It’s that time of the week again when we run through a selection of the most exciting matches taking place this weekend and offer our best bets and value picks.
Everton v Fulham (Saturday)
Everton have certainly looked a different outfit under Sean Dyche and are now out of the relegation zone through their superior goal difference over Nottingham Forest. The Toffees have built on their impressive home form, where they drew against Tottenham and beat Brentford in their last two games at Goodison Park. Now, against a Fulham team who have lost four in a row, they should be able to give themselves a lift further up the table.
Suggested bet: Everton to win
Value bet: Everton to win to zero
West Ham v Arsenal (Sunday)
West Ham will be hoping fatigue is not a factor when they welcome log-leaders, Arsenal, to the London Stadium in what is yet another local derby. The Hammers suffered a demoralizing 5-1 defeat in their last home tie, against Newcastle, while they also play on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa Conference League ahead of their tie with Arsenal. The Gunners know that a win is vital with Manchester City now breathing heavily down their necks.
Suggested bet: Arsenal to win
Value bet: Arsenal to score in both halves
Atletico Madrid v Almeria (Sunday)
Atletico Madrid are the form team in the Spanish LaLiga at the moment and look to be closing the gap on their bitter rivals, Real, who they now sit two points behind after claiming their fifth successive victory. Their opponents, Almeria, are the only team in the division yet to win an away game this term.
Suggested bet: Atletico Madrid to win
Value bet: Atletico Madrid to win to zero
Getafe v Barcelona (Sunday)
Barcelona couldn’t be in a better position with 10 games to go in the Spanish LaLiga as Xavi’s men boast a comfortable 13-point lead at the top of the standings. They’re at the peak of their powers and seem to be firing on all fronts. Away from home, Barca are the highest scorers in the league, whilst they have also conceded the least amount of goals.
Suggested bet: Barcelona to win
Value bet: Barcelona to win both halves
Bayern Munich v Hoffenheim (Saturday)
Bayern Munich are likely to have an eye or two on their UEFA Champions League second-leg tie against Manchester City in midweek, where they trail 3-0. They are, however, in a crucial title race against a resilient Dortmund team, so they cannot afford to drop unnecessary points. Hoffenheim have won three matches on the bounce and will be hoping to capitalize on Bayern’s downfall.
Suggested bet: Both teams to score
Value bet: Half-time draw
Union Berlin v Vfl Bochum (Sunday)
Union Berlin look to return to winning ways when they host Vfl Bochum. They suffered their second league defeat since November last time out when going down to Dortmund, while their other defeat came at the hands of Bayern Munich – so can be deemed somewhat excusable. Union Berlin are yet to taste defeat at home this term and should remain unbeaten here.
Suggested bet: Union Berlin to win
Value bet: Union Berlin -1 handicap
Napoli v Verona (Saturday)
Champions elect Napoli need to rebuild their confidence after losing twice to AC Milan in the space of a couple of weeks, with their UEFA Champions League tie coming a few days after this fixture. As much as they will have one eye on the fixture, Napoli face a Verona side who are the only team yet to win on the road in the Italian Serie A and should make easy pickings of them.
Suggested bet: Napoli to win
Value bet: Both halves over 1.5 goals
Inter Milan v Monza (Saturday)
Inter Milan regained some confidence and belief in midweek after claiming a spectacular away win in the UEFA Champions League against Benfica. The hosts now welcome Monza to the San Siro where they have 11 wins from 15 matches – with no team winning more home games. Although they seem safe from relegation, Monza are winless in four encounters.
Suggested bet: Inter Milan to win
Value bet: Inter Milan to win and under 2.5 goals
Paris Saint-Germain v Lens (Saturday)
Paris Saint-Germain meet Lens in a top-of-the-table Ligue 1 clash as the host lead the visitors by six points with just a handful of games remaining. At their turf, PSG have won 11 of the 15 games played, while much of Lens’ success this season has been down to their impressive home form as well. On the road, Lens have won just five of their 15 ties.
Suggested bet: PSG to win
Value bet: PSG to win and both teams score
Clermont v Angers (Sunday)
Angers have struggled for consistency this campaign and find themselves root to the foot of the table. They’ve won three times all season while recording just seven goals from 14 away league outings – by far the worst in the league. Clermont have won back-to-back matches and seem to be taking full advantage of meeting the lesser teams in Ligue 1.
Suggested bet: Clermont to win
Value bet: Clermont to win to zero