Turin and Manchester are the hotspots for the top games of the weekend, both in terms of betting and entertainment. The odds are best in the goal markets in the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, and on the game that many think could be the farewell of Massimiliano Allegri.
LIKELY BETS
Villarreal vs Atlético Madrid: DOUBLE CHANCE 1X @ 1.70
Valencia were thrashed at Villarreal and Real Madrid were held to a draw; El Madrigal is a stadium where no matter the technical difference, every club will struggle. In Atlético's last two away games, they have lost to Espanyol and struggled to a win at Granada. Villarreal will be without Giovani, and will have to battle for a result, but a scrappy game could increase their chances against a superior Atlético side.
Hoffenheim vs Hertha: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.53
Both teams have scored in each of Hoffenheim'slast 15 Bundesliga matches, including all 11 so far this season.Further, Hertha have seen both teams score in 4 of their 5 away league matches this term, while Hoffenheim have the worst defensive record (25 goals conceded) and the second best in attack (26 goals scored).
Manchester United vs Arsenal: DOUBLE CHANCE X2 @ 1.61
A Manchester United side lacking their usual confidence hosts the Premier League's most confident side on Sunday, and this difference in attitude certainly counts. Being 5 points clear at the top of the table gives Arsenal the possibility to play this game free from pressure, an important detail considering how much energy was spent to win in Dortmund. United will be careful not to leave space for Arsenal to counter-attack, as a loss would probably bury any remaining title ambitions of theirs. Placing Cazorla on the left could be the winning move from Wenger, exploiting the mismatch with Smalling, while Van Persie only played the final half hour in midweek, and so will be fresh to exploit Mertesacker's lack of pace. WhoScored's match forecast says it is very likely that United 'will make a comeback if they go behind'.
TEMPTING BETS
Chelsea vs WBA: CHELSEA (-1) HANDICAP @ 1.75
With Mourinho's rage likely to be fresh in the memory after the defeat against Newcastle, the special one will ask his side to punish a West Brom team that have gone down by at least a two goal deficit in two of their three defeats. Keep in mind that among WBA's characteristics analysed by WhoScored is their weakness when 'avoiding fouling in dangerous areas'.
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad: REAL MADRID TO SCORE MORE IN 2ND HALF @ 2.10
Real Madrid's squad depth will surely see them suffer less than Real Sociedad after the stresses of a European fixture, and lately they've seemed to pick up the tempo as the games grow older. In 5 of the last 7 games Ancelotti's side have scored more goals in the 2nd half than the 1st. WhoScored's match forecast predicts that Real Madrid will likely score 'as a result of an opposition error', which is more likely to happen later on in the game when Real Sociedad could struggle to keep up their concentration levels.
Schalke vs Werder Bremen: SCHALKE TO WIN @ 1.67
At the heart of all of Werder Bremen's problems is their build-up play, highlighted by their main weakness stressed by WhoScored's data of 'keeping possession of the ball'. That could be exposed in Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke are much more comfortable. In WhoScored's forecast it is deemed likely that Schalke will score 'from a set piece situation' and from a 'long shot'.
LONG SHOT BETS
Juventus vs Napoli: DRAW @ 3.40
The battle for second place behind table-toppers Roma. Juventus enter the fixture following an extremely demanding stalemate with Real Madrid, but Napoli were forced to play until the final whistle to overcome Marseille. This could be an encounter where not losing is more important than winning. Juventus with their 3-5-2 and no changes, Napoli with an efficient attack line but also a defensive crisis with injuries in the backline meaning Federico Fernandez will start at centre-back so Carlos Tévez could have some success. However, Napoli have already played 4 potential title-deciding games this season; in the 2 games Gonzalo Higuaín has started, they won on each occasion, while they lost the 2 where El Pipita was sidelined. Rafa Benitez will allow Juventus to control possession and look to utilise his side’s WhoScored strength of ‘counter attacks’, led by Higuaín and flanked by José Callejón and either Dries Mertens or Lorenzo Insigne, but defensively, Napoli could be exposed.
Chievo vs Milan: DOUBLE CHANCE 1X @ 1.73
Is Massimilliano Allegri’s reign as AC Milan manger coming to an end? The squad is depleted, Mario Balotelli is suspended, the team is without confidence and likely to be fatigued following a disappointing result at Camp Nou. Chievo sit bottom of Serie A, but the big teams have found it difficult to play at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, even if the hosts have only picked up just 5 points this season. Last term, Riccardo Montolivo’s winning goal came as result of a thumping Balotelli free-kick that Christian Puggioni couldn't hold. This time around, Super Mario won't be there to aid the Rossoneri.
Saint Etienne vs Olympique Lyonnais: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.80
The third worst home defence host the fourth worst away defence, while both teams will be without a key player to aid their already respective shaky backlines. Saint-Etienne are without Kurt Zouma, who is suspended, while Lyon are unable to call upon Maxime Gonalons, who may be a midfielder but is vitally important to the protection of their defence. The WhoScored match forecast suggests that it is extremely likely that Lyon 'will make a comeback if they go behind'.
All odds have been provided by UK sports betting
