No Premier League action this week due to the FA Cup, but entertainment is guaranteed as the most interesting bets are centered around the number of goals scored, especially in Ligue 1, a rare occurrence.
LIKELY BETS
Lazio vs Milan: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.83
A team on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This is what Milan has become, with the team in the midst of a tactical crisis and in-house fighting between the CEO’s. Meanwhile, Lazio are in top form, though they were unlucky to lose to Napoli last time out, which should provide them with extra motivation to return to winning ways here. Lazio prefer a highly offensive approach, which could open up space for Milan to exploit on the counter. The WhoScored match forecast suggests it is likely Milan ‘will score from a fast break situation’.
Napoli vs Genoa: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.90
Napoli needed penalties against Udinese to progress to the next round of the Coppa Italia, which will have had an adverse effect on their energy levels, while the high-tempo style Gian Piero Gasperini has his Genoa side playing will hinder the hosts’ chances of securing all 3 points. The only WhoScored match forecast labeled extremely likely is that Genoa ‘will make a comeback if they go behind’.
Cordoba vs Real Madrid: UNDER 3.5 GOALS @ 1.72
Only 1 of 10 Cordoba's home league games this season have seen over 3.5 goals scored. Real Madrid’s tempo has slowed a bit of late, but nobody can really doubt whether they will win here, although it is unlikely to be an annihilation at the Estadio Nuevo Arcángel.
TEMPTING BETS
Real Sociedad vs Eibar: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 2.10
It's pretty common with Eibar to see both teams scoring in their games, happening in 4 of their last 6. According to the WhoScored match forecast it is 'very likely' that Real Sociedad 'will make a comeback if they go behind'. At the same time, looking into Real Sociedad's characteristics, 5 of their 6 weaknesses are linked to defensive frailties.
Guingamp vs Lorient: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.90
The overall low goal average in Ligue 1 always ensures that the odds on 'both teams to score' bets are favourable. In this case, the match is between the 2nd worst home defence against the 2nd worst away defence. Given that Guingamp's main strength, indicated by WhoScored, is 'creating scoring chances' there should be goals in this one, particularly due to Lorient's style of play of 'taking a lot of shots'.
Rennes vs Caen: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.90
Caen are bottom of the table but also tend to find themselves among the goals when playing away. The bottom club have the second worst away defence alongside Lorient but also the fourth best attack when playing away from home, which is pretty odd for a team stuck at the wrong end of the table. Watch out for the Caen's main weaknesses stressed by the WhoScored database though, with both 'defending set pieces' and 'avoiding fouls in dangerous areas' pairing up against them. However, at the same time their main strength is their ability when 'shooting from direct free kicks'.
LONGSHOT BETS
Juventus vs Chievo: DRAW (-1) HALF TIME @ 2.75
It is hard not to foresee another 3 points for Juventus here. Despite 7 home wins in 9 games, only twice have they ended the first half with more than a one-goal advantage. Moreover, Chievo, when playing away, have only once been more than 1 goal down after 45 minutes (against Roma).
Nice vs Olympique Marseille: OVER 1.5 GOALS IN SECOND HALF @ 2.10
Late drama is commonplace with Bielsa's OM, while Nice too have had entertaining second halves lately, with at least 2 goals scored after the midway point in 4 of their last 7 home games. The WhoScored Match Forecast highlights 3 situations as 'Very Likely' regarding both teams finding the net, as well as one about Nice making a comeback if they go behind.
Elche vs Barcelona: DRAW HALF TIME @ 3.00
Consider that Barcelona have not been ahead at the end of the first half in 5 of their last 6 away games, and this bet is all the more tempting. It is interesting that one of Eibar's very few strengths underlined by WhoScored is that they are 'strong' at 'coming back from losing positions'.
What are your top tip for this weekend's action? Let us know in the comments below
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Very very good tips this weekend man...Very good.... Congratulations...
Lazio 2nd? Elche vs Barcelona: DRAW HALF TIME @ 3.00 "...one of Eibar's very few strengths underlined by WhoScored is that they are 'strong' at 'coming back from losing position"
Over 5,5 cards Lazio-Milan