Weekend Football Betting: Early odds for five big games as Premier League returns

“The champions start as favourites at 2.447/5 with the Bhoys 3.052/1 to claim their first win at Ibrox since 2019. Celtic won 3-0 when the teams met at Ibrox in February while the Gers were 1-0 winners here at the start of the season.”

Man City and Liverpool can’t afford to slip up

Liverpool v Watford – Saturday, 12:30
Burnley v Man City – Saturday, 15:00

Man City are 1.564/7 favourites to win the Premier League even though Liverpool will go top by two points if they beat Watford in the opening fixture of this weekend’s round of matches. The Reds have been on an unbelievable run, to reel in City and set up the closest title race for three years.

A couple of hours later, the Champions will have the opportunity to restore their one point lead by winning at Burnley.

Both sides are a short price to win their respective matches and neither will want to slip, especially as they meet the following weekend at the Etihad for a showdown that could decide the fate of the 2021/22 title.

We’ll have previews of both matches – and every other Premier League game this weekend – on Betting.Betfair on Friday.

Germany’s best of the rest clash in Dortmund

Dortmund v RB Leipzig – Saturday, 17:30

It’s second against fourth on Saturday in the Bundesliga and Dortmund need to win to keep within touching distance of Bayern who lead the division by six points. Leipzig won the reverse fixture 2-1 in November and are unbeaten in nine in all competitions since losing to Bayern at the start of February.

The early prices indicate a close contest with Dortmund 2.486/4, Leipzig 2.8415/8 and the draw available at 3.9.

Old Firm rivals set for high stakes derby

Rangers v Celtic – Sunday, 12:00

At the start of the Scottish Premiership season, Rangers were expected to run away with the title for the second successive season. Celtic, under new management in Ange Postecoglou were expected to struggle.

Eight months later, Celtic are 1.42/5 to win the title and Rangers are 3.45. The former lead the latter by three points ahead of Sunday’s crucial Old Firm derby so a home win would put the teams level and set up a thrilling run-in.

The champions start as favourites at 2.447/5 with the Bhoys 3.052/1 to claim their first win at Ibrox since 2019. Celtic won 3-0 when the teams met at Ibrox in February while the Gers were 1-0 winners here at the start of the season.

There’s an enormous amount at stake, so it could be cagey, and the draw – a rarity in this fixture with just one in the last 10 between the sides – is 3.45.

Our Scottish football expert Frank Monkhouse will preview the match with his best bet on Saturday.

Title race points up for grabs in Derby d’Italia

Juventus v Inter – Sunday, 19:45

Inter trail local rivals Milan by six points at the top of Serie A but the defending champions have a game in hand and the title race is very much alive. Fourth place Juventus are only a point behind Inter, although Maxi Allegri’s men have played a game more, ahead of Sunday’s Derby d’Italia.

Inter have drawn their last two so need a win. They are 2.6813/8 favourites but that may be surprising as Juve 2.9215/8 are on a great domestic run – they haven’t lost in Serie A this November – and could fancy their chances of leapfrogging the Nerazzurri. It finished 1-1 between the teams at San Siro in the reverse and the draw is 3.412/5.

Xavi’s men out to leapfrog Sevilla into second

Barcelona v Sevilla – Sunday, 20:00

Xavi has got Barcelona moving in the right direction, as their 4-0 win against Madrid last time out showed, and they are third in La Liga, three points behind Sevilla and with a game in hand. The Catalan’s are firm favourites at 1.51/2 to win when the teams meet at Camp Nou on Sunday.

As it stands, leaders Madrid are 12 points ahead of Barcelona in La liga and 1.061/18 to win the title, having played a game more, but another victory this weekend would show that Xavi’s team intend to put pressure on Los Blancos until the end of the season.

We’ll have tips for every La Liga match this weekend.