As they say in the financial markets, the trend is your friend. I’m going to be riding trends for this week’s Champions League and Europa League slate.
PSG vs Barcelona
RANDOM FOOTY FACT: PSG are unbeaten in their last 33 home games in Europe
I’ve picked Barca to win the competition but getting by PSG won’t be an easy task. They are a deep team built for this competition and have many versatile players. When they don’t have the ball, the likes of Veratti can brutalize Barca’s threats, much like he did Eden Hazard. Going forward they can transition from defense to offense very efficiently. Matuidi loves to find space out wide on the left to put in crosses. And Barca being what they are will leave themselves open to be countered. PSG will keep their unbeaten streak at home alive.
Picks: Both teams to score (-140) and Paris St. Germain +0.5 goals (+110)
Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Atleti vs Real Madrid
Chelsea, and I believe Bayern Munich, have each only lost 3 times this entire season in all competitions. That number is impressive enough on it’s own, but even more so considering that Real Madrid have lost 4 times to Atletico Madrid alone this season. Simeone and his men have the Galacticos clocked! Simeone also understands this competition as well as anyone. He knows that an away goal for Real would be a very precious commodity in this tie. The last three times these teams have played at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, Real have not scored and have lost by a combined score of 7-0. Atletico Madrid know how to play this team, they know how to beat this and they know that they can keep a clean sheet, which is paramount in this competition.
Pick: Real Madrid to score NO (+225)
Sevilla vs Zenit
Going to ride the hot hand here with Sevilla. They just stood toe to toe with Barcelona extending there home unbeaten streak in La Liga to 27 games. They are in as good a form as any team in Europe and because they are relatively unknown bettors are getting great value. They came through for me on the weekend. No reason to over think.
Pick: Sevilla (-130)
Last Matchday’s record: 2-2 (Even)
Overall: 37-38 (+4.1 units)
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