MONDAY IN EUROPE: The Ultra previews Monday’s games between MALLORCA v ATHLETIC BILBAO and SEVILLA v GIRONA all with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MALLORCA V ATHLETIC BILBAO
6pm Monday night football from Europe comes from La Liga this week where we have two fixtures on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. We start the evening with Mallorca hosting Athletic Bilbao, both sides were in action in the midweek round of fixtures last week where they both suffered defeats. It was a bitter pill to shallow for Athletic Bilbao because they could have jointed Real Betis on 49 points. That would have really opened up the race for those European spots – as it stands they started this matchday four points behind Villarreal in fifth and three behind Real Betis in sixth. They could easily still get into Europe however because Real Madrid are in the Final of the Copa del Rey so there might be an extra spot down the table in La Liga with Real win the Cup against Osasuna. Mallorca had to go to Atletico Madrid and came away with a 3-1 loss – I wouldn’t be too harsh on them given the way Atletico have been playing recently, there’s actually a decent chance that they can catch Real Madrid for second place with Real going to be focusing on the Champions League Semi-Final soon. We should have a good game here to start the evening, there’s plenty of spots between the pair in the table but only six points.
Athletic Bilbao come into the game trading as the favourites at 2.34, Mallorca are 3.9 and the draw is 3.1 at the time of writing. Mallorca have been a lot more solid at home this season compared to away from home. I wouldn’t say they have been poor away from home, but they only have 15 points from their 16 games. Athletic Bilbao have actually been marginally better away from home; if they won this game they would have more points away from home from the same number of games. Bilbao will be kicking themselves with their performance last week at home to Sevilla – it was exceptionally poor and they lost 1-0 with an xG figure of just 0.29. That hasn’t been like them at all recently. They had won four of their last five games heading into that. Perhaps they have been more suited to being away this season – their last three xG figures away from home have been 2.16, 2.39 and 3.15 – impressive figures. Mallorca are a solid side, but Bilbao create a lot more than them and as I said, being away suits them, so I’m happy to take the 2.34. Bilbao should be able to outclass this Mallorca side and get back to winning ways.
The Ultra Says:
Two points win Athletic Bilbao to beat Mallorca at 2.34 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/MalAth
SEVILLA V GIRONA
8pm Next we have Sevilla hosting Girona, and unlike the above fixture, both of these sides will be buzzing after wins last week. Girona managed to beat Real Madrid 4-2 which is no mean feat! While Sevilla outplayed Athletic Bilbao and grinded out a 1-0 win. After spending way too long in a relegation battle this season, a complete shock for Sevilla to be honest, they are finally heading in the right direction. That Europa League Semi-Final against Manchester United came a good time, and the turnaround at Old Trafford has seemingly given them a huge boost. Since coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 they have won four games in a row, including the very impressive 3-0 win here over Manchester United in the second leg. They are shooting up the La Liga table and don’t have to worry about relegation anymore – that being said missing out on European football next year will be a huge blow unless they win the Europa League. They have a Semi-Final coming up against Juventus soon there. Girona took full advantage of Real Madrid clearly easing off in La Liga recently last week, but it was still a huge success for them to win 4-2 against the Champions. Girona have been creating a lot of chances recently, and Real Madrid playing an open game suited them.
They won’t get the same tactics from Sevilla here. I can’t see Sevilla playing an open game! Sevilla have clearly had a lot of issues at the back this season, but they have found their confidence recently and a system that seemingly works. They clearly still have problems, issues as bad as Sevilla have this season don’t go away overnight, but they have only conceded once in their last four in all competitions. That’s progress considering their average xG conceded this season is 1.7. They come into the game as the big favourites at 2.03 with Girona 4.1 and the draw is 3.55. Girona actually have better under-lining numbers than Sevilla this season – they are creating more chances and conceding less. Girona have been a good side to watch this season, and you can tell from their xG figures that they like to play an open game. You feel this game just comes at a good time for Sevilla though, they have found their groove lately but the 2.03 is a little too short for me – I don’t see any value in that price and indeed I believe that’s making the market offer value on the draw price at 3.55. Girona have played well enough to get a result here, and the draw is worth a small bet from a value point of view.
The Ultra Says:
One point win Draw at 3.55 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/SevGir
