The series of games played last week saw Manchester United slip further down in the race for the Premier League title after experiencing defeat for the first time in 40 home games against table-toppers Manchester City with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all dropping points.
Paris Saint Germain returned to winning ways against Lille with Napoli failing to capitalize on points dropped by Inter Milan and Juventus and go top of the table. Bayern Munich squeezed out a narrow victory when they visited Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Madrid showed a spark of their former selves with a resounding victory against Sevilla.
Here are the top betting predictions across Europe’s top five leagues;
Torino vs Napoli
5:00pm Saturday 16th December, Olimpico di Torino.
A goalless draw against Fiorentina saw Napoli lose an opportunity to return to the summit of the table. Napoli has gone 2 games since a win and will be looking to return to winning ways when they visit Olimpico di Torino. An upset here could put a serious dent in their title aspirations and they’ll be looking to in-form striker Mertens to help secure maximum points at the Olimpico di Torino.
Torino sits 9th on the table having accumulated 23 points with 5 wins and 8 draws. Torino has gone 6 games since their last loss and will fancy their chance against a Napoli side that hasn’t really looked their best recently. A win on home turf could put them in contention for a spot in the Europa League.
Football Betting Prediction.
Napoli will be looking to return to winning ways but will find in hard to break down a Torino side that is finally coming into shape.
Eibar vs Valencia
5:30pm Saturday 16th December, Estadio Municipal de Ipura.
Valencia is having a dream start to the season. Sitting comfortably in 2nd and having only lost once this season they’ve established themselves as genuine title contenders. Marcelino García troops boast of the second best attack in Spain lead by Simone Zaza and Rodrigo who have scored 50% of Valencia’s goals in La Liga. A win here would reduce the point difference to a mere 2 points before Barcelona face Deportivo.
Eibar has gone 4 games since a loss picking up 3 wins in the process. This incredible run of form has left them at 13th 6 points of the drop zone and they’ll be looking to cause an upset when they host Valencia at the Estadio Municipal.
Football Betting Prediction.
Valencia superior front line which averaged 2.3 goals per game is bound to exploit a shaky Eibar defense and help continue their push for the La Liga Trophy,
Bet Valencia to Win and Over 2.5
Borussia Dortmund vs Hoffenheim
5:30pm Saturday 16th December, Signal Iduna Park.
The appointment of Peter Stöger has led to an upturn in Dortmund’s fortune and they’ll be looking to make up for lost ground when they come up against 3rd placed Hoffenheim knowing that a victory will help them leapfrog Hoffenheim and even occupy the 2nd position if RB Leipzig slips up. They’ll be counting on in-form striker Aubameyang to help sink Julian Nagelsmann troops.
Hoffenheim returned to winning ways against Stuttgart after suffering a shock defeat against Hannover. Hoffenheim are looking to secure a place in next seasons Champions League with a win at Signal Iduna Park a huge statement in the battle for European football.
Football Betting Prediction.
Hoffenheim will be looking to keep Borussia Dortmund’s impressive frontline at bay but will eventually cave at the quality of their oppositions attacking players.
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
5:30pm Saturday 16th December, Etihad Stadium.
2 goals from David Silva and an impressive display from Kevin De Bruyne helped Manchester City overcome Swansea. Victory for Manchester City on their home turf will ensure victory in each of their matches against the Top Six Club in this half of the season and further solidify their position as favourites to lift the Premier League Title.
Tottenham is gradually returning to their best form after a convincing 5-1 victory against Stoke City and a 2-0 victory against Brighton. Harry Kane and Co. will be looking to hand Manchester City their first League defeat of the season and force their way back into the Top Four.
Football Betting Prediction.
Manchester City head into this clash as favorites but will suffer an upset against a Tottenham side that looks reinvigorated.
Atletico Madrid vs Alaves
7:45pm Saturday 16th December, Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone troops remain unbeaten in the league this season and will be hoping to pick up maximum points when they host Alaves at the Wanda Metropolitano. A run of 3 consecutive wins has seen them capitalize on points dropped by Barcelona and shorten the gap to 6 points. Antoine Griezmann is set to be available after suffering a muscular injury scare and hopes that is an uptick in form will help Atletico gain on table-toppers Barcelona.
Alaves into this clash at the back of two consecutive wins but still sit 18th on the table. Abelardo Fernández men fighting to stay in Spain Top Division will be looking to cause an upset and a win against Atletico will make a huge statement of intent.
Football Betting Prediction.
Alaves will prove a tough nut to crack but Atletico Madrid is bound to emerge victorious though an abundance of goals is highly unlikely.
Bet Atletico Madrid to Win and Under 2.5
Lyon vs Marseille
8:00pm Sunday 17th December, Stade des Lumieres.
Lyon head into this clash 2nd on the table ahead of Monaco and Marseille on goal difference. A win here will help create a 3 points gap and help solidify themselves as title contenders. Strasbourg proved PSG are not invincible and Lyon will be hoping their opponents can do more to help their cause. Diaz Mejia and Fekir will be spearheading their attack and will be hoping to help Lyon seal maximum points when they host Marseille.
Marseille have gone 12 games since a loss and will be looking to acquire all 3 points when they visit the Stade des Lumieres. Thauvin will be looking to his add to his tally in what has been an incredible season for him having scored 23% of his team goals this season.
Football Betting Prediction.
The only significant difference between Lyon and Marseille is Lyon’s superior attacking power which has seen them score 42 goals this term to Marseille’s 32. There is bound to be an abundance of goal leaving this tie so close to call.
Bet Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5