European Leagues / James Eastham / 10 May 2009 / Leave a comment

We've reached the business end of the play-offs in England but there are also Cups and League titles to be distributed throughout Europe with the likes of Barca, Lazio and Bayern Munich all in action, says James Eastham.

Monday May 11

The market makes Newcastle's chances of avoiding relegation [1.87] but that price will surely shrink if they fail to beat Middlesbrough. Gareth Southgate's Teessiders are [1.36] to go down and [3.95] to earn a shock victory at St James' Park. Alan Shearer's hosts are [2.08] to win.

Preston and Sheffield United drew 1-1 in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Deepdale on Friday night and the teams appear so closely-matched a repeat scoreline at [7.2] looks a decent bet.

Tuesday May 12

The German title is one of the most exciting in Europe as four clubs - Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart and Hertha Berlin - have a realistic chance of claiming the prize. Wolfsburg face a potentially tricky fixture against sixth-placed Borussia Dortmund, while Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin travel to Koln.

Lyon have lost their grip on the French league title so it will be interesting to see how the outgoing champions' psychologically damaged players fare at home to relegation candidates Nantes.

Graham Alexander's late penalty gave Burnley a 1-0 win over Reading in the Championship semi-final play-off at Turf Moor on Saturday, making the Royals a tempting [2.24] in a tie that's far from over.

Celtic have fallen a point behind Rangers after losing 1-0 away to their Old Firm rivals on Saturday, so Gordon Strachan's side need a win at home to Dundee United to get their title defence back on track.

Wednesday May 13

Manchester United travel to Wigan, and it's difficult to see anything other than a game-in-hand victory for the champions. The Latics have lost four of their last five games and have an appalling record against Big Four visitors, so United's price of [1.39] appears justified.

Stuttgart will attempt to stay in touch at the top of the Bundesliga away at Schalke while relegation candidates Bochum need something from their trip to Hamburg.

In France, Marseille and Bordeaux are tied at the top on 68pts but the pair face potentially tricky away trips to Nice and Valenciennes respectively. Nice always raise their game against south-coast neighbours Marseille, while Valenciennes are a gutsy side with excellent home form (seven wins from nine). I'd want bigger than [1.9] on the title contenders before backing them.

There are two big domestic cup finals to look out for - Athletic Bilbao play Barcelona in the Spanish Cup final at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia while Lazio host Sampdoria in the