Caroline Barker, Kevin Hatchard, Mark O’Haire and Jake Osgathorpe previewed the Bundesliga, La Liga and the Premier League in this week’s Football…Only Bettor podcast. The article is a summary of their bets.
Jake says: “Jake: “Based on expected goals Leganes should be a lot shorter than [2.42]. They will have too much for Vallodolid.”
La Liga
Betfair Ambassador Rivaldo is a Barcelona legend with strong links to the club and an expert on Spanish football. So who better to ask to predict the score’s for the restart round of La Liga fixtures?
Rivaldo says: “Mallorca are struggling at the bottom of the table for survival, while Barcelona badly need to win to avoid giving the chance to Real Madrid to regain the lead in the title race.”
Julio ‘Maldini’ Maldonado’s knowledge of Spanish football is unrivalled so his guide to every La Liga team is essential reading.
Maldini says: “Atletico are one of the best home teams and there is a strong connection between their fans and players, so they might struggle in an empty stadium. But Diego Simeone’s tactics are a massive plus. They are mentally strong and that could be a key factor in this context.”
European football expert Andy Brassell discusses the restarts in Spain and Italy. He’s looking forward to the Seville derby (see preview below) and wonders how Madrid will cope playing their home games away from the Bernabeu. He also discusses Ronaldo’s return for Juve in Serie A.
Andy says: “It will be fascinating to see just how much influence Ronaldo is ready to exert. Early reports suggest he has returned from Madeira in formidable form, and there is little doubt he will have benefitted greatly from the pause from a physical perspective.”
Dan Fitch previews Friday’s La Liga games, featuring sides competing for a place in next season’s Champions League, as Granada meet Getafe and Valencia take on Levante.
Dan says: “Getafe’s success this season has largely been built on winning the games that they’re expected to, rather than pulling off big shocks.”
Next Dan considers Saturday’s top flight matches in Spain. He reckons La Liga leaders Barcelona will have too for their hosts Mallorca on Saturday night, but there’s a good chance we will see goals at both ends. Find out where else he’s putting his money.
Dan says: “Barcelona have conceded in each of their last nine away games.”
Bundesliga
The Betfair Ambassador and Leverkusen legend predicts the scores of every Bundesliga match this weekend.
Dimitar says: “Bayern and Monchengladbach have a historic rivalry but Bayern have far too much class. It is hard to see them being stopped at the moment.”
Friday night’s Bundesliga clash sees Hoffenheim begin a new era but our match previewer Paul Robinson thinks that it won’t get off to a good start against RB Leipzig.
Paul says: “Rookie Marcel Rapp has been given the Hoffenheim job on a caretaker basis, and he couldn’t face much more of a difficult task in his first fixture.”
Alex Keble picks out four key tactical battles ahead of the 31st round of Bundesliga fixtures, predicting defeat for Leipzig at Hoffenheim and another thumping win for Bayern Munich…
Alex says: “Angelino may struggle against Hoffenheim’s most important attacker Robert Skov, who averages more key passes (1.7 per match) and more crosses (1.7 per match) than anyone else in the squad.”
There’s lots to resolve at the top and the bottom and Saturday’s results could prove crucial. Kevin Hatchard has picked out three selections from the 14:30 kick-offs.
Kevin says: “The goals have dried up recently for Paderborn, while Werder have the worst attacking record in the division.”
Bayern Munich are on track to win yet another German title but does Kevin think an off-form Borussia Monchengladbach can slow them down when the teams meet on Saturday tea-time?
Kevin says: “”Gladbach have failed to score in their last two away games, and Alassane Plea’s suspension means they are without one of their most important attacking players.”
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That’s enough to be going on with for now but come back over the weekend for more previews of Sunday’s matches in Germany and Spain.
Source: BetFair Tips
