As the festive period gets into full swing, so does the competitive action across soccer’s top five divisions. The Bundesliga hosts its final round of matches before the winter break across the coming weekend, while there is also high-quality action set for Serie A and La Liga.
Bundesliga Soccer Picks Today
Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Mainz
Fierce rivals collide in the Bundesliga on Saturday, as Eintracht Frankfurt host Mainz. The advantage is with the home side, as they are unbeaten in their last eight against their local rivals.
But, confidence within the Mainz camp will be high after winning four of their last five; their best run of form in the Bundesliga in 14 years.
However, Frankfurt’s unbeaten home start to the season is hard to ignore, meaning that a return to winning ways is expected for the hosts.
Stuttgart vs. St. Pauli
Stuttgart have avoided defeat in their last eleven competitive matchups against St. Pauli, winning ten of the clashes over that period.
The hosts have been a standout story in the Bundesliga this calendar year, winning a staggering 62 points from 32 matches, which is their best return in 17 years.
St. Pauli have made their second-worst start to a Bundesliga season, and have lost four of their last five on the road. Therefore, Stuttgart looks like the most viable betting angle on Saturday.
Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Monchengladbach
Borussia Monchengladbach have won four of their last six matches against Hoffenheim since the start of the 2021-22 season.
They also come into this round in excellent recent form, having lost just once in their last eight.
Contrastingly, Hoffenheim have failed to win in six of their last seven, and have not kept a clean sheet in their last 27 Bundesliga home matches. Therefore, preference rests with the visiting team on Saturday.
Werder Bremen vs. Union Berlin
Union Berlin have won six of their last eight matches against Werder Bremen. However, the home side are enjoying their best start to a Bundesliga season in 14 years after picking up 22 points from their opening 14 matches.
Union have failed to win in their last seven in the league, and have scored the third-fewest goals in Germany this season.
Werder have excelled at home, avoiding defeat in their last three, and they are chasing a third straight win without conceding since 2009.
Holstein Kiel vs. Augsburg
A first Bundesliga showdown between Augsburg and Holstein Kiel is set for this weekend. The hosts are enduring the worst start by a debuting team in Bundesliga history since 1965-66.
They have suffered defeats in each of their last five matches, and have conceded a league-high tally of 37 goals this season. Augsburg’s recent form does also raise questions after winning once in their last six.
The fact that both sides have struggled to score this season means that the chances of a draw are high.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Freiburg
Bayer Leverkusen completed the double over Freiburg last season, and are chasing three straight wins against their opponents for the first time since 2010.
Freiburg have gone three without defeat, and only Leverkusen have won more points over that period. Leverkusen have hit their stride once again in recent weeks after winning four on the bounce.
A successful end to a memorable 2024 looks likely for the hosts at BayArena.
Serie A Soccer Picks
Torino vs. Bologna
Bologna have kept clean sheets in three of their last five matches against Torino in Serie A. The hosts have stuttered in front of goal in recent weeks, scoring just twice in their last seven in Italy’s top division.
Torino have also conceded a maximum of one goal in 15 of their 17 home matches this year. Bologna look like the solid angle after winning five of their last seven in Serie A.
Genoa vs. Napoli
Napoli have suffered just two defeats in their last 27 Serie A matches against Genoa, with the side from Naples winning on 17 occasions over the same period.
However, Genoa have been defensively solid in their last three, keeping clean sheets in all matches. That strong defensive record could be key to consider on Saturday, meaning that the bet is for the points being shared.
Lecce vs. Lazio
Lazio boast an impressive 53% win rate across their matches with Lecce in Serie A. However, Lecce have won each of their last three home matches against the team from Rome.
The hosts also come into this round chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since April, and they are unbeaten in their last four. Lazio have allowed nine goals across their last three, and that shaky record could mean that there’s value in the home win.
La Liga Soccer Picks
Getafe vs. Mallorca
Mallorca have avoided defeat in their last three against Getafe, winning twice over that period. However, Mallorca are looking for successive wins on the road against their rival for the first time in history.
Getafe have scored at least once in all home matches against Mallorca, and they bring better form into this showdown after winning two of their last four in La Liga.
Celta Vigo vs. Real Sociedad
Celta Vigo have failed to win in their last eight league matches against Real Sociedad, losing on six occasions across that period. Sociedad have won on their last five visits to Celta Vigo.
The hosts have won two their last three home matches, but Sociedad remain the solid angle after avoiding defeat and keeping clean sheets in their previous three.
Osasuna vs. Athletic Bilbao
Osasuna have recorded wins in two of their last four home matches against Bilbao. However, the visitors still boast the better overall record after winning 19 of the 39 league meetings in the 21st century.
Osasuna have played out draws in their last four, while Bilbao have avoided defeat in their previous nine. The fact that both sides have been difficult to beat is noted, meaning that the draw at El Sadar could be an interesting selection.
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