Our soccer expert shares betting tips and previews some huge games across Europe this weekend as AC Milan host Jose Mourinho's Roma, RC Lens welcome table-toppers PSG and Braga travel to face Porto, previews by our soccer expert with betting tips.

 

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Serie A - AC Milan vs AS Roma (Sunday 19:45 UTC)

Roma travel north to Lombardy to face off against Milan in the San Siro, seeking to procure the full three points from what will prove to be a stern fixture between these Serie A stalwarts. Both teams commenced 2024 with differing fortunes with Milano decisively beating Empoli 3-0 away, while the Romano side were held to a 1-1 at home against Atalanta.

Rossoneri currently finds themself in third place, nine points behind leaders and eternal rivals Inter Milan. With just under half the season to go, a credible title challenge is still feasible, though it will take a consistent run of form to be a challenger of the runaway mentioned above and Juventus. Fans can sit comfortably knowing that Scudetto or not Champions League qualification is likely, taking solace that the Red and Blacks have won three and drawn one of their past four league games. Their latest scalp was over a beleaguered Empoli side who have their struggles at the opposite end of the table, and currently find themselves in 19th position with a gritty battle with Salernitana, Verona and Cagliari in determining who will be demoted.

Although not presenting a robust test, Stefano Pioli will be happy with his side's performance across the board here. His team dominated the field with 65% possession and completed 622 passes, almost double the opposition's tally. On the scoreboard were Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as Chaka Traorè. The 19-year-old Cote d'Ivoire winger snagged his first ever Serie A goal after coming off the bench and for sure it will be the first of many after moving to the main squad from Milan Primavera. Several injuries plague the defensive lines of the squad, with flagstones Fikayo Tomori, Malick Thiaw and Pierre Kalulu. Winner/Total Goals - AC Milan & Over 2.5 at 3.83.

I Giallorossi can well count themselves fortunate to have escaped their latest league affray with a point, after playing on the back foot after Teun Koopmeiners hit the back of the net in the eighth minute. However following Paulo Dybala succeeding from the penalty spot not long before halftime, Jose Mourinho's men rallied well and held the opposition firm. Fans will continue to be frustrated at the capital sides' haphazard form, however, as the club currently lies in eighth position after 19 games, concerningly having won once in their previous five matches. All is not lost, as after beating Napoli before Christmas they are now only four points behind a resurgent fourth-placed Fiorentina. Injured forward Tammy Abraham will return to duty next month, though there are still question marks over fellow Englishman Chris Smalling's fitness. Correct Score 1st Half 1-1 at 8.59.

A critical fixture here for these prolific Italian clubs, who will be sorely after a win for both their respective and realistic campaign goals. Favour goes to the home side, though with stoicism Roma can outdo the Northerners. Though in such a close-run thing between clubs in the shadow of the top four, travelling home with a point would be the silver lining.

1x2 2.14 3.30 3.68

 

Ligue 1 - RC Lens vs PSG (Sunday 19:45 UTC)

Les Sang et Or welcome Les Rouges-et-Bleus the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis in a North French derby. A year ago, the sides were tussling to see who would become Ligue 1 champion, with the Parisiens narrowly taking the silverware by a point. In the present day, the position has not changed for the title defenders, although their past rivals Lens have seemingly burnt out. They currently find themselves in 7th position, fourteen points behind their future opponents, on the hunt for a top-five spot that will guarantee a return to the European stage next season.

The home side marked the end of 2023 with their first loss in five league games, succumbing to a Nice team who seemed to be emulating the defeated side's performance and position from last year, enjoying 2nd place with five points behind leader PSG. Franck Haise will be having stern words with his team in the locker rooms afterwards for letting the match slip between their fingers. Holding at 0-0 till the 78th minute, the nightmare struck with two goals from Terem Moffi in quick succession, sealing proceedings 2-0 for the hosts - questions will be raised over why the home side couldn't show more for their 60% possession. The side on-boarded Elye Wahi from Bayern Munchen for £35m over the summer, though the forward does not seem to be adjusting well to a different landscape, only mustering four goals in twenty appearances across all competitions this season. Lens Handicap - Match +1.5 at 1.346.

