Top Match Tips: The smart money on this week's biggest games
Can Arsenal heap further misery on Spurs this weekend? November is obviously too early in the season to make any definitive conclusions, and, with Arsenal, nothing is clear until April, but defeating Tottenham in the North London derby could mean they are at least a more reliable contender than the rivals. This isn’t the only eye catching fixture across Europe this weekend, as top teams clash all over the continent.
ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM – Draw first half @2.30
This corresponding fixture fell almost on the same day last season and that finished in a draw. History does not favour Tottenham at the Emirates, having failed to secure a win in any of their last six visits to their fierce rivals. There has been progress, however. Each of the last two North London Derby’s at Arsenal have finished in a draw, but they aren’t coming into this match in great shape. Tottenham have failed to win any of their last six and have drawn their last three in the Premier League, so it’s pretty reasonable to expect a cagey start from both, following grueling Champions League matches in midweek. Bet 365 price a draw at half time @2.30.
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SEVILLA VS BARCELONA – Draw first half @2.62
Incredibly, Sevilla come into this fixture in better shape than Barcelona. They are the only La Liga side with a perfect home record, having won five of five this season. They will entertain a Barcelona outfit that will be without some key players in midfield and defence. Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta are huge losses for Luis Enrique, not to mention Jordi Alba. Barcelona also come into this match off the back of a 3-1 defeat away to Manchester City, while Sevilla thrashed Dinamo Zagreb at home. Barcelona haven’t gone two games without a win for the first time since April, which is rare by their high standards. However, Jorge Sampaoli will have set his traps, it’s whether they can last the whole game that is the big question.
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NAPOLI VS LAZIO – draw first half- Napoli second half @4.50
It’s been a surprising journey for Lazio so far this season, who are currently fighting for a Champions League spot. Simone Inzaghi was only third choice behind Marcelo Bielsa and Cesare Prandelli in the summer, but is working wonders. Napoli, meanwhile, are in something of a crisis, as they struggle for results, injuries and confidence. Despite all of this, they are still going strong in the league, even though they are now seven points behind league leaders Juventus. Defensive mistakes are the only thing underdoing their progress up the table, which may prove costly against Lazio this weekend, who won’t be shy to hit them on the counter.
There are two scenarios in the WhoScored Match Forecast, both predicting Lazio scoring as a result of a through ball, but also Napoli creating many scoring chances, which can carry them to win later in the game after an even first half.
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BAYERN MUNICH VS HOFFENHEIM – Over 1.5 first half @1.80
There have been over 1.5 goals scored in the first half in each of Bayern’s last six matches in all competitions. The same has been true in three of Hoffenheim’s five away league matches this season. The WhoScored Match Forecast predicts it as ‘very likely’ that both will create many scoring chances.
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PSG VS RENNES – PSG -1 Half Time @3.10
Paris Saint-Germain’s performances at home have been far from extraordinary under Unai Emery. Rennes, meanwhile, are having a good season, but they have built their success at home and have lost three of their five away matches. In three of those matches they have been losing 1-0 at half time.
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