There are tense feelings looming over a number of old rivalries in this weekend's fixtures. Serie A, the Premier League and La Liga are in the spotlight for three showpiece games, two of which feature the fallen almighty, while the latter represents a challenge from an underdog on the quest to be more than that.
LIKELY BETS
Arsenal vs Manchester United: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.61
The positive for the Gunners is that they are still undefeated at the Emirates this season, with only Chelsea and Southampton matching that feat in the Premier League. However, they are dropping points here, there and everywhere, leaving a United side in crisis just one point adrift. The match forecast suggests that the visitors usual defensive problems will persist, so they are hardly likely to keep a clean sheet and it is deemed 'very likely' that Arsenal 'will make a comeback if they go behind'. There's no Falcao, Blind or Rojo for Van Gaal (with Shaw and Jones not in perfect shape), but Rooney's confidence is flying high, and starting behind Van Persie could offer him space between the lines. Meanwhile the hosts are without Debuchy, Ozil and Koscielny (with Welbeck just recovering), but keep an eye on the left side, where Cazorla - on his day - could make Van Gaal regret lining up with Valencia at right-back.
Hull City vs Tottenham: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.72
Each of Spurs' last 4 games have ended with both teams scoring, and that's also the case in each of their last 4 away games. Pochettino still hasn't found the key to keeping teams at bay, and curiously both teams have been on the scoresheet in each of their previous three encounters in the league at the KC Stadium.
Bastia vs Lyon: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.83
This Lyon side are building their reputation again and are doing so by going on the front foot and being proactive in games, sharing the joint best attacking record with Marseille and sitting just 1 point behind PSG. Closing off the defence and being patient is not the philosophy of manager Hubert Fournier. In fact, each of their away games this season has seen both teams on the scoresheet. It's 'likely', according to the WhoScored match forecast, that Bastia 'will make a comeback if they go behind'.
TEMPTING BETS
Eibar vs Real Madrid: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @1.90
This Real Madrid side rarely gives rivals the chance to score at least once in league games. Eibar, though, have scored in 4 of their 5 home Liga matches this season. The WhoScored Match Forecast suggests that it is ‘Very Likely’ that Eibar ‘will make a comeback if they go behind’.
Barcelona vs Sevilla: DRAW FIRST HALF @3.25
In 3 of Barcelona’s last 4 home games in La Liga, the hosts were unable to break the deadlock before half time. Their profligacy in the opening 45 minutes of home games will be tested once more when they welcome Sevilla, who are winning an average of 1.8 points per away game, a record bettered only by Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, only a superb defensive performance will be able to stop Lionel Messi and co., but keep a watchful eye on Gerard Deulofeu, who will be out to prove to the Blaugrana that they were wrong to send him out on loan.
Milan vs Inter: DRAW @3.20
.jpg "WhoScored Tipster: The Weekend's Top Tips")
A little over a week ago, the Derby della Madonnina might have passed by unnoticed, but then Inter's revolution changed everything. A ‘Honeymoon Period’ has engulfed the Inter camp and it will be interesting to see how long it will last. Re-hiring Roberto Mancini, the manager who won the Nerazzurri their first Scudetto since 1989, has suddenly put the fear back into Milan and now it's up to Filippo Inzaghi to boost his players in order to deny Mancini the perfect return. The main issue for Inter fans has been the lack of stamina and confidence when the onus is on them to try to win the game.
Milan do not boast a midfield good enough to break through the Inter ranks and build attacks, so will look to take advantage of their rival’s shaky defence. Mancini is likely to deploy a 4-man defence, though it’s not clear whether he will start with a 4-3-1-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation. Inter's hopes lie in the ability of Yann M'Vila and Zdravko Kuzmanovic - a potentially dangerous player for his own team - to support Fredy Guarin and Mateo Kovacic.
Inzaghi seems intent on shelving his favoured 4-3-3 formation in favour of a more practical 4-2-3-1, with Fernando Torres leading the attack and Keisuke Honda starting from the bench. Stephan El Shaarawy should feature from the off, where he will likely face Yuto Nagatomo at right-back, a role where the Japanese has previously struggled. The man of the moment for the Curva Nord is Mauro Icardi and he will be the man tasked with pressuring Philippe Mexes.
LONG-SHOT BETS
Lazio vs Juventus: DRAW @3.40
After 5 wins and a draw in a 6 game period, Lazio went into their next game rather complacently, and ended up being given a shock in Empoli. That will, however, be a useful awakening for them to shape up for this game, against Juventus, who will have their minds on a must-win Champions League tie on Wednesday. Allegri was close to becoming Lazio manager last summer, but now Stefano Pioli is ensuring the tifosi biancazzurri are not left with any regrets.
They won't consider the fact that beating Juve could turn into a favour for fierce rivals Roma, because this Lazio side is extremely ambitious. Antonio Candreva returns from the international break full of confidence after scoring against Croatia, and he could have some luck against Simone Padoin, who is not the most reliable. But in such a tight game, something special from Pirlo could change everything. And hey, look at that WhoScored Match Forecast saying that it is 'Likely' that 'Juventus will score from a direct free kick'...
Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim: UNDER 2.5 GOALS @3.60
Yes it's possible that a Bayern home game could end with less than 3 goals. True, it has happened only once in their 5 games on home soil this season, but now they face Hoffenheim, who boast the third best away defence in the Bundesliga. They have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their 5 away games so far this season, and be sure that Bayern playing without Alaba and Lahm will slow down their attacking.
Hannover vs Bayer Leverkusen: HOME WIN @3.80
And another one that is not immediately obvious to bet on, but with these odds on Hannover's win it is worth a try. Facts to bear in mind: 3 consecutive wins for Hannover; just 1 in 6 for Bayer Leverkusen and an imminent and decisive Champions League game to play.
Who will your money be on this weekend? Let us know your tips in the comments below
