The action around Europe continues to be intense, with all of the major leagues on the continent trying to catch up on fixtures. But, this week will see some enticing fixtures for gamblers, while there is also the matter of the final day of action in the Bundesliga.
Atalanta vs Lazio
The first fixture of the week that catches the eye is the Serie A clash between Lazio and Atalanta. It has been an unbelievable season for Lazio, and they are in the midst of a title challenge with Juventus. There is no doubting that the title chase could go down to the wire, with Lazio having only lost two games all season in Serie A.
However, they will have to restart the season strongly to have the best possible chance of topping Juventus. Atalanta will be no easy three points for Lazio as they are unbeaten in the previous six and have won four on the bounce. The most recent of those victories came on Sunday as they beat Sassuolo 4-1. This will be a huge challenge for Lazio.
The head to head record also shows that Lazio haven’t beaten Atalanta in the league since 2017. However, the preference would remain for the away side to get the win that they need to close the gap on Juventus.
Chelsea vs Manchester City
Thursday could be a pivotal night for Chelsea and their challenge for a finish in the top four of the Premier League. The Blues currently hold a five-point advantage over Manchester United in the battle for the final Champions League spot, but that deficit could be cut to two points before Chelsea take to the field against Manchester City.
There will be pressure on Frank Lampard’s side to continue their good run of form going, with a defeat potentially leaving the door open for United to pounce. Chelsea are unbeaten in four, having won three of these fixtures. The Blues won their first game back in the Premier League against Aston Villa last time out. Villa went ahead in that clash, but Lampard’s side struck back with two quick-fire second-half goals from Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud.
Manchester City have been in incredible form since the Premier League restarted, as they are determined to make Liverpool wait as long as possible before they are crowned champions. City have won two from two since returning to action, with the most recent victory coming against Burnley. The Citizens won that clash 5-0, with Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both scoring a brace.
City have won four of the previous five in the Premier League against Chelsea. The preference would be for the away team to keep that run going.
Borussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim
The final weekend in the Bundesliga takes place this weekend, and with very little to play for in the division, the best game taking place will see Hoffenheim take on Borussia Dortmund. The hosts are looking to end the season with a flourish after securing their second-place finish in the Bundesliga season. Hoffenheim will also be looking to end the campaign with another win as they have secured their place in the Europa League for next season.
Dortmund have been in steady form since the restart as they have won four from six. Their only defeats during this run have come against Bayern Munich and Mainz. Both of those defeats have also come at Signal Iduna Park. However, they got back into good form last time out as they over-powered RB Leipzig to win 2-0. Erling Braut Haaland scored a brace in that game to take his total for the season to 13 goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances.
Hoffenheim have also been in great form as they have managed to secure their place in the Europa League with a game to spare. They have won four from six, which also includes consecutive wins in their last two games in the Bundesliga. Their last win was a comfortable 4-0 success over Union Berlin, with Ihlas Bebou, Andrej Kramaric, Moanes Dabour and Christoph Baumgartner getting the goals.
Surprisingly, Hoffenheim are unbeaten in the previous four meetings against Dortmund, and the preference would be for a third draw in four games in this fixture.
Villarreal vs Valencia
The curtain will come down on an exciting week of European action with an enticing fixture between Villarreal and Valencia on Sunday. Both sides are locked in a battle to finish in the Europa League places in LaLiga, while Villarreal may also feel that they have an outside chance of finishing in the top four.
Valencia will go into this fixture with the pressure; as a defeat for them, this weekend could leave them four points away from seventh place. Their form since the restart has been indifference as they have lost once won once and drawn once. They will go into this fixture off the back of a win against Osasuna on Sunday. Goncalo Guedes and Rodrigo scored the goals in that success.
Villarreal have been unbeaten since returning to action in LaLiga, as they have won twice and drawn once. They have opened up a two-point lead over Valencia, and victory this weekend will open that up to five points. Villarreal were held in their last game, as they were made to settle for a 2-2 draw with Sevilla. Paco Alcacer and Pau Torres scored the goals in that fixture.
Valencia have won the last four fixtures between these sides in all competitions. However, it is unlikely that gamblers will see that run continue, which means the preference would be for the home side.
