European football is back! With top domestic leagues in Germany, Spain, Italy and France already starting to take shape, I’ve compiled my latest European accumulator ahead of this weekend’s action. Check out my 11/1 four-fold below…
Real Sociedad vs FC BARCELONA
It looked like the 2018/19 campaign was going to be one to remember for Real Sociedad after their 2-1 victory away at Villarreal on the opening weekend. Unfortunately, the hosts have come crashing back down to earth in dramatic fashion.
Since then, Sociedad have failed to inspire confidence – picking up just one point from their last two fixtures. This is their first home game of the season and the Anoeta Stadium regulars will be raring to go; this will not be a walk in the park for Barcelona.
Barcelona were rampant in their most recent La Liga outing, putting eight goals past newly promoted Huesca. Ernesto Valverde’s side will be looking to maintain their 100% winning record here and the omens are certainly favourable.
The Spanish giants have won the last five meetings between these two sides; the 31/20 for an away win with both teams scoring is worth a punt.
TIP: Barcelona to win and both teams to score @ 31/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Sociedad 1-3 Barcelona (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
NAPOLI vs Fiorentina
Napoli are 4/7 favourites to emerge victorious in this one despite losing 3-0 to Sampdoria in their most recent Serie A clash. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still adapting to a change in system and this is the ideal opportunity to prove themselves on the big stage.
The 2017/18 runners up came back from two goals down to defeat AC Milan earlier in the campaign and that resilience could prove useful. Watch this space, Napoli are heading in the right direction.
Who's going to win the Serie A title next season then?
— 888sport (@888sport) May 23, 2018
RT - Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli
❤ - Max Allegri's Juventus pic.twitter.com/uWPXfA3Qzr
With two wins from two league games, Fiorentina are full of confidence and Napoli will view this one as a potential banana skin. One of Italy’s “almost” teams in recent times, it could be time for Fiorentina to announce themselves as major players in Serie A.
Both teams to score has landed in just one of the previous four meetings between the two sides. However, punters may be inclined to take the 11/20 on offer given Fiorentina’s recent form.
TIP: Napoli to win @ 4/7
PREDICTED SCORE: Napoli 2-1 Fiorentina (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)
BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH vs Schalke 04
Currently unbeaten in 2018/19, Borussia Monchengladbach will be right in the mix to finish in the top four. Monchengladbach have always been solid on home soil and Dieter Hecking’s side were always in control when beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 earlier in the campaign.
This could be another comfortable encounter for the five-time Bundesliga winners. 5/4 is a solid enough price considering their exploits at home. Monchengladbach should be too strong.
Schalke have failed to inspire confidence so far this season, losing both of their Bundesliga fixtures whilst scoring just once. Backing the visitors to emerge victorious here would be foolish, especially taking their poor away form from 2017/18 into account.
For those statisticians out there, both teams to score has landed in each of the last five meetings involving these two clubs. I fancy Monchengladbach to keep Schalke at bay but the 13/20 represents decent value if you fancy the visitors to nick a goal.
TIP: Monchengladbach to win @ 5/4
PREDICTED SCORE: Monchengladbach 2-0 Schalke (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
MARSEILLE vs Guingamp
Marseille are usually reliable on home soil and the Stade Velodrome fans will be baying for blood ahead of this clash. Goals are there for the taking and Marseille could run riot if Rudi Garcia lets his side go for the jugular.
Take the 8/25 for a Marseille triumph and stick it in your accumulator. The French giants are a class above Guingamp on paper and that will be clear for all to see on Sunday evening. Although saying that, Marseille did concede five to Bournemouth in preseason...
1 mins: Bournemouth 1-0 Marseille
— 888sport (@888sport) August 4, 2018
25 mins: Bournemouth 2-0 Marseille
35 mins: Bournemouth 3-0 Marseille
47 mins: Bournemouth 4-0 Marseille
50 mins: Bournemouth 5-0 Marseille
Congratulations to Bournemouth on winning the 2018/19 Premier League title.#BOUMAR pic.twitter.com/h5slzbWg2C
The writing is on the wall for Guingamp: relegation down to France’s second tier is looming unless there is a significant improvement. With four defeats from four league games, it isn’t looking great for Antoine Kombouare’s men.
Getting to half-time with the scores level would be some achievement; they would at least have something to defend in the second half then. Punters fancying an uneventful opening 45 minutes can back a goalless draw at 16/5.
TIP: Marseille to win @ 8/25
PREDICTED SCORE: Marseille 3-0 Guingamp (Priced at 8/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
