It’s another action-packed weekend of football in Europe this weekend. Here are some of the things to look out for in Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga, Eredivisie and the Bundesliga. Bet on European football here.
Atalanta to halt Roma’s winning run
Free scoring Atalanta welcome AS Roma in a highly anticipated Serie A showdown on Sunday. The hosts have scored 11 goals in their last two Serie A matches and Roma’s defence will be wary of the likes of joint top scorer Duvan Zapata who will lead the line for the home side. However, Roma have gathered some momentum in the last few weeks and head into this fixture in full confidence. Nevertheless, Gian Piero Gasperini side, the best attacking team in the division can compete against anyone evidenced by their 2-2 draw with leaders Juventus on Boxing Day. This fixture surely promises entertainment. Six goals were scored when they last faced each other with Roma producing an emphatic comeback to snatch a point. Match tip: Double Chance Atalanta (1.35)
Relegation six-pointer at Dijon
Monaco visit fellow relegation candidates Dijon following another crushing 5-1 defeat at home to high flying Strasbourg. The defeat won’t help their survival hopes for sure. The loss leaves them without a home win in the league this season. However, their opponents are two points ahead of them at 18th. Dijon are also enduring an awful run of form with just one win in ten games. Although Monaco have added some quality signings of Cesc Fabregas and Naldo this month, this encounter will be cagey as both teams will be looking for maximum points to get their season back on track. These two sides shared the spoils in the first leg back in October and this clash far-reaching consequences when the season’s curtain come down. Match tip: Under 2.5 Goals (1.90)
Both Teams to Score in Freiburg v Hoffenheim
Freiburg narrowly avoided relegation last season and are doing much better this term. They welcome a team which has drawn five of its last six matches. However, an upset might be on the cards as the hosts have delivered giant-killing performances this season. They lost 3-1 away to the visitors in the first leg this season. What’s more interesting is, both teams have scored in the last 11 fixtures in this competition. A close but entertaining affair is in store definitely. Hoffenheim lost to champions Bayern Munich and sit eighth on the table. They’ll be looking to get close to the top four places while Freiburg will be ready to drop another good performance against another top team. Match tip: Both Teams to Score (1.40)
Real Madrid to struggle at Espanyol
Espanyol are going through a dreadful run of form but visitors Real Madrid are showing signs of improvement. Los Blancos sit a distant third in La Liga, ten points behind reigning champions Barcelona. Espanyol inflicted the visitors a hard-fought 1-0 defeat at home last season. Given Madrid’s inconsistent season, the hosts will aim to catch them off guard and nick a second successive home win over the giants or risk being thrown into the relegation battle considering they are only four points off safety. Real Madrid outplayed Sevilla in their last match and will have to produce a similar performance at the RCDE Stadium. Match tip: Double Chance Espanyol (2.00)
Ajax to extend lead over Feyenoord
Second-placed team Ajax and third-placed Feyenoord lock horns on Sunday in one of Eredivisie’s biggest rivalries. There’ll be much at stake in this massive clash. Ajax are looking to catch the impressive PSV Eindhoven who are league leaders and Feyenoord are aiming to get into the Champions League places. Both teams recorded comfortable wins last time out but Sunday’s Der Klassiker clash will be a completely different story. Ajax has had the upper hand in this fixture for the last few years, winning the last four straight in the league. With the best attack and defense in the league, Feyenoord will have to be phenomenal to stop Ajax. Match tip: Over 2.5 Goals (1.45)