Teams Threatened by Relegation Play Key Home Games
Published February 28, 2020 by Florin P
Marseille and Leicester pursue their objectives on the road against Nimes and Norwich who try to salvage valuable points in the race to avoid relegation.
Champions League action has captured the imagination of European football fans midweek, but quality football returns over the weekend. As early as Friday, and some of the strongest leagues resume and the matches involve mostly teams desperately trying to avoid relegation. This should lead to highly competitive games, with plenty of yellow cards and quite likely a high number of goals.
Leicester Ready to Put the Last Nail in Norwich’s Coffin
Leicester currently sit in a place that makes them eligible for the Champions League next season. They are desperately trying to consolidate their position on the podium and could do so by defeating Norwich on the road. The hosts are in horrible form and stand in the last place, with the specter of relegation looming large. Not surprisingly, bet365 Sports expects the visitors to prevail and only offers odds of 3/4 on their victory. Meanwhile, the hosts are priced at 7/2 and they are likely to rise as kickoff draws near.
Hertha and Dusseldorf Fight at the Bottom of the Bundesliga Tables
Hertha and Dusseldorf are separated by only six points and both of them are threatened by relegation at the end of the season. Home pitch advantage should motivate Düsseldorf to aim for a straight victory over a team that is notoriously bad on the road. The hosts are currently below the relegation line, so they can’t settle for a draw against the defensive-minded Hertha. The odds reflect the obvious balance in this game, with the hosts priced at 7/5, while the visitors get 9/5 to win on the road.
Nimes Try to Stop Marseille in their Tracks on Friday
Olympique Marseille are quite happy with the second place in the French Ligue 1, but they shouldn’t relax too early. There are still plenty of games left to be played and unless they defeat Nimes on the road, their position will be in danger. With several players injured or doubtful, the visitors are not at full strength, hence the odds of 6/5 offered by 888 Sport. The same bookmaker regards the hosts as narrow underdogs, but only slightly, as reflected by the odds of 23/10.
Real Sociedad and Valladolid can’t Settle for a Draw
Real Sociedad have hammered Valencia last weekend and scored three unanswered goals to climb into six place. The team still has a game in hand and if it manages to defeat Valladolid at 8 PM UK time, it could climb on the podium. Playing on home turf definitely helps, but at least the odds are only 1/2 on a home win, as opposed to 5/1 on the visitors. Valladolid are barely above the relegation line and will strive to stay there, by defending with all lines for 90 minutes.
Disclaimer:
The odds mentioned here were accurate at the featured bookmakers at the hour the article was written, respectively on Wednesday at 8 am UK time.
