Fans in Serie A will be glad the international break is over after their national team has just suffered another catastrophic World Cup campaign, losing to the Republic of North Macedonia and, in doing so, losing their ticket to Qatar 2022.
It was the worst nightmare for Azzurri fans who suffered the humiliation of missing out on Russia 2018 before winning Euro 2020. The most recent Italy loss has raised questions as to just how England managed to lose to Roberto Mancini’s men in the Euro final last summer and the inquest is likely to go on for quite a while. But while fans of the international team are still wiping away the tears, the Scudetto is a superb distraction and is set to produce the most exciting climax in Europe.
2021 champions Inter Milan looked to be in control at the turn of the year but, with just one win in seven, they have slipped to third place, six points behind leaders AC Milan though with a game in hand. And with eight league games to go, just seven points separate the top four and the latest Serie A 2022 betting odds have installed Milan as favourites at odds of 2.35, with Inter at 2.75, Napoli at 4.00 and Juventus coming into view at a price of 10.00.
This weekend’s fixtures have thrown up a cracker as the Old Lady entertains Inter, in the knowledge they would leapfrog their opponents and potentially blow the title race wide open with a victory. There is more intrigue in this clash as I Nerazzurri are reported to be keen to sign Juventus’ out of contract striker Paulo Dybala in the summer, though they could face competition for the Argentine from Premier League giants Chelsea.
I Rossoneri have been grinding out the results, beating Cagliari 1-0 before the break. Milan fans will hope for a draw in Turin, in the hope they can extend their advantage with a win away to Bologna, while second placed Napoli have a huge test away to fifth placed Atalanta.
It’s all heating up in Italy, but what’s happening elsewhere in Europe?
Have Los Blancos recovered from El Clasico humiliation?
If Italian supporters are united in their grief for their national team, the Spanish league supporters are more divided than ever. Just before the international break, Catalonia and Spain was split apart as Barcelona hammered league leaders Real Madrid 4-0. The Blaugrana dismantled Los Blancos with such ease that it was hard to understand how Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid are nine points clear at the top of the La Liga table, while Barca are clawing their way back in third place.
Xavi’s revolution is gathering pace sure enough, and the form of January recruit Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang has been sensational. He ended Los Blancos’ five match winning run in El Clasico with a well taken brace while fellow new recruit Ferran Torres was on target too and Ronald Araujo made it 4-0. The Spanish press described it as a black night for Los Blancos but surely they won’t get the wobbles now? Either way, Barcelona are starting to look like a force to be reckoned with again, which can be no bad thing for Spanish football.
BVB have seven games left to catch Bayern
The Bundesliga isn’t a done deal quite yet either. Okay FC Bayern are six points ahead but with seven games left Borussia Dortmund are still just about in the hunt. They missed a trick before the break though, drawing 1-1 away to Cologne and, this weekend, BVB’s home game against Red Bull Leipzig is the Bundesliga match of the weekend. At SBOTOP odds of 2.27 Die Schwarzgelben are backed to pick up the three points but only just. Red Bull are priced at 2.63 while the draw is at 3.59.
Before the international break, a clash at home to Frankfurt presented Red Bull with a stiff test and they emerged with a 0-0 draw which kept them in fourth place on goal difference, so they too will be hoping to find some momentum at the crucial time. Much depends on the continued form of Leipzig’s striker Christopher Nkunku which has attracted the interest of FC Bayern and Manchester United.
Bids in for Chelsea by 11th April
During the international break the Premier League 2022 news has been dominated by the sale of Chelsea by Roman Abramovich and, it seems, a conclusion is creeping closer as final bids are to be submitted by 11th April.
There are currently four bidders lined up including the Ricketts family, Sir Martin Broughton, Todd Boehly and Atalanta co-owner Stephen Pagliuca and a new owner should be in place for the 2022/23 season.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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