Flamengo hold a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of this Copa Libertadores semi-final so don’t need to go for the jugular. With the best away record and defence in this season’s Brazilian Serie A, they can frustrate a Racing side that have seen four of their five matches in the Libertadores knockout stage go under 2.5 goals.

Flamengo hold a 1-0 lead heading into the second leg of this Copa Libertadores semi-final so don’t need to go for the jugular. With the best away record and defence in this season’s Brazilian Serie A, they can frustrate a Racing side that have seen four of their five matches in the Libertadores knockout stage go under 2.5 goals.

Each of the last five meetings between these sides have featured two goals or fewer, with both head-to-heads this term ending 1-0. Each of LAFC’s last two home games have gone under the three-goal mark, while Austin have scored just twice in their last three MLS away games.

Austin have won both regular-season meetings this season 1-0 but LAFC can turn the tables in this playoff opener. Steve Cherundolo’s side have won their last two at home without conceding, including a 1-0 success against Atlanta United. Austin, meanwhile, failed to score in defeat at Dallas, one of three consecutive away losses they have suffered in MLS.

Sassuolo have won three times this term, while three of their four defeats have come against the top four. Cagliari lost 17 of 26 meetings with sides placed 13th or higher last term, while the hosts are bottom of the xG table and up against a Sassuolo side that have held their own in tougher tests this season.

Pisa have recorded draws against AC Milan, Atalanta, and Fiorentina, while Lazio have struggled in both boxes this term. While the visitors are unbeaten in four (W2, D2), they lost the xG battle in all four games by a total of 3.6 to 6.9.

Gimnastic have only lost once in five matches, winning three of those, and the third-tier side should be able to get the better of Atletico Baleares from the division below. For their part, the hosts are winless in three.

UD Logrones have lost back-to-back games in Spain’s fourth tier and may come unstuck when hosting Ponferradina from the division above. The visitors have only lost once in five matches and that includes a three-game unbeaten run on the road.

Castellon have won back-to-back games in the Segunda Division and should prove too strong for fourth tier CA Antoniano, who have never made it beyond the first round of the Copa del Rey.

Lugano are impressive at home and Lucerne are yet to lose away, which makes picking a winner from this match difficult. However, goals should be guaranteed with Lugano having scored in each of their last five, while Lucerne’s last seven matches have featured an eye-watering 30 goals.

Confidence should be low in the Grasshoppers camp as they have lost three of their last four, most recently going down 5-0 at St Gallen. Young Boys have won their last two, including Sunday’s 3-2 success at Zurich, and will fancy their chances of picking up another road success.

Sassuolo have won three times this term, while three of their four defeats have come against the top four. Cagliari lost 17 of 26 meetings with sides placed 13th or higher last term, while the hosts are bottom of the xG table and up against a Sassuolo side that have held their own in tougher tests this season.

Levante are unbeaten in their last four away games in La Liga, scoring eight goals during that run, including a 4-0 success at Girona. Against fourth-tier Orihuela they should rack up more goals and ease their way into the Copa del Rey second round.

Gimnastic have only lost once in five matches, winning three of those, and the third-tier side should be able to get the better of Atletico Baleares from the division below. For their part, the hosts are winless in three.

UD Logrones have lost back-to-back games in Spain’s fourth tier and may come unstuck when hosting Ponferradina from the division above. The visitors have only lost once in five matches and that includes a three-game unbeaten run on the road.

Castellon have won back-to-back games in the Segunda Division and should prove too strong for fourth tier CA Antoniano, who have never made it beyond the first round of the Copa del Rey.

Confidence should be low in the Grasshoppers camp as they have lost three of their last four, most recently going down 5-0 at St Gallen. Young Boys have won their last two, including Sunday’s 3-2 success at Zurich, and will fancy their chances of picking up another road success.

Sassuolo have won three times this term, while three of their four defeats have come against the top four. Cagliari lost 17 of 26 meetings with sides placed 13th or higher last term, while the hosts are bottom of the xG table and up against a Sassuolo side that have held their own in tougher tests this season.

Levante are unbeaten in their last four away games in La Liga, scoring eight goals during that run, including a 4-0 success at Girona. Against fourth-tier Orihuela they should rack up more goals and ease their way into the Copa del Rey second round.

Cagliari have conceded exactly twice in three of their last four games, while they’ve suffered 2-0 defeats at home to Inter Milan and Bologna. Sassuolo have a mixed defensive record, so back the visitors to pick up a 2-1 win.

