It's a relatively 'easy' weekend for all the big clubs in Europe, as far as the odds are concerned at least, with Lazio-Juventus standing out as the biggest clash, where the Bianconeri will release all of their rage from this week. The real value, however, lies in the mid-table match-ups in France.
LIKELY BETS
Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen: AWAY WIN @ 1.70
The first fixture back after the winter break is always a bit tricky to predict, but the gap in quality between these two seems solid enough to make an upset very unlikely. The WhoScored match forecast suggests that it is very likely that Leverkusen will score 'from a fast break situation' and 'a long shot'.
Real Madrid vs Granada: OVER 1.5 GOALS IN 1ST HALF @ 1.72
As usual with Real Madrid and Barcelona, the real quest is finding sufficient value in their odds and these ones are just that. 3 of Granada's last 4 games have registered over 1.5 goals in the first half and the Bernabeu will be a whole new test, against a Real Madrid which WhoScored list as having 7 different attacking characteristics as 'Very Strong'.
Lazio vs Juventus: AWAY WIN @ 1.72
Maybe the odds don't really reflect how difficult this game will be for Juve, but they are still on a 12-match winning streak (the 2nd best in Serie A history) and that alone is enough to scare a Lazio side who will be without three of their starting XI, while Juventus will only be missing Chiellini. Among Juventus's many weapons, don't underestimate Lichtsteiner on right flank, up against the young Crecco. The Biancazzurri will instead put all their faith in Klose. The WhoScored match forecast predicts that Juventus are extremely likely to score as a result of a through ball.
TEMPTING BETS
Napoli vs Chievo: NAPOLI TO WIN (-1.5) @ 2.00
Chievo are a tough opponent, and 5 games without a win will surely motivate them, but that last minute equaliser that Napoli conceded to Bologna last week is still burning in the chest of Benitez's men. Napoli have the fourth best home record and the fire power of Higuain will work perfectly against Chievo's slow defence. The WhoScored match forecast in fact predicts that Napoli will score as a result of an opposition error' and 'as a result of individual skill'.
Sampdoria vs Bologna: HOME WIN @ 1.75
The recent odds on Sampdoria at home are always a bit of a bargain. The bookmakers don't seem to have totally understood how Mihajlovic's side have turned into a very solid one in Marassi. Bologna, meanwhile, will surely have been affected by the transfer negotiations that could see their diamond -and only one at that - Diamanti move to China.
Valladolid vs Villarreal: AWAY WIN @ 1.95
A manager on the verge of being axed, with Valladolid in the relegation zone, faces a Villarreal side that come into the game off the back of 3 consecutive wins. The WhoScored match forecast even predicts that Villarreal are extremely likely to score 'as a result of an opposition error' and 'as a result of a through ball'.
LONG SHOT BETS
Hamburg vs Schalke: AWAY WIN @ 2.40
It would be strange to think that the winter break would have cured the usual inconsistency that dropped Hamburg toward the brink of the relegation zone. There is no comparison between the level in quality of the two and it's little wonder that WhoScored's match forecast suggests that it is very likely that Schalke 'will score as a result of individual skill'.
Montpellier vs Nice: DRAW @ 3.40
Montpellier have a joint league record in terms of home draws, while Nice are in a very positive run of form; unbeaten in 4 games having not managed such a feat since September. With 3 dull draws in their last 5 games for Montpellier, this is unlikely to be an exciting game once again.
Valenciennes vs Lorient: DRAW @ 3.00
The side with the second worst home attack in Ligue 1 face the only side in the league that have yet to draw away. Why should it happen now? Aside from the fact that sooner or later they will have to draw, the WhoScored match forecast lists it as 'very likely' that Lorient 'will make a comeback if they go behind'. Maybe the comeback won't be a winning one considering the good current form of Valenciennes, who have recorded two wins in a row for the first time in 8 months.
What are your top tips for the weekend? Let us know in the comments below
