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Things to Look Out For in European football this week

The cup competitions are drawing to a close across Europe, with top teams fighting for trophies. Here are some talking points for the midweek matches. You can bet on all of the action here.

El Clasico encounter could go either way

Real Madrid upset the odds in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals when they left the Nou Camp with a 1-1 draw but, in truth, can be disappointed not to have beaten Barcelona. Santiago Solari’s side missed several chances to extend their advantage before Malcom’s equaliser and could have won late on had Gareth Bale not spurned a simple chance. However, they are in better form than their opponents since the first leg with three wins from four games. Barcelona have won on three of their last four visits to the Bernabeu, but the current holders’ poor away form makes this a close game on paper.

PSG injuries still not enough to give Dijon hope

Dijon would prefer to forget their last trip to the Parc de Princes, where they lost 8-0 last January in what became the heaviest defeat in their brief history. The star of the show that night was, unsurprisingly, Neymar, who chipped in with four goals and two assists. His absence for tonight’s showdown in the Coupe de France should therefore be a blessing for Les Rouges, but it doesn’t paint the real picture. The hosts have won seven of their nine matches since the Brazilian was injured last month, while the visitors have lost four of their last five games. Kylian Mbappe and co. should have enough to make it another embarrassing trip for Dijon.

Lazio out for revenge

For the second year in succession Lazio and AC Milan meet in the Coppa Italia semi-finals. Both legs ended 0-0 in 2018, with the Rossoneri emerging as winners following a penalty shootout. With Juventus already eliminated this year, this represents the best chance for silverware for both sides since Lazio lifted the trophy in 2013. Milan have suffered defeat just once so far in 2019, at the hands of Juventus, but Lazio have only won 15 of their last 20 home games in the cup. Who will claim the advantage tonight?

Goals between Feyenoord and Ajax

Last month’s De Klassieker derby between Feyenoord and Ajax resulted in a famous 6-2 win for the hosts, making it the highest scoring edition since 1983. Ajax have the opportunity to atone for that defeat on Wednesday night when they return to Rotterdam in the KNVB Beker. Over 2.5 Goals have been scored in seven of the hosts’ last ten games in the Beker, while the same has happened in eight of Ajax’s last ten games in the competition. Over 2.5 Goals is available at odds of 1.45 here.

How will Rodgers departure affect Celtic?

After nearly three seasons at Celtic, manager Brendan Rodgers is set to depart Glasgow to fill the vacancy at Leicester. A common criticism of the former Liverpool manager is that it is easy to guide Celtic to domestic success given their wealth and status in Scotland; indeed, it is true that the Bhoys had won five league titles in a row prior to his arrival. Nonetheless, he leaves the club having won all seven domestic trophies available during his tenure, with an unbeaten league campaign in his first season. Celtic must prove that their dominance will continue once Rodgers goes, starting with a trip to Hearts on Wednesday.

 

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