Our Tips for Around Europe This Weekend - 12/02/22

Borussia Dortmund travel to face the surprise package Union Berlin this weekend as both sides look to pick up valuable points in the hunt for Champions League qualification. Despite losing last time out, the hosts had won three of their previous four as well as taking an impressive point away to Bayer Leverkusen leaving them fourth heading into the weekend.

BVB sit second and come into this one after a shock 5-2 home defeat to third-placed Leverkusen, in what was one of the games of the season. In housing one of the world's best strikers in Erling Haaland, Dortmund has been amongst the goals in recent weeks, scoring 15 times in their past five games.

Our tip for this weekend is BVB to score in both halves, which has landed in four of Dortmund’s last five league games.

Following a string of good results, Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio have put themselves back in the mix for European football next season and this weekend welcome Bologna to the Stadio Olimpico. Lazio have been in decent form recently, winning two, drawing two, and losing one which came against league leaders, Inter Milan.

In contrast, visitors Bologna have won just one from five and have failed to score in two in their last three outings. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Bologna ran out 3-0 victors, however, given Lazio’s recent form, we expect Sarri’s men to prevail this time around, priced at 2/1 to win to nil.

AS Monaco welcome FC Lorient to the Stade Louis II this weekend as they look to continue their push for European football next season. Philippe Clement’s side have been in good form of late, winning three of their past five including an important victory over Lyon thanks to a goal and assist from Wissam Ben Yedder. The forward has been clinical in front of goal lately, with the Frenchman finding the net in four of his last five appearances seeing him lead the Ligue 1 scoring charts.

Despite still being in a relegation battle, Lorient’s form has picked up recently winning one and drawing two from their past five, including an impressive 1-1 draw to PSG. Much like Monaco, Lorient has been reliable in front of goal, scoring in four of their past five, however, we feel given their superior form and home advantage, the hosts will have enough to take all three points this weekend, with our tip both teams to score and Monaco to win.

With Porto and Sporting CP facing off this Friday as first meets second, third-placed Benfica will be looking to capitalise on a weekend that guarantees at least one of their rivals to drop points. Benfica have lost just one in the past five, winning three and drawing once whilst finding the net on each occasion. Visitors Santa Clara are also in good form, undefeated in their past five with three victories, including a surprise 3-2 win over Sporting CP.

With 56 league goals, Benfica are the division's top scorers, with forward Darwin Nunez leading the scoring charts with 16 goals. Recently though, teammate Goncalo Ramos has found his shooting boots finding the net in his last three matches. Both forwards are in good form, but we expect Ramos to continue his fine goalscoring prowess and score anytime.

After a torrid start to the season, under Xavi, Barcelona appear to have turned over a new leaf and following a successful January transfer window, they look on course to secure Champions League football next season. The Blaugrana are now undefeated in eight following a 4-2 thriller against rivals Atletico Madrid which saw veteran full-back Dani Alves score, assist, and get sent off.

This weekend, Xavi’s men travel to the RCDE Stadium to face RCD Espanyol who are winless in five but still sit comfortably in mid-table. The home side has shipped 10 goals in their last five games, and given Barcelona’s new attacking assets in the form of Adama Traore, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Ferran Torres, Xavi will expect his side to win comfortably at the weekend.

We expect the Blaugrana’s class to shine through, with our tip Barcelona to win 3-0, 2-1, or 3-2 priced at 5/1.