(Editor’s Note: Technical difficulties prevented the posting of this early Saturday morning. Our apologies.)
SATURDAY PICKS
This is a pivotal weekend across Europe, before the second legs of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League midweek.
In Germany, RB Leipzig will host Wolfsburg. The main stat to know here is that in the last four games for each team (eight total games), the games have combined to have 42 goals, coming out to over five per game. Look for Leipzig to continue its push for UEFA Champions League football next season, but for the teams to pile on the goals.
Ajax needs to win Saturday to keep its lead in the Eredivisie, but it also has a huge Champions League match Tuesday in Turin. Saturday’s match with second-to-last Excelsior should be an easy one, even if Ajax rests a few players.
In Spain, Atletico Madrid can guarantee a Champions League spot for next season with two more wins, and that should start today. Atleti has won four of the last five against Celta Vigo, although it did lose 2-0 in early September.
Porto trails Benfica by goal difference in the Primeira League, and will have its chance to go back ahead with a win Saturday. Porto has beaten Portimonense eight times from nine matches, including four of five on the road.
GERMANY BUNDESLIGA
RB Leipzig (-175) vs. Wolfsburg (+475), draw (+320), 9:30 a.m. (FS1 and Fubo.tv)
THE PICKS:
RB Leipzig ML (-175)
RB Leipzig and both teams to score yes (+200)
Over 2.5 goals (-162)
NETHERLANDS EREDIVISIE
Ajax (-1400) vs. Excelsior (+2800), draw (+1000), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
THE PICKS:
Ajax -1 first half (+115)
Ajax -1 (-450)
Ajax -2 (-182)
PORTUGAL PRIMEIRA LEAGUE
Portimonense (+650) vs. Porto (-225), draw (+350), 1 p.m. (GOL TV and Fubo.tv)
THE PICKS:
Porto ML (-225)
Porto -1 (+115)
SPAIN LA LIGA
Atletico Madrid (-212) vs. Celta Vigo (+600), draw (+310), 12:30 p.m. (beIN Sports and Fubo.tv)
THE PICKS:
Atletico Madrid ML (-212)
Atletico Madrid -1 (+138)