There's opportunity to pick up some great odds this weekend, from the goal-filled games of the Bundesliga to some likely wins for La Liga and Ligue 1's top clubs. The real drama should come from the Premier League and Serie A, however, with 4 big matches that will ensure entertainment in England and some potential upsets in Italy.
LIKELY BETS
Bayern Munich vs Hamburg: OVER 3.5 GOALS @ 1.66
The Bavarians are always likely to score plenty of goals but are now even more motivated having been defeated for the second time this season in midweek. Hamburg have the third worst overall defensive record in the league and, moreover, Bayern have averaged 2.5 goals per game at home. WhoScored's match forecast suggests it is very likely that Bayern will score 'as a result of individual skill', and the chances of 4 or more goals being scored is supported by Hamburg's main weakness of 'defending against skillful players'.
Hoffenheimvs Borussia Dortmund: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.45
Jurgen Klopp still has a number of injuries to cope with and a team that will be fatigued having qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League in the dying minutes. Dortmund are always on the lookout for goals but will find it difficult not to concede. Above all, this is Hoffenheim we're talking about and 18 out of their last 19 league games have ended with both teams on the scoresheet.
Manchester City vs Arsenal: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.66
This is the best chance for Pellegrini to relaunch his side's bid for the Premier League title, but Arsenal did not exert themselves as they normally do against Napoli in midweek. The Gunners will stick to their usual game plan, which will suit City and the way that they play at the Etihad perfectly. Nevertheless, WhoScored's statistically calculated characteristics show that one of City's biggest weaknesses is 'protecting the lead'.
TEMPTING BETS
Valladolid vs Celta Vigo: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.75
The third worst home defence face the best attack away from home aside from Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, Valladolid will fight even more than usual as they are now without a win in 6 games and in desperate need of the points after dropping to the third-last spot in the table.
Tottenhamvs Liverpool: OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.80
Five out of Liverpool's 7 away games this season have finished with at least three goals scored. An open game is also likely at Tottenham, who need to finally win a game against a direct rival. WhoScored's match forecast predicts that it is very likely that Liverpool 'will score as a result of an opposition error' and that Tottenham 'will create many scoring chances'.
Guingamp vs Monaco: AWAY WIN @ 1.75
Falcao may still be sidelined, but it shouldn't matter. Now that Monaco have almost closed the gap at the top, Ranieri's team have become much more solid, with 4 wins from 4, 7 goals scored and none conceded in that run. In addition, only PSG have won more points in away games than Monaco. The WhoScored match forecast predicts at least four different likely ways that the visitors could score, with the most likely being a 'long shot'.
LONG SHOT BETS
Atlético Madrid vs Valencia: HOME WIN HT/FT @1.80
After European outings in the week, Valencia have had 24 hours less rest than Atlético, and it would have been hard to stop arguably the most in form team in Europe anyway. Atléti's home record this season reads 7 wins from 7, and they have gone ahead in the first half in each of them. The WhoScored match forecast predicts that the hosts are very likely to score 'as a result of an opposition error', and heavy legs might mean that happens early on.
Napoli vs Inter: INTER DOUBLE CHANCE @1.86
Napoli's wounded pride after their Champions League exit will get no reprieve against Inter, not only because the team gave it all against Arsenal, but also given that Inter come into the game desperate to win having registered 3 consecutive draws and received a lot of criticism for dropping points against lesser teams. The visitors will be focused on victory, and an extra ingredient will be the presence of Walter Mazzarri, the former Napoli manager who makes his return to the San Paolo here, motivated by the chance to show that he made the right decision in leaving. According to the WhoScored match forecast, it is very likely that Inter 'will score as a result of an opposition error'.
Milan vs Roma: AWAY WIN @3.00
Milan too will feel the consequences of a tiring midweek game, having played with 10 men for 60 minutes against Ajax. Meanwhile, Roma will be buoyed after beating Fiorentina last week to end a run of 4 straight draws. Most importantly, though, this is the game where Francesco Totti is expected to return to the starting line-up, and his nights at San Siro are usually nothing less than epic.
Who will you be betting on this weekend? Let us know in the comments below
