Champions League Tips

Leicester sit eighth in the Championship, one place above QPR, and arrive in scoring form after netting twice or more in four straight league games. Both teams have scored in each of QPR’s last six home games, while Leicester are without a clean sheet in 15.

Hull are sixth in the Championship, ten places and six points above West Brom, and arrive in form after winning three of their last four games. They have scored at least twice in 13 of 21 matches this season. West Brom have won just three of 11 away games and lost eight of their last nine on the road.

Barnsley have lacked a bit of consistency but they are handily placed in the promotion race and can defeat Exeter at St James Park. The Tykes are averaging 1.76 goals per league game and their lively attack could expose the lowly Grecians, who have lost three of their last four league matches.

Peterborough have eased their relegation fears with four wins from the last six matches and they look the likelier winners of their clash against basement boys Port Vale in the Potteries. Facing in-form Posh looks a tough challenge for Vale, who have not won a league game since September.

Arsenal are now winless in three on the road in the Premier League and they may be unable to end that streak at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton have just two defeats in their eight home league games and have avoided defeat in five of their last seven overall, while they drew both meetings with the Gunners in the league last season, so back the home side to claim at least a point.

RB Leipzig look the bet to beat Bayer Leverkusen at home on Saturday. Leipzig have won all six of their Bundesliga home games this season, scoring at least twice in every match. They have also kept three clean sheets in their last four league games, while Leverkusen are yet to record an away shutout this season.

Osasuna are worth backing to get the better of Alaves at home. The visitors have struggled badly on their travels, with just one win from seven away league games, and they have failed to score in three of their last four on the road. Osasuna are not flying, but this looks a good spot to edge three points.

Charlton sit five places above Oxford and face a side with just two wins in 11 away games. Oxford have won only one of their last nine Championship matches and none of their last four away. Charlton average two goals per home game against bottom-six sides this season.

City have won seven straight home games, netting 22 times. The hosts have scored three or more goals in six of those matches, while they’ve found the net 14 times in a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.

Bradford have recorded three successive league wins for the first time this season and their promotion charge can continue with a victory over Leyton Orient in the capital. The Bantams are just four points behind Cardiff and can keep up the pressure at the expense of Orient, who are winless in four.

Real Madrid have conceded in seven of their last eight games in all competitions, but they’ve won seven of eight home games in La Liga this term. Sevilla have lost four of their five meetings with sides above them, and the visitors have netted in all but one of their away trips so far.

Armstong has taken his tally for the campaign to 11 with a great run of form, netting five times across his previous four league games.

Newcastle’s injury crisis at the back deepened with Dan Burn’s injury last weekend and both teams have scored in eight of their last nine games, while Chelsea have seen goals at both ends in four of their last six away days.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in 10 of Southampton’s last 11 games, with the Saints in fantastic scoring from under Tonda Eckhart. The hosts have scored at least three goals in their last four at home, while Coventry have netted 26 goals in 11 away trips this term.

Preston are third in the Championship, 20 places and 18 points above Norwich, and have lost just one of their last ten league games. They have scored in 15 of their last 17 matches. Norwich are 23rd, winless in nine away games, and have lost five of their last seven on the road.

Bromley possess the only unbeaten home record in League Two and they can preserve their special status by defeating out-of-sorts Grimsby at Hayes Lane. The Ravens are a physical, uncompromising side and may be too powerful for the mid-table Mariners, who haven’t won a league game since October.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in 10 of Southampton’s last 11 games, with the Saints in fantastic scoring from under Tonda Eckhart. The hosts have scored at least three goals in their last four at home, while Coventry have netted 26 goals in 11 away trips this term.

City have won seven straight home games, netting 22 times. The hosts have scored three or more goals in six of those matches, while they’ve found the net 14 times in a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.

Over 2.5 goals looks the right angle when Augsburg host Werder Bremen. Both sides are leaking goals, with Augsburg among the worst defences in the Bundesliga and Werder Bremen without a clean sheet in six games. Five of Bremen’s seven away matches have already gone over this line, so chances should come at both ends.

Eintracht’s away games have been wide open this season, with four or more goals landing in six of their seven road matches. They also carry a real attacking threat, scoring three or more goals in five Bundesliga games, while Hamburg continue to struggle for consistency.

Brighton have been generally strong at home with four wins and just one defeat after eight games and they should be able to overcome inconsistent travellers Sunderland, who have four defeats in their eight trips and have scored just four goals in total away from home.

Derby are 12th in the Championship, nine places and ten points above Portsmouth, and have scored in 11 successive league games. They have avoided defeat in eight of ten matches against bottom-six sides. Portsmouth are 21st and have lost five of their last six away games.

Bolton are one of the form teams in the third tier and their can stretch their League One unbeaten sequence to eight by defeating Wycombe at Adams Park. The Trotters are full of confidence and likely to provide stiff opposition to the Chairboys, who have gone five matches without winning.

