Home advatange and goals are the key words of the weekend fixtures across Europe. While La Liga takes a break for the Copa del Rey, the other leagues see big teams on home soil, with value in plenty of those clashes.
LIKELY BETS
PSG vs Sochaux: PSG HALF TIME/FULL TIME @ 1.28
Having been defeated by Evian in midweek after an unbeaten streak of 37 competitive matches, PSG will be going all out for a dominant win, and rock-bottom Sochaux is the perfect victim. The WhoScored match forecast predicts four different situations that will bring a PSG goal, starting with the prediction that it is extremely likely they will score 'as a result of an opposition error'.
Monaco vs Ajaccio: MONACO HALF TIME/FULL TIME @ 1.50
While PSG play the bottom team in Ligue 1, Monaco, who are now only 2 points off top spot, face second-last Ajaccio. In 7 of the 10 games Monaco have won, Ranieri's side have been ahead by half time, while Ajaccio have been behind at the halfway mark in 6 of their 9 losses. Again, the WhoScored match forecast predicts four likely or extremely likely ways for Monaco to score, so they could take the lead early.
Sampdoria vs Catania: HOME WIN @ 1.80
The Sinisa effect is already pretty obvious: since Mihajlovic took the Sampdoria job, they have drawn 2 in a row against tough opponents like Lazio and Inter, while also smashing Verona 4-1 win in the cup. Furthermore, bottom of Serie A Catania are the visitors this week, with 5 starting players out through injury or suspension.
TEMPTING BETS
Arsenal vs Everton: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.75
Undoubtedly the two teams on the best form in the Premier League; the leaders on one side, the team with longest unbeaten streak on the other. Comparing WhoScored's team characteristics, the best assets of both teams are their offensive ones. And with Wenger and Martinez almost entertainment is always guaranteed.
Livorno vs Milan: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.90
After a run stretching back 6 months, Milan have finally won an away league game, although even against Catania they still conceded. In fact 7 of their last 8 Serie A away games have seen both teams score, and Livorno will be particularly motivated coming into this game on the back of 3 consecutive defeats that have put the position of their beloved manager in serious danger.
Eintrach Frankfurt vs Hoffenheim: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.45
Only one of Hoffenheim's last 17 Bundesliga games has not ended with both teams on the scoresheet, while both sides have also registered in 5 of Eintracht Frankfurt's last 6 home games. According to WhoScored.com's statistically calculated team characteristics both Eintracht and Hoffenheim have a number of weaknesses to their defensive play.
LONG SHOT BETS
Southampton vs Manchester City: DRAW @ 3.60
The Saints have lost only 1 of their 7 home games this season, while it is widely known that City's main issue lies in finding continuity in their performances away from the Etihad. It is no coincidence that according to WhoScored City's main weakness is 'protecting the lead'.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen: HOME WIN @ 1.57
Being 7 points adrift from Bayern means that Dortmund, in spite of facing Leverkusen who are 2nd in the table, still can't allow themselves to drop more points. However, the fact remains that only Bayern (and Arsenal) have avoided defeat at the Signal Iduna Park. WhoScored's match forecast suggests that Borussia Dortmund are likely to 'dominate possession' and Klopp can always make his side benefit from that…
Verona vs Atalanta: HOME WIN @ 1.90
The odds here are incredibly high considering that Verona have the second best home record and Atalanta have the second worst away record in the whole of Serie A! In addition to that, Verona will be particularly eager to recover after conceding 8 goals in their last two games in the league and Coppa Italia.
What do you think the bet of the weekend is? Let us know in the comments below
