5 things to watch for across Europe

As the FA Cup reaches its quarter-final stage in England and the battles for promotion and relegation hot up in the Football League, there are some thrilling games to come across Europe this weekend.

Here’s a look at five keys games across the continent, including what could be a title-defining Clasico in La Liga.

Check out all the latest European football markets at William Hill.

Dortmund to apply pressure on Bayern?

Our first stop is the Bundesliga where Borussia Dortmund can, at least for 24 hours, go above leaders Bayern Munich with a win over Cologne.

Dortmund have picked up a league-high 19 points in the second half of the Bundesliga season and have lost just one of their 22 homes league games against the ‘Billy Goats’ since 1991/92.

If you fancy a home win and Dortmund to keep a clean sheet, it’s currently priced at 13/8. Cologne haven’t scored in their last four league games.

Marco Reus has netted in Dortmund’s last two home league games. He’s 4/1 to open the scoring with an eighth Bundesliga goal against Cologne. Meanwhile, Raphael Guerreiro is 7/2 to net in successive league games.

Top-two do battle in Holland

A packed Sunday of action begins with a mouth-watering clash between the top two in the Eredivisie as Ajax host Feyenoord.

Feyenoord are three points clear ahead of a decisive game that could see them move a step closer to their first title since 2016/17. The visitors are 16/5 to claim all three points at the Johan Cruyff Arena, with the draw priced at 14/5.

Ajax are favourites for Sunday’s clash and it’s no surprise given they are unbeaten at home against Feyenoord since 2005 (W14 D2). They have scored 14 goals in their last six league games against their Rotterdam rivals. It’s 7/4 they net over 2.5 goals this time.

Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez has found form recently, scoring four in his last seven. He’s 5/2 to net at any time. Meanwhile, Dusan Tadic is 9/2 to grab the opening goal – the Serbia international has seven in 16 Eredivisie games v Feyenoord.

Rome derby in Serie A

Sunday’s schedule in Italy has thrown up two mouth-watering clashes. First up it’s the Rome derby at 17:00. Lazio lead Roma by two points heading into the game.

The ‘Biancocelesti’ are flying under Maurizio Sarri, winning five and drawing four of their last 10 league games. Plus, they’ve kept six clean sheets in that run – including the last four.

Lazio are 7/4 to do the double over Roma for the first time since 2011/12, and it’s 29/10 they win to nil.

Felipe Anderson’s 29th-minute goal earned Lazio bragging rights earlier in the season. He’s 17/5 to repeat the feat and net at any time.

Can Inter bounce back?

Inter lost for the second time in three Serie A matches last weekend, but they booked their Champions League quarter-final place with a draw against Porto on Tuesday.

Will that give them the boost they need ahead of facing Juventus in the Derby d’Italia at San Siro? The ‘Nerazzurri’ are looking to beat Juve at home in the second half of a league campaign for the first time since April 2010.

If you fancy Juve to continue their success in Milan, an away win is currently priced at 3/1. Juve have won seven of their 11 top-flight games this year and have scored 20 goals across those matches. Only leaders Napoli have a better record.

They’ll have to keep a close eye on Lautaro Martinez, though. The World Cup winner has scored in four of Inter’s last five home league games. Martinez is 7/2 to open the scoring and 6/4 to net at any time.

Barca to take a step closer?

Is there any better way to finish a weekend than with a top-of-the table Clasico from Camp Nou? Victory for Barcelona would see them take a huge step towards lifting the title.

Barca have already beaten Real Madrid this month – a 1-0 win in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. A repeat in this league clash is 8/1 – the ‘Blaugrana’ have nine 1-0 wins in the league this season.

Madrid have the edge in league matches, though, winning five of the last six Liga games, including their last two visits to Camp Nou.

However, Barca are unbeaten in 12 home league games in 2022/23 (W10 D2) and have kept 19 clean sheets this season. It’s 11/4 Xavi’s team win to nil.

Ferran Torres has scored in both of his league games against Real Madrid for Barca. Get 9/1 on him bagging the opener and 4/1 at any time.

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