It like another goal-filled weekend across Europe could be on the cards: European endeavours will have an impact, but most of the games see teams who play open, attacking football clash, or teams that will be pushed to attack due to their current situations.
LIKELY BETS
Chelsea vs Southampton: HOME WIN @ 1.57
The odds on Chelsea don't seem to take Saints' position into account. They are only two points behind the Blues but considering that Mourinho's men have won only 1 of their last 3 league games and also lost in Basel, it seems unlikely that they will drop points again. Southampton have won only 2 of their 6 away games this season and will struggle here too.
Elche vs Atlético Madrid: AWAY WIN @ 1.53
With only 2 wins from 7 home games, there is little chance that Elche can stop an Atlético side that have won 5 out of 7 on the road, including a win at the Bernabeu. Looking at Atletico's WhoScored characteristics, they have plenty of assets that could be the difference here: very strong at the likes of 'finishing scoring chances', 'counter attacks' and 'creating scoring chances', so they could have too much for the minnows.
Schalke vs Stuttgart: OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.55
The 4th worst home defence in the Bundesliga this season takes on the 3rd worst away one, so this should be an entertaining game. In fact, 7 of Schalke's last 8 Bundesliga games have registered over 2.5 goals, while that has also been the case in 5 of Stuttgart's 6 away games so far. WhoScored's match forecast predicts that it is very likely that Schalke 'will make a comeback if they go behind'.
TEMPTING BETS
Tottenham vs Manchester United: OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.95
Winning in Tromsø in the Europa League will mean little to Tottenham. The real test for Spurs and head coach André Villas-Boas is how they will perform against Manchester United following the 6-0 defeat to Manchester City. Tottenham must show their will to win and take the game to their opponents, although the Premier League champions will prefer this mentality considering there have been 2 or more goals scored in 5 of their 6 Premier League games away from Old Trafford.
Real Madrid vs Valladolid: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.91
With or without Cristiano Ronaldo, it doesn't alter Real Madrid's goal average, both in scoring and conceding. Very few would probably have expected both teams to have scored in 5 of Los Blancos’ last 7 La Liga games at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, while Valladolid have found the back of the net in 5 of their last 7 league games away from home. The WhoScored match forecast suggests it is likely that Valladolid 'will make a comeback if they go behind', so expect the visitors to score in the Spanish capital.
Mainz vs Borussia Dortmund: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.50
Jürgen Klopp said that he grew 80% of his grey hair in the last week. It will be hard for Dortmund to recover after such a demanding schedule in which they have faced Bayern and Napoli. Mainz have the 5th worst defensive record (25 goals against) in the Bundesliga this season, while Dortmund haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 7 games.
LONG SHOTS BETS
Lazio vs Napoli: DRAW FIRST HALF @ 2.10
The honeymoon period seems coming to an end for Rafa Benitez in Naples. With his side having fallen to 6th in the table and losing to Dortmund in the Champions League, many are now questioning his tactics and a trip to Lazio might not be the best medicine. They are very difficult to break down at their home, and Benitez's men will be tired after giving their all in Germany. Incredibly, Lazio have been level at half time in 7 of their last 8 Serie A games.
Juventus vs Udinese: HOME WIN (-1.5) @ 1.89
Don't be fooled by Udinese’s win against Fiorentina; Juventus are an incredible team who have scored 12 and conceded none in their last 5 Serie A games, winning all 5. Udinese will be without Luis Muriel, a big loss for a team that will look to hit the defending Serie A champions on the break.
Valenciennes vs Lille: AWAY WIN @ 2.00
20 points currently separate Lille in 2nd and Valenciennes in 18th in Ligue 1. Only PSG have played better away from home than Les Dogues this season, while nobody has performed as badly as Valenciennes at home. A statistically calculated WhoScored weakness for the hosts’ is ‘defending against attacks down the wings’, while the match forecast suggests Lille are likely to ‘score from a wingplay situation’.
All odds provided by Ladbrokes
