Villarreal, Juventus and Liverpool in Europe's top tips this weekend

This weekend is all about Serie A. There are implications at both ends of the table and it kicks off with a bang on Friday when AC Milan travel to race historical rivals Juventus. There are still important matches in other leagues, too, although Champions League and Europa League football could make for some interesting results.

JUVENTUS vs AC MILAN - Draw First Half-Juventus Second Half @3.75

AC Milan should not bank on the fact Juventus have Champions League football next week. The Old Lady are always focused and they have already put one foot in the quarter finals after beating Porto 2-0 in Lisbon. Milan got the upper hand when the two sides met earlier in the season but it will be even harder to secure the double over them in the league. Carlos Bacca's form will be decisive to Milan's chances and the Colombia international has found his form in recent matches, scoring in consecutive matches for the first time since the start of 2017.

Juan Cuadrado's suspension means Max Allegri will have to innovate his tactics once again and revert to a 4-3-1-2. Juventus are also expected to be without Giorgio Chiellini, but they have great options in defence and this shouldn't be a problem. The Serie A league leaders come into this match on an all-time record of 30 wins in a row at home and now they are only nine short of equalling Barcelona's run of 39 home matches without defeat set back in 1960.

Milan can rival anybody on a temperamental level but it will be difficult for them to stop Juventus from ultimately winning. For this reason, it would be pretty juicy to go with a draw at half time and Juventus to run out winners in the second half.

LIVERPOOL vs BURNLEY - Liverpool to win + BTTS @2.87

Liverpool are slowly getting back on track and a match at home to Burnley, who have not won any game away from home this season, should be the perfect recipe for them to prove they can also beat teams in the bottom half of the table. Burnley are at least improving away from home, scoring in each of their last five games on the road. When you consider Liverpool have conceded in five of their last seven home games, Burnley should fancy their chances to at least get on the scoresheet this weekend. There are only three scoring situations listed in the WhoScored Match Forecast, and they are all about Liverpool scoring.

CELTA VIGO vs VILLARREAL - Villarreal to win @2.75

It was a long and stressful night for Celta Vigo in the Europa League on Thursday, although they did manage a last minute winner against Russian side Krasnodar. Nevertheless, this is a tough ask for the home side. Villarreal are four positions higher and 10 points above in the table and the difference will be visible here.

Meanwhile, Celta have only won one of their last five home games and Villarreal are strong on the road. Only Barcelona (9 games) are on a longer current unbeaten run away from home in La Liga than the Yellow Submarines (6).

HERTHA BERLIN vs BORUSSIA DORTMUND - Draw @3.80

Hertha Berlin are throwing away all of their good work from the first half of the season. They have only won two of their last eight matches in all competitions. They at least have the comfort of playing at home where they have won nine of 11 matches at home. Borussia Dortmund are also struggling away from home, managing just two wins in their last nine on the road in all competitions.

MONACO vs BORDEAUX - Draw @4.50

Monaco really struggled in the Champions League against Manchester City and fatigue looks to be an issue. Leonardo Jardim also wants to impress in Europe and could prioritise his team for the return leg next week rather than this weekend's. Bordeaux will be a tough opponent and have enough to get a point from the Louis II. They have only lost one of their last 10 matches and will be difficult opponents here.