European Football: Lyon genuine contenders and Inter on the rise

Can Rayo Vallecano really stop Ronaldo?

With the French title race hotting up and one of Europe's big guns facing an unlikely relegation battle, there's plenty of food for thought as Louis Massarella ponders where to put your money this week...

Lyon to make it a three-way battle

In beating Marseille 1-0 last weekend, Olympique Lyonnais not only allowed champions PSG to close on the leaders, they also confirmed their own title credentials. If the top two draw with each other this weekend, Lyon could take advantage still further. So now's the time to get your money on them winning a first league title for seven years at 7.413/2

Value to be found in battle of the Borussias

Five defeats in a row have plunged Dortmund into the Bundesliga relegation zone; that they've lost each of those games by the odd goal suggests they're not playing as badly as their form suggests. 5.85/1 for unbeaten Moenchengladbach to continue that run with victory in Dortmund still seems generous, though.

Inter to enter the top three?

While last season's top two, Juventus and Roma, are slowly edging clear at the top of Serie A, the race for third seems wide open, with at least half a dozen clubs having designs on a Champions League place. Inter should be one of them, even though they're currently in 10th. That's just four points off third, after all, and 4.03/1 to finish in the top three is decent value.

Relegation six pointer to end all square in Serie A

Bottom-placed Chievo host fellow strugglers Cesena next weekend. Both sides desperately need three points but with just 12 goals between them this season, one apiece is far more likely. Why not try 0-0 at 8.07/1?

Real and Rayo to serve up rare low-scorer

With Real Madrid scoring for fun and mid-table perennials Rayo Vallecano committed to attacking football, whatever the opposition, it's no surprise that there little value in this game having more than 4.5 goals at 2.186/5, especially when you consider there were five goals in each fixture last season. Under 2.5 goals, though? 5.04/1 is tempting - Rayo managed a 0-0 draw with champions Atletico earlier in the season, after all.