhile, Mainz will be hoping to bounce back from their 3-1 loss at Union Berlin last time out.
Inter Milan v Salernitana (Friday)
Despite going the entire month of February without a win, Inter Milan have an opportunity to move to the top of the Serie A standings with a victory over bottom-of-the-table Salernitana on Friday night. Simone Inzaghi’s men will be confident of getting the job done against the team they beat 5-0 in Salerno back in December.
Juventus v Spezia (Sunday)
Juventus host Spezia in the Serie A on Sunday looking to keep their slim title hopes alive. Massimiliano Allegri’s men are fourth in the league standings, seven points behind joint-leaders Napoli and AC Milan. The Old Lady will be aiming to build on their 3-2 win at Empoli last weekend, while their opponents Spezia, who languish in 16th place, will be desperate to avoid a fourth straight league defeat.
Lille v Clermont (Sunday)
Lille continue their pursuit of a top-four spot in Ligue 1 when they welcome 15th-placed Clermont to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday. Jocelyn Gourvennec’s side find themselves ninth in the league standings, however, they’re only four points behind fourth-placed Rennes. The outgoing champions will come into this tie confident of claiming maximum points following their 1-0 win at Lyon. However, Clermont will fancy their chances of an upset having beaten Nice and Marseille in their past two away fixtures.
Rennes v Angers (Sunday)
Rennes host Angers in Ligue 1 action on Sunday looking to continue their momentum and remain in the top four. The Red and Blacks won three of their four league matches last month, beating Brest, Troyes and Montpellier, while they gave a good account of themselves away to PSG, with Kylian Mbappe netting the game’s only goal for the runaway leaders late into stoppage time. Angers, meanwhile, are on a downward spiral, having suffered five league defeats in a row.