European Football: Five Betting Pointers from November 22/23

Look out Ronaldo, Messi's back to his best

This week's tips from Louis Massarella feature a tasty derby, a relegation six-pointer, the Bundesliga's battle for second place and Messi on a mission...

Evian and Guingamp fail to trouble the scorers

In Ligue Un this week, 18th host 19th. And while it's not exactly one for the neutral observer, there is something in it for the punter. Both have struggled for goals this season, and neither would be too unhappy with a point given how close it is at the bottom of the table. At around 8.07/1, 0-0 really stands out.

Wolves to send Gladbach packing

As predicted in this column, Wolfsburg's winning streak came to an end against Schalke last week, but that was away - where each of their four defeats this season have come. At home, they're unbeaten and free-scoring, which is more than can be said for third-place Borussia Moenchengladbach, who don't score many and concede even fewer. And with the visitors' first two defeats of the season coming in the last two games, it looks like they're about to drop back into the pack, a tough trip to Villarreal in midweek unlikely to help their cause. With cautious Gladbach likely to tire in the second-half, a draw at half-time and Wolfsburg to win at full-time catches the eye at 5.79/2.

Messi's scoring streak to take him to top of the charts

Lionel Messi's back, as a hat-trick against Sevilla to make him La Liga's all-time top goalscorer proves. But he's still 10 goals behind Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Spanish scoring charts. Too much to make up? For anybody but Messi, yes. But expect this treble to kick-start the Argentine's season, while even Ronaldo surely can't carry on at his current rate? As the fixtures pile up after Christmas, the Portuguese might even find himself rested or injured. It's a long shot, but Messi at 7.26/1 to finish as the Primera Division's Top Goalscorer is still good value.

Easy like Sunday morning? Not for Atletico

Reigning champions Atletico Madrid host relegation battlers Deportivo La Coruna before midday on Sunday, and while it may look like a home banker, the strange kick-off time and Atletico's midweek Champions League exerts may dictate otherwise. Deportivo have only won twice this season, but they've only lost once by more than one goal on the road and just one defeat in their last five games suggest their confidence is slowly growing. 6.86/1 for the draw shouldn't be sniffed at.

Torino fail to put brakes on Juve

Juventus look simply unstoppable, while local rivals look simply toothless, having sold their two best attackers in the summer. Don't expect a shock in this week's Turin derby, but do expect plenty of goals from the home side. 6.25/1 for Over 4.5 Goals might tempt you.