Every week, we look across Europe’s top five leagues in search of draws.
Last week, we finally proved the power of persistence and went 4/4 with our picks. Madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, but the distance between madness and genius is measured only by success.
Yes, I’ve lost the thread of what I was trying to say. But congratulations if you got in on the action!
Remember: every tip contained here is a second opinion from a complete stranger online. Ultimately, trust your discretion in selecting which picks to go with.
Click Here To See Expert Predictions To Play This Weekend…
Brighton v West Ham (X at 3.40)
West Ham travels to the Seagulls looking to keep their slender Champions League dreams alive. A momentous season for David Moyes’ side looks set to end in anti-climax, unfortunately, but the Hammers can be proud of their achievements regardless.
Hosts Brighton are fascinating in their determination to confound analysts everywhere. Their results frequently undermine what is, by consensus, a good process.
Despite occupying the lower reaches of the table, manager Graham Potter has seen his reputation enhanced as a result.
I’m mostly basing my pick here on historical precedent: the last four meetings between these sides have ended in draws. Tactically, with the visitors still eyeing a top-four spot, it should be an open game with lots of goalmouth incidents.
Augsburg v Werder Bremen (X at 3.15)
These two sides are in the absolutely rotten form. Augsburg has lost three on the bounce, while Werder hasn’t posted a win in six matches. Even worse, they’re leaky at the back, especially recently.
These are good omens for our purpose this weekend. Both are very much in relegation trouble, and only bottom club Schalke has won fewer matches than Werder all season. (Quite how Florian Kohfeldt still has a job, I do not understand.)
I don’t see either side having the quality to take this game by the scruff of the neck and win it. Bremen are also draw specialists this term, so I’ll back them to share the spoils and be no better off than they were at the start of play.
Spezia v Torino (X at 3.00)
Torino has had an abysmal season, but look just about clear of trouble now. Four points clear of the relegation zone, with a game in hand, is a good place to be with two rounds of Serie A action to play.
They travel to Spezia, with whom they are level on points in the table. Vincenzo Italiano’s side has had some eye-catching results this term, but they’ve mostly been draws, frustratingly enough. As such, there’s still a chance they could slip back down into Serie B if they get turned over in their final two matches of the season.
A draw will suit them just fine, you feel. Lose here, and they will need to get a result on the final day against Roma, which is a difficult proposition. The reverse fixture in January finished goalless, and I think we will see another stalemate.
Villarreal v Sevilla (X at 3.30)
Sevilla’s title challenge was extinguished a fortnight ago, but they still have a firm stranglehold on fourth and have clearly made a lot of progress under Julen Lopetegui.
For their part, Villarreal has tailed off pretty badly, and are in danger of missing out on Europa League qualification. It does seem, however, like the club has put all its eggs into the Europa League Final basket, which is sad because I think they will lose that.
Anyway, I expect the Yellow Submarine to be distracted from now till the end of the league season, and with Sevilla looking to keep their momentum going, I can see the visitors nicking something. It’s never a cakewalk going to Estadio De La Ceramica though, so I envisage a tight game.
