It’s yet another crunch weekend of fixtures across Europe’s big leagues, with must-win games in Italy, Germany and Spain all set to take place. Here, we’ve picked out some of the matches where the stakes are high, providing previews and our expert betting tips for each.
Read on to find out who we’re backing to do the business at the business end of the season…
Armenia vs Hertha
It’s a huge clash at the bottom of the Bundesliga as Armenia host Hertha, with time running out for both sides to save themselves from relegation to Germany’s second tier. The away side have the points, as well as the positional and form advantage heading into this one, as they sit outside the relegation zone four points better off than Armenia and have won their last two league outings.
Armenia on the other hand are in dismal form, taking just a single point from their last five games. They will need to turn this form on its head if they are to stand any chance of preserving their Bundesliga status for another season.
Despite Armenia being bottom of the form table, they are slight favourites with the bookies for this one at 8/5, but there’s not much in it with Hertha coming in at 9/5. However, we are backing the away side to continue their good form and take the win here, with a Hertha win and over 2.5 match goals getting you healthy odds of 4/1.
Monchengladbach vs RB Leipzig
Staying with the Bundesliga, mid-tablers Monchengladbach take on RB Leipzig in what is a big game for the Red Bull-owned outfits they push to secure Champions League football for next season. They currently occupy fourth and could finish as high as third, with just one point between them and Leverkusen. Dortmund sit in second but look out of reach at this stage of the campaign.
Leipzig’s form has been pretty good ahead of this one, with three wins, one draw and one defeat from the last five. The home side has been solid enough, but you would expect RB to turn on the style given what’s at stake for them and the fact Monchengladbach have nothing to play for.
As you’d expect, the odds reflect this with RB priced at 17/20, but if you do fancy the home to cause an upset, they come in at 14/5. We are backing the away win with both teams to score though, which gets you odds of 9/4.
AC Milan vs Fiorentina
The Serie A title race is far from finished with the two Milan clubs battling it out to lift the Scudetto at the end of the season. With just two points in it, the race is set to go down to the wire. Milan got a last-minute winner last time out to keep them on top, but their fierce rivals play their game in hand this week and a win will see them go top.
AC cannot afford to slip up between now and the end of the season if they are to reclaim the Serie A title after over a decade of domestic misery. They face Fiorentina who themselves are in a battle for European football this season. The Florence based side are currently in the Europa Conference League spot, but would much prefer to be a place higher which would clinch Europa League football at the end of the season.
As expected, the home side are favourites for this one, priced at 7/10 with Fiorentina coming in at 17/4. With both sides being amongst the highest scorers in the league this season, we’d expect goals, and with both sides aiming for valuable prizes, we’d expect them both to go for the jugular. Milan’s quality should be enough to see off Fiorentina though, that’s why we are backing a 4/1 bet builder of the Home win over 3.5 match goals.
Udinese vs Inter
Now over to the other crucial game in Italy this weekend as Udinese host Inter, whose destiny is in their own hands when it comes to the title. However, it’s easier said than done in football and they need to take advantage of their situation over their rivals with wins. They may have the kinder of the games too with the home side having nothing to play for.
But that could mean Udinese play with a level of freedom which could be Inter’s undoing. As is often the case at this stage of the season, players often thrive when the pressure is off, so it wouldn’t be a shock if the home side pulled off the upset here with them sitting comfortably in mid-table.
Inter are in fine form though with four wins on the bounce, and they will need to make it five to retain the title. The away team are priced at 3/ 5 favourites, while an Udinese win gets you 5/1. Despite the pressure, we have to back Inter here but think it won’t be a walk in the park. An away win with both teams to score is our pick at 11/5.
Athletic Club vs Atletico Madrid
Diego Simone’s side are just about occupying the last Champions League spot in La Liga, with a four-point cushion between them and fifth-place Real Betis. Madrid can’t afford to slip up though as the prize on offer will be viewed as extremely valuable to Manuel Pellegrini’s side who will be full of confidence after clinching the Copa Del Rey trophy last weekend – their first trophy in 17 years.
Atletico face a tough test in Athletic Club though, especially away from home. While European football looks beyond Bilbao this year, they are comfortable in mid-table and could play with a certain freedom that Madrid cannot afford to do. Both sides aren’t in spectacular form either, with wins sandwiched in between draws and losses recently.
That is reflected in the odds as well with Madrid only being slight favourites at 31/20, whereas the home side are 19/10 to take all three points. With both sides being very solid defensively, we don’t expect this one to be a goal-fest. An under 2.5 goals and away win bet builder gets you huge odds of 13/2, and that’s what we are going with here.
Want to back our tips for this weekend’s action across Europe? Sign up with Bet365 and get £50 in free bets when you stake £10.
