Following a mid-week of breathtaking performances in the Champions League, attention turns to domestic football across various European Leagues.
The Champions League served fans with brilliant actions on the two matchdays. There were upsets, controversies and of course brilliant goals. If what fans witnessed during mid-week is a taste of what to come this weekend, then fans are set for another treat.
With the pesky international football set to take over the next two weeks, top clubs will hope to achieve a positive result this weekend, and as part of tradition Soccernet.ng have picked matches across Europe’s major leagues that will be a good value for money should you want to place a bet.
Here are the picks for this week.
Liverpool vs Leicester: Klopp’s team will hope to make it seven wins out seven when they welcome Leicester City who are also on a roll following their 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle.
The Reds were fortunate in their last Premier League game against Sheffield United as they had to rely on an error from Dean Henderson to take the maximum points.
Their Champions League match against RB Salzburg does not instil confidence after they blew a three-goal lead before a Salah close-range finish secured the win for them.
They will need to do better against a Leicester City side who put five past Newcastle last time out and are have been tipped to break the stronghold of the top six. The encounter will mark the first time Brendan Rodgers will return to Anfield since he was sacked in 2015.
Match Facts:
Liverpool have won their last 16 matches (Premier League).
The Reds have been winning at both half time and full time in 9 of their last 10 home matches (Premier League).
Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in their last 10 home matches (Premier League).
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 8 home matches against Leicester in all competitions. (whoscored).
Betting Tips: It’s hard to go against Liverpool especially at Anfield where they haven’t lost in over 40 league matches. However, the Foxes will take confidence from the Reds last two performances and will hope to cause an upset. It promises to be an entertaining game, but expect Liverpool to still take the day. ( Liverpool win or Over 2.5)
Real Madrid Vs Granada (La Liga): The pressure is mounting up on Zidane after seeing his side managed to draw against Club Brugge on Tuesday. Los Blancos were heading towards a shock defeat until Sergio Ramos and Casemiro rescued a point for the team.
This comes after they held Atletico Madrid to a respectful 0-0 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. The All Whites have been inconsistent this season but are top of the La Liga table and will be hoping to maintain that when they welcome Granada who sit in second place just a point behind Zidane’s team.
Match Facts
Real Madrid have won their last 8 matches against Granada in all competitions.
Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 matches against Granada in all competitions.
Real Madrid have been winning at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 6 matches against Granada in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Real Madrid‘s last 3 games (LaLiga).
Granada are undefeated in their last 5 matches (LaLiga). (whoscored)
Betting Tips: It’s hard to predict Real Madrid nowadays but they should still see off a Granada side that have been impressive this season. (Real Madrid).
Barca Vs Sevilla (La Liga): Like Real Madrid, Barcelona have also been inconsistent this season which is why they sit in fourth position, two points behind Los Blancos.
The Blaugrana have been without talisman, Lionel Messi for the most part of the embryonic campaign and that has contributed to their average performances.
However, Messi made a return in the Champions League win over Inter Milan last Wednesday and will be hoping to get his first goals of the new campaign when they welcome Sevilla to the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Sevilla meanwhile will be hoping to cause an upset, knowing a win will take them above their rivals in the La Liga table. Julen Lopetegui’s side have an identical record to Barca this season, winning four matches, losing two and drawing one in the Spanish topflight.
Match Stats
Barcelona have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 5 home matches against Sevilla in all competitions.
Barcelona have seen over 2.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 matches against Sevilla in all competitions.
Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in 11 of their last 12 matches against Sevilla in all competitions. (whoscored)
Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim(Bundesliga): Hoffenheim will go to Allianz Arena knowing they face a Bayern side that have scored 10 goals in their last two matches.
The Bavaria Giants scored three times in their win over Paderborn last weekend before putting seven past Tottenham in the Champions League encounter between the two sides on Tuesday.
Bayern currently sit on top of the Bundesliga table with 14 points, one point ahead of Leipzig, and will be confident of picking up maximum points against a Hoffenheim side that have won just once this season.
Match Facts:
Bayern have won 13 of their last 14 home matches (Bundesliga).
Bayern have been winning at both half time and full time in 7 of their last 9 home matches (Bundesliga).
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Bayern‘s last 9 home games (Bundesliga).
Bayern have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 12 home matches against Hoffenheim in all competitions. (whoscored)
Betting Tips: It’s hard to see anything other than a Bayern win in this one. (Bayern win and Over 2.5)
Man City Vs Wolves ( Premier League): Man City will be hoping to keep up the pace with Liverpool when they welcome Wolves to the Etihad this weekend.
The Citizens are currently five points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side and know they can’t afford to slip up against Nuno Espirito Santo side.
Wolves are yet to match the heights of last season having picked up just a win in the league this season and that came in last weekend’s win over Watford.
However, Wolves are one of the two sides that denied Man City maximum points at the Etihad last season, so will approach the match full of confidence.
Match Facts
Man City have won 19 of their last 21 matches (Premier League).
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man City‘s last 8 games (Premier League).
Man City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 8 matches (Premier League). (whoscored)
Betting Tips: Knowing Liverpool are likely to be eight points clear when Man City take to the pitch, It’s hard to see any other thing than a City win. Also, Wolves Europa League’s exploit in Turkey make it more difficult for them. (City win and over 2.5)
Other Picks
Freiburg Vs Dortmund ( Bundesliga ) (Dortmund win)
PSG Vs Angers ( Ligue 1) (PSG win)
Roma Vs Cagliari ( Italian Serie A) (Roma win)
