Storyline: It’s another weekend of exciting football action! Here are my picks. Written by Craig Simpkin, London. For sports news and views Craig recommends logging onto Bet Advisor.com.
We have another weekend of top European action in store and all of the leading teams will be looking to gain momentum heading into the crucial festive period. So what are the top five things to look out for this weekend?
Courtesy: Footyaccumulators.com
#1 – Can Borussia Monchengladbach end Bayern’s undefeated streak?
Borussia M’gladbach are unbeaten in nine Bundesliga games, Bayern in fourteen. Something has got to give here (unless it’s a draw of course). But M’gladbach’s recent run has been impressive and they are rattling in the goals too: 17 in their last six matches. Have they got what it takes to curtail Bayern’s unbeaten form? Perhaps not. They’ve already been beaten twice at home this term and have conceded 22 goals; only one less than bottom of the table Hoffenheim. Bayern’s strike duo of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller will be looking to take advantage of that while, defensively, they’ve conceded just five goals in the Bundesliga this season and kept a clean sheet in two-thirds of their matches) Still, M’gladbach should give them a test domestically. And if you think they can do more than that, you can put your money where your mouth is: backing them at 10.00 to win the game or a still generous 3.50 to win or draw.
#2 – Can Jamie Vardy score again?
His first-half opener against Manchester United last week secured his place in English football history (for the time being at least). Now Jamie Vardy has got his eyes firmly set on the next record in a stunning start to the season. He broke United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in ten consecutive Premier League matches (with a side-foot finish past David De Gea), and now will be setting his sights on Jimmy Dunne’s mark of 12 consecutive games, which he can match if he scores against Swansea on Saturday. The all-time record for consecutive goals is 15, recorded by Stan Mortensen in the 1950/51 season (although those weren’t recorded in back-to-back games as the winger suffered an injury halfway through his run.) You can back Vardy at 2.38 to score anytime in that match against the Swans.
#3 – Does Bologna believe?
Napoli haven’t lost in 13 Serie A matches and this week they head to Bologna to take on the relegation-threatened side. Do they have any chance of ending Napoli’s run? Perhaps not, but the statistics show that they certainly have more hope at home than away. Bologna has only conceded seven goals on their patch this term and if they can keep up that record they may have a chance. Indeed, Napoli has scored just ten goals on their travels compared to 16 at home. The Naples outfit also lost their sole match this season on away turf, so Bologna can certainly dream. Back them from 8.00 if you think the dream can come true.
#4 – Just how many goals will Barcelona score this week?
They’ve notched 21 in their last six La Liga matches, and with Neymar, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi in such incredible form anything is possible when the Catalan giants step onto the field. The opponents on Saturday are Valencia, a team that announced this week the appointment of Gary Neville as the club’s new manager. He won’t be in the dugout against Barca, though, and it will be interesting to see how the rudderless Valencia copes. They have only conceded ten goals all season, and just two at home, so whose good stats will stay intact? You can back Barca to bag two or more goals at 1.29, three or more at 1.95 or four or more at 3.40.
#5 – Ajax attack
Perhaps the standout clash in Eredivisie this weekend sees Ajax take on Heerenveen. What’s so special about this game? It is surely set to rain goals. Ajax has scored 17 in their last five appearances, which is more than three per match, while Heerenveen have gone Over 2.5 in five of their last six outings. You can back Over 3.5 Goals in this game at 2.15 – and that looks like the easiest way to double your money this weekend!
