It's an odd round across Europe, with most of the big teams playing away in clashes that they are heavily tipped to win where the odds perhaps shouldn’t be as low as they are. It means it is one of those weekends where it is worth taking a risk on some upsets, with small gambles worth enough for an extremely high accumulator.
Valencia vs Barcelona - Draw @6.00
Appointing a new manager and making him start his first day - and indeed his first day doing that job ever! - against Barcelona would have been a massive baptism of fire. Instead Gary Neville will watch from the sidelines at Mestalla, with his new players aiming to impress. Needless to say, Barcelona have been irresistible at times, but the only time they have dropped points this season have been at Celta Vigo and Sevilla - two grounds similar to Valencia’s, where it is all about pride. Los Che, in spite of their position, are the fouRth most aggressive team and have won the fifth most aerial duels. It is difficult, obviously, but it can happen again. Odds of 6.00 on draw from Bet365 are definitely worth the risk.
Lazio vs Juventus - Juventus @2.10
Juve seem to have cured their seasonal sickness. Consistency was their issue, and November has swiped the doubts away. This is the worst moment for Lazio to enter this game: Juventus are at their peak, while Lazio are at their lowest point. Confidence is everything, and the Bianconeri have restored that fear factor in their rivals even before coming out oton the pitch, while Lazio seem scared of their shadow. There are some weak links that the Biancazzurri can exploit though: Pogba will be suspended, and Juve's defence is still shaky, with the mismatch between Candreva and Chiellini potentially giving them an advantage. However Allegri's side are strong on the wings, and given the current form of Mandzukic, Mauricio's long list of weaknesses can be wildly exposed.
Manchester United vs West Ham - Draw (-1) @3.50
The Hammers are dropping positions as the games go by, while United have been solid all season long. The way Van Gaal has his side playing is not exactly taking the fans’ breathe away, but so far it is efficient. They’ve not scored too many goals - with only the 7th best attack in the Premier League - but they boast the best defence. That's why United can be expected to do the job by just one goal, with the crucial match against Wolfsburg in the Champions League also on their mind. Moreover, the WhoScored Match Forecast only predicts situations that suggest the hosts will boss the game.
Wolfsburg vs Borussia Dortmund - Draw @4.33
It’s third against second in the Bundesliga, although the gap is seven points, with Borussia Dortmund impressing under Thomas Tuchel. They, though, are vulnerable when playing away from home, while Wofsburg boast the joint second best home record in Germany’s top tier this term, winning six of their seven games. Two of Dortmund’s three statistically calculated WhoScored weaknesses focuses on defending, one of which is ‘stopping opponents from creating chances’.
Nice vs PSG - Draw @4.33
It seems odd to predict PSG to not win, given the 13-point difference between themselves and second-placed Caen. Nice, though, are of the more exciting teams in France’s top tier this term and could exploit a fatigued PSG side that laboured to a 0-0 draw with Ligue 1 newboys Angers in midweek. The WhoScored match forecast predicts two goalscoring scenarios in favour of Nice to PSG’s one, so the odds of a draw at 4.33 is tempting over at Bet365.
Who will your money be on this weekend? Let us know in the comments below
