Barcelona (1/8 to land the La Liga title) seem well on course to land the Spanish title this season, but there are still plenty of other issues to be resolved, as there are in Serie A, now we’re at the ‘business end’ of the campaign.
Hercules lack the strength and power of their legendary namesake and have gone five games without a victory in La Liga, including four losses. After just one season in the Spanish top flight it is looking increasingly likely that the Alicante outfit are heading back down and coach Esteban Vigo has a real task on his hands if he is to lead his team to safety.
Osasuna visit the Estadio Jose Rico Perez on Sunday and they look set to pile more misery on a beleaguered Hercules side. The Pamplona outfit are still in the relegation mix themselves but have improved of late – taking seven points from their last three league fixtures and winning the last two. Osasuna are priced at 21/10 to take the points and this looks a decent bet, all things considered.
Levante have shot up the Spanish table with just one loss – at the hands of Real Madrid – in their last nine and they travel to strugglers Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday. Despite Depor’s precarious position, they should be too good to go down and their problem this season has been too many draws, especially at home. Levante will fancy their chances but could well be left frustrated and the draw, priced at 9/4, could well be the best bet from this particular fixture.
Meanwhile in Italy, Roma’s decision to axe Claudio Ranieri appears to have been a wise choice and they’ve now gone four games unbeaten since parting company with the likeable former Chelsea boss.
They do face a stern test this weekend though, with a trip to an improving Fiorentina side that have won their last two and are unbeaten in four. Granted, La Viola have hardly set Serie A alight this season, but they still have some talented individuals and could well cause Roma a few problems, but following a Rome derby victory they should be full of confidence.
It should be a tight game between these two Italian giants, who have both endured stuttering campaigns, but Fiorentina could just edge it and at 7/5 they are a very good price to keep their (extremely) slim European hopes alive with victory.
Udinese have been on fire of late and they’re in with a chance of bagging a spot in next season’s Champions League. Catania arrive at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday and they will struggle to get anything out of a Udinese side who have won five of their last six. At 2/5, Udinese are heavy favourites but this particular clash is, on paper anyway, the very definition of a ‘home banker.’
Napoli are Udinese’s main competition for a spot amongst Europe’s elite next season and they host Cagliari, who seem set for a mid-table finish. Napoli, at 4/7, should be too strong for Cagliari and as they continue their push for a top-three finish. If you’ve got the confidence that these two in-form sides have the ability to grab victories, a Udinese/Napoli double pays out at 2.20 (6/5).
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