In-play Football Tips: Don't be swayed by early goals at Barcelona

Atletico Madrid have let in just two in five against Barcelona

In-play ideas for three epic Sunday TV ties: Roma v Lazio, Man United v Southampton and Barcelona v Atletico Madrid...

Roma v Lazio
Sunday, 14:00
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Roma 2.186/5, Lazio 4.03/1, The Draw 3.3512/5

It is a fun time to support an Italian capital club, with Roma a mere point off Serie A leaders Juventus and Lazio occupying the third and final Champions League place. The Biancocelesti have won three of their last four, thrashing high-flying Sampdoria 3-0 on their return from winter break, while Roma are winless in three at Stadio Olimpico, so there is no guarantee of a Giallorossi triumph.

Perhaps the soundest in-play tactic is to back whoever scores first to win to nil in the event of a first-half goal. None of the most recent three derbies saw both teams net and likewise none of Roma's latest four encounters did, while a mere two of Lazio's past seven saw two sides score.

Man United v Southampton
Sunday, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: Man United 1.8810/11, Southampton 4.84/1, The Draw 3.814/5

Third place is on the line in this match, with Southampton able to take back what was formerly theirs if victorious at Old Trafford. However, Man United haven't lost at home since the opening day, winning eight of nine fixtures there since, as well as prevailing 2-1 when this pair met at St Mary's.

The key information for in-play operators is that the opening goal was cancelled out by the second in all of the previous six collisions between the Red Devils and the Saints this decade. Ronald Koeman's side haven't conceded successive strikes in a Premier League away game this term, and neither have Man United at home, so back whichever team leaks first to score second in the Next Goal market.

Barcelona v Atletico Madrid
Sunday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports 5

Match Odds: Barcelona 1.625/8, Atletico Madrid 6.411/2, The Draw 4.216/5

A draw won't help either of these clubs in light of Real Madrid's 3-0 success against Espanyol, as Carlo Ancelotti's men are now four points clear of both having played an identical number of games. It means that if there are losers at Camp Nou, those vanquished will struggle to revive their title bid.

The duo became really familiar last season when clashing on six occasions and there was a recurring theme: every single contest closed with two goals or fewer, despite the deadlock being broken within 12 minutes in two of them and 34 in another. Under 2.5 goals is currently 1.9420/21, but you will get an even bigger price in-play if the net ripples early on and you pick that moment to invest.