Colchester threw away a 3-1 lead in last Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Salford, but they can respond with a home win over rock bottom Newport. Danny Cowley’s side are four points outside of the playoffs but they look far superior to the Exiles, who have taken just two points from the last six matches.

Osasuna are worth backing to get the better of Alaves at home. The visitors have struggled badly on their travels, with just one win from seven away league games, and they have failed to score in three of their last four on the road. Osasuna are not flying, but this looks a good spot to edge three points.

Cologne look the right side when they host Union Berlin on Saturday. They have been strong going forward at home, scoring 14 goals in six Bundesliga games and averaging over two per match. Union Berlin’s away form is a concern, with four defeats in their last six road trips, and that should give Cologne the edge.

Lazio look the best bet to beat Cremonese at the Stadio Olimpico. Maurizio Sarri’s side have won three of their last four home games and have lost just once in seven league matches in Rome. They average 2.75 goals per game at home against bottom-half teams, while Cremonese are without a clean sheet in nine of their last 11 Serie A outings.

St Mirren will still be buzzing after their Scottish League Cup final triumph over Celtic, and they should prove too strong for Livingston, who are rooted to the bottom of the Scottish top flight and showing few signs of a revival. Winless in 14, it’s hard to see anything other than a loss for Livi.

Moreirense sit six places and as many points ahead of Estrela but the hosts beat Arouca in their last home game and can double up here. They are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Moreirense, who have only won once away from home since August 17.

USG have won seven of their eight home games this term, while they were 4-1 winners in their visit to Zulte-Waregem earlier this term.

City have won seven straight home games, netting 22 times. The hosts have scored three or more goals in six of those matches, while they’ve found the net 14 times in a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.

Tottenham have struggled against Liverpool recently but the timing of this fixture perhaps works in their favour. The visitors have a number of key men missing, with up to seven players unavailable, and their road form in general has been poor with five defeats in their last nine away games across all competitions. Spurs have won back-to-back home games and as underdogs they can pull off a minor upset and see off Liverpool on Saturday.

Arsenal are now winless in three on the road in the Premier League and they may be unable to end that streak at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton have just two defeats in their eight home league games and have avoided defeat in five of their last seven overall, while they drew both meetings with the Gunners in the league last season, so back the home side to claim at least a point.

Brighton have been generally strong at home with four wins and just one defeat after eight games and they should be able to overcome inconsistent travellers Sunderland, who have four defeats in their eight trips and have scored just four goals in total away from home.

Both teams have scored in six consecutive Leeds games overall and at home they have scored in seven of their eight league games. Crystal Palace have the best away record in the league and have scored 11 goals across their eight trips, only failing to score at Arsenal, so both of these teams look capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Brentford have conceded in eight straight games, while they have shipped 16 goals across their first eight away trips of the campaign. The visitors have two clean sheets to show from their first 16 league matches, while Wolves have conceded in every game. However, the hosts have shown some fight at home and they’ve scored in back-to-back games under Rob Edwards.

Real Madrid have conceded in seven of their last eight games in all competitions, but they’ve won seven of eight home games in La Liga this term. Sevilla have lost four of their five meetings with sides above them, and the visitors have netted in all but one of their away trips so far.

Leicester sit eighth in the Championship, one place above QPR, and arrive in scoring form after netting twice or more in four straight league games. Both teams have scored in each of QPR’s last six home games, while Leicester are without a clean sheet in 15.

Cardiff have won their last five league games, including last weekend’s 4-3 victory over Doncaster. Both teams have scored in four of Lincoln’s last five.

Brentford have conceded in eight straight games, while they have shipped 16 goals across their first eight away trips of the campaign. The visitors have two clean sheets to show from their first 16 league matches, while Wolves have conceded in every game. However, the hosts have shown some fight at home and they’ve scored in back-to-back games under Rob Edwards.

Both teams have scored in six consecutive Leeds games overall and at home they have scored in seven of their eight league games. Crystal Palace have the best away record in the league and have scored 11 goals across their eight trips, only failing to score at Arsenal, so both of these teams look capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Both teams have scored in ten of the last 12 Championship meetings between these sides and in Middlesbrough’s last eight league matches. Bristol City have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their last ten home games, while Middlesbrough have gone five away games without a shutout.

NEC Nijmegen have conceded in four of their last five Eredivisie home games and if both teams score it would be the fifth Eredivisie game in succession for Nijmegen. Both teams have scored in a number of NEC Nijmegen’s latest outings and that looks the best bet here.

Kilmarnock are in dreadful form, and while a meeting with Falkirk represents a good opportunity to claim some much-needed points, it’s hard to trust them at present. Both teams to score, which has landed in four of Killie’s last five matches, looks a safer proposition.

Eli Junior Kroupi is the highest scoring teenager in the Premier League this season, with the 19-year-old grabbing his fifth of the campaign in Monday’s 4-4 draw with Manchester United. The Frenchman also averages a goal every 85 minutes in the English top flight.

