Weekend Betting Tips

Benfica v Olhanense & Vitoria Setubal v Porto

Benfica have won eight consecutive matches as they march toward the title. Unbeaten in the league since a 2-0 defeat at Braga way back in October, they know that one more win will virtually guarantee them the championship. Although they drew at Olhanense back in December, they should have the motivation to put a few past the relegation-threatened side, and I expect them to win this fairly comfortably.

Porto are on a run of five straight league wins as they look to try and catch Braga in second place and reach the Champions League, particularly with Braga having a tricky away match on Sunday. Setubal had gone five games without defeat before last weekend’s defeat to Sporting, and they now lie four points clear of relegation. They battled hard at Sporting last weekend, but their lack of quality showed, and this should again be the case tomorrow.

Bet: Benfica & Porto both to win @ 1.64

Final Results: Benfica 5 - 0 Olhanense & Vitoria Setubal 2 - 5 Porto

Valencia v Deportivo

Valencia are still hanging on in third place in La Liga. Away from home, they have lost five straight games and are without a win since January. However, at home, they have only lost to Real Madrid this season, and are on a run of six wins in the last seven games. They know this is a must win game, with Mallorca and Sevilla lurking only four points back. They are beginning to get a few of their defenders back from injuries and with the likes of Villa, Silva and Mata in attack, they are always a threat.

Deportivo are lying mid-table, but without a win in eight games. They haven’t won away from home in the league since November, although did win at the Mestalla in the Copa del Rey, back in January. They will be without Andres Guardado, and both their central defenders, which will be a problem against the attacking threat of Valencia.

Bet: Valencia -1AH @ 1.75

Final Result: Valencia 1 - 0 Deportivo

Bochum v Stuttgart

Bochum are plummeting toward the drop zone, with no win in their last nine games. They had a disappointing defeat last week against Koln, showing little fight, creativity, and not even getting a shot in until seven minutes from time. The coach does not seem to know how he wants the team to play, and it shows.

Stuttgart are still within reach of the Champions League, although a Europa League place is more likely. They have won five straight games as they launch a late charge, having won 11 of 14 games since Christian Gross took over. Hleb and Khedira are both back in the starting line-up for Stuttgart, which will be a boost.

Bet: Stuttgart to win @ 1.83

Final Result: Bochum 0 - 2 Stuttgart

Palermo v AC Milan

Palermo are battling with Sampdoria for the final Champions League place, and with Sampdoria away to Roma on Sunday, they’ll fancy their chances to go level on points. They have won 10 out of their last 11 home games, and will fancy their chances against 3rd placed Milan.

Milan are on a run of 1 win in 6 games, losing to an injury-time header last week at Sampdoria. They have admitted that they have nothing left to play for this season and have plenty of players missing. Pato, Nesta, Ambrosini, Boriello, Bonera, Flamini, Favalli, Kaladze and Beckham are all out, and fullback, Massimo Oddo, is expected to partner Thiago Silva at the back. They rely a lot on Ronaldinho, but his form is missing at the moment.

Bet: Palermo to win @ 1.95

Final Result : Palermo 3 - 1 AC Milan

Ajax v Feyernoord

This is the first leg of the Dutch Cup Final. Ajax booked their place with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles, and have scored a remarkable 102 goals in only 33 league games this season. They have won 13 straight games in the league, since a 1-1 draw with Feyernoord and have scored 3 or more goals in 10 of those games. They will be hoping to settle this final in the first leg.

Feyernoord lost last time out against Twente, but before that had been unbeaten since early February. They appeared to take things easy against Twente in preparation for this game, but the loss in momentum could be crucial. Their defence will have to be on top form to give them anything to play for in the second leg.

Bet: Ajax -1AH @ 2.08

Final Result: Ajax 2 - 0 Feyernoord

Arsenal v Manchester City

Arsenal’s title hopes ended after a dramatic defeat at Wigan last weekend. They are now glancing over their shoulders at Spurs and City, and have lost three straight games in all competitions, albeit all away from home. They have won 14 out of 17 at the Emirates, losing only to Chelsea and Manchester United this season. However, they are still without Manuel Almunia, meaning the erratic Lukas Fabianski is likely to start. Fabregas, Gallas, Vermuelen, Arshavin and Ramsey are amongst the other players missing, although Alex Song and Eduardo are expected to return.

Manchester City’s last gasp defeat in the derby last weekend dropped them out of the top 4, but they will be targeting three points here. With the likes of Tevez, Bellamy and former Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor up front, they will be a danger, and a lot will depend on whether Toure and Kompany can keep the Arsenal strikers quiet. Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong will be tasked with neutralising the creative threat of Samir Nasri, but City will be hopeful of pulling off an upset.

Bet: Manchester City DNB @ 2.62

Final Result: Arsenal 0 - 0 Manchester City