We are finally entering the business end of the season around Europe, with massive games in all major competitions with huge points up for grabs. But, what soccer picks should gamblers be making this coming weekend?
Manchester United vs Liverpool
There will be a seismic battle in the Premier League this weekend, as the two biggest club sides in England clash at Old Trafford. The pressure will be on Liverpool coming into the game, as Manchester United’s place in the Champions League, next season looks more assured.
The reigning Premier League champions have won just three of their last six league fixtures, and are currently four points behind Chelsea in the race for Champions League football. Liverpool were held in their most recent league fixture by Newcastle United at Anfield. However, Liverpool’s away record is slightly better, as they have won three of their last four on the road.
Manchester United will be looking to avoid handing the league title to Manchester City this weekend, which will mean avoiding defeat. The Red Devils have won five of their previous six, and currently have a 13-point advantage over Liverpool in the race for Champions League football. A win this weekend would almost certainly mean that United will be playing in the elite competition next season.
United haven’t beaten Liverpool in the Premier League since the 2017-18 season, but they did claim a victory over the Reds in the FA Cup earlier in the season. However, the draw could be the most likely result this weekend.
Real Madrid vs Osasuna
Not many could have foreseen Real Madrid having a chance to win both LaLiga and the Champions League this season. In any other season, this fixture would have been considered less important over the next seven days, as Madrid play Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League either side of this fixture. However, regaining the LaLiga title will be high on the agenda for Zinedine Zidane this term.
Real Madrid are in a strong position to achieve that, as they are two points below Atletico Madrid. Barcelona have the destiny of the league title in their hands, as they have a game in hand over both sides above them. Real missed their opportunity to go top of the league this past weekend, as they were held to a second draw in three league fixtures. Madrid created a number of clear goalscoring opportunities last time out, but just couldn’t find the breakthrough and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Real Betis.
Osasuna may be one of the sides that are on the beach in the Spanish top-flight, as they are safe in the middle of the league standings. Their three-match winning run was brought to an end last time out, as they were beaten on the road by Celta Vigo. However, there will still be confidence within their ranks given that they had been in excellent form before that defeat.
Osasuna have nothing to play for over the closing weeks of the season, while Real Madrid will desperately need the three points. For that reason, a home win would be the most likely selection.
Sassuolo vs Atalanta
The Serie A table has been turned upside down over the past seven days or so. Atalanta have been the biggest winners, as they have climbed from fifth to second in the standings. They could improve their chances of Champions League football next season with a win against in-form Sassuolo.
Atalanta’s aim at the start of the season would have been to qualify for the Champions League for just the second time in their history. They look excellent value to achieve that, as they have won five of their previous six fixtures. Only Inter Milan have lost fewer games in the Italian top-flight this term. Atalanta moved up to second in the league standings with a commanding 5-0 win at home against Bologna last time out. Ruslan Malinovskiy, Luis Muriel, Remo Freuler, Duvan Zapata and Aleksei Miranchuk were among the scorers.
It won’t be an easy game for Atalanta this weekend, as they will be coming up against the in-form side in the league. Sassuolo have been excellent over their last four fixtures, as they have picked up wins in all of them. However, it does appear to be too little too late, as they remain nine points outside the Europa League spots. Their last win was achieved against Sampdoria, as Domenico Berardi scored the only goal of the game.
This could be one of the toughest fixtures that Atalanta have left this season, but we expect them to have just too much for Sassuolo this weekend.
Valencia vs Barcelona
The LaLiga title is in the hands of Barcelona with six games left to play for the Catalonian giants. They will be aware that they will be crowned champions if they will all the games that they have left remaining this term.
Barcelona have a crucial game in hand over the sides above them, which would take them one point clear of Ateltico, and three clear of Real Madrid. Ronald Koeman’s side have been in great form since being beaten by Zidane’s side, as they have won their previous two. Their most recent victory was a 2-1 success away from home against Villarreal.
Valencia will not come into this game with a lot of confidence, as they have failed to win in their previous five league fixtures. They have lost twice and picked up three draws during this run of games. Valencia drew last weekend against Alaves.
Valencia’s form would be a huge concern coming into this fixture, and that makes it incredibly hard to see past a commanding away victory for Barcelona.
