Premier League and Serie A serve up the tastiest clashes this weekend, but it could be wise to pick the most obvious bets in those games, while lesser matches in La Liga and Ligue 1 could provide well higher yet worthwhile odds.
LIKELY BETS
Arsenal vs Manchester City: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.90
At first glance City seem to be the favourites for this one, but Arsenal must awaken from their current slump sooner or later, and Pellegrini's side have been quite open playing away from home this season. The Gunners still have a lengthy injury list including key players Özil and Koscielny, while City will again be without Agüero. Both teams will line up in a 4-2-3-1, and the Spanish players on show could be key: Navas versus Gibbs could be fruitful for City and Silva running into the space left by Dzeko will prove difficult for Mertesacker to track; while on the other side Cazorla will try to take the chance to exploit Demichelis' flaws. It is no coincidence that the WhoScored Match Forecast says it is 'Very Likely' that City 'will score as a result of an opposition error' and that it is 'Likely' that Arsenal 'will score as a result of individual skill'.
Napoli vs Juventus: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.66
This game gives Napoli the chance to prove they aren't quite as far behind Juventus as the 20-point gap at the top of Serie A suggests. Rafa Benitez will have a fresh and rested Gonzalo Higuaín to call upon, as he was suspended for the midweek fixture, but there will be no Argentinian at the other end, with Serie A top scorer Carlos Tevez picking up a suspension on Wednesday. Without a raging bull like Tevez, Juve will have to rely more on their team play, which is something they are not lacking in. Still, he will be replaced by Osvaldo, who will be looking to show his worth to both club and country, and he could actually have some luck up against Fernandez. The WhoScored Match Forecast states that it is respectively 'Likely' and 'Extremely Likely' that Napoli and Juventus 'will score as a result of an opposition error'.
Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Hamburg: HOME WIN @ 1.75
Which will be greater: Gladbach's desire to grab a Champions League spot or Hamburg's motivation to avoid relegation? Both teams have plenty to play for, so this could just come down to a difference in quality between the two teams.
TEMPTING BETS
Manchester United vs Aston Villa: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.90
Even if a United reaction is expected there is certainly no guarantee that they'll bounce back from defeat given their defensive record this season. A good performance at Old Trafford could be another highlight for Aston Villa in what has been an inconsistent campaign for the fans to endure.
Torino vs Cagliari: HOME WIN @ 1.85
Ventura's side have suffered so much bad luck lately having deserved much more than 5 defeats in their last 6 games. Cagliari should be in a pretty relaxed mood after winning the midweek game against Livorno, which virtually assured their survival in Serie A this season.
Evian vs Monaco: AWAY WIN @ 1.95
There's pretty good odds on second placed Monaco to secure a win at the home of 17th placed Evian. Ranieri's dressing room is not an entirely comfortable place, but the draw against Lille last Sunday will probably force the team to stay more focused, which is all you need in games such as these.
LONG-SHOT BETS
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: DRAW (-1 GOAL) AT HALF TIME @ 3.10
Real Madrid are due a return to winning ways after successive defeats, though they also have Champions League duties to worry about. They’ll be expected to secure victory, but it remains to be seen by how much. Los Blancos have gone in at the break just one up in 3 of their last 5 league wins and after Wednesday’s defeat to Sevilla, could struggle in front of goal.
Osasuna vs Real Sociedad: AWAY WIN @ 2.37
Osasuna are striving to stave off relegation, while Real Socieded are dreaming of a return to Europe. The WhoScored match forecast suggests it is 'likely' that Real Sociedad 'will score from a wingplay situation'.
Sochaux vs Olympique Marseille: AWAY WIN @ 2.20
Four games without a win for Marseille, whose poor form has seen them drop to 6th in Ligue 1. The trip to 19th placed Sochaux is the good chance to pick up a vital 3 points and the odds of an away win favours the punter.
What are your top betting tips for the weekend's action around Europe? Let us know in the comments below
