Italian giants Juventus will clinch another Serie A title this weekend in Rome if they can pick up a point in their game against AS Roma. By securing the league title, the Biaconeris will be completing another double for the fourth consecutive season, talk about dominance in Italy and you’ve got to mention Juve. In Spain, resurgent Sevilla head into the Seville derby in better form against their local rival Real Betis as they chase the final Europa League spot. In the Bundesliga, the final Champions League spot will be settled on the final day of the season between Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen.
Here is our preview of some key fixtures in the top leagues in Europe.
We begin in France;
AS MONACO v SAINT ETIENNE – SAT. 12 MAY 2018, 20.00HRS
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Monaco ended their three games winless run thanks to a 91st minute winner by Moussa Sylla against Caen last weekend to hold off Marseille in the battle for third place in Ligue 1. St. Etienne suffered a surprise home defeat last week and will be looking for a response at Stade Louis II as they make a final push for Europa League qualification. Monaco have been solid at home this season which makes St. Etienne task daunting. Monaco need to keep winning if they are to retain third place which is the final Champions League spot in France.
VERDICT – AS Monaco crushed Saint Etienne 4-0 at Stade Geoffory-Guichard when both sides met last December. The home team are unbeaten in their last seven meeting against Saint Etienne. Over 2.5 goals
STRASBOURG v LYON – SAT. 12 MAY 2018, 20.00HRS
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Out of sort Strasbourg are without a victory in 11 league matches host Lyon in a game that could determine their Ligue 1 status. Le Racing sit just outside the drop zone and are in grave danger of going down if results don’t go their way. The home team are up against the league’s in-form team who have won their last six league games and scoring with ease. Both sides need a victory in this game for various reasons.
VERDICT – Strasbourg’s average goal per match in the league is 1.14 compared to Lyon’s 2.32. Lyon have won the last 14 meetings between these two clubs. A home win is very unlikely, over 2.5 goals
In Italy;
CROTONE v LAZIO – SUN. 13 MAY 2018, 14.00HRS
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There is a lot to play for in this crucial week 37 fixture. Crotone need a win to secure their Serie A status with Lazio requiring same as they target the Champions League spot in Italy ahead of Inter Milan. Last weekend’s Lazio drew at home against Atalanta, a setback which highlighted the capital club reliance on injured Ciro Immoible for goals. Crotone have proven to be survival experts and are in decent form at the moment with 2W, 1D, 1L in their last four league matches.
VERDICT – Crotone won this fixture last season and will draw inspiration from it. Lazio have their talismanic striker injured but the Pitagorici have Nigerian striker Simy Nwankwo who has scored five goals in his last six games. We predict a game where both sides will find the back of the net.
AS ROMA v JUVENTUS – SUN. 13 MAY 2018, 19.45HRS
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Juventus travel to Rome on the back of their Coppa Italia success against Milan on Wednesday and with the knowledge that a single point is all they require to retain the Serie A title. The Romans can secure their Champions League qualification with a draw at home but their fans would love nothing more than putting a dent to the Biaconeris title celebration therefore would be urging their team to go all out for a victory in front of their supporters.
VERDICT – Roma have won their last four home games in all competition which includes beating Barcelona and Liverpool. Juventus have had problems over the last two seasons against Roma, as they’ve come away pointless from their last two visits, losing 3-1 and 2-1. The visitors will be tough to put away whatever the circumstance so sharing the spoils could be the perfect outcome for this game and both sides. Expect goals at stadio Olimpico – over 2.5 goals
In Germany;
BAYER LEVERKUSEN v HANNOVER 96 – SAT. 12 MAY 2018, 14.30HRS
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Goal difference is all that separates 5th place Bayer Leverkusen and 4th place Hoffenheim in the race for the final Champions League spot in Germany. Leverkusen have hit a bad patch lately, winless in their last three league games and have struggled for goals badly. Bayer have not scored a goal in five of their last seven Bundesliga matches. Hannover secured a crucial win last weekend which helped them secure their Bundesdliga status for next season so there is little to play for. Die Roten cannot wait to see the end of disappointing season for them.
