We may not have our national pastimes back yet for Fourth of July weekend, but there are plenty of games elsewhere to keep our interest during the next four days.
The Premier League, Serie A and La Liga once again have full slates of action, and there is plenty of drama brewing, especially in England.
The teams sitting in third through sixth place are separated by three points, and the group fighting for the final two UEFA Champions League positions could grow if Arsenal pulls off a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The fight is even more tense at the bottom of the table with a six-point gap between 15th and 19th place. The bottom three sides in the 20-team league are relegated.
La Liga and Serie A still have some title race fireworks, even though Real Madrid and Juventus are the front-runners to win those crowns.
We’re also paying some attention to the English Championship as the race to get promoted to the Premier League gets tighter.
Both of us are on a winning run so hopefully we keep it going with our weekend selections.
As always, the odds come from our friends over at DraftKings Sportsbook.
To. The. Picks.
Joe Tansey
Record; 41-43 (4-3 midweek record)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Arsenal
I think this will be the best, and most exciting, game of the Premier League weekend.
Wolves are clinging on to hope for a Champions League berth in sixth and have to win to keep pace with Manchester United and Chelsea. Arsenal has won two in a row and could sneak into the top-four discussion with three points.
I don’t have a money line lean, but I do thing the high stakes of the contest will produce goals. At least two tallies have been netted in each of their last three meetings, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raul Jimenez are two of the best scorers in the EPL.
Pick: Over 2.5 (+112)
Leicester CIty vs. Crystal Palace
The top-four race is so competitive because Leicester City experienced a dip in form since the restart.
The Foxes have two draws and a loss in their last three games and need to rebound Saturday against Crystal Palace to keep their one-point advantage over Chelsea for third place.
Crystal Palace does not have much to play for and it dropped its last two games.
Pick: Leicester City (-150)
Two-Team Parlay: Barcelona and Real Madrid (+204)
Given Barcelona’s recent form, this is far from a sure thing, but it carries enough value that I can’t pass it up.
Real Madrid has won every game since the restart and it carries a favorable money line number against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona is more of a question since it has two straight draws and visits fifth-place Villarreal, but it will enter Sunday afternoon’s game with the knowledge of Real Madrid’s result, and that could be the motivation it needs to win.
Other Picks
Atletico Madrid vs. Mallorca
Atletico Madrid has scored at least two goals in three of its last five games and Mallorca has conceded the most goals in La Liga. Over 2.5 has a bit of value, but I’m taking a risk with a larger value attached to the bigger over.
Pick: Over 3.5 (+225)
Granada vs. Valencia
This pick has more to do with fading Valencia than anything. It is in the worst form of the top 10 teams in Spain and Granada is a much better home side.
Pick: Granada (+190)
Inter vs. Bologna
Inter has put up 11 goals in the last three games. I think it will continue that hot run of form at home against a weaker Bologna side.
Pick: Over 2.5 (-152)
Derby County vs. Nottingham Forest
My betting loyalties change fast. After winning with Derby County midweek, I’m rolling with Nottingham Forest as the underdog. Forest is three spots ahead of the Rams in the promotion playoff race and won its last three meetings with the seventh-place side.
Pick: Nottingham Forest (+200)
Larry Henry Jr.
Record: 32-37 (4-3 midweek)
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Arsenal
Wolves are riding a three-match winning streak in league play, with clean sheets in all three victories. Following Manchester United's midweek win, the sixth-place side will need another impressive home win to stay in the hunt for the top four.
Arsenal may have beaten Southampton and Norwich City in recent weeks, but Wolves are a different animal then the two bottom-half teams.
Pick: Wolverhampton Wanderers (+130)
Lazio vs. AC Milan
Lazio remains in the title race, as it sits four points behind leader Juventus. With back-to-back wins in its pockets, Lazio will now try to knock off AC Milan. Ciro Immobile leads the team with 29 goals and should help Lazio pick up a third-consecutive win over its visitors.
Pick: Lazio (+135)
Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid
Real Madrid is in control of the La Liga title race.
Sunday's trip to Athletic Bilbao for Los Blancos will be a tough one, but the visitors are unbeaten in their last seven head-to-head meetings. Karim Benzema has three goals in his last two appearances against Bilbao and has 17 league goals in total this season.
Picks: Real Madrid (-162), Karim Benzema to score (+114)
Other Picks
Napoli vs. Roma
Both Napoli and Roma suffered midweek losses in league play and seek bounce-back wins in their fight for European qualification next season. Roma has won two of its last four head-to-head meetings with Napoli, including a 2-1 victory in November.
Pick: Roma (+230)
Burnley vs. Sheffield United (+175)
Sheffield United picked up its first win since the restart by thumping Tottenham 3-0. I like the Blades to sweep the season series over Burnley at Turf Moor Sunday.
Pick: Sheffield United (+175)
Real Valladolid vs. Alaves
Only a point separates Valladolid and Alaves in their race for league survival. Alaves has lost four in a row, but has defeated Valladolid in two of the last three head-to-head meetings. Rolling with the visitors to break their slide.
Pick: Alaves (+220)
Bristol City vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City is riding a five-match unbeaten run heading into Saturday's road match at Bristol City.
The Bluebirds are holding onto the final playoff place in the EFL Championship and have edged Bristol City in four of the last six meetings. Bristol City has lost its last three league matches and scored only two goals in that span.
Pick: Cardiff City (+120)