20-11-2010
15:30 Freiburg - Borussia D.
Freiburg has done exceptionally well in the first 12 matches of this campaign. They are sitting in sixth place with 17 points and show a good home record of P6 W4 D0 L2 GF10 GA9. Only their last home game again Mainz (1-0) went under 2.5 goals, otherwise there has been prolific scoring in Breisgau.
Borussia Dortmund has achieved its best record in the 47-year history of Bundesliga after 12 games. Their away record is incredible: P6 W6 D0 L0 GF17 GA4, in none of their matches away from home they have scored less than 2 goals.
There is also a long history of high scoring games between those two teams in Freiburg. Their head to head record shows (from Freiburg's side) P11 W2 D6 L3 GF19 GA20. That is 3,5 goals per game. Last five games have also produced at least 4 goals per game, among them three 2-2 draws.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.81
18:30 Liverpool - West Ham United
Only Wigan have scored fewer than West Ham's 11 goals from 13 matches, and I fear they are unlikely to get many chances to add to that total in Saturday evening's match.
There are three aspects to this match that may give them encouragement – namely Liverpool's continued uninspiring form, Steven Gerrard’s hamstring injury and their brave performance in defeat at the Emirates a few weeks ago, but they still have a dreadful recent record at Anfield to overcome.
They have scored just once and taken a solitary point in their last six visits. West Ham have not won at Anfield since 1963, so I fear that they will return to London without reward again this time around.
Tips: Liverpool to win to nil @ 2.10
Half-time / full-time: Liverpool / Liverpool @ 2.10
22:00 Real - Athletic Bilbao
Los Blancos remain unbeaten this season and look particularly formidable at home, winning every match played at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Basque visitors have failed to threaten in recent visits to the capital, and given their dreadful away form in this campaign, it is likely to be one-way traffic for Mourinho's men.
Key Stats
* Four of the last five Real Madrid - Athletic Bilbao games have gone over 2.5 goals
* Last season's result at Santiago Bernabeu: Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao
* Real Madrid have the best defensive record in La Liga (Five goals conceded in 11 games)
* Athletic Bilbao away record in La Liga so far (W1 D1 L3)
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao
Odds on Real Madrid 3-0 win @ 7.0
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.40
Real Madrid (-2 handicap) @ 2.07
21-11-2010
19:00 Sevilla - Mallorca
Sevilla entertain Mallorca on Sunday and will look to continue their excellent home form by bagging all three points. The Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano comes up against his old club, were he performed wonders last season by just narrowly missing out on a Champions League spot.
Mallorca can be a stubborn unit but they usually save their best form for home matches and the attacking artillery that Manzano can deploy, in the form of Kanoute, Fabiano and Negredo should be enough to continue their excellent home form. Odds of around 1.60 are attractive on a home win
Tip: Sevilla to win @ 1.60
