Not much time for the European teams to catch their breath after a large chunk of teams from the top four European divisions played in the midweek Champions and Europa Leagues. Most of them are rewarded with Sunday fixtures mind you. There are a couple of high quality games this weekend, and a super multi to win big. Or lose a little.
In Spain, an unfamiliar face leads the big teams as Villareal top La Liga for the first time in a long time. They are one point ahead of Barcelona and another to Real Madrid, but with those two teams facing difficult opponents this weekend and Villareal faced with an easier prospect they may just hold onto top spot for a little longer. Barcelona are without Messi too for a while.
Talking of Europe, three teams who have featured in Europe recently including last year’s Europa League winners Sevilla plus Bilbao and Malaga are having a tough time of it in the league as they sit 15th, 17th and 18th. Even Real Sociedad in 12th are just three points from the drop with David Moyes proving he can get off to a slow start in Spain as well as England.
Like the Spanish league, Italy also have some names at the top that are less fancied than some of the big names. Fiorentina snatched the lead of the Serie A last weekend after thrashing the previously 100% Inter 4-1 in Milan. The only unbeaten team so far is a bigger surprise as Sassuolo remain the only team without a loss and still sit fourth ahead of some big names. Those big names include Roma (6th), AC Milan (12th) and previously dominant Juventus n 15th.
Running closer to schedule is the French League where PSG look hard to beat. St Etinenne are next best four points away, and a bunch of lesser fancied teams are one point further back. Some of the big names like Monaco and Lyon are still waiting to put a decent run together. By the time they do, it will probably be too late for a title.
In Germany it’s all about the big clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. With Bayern looking invincible and Robert Lewandowski scoring for fun, a loss to Dortmund here could really open up the title race nicely. A loss opens up the second race.
THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS
SPAIN – ATLETICO MADRID V REAL MADRID
GERMANY – BAYERN MUNICH v BORUSSIA DORTMUND
HOLLAND – AJAX v PSV EINDHOVEN
SUPER EURO FOOTBALL MULTI
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CELTA VIGO to beat Getafe
DEPORTIVO to beat Granada
VILLAREAL to beat Levante
LAZIO to beat Frosinone
FIORENTINA to beat Atalanta
JUVENTUS to beat Bologna
BAYER LEVERKUSEN to beat Augsburg
SCHALKE 04 to beat Cologne
MONACO to beat Rennes
ST ETINENNE to beat Caen
LORIENT to beat Bordeaux
