European Football: Five Betting Pointers for the weekend ahead

Messi has been the scourge of Madrid over the years

With tasty top-three tussles in all four leagues this weekend, including Spain's clasico, Louis Massarella reveals where to put your money... 

Bordeaux to make their point in Paris

It's second against third at the Parc de Princes, with PSG manager Laurent Blanc up against his former club. Because the visitors have lost two and drawn one of their last three away games, you can get good value on them taking something away from Paris, but given PSG have drawn their last two home league games 1-1, 10.09/1 for the same scoreline is tempting, especially as the Parisians have a long trip to Cyprus in midweek.

No classic Clasico this time

Clasicos don't get much more mouthwatering than this. Barcelona have yet to concede a league goal this season; Real Madrid have scored 25 in their last five games. Lose at the Bernabeu and the hosts will be seven points behind their main rivals. Score twice and Lionel Messi will become La Liga's all-time top goalscorer, having already bagged more Clasico goals than any other Barcelona player. Who writes these scripts? Depending on what tactics each team deploy, it's hard to see Barcelona extending their shut-out record and equally difficult to envisage a goal glut. Why not go for a long shot? Madrid to be leading at half-time and Bara to storm back for a draw is 14.013/1.

Roma to suffer Champions League hangover in Genoa

Last week, we tipped Sampdoria as a good outside bet for a Champions League place and while a goalless draw at Cagliari on Sunday suggests the jury is still out, at home they're a different proposition entirely, winning all four of their games at the Luigi Ferraris this season. The visit of free-scoring Roma will be their stiffest test yet, though, and we're backing them to put in the kind of defensive display that has seen them keep four clean sheets in the last five games. At 12.5n/a, 1-0 looks the way to go, with the help of Roma's exerts against Bayern in midweek.

Gladbach to beat Bayern

Borussia Moenchengladbach host Bayern Munich, with both teams unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season. That has to change some time and for a two-horse race, 7.413/2 for a home win is hard to resist, particularly as Bayern face a tough game at Roma in the Champions League five days earlier.

Marseille all the way?

Eight wins in a row, new manager Marcelo Bielsa is working wonders, no European distractions, seven points clear. Even if PSG find form, Marseille are an excellent bet to win Ligue Un at 4.67/2.