Pisa have drawn half of their home matches so far, while they’ve recorded score draws at AC Milan and Atalanta. Lazio have drawn two of their previous three games, so a 1-1 draw appeals.

Both of Andrea Pinamonti’s goals this season have come on the road, including when he struck the winner at Verona earlier this month. He has reached double figures for Serie A goals in each of the last two campaigns and can add to his tally in Sardinia.

Pisa’s M’Bala Nzola thought he’d scored a late winner at AC Milan last time out only for the Rossoneri to equalise in second-half stoppage time. The Angolan also netted against Napoli earlier in the season and he can find the back of the net when facing another Serie A big hitter on Thursday.

Levante are unbeaten in their last four away games in La Liga, scoring eight goals during that run, including a 4-0 success at Girona. Against fourth-tier Orihuela they should rack up more goals and ease their way into the Copa del Rey second round.

Gimnastic have only lost once in five matches, winning three of those, and the third-tier side should be able to get the better of Atletico Baleares from the division below. For their part, the hosts are winless in three.

UD Logrones have lost back-to-back games in Spain’s fourth tier and may come unstuck when hosting Ponferradina from the division above. The visitors have only lost once in five matches and that includes a three-game unbeaten run on the road.

Castellon have won back-to-back games in the Segunda Division and should prove too strong for fourth tier CA Antoniano, who have never made it beyond the first round of the Copa del Rey.

These two third-tier sides are in contrasting form, with Real Murcia winless in seven and Antequera unbeaten in seven. However, both teams have drawn four times during those respective runs, while it finished 0-0 when they last met in May. Another draw could be on the cards.

Levante are unbeaten in their last four away games in La Liga, scoring eight goals during that run, including a 4-0 success at Girona. Against fourth-tier Orihuela they should rack up more goals and ease their way into the Copa del Rey second round.

Lugano are impressive at home and Lucerne are yet to lose away, which makes picking a winner from this match difficult. However, goals should be guaranteed with Lugano having scored in each of their last five, while Lucerne’s last seven matches have featured an eye-watering 30 goals.

Confidence should be low in the Grasshoppers camp as they have lost three of their last four, most recently going down 5-0 at St Gallen. Young Boys have won their last two, including Sunday’s 3-2 success at Zurich, and will fancy their chances of picking up another road success.

Lugano are impressive at home and Lucerne are yet to lose away, which makes picking a winner from this match difficult. However, goals should be guaranteed with Lugano having scored in each of their last five, while Lucerne’s last seven matches have featured an eye-watering 30 goals.

Lugano are impressive at home and Lucerne are yet to lose away, which makes picking a winner from this match difficult. However, goals should be guaranteed with Lugano having scored in each of their last five, while Lucerne’s last seven matches have featured an eye-watering 30 goals.

Frankfurt have conceded 23 goals across their last seven matches, while they’ve shipped 2.25 goals per Bundesliga game this season. Dortmund have scored twice or more in seven of their last 11 games across all competitions, but hosts Frankfurt offer plenty of threat too.

Palace have caused Liverpool problems in both meetings this term, while they lead the Premier League in xG generated. The Reds followed up a 5-1 win at Frankfurt with a 3-2 defeat at Brentford, so expect more goals.

Swiss top-flight games are averaging 3.32 goals per game, while the visitors have drawn 2-2 (twice) and 3-3 across their last three games. Lugano have won three of their last four at home and they’re in fine scoring form too.

Coventry have scored 14 goals more than the next best side in the Championship, while the league leaders have scored 18 times across six away games. Wrexham have kept only two clean sheets, but they offer enough going forward to get on the scoresheet.

Sheffield Wednesday have lost four straight games, conceding 10 times. However, the Owls have scored at least once in each of their away trips. West Brom have a questionable defensive record at home, but they should cause problems for the struggling visitors.

Lille are the joint-top scorers in Ligue 1 after last weekend’s 6-1 win over bottom club Metz. Angers are also struggling, losing three of their last four on the road, including a 5-0 hammering at Strasbourg. The visitors give up too many chances, while high-scoring Lille should take.

Lorient have scored in each of their home games this season, but that includes a 7-1 loss to Lille. They meet a PSG side who have scored at least three times across their last three games, but the visitors have conceded in 10 of their last 11 visits to Lorient.

Manchester City have scored and conceded in three of their last four domestic cup ties against lower-tier opposition. Meanwhile, Swansea have scored and conceded in eight of 10 home games this season. Although they beat Nottingham Forest in the last round, City are a major step up from that and should secure a safe passage to the next round in the end.

