Domestic cups dominate our focus this weekend in Spain and England. In England, the oldest cup competition (The FA Cup) enters the semifinal stage with four previous winners fighting for a place in the final. In Spain, Estadio Wanda Metropolitano host its first Copa del Rey final between Sevilla and Barcelona and in the Italian peninsula, Juventus host Napoli in what could be the title decider in the Scudetto.
This is our preview of some key fixtures in the top leagues in Europe.
We begin in France;
MARSEILLE v LILLE
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Marseille kept their Champions League qualification hopes alive with an away at Troyes. Under Rudi Garcia, Marseille have adopt an attacking approach when playing and we are expecting same at the Orange Velodrome this weekend against a poor Lille team who haven’t won in their last 6 league games. Below stats shows recent head-to-head meetings between both sides.
VERDICT – Marseille have kept a clean sheet in their 3 league matches against Lille. The away team have failed in their last 10 Ligue 1 matches.
DIJON v LYON
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In-form Lyon travel to Dijon with knowledge that only a victory will see them retain their spot on the log with Marseille breathing down their neck in the battle for the final Champions League spot. The reverse fixture was a lively 3-3 draw last September so we can expect fireworks at Stade Gaston Gerard with Dijon eyeing a place in Europe.
VERDICT – Lyon have scored 10 goals without conceding in their last three league matches. Dijon have scored at least two goals in their last three meetings against Lyon. Over 2.5 goals
In Italy;
JUVENTUS v NAPOLI
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Napoli have to take the game to Juventus in order to keep their title hopes alive in a game that could ultimately decide the destination of the league title in Italy. Juve are four points ahead of their rival ahead of this week 34 clash. Winning at the Allianz stadium is easier said than done for Napoli who have lost on their last 6 visit to Turin. Juventus are masters of this type of game and can finish off the title contest with a win at home.
VERDICT – Napoli are undefeated in their last 29 league away matches but have lost on their last six visits to Juventus. A home win would practically secure the Serie A title for Juventus. Will Napoli stop the Old Lady of Turin?
LAZIO v SAMPDORIA
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Lazio welcome Sampdoria to the Olimpico this weekend. The home side knows it cannot afford to drop points with Inter Milan lurking in the corner. The Nerazurris sit 5th on the table and are just one point behind Lazio in the race for the final Champions League spot. Sampdoria have been inconsistent in the league winning just two of their last 6 league games and haven’t been enjoying their trips to the capital. Both sides are still in the hunt for continental places and that should make this a good game.
VERDICT – Lazio have been a tough nut to crack on home soil this season. The Biancocelesti are undefeated in their last eleven home meetings with Sampdoria across all competitions. With everything to play for, we should expect goals. Over 2.5 goals
In Germany;
RB LEIPZIG v HOFFENHEIM
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Leipzig host Hoffenheim in a must win game if they hope to qualify for the Champions League next season. Leipzig head into this game without a victory in their last two games against Die Kraichgauer who are unbeaten in their last six league games. Hoffenheim is a point and place behind Leipzig on the table which makes this a fascinating encounter in the race for European places. Both sides love to attack so we can expect a game with goals.
VERDICT – Leipzig average goal per match is 1.52 in the Bundesliga while Hoffenheim’s average is 1.83. We can expect a goal each from both teams.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND V BAYER LEVERKUSEN
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Leverkusen leapfrogged Dortmund to 3rd place thanks to contrasting results for both teams last week. Dortmund’s loss in the derby saw Die Werkself level up with them on same points but with a better goal difference. Neither sides can afford to slip up in the race for Champions League qualification. Leverkusen suffered a crushing defeat to Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal but will need to recover quickly to stand a chance against a well-rested Dortmund.
VERDICT – This is a big game with every possible outcome. Dortmund have four wins and two draws in their last six home games. Bayer Leverkusen have four wins, one draw and defeat in their last away games.
To Spain;
SEVILLA v BARCELONA (COPA DEL REY FINAL)
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A victory in the Copa final can help paper the cracks of a bizarre campaign from Sevilla till date. On the other hand, Barcelona can join the exclusive league of the Real Madrid sides of 1905-1908 and Athletic Bilbao of 1930-1933 who won the Copa trophy four times in a row. Can Ernesto Valverde win his first title as Barca’s coach or Vincenzo Montella win his first in Spain?
VERDICT – Sevilla are not on top of their game (3D, 3L) ahead of this cup final. The Andalusia club is Leo Messi’s favourite opponents with 30 goals in 32 appearances against them. There has been over 2.5 goals in 14 of the last 16 meetings between both sides.
ATLETICO MADRID v REAL BETIS
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Betis have been the surprise team of La Liga in the year 2018 with their rise up to the table to 5th position ahead of Sevilla and Villarreal. Quique Setien team have won five games in a row ahead of their trip to Madrid must be in confident mood while Atletico’s surprise defeat at Anoeta means they need a win to keep city rival Real Madrid at bay while maintaining their second spot on the log.
VERDICT – Real Betis last away win against Atletico Madrid was back in 2011. Since then, they have lost their last five visits. Atletico have won their last six home matches scoring 16 and conceding none.
To England;
MANCHESTER UNITED v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (FA CUP)
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The FA Cup represents the only opportunity for a silverware for both clubs this season. Jose Mourinho prepares for moment like this and will be fired up in his bid to save face after Manchester City’s league triumph. Spurs need a trophy under Pochettino as a measure of progress and platform to motivate for future challenges.
VERDICT – Manchester United have won seven of their last eight matches (FA Cup) while Tottenham are undefeated in their last six matches (FA Cup). This is a tough game which could go all the way.
CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON
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The Blues take on the Saints in the second semifinal at Wembley. Last week’s Premier League match between both sides was a preamble for this Wembley meet. Chelsea showed character in the win which should make them feel confident ahead of the game. Just like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the FA Cup represents the only opportunity for the deposed Premier League champions to win a trophy in Antonio Conte’s second season as manager of Chelsea.
VERDICT – Chelsea have won their last five matches against Southampton in all competitions. The Blues are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 FA Cup matches
This wraps up our previews across the 5 major leagues in Europe. Keep playing, keep winning….
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