European football tips: Five selections for Saturday acca
We’ve got selections from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain for our latest European football tips and are chasing a 24.87 accumulator. Don’t forget to check out bwin’s Enhanced Accas page for daily price boosts on multiple bets from all over the world.
Analysis: The decline of Barcelona
Barcelona have gone from footballing superpower to international laughing stock in an alarmingly short space of time, but the seeds of their demise were sown by many years of poor management. The salary restriction imposed on them by La Liga has forced them to cut costs drastically, but they were a response to the enormous debts racked up by the club, which left them vulnerable when Covid-19 hit European football hard.
Which clubs will suffer most during the Africa Cup of Nations?
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on January 9 in Cameroon, with the final almost a month later on February 6. With African players fulfilling key roles at many top European clubs, whose domestic seasons will continue during the tournament, some absences will be keenly felt.
La Liga predictions: Saturday treble from Spain’s top flight
We’re continuing our regular La Liga predictions with a 6.59 Saturday treble from the latest round of fixtures in Spain’s top tier. After last season’s thrilling title race, the current campaign contains a whole host of talking points for punters to consider.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: More Clasico misery for Barca
The first Clasico of the season may not have quite the usual appeal due to the relative struggles of both teams but it remains a fixture which attracts global interest. It has been a tough season so far for Barca after the departure of Lionel Messi and defeat on Sunday would be a further setback for under-fire boss Ronald Koeman.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: No reprieve for Koeman
These are worrying times for Barcelona and Ronald Koeman could have done without a tough trip to Atletico Madrid heading into the international break. The Dutch manager is unlikely to survive another defeat at Wanda Metropolitano but it is hard to predict any other outcome.
What does it take to manage a top football club?
We’ve assessed the top football managers to see what it takes to be successful at one of Europe’s major clubs. Our great infographic looks at age, experience, past playing ability and local knowledge of major leagues and their current employers.
Lionel Messi transfer odds: PSG favourites to swoop
We’re tracking the latest Lionel Messi transfer news, rumours and odds for clues on where Lionel Messi could move to this summer. Barcelona sent shock waves across the football world when announcing the 34-year-old Argentina superstar was heading for the exit door.
Fixture difficulty: Which clubs have the toughest – and easiest – start to the new season?
The ‘big five’ European leagues have released their schedules for the 2021-22 season so we have analysed the fixture difficulty for them all. While every team has to play everyone else at some point, timing can be everything. A tough start can easily undermine a positive pre-season, while a gentle run of opening fixtures can provide the momentum necessary for a successful campaign.
Ballon d’Or odds: Messi could be in seventh heaven
Lionel Messi will look to extend his record of six Ballon d’Or titles when the annual football award returns. The 2020 award ceremony was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic but with football’s return to action, the 2021 edition will see the voting commence.
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news: PSG swap deal mooted
We’re tracking the latest Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news and rumours to see whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could move this summer. Despite turning 36 in February, Ronaldo was the leading scorer in Italy’s top flight last season when bagging 29 Serie A goals for Juventus.
Euro stars: Who will sign them this summer?
With Euro 2020 now over, attention is shifting to the upcoming domestic football season but the competition’s impact may be felt here as well. Until the first ball of a new campaign is kicked, the attention of fans tends to be fixated on the transfer market, where the Euro 2020 stars will have drawn the attention of the game’s big spenders.
Harry Kane transfer news: Manchester clubs favourites to swoop
With Euro 2020 now over, attention will switch to the new domestic season and we’re tracking the latest Harry Kane transfer news to see which teams could make a move. The England captain enjoyed another impressive tournament as his four goals helped the team go agonisingly close to winning the Euros, with Kane threatening to repeat his Golden Boot success at the 2018 World Cup.
La Liga winner odds: Ancelotti tipped to resurrect Real
Real Madrid are 5/4 joint-favourites in bwin’s La Liga winner odds after bringing back Carlo Ancelotti for a second spell as head coach. The 62-year-old Italian led the Whites to Champions League glory in 2014 and returns following an 18-month stint in charge of Everton.