Brighton’s Georginio Rutter opened his Premier League account for the season in the 1-1 draw with West Ham. The 23-year-old has been getting plenty of chances as he’s had 11 shots in total across his last four home games and can build on the strike against the Hammers with a goal against Sunderland.

Foden has scored in each of City’s last four league games, netting six times. The forward is in stellar form, and he can continue that against a flimsy West Ham side.

Eddie Nketiah has two goals in his last two starts and he should be involved from the off on Saturday after featuring as a late substitute against KuPS. Nketiah, who had three shots in just 13 minutes against the Finnish outfit, looks a contender for an anytime effort at Elland Road.

Richarlison has three goals in his last seven games for Spurs in all competitions and has six Premier League goals in 16 games this season. The Brazilian may be able to add to his haul against Liverpool on Saturday.

City have won seven straight home games, netting 22 times. The hosts have scored three or more goals in six of those matches, while they’ve found the net 14 times in a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.

Tom: Leeds have only lost twice at home this season and at least three goals have been scored in their last six games at Elland Road. Palace have scored twice or more in four of their last six trips and they can play their part in an entertaining game. 

James: Bristol City have lost two of their last three games, while Middlesbrough have impressed despite Rob Edwards’ departure. Boro are in form and they’re backed for a fifth win on the bounce.

James: Peterborough have won four of their last six games, so back them for more success against bottom club Port Vale.

Aaron: Cremonese have seen both teams score in all eight meetings with teams in the top half this term. Lazio have scored 13 times in seven home games, but they’ve struggled for clean sheets against good teams. 

Joe: Liverpool should be backed to get the better of a Tottenham side that lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest last weekend. Spurs have lost four of their eight home games in the Premier League this season and are very vulnerable at the back, so Liverpool are good value for the victory. 

Alex: Levante remain bottom of the La Liga table after picking up just nine points from a possible 45. They’re winless at home, losing six of their previous seven, so side with a Sociedad side who are solid on the road. 

Arsenal are now winless in three on the road in the Premier League and they may be unable to end that streak at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton have just two defeats in their eight home league games and have avoided defeat in five of their last seven overall, while they drew both meetings with the Gunners in the league last season, so back the home side to claim at least a point.

Both teams have scored in six consecutive Leeds games overall and at home they have scored in seven of their eight league games. Crystal Palace have the best away record in the league and have scored 11 goals across their eight trips, only failing to score at Arsenal, so both of these teams look capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Real Madrid have conceded in seven of their last eight games in all competitions, but they’ve won seven of eight home games in La Liga this term. Sevilla have lost four of their five meetings with sides above them, and the visitors have netted in all but one of their away trips so far.

NEC Nijmegen have conceded in four of their last five Eredivisie home games and if both teams score it would be the fifth Eredivisie game in succession for Nijmegen. Both teams have scored in a number of NEC Nijmegen’s latest outings and that looks the best bet here.

Three of the last six head-to-heads have finished 1-1 and considering the low-scoring nature of Serie A this season, a repeat of that looks likely. Don’t expect a thriller in this one and there could be little to split the pair.

Real have just got over the line in their previous two games, and Sevilla can make life tough for them on Saturday. Winning by any means is key for Alonso right now and his side are backed for a repeat of last weekend’s 2-1 win at Alaves.

There have been goals at both ends in 75% of Betis away games this season across all comps and in six of their last seven overall. The visitors have also scored themselves in 10 consecutive games. There have been goals at both ends in four of Rayo’s last five games and they have scored in seven of their last nine at home.

Bournemouth have conceded three times or more in five of their seven away trips this term, while they can threaten a United side who are a little short at the back. The hosts are without a clean sheet in eight, so back Bournemouth to score a consolation goal in a routine home win.

Wealdstone are still in contention for a play-off spot and they are on a six-game unbeaten run in the league. The visitors look good value to leave with maximum points as they face a Truro side who have 15 defeats in 21 league games.

Newcastle have been in mixed form overall but St James’ Park has become a bit of a fortress. Newcastle have won seven of their last eight at home, with one draw, and that run includes a 2-1 success against Fulham in the league

Shakhtar are in fine form with six wins and no defeats in their last six games and they can extend that run with a victory on Thursday against Rijeka, who have travelled poorly in Europe as they have taken just one point from trips to Armenia and Gibraltar.

These sides look fairly evenly-matched but Cheltenham are the team in the better form, and they can claim the spoils against a Barrow side who have managed just three points from their last five home games.

Sheffield United are unbeaten in four at Bramall Lane, with two wins and two draws, and they can make the most of home advantage against a Birmingham side who have lost seven of their 11 Championship trips.

Sassuolo have three wins in their last six at home, while Il Toro have struggled on the road all season. Torino lost at Lecce in their last road assignment and have picked up just six points from their seven away games.