The Germans may still be enjoying their winter break but there is no such rest for the Spanish and Italians. League action resumes for two of the big five leagues in Europe this weekend, while English and French teams turn attentions to cup action.
NAPOLI vs SAMPDORIA - Napoli to win HT-FT @1.80
There has been a lot of talk about which side will challenge Juventus closet for the Scudetto and Napoli are close to securing their role as best supporting actor in Serie A for the second season in a row. Maurizio Sarri’s side have never stopped their eye-catching football but they have restored their defensive solidity at the back, while Arkadiusz Milik is also closing in on a return from a long-term knee injury. Not only that, but Napoli have signed Leonardo Pavoletti from Genoa to increase competition in attack. Napoli paid a reported £11m for Pavoletti’s services but he is expected to make his debut from the bench following Dries Mertens exemplary form as their false nine. The Belgian ace has nine goals in his last four matches for Napoli and scored two hat-tricks in that time.
Click here for detailed match preview news, including predicted line-ups
Sampdoria, their opponents this weekend, are still looking for balance between performances home and away, as they have been trailing at half time in six of their last seven league matches on the road. With that under consideration, it seems wise to jump on odds of 1.80 on Bet365 for Napoli be ahead in both halves of their match.
GENOA vs ROMA - DRAW @3.60
Genoa have been formidable at home this season so it was incredibly surprising to see them suffer their first defeat at the Luigi Ferraris at the hands of league strugglers Palermo before the winter break. However, prior to that they had stopped everyone in their path, including Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Fiorentina. In those matches they have a sensational aggregate scoreline of 7-1. They should be confident of inflicting further misery to another Italian powerhouse this weekend when they welcome Roma. Luciano Spalletti’s side have only managed to win three of their nine away league matches this season, with their away record ranking only sixth in the division thus far.
.jpg "The best tips across Europe this weekend")
JUVENTUS vs BOLOGNA - Over 1.5 Second Half @2.25
Do Juventus really have anything to fear when playing at home? Massimiliano Allegri’s side haven’t lost at home in the league since August 2015 and have only dropped points in two of the subsequent 27 matches since. They have equalled their all-time record of consecutive home wins and will be looking to make it 26 in a row on home soil this weekend.
However, if there was one team that could perhaps stop Juventus from creating history then Bologna may be that team, even if it seems unlikely. The Rossoblu were the ones that prevented Juventus from making it 15 straight league wins in a row last season - leaving Juventus two wins short of Inter’s all-time league record set in 2007.
Click here for detailed match preview news, including predicted line-ups
What shouldn’t be questioned is the fact there will be goals. There have been at least two goals scored in the second half in four of their last five home league matches.
VILLARREAL vs BARCELONA - Draw HT/Barcelona FT @4.33
Barcelona have been handed a tough set of fixtures to start 2017. They lost the first leg of their Copa del Rey match with Athletic Club in midweek and must now travel to the fourth best team in the league: Villarreal. Statistically speaking, El Madrigal is one of the hardest grounds to visit in Spain this season. Only Sevilla (21) and Real Madrid (20) have won more points at home than Villarreal, while the Yellow Submarines have the best home defensive record in the division (five goals conceded).
Click here for detailed match preview news, including predicted line-ups
While Barcelona are expected to come through this test and at least keep pace with league leaders Real Madrid, they won’t have this game won until the second half. They have not been ahead at half time in four of their last five away league matches but have ended up winning three of those fixtures.
EIBAR vs ATLETICO MADRID - Atletico Win by 1 @3.40
The end of 2016 was not generous to Atletico, but, in fairness, they are never prolific scorers. Diego Simeone’s side finished last year having failed to score in three of their last five fixtures. If they were looking for an opponent to thrash, Eibar are certainly not the ones Simeone would have picked. Only on one occasion in Eibar’s last 10 matches have their opponents managed to score one more than once. Along with Real Sociedad, Eibar are undoubtedly the surprise team of the season and it will be tough in any instance for Atletico to win. Nevertheless, Simeone’s side are still clear favourites and have won all six of their previous meetings, while Eibar haven’t recorded a positive result against the Rojiblanco in 16 years.
