If there is a round of fixtures that ensure history and prestige across all of Europe, this is surely the one. Some of the games may well have been far more noteworthy in the past than they are nowadays, but there are still some tempting odds that highlight just why such matches are so tense.
LIKELY BETS
Inter vs AC Milan: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.67
It's true that in the past the Derby della Madonnina has never merely been a clash to decide the bragging rights in the city, but that is all it boils down to in 2015. Nevertheless these 90 minutes may also have an affect on next season. Roberto Mancini is pretty secure in his job but Pippo Inzaghi is not at all. A positive result for the Rossonero manager (and therefore a very bad one for the Nerazzurro) might cast new doubts or bring about unexpected confidence for the future.
What is certain is that neither side will solve their defensive disasters within the 90 minutes. Mancini is without his defensive midfielders but he will hope that Rodrigo Palacio could be in the derby mood again, making the most of the mistakes of Mexes in his path. Meanwhile Inter should take care in addressing the dynamic job of Bonaventura for the visitors, who could surprise Ranocchia as the latter will be attacked by Menez. Last but not least, the WhoScored match forecast suggests it is 'very likely' that Inter will make a comeback if they go behind.
Freiburg vs Mainz: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.67
Expect goals in the Bundesglia as usual, and this time stop at Freiburg, where the odds for both teams to score are decent considering both teams tend to score and concede a lot, although not as much as some other even more entertaining German sides.
Augsburg vs Stuttgart: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 1.70
Despite being near the bottom of the table, Stuttgart boast the sixth best away attack. That is balance out by the fact they also have the 4th worst defence in the league. Moreover, they have seen both teams score result in each of their last three games.
TEMPTING BETS
Chelsea vs Manchester United: HOME WIN @ 2.00
Odds for a Chelsea win are favourable, despite the Blues being the only undefeated team at home in the Premier League this season. It can't be denied that Manchester United are on their best run of form this campaign, where Louis van Gaal’s work is finally delivering the results the Dutch manager demanded. However, José Mourinho is keen to oversee the iconic moment in the quest for the title because who truly believes that Chelsea will throw their season away now?
What better way to move on from their recent European disappointment than in front of Chelsea’s fierce rivals, who are managed by a long-term friend? Chelsea will wait for the right moment the strike and boast stronger game changing players than United at present. No Diego Costa up front, but Eden Hazard on the left flank will pose the threat, be it up against Antonio Valencia or Paddy McNair. Meanwhile the main weak link in the Chelsea defence could be Gary Cahill, which Ángel Di María may exploit if he performs to expectations.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Atletico Madrid: AWAY WIN @ 1.85
The Champions League tie against rivals Real Madrid will be on the colchoneros' minds, but then there is the fact that Simeone's gang are at risk of falling outside of the Champions spots in La Liga on current form. That makes this clash, against a Deportivo with plenty of problems of their own, extremely important, too. The WhoScored Match Forecast lists 3 situations, all about how Atletico will win the game.
Guingamp vs Evian: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE @ 2.10
Ligue 1 is the league with the lowest scoring average across Europe's major leagues so it's a great opportunity whenever a game in which both teams to score may be on the cards because the odds are higher then what numbers might suggest. This match is likely to be one those instances.
LONG-SHOTS BETS
Juventus vs Lazio: DRAW @ 3.20
Like hips, stats don't lie. This is the most important game of the Serie A season. It is 1st vs 2nd, and there won't be another direct clash at the top before the end of the season. The scudetto is Juventus' to lose, and that won't be changed, even by Lazio's attempts to record a club record 9 wins in a row - Stefano Pioli's side is at 8 (and the record dates back to 2000, when Eriksson defeated Juventus in Turin and then grabbed the title from them in the very last game).
The bianconeri have to also focus on the return leg against Monaco, so 5 of the starting XI will come in to the starting lineup. But at the same time the biancazzurri picked up an unbelievable amount of injuries in the last game: De Vrij, Gentiletti and Parolo. Pioli doesn't have replacements of the same level, so will just have to cross his fingers and hope Felipe Anderson can provide some magic.
Granada vs Sevilla: DRAW @ 3.50
Denis Suárez’s late winner on Thursday night against Zenit left the Sevilla fans ecstatic, but the visitor’s Europa League exertions could come back to haunt them. Granada are desperate for points to pull away from the relegation zone and will make things difficult for Unai Emery’s side.
Leicester vs Swansea: AWAY WIN @ 3.40
It may seem as though Leicester are the only team still motivated in this game, but actually Swansea are still hoping to clinch a Europa League spot, which will surely be available in the case of a Liverpool-Arsenal FA Cup final. The WhoScored match forecast suggests that there is only one 'very likely' scenario, deeming that Swansea will score 'as a result of a through ball'.
Who will you be betting on this weekend? Let us know in the comments below
