Monday evening sees two big games in Spain and Italy respectively as Espanyol continue their bid for European football next season with a home clash against struggling Racing Santander, while in Italy’s Serie A Champions League-chasing Roma are up against Genoa.
In Spain’s Primera Division, Mauricio Pochettino’s Espanyol have slipped down to mid-table after a run of recent poor results. However, they finally returned to winning ways in comprehensive fashion last week with a resounding 5-1 mauling of Rayo Vallecano at the Cornella-El Prat, as new signings Kalu Uche and Philippe Coutinho grabbed a hat-trick and brace of goals respectively.
Espanyol remain in tenth position but the table is so congested that they are just two points of sixth spot which would secure Europa League football for next season, while fourth-placed Malaga are only four points better off at the time of writing. Therefore the visit of 19th-placed Racing Santander appears to be the ideal fixture for Espanyol to secure a second successive win which could take them fifth if results go in their favour.
Racing have only won once away from home all season and have gone five games without a win as they sit in second-bottom spot and are three points off the final position of safety. However, they have won on their previous two visits to the Cornella and will hope to make it three times lucky on Monday. But, looking at the fixture on current form, it is difficult to predict anything other than a comfortable win for Espanyol.
Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 4/6
Value Bet: Draw/Espanyol HT/FT @ 10/3
Moving across Europe to Italy’s Serie A and Roma play host to Genoa aiming to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Roma, who currently sit in sixth position and are five points behind fourth-placed Napoli, ended a run of two successive defeats with a 1-0 success against Palermo last weekend thanks to a goal from Fabio Borini. As a result Luis Enrique will be looking for his men to secure another three points on Monday when a mid-table Genoa side arrive at the Stadio Olimpico looking like they have little left to play for this season as they sit eight points clear of the relegation places.
The team news is mixed for the hosts as captain Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi will both miss out, but goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and defender Marco Cassetti are set to return to the starting line-up after serving their respective suspensions.
Genoa, who secured a creditable 0-0 home draw with title-chasing Juventus last weekend, are currently bogged down in a winless run with two draws and three defeats in their previous five outings so Pasquale Marino will be hopeful of some kind of result in Rome. He will be boosted by the news Alberto Gilardino suffered no ill-effects from his comeback against Juve and will be back in the team on Monday.
Genoa won the fixture on home soil earlier in the season, but Roma have won the previous two matches in front of their own fans and we see that trend continuing on Monday night.
Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 1/2
Value Bet: Roma 2-0 Genoa Correct Score @ 11/2
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With the title race looking set to continue neck and neck this week with what should be wins for both Barcelona and Real Madrid in their respective matches, it looks as though the scrap for the remaining Champions League qualification places will be in the spotlight.