Friday Matches Reignite Hope for Struggling Teams all Across Europe
Published September 21, 2018 by Florin P
Amid Champions League matches, top European football clubs return to domestic action on Friday evening.
None of the leading teams in major European tournaments, or the reigning champions are scheduled to play on Friday. This doesn’t make the games any less exciting, since the ones playing in the opening round of this weekend we’ll give everything on the pitch. Former champions and teams that used to make deep runs in European tournaments try to return to their winning ways. bet365 Sports and 888 Sport dedicate ample coverage to these events and offer top odds on these matches.
Monaco Seeks First Victory in Six Matches
Monaco has lost some of its key players during the season break and the results speak for themselves. The team is mired in a winless streak that spans over five matches and they’ve only won once in the last 10 rounds. Their lack of success in friendly games continued once Ligue 1 resumed and they have just five points to their name. They were able to score in each of the last four games, but conceded plenty of goals.
Things could take a turn for the better on Friday evening, as they are scheduled to play at 7:45 PM UK time against newly promoted Nimes. The visitors started the year on a promising note, but lost steam and were unable to win any of the last three matches. That’s why the hosts are priced at 7/10 at Intertops Sports to win this match, while the visitors are given odds of 4/1.
Relegation Threatens Stuttgart and Düsseldorf
These two German teams have spent a lot of time in the second division and they don’t want to return there at the end of the season. Both have started this year with ambivalent results and the three points up for grabs on Friday, are particularly important. The hosts have had their fair share of difficult matches, but they are entitled to expect an easier game this weekend against a weak traveling team.
The match starts at 7:30 PM UK time and Winner Sports offers odds of 7/10 on Stuttgart to win for the first time in the last five matches. They have scored plenty of goals and for the first time they can rely on their best players. While the home team can use the best starting formation, the visitors will be without seven players, who are injured or suspended. Not surprisingly, the odds given to them are 4/1.
A High Likelihood for Draw in Italy
Football fans have very little to expect from the match between Sassuolo and Empoli scheduled on Friday at 7:30 PM UK time. Punters however, are entitled to be optimistic because this match could well result in a high-paying draw. These are two teams with defensive mindsets and the visitors would be more than happy to split points. Bet365 Sports offers odds of 5/2 on this outcome, which represents excellent value, since Empoli will use a single striker and five defenders. Many of the previous matches between these two teams have also resulted in low-scoring draws.
Real Sociedad Searches for Second Road Win
The Basques have lost the last two matches by the same score 1:2, but the most recent defeat was suffered at the hands of Barcelona. Today they travel to Huesca, a newly promoted team and one that has conceded a massive number of goals this season. They allowed 12 goals in four matches and can’t really play defensive football regardless of venue. The visitors will be highly motivated to press on and exercise constant pressure on a backline that lacks experienced players. Punters get excellent odds of 11/10 on Real Sociedad if they bet at 888 Sport, while another surprising home win is valued at 3/2.
