European Soccer Betting Analysis
By: Monty Andrews
Covers.com
The Footy Files: Weekly European soccer betting odds and analysis Chelsea and Manchester United are nine points apart in the EPL title, but Chelsea come in as slight +145 home favorites following back-to-back victories in league play.
The busy and exciting world of European soccer can sometimes be difficult to navigate for bettors. Monty Andrews takes a look at some of the most important news stories, odds, key injuries, and betting trends to help with your footy wagers.
Fixture of the Week: Chelsea v. Manchester United
This week's Champions League experience couldn't have been more different for Chelsea and Manchester United, who square off this week in English Premier League action at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were humbled 3-0 by Roma in a Champions League rout on Tuesday, while Man United cruised to a 2-0 triumph over Benfica. The teams are nine points apart in the EPL title, but Chelsea come in as a slight +145 home favorite at Bet365 following back-to-back victories in league play. Man United (+190) have claimed just four out of a possible nine points over their previous three EPL games.
Home Sweet Home
Barcelona put their 17-game home winning on the line this weekend against visiting Sevilla. The hosts come in as whopping -600 favorites, and with good reason: they have humiliated the competition so far in league play, recording nine victories and one draw while outscoring the opposition by a 28-3 margin. Sevilla (+1,600) have not been on form of late, having lost three of their last five matches after opening the season with points in five straight. This matchup pits a Sevilla side that has conceded just nine goals all season against a Barca attack that has produced two or more goals in every game during its home winning streak.
Bad Time for Bayern
It's never a good time to face Bayern Munich - but Borussia Dortmund probably wish they were more on form as the top two teams in the Bundesliga square off Saturday at Westfalenstadion. Host Dortmund (+225) have earned just a single point over their previous three league games to relinquish top spot in the table to Bayern (+115), who have reeled off three consecutive victories following back-to-back draws. Not only do Dortmund need a win to move back into a share of top spot in the standings - a loss could move them back several spots in the table depending on how the competition fares.
Lazio Looks to Stay Hot
The hottest team in Serie A can be found at Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio will look to extend their league winning streak to seven games Sunday against Udinese. Lazio is a heavy -400 favorite on Bet365 on the strength on an incredible run that has vaulted them into solo fourth in the table, even on points with Juventus but slightly behind on goal differential. The hosts are a solid play to make it seven straight victories against Udinese (+900), despite the visitors coming off league victories over Sassuolo and Atalanta. Lazio earned clean sheets in both league meetings between the teams last season.
Team News
Sergio Aguero became Manchester City's all-time leading goal scorer, notching No. 178 in a 3-2 win over Napoli on Wednesday. Aguero will look to build on his total this weekend as Man City (-300) visit Leicester City (+750).
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane insists his club is still the class of La Liga despite losing a 2-1 stunner last weekend to Girona. Real sits eight points behind Barcelona entering the weekend, and is listed at +350 to top the table.
Werder Bremen has made a coaching change, sacking Alexander Nouri after opening the season with five draws and five losses. Werder Bremen is a +400 longshot to secure its first victory of the season Friday against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Reports out of Italy suggest that AC Milan will pursue Chelsea manager Antonio Conte next offseason. The move would be a significant one for Milan, which sit eighth in the Serie A table and are +20,000 longshots to win the 2017-18 title.
Injury Updates
Harry Kane returned to action for Tottenham Hotspur's stunning 3-1 win over Real Madrid on Wednesday after missing time with a hamstring injury. Spurs are installed as -400 favorites for Sunday's home encounter with Crystal Palace (+900).
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has been selected to the Wales roster for two international friendlies this month despite being out since late September with a calf injury. Real Madrid is listed at -1,000 Bet365 for this weekend's tilt with Las Palmas (+1,600).
Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski is set to return for this weekend's pivotal match against Dortmund. The Polish striker sat out his side's 2-1 victory over Celtic earlier this week, a win that moved Bayern into the Champions League knockout stage.
Napoli will be without left back Faouzi Ghoulam this weekend after he suffered a knee injury in Wednesday's Champions League loss to Man City. Napoli is installed at -275 for Saturday's Serie A visit to Chievo (+750).
Betting Trends
Manchester United have been as stingy as they come, posting clean sheets in 10 of their previous 12 EPL matches. The Red Devils are listed at +225 to hold host Chelsea without a goal this weekend.
Alaves are in the midst of a dreadful stretch in which they have been losing at half and full time in eight of their last 10 matches. Bettors are getting +333 odds on an Espaynol/Espaynol half-time/full-time bet this Saturday.
Stuttgart have been a home team's dream of late, dropping eight consecutive road matches in Bundesliga play. They're +200 to halt that skid Saturday against Hamburg (+140), who have just two wins in 10 games to open the season.
On the flip side, Roma have made other teams; fans quite upset, having reeled off 11 consecutive road victories in Serie A action. You'll get +137 odds on Roma extending that incredible streak Sunday at Fiorentina.