European Football Weekend Preview

Domestic play in Europe resumes after midweek Cup challenges offered up high drama across the footballing landscape, now the attention will be squarely focused on the top Clubs and Leagues throughout the world.

The England Premier League will be missing from the festivities as they are set to take the weekend off, with FA Cup proceedings taking the spotlight throughout their Country, the EPL will resume play midweek with a slew of mouth watering fixtures to help make up for the lapse in games.

Enjoy another weekend of top flight football across the European platform, with a hotbed of pulsating matches on full display, spectators and investors alike are sure to welcome the nonstop action.

German Bundesliga - Match Day 20

10504 Bayern Munich - 10505 Hoffenheim

Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

1-27-2018 - 9:30 am ET

Bavarian giants Bayern Munich headline Saturdays set of fixtures in the famed German Bundesliga, the league leaders welcome their recent nemesis Hoffenheim to the Allianz Arena for a shot at redemption, having saddled the hosts with their first loss in Domestic play, expect a concentrated effort to send their visitors away with a clear understanding of where the top club in Germany presides.

Hoffenheim make the journey south to the spectacular Allianz Arena looking to shock the defending champs once again, having won 2 out the last 3 matches in domestic play, "Die Kraichgauer" now enter Match Day 20 confident they have the game plan in order to leave Munich with positive points.

The Hoffenheim season has been steady after a record breaking 2016-2017 campaign, currently holding the 9th spot in the table with a overall record of 7-6-6, now with 27 points the urgency to add to their total is at a premium to retain a top 10 spot in the league.

Julian Nagelsmann is set to take another stab at the German giants on Saturday, it has been speculated the young genius may be in line to take over the reigns with Bayern to begin the 2018-2019 season, but for now the young managerial superstar is focued on leading his men into battle, with the vision of grabbing his 3rd win in the last 4 meetings in this suddenly one sided rivalry.

The Hoffenheim tactical approach involves playing out of a 3-1-4-2 formation, Nagelsmann employs his men to use their aggression as an advantage while on the pitch, he prefers they attack both down the middle and from left hand side of the field, while using short crisp passes to move fluently through opposing defenders, setting up their target men who prefer long range shots as the primary weapon of choice.

The visitors have found themselves as sellers during the winter transfer window, most notably Forward Sandro Wagner was the most recent ina long line who were sold off too their opponents on Match Day 20, without the services of their bully in the box, Mark Uth will be called on more as the primary tally's man as he looks to keep up his recent success against the hosts.

Uth has been highly productive this campaign, with a different style of play than Wagner, the German attacker is more skilled in counter attacking and through ball situations, he will look to get out and run against the bulky backline of Bayern, as he aims to add to his 12 Goals and 2 Assists in all competitions.

Hoffenheim started the season hitting the back of the net with a tremendous success, they have since tailed off in their production, scoring and average of 1.4 Goals per match in their last 9 Bundesliga road games.

The Hoffenheim defensive numbers have been staggering away from home, failing to keep their shape on a regular basis, conceding an average of 1.8 Goals per match in their last 9 Bundesliga road games.

Bayern Munich are surely giddy with anticipation of this weeks rematch, the potential league winners are focused and inspired to prove the visitors hold no significant advantage over them in the top flight of German football.

"Die Bayern" once again own the top spot in the league, with an impressive 15-2-2 overall record through the first 19 rounds of competition, FCB have accumulated 47 points and hold a dominating 16 point lead over their nearest rival in the table.

Jupp Heynckes enters the round on a roll, the veteran German manager has failed to drop any points in the new year, while reeling off 6 straight wins in the Bundesliga since last leaving points on the table.

Heynckes is a massive figure with the storied club, after winning the Treble during his last full season in 2012-2013, the club legend was assigned in a caretaker role after the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti, the head man has proceeded to restoring the dominance expected from the Bavarian nation.

Bayern have been formidable in their 4-3-3 - 4-2-3-1 formation, the defending champs are dangerous in so many different aspects of the game, using a heavy amount of ball possession too their favor, while playing the bulk of the match in their opponents side of the pitch as they create multiple shots on goal, the home side will consistently attack down their wings and through the middle of the pitch with dominant Center Forward play, expect to see brilliant individual skills on display with pinpoint service to their awaiting attackers in the box.

The Bavarians own a plethora of world class players through out their squad, with Robert Lewandowski garnering much of the headlines with 24 Goals scored in all competitions, Hoffenheim must still be on guard against the full barrage of attacking presences at the top of the Bayern frontline.

Kingsley Coman, Arjen Robben, Frank Ribbery, Arturo Vidal, Thomas Müller, James Rodriguez and Joshua Kimmich are all just as responsible for the overall success at the super club, with so much talent it is often hard to crack the starting eleven, we should expect any of these players to be fully involved with the outcome on Match Day 20.

