Some of Europe’s finest teams are on display on our screens over the weekend, including Barcelona, AC Milan and Real Madrid. Here, Betrescue previews the televised games from the continent….
La Liga:
Real Sociedad v Espanyol – Skysports 4, Sat 19.00
Real Sociedad (6/5 Stan James) are reeling from a 3rd straight defeat as they welcome Espanyol (12/5 Victor Chandler). Espanyol have lost every game on the road while Real Sociedad did lose at home to Real Madrid, almost a write-off result, before losing two games on their travels. Both teams are quite vulnerable and perhaps a draw is the wisest option at 23/10 (Skybet).
Valencia v Athletico Bilbao – Skysports 4, Sat 21.00
Bilbao (9/2 Ladbrokes) are a hard act to predict but you wouldn’t want to shy away from the 8/11 offered by Stan James about Valencia to grab a win to keep them top of La Liga. They didn’t dazzle against a Ferdinand-reinforced Man United but Bilbao are a different prospect.
Barcelona v Mallorca – Skysports 2, Sun 19.00
Totesport have a typically prohibitive 2/11 on Barcelona to beat Mallorca at the Nou Camp and they look set to with style. Lionel Messi is set to return to torture the Mallorca defence and Bet365 are offering 13/5 that he nets the last goal of the game. The same firm give 10/11 about a win to nil scenario for Barca against a team who have failed to score on the road.
Real Madrid v Deportivo – Skysports 2, Sun 21.00
Betdaq are offering best price of 1/5 about Madrid. Aside from Valencia, Madrid are the only unbeaten side in La Liga and have not lost in the league since Barcelona over turned them back in April. Deportivo’s stalemate laden start has fallen away into defeats and they will likely struggle here again. Real are a fairly solid 8/1 to win this 3-0 (Stan James). Should you fancy an upset, Deportivo are available to back at 16/1 with Victor Chandler.
Serie A:
Parma v AC Milan – ESPN, Sat 19.45
Both teams have got off to fairly inconspicuous starts in Serie A and both teams have been let down by their form on the road. Milan, 11/10 at Betfred, would seem to be the team who have turned a corner but the price given is a bit skinny for a team who have collected 1 point on the road. If you were to take Milan, the 11/4 at Ladbrokes for them to win by a single goal would be much wiser. A draw would seem to be the result that stands out though (9/4 888sport), especially 1-1, a 6/1 shot at William Hill.
Lecce v Catania – Setanta, Sun 11.30
Catania can continue their fine start to the season with an away win on Sunday, an 11/5 shot at Betfred. Home form is everything in Italian football but Lecce are struggling at the back and could have problems on their hands here.
Napoli v Roma – Setanta, Sun 14.00
Why Roma have started so poorly is anyone’s guess but they meet a Napoli side, 6/4 favs at Victor Chandler, who simply can’t keep a clean sheet. Roma have been slightly overpriced at 21/10 (Bet365) considering they have stopped an awful run with a win over Inter and are worth backing here.
Inter Milan v Juventus – ESPN, Sun 19.45
The high-profile tie of the weekend sees top placed Inter, 5/6 favs (Blue Sq), entertain Juve. Inter have looked pretty lethal at home this season and it’s no surprise that Juventus should be 7/2 outsiders with Ladbrokes. The Old Lady did look a whole lot better when they stuck 4 past Udinese and then Cagliari and had their moments against Man City but a draw (5/2 William Hill) is the best they can hope for here. Back Inter to win by 1 goal (3/1 Ladbrokes) or perhaps even 2 goals (9/2 Ladbrokes).
Bundesliga:
Hannover 96 v St Pauli – ESPN, Fri 19.30
Hannover have been a hard team to predict this year but a fantastic 4-1 win over Werder followed up by another maximum against Kaiserslautern means the high-flying Hannover 96 are a great shout at 11/10 with Coral to turn over St Pauli (14/5 Betdaq) who have only managed 1 win in 5 against lowly Monchengladbach.
Compare all football odds for the weekend and bet at the best prices.