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Weekend Top Betting Games (18th – 19th March)
The El Clásico is finally here! It’s the 3rd meeting between the two Spanish giants in 2023 (4th this season), and we’re just in March. We take a look at that as well as the FA Cup, Premier League, Victor Osimhen in Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo & Al Nassr before rounding up with Lionel Messi and PSG. Before that, you can head to our Cross Sport Specials page to check out some of the special offers we have.
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Barcelona vs Real Madrid
This will be the fourth of five meetings between these two sides this season, with the second leg of the Copa del Rey still to come next month. In their previous three meetings, Real Madrid have won once (in LaLiga) while Barcelona have two wins (in the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey). El Clásico remains one of the toughest fixtures to predict, and it feels like the football gods flip a coin right before the match to determine the winner. However, with the last draw between these two sides coming in 2019, there could be some value in going for a Double Chance outcome.
The spotlight will be on the two main strikers, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. Barcelona’s star striker leads the league in goals this season (15) and has already helped them win their first title of the season (Supercopa de España), with the league title all but certain given their comfortable 9-point lead. Karim Benzema (on 11 league goals) has also led his team to titles this season (UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup) and just this Wednesday scored the goal that sealed Real Madrid’s victory over Liverpool in the Champions League.
Barcelona will be hoping to continue their home form this season. In LaLiga, they remain unbeaten in 12 matches in front of their home fans – their best run in three years. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have won five of their last six league meetings against their bitter rivals and will also be aiming to keep that run going.
Barcelona Form: L-L-W-W-W
Real Madrid Form: D-L-D-W-W
Barcelona has recorded the most clean sheets (19) and conceded the fewest goals (8) after the first 25 games of a season in LaLiga history. Though they have a scary group of attackers and a midfield that is stingy with possession, this league campaign has been built around their exceptional defense, and they’ll be counting on it to deliver what would be a title deciding win.
Prediction:
- Double Chance: Barcelona or Real Madrid to Win (no draw) @1.28
- Under 2.5 goals @1.95
- Over 8.5 corners @1.47
Manchester City vs Burnley
It’s Teacher vs. Student this weekend, as Vincent Kompany’s Burnley travels to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola’s high-flying City side fresh from a 7-0 demolition of RB Leipzig. If you haven’t watched Burnley this season, you might be in for a shock when you do. Under Kompany, they’ve been transformed from the route-one playing team they were known for under Sean Dyche, to a more fluid team that is objectively more pleasing to the eye. The Clarets are all but confirmed to be promoted to the Premier League next season, thanks to their 13-point Championship lead with 9 games to go. They have the best defense, which isn’t surprising given that they’re coached by Kompany, but their attack, which has produced 74 league goals, is perhaps their biggest weapon.
Man City have dominated this competition in recent years and have understandably been favored to continue their run. In the 6 seasons under Pep Guardiola, they’ve reached the semi-final of the FA Cup in 5 of the 6 seasons, with the 2017/18 season being the only exception. They could become only the third team in history to reach the semi-final of the world’s oldest football tournament for 5 consecutive years if they win, joining neighbors Manchester United (1961/62 – 1965/66) and Arsenal (2000/01 – 2004/05).
With this game being the last before the international break and no urgent reason to rotate, Pep Guardiola could field a very strong team, and as impressive as Burnley have been this season, they don’t have enough quality to silence players like Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne for 90 minutes.
Manchester City Form: W-W-W-W-W
Burnley Form: D-W-W-D-W
Burnley have lost their last 10 meetings against Man City in all competitions by an aggregate score of 34-1. Though they’re a totally different side under Vincent Kompany, a Man City side fresh off winning 7-0 should be a lock to extend that record.
Prediction:
Al Nassr vs Abha
These two sides are meeting for the second time in four days, having already faced each other in the Quarter-Final of the King Cup of Champions. In that game, Al-Nassr got off to a great start with a goal in the 1st minute from Sami Al-Najei, and from then on, they pretty much dominated the entire contest. Goals from Abdullah Al-Khaibari and Mohammed Maran in the 21st and 49th minutes put the game beyond doubt before Abha’s Ahmad Mohammed grabbed a consolation goal in the 69th minute to make it 3-1. The game followed a recent pattern of dominance by Al Nassr even before Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival. Six of the last eight meetings between these two sides have ended in an Al-Nassr victory (D1, L1), including a 3-0 win in October.
Moving on to Cristiano Ronaldo, it’ll be interesting to see how he responds to the start of March he has had. Last month, his eight goals in four games – which included four against Al-Wehda FC & three against Damac FC – were enough to earn him the Saudi Pro League Player of the Month award. However, three games without a goal since then has seen him on the wrong end of some criticism. In the 1-0 loss to Al-Ittihad last week, in which they leapfrogged Al-Nassr to claim first place, fans in the stadium chanted “Messi!” for minutes as they attempted to get under Ronaldo’s skin, which sort of worked. In the 3-1 win over Abha in the King Cup of Champions, Ronaldo was given a yellow card after he launched the ball upfield in anger as the halftime whistle blew in the match. The Portuguese captain was unhappy that the referee had stopped a counter-attack and a potential goal-scoring opportunity. He was later substituted and looked frustrated as he walked to the bench. If there’s anything we’ve learned about Cristiano Ronaldo in his phenomenal career, it is that he always bounces back when criticized, and you can bet on him doing just that this weekend.