Bayern Munich have been clinical while own the Allianz pitch, scoring an average of 3 Goals per match in the last 9 Bundesliga home games.

The Bayern defense has been just as impressive in keeping 5 clean sheets, while conceding an average of  0.7 Goals per match in their last 10 Bundesliga home games.

Prediction:

Bayern should have plenty of motivation ahead of this match, Julian Nagelsmann's men have been a thorn in the hosts side as of late, the home side will relish at the opportunity to take all 3 points in a purposeful manner during Round 20.

The "FCB" carry a 31 game unbeaten league home streak into this fixture, while seeing the Total Exceed 2.5 Goals in 13 of their last 16 home matches.

Expect to see Bayern hold the majority of the possession on Match Day 20, while playing the bulk of the game in Hoffenheim's side of the pitch, the hosts will have a large advantage in their Wing play, we should see a Goal or more generated from their talented attackers.

Also expect the Hoffenheim Goal Keeper to have a busy day, seeing plenty of chances to make saves with Bayern generating a mass amount of shots on goal, and by doing so we will also see plenty of Corners and Direct Free Kicks created, with so much talent in and around the box a Goal being generated from a powerful header or creative put back looks to be a good bet as well on the day.

I will back Bayern to put up a large scoreline by the end of 90 minutes, the guests are coming off a 1-4 drumming to Bayer Leverkusen on Match Day 19, now they travel to a motivated club in top form with a grudge to settle, making for a long day at the office.

Tips:

Over 1.5  -110 / 1.91 - Total 1st Half Goals

Over 3.5  -115 / 1.87 - Total Full Game Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5  -110 / 1.91

Bayern Munich  -0.75  -125 / 1.8 - 1st Half Spread

Bayern Munich To Win and Over 3.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

Bayern Munich - Team Total Over 2.75  -115 / 1.87 - Goals

*Bonus Tips*

10510 Koln - 10511 Augsburg

1-27-2018 - 9:30 am ET

Both Teams To Score - 'YES"  -115 / 1.87

Over  0.75  -135 / 1.74 - Total 1st Half Goal

Koln - Team Total  Over 1  -125 / 1.8 - Goal

Over 2.25  -120 / 1.83 - Total Full Game Goals

Augsburg - Team Total Over 1.25 +100 / 2.0 - Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +135 / 2.35

10519 Werder Bremen - 10520 Hertha Berlin

1-27-2018 - 12:30 pm ET

Over  1  +100 / 2.0 - Total 1st Half Goal

Over  2.25  -125 / 1.8 - Total Full Game Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +120 / 2.2

Werder Bremen  -0.25  +110 / 2.1 - 1st Half Spread

Werder Bremen  -0.25  -120 / 1.83 - Full Game Spread

Werder Bremen - Team Total Over 1.25  -115 / 1.87 - Goals

Spain La Liga - Match Day 21

15807 Valencia - 15808 Real Madrid

Mestalla Stadium, Valencia, Spain

1-27-2018 - 10:15 am ET

The Spanish top flight league offers up a juicy affair at the famed Mestalla, a rejuvenated Valencia side welcome the Whites of Real Madrid to the Mediterranean coast for this marvelous match up of top 4 clubs in the table.

Real Madrid take to the road looking to shake off their colossal 1-2 midweek loss to Leganes, after being booted from the Quarter Finals of the Copa del Rey, "Los Blancos" are intent on following up their last league performance as they produced a 7-1 winner over Deportivo La Coruna.

The Whites enter Mestalla in 4th place of the La Liga table, with a overall record of 10-5-4 and 35 points to date,  the Madridistras must leave the east coast of Spain with all 3 points in their chase for European contentions.

Zinedine Zidane has had a turbulent 5 day period, after seeing his side break out of their torrid goal scoring drought, he then witnessed his squad turn in another horrific performance in Cup play.

The French man will have a bit of confidence as he leads his men into battle, the return of Karim Benzema means the famed "BBC" are set to lead the line in their patented 4-3-3 formation.

Fellow Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were rested ahead of this particular fixture, giving the Spanish giants a well rested Superstar tandem to accompany their French strike partner at the top of the Madrid line.

The Madrid trio have been highly effective when partnered at the same time, having Scored 33 Total Goals in all competitions, with world class service behind the "BBC" and a less than formidable Valencia backend, we should expect to see Goals produced from any of the three throughout this fixture.

Real Madrid started the season on fire hitting away from the Santiago Bernabéu, they have since cooled off while still scoring an average of 1.6 Goals per match in their last 8 La Liga road games.