As expected, PSG has been a nightmare to curtail for opposing forces this campaign, France's most prominent club sit atop Ligue 1 comfortably and is on track for their 3rd title in a row. The club ended the year on a high with a win at Princes Park over Metz 3-1. Fans will be continuing the festivities over the calendar month as the team also triumphed over Toulouse 2-0 in the Trophée des Champions at Parc des Princes, Paris. The competition is held between the previous season's league and cup winners, and Les Violets qualified after beating Nantes 5-1 last season. South Korean midfielder Kang-in Lee opened proceedings in the third minute, adding to his wider efforts allowed him to enjoy the man of the match. He'll be missed from proceedings potentially into February due to an international call-up for the AFC Asian Cup. Total - Match Over 3.5 at 2.52.

To no one's surprise, Kylian Mbappé was on the scoresheet for both PSG's most recent games for a total of three goals. The French international forward has decimated opposing defensive lines this season, accumulating a total of 18 goals over 16 appearances in Ligue 1 - over double any other player's tally. It is the feeling of many that he will have soon outgrown the league, and with his contract up at the end of June, he could well be moving home. Transfermarkt.com currently ranks the striker as the world's joint most valuable player alongside Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland, a move North into the Premier League is being touted, where undoubtedly, he'll make an immediate impact. Paris Saint Germain to Score? 1st Half - Yes at 1.699.

Lens will have to raise the portcullis and man the walls for this fixture, as the defending champions come to town carrying only a single defeat for the domestic season with them. Though with the opportunity to knock them down a peg and lift themselves into the top-six in front of the home crowd, victory is still within their grasp.

1x2 3.78 4.03 1.884

 

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Liga Portugal - Porto vs Braga (Sunday 20:30 UTC)

Os Arsenalistas will take the short trip south to the city of Porto to face off with rivals Dragões, in the top four Primeira Liga clash. Both clubs have had a fairly similar season thus far, although the hosts are currently in third position with 35 points, with Braga nipping at their heels only two behind. Both teams recommenced their season this year on a lukewarm note, drawing 1-1 with Boavista and Vitória S.C. in the league respectively. This affair will provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between either side and the front runners, Sporting and Benfica.

The FC Porto faithful can be pleased with their side's performances thus far, as we approach matchday 17 they have 11 wins and two draws for their efforts. can. Although they will be left aghast after a missed opportunity last week against Boavisteiros As Panteras. Orchestrating the match with 68% possession and no less than 24 attempts on goal, Toni Martínez proved to be the sole goal scorer for the away team. Bouncing back this week in the Taça de Portugal, they swept aside Estoril Praia 4-0 with Brazilian forward Evanilson getting a sumptuous hat-trick to make it 14 for his tally across all competitions.

Cup goals aside, the club has no players in its domestic league's top-five scorers and only twenty-three goals for an average of 1.44 per game across the 16 matches thus far. Eyebrows can be raised about their scoring potential against tougher opposition; indeed, they will have to sally forth and hit the net more consistently if they have any hope of beating Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16 this March. FC Porto Team Total - Match Under 1.5 at 2.10.

Braga themselves had a much tougher time in the Cup and ultimately fell afoul of 2nd place Benfica 3-2 in an especially tight bout. Little edge could be found by either side, with the statistics nearly on par. Tragically a 70th-minute finish from Fredrik Aursnes sealed proceedings, dropping the away side out of the competition. Humdrum aside the club has cause for optimism, as they are still in the runnings for the league at the season halfway point, as well as a Europa League pairing with Azerbaijani outfit Qarabağ FK next month, to look forward to after parachuting down from the UCL's Group C.

There can be no doubt of the team's attacking potential with the likes of Simon Banza heading up the league goal tally with 14 to his name, although he will be omitted for the near future by representing the DR Congo team in the African Nations Cup. Players such as Álvaro Djaló will pick up the shortfall in the opponent's goalbox, he and Bruma are currently in joint third for UCL goals, although crucially the latter is also omitted with injury. Winning Margin - Braga by 1 at 3.97.

An interesting fixture awaits us here on Europe's Western seaboard, as both teams try to maintain momentum in the Liga top-four. With the hosts showing a meekness in front of the goalbox and the away team depleted up front, we could potentially see some other prospective goal scorers making the scoreboard in what may prove to be a raucous evening at the Estádio do Dragão.

 

1x2 1.806 3.95 4.34

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 12:30 UTC Friday 12th January**

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