All eyes are now firmly on the title race in Spain. There are three teams separated by just a point and the two based in Madrid will also battle it out in the Champions League final at the end of the month.
Manchester City vs Arsenal – Draw @3.60
Manchester City will have to dust themselves down quickly from their Champions League elimination in midweek to refocus on securing their place in the competition for next season. The problem is that their performance against Real Madrid was so horrible they may need more than a few days to get it out of their system. Losing Vincent Kompany again to injury would only make matter worse. Maybe the only thing in their favour is that Arsenal aren’t exactly in brilliant shape themselves – as usual when the season ends. Draws are usually higher odds than the 3.60 that Bet365 are offering; highlighting just how likely this could be on Sunday at the Etihad. The WhoScored Match Forecast also predicts goalscoring chances for both teams.
Real Madrid v Valencia – Winning Margin - 1 @4.33
Valencia have certainly improved since Gary Neville was sacked, but they still have a long way to go. While they have nothing to play for, this could work in their favour as they travel to the Bernabéu without pressure and with the chance to rebuild some bridges with their fans with a good performance. Madrid are only a point off top spot and still have an outside chance of finishing the campaign as champions, but Wednesday’s match against City would have taken it’s toll on some of their legs. Gareth Bale and Keylor Navas have already dropped out of contention making the task at hand that bit more difficult. Three of their last four matches have been won by a one-goal margin and this looks likely again at the weekend.
Barcelona vs Espanyol – Barcelona to win (-3) @1.80
Espanyol may have struggled in the league this season but they will give everything in the derby with the chance of ruining Barcelona’s title party. Barcelona’s brief stutter almost cost them the league, but they quickly put that right with three wins on the bounce, where they scored 16 goals in the process without reply. The Catalan Derby hasn’t proved too hard for Barcelona at the Camp Nou. In fact, Barcelona have scored at least four goals in four of their last five competitive meetings with Espanyol on home turf. There’s no need to specify, but there are five goal scenarios listed in the WhoScored Match Forecast, and they are all in Barcelona’s favour.
Levante vs Atletico – Both Teams to Score @2.75
Atletico have proven that they are the best team in the world in the last few months. They have knocked out Barcelona and Bayern Munich from the Champions League to set up a repeat of the 2012 final against Real Madrid. Levante, who are bottom of the league, still have an outside chance of survival but need to win both of their last two matches, hope that others lose, and improve their goal difference in the process. They are desperate and will need to throw the kitchen sink at Atletico’s resilient defence. The win may prove out of their hands, but the odds on both teams to score are extremely attractive.
Gladbach vs Bayer Leverkusen – Gladbach to win @1.90
Bayer Leverkusen have already secured their place in the Champions League next season but there are four teams, including Gladbach, still in the mix for the final ticket. Gladbach are the current occupants of fourth spot and have won each of their last six matches on home soil, scoring 21 goals and conceding only two in the process. Leverkusen have been in tremendous form themselves, but this now means more for Gladbach.
What are your top tips this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