The Real Madrid backend have been consistent in keeping their defensive shape, the Whites are conceding an average of 0.9 Goals per match in their last 8 La Liga road games.

Valencia continue to be a hot club to invest in, "Los Che" have proven to be a spectacular squad going forward in their attack, making for healthy score lines and entertaining matches, Saturdays affair should present the same opportunities for those who follow the Black and Orange side.

"Los Che" will enter the round ahead of their famous opponents, holding the 3rd spot in the La Liga table with a overall record of 12-4-4, they have collected 40 points and own a 5 point lead over Los Blancos going into this event.

"Marcelino" García Toral will have his hands full on Match Day 21, the veteran Spanish manager will be without key defenders Gabriel Paulista and Ruben Vesto, but even with a depleted back line you will still expect a creative game plan to welcome the defending champs.

Valencia found themselves as participants in this season's Copa del Rey tournament, the Bats were involved in a dog fight during midweek play against a scrappy Alaves side, barely escaping to the next round after going to extra time and ultimately winning in a Penalty shootout, now they must regroup from the additional minutes in play and focus on the task at hand.

"Marcelino" does possess depth on his front line, he will have the flexability to rotate his two forwards a top his 4-4-2 formation, "Rodrigo" Moreno and Santi Mina are in line to carry the torch for the Valencia scoring threats.

The Spanish trigger men have developed a nice chemistry when combined together, netting a total of 19 Goals and 5 Assists in all Competition's, look for the duo to be involved in all attacking threats towards the Madrid backline.

Valencia have been a juggernaut while at Mestalla, scoring an average of 2.1 Goals per match in their first 10 La Liga home games.

The Valencia defense has been outstanding in keeping 6 clean sheets, while conceding a microscopic 0.6 Goals per match in their first 10 La Liga home games.

Prediction:

This classic Spanish matchup has been known for high scoring results, the last 5 encounters have produced a Total of 20 Goals, for an average of 4 Goals per match in this high octane clash of La Liga Giants, while the Total has exceeded 2.5 Goals in the last 9 matches in all competition's.

Real Madrid will enter this match getting less respect than they normally produce, many will only remember their last game which was a huge disappointment in Cup play, forgetting they had their best 90 minute span of play only a few days before, this is setup for a perfect spot to back Los Blancos on Match Day 21.

The Whites have also had tremendous success against this Valencia club, winning 17 of their last 19 matches in all competitions, while scoring at least 2 plus goals in 5 of those last 6 encounters,

Valencia on the other hand are determined to turn their recent run of form against their famous visitors around, Los Che have been in prime form at Mestalla having failed to face defeat in 9 or their last 10 Home league matches, while scoring at least 2 Goals in 9 of their last 11 Home matches with Real Madrid in all competitions.

We should expect another scintillating event when these two clubs take to the pitch together during Round 21, both sides enjoying running on the break using counter attacking and accurate through balls too their advantage, with equally explosive Wing play we should see Goals produced through these methods of play, with long shots and set pieces also providing a huge part in this La Liga fixture.

Tips:

Over 1.5  +100 / 2.0 - Total 1st Half Goals

Over 2  -110 / 1.91 - Total 2nd Half Goals

Over 3.5  -110 / 1.91 - Total Full Game Goals

Real Madrid  -0.25  -135 / 1.74 - 1st Half Spread

Real Madrid  -1  -105 / 1.95 - Full Game Spread 

Real Madrid To Win and Over 2.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

Valencia - Team Total  Over 1.25  +100 / 2.0 - Goals

Real Madrid - Team Total  Over 2  -140 / 1.71 - Goals

*Bonus Tips*

15804 Deportivo La Coruna - 15805 Levante

1-27-2018 - 7:00 am ET

Over  1  -105 / 1.95 - Total 1st Half Goal

Over  1.5  +120 / 2.2 - Total 2nd Half Goals

Over  2.5  -110 / 1.91 - Total Full Game Goals

Levante - Team Total Over 1  +100 / 2.0 - Goal

Deportivo - Team Total Over 1.5  -110 / 1.91 - Goals

Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  +120 / 2.2

15813 Villarreal - 15814 Real Sociedad

1-27-2018 - 2:45 pm ET

Over  1  -125 / 1.8 - Total 1st Half Goal

Over 1.5  -105 / 1.95 - Total 2nd Half Goals

Over  2.75  -105 / 1.95 - Full Game Goals

Both Teams To Score and 2.5 Goals  +100 / 2.0

Villarreal - Team Total Over  1.5  -115 / 1.87 - Goals

Real Sociedad - Team Total Over  1  -135 / 1.74 - Goal

Best Of Luck To All