WhoScored Tipster: The Weekend's Top Tips Across Europe

 

Serie A’s evening fixtures forbids you from going out for Christmas shopping. Two of the fiercest Italian rivalries will take centre stage and this time, it won't solely focus on the history of the fixtures, as all four teams are involved in the battle for maximum points this season.  

 

Napoli vs Roma - Win (Napoli -1) @2.40 

 

A terrible run for Roma and therefore the worst possible time to meet Napoli. Everything is falling down for the Giallorossi - confidence, enthusiasm, quality; they look devoid of all. They scrapped qualification to the last-16 of the Champions League, and yet were booed off at full time. Moreover the draw with BATE was mentally demanding and the consequence will be felt this weekend.  

 

For Napoli, they are still reeling from the disappointing defeat in Bologna that resulted in them losing top spot, though they did bounce back with a 5-2 win in the Europa League. The big clashes aren’t a problem for Napoli and their intensity and productive playing style will be hard to stop. Rudi Garcia's side are aware that this could get embarrassing, so Roma won't be naïve in their approach to this fixture. 

 

Gonzalo Higuain - Serie A’s top scorer with 14 goals - is in unstoppable form at present, although this time the focus could be on Jose Callejon as he will play down Roma’s weak side. For the away side, their hopes lie on Mohamed Salah’s return, with his pace hoping to surprise Kalidou Koulibaly on counter. Napoli are the favourites here and to win by more than one goal, which is available at 2.40 with Bet365. The WhoScored match forecast suggests it is very likely that Napoli ‘will score as a result of a through ball’. 

 

Juventus vs Fiorentina - Draw First Half @2.20 

 

The crisis is over for Juventus. Fiorentina should not be misled by the loss at Sevilla, where Juventus underestimated their opponents. This, though, won’t happen against the Viola with the home side expected to up the intensity in this fixture. Juventus can stretch the away side’s defence on the wings, so the threaded passes from Juan Cuadrado to Paulo Dybala could prove to be fatal for Facundo Roncaglia, who is expected to come up against the Argentine striker. It is difficult for any team to score against Fiorentina for any team and Juventus still have problems unlocking staunch defences this season, so a draw at half time is indeed possible.

 

WhoScored Tipster: The Weekend's Top Tips Across Europe

 

Leicester vs Chelsea - Draw @3.50

 

No one would have predicted that when Claudio Ranieri joined Leicester he would have the chance to not only get the better of his decennial rival Jose Mourinho, but be the manager that costs him his job. Not many currently see the Foxes as the team to lift the Premier League title come May, but another win here will only make their dreams more realistic.

 

However, Chelsea should have more confidence coming into this fixture after their Champions League win in midweek and they will be desperate to transfer the form they’ve shown in Europe to the Premier League from here on out. A hallmark of Leicester’s campaign so far has proven their ability to come from behind and the WhoScored Match Forecast predicts it is ‘very likely’ they will do the same here even against reigning champions Chelsea.

 

Villarreal vs Real Madrid - Draw @4.20

 

Scoring eight goals against Malmo in the Champions League was a fantastic way to end the group stages but it hasn’t masked the problems at Real Madrid. Rafa Benitez will be judged on his results in tough away matches and the Madrigal is definitely one of those grounds. In fact, only Barcelona (21) have obtained more points at home than Villarreal this season (16) and Madrid will have to be far more inventive in the final third if they are to take maximum points here. Even in this game for the WhoScored Match Forecast it is ‘likely’ that Villarreal will still be able to take something from the game if they go behind.

 

PSG vs Lyon - PSG (-1) to win @1.66

 

The fact that second placed Angers are closer to the relegation zone (12 points) than league leaders Paris Saint-Germain (15 points) proves how competitive Ligue 1 is becoming outside of the capital. This fixture, on paper, presents Laurent Blanc’s side with a rare test in the league, but Lyon haven’t been convincing this season, which may give the reigning champions an easier time. The WhoScored Match Forecast predicts that all goals will obviously be scored by the home side.

 

Open an account, deposit £10* or more and you will qualify for a 100% matched amount as a bonus to bet with, up to a maximum of £200*. That means if you sign up and deposit £100, you'll get an extra £100 to bet with! The best sign up offer out there!

 

WhoScored Tipster: The Weekend's Top Tips Across Europe