This is one of those weekends where the Europe's biggest sides have to make the most of winnable fixtures just before a return to European action that will be a drain on their energy.
LIKELY BETS
Cesena vs Juventus: JUVE HT/JUVE FT @ 1.61
There is simply no questioning Juventus' superiority here; they are clear favourites and rightly so. Maybe Cesena can put up a some fight on home soil, and maybe Tevez's suspension will affect the visitors, but that absence could mean Massimiliano Allegri encourages his team to push for the first goal even earlier than usual, knowing that closing out the game early on could save his team some effort ahead of the clash with Borussia Dortmund.
What is more, Cesena have ended the first half behind in 4 of their last 5 home games, while Juventus have been ahead after 45 minutes in 3 of their last 5 matches on the road. The WhoScored Match Forecast agrees, with 5 'Very Likely' or 'Extremely Likely' ways in which Juventus will dominate their opponents.
Udinese vs Lazio: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.83
There could be a backlash from Lazio here, coming into this game on the back of 3 defeats from their last 4 league matches, after a run of form that hinted they might challenge for a Champions League spot. This means they must look for the win in Udine, and that could benefit the counter-attack skills of Stramaccioni's side. Lazio have Serie A's 3rd best attack, and have seen both teams score in 6 of their last 7 away league games, and Udinese have both scored and conceded in 4 of their last 5 league games.
Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.61
This week's Bundesliga goals feast comes from the encounter between the third worst home defence and the 4th worst overall defence, plus Hoffenheim have seen both teams score in 7 of their last 9 home matches.
TEMPTING BETS
Roma vs Parma: HOME WIN (-1.5) @ 1.85
With all due respect to Parma, the team not the club, pride is not enough to stave off relegation and is unlikely to aid them at the Stadio Olimpico against a Roma side in desperate need of points. Parma's squad lacks any strength in depth, while the Crociati also endured a demanding midweek defeat to Chievo. At home, Roma should have enough to win by at least 2 goals, with the WhoScored match forecast suggesting a number of ways for the hosts to score.
Sevilla vs Cordoba: SEVILLA HT/SEVILLA FT @ 1.90
Sevilla will have one eye on the Europa League, but must not get distracted by what can be considered an easy game. There is a very large technical gap between the two teams, while Sevilla have been leading at half time in 8 of their 11 home league games this season.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Schalke: OVER 1.5 GOALS IN 2ND HALF @ 1.80
Goals are more likely to come as this match wears on. Only Bayern (45) and Wolfsburg (41) have netted more goals than Eintracht Frankfurt (38) in the Bundesliga this season. At least 2 goals have been scored in the second half in 6 of Eintracht’s last 8 home Bundesliga games this season.
LONG-SHOT BETS
Lorient vs Olympique Lyonnais: AWAY WIN @ 2.30
Some favourable odds for the Ligue 1 leaders, who have lost only 1 of their last 9 league games away from home and face the team with the third worst home record in France’s top tier. The visitors secured a very credible draw with PSG, while it’s deemed ‘extremely likely’ Lyon ‘will score from a fast break situation’, according to the WhoScored match forecast.
Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid: AWAY WIN @ 2.10
Atletico Madrid are favourites to win here. It would be uncharacteristic of Diego Simeone’s side to lose focus now that the gap between themselves and Real Madrid has shortened. There’s only one situation listed in the WhoScored match forecast and it favours Atletico, with it deemed ‘likely’ the visitors ‘will score as a result of an opposition error’.
Olympique Marseille vs Stade Reims: MARSEILLE HT/MARSEILLE FT @ 1.83
Any issues Marseille's have aren't at the Velodrome, where they are on a stunning streak of 11 consecutive wins, and where this week they host a Reims that has been behind at half time in 6 of their last 8 away games. Looking at the WhoScored Match Forecast, it seems that there is simply no escape for Stade Reims from the 5 situations listed in favour of Bielsa's side.
What are your top tips for the weekend's action? Let us know in the comments below
