The last stretch of La Liga is obviously stealing all of the attention in the last weekend of the domestic season. Saturday afternoon will see Barcelona and Real Madrid crowned as Spanish champions, while the last few European spots will also be decided in the other top leagues across Europe.
Granada vs Barcelona – Both Teams to Score @1.95
In a normal situation there wouldn’t be any hesitation over a Barcelona victory. In their last five matches they have scored 21 goals without reply. Current form would suggest Luis Enrique’s side will roll over the La Liga minnows, however there is an unspoken variable that could come into the equation this weekend. It is not uncommon in these types of situations that other teams will pass briefcases in the way of lesser teams as an incentive to play better. The idea is for the lesser team to spring an upset and force the favourite to slip up with costly implications. Nobody knows, but everybody knows it happens. The same could be true this weekend. And so Granada, already safe from relegation, could mysteriously find added motivation for the reception of Barcelona. This might not be enough to stop the league leaders but it could make proceedings more interesting and the odds on both teams scoring at 1.95 from Bet365 are attractive odds for these reasons. The WhoScored Match Forecast also predicts a scoring opportunity for each team.
Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Madrid – Winning Margin @3.75
It’s not like Real Madrid have got it easy in the title run-in. Travelling to La Coruna and Galicia means facing rivals that are always motivated to beat the club representing the capital and there have been upsets in the past. With Barcelona in the driving seat, Zinedine Zidane’s men could lose confidence the longer the games go on and things haven’t switched into their favour. With the Champions League final on the horizon there is also something to think about for their players. Madrid’s away performances haven’t been as convincing as the ones of home soil and that could make the Madrid players even more nervous. In fact, four of their last five away matches in the league have been won by a one-goal margin.
Sassuolo vs Inter – Sassuolo @1.85
Inter have already guaranteed fourth place and have nothing left to play for this season. Sassuolo, meanwhile, are dreaming of a ticket into the Europa League next season and are currently in pole position as they take a one point lead over seventh-placed AC Milan into the final weekend. Milan can still push Sassuolo out of the Europa League if they beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia final, although that is unlikely. Inter will be without Mauro Icardi this weekend and Roberto Mancini could turn to some youngsters with one eye on making Milan suffer. Conspiracy theories aside, Sassuolo are good enough at the moment to win this match in their own right.
Stoke City vs West Ham – West Ham @2.15
West Ham need to win to guarantee their spot in the Europa League next season and should fancy their chances against a Stoke outfit that come into this match with just one win in their last nine. West Ham’s success this season has gone under the radar because of the achievements of Tottenham and Leicester but they won’t mind that if they secure a richly deserved ticket into Europe next season.
Mainz vs Hertha Berlin – Over 2.5 goals @1.75
This game will decide who has to start in the preliminary round of the Europa League, thus cutting short their summer breaks. Mainz are fifth and Hertha Berlin are 6th coming into this weekend and neither can overtake Gladbach in fourth due to their far superior goal difference. In four of the Mainz’s last six home games there were at least 2.5 goals scored.
What are your top tips this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
