Spanish La Liga
Fixture: Valladolid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Venue: Estadio Jose Zorrilla (Valladolid home)
Kick-off: 7pm BST (Saturday)
Verdict: We should keep a lid on it this week as most European leagues are in their infancy this season form needs to be worked out, which is why Barcelona and Real Madrid fanciers took a bath last week. That said Atletico Madrid are in pristine form this season, which they proved with a 4-0 demolition of Schalke 04 in the Champions League and an opening day 4-0 win against Malaga. Valladolid are a strong side, but Madrid are good enough to push on and challenge throughout the season.
Betting Advice: 2pts Atletico Madrid win at 13/10 (2.3 at Bet Direct, Skybet and Stan James)
Fixture: Almeria 2-2 Valencia
Venue: Estadio del Mediterraneo (Almeria home)
Kick-off: 8pm BST (Sunday)
Verdict: Many people see a trip to Almeria as a possible banana skin for many big teams this season, but Valencia have the knowledge to surpass. Valencia's coach Unai Emery is the former coach of Almeria who was a big reason why the Mediterranean side had such a good season in their first season in the top flight last term. But with him gone Almeria may struggle, not particularly against a Valencia side who have have one of the most potent striking forces in David Villa and David Silva (although Silva has yet to start this season).
Betting Advice: 1pt Valencia to win at 33/20 (2.65 at Bet Direct and Stan James)
Italy Serie A
Fixture: Juventus 1-0 Udinese
Venue: Stadio della Alpi (Juventus home)
Kick-off: 7.30pm BST (Sunday)
Verdict: I'm backing Juventus to put a disappointing draw last time out to one side and restart their campaign at home with a resounding win. Udinese started the season well with a 3-1 win at home to Palermo in the first round of matches. But that is not as impressive as it sounds as Palermo are a club in transition they have brought in 12 new players for this season, and their coach admitted it is going to be "at least four or five games" before they reach any level.
Betting Advice: 3pts Juventus win at 4/7 (1.571428 at Skybet)
Fixture: Palermo 3-1 Roma
Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera (Palermo home)
Kick-off: 5pm BST (Saturday)
Verdict: Palermo's coach Stefano Colantuono's comments above are the main reason why Roma are likely to snatch three points away from the Stadio Olimpico this weekend. Last season's second-placed side were held at home to Napoli in the first week of Serie A, but did not look like they had lost their mojo. An all-at-sea Palermo should be rich pickings for a Roma side keen not to lose pace with the top of the table.
Betting Advice: 3pts Roma to win at 5/4 (2.25 at Blue Square and 888sport)
French Ligue 1
Fixture: Bordeaux 1-1 Marseille
Venue: Stade Chaban Delmas (Bordeaux home)
Kick-off: 8pm BST (Saturday)
Verdict: I am going into this tip with my eyes open because Bordeaux have had the Indian Sign over Marseille for such a long time at home the Southern side haven't won on the west coast since 1977. But Marseille have made such a good start to the season and I see them capable of challenging Lyon this year which makes too good an opportunity, and a price to miss.
Betting Advice: 1pt Marseille to win at 13/5 (3.6 at Bet Direct and Stan James)
Fixture: Paris St Germain 1-0 Nantes
Venue: Parc Des Princes (PSG home)
Kick-off: 8pm BST (Sunday)
Verdict: It is time to cash in on Paris St Germain who I believe are going to give a little bit of value in the early part of this season because of their appalling year last term. Nantes are bottom and PSG should be huge odds on for a game they are set to win quite comfortably.
Betting Advice: 4pts Paris St Germain to win at 8/13 (1.61538 at Canbet.com)
