Our attention turns to the biggest leagues in world football as we prepare to tackle four of Europe’s top five divisions head on in the hope of getting the job done over the bookmakers this weekend. With football proving to be one of the toughest sports to predict, we’ve opted to 10 for our best bets across Europe’s biggest leagues, while we also cannot leave our beloved homeland out of the mix. So, without further ado, let’s mark that bet slip!
Bundesliga
Monchengladbach v Dortmund (Friday)
Exciting times lie ahead for Monchengladbach who stretched their unbeaten run in the league to four matches after their 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Tuesday. That’s three wins in four games for ‘Gladbach. The visitors suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen midweek, which results to a two-game winless streak. Dortmund’s away form hasn’t been the best this term, so perhaps another upset could be on the cards.
Mainz v RB Leipzig (Saturday)
Mainz are going through one of their toughest times in the German top flight this season, experiencing a run of nine games without a win. On Tuesday night, their winless run at home continued as Mainz lost 2-0 to Wolfsburg – the club’s seventh defeat in nine games on their turf this campaign. Leipzig are unbeaten in their last five away trips in the league and will see this matchup as an opportunity to close the gap between themselves and Bayern Munich.
Serie A
AC Milan v Atalanta (Saturday)
AC Milan moved back to the top of the Italian Serie A table after claiming a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Cagliari on Monday. The giants of the Italian capital are on course to win their first league title since the 2010/11 season and have bulldozed their way past just about any side in the division. Atalanta are in solid form themselves and are currently nine league games without defeat. Both sides are prolific and inventive in attack and tough to beat.
Juventus v Bologna (Sunday)
After enduring what has been a disappointing campaign so far by Juventus’ standards, Andrea Pirlo’s side seek a return to winning ways after suffering a second defeat of the season, at the time of writing, losing 2-0 to Inter Milan. However, they did win the Italian Super Cup midweek against Napoli. Before that, Juventus had won three consecutive matches as Cristiano Ronaldo still leads the goalscoring chart with 15 goals. Bologna have one of the worst away records in Serie A, winning just once from their nine matches played.
EPL & FA Cup
Aston Villa v Newcastle (Saturday)
Aston Villa host Newcastle in the only Premier League game of the weekend. Dean Smith’s side are playing catch up to the rest of the league after having several of their matches suspended due to the Covid-19. The hosts return to Villa Park where they are unbeaten in their last two matches, keeping clean sheets in both. Steve Bruce looks to be on the verge of getting sacked after Newcastle’s winless run stretched to seven league games. In that period, the Magpies have lost five times, including their last three.
Brighton v Blackpool (Saturday)
Brighton will be hoping their FA Cup fourth round tie is much easier than their last one as they face Blackpool at the Amex. The Seagulls got through to this stage of the competition by beating Newport County 4-3 on penalties – the game famously known as Percy Tau’s debut in English football. Blackpool also advanced to the fourth round via a penalty shootout, knocking out Premier League side, West Brom. Brighton have looked excellent in their last two matches, losing narrowly to Manchester City before beating Leeds United 1-0.
La Liga
Sevilla v Cadiz (Saturday)
Sevilla will be hoping to continue their stellar record on home soil when they take on Cadiz. The hosts are unbeaten in their last three games at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium and have won the last two matches there. After an amazing start to the season, Cadiz have fell off a bit and are winless in their last five away ties. During that time, the visitors have scored just twice and have lost three.
Atletico Madrid v Valencia (Sunday)
Atletico Madrid have been everything you’d want from a team competing for the Spanish La Liga title with Diego Simeone’s men distancing themselves as the log leaders. They still having a couple of games in hand. At home, Atletico are unbeaten, winning eight of their nine matches played. They’ve also scored 21 times, whilst only letting in two goals. Valencia managed to win their last away tie, beating Real Valladolid, although before that, the Bats had not won in six away trips.
Ligue 1
Monaco v Marseille (Saturday)
Monaco come into their tie against Marseille in heavyweight form, enjoying a five-game unbeaten run, winning four times in the period including the last three in succession. Their ruthless approach has also been well-documented with Niko Kovac’s men scoring 13 goals in their last four matches. Marseille’s form has been indifferent with Andre Villas-Boas’ side boasting just one win in their last seven ties. They also lost 0-1 at home to Lens on Wednesday.
St. Etienne v Lyon (Sunday)
St. Etienne’s poor slump looks likely to continue as they welcome Lyon to the Geoffroy Stadium this Sunday. Claude Puel’s men are winless in five matches and have lost back-to-back games in the French Ligue 1. Lyon dropped down to third in the standings after their surprise defeat to Metz, but prior to that result, the visitors were unbeaten in 16 encounters. On the road, Lyon have scored aplenty, but have conceded 10 goals in as many games.