European Football Tips: Who should you add to your weekend accumulator?

The top flights in Spain, France and Italy conclude this weekend and football expert Greg Lea has provided his tips for several of the most consequential matches taking place.

Troyes v Lille

Kick-off: 8pm Saturday

Only the top three in Ligue 1 qualify for the Champions League, so fourth-placed Lille will be looking to hold onto the Europa League spot this weekend. They lead Rennes and Monaco by a point, so a win against relegated Troyes would be sufficient.

It is hard to see Lille passing up this opportunity given their opponents have nothing to play for, so a clean sheet and victory could be in the offing.

Prediction: Lille to win to nil @ 2.14 

Auxerre v Lens

Kick-off: 8pm Saturday 

Ligue 1 is slimming down to 18 sides next term, so four clubs will go down this season. Three spots have already been filled, but Auxerre and Nantes are both looking to keep their heads above water with the other place remaining vacant. The former have a two-point advantage going into matchday 38.

Lens have enjoyed a fantastic season and they will be tough to beat, despite the fact the title is now out of reach. Still, given the hosts’ desperation to pick up a positive result, backing Auxerre’s top scorer Nuno da Costa to find the net seems value. 

Prediction: Nuno da Costa anytime goalscorer @ 3.25

Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao 

Kick-off: 5.30pm Sunday 

A point clear of Atletico Madrid after 37 rounds of fixtures, Real Madrid will wrap up second place if they get the better of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. This will not be an easy game, though, not least because the Basque outfit will qualify for the Europa Conference League if they better Osasuna’s result against Girona. 

That being said, Madrid will be determined to end the season on a high and they should get the job done in front of their own fans.

Prediction: Real Madrid to win @ 1.97

AC Milan v Hellas Verona

Kick-off: 8pm Sunday

Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks set to play the last game of his professional career this weekend ahead of his mooted retirement in the summer. But that does not mean the 41-year-old will necessarily appear from the start - something he has done just once in Serie A this term.

Olivier Giroud has scored four goals in his last two outings and the Frenchman will also be keen to make his mark against Hellas Verona, who need to better Spezia’s result against Roma to stay up.

Prediction: Olivier Giroud anytime goalscorer @ 2.48

Roma v Spezia

Kick-off: 8pm Sunday

A win for Spezia would guarantee survival in Serie A, but they will preserve their top-flight status regardless of the result at the Stadio Olimpico if AC Milan beat Hellas Verona. Expect the away team to receive regular updates from San Siro on Sunday night.

Roma will be on a downer after their penalty shoot-out defeat by Sevilla in Thursday’s Europa League final. The Giallorossi need to win to ensure they qualify for the Europa League, but do not be surprised if they are not at their best.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.85

Real Betis v Valencia 

Kick-off: 8pm Sunday 

Many in Spain would argue that Valencia are the third-biggest club in the country after Real Madrid and Barcelona. Yet heading into the final day, los Che are still involved in the relegation battle after a dismal campaign.

Thankfully for Valencia, their fate is in their own hands thanks to a two-point cushion above the bottom three. Six teams could still go down to the second tier, but Valencia only need a point to get over the line. They will therefore look to keep things tight against Real Betis.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.2

European Football Tips 

Troyes v Lille: Lille to win to nil @ 2.14
Auxerre v Lens: Nuno da Costa anytime goalscorer @ 3.25
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao: Real Madrid to win @ 1.97
AC Milan v Hellas Verona: Olivier Giroud anytime goalscorer @ 2.48
Roma v Spezia: Both teams to score @ 1.85
Real Betis v Valencia: Under 2.5 goals @ 2.2