After an exciting round of action in midweek, the Champions League and Europa League quarter-final draws have already been decided and we can look forward to some exciting action.
However, we will focus our attention back on the domestic front where we approach the game before the final international break of the season.
The best of league action continues and we bring you the likely betting tips and predictions to go with from all of the day’s action.
Straight Wins
After dropping two points last time out, Bayern Munich would be more offensive in their game against Union Berlin. The Iron Ones have also dropped five points in their previous two games. Bayern Munich’s failure to win their last two Bundesliga outings (D2) has reignited this season’s title race when they previously looked like champions-elect. They still hold a four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund though. They come into this clash aiming to avoid going three Bundesliga games without a win for the first time since November 2018, and will therefore probably be pleased with a fixture against Union Berlin, a side they’ve never lost against (W3, D2). The Bavarians would surely use this opportunity to turn their luck. Bet9ja have 1.19 odds, Paripesa have 1.20 odds and 1xBet have 1.20 odds.
Napoli could return to the top of the Serie A this weekend if they beat Udinese and AC Milan lose their game. The visitors arrive in Naples sitting 8pts above the drop zone and looking likely to finish safely in mid-table this season. Napoli have won six of their last seven encounters with Udinese, including winning 5-1 in this very fixture last season. They’re likely to start well at home, where Napoli have opened the scoring before the break-in three of their last four SA outings (W2, D1, L1). A positive start to the game is going to ensure they take home all three points and see them take a lead in the title race. Bet9ja have 1.48 odds, Paripesa have 1.52 odds and 1xBet have 1.52 odds.
The Serie A leaders, AC Milan, make the trip to struggling Cagliari on Saturday and looking for at least a point to keep them top of the table. The hosts could slip back into the relegation zone this weekend if they lose and don’t have a good record against this weekend’s visitors. AC Milan have won five of their last six league meetings with Cagliari and sit 16 positions above their hosts in the Serie A table as things stand. Cagliari have lost their last two league games, failing to score on both occasions, while AC Milan have won three of their last five outings in Serie A and has only conceded three goals during that period. Bet9ja have 1.64 odds, Paripesa have 1.68 odds and 1xBet have 1.68 odds.
This time, Atlético head into this clash with the exact opposite form in which both sides met in the first leg. With four La Liga wins on the trot, with 2+ goals to their name on every occasion. With previous wobbles now behind them, Atlético’s push to consolidate a Champions League spot is heating up, and their recent dominance over city rivals Vallecano, which has been both persistent and consistent, could help them with that push. They’ve recorded six consecutive La Liga H2H victories since 2014/15, including ‘wins to nil’ in the five most recent meetings. Bet9ja have 2.03 odds, Paripesa have 2.10 odds and 1xBet have 2.10 odds.
Over 2.5 Goals
Arsenal remain 4th in the Premier League table despite losing at home to Liverpool in midweek and will be aiming for a return to winning ways on Saturday when they make the trip to Villa Park. Steven Gerrard’s men are also looking for a response following defeat at West Ham last time out and the hosts have a decent recent record against the Gunners. At least three goals have been scored in four of the last six league meetings between these two clubs, and we’re expecting another action-packed 90-minutes on Saturday. Each of Aston Villa’s last three league games have produced at least three goals, while three of Arsenal’s last five matches have witnessed over 2.5 goals. Bet9ja have 1.78 odds, Paripesa have 1.87 odds and 1xBet have 1.87 odds.
Six of the last seven meetings between Napoli and Udinese have produced over 2.5 goals, and we’re predicting at least three goals to be scored on Saturday as well. At least three goals have also been scored in three of Napoli’s last four matches, adding further weight to our prediction for this weekend’s clash. Udinese conceded 2+ goals in each of their last four visits here. Bet9ja have 1.76 odds, Paripesa have 1.86 odds and 1xBet have 1.86 odds.
The first game to be played on Saturday in La Liga is the Alaves vs Granada duel. Four of the previous five h2h meetings between both sides have gone over 2.5 total goals and we expect that to be the case on Saturday as well. After all, Granada are averaging 2.57 goals per game in La Liga this season, while Alaves averaged 2.36 goals per game in the league so far. Bet9ja have 2.23 odds, Paripesa have 2.38 odds and 1xBet have 2.38 odds.
Four of the last five h2h duels between Elche and Valencia have gone over 2.5 total goals and we don’t see any reasons why that won’t happen again in their next game. In addition to this, Valencia averaged 3.00 goals per game in the league so far, while Elche averaged 2.46 goals per game in La Liga this season. After all, both teams have scored in 71% of all Valencia matches in La Liga until now, while the same is true for 57% of all Elche games this season in the league. Bet9ja have 2.20 odds, Paripesa have 2.31 odds and 1xBet have 2.31 odds.
Anytime Goalscorers
Giroud
Former Arsenal striker, Olivier Giroud is the joint-top scorer for AC Milan in the league this season with 8-goals, alongside Leao and Ibrahimovic. The veteran striker signed from Chelsea in the summer has scored 5-goals in his last eight appearances for AC Milan in all competitions and he could be worth a punt against Cagliari. Bet9ja have 2.40 odds while Paripesa has 2.20 odds.
Lewandoski
After two consecutive games without a goal for the Polish striker, he scored in their draw against Hoffenheim. Bayern need a win here today to cement their place at the top of the table with Dortmund already creeping in from behind. He scored a hattrick during a 7-1 rout in Bayern’s last competitive home game against Salzburg. He also has a brace in their reverse fixture which ended 5-2. Bet9ja have 1.35 odds while Paripesa have 1.20 odds.
Osimhen
A brace in his last fixture saw him end a 2-game goal drought in Serie A. He would be looking to make it double-figure goals this season for Napoli in the Serie A. He is currently the highest goal scorer for his side this season and he is the one to look to for goals for this team. He has a point to prove and he wants to win the Scudetto for Napoli and it can only happen with a win here. Incidentally, he bagged his first goal of the season against this Udinese side. Bet9ja have 2.00 odds while Paripesa have 2.00 odds.
Lacazette
Recent form has seen us include the Frenchman here today with three-goal contributions in his last three games. He would be looking to put aside the bad performance that saw his side lose to a better Liverpool side. Aston Villa would not prove to be a big test for the forward and we see him putting up a great performance here and scoring also. Bet9ja have 2.90 odds while Paripesa have 2.70 odds.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.