Another weekend of football action is upon us, with more leagues and cups in action following their winter breaks. Here are some of the pointers to watch out for. Bet online here
Sporting Lisbon to struggle without Bas Dost against leaders Porto
Sporting Lisbon welcome league leaders Porto in what is expected to be a nail-biter. However, the hosts will be without their top goal scorer, Dutchman Bas Dost who is unlikely to recover from a head injury. Dost’s absence was evidence in Lisbon’s last league game which they lost away to Tondela, which saw them slip to fourth in the table. Meanwhile, champions FC Porto are in red hot form and boast a winning streak that stretches back to October and will definitely cause the hosts plenty of problems. Match Tip: Porto Win (2.30)
Real Madrid to continue with poor run in the league
Last weekend, Real Sociedad stunned Champions League holders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu with an impressive 2-0 win. With Los Blancos now ten points behind league leaders Barcelona after that loss, a tougher test awaits them on Sunday away to Real Betis. Betis have already beaten Barcelona at the Camp Nou and will be licking their lips as they prepare to face Madrid. Betis sit just four points behind the visitors and will be within one point off fifth if they inflict a second successive defeat on Madrid. Gareth Bale is still missing through injury but Madrid still poses a team of talented players. Defense is still a big problem for both sides and there should be plenty of goals in this fixture given Real Madrid have scored eleven goals at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in their last two visits. Match Tip: Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals (1.75).
Juventus, Napoli and Inter to progress to the next round of Coppa Italia.
Juventus have been impressive this season. They are yet to lose a match in the league and are nine points clear ahead of Napoli. The Serie A and Coppa Italia champions will visit Bologna for the Round of 16 in the Coppa and are firm favorites with just one loss in the last seven trips in the competition. The hosts are 18th in the table and have won only once since September. Napoli on the other hand welcomes Sassuolo and despite them being a tough opponent, Napoli should be too strong for them in their backyard where they have been unplayable most of the time. Meanwhile, Inter Milan welcomes Benevento to San Siro and this is Milan’s chance for silverware this season. Odds for the three to win are valued at 2.35.
Marseille to heap more misery on Monaco?
Monaco have been poor this season. A terrible start under Leonardo Jardim and almost similar drawbacks under Thierry Henry leaves the club 19th in the table and facing an uphill battle to stay up. Marseille have also struggled this season and are without a win since November. Monaco have however shown improvements losing one in their last four matches but can they keep it up away from home? Monaco will head into this fixture with confidence given they have won three of the last five meetings scoring 18 goals in the process. Match Tip: Over 2.5 Goals (1.65)
Tough test for Sevilla
Bilbao await Sevilla this weekend, with the sides at opposite ends of La Liga table. Sevilla have been tough to beat this season as they have lost just one game in 16 domestic matches. Sevilla won 3-1 in the Copa del Rey tie at Estadio San Mames on Wednesday but I wouldn’t expect the same result on Sunday given the home side are slightly above the drop zone at 17th. Bilbao have drawn ten games this season and won only three. Sevilla meanwhile are cruising in third, but Bilbao should trouble Sevilla as they want to get out of the relegation zone earlier. Match Tip: Sevilla Double Chance (1.50)