Al Nassr Form: W-W-W-L-W
Abha Form: L-L-L-D-L
The last 8 games between these two sides have produced 27 goals – an average of 3.375. Only one of those games has featured less than 3 goals (a 2-0 win Al-Nassr win 2020) while 4 of those 8 games have featured 4 goals. It’s a high scoring fixture, albeit one that is one-sided, and we anticipate more of the same on Saturday.
Prediction:
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
The dreaded news of Patrick Vieira’s dismissal came on Friday morning as the former Arsenal captain was relieved of his managerial duties ahead of the meeting with his old club. Three members of his coaching staff – Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Saïd Aïgoun – have also left the club. Crystal Palace may be 12th in the Premier League, but there were genuine concerns about the direction of the team, prompting the board to take proactive measures to avoid a potential relegation battle. 3 losses in a row as well as the longest winless streak in the league (11) always meant Vieira’s job was in danger and their midweek performance sealed his fate. Prior to their 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday, they made history by becoming the first Premier League team to not register a shot on target in 3 consecutive games. Though they did manage to get a few attempts on target against Brighton, their struggles in front of goal continued, and the Eagles have now gone 4 league games without a goal. It is still unclear who the new manager will be for the Eagles, but it seems he won’t have enough time to have the infamous new-manager-bounce effect on the team in time for the visit to Arsenal.
On Thursday, Arsenal suffered an exit from the Europa League after a penalty shootout loss to Sporting CP. A Granit Xhaka first half goal was canceled out by an audacious Pedro Gonçalves lob from 46-yards out. While the defeat was disappointing for the Gunners who were the favorites to go through to the quarter-finals, the injuries suffered by the players may have been a bigger blow for the North Londoners. Trossard was seen limping for stretches in the game and Zinchenko was clutching his hamstring before the end of the game. Tomiyasu and Saliba were substituted early in the first half with the former seen leaving the stadium in crutches. Still, the Gunners will feel they have more than enough to earn them a win in this game. Arsenal will be leaning heavily on their incredible London derby form to get them 3 points and they are likely to do so. The Gunners have won won 8 of their 9 London derbies this season (D1) and are on the verge of becoming the first team in English football history to win 9 London derbies in a single season. Against a Crystal Palace side that are struggling to score goals and have kept just one clean sheet in 22 away league games at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta will be expecting a win and nothing less.
Arsenal Form: W-W-D-W-L
Crystal Palace Form: D-D-D-L-L
Palace has won just 1 of their 8 London derbies this season (D2, L5). They’ve scored the fewest goals (5) and have the worst goal difference (-10). Arsenal, meanwhile have conceded the fewest London derby goals (4) and have the best goal difference (+16).
Prediction:
Torino vs Napoli
Napoli is currently 18 points clear in Serie A and is closing in on their first league title in 33 years. They are also European Cup/Champions League quarter-finalists for the first time in club history, with a chance to go even further. The 2022/23 season will never be forgotten in Napoli’s history.
Victor Osimhen was once again the star of the show on Wednesday as Napoli booked a place in the Quarter-Final. The Nigerian forward grabbed a brace in the 3-0 win over Frankfurt and should have gotten a hat-trick but allowed teammate Piotr Zieliński to take a 64th-minute penalty. Osimhen did injure himself while scoring the second goal after landing awkwardly on his left hand. It was heavily bandaged, and he carried on, but given the important European games coming up, his minutes might be restricted when they travel to Turin this weekend.
Torino may have won their last two games, but they’re well aware that form and momentum count for nothing when they face Napoli. Their last league win against the Neapolitans came a little over 8 years ago (1st March 2015), and since then, they have drawn 4 and lost 11 in this fixture. Evidently, home advantage counts for nothing for Torino. When they met earlier this season, Napoli – who were without an injured Victor Osimhen – were 3–1 winners with Zambo Anguissa getting a first half brace while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also got on the scoresheet.
Torino Form: L-D-L-W-W
Napoli Form: W-W-L-W-W
Napoli have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 league games, including each of their last five away games. In the Champions League, they’ve also kept 2 clean sheets in their last 2 games – proof that they’re not just about their attack. They’ve never kept 6 consecutive league clean sheets away from home and could do that this weekend.
Prediction:
PSG vs Rennes
On Sunday, two of Ligue 1’s most in-form goalscorers, Kylian Mbappé of PSG and Folarin Balogun of Rennes, will go head-to-head. Rennes has suffered a setback in their Champions League dreams, as they’ve earned only 1 league point in their last 2 games, leaving them 7 points away from 3rd place. However, they know that a victory against PSG, whom they’ve already beaten this season, could put them back on track to achieve their dream.
Although Rennes has struggled in recent games, their away form has been improving. They’ve kept consecutive clean sheets in their last two away games after conceding at least one goal in each of their previous 22 games. This could be vital if they are to get anything from Parc des Princes.
On the other hand, PSG is currently 10 points clear in Ligue 1 and is expected to be crowned champions in May. However, there are some concerns in the team despite their fine league form. They’ve conceded at least one goal in 8 of their last 9 league games, as many as in their previous 18 games this season. This inability to keep it tight at the back has cost them both the Coupe de France and Champions League. Against a Rennes side led by Folarin Balogun’s 16 league goals, it’s hard to see them not conceding at least once.
PSG Form: W-W-W-L-W
Rennes Form: W-L-W-L-D
Rennes has been an obstacle to PSG in recent years. The reigning French champions have lost three of their last six games against the visitors in Ligue 1 (W2, D1). In contrast, they had lost 3 in their previous 15 (W11, D2). The reverse fixture (which Rennes won 1-0) was the only league defeat for PSG in which they failed to score a goal.
Prediction:
