It’s that time of the week again where we run through a selection of the most exciting matches from Europe’s top leagues taking place this weekend and offer our best bets and value picks.
Chelsea v Newcastle (Sunday)
Chelsea welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday looking to solidify their top-four position, while Eddie Howe’s men seek to move further away from the relegation zone. Only Manchester City have managed to beat Chelsea in their own backyard this season, and Thomas Tuchel’s side has won six of the last seven meetings against the Magpies.
Value bet: Chelsea to win and both teams to score
Arsenal v Leicester City (Sunday)
Arsenal entertains Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday looking to solidify their hold on fourth place. The Gunners come into this clash high on confidence after winning their last four matches in the Premier League. Their opponents Leicester have started to find their rhythm but have been woeful on the road, and having won the last two meetings, Mikel Arteta’s side will be confident of claiming maximum points.
Value bet: Arsenal to win to zero
Atletico Madrid v Cadiz (Friday)
Atletico Madrid host Cadiz in La Liga on Friday looking to solidify their top-four position, while the Pirates look to claw their way out of the relegation zone. Diego Simeone’s men recorded a third straight win with a 3-1 triumph over Real Betis last time out. Cadiz, on the other hand, secured their first win in five matches with a 2-0 victory at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Suggested bet: Atletico Madrid to win
Value bet: Atletico Madrid to win to zero
Real Sociedad v Alaves (Sunday)
Real Sociedad entertain Alaves at the Reale Arena on Sunday looking to keep the pressure on the sides ahead of them as they chase down a spot in the top four. Imanol Alguacil’s side is currently sixth in the league table, four points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid. Alaves, meanwhile, find themselves in the thick of a relegation scrap and have gone nine games on the road without a win.
Suggested bet: Real Sociedad to win
Value bet: Real Sociedad -1handicap
Greuther Furth v RB Leipzig (Sunday)
RB Leipzig will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga on Sunday. The Red Bulls needed an injury-time leveller to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Freiburg last time out. Prior to that, Domenico Tedesco’s side had won three in a row against Cologne, Hertha Berlin, and Bochum.
Suggested bet: RB Leipzig -1handicap
Value bet: RB Leipzig to win by three or more goals
Borussia Dortmund v Arminia Bielefeld (Sunday)
Borussia Dortmund welcomes Arminia Bielefeld to the Signal Iduna Park on Sunday looking to get back to winning ways as they aim to keep pressure on leaders Bayern Munich. Marco Rose’s side conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 with Augsburg at the WWK Arena last time out. Prior to that, they registered comprehensive victories over Union Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach. Arminia Bielefeld, meanwhile, is trying to break out of a two-game losing streak.
Value bet: Both halves over 1.5 goals
AC Milan v Empoli (Saturday)
AC Milan welcome Empoli to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday looking to tighten their grip at the top of the Serie A table. The Rossoneri come into this match in high spirits after securing a 1-0 win at Napoli last time out. Empoli, on the other hand, were held to a goalless draw at 19th-placed Genoa and are still looking for their first league win of 2022.
Suggested bet: AC Milan -1handicap
Value bet: AC Milan to win by three or more goals
Atalanta v Genoa (Sunday)
Atalanta will look to get back to winning ways and continue their push for a top-four finish when they host relegation-threatened Genoa on Sunday. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side slumped to a 1-0 loss at Roma last time out, but won emphatically in their last game at the Gewiss Stadium, trouncing Sampdoria 4-0. Genoa, meanwhile, is looking to snap their 25-game winless run in Serie A.
Suggested bet: Atalanta -1handicap
Value bet: Atalanta to win by three or more goals
PSG v Bordeaux (Sunday)
It’s a real David versus Goliath clash at the Parc des Princes. Paris Saint-Germain has a huge 13-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, while Bordeaux finds themselves mired at the foot of the table. After being dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will look to take out their frustration on the Girondins who have gone five games without winning.
Value bet: PSG to win by three or more goals
Brest v Marseille (Sunday)
Third-placed Marseille travels to the Stade Francis Le-Ble to face Brest in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Jorge Sampaoli’s men are winless in their last three matches in the league, losing back-to-back home games against Clermont and Monaco in between a draw away to Troyes. As for Brest, they come into this game off a 1-0 win at Lens and have won two of their last three matches at home.
Suggested bet: Both teams to score