VERDICT – Leverkusen have won their last five home matches against Hannover but will need help from Borussia Dortmund if they are pip Hoffenheim for the final Champions League spot. Hannover have been pretty awful away from home this season failing to win any of their last 11 league matches. A home victory is on the cards at BayArena but would it be sufficient to achieve their goal?
HOFFENHEIM v BORUSSIA DORTMUND – SAT. 12 MAY 2018, 14.30HRS
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Hoffenheim’s unbeaten run came to an end last week in Stuttgart. Julian Nagelsmann team have their destiny in their hands if they are to compete in the Champions League next season. A win at home should guarantee them a top-four finish. Dortmund are almost guaranteed qualification too but they require a point to clinch third place. However their recent away form with no victory in four should be a cause for concern for the Die Schwarzgelben fans. With so much to play for, we can expect fireworks at Rhein Neckar Arena.
VERDICT – Anything can happen in this crucial game, it is difficult calling this one with so much at stake but we expect both sides to score.
To Spain;
GETAFE v ATLETICO MADRID – SAT. 12 MAY 2018, 17.30HRS
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Atletico Madrid can breathe easy and channel most of their focus to the Europa League final taking place next week thanks to Sevilla’s victory over Real Madrid midweek which gives Diego Simeone and his team some breathing space in the battle for second position. In-form Getafe welcome Atletico to Coliseum Alfredo Perez for this Madrid derby. The home team are on a five-match unbeaten run in the league and have the ambitious of finishing as high as possible in the league. Atleti suffered an embarrassing loss at home to Espanyol last time out with several players itching to go out and restore confidence before their European Cup final against Olympique Marseille.
VERDICT – The last six league meetings between these two clubs has seen under 2.5 goals scored in each game. Atletico have all six meetings. Except another low scoring affair at the Coliseum.
REAL BETIS v SEVILLA – SAT. 12 MAY 2018, 19.45HRS
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Real Betis host city rivals Sevilla at the Benito Villamarin in what should be a full-blooded encounter in Andalusia. Betis would be aiming to complete a league double over Sevilla and confirm their Europa league spot. On the other hand, Sevilla will look to avenge their derby loss in January under sacked coach Vicenzo Montella. Club favorite and interim coach Joaquin Capparos has embarked on a mini-resurrection for Sevilla, they have won their last two league games including a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid. This renewed energy should inspire confidence ahead of the derby.
VERDICT – Real Betis have won their last four home league matches while Sevilla are undefeated in their last 11 away matches against Real Betis in all competitions. We expect an open game filled with goals and different styles from both teams.
To England;
LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION – SUN. 13 MAY 2018, 15.00HRS
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Liverpool welcome Brighton to Anfield on the final day of the Premier League season. The Champions League finalist who are winless in their last three league games need a win to secure a top-four finish and shut the door against Chelsea. The Reds face Brighton who have secured their Premier League status for next season and have very little to play except for a better finish on the league table. Chris Hughton may find it difficult to motivate many of his players who probably would have their holiday bags packed before stepping on the pitch at Anfield.
VERDICT – Liverpool are undefeated in their last 20 home matches in the Premier League. Brighton have failed to win their last 12 away matches in the Premier League. Liverpool would want to sign off the season with a home win even if they have their focus on the Champions League final later in the month.
SOUTHAMPTON V MANCHESTER CITY – SUN. 13 MAY 2018, 15.00HRS
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Record chasing Manchester City travel to Southampton hoping to break more Premier League records. A win at St. Marys will see the Citizens become to first Premier Club to record 16 away victories in a single season. Pep Guardiola’s team can become the first team to break the 100 points mark with a win on Sunday. Southampton virtually secured their Premier League status in a hard fought victory over Swansea midweek to ease the pressure on themselves going into the last day. It has been a difficult season for the Saints who will hope to avoid a very heavy defeat to the Champions.
VERDICT – Man City have won 30 of their last 35 Premier League matches. The Champions have scored at least three goals in their last three away Premier League matches. With records available to play for, it is difficult seeing anything short of an away victory.
This wraps up our previews across the 5 major leagues in Europe. Keep playing, keep winning….
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