Title races, battles for European places and relegation scraps are hotting up across all the top European leagues, as we approach the final few games before the thoroughly entertaining 2021/22 campaign draws to a close.
That’s why here at Total Football Analysis, we’re previewing a selection of crucial games from across the continent, including the German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Ligue 1 in France and Spain’s La Liga ahead of an action-packed weekend. Plus we’ll be providing our expert betting tips for each game.
Here’s our pick of games from Europe’s top leagues taking place this weekend…
Inter vs Roma
Both sides have a huge amount still to play for in these closing weeks of the season with Inter chasing their arch-rivals AC Milan hard for the Serie A title, while Jose Mourinho’s Roma are still in the fight for a Champions League spot – but only just. It’s a must-win for both sides and the two enter this contest in identical form, with three wins and two draws in their last five games.
Inter are just 2 points off Milan and crucially, have a game in hand on their rivals, which means their destiny is in their own hands. But they face a Roma team who need the points in pursuit of Juventus, who are five points better off and currently occupy the last Champions League place.
As expected, Inter are strong favourites going into this one, getting you odds of around 4/6, while a Roma win comes it at 4/1 if you fancy the upset. Given the stakes, we think both sides will go for it, but Inter’s quality should prove too much, even for Mourinho. Therefore, a home win and both teams to score bet at odds of 9/4 could be the way to go.
Lazio vs AC Milan
Another huge Serie A clash sees Europa League Hopefuls Lazio take on title-chasing AC Milan, who as previously mentioned are locked into battle with their fierce rivals. It’s a must-win for the black and reds with Inter having the game in hand. Even if they win, they will be relying on Roma to do the business against Inter.
Lazio meanwhile are locked in their own battle with Roma and Fiorentina for European Football. Two spots are still up for grabs; one Europa League and the other for the Europa Conference League. All sides concerned will want the former, as it’s a much more appealing competition, with more prize money and a spot in the Champions League for the winner.
AC Milan are slight favourites for this one at 29/20, while the home side isn’t far behind in the win odds market at 9/5. Again, given the magnitude of the game, we’d expect both sides to go for the win, which is certain to bring goals. We’d opt for an over 3.5 match goals bet, which gets you odds of 12/5.
Bayern vs Dortmund
While Bayern look to have secured the title for another year (currently being nine points clear of Dortmund) and BVB look set for second place, with the same points gap between them and RB Leipzig in third place, there’s not much to play for in this clash. However, we couldn’t not preview this one given the intense rivalry and the historically amazing matches between Germany’s top two sides.
Both sides enter this one in fine form with Dortmund winning three of their last five and Bayern chalking up four wins on the bounce. It’s always a huge game when these two meet and as recent clashes suggest, it’s a game that always produces plenty of goals.
The league leaders are of course favourites for this one, priced at 2/ 5 while a BVB win comes in at odds of 11/2. We quite fancy the upset here with the title seemingly on its way to Munich, Bayern might take their foot off the gas. A Dortmund win and both teams to score comes in at 15/2.
Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
Barcelona takes on bottom half side Rayo Vallecano in what the home side will see as a must-win, as they are in slight danger of dropping out of the Champions League places between now and the end of the season. Barca fans will be desperate for a response after a poor defeat against relegation-threatened Cadiz last weekend.
Rayo will also be concerned by that shock result as they are not too far off the relegation places going into the final few games. They are in dismal form as well, with no wins from their last five outings.
Despite Barca’s surprising defeat last time out, they are 3/10 favourites at home to Rayo, with the away side priced at 8/1 to win the game. We are backing the Catalonians to bounce back with a vengeance. Barcelona to win both halves and over 3 match goals get you odds of 13/5.
St-Etienne vs Monaco
Relegation candidates St-Etienne host Monaco, who are embroiled in an extremely tight battle for Europa League and Europa Conference League spots involving four teams, and which is likely to go down to the wire.
St-Etienne on the other hand are in their own battle (which also looks set to be determined on the last day of the season) with everyone from 14th place downwards in danger of being relegated.
Monaco are unsurprisingly the odds on favourites for this crucial clash at 3/ 4 while the home side comes in at 10/3. With the stakes extremely high, we are backing both sides to go for the win, but think Monaco will have too much quality for St-Etienne to handle. Therefore an away win and both teams to score bet at 11/4 is our pick.
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