Domestic tables across Europe are starting to take shape – we are now almost two months into the 2018/19 campaign.
Elite football leagues across the continent, mainly Germany, Spain, Italy and France, are heating up and there are lots of tasty European fixtures to get stuck into.
As is the norm these days, I’m back with my top tips on the latest round of fixtures across the continent.
La Liga giants Barcelona, fresh from defeating Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium earlier this week, top our 12/1 accumulator. Without further ado, let’s get down to the selections…
SATURDAY
BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs Augsburg
Dortmund have been sublime in the early stages of the new Bundesliga season, scoring 19 goals in six league games.
The hosts are currently unbeaten and plenty of punters will fancy the 4/9 on offer for Lucien Favre’s side to prevail.
New kid on the block Jadon Sancho could will be looking to continue his fine run of form in a Dortmund shirt.
His performances so far in 2018/19 have already earned the 18-year-old a call-up to the England squad earlier this week - he is a special talent.
Jadon Sancho since signing for Borussia Dortmund:
— 888sport (@888sport) September 14, 2018
Games played: 15
Goals scored: 1
Assists: 7
A goal contribution every 100 minutes.
Remember: he is still only 18 years old. pic.twitter.com/J7L7lQgsfK
Meanwhile, Augsburg have won just one of their last five league games; a run that will be of some concern to their supporters.
A 4-1 win at home to Freiburg in their last outing will give the visitors a much-needed boost ahead of this trip.
Dortmund is always a daunting away day and the hosts could enjoy a comfortable afternoon providing their Europa League excursions don’t take their toll.
This has ‘routine home win’ written all over it.
TIP: Dortmund to win @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: Dortmund 2-0 Augsburg (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
SUNDAY
LAZIO vs FIORENTINA
Reading too much into Lazio’s current record would be foolish to say the least.
Three losses against Juventus, Roma and Napoli have hindered their chances of a fast start to the season but Lazio have shown their quality against “lesser” sides in recent months.
Four of Lazio’s clashes have been settled by the odd goal and another close affair looks likely here.
13/20 for both teams to score could be the best bet ahead of this clash.
Fiorentina are flying high in the top four and plenty of punters will be backing the visitors to finish in the European places this season.
After their solid start to the season, it is difficult to oppose Stefano Pioli’s side at this moment in time.
The visitors are priced out at 16/5 to claim three points in this contest but Lazio are a tough nut to crack.
Whatever happens in terms of the result, this should be one of the best games to watch in Italy this weekend.
TIP: Both teams to score @ 13/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Lazio 1-1 Fiorentina (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)
MARSEILLE vs Caen
Marseille haven’t lost a league game on home soil since March – some achievement.
The Europa League has been something of a hindrance for the French outfit in recent weeks but I fancy the hosts to maintain their excellent record at Stade Velodrome.
Goals and Marseille tend to go hand in hand. Rudi Garcia’s side have scored 19 goals whilst conceding 16 in just eight Ligue 1 matches; an average of over four goals per game.
9/4 for a home with both teams to score might be worth a wager with that in mind.
27th minute - Marseille 0-1 Strasbourg
— 888sport (@888sport) September 26, 2018
44th minute - Marseille 2-1 Strasbourg
52nd minute - Jordan Amavi sent off
89th minute - Marseille 2-2 Strasbourg
91st minute - Marseille 3-2 Strasbourg
What. A. Match. pic.twitter.com/XHwT514Nmn
Caen have picked up four points from their four away fixtures so far this season; although those points all came against lower half opposition.
The visitors did manage to secure an impressive draw against third-placed Montpellier last month though.
The hosts cannot afford to take Caen lightly but Garcia’s men will be confident of notching a win here.
Marseille have won the last four meetings between these two sides…
TIP: Marseille to win and both teams to score @ 9/4
PREDICTED SCORE: Marseille 3-1 Caen (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
Valencia vs BARCELONA
Valencia gave a decent account of themselves against Manchester United without really needing to batten down the hatches.
The La Liga outfit were comfortable in possession and deserved their point and the clean sheet.
Keeping Barcelona at bay is a completely different proposition, however.
The hosts are likely to adopt a slightly different approach when they welcome the defending La Liga champions on Sunday evening – this could turn into a game of attack vs defence.
Barcelona got back to winning ways against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek and that result should reinstall some belief at Camp Nou.
The Spanish giants had failed to win in any of their previous three fixtures prior to that Champions League encounter.
Lionel Messi was magisterial against Spurs and he can inspire Barcelona to another crucial victory here.
Take the 8/13 for an away win; that price represents solid value for a team of their calibre.
TIP: Barcelona to win @ 8/13
PREDICTED SCORE: Valencia 1-3 Barcelona (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