Inter Milan have won seven of their last eight games, while Fiorentina’s poor start has seen them lose four of five clashes with the top six, despite scoring in all five. The visitors have struggled to match the top sides, but they can exploit an Inter side who have conceded in their last three home league matches.

Lyon, fourth in Ligue 1, are eight points ahead of 11th-placed Paris and have scored in 24 of their last 25 league matches. Paris have conceded seven goals in four home games and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nantes last time out, leaving them vulnerable against in-form Lyon. Paris FC have scored in eight successive games and can at least strike in defeat. 

Newcastle have a strong recent record against Spurs having won each of the last three meetings. The Magpies are in form with four wins in their last five games and the holders can make home advantage count by winning this EFL Cup tie on Wednesday.

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals has landed in five of Hibs’ last seven home games and a repeat of that looks likely considering both teams have hardly been watertight at the back in recent times.

Inter Milan have won seven of their last eight games, while Fiorentina’s poor start has seen them lose four of five clashes with the top six, despite scoring in all five. The visitors have struggled to match the top sides, but they can exploit an Inter side who have conceded in their last three home league matches.

Newcastle have a strong recent record against Spurs having won each of the last three meetings. The Magpies are in form with four wins in their last five games and the holders can make home advantage count by winning this EFL Cup tie on Wednesday.

Monaco sit sixth in Ligue 1, eight points ahead of 12th-placed Nantes, and have lost only one of their last seven league matches. They have also been beaten just once in ten Ligue 1 visits to Nantes, who have struggled at home with only one win in four games.

Strasbourg are seventh in Ligue 1 and strong at home, with five wins in their last seven home games. Auxerre sit ten places below them, having lost six of nine league matches and five of their last seven away. Strasbourg’s consistent scoring and Auxerre’s defensive issues point to a home win.

Lyon, fourth in Ligue 1, are eight points ahead of 11th-placed Paris and have scored in 24 of their last 25 league matches. Paris have conceded seven goals in four home games and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nantes last time out, leaving them vulnerable against in-form Lyon.

Liverpool have gone nine games without keeping a clean sheet across all competitions and Palace have conceded in seven of their last eight games. This will be the third meeting between these teams this season after Palace’s penalty success in the Community Shield and win in the league, and there have been goals at both ends in the two previous clashes. With both defences looking suspect, back both teams to score. Liverpool’s struggles have largely come on their travels and they have won five of their six home games across all competitions. The Reds beat Southampton 2-1 in the previous round of this competition at Anfield and can see off Palace by the same scoreline.

Newcastle have a strong recent record against Spurs having won each of the last three meetings. The Magpies are in form with four wins in their last five games and the holders can make home advantage count by winning this EFL Cup tie on Wednesday. Newcastle have scored more than once in each of their last five wins and may need a couple of goals to beat Spurs, who have only failed to score in one of their away games this season. Newcastle won both league meetings 2-1 last season but may be able to go one better here as they look to continue their EFL Cup defence and a 3-1 home win has a chance in the correct score market.

Divine Mukasa impressed as a false nine in the previous round, laying on a goal for Phil Foden. The attacking midfielder scored a superb goal for City’s Under-19s against Villarreal last week and looks ready to make his mark at first-team level.

Liverpool have gone nine games without keeping a clean sheet across all competitions and Palace have conceded in seven of their last eight games. This will be the third meeting between these teams this season after Palace’s penalty success in the Community Shield and win in the league, and there have been goals at both ends in the two previous clashes. With both defences looking suspect, back both teams to score.

Inter Milan have won seven of their last eight games, while Fiorentina’s poor start has seen them lose four of five clashes with the top six, despite scoring in all five. The visitors have struggled to match the top sides, but they can exploit an Inter side who have conceded in their last three home league matches.

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals has landed in five of Hibs’ last seven home games and a repeat of that looks likely considering both teams have hardly been watertight at the back in recent times.

Both teams have scored in seven of Paris FC’s last eight games and they have scored in all of those, while there have been goals at both ends in each of Lyon’s last three Ligue 1 games.

Four of the last six Ligue 1 meetings between Marseille and Angers at Stade Velodrome have featured over 3.5 goals. Both sides have struggled defensively, and Marseille have scored three or more in four of nine league games this season, suggesting another high-scoring match is expected.

This has the potential to be a high-scoring cup tie. Newcastle have scored multiple goals in four of their last five games, while Spurs have scored at least twice in six of their seven away games across all competitions. That suggests both teams can contribute and they may be able to combine for at least four goals.