Bayern, Dortmund and Arsenal decent bets
What you need to know:
The added incentive for Dortmund is that they can leapfrog Mainz in the table on goal difference if they win by a three goal margin, and after Marco Reus and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang got the goals at Freiburg, expect Ciro Immobile, Shinji Kagawa and Henrik Mkhitaryan to be eager to end their droughts too.
Bundesliga
Dortmund vs Mainz
This is a quite good fixture to have after a first win in ages, and Dortmund will be relishing the opportunity to get two in a row and gain momentum.
The added incentive for Dortmund is that they can leapfrog Mainz in the table on goal difference if they win by a three goal margin, and after Marco Reus and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang got the goals at Freiburg, expect Ciro Immobile, Shinji Kagawa and Henrik Mkhitaryan to be eager to end their droughts too. Home Win and Over
Bayern vs Hamburg
Bayern are yet to return to the heights they had scaled pre-Christmas, but it is only a matter of time. Stuttgart were overcome 2-0 away in the last fixture, and the champions should improve further with this one at the Allianz Arena. Away win
Leverkusen vs Wolfsburg
Draw
Hoffenheim vs Stuttgart
Over
Moenchengladbach vs Cologne
Home win
La liga
Real Madrid vs Deportivo
The league leaders must be eager to get out there and erase the memories of the hiding they received in the derby last weekend, and there are few better fixtures to help that cause than this one at the Bernabeu. It will start out as a competitive game of course, but once the first one goes in. Home Win and Over
Barcelona vs Levante
Real Madrid might looking to find their feet again, but rivals Barcelona are in full stride now. I didn’t think Bilbao would be able to stop Messi, Neymar and Suarez in that mood last weekend, less so Levante this one, not at the Camp Nou. Football has a funny way of turning itself on the head, yet I can’t help but get the feel of a procession to this game. Home win and Over
Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid
Away win
Valencia vs Getafe
Home win
Sevilla vs Cordoba
Home win
Granada vs Bilbao
Away win
Serie A
Cesena vs Juventus
There is always the worry that Juventus might get complacent, careless or even bored, and that the little opposition might play out of their skin on the day, but outside of that it is hard to not call for the Away win.
Roma vs Parma
Should make for nice viewing this game of two good footballing sides, but Roma should have a little more than their visitors. Home win and Over
Palermo vs Napoli
One of the best January signings anywhere in Europe, striker Manolo Gabbiadini has immediately lifted Napoli and stirred Higuain, Mertens, Callejon, Hamsik and co awake. Away win.
AC Milan vs Empoli
Home win
Atalanta vs Inter Milan
Away win
LIGUE ONE
Lorient vs Lyon
They flew below the radar for the first part of the season, but now everyone is aware of Lyon’s ability and ambitions. No more ambushes, but they should still take care of this one Away win.
PSG vs Caen
The champions find themselves with a huge fight on their hands thanks to their earlier inconsistencies. Gloves off now. Home win
Monaco vs Montpellier
Home win
Bordeaux vs St Etienne
Draw
Marseille vs Reims
Home win
FA Cup
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
Draw
Arsenal vs Middlesborough
Draw
Preston vs Man Utd
Away win
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