Hi everyone! We’ve got a full schedule in Ligue 1 this week, as well as cup games in England, Spain and Germany! Take a look at my thoughts below. You can bet on these matches here.
Nantes 0 v 2 PSG – Tuesday 4 February – Ligue 1 – PSG Win (1.35)
PSG are top of the table in Ligue 1 and have all their forwards fit and firing. They beat Montpellier 5-0 on Saturday and looked as though they could have scored even more. The Parisiens have won nine of their ten away games in Ligue 1 this season and now play Nantes, who have lost their last three games across all competitions. Considering that they have lost nine of their last ten games against PSG, I have to go for an Away Win.
Werder Bremen 2 v 3 Borussia Dortmund – Tuesday 4 February – DFB Pokal – Both Teams to Score (1.45)
Can Dortmund carry their impressive Bundesliga form into the DFB Pokal? They have won three of their last four away games and have a good record in the cup, having won six of their last ten games in the competition. Bremen, on the other hand, lost again at the weekend and have only won one of their last eight home games (against Heidenheim in the Pokal). I’m backing an Away Win and my Match Tip is Both Teams to Score, which has happened in all of these sides’ last 13 meetings.
Saint-Etienne 0 v 1 Marseille – Wednesday 5 February – Ligue 1 – Double Chance Marseille (1.40)
Saint-Etienne are in terrible form. They have lost five of their last six league games, seeing them slip to 15th in Ligue 1. In contrast, Marseille are second and are on a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Andre Villas-Boas’ side have only lost three times in the league this season, the joint-lowest number in the division (level with PSG). They have beaten Saint-Etienne in each of their last two meetings and have only lost to them once since 2013. I see an Away Win here.
Tottenham 2 v 1 Southampton – Wednesday 5 February – FA Cup – Tottenham Win (1.70)
Sunday’s win over Manchester City will give Tottenham a huge boost in confidence. It means that they have now won seven of their nine games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since Jose Mourinho arrived. They drew at Southampton last weekend in the FA Cup but since then the Saints have been beaten 4-0 at Liverpool. Although they played well in that defeat, they have a poor recent record away to Spurs, losing 2-1 here in September despite playing most of the game against ten men. I’m going for a Home Win.
Athletic Bilbao 1 v 1 Barcelona – Thursday 6 February – Copa del Rey – Both Teams to Score (1.80)
This is an interesting clash. Athletic Bilbao lost on Sunday for the first time in ten games, which was also their first defeat at home since September. They have a good record against Barcelona, who haven’t beaten the hosts in any of their last three meetings. Barcelona won on Sunday night thanks to two goals from youngster Ansu Fati but they are still finding their feet under Quique Setién. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last five away games and I think they will concede here. I’m going for a Draw.