Tuesday is one of those lounge back in the recliner and pull up multiple screens type of soccer day.
Manchester United, Juventus and Lazio are all are in action, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid face off in a heavyweight showdown in La Liga.
You’re going to want to keep those multiple screens available for Wednesday and Thursday as well.
On Wednesday, we get four Premier League and La Liga games plus six from Serie A, where goals flew in at a rapid pace this weekend.
Thursday’s matchup between Manchester City and Liverpool carries less meaning since the Reds locked up the Premier League title last week, but it’s still a very intriguing matchup, especially from a betting perspective.
Liverpool is somehow a high-value underdog going into the Etihad Stadium, and it would be foolish to not bet the number there.
Let’s see if we can stay hot after a successful last week. I caught fire over the weekend and Larry Henry Jr. rattled off some midweek winners.
As always, our odds come from the fine folks at DraftKings Sportsbook.
To. The. Picks!!!
Joe Tansey
Record: 37-40 (7-2 weekend record)
Manchester City vs. Liverpool
Liverpool at +230? I mean, c’mon, how do you not take that? Bet the number.
Sure, the Reds have the EPL title locked up, but this isn’t a team that is just going to stop playing full throttle just because it won.
This is a statement game to show why Jurgen Klopp’s side is a worthy champion.
Pick: Liverpool (+230)
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
While we’ve been busy focusing on Barca’s struggles in the title race, Atletico Madrid reeled off four consecutive victories.
Barca needs a win at the Camp Nou to keep in touch with Real Madrid, and that could mean a free-flowing 90 minutes.
The January meeting between these two sides produced five goals, which is an outlier compared to the recent trend of one or two tallies occurring in the matchup.
I’m going against the trend with Barca’s need for urgency driving my thought process.
Pick: Over 2.5 (+100)
Torino vs. Lazio
Lazio must put pressure on Juventus in the Serie A title race.
The second-place side in Italy hits the field two hours before the league leader, and it must close the gap to one point, even if its only for a few hours.
Lazio stormed past Torino with four goals in their last meeting, and I expect more of the same from the side with better overall quality.
Pick: Lazio (-132)
Other Picks
Lecce vs. Sampdoria
I’ll admit it’s dangerous to bet on a 17th-versus-18th clash in Serie A, but it has the potential to be exciting given the stakes and Lecce’s propensity to concede.
Pick: Over 2.5 (-134)
Real Sociedad vs. Espanyol
Espanyol has more talent than its 20th-place standing in La Liga suggests.
Its best chance to pull off a victory comes Thursday against a Real Sociedad side that is on a four-game losing streak.
Pick: Espanyol (+300)
Newcastle United vs. Bournemouth
I’ll be riding with the first-half under trend in the Premier League once again.
I think the best chance of it happening is Wednesday’s match at St. James’ Park. Both Newcastle United and Bournemouth have struggled to score since the restart.
Pick: 1st-Half Under 0.5 (+155)
Preston North End vs. Derby County
Derby County is on the best form in the English Championship with four straight wins.
While the Rams enter Wednesday with plenty of momentum, Preston North end does not, as it has not won since February 22.
Pick: Derby County (+185)
Larry Henry Jr.
Record: 28-35 (6-2 last week)
Manchester City vs. Liverpool
The top two teams meet in the English Premier League, with Manchester City needing a bounce-back result following last week's loss at Chelsea.
Subsequently, the defeat clinched a first league title for Liverpool since 1990. Liverpool rolled past the Citizens 3-1 earlier this season and are a steal at +230 on the road, having lost only once in league play.
Pick: Liverpool (+230)
Sheffield United vs. Tottenham
One point separates Sheffield United and Tottenham in the race for a top-four finish.
Spurs picked up an important 2-0 victory over West Ham United last week. Sheffield United is riding a three-game losing streak. With plenty of offensive firepower to choose from, including the dangerous Harry Kane, I expect Spurs to pick up a road victory.
Pick: Tottenham (-103)
Bologna vs. Cagliari
Cagliari is a point above hosts Bologna and a midweek victory will move it over 40 points. Cagliari has also won two of its last three head-to-head meetings against Bologna.
Pick: Cagliari (+255)
Hellas Verona vs. Parma
Hellas Verona and Parma are level on 39 points and remain in the race for a top-seven finish.
Parma suffered a late defeat at the hands of Inter Milan this past weekend while Hellas Verona tied Sassuolo in a six-goal affair. Verona claimed seven of its 10 league wins at home this season and I like that number to increase following Wednesday's affair.
Pick: Hellas Verona (+104)
Other Picks
Leganes vs. Sevilla
Sevilla picked up a 1-0 victory against struggling Leganes earlier this season and I'm going with it for a season sweep.
Pick: Sevilla (-120)
Deportivo Alaves vs. Granada
Granada is a road dog at Alaves on Wednesday despite sitting eight points clear of its opponents. Going with the season sweep once again following Granada's 3-0 triumph back in December.
Pick: Granada (+250)
Wigan Athletic vs. Stoke City
Wigan Athletic looked destined for relegation earlier this year, but have since rolled off an eight-match unbeaten run highlighted by back-to-back wins. The Latics’ current success speaks for itself while Stoke is coming off a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough.
Pick: Wigan Athletic (+170)