THERE’S an abundance of top tier football to enjoy from across the continent on Sunday so we got Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) to eek out the best bets on the coupon.
Udinese v Atalanta | Sunday 14.00
Italian football was given another kick in the teeth this midweek. Roma and Juventus suffered damaging defeats in the Champions League but with domestic action back on the menu, there’s plenty to get excited about.
First up, Udinese take on Atalanta and it’s no secret that Little Zebras do their best work at the Stadio Friuli. And it’s well known too, that Atalanta struggle on the road. So we’re diving straight in to back the home side at 10/11 with Coral.
Taking a sample from the start of last season, Udinese have won 12/23 (52%) games on their home turf, only losing six. What’s more, they’ve bagged eight wins in their last 13 at the Friuli with only Juventus leaving them pointless in that spell.
Atalanta ended a four-match losing streak by edging out fellow strugglers Parma 1-0 last time out but won’t be looking forward to the trip to the north-east of Italy. Since the start of the 2013/14 season, the Goddess have ended up on the losing side in 15/22 (68%) of their away games. Oh, and they’ve only managed to score three goals all season. Yuck!
But yes, we’re getting almost even-money on a home win (10/11 Coral). This would have been my European NAP choice this weekend had the Clasico not superseded things. I’m getting ready to go in large on an Udinese victory. Joining me?
Lyon v Marseille | Sunday 20.00 | BT Sport 2
Arguably, the game of the weekend in France takes place when a rejuvenated Lyon team aim to throw a spanner in the works of the Marseille juggernaut. The visitors have now clocked up eight successive Ligue 1 victories as they head to the Stade Gerland but this promises to be their toughest test yet.
So rather than risk a bet on either side, I’m focusing on the goals markets with Over 2.5 Goals trading at a delicious 17/20 with BetVictor. It’s been a winning selection in 7/10 (70%) Marseille matches since Marcelo Bielsa took over the fallen giants, with LOM netting two or more goals in 8/10 games!
Lyon for their part have also netted at least twice in five of their six games on home turf and that’s led to four matches breaking the Over 2.5 Goal barrier. Hubert Fournier’s team have only failed to score once this campaign but also only managed three clean sheets themselves.
The home side’s renaissance coincides with their injury list subsiding and that’s led to Les Gones collecting 14 points from a possible 18 and saw Fournier’s charges take Montpellier apart last weekend in a 5-1 win at the Gerland.
So Over 2.5 Goals at 17/20 with BetVictor is the bet to be had. And did I mention this match features the two top-scoring sides in Ligue 1?
Best Bets
Udinese v Atalanta – Udinese to win (10/11 Coral)
Lyon v Marseille – Over 2.5 Goals (17/20 BetVictor)
