WhoScored Tipster: Man City, Atletico and Juve Feature in this Week's Top Tips

 

It's a moment in the season when head-to-heads at the top of the table involve several surprises. The best example is Serie A: in a round where Napoli and Juventus face off, it's odd to see that the game will be played out between two sides closer to the relegation zone than the league’s summit, while Inter-Fiorentina is a tie-breaker for the top spot.

INTER vs FIORENTINA - Draw at half time @2.20

Everybody keeps repeating that Inter play badly, and Mancini and his players reply back that those looking for fine football can watch Barcelona (though perhaps not against Celta Vigo). Inter are consistent and clinical for the first time since the first season post-Mourinho, and this side actually reminds me of Cuper's from 2001-2003, invulnerable and determined. However, that nerazzurri had an incomparable line-up of superstars, while this team must improve their play soon as the calendar is daunting, facing Fiorentina, Roma and Juventus in the space of a few weeks. Mancini has some good players but none are really world class.

Inter will play a compact 4-3-1-2 formation, holding the ball but struggling to play at speed, while Fiorentina can count on a 3-4-2-1. The visitors forward line could cause many problems running in the spaces left behind by Inter's midfield to stretch the game, as stressed by the WhoScored database indicating that the Viola are very stong when it comes to ‘attacking down the wings’. Blaszczykowski has broken his duck and he could again be decisive up against Telles, who is better offensively than defensively. Meanwhile Jovetic had rest in the previous game and could make the most of mismatch with Astori. In all 3 of their previous home games Inter have ended the first half on level terms and gaining an early advantage will be even more difficult against a team significantly better than Verona.

TOTTENHAM vs MANCHESTER CITY - Manchester City to win @1.90

One setback is enough, and we aren't referring Tottenham’s elimination from the Capital One Cup in the derby against Arsenal. City will be especially motivated to bounce back from their defeat to West Ham last weekend at odds of 1.90, in a week where they won't have to concern themselves with the Champions League. Watch out for one of the main weaknesses of Spurs, highlighted by the WhoScored database, which is ’avoiding fouling in dangerous areas’.

 

WhoScored Tipster: Man City, Atletico and Juve Feature in this Week's Top Tips

 

VILLARREAL vs ATLETICO MADRID – Draw @3.10

Only the incredible start from Celta Vigo has overshadowed the exploits of Villarreal in La Liga so far. In the partnership of Soldado and Bakambu Marcelino has found the perfect focal point to his team, and while his strikers may not be out of this world, like those of Barça and Madrid, he can still count on them to produce the goods. However, breaking Atletico's solidity will be a tough task. Villarreal have won by a 2-goal margin in each of their home games to now, but the colchoneros have only conceded to Barcelona this season. Both teams may well cancel each other out, with a draw at odds of 3.10 with Bet365.

NAPOLI vs JUVENTUS - Both teams to score @1.83

Napoli still aren't a reliable competitor, but Juventus are enduring their worst start since 1970, and find themselves towards the relegation zone of the top-flight for the first time in decades. The bianconeri have to come to terms with their reality and can't be conservative, so this could play into the hands of Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation, comfortable against a proactive opponent. There are very good odds on both teams scoring at 1.83, supported by the fact that the WhoScored database indicates that all in all both teams are either strong or very strong in terms of ‘creating scoring chances’.

HAMBURG vs SCHALKE – Draw @3.40

At last Hamburg seem to be competitive, while Schalke are still adjusting having made many changes over the summer. Hamburg have kept 3 successive clean sheets, with Schalke conceding just 1 in that time. Odds on the draw at 3.40 are more likely than they may seem. In the last 5 years this game has never ended in a stalemate, which is a pretty remarkable run when considering how narrow the gap between the sides should be when playing in Hamburg.

 

What are your top betting tips this weekend? Let us know in the comments below

WhoScored Tipster: Man City, Atletico and Juve Feature in this Week's Top Tips