We’re well and truly deep into the business end of the 2021/22 campaign with plenty still to fight for across Europe’s top five leagues. Here, we take a look at 10 matches to punt on this weekend:
Arsenal v Brighton (Saturday)
Arsenal dropped out of the top four after suffering a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace last time out. The Gunners now return to the Emirates Stadium, where their home record is only bettered by Manchester City and Liverpool. Brighton are winless in seven matches, suffering six consecutive defeats before being held to a goalless draw by Norwich last weekend.
Southampton v Chelsea (Saturday)
It’s been a difficult week for Chelsea, who succumbed to consecutive defeats at the hands of Brentford and Real Madrid in the past week, conceding seven goals in the process. The Blues seemed to be a shadow of their usual selves with their defensive frailties once again coming back to haunt them. That said, Southampton have scored in four successive encounters across all competitions.
Sevilla v Granada (Friday)
Sevilla will have maximum points insight when they host Granada this Friday. The hosts have somewhat dropped out of the Spanish LaLiga title race, but still, hold an incredible record of not being beaten at their home turf this campaign. Granada have won just one of their last 12 league encounters and seem destined to be involved in a relegation scramble at the end of the term.
Mallorca v Atletico Madrid (Saturday)
Mallorca’s hopes of survival are slowly diminishing as they come into this matchup off the back of a run of seven consecutive defeats in the Spanish LaLiga. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, have won six matches on the bounce, and although Diego Simeone’s side will have one eye on their UEFA Champions League return leg against Manchester City, Atleti are still in a race for the top four and possibly more than that.
RB Leipzig v Hoffenheim (Sunday)
Hoffenheim are slowly falling behind in the German Bundesliga after enduring a winless run of three matches, including back-to-back defeats. They make the trip to RB Leipzig on Sunday, who will be raring to go after their emphatic 4-1 win at Borussia Dortmund last weekend. Leipzig are also unbeaten in seven matches, winning five times.
Wolfsburg v Arminia Bielefeld (Saturday)
In what looks like a relegation scramble and a massive six-pointer, Wolfsburg entertain Arminia Bielefeld in the German Bundesliga. The hosts are on a run of three consecutive defeats in the league, while Arminia Bielefeld are yet to win in five attempts, losing four times. To make matters worse, both teams have struggled to find the back of the net of late.
Inter Milan v Verona (Saturday)
Inter Milan are fresh from a dream weekend, they visited Juventus and walked away with maximum points while their rivals AC Milan dropped points at home to Bologna. Inter are unbeaten in the last five fixtures, winning three and drawing two in the process. Last weekend’s euphoria shouldn’t overcloud them to think this is an easier match. Verona are no walk in the park, the visitors have lost just once in their last five, drawing and winning two matches. Inter were 3-1 winners in the first leg and If they approach this game in a professional manner then they should do the double.
Cagliari v Juventus (Saturday)
Juventus will come into this tie with a very low spirit after their disappointing loss to Inter Milan last weekend. What’s more disappointing was the fact that the match was a six-pointer as Inter are third on the log while Juventus sit fourth. Massimiliano Allegri’s men were also dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Villarreal where they lost 4-1 at home. However, this is a good opportunity for the visitors to return to winning ways as they face a side that they’ve enjoyed playing. The Old Lady have won each of their last seven meetings against Cagliari, scoring 13 and conceding just once.
Bordeaux v Metz (Sunday)
Two of the lowest-ranked teams in the French Ligue 1 lock horns this Sunday with very little to play for. Bordeaux are rooted to the foot of the pile and are without a victory in eight games. The visitors, like their counterparts, are going through a tough patch and are winless in their last nine matches.
Strasbourg v Lyon (Sunday)
Two of France’s most in-form teams do battle this Sunday with European football still in their sights. The hosts are currently fourth in the standings and ride an eight-match unbeaten run in the league. Lyon are also on an upward trajectory and moved up to eighth in the standings and will be brimming with confidence after earning a 1-1 draw in midweek against West Ham United in the UEFA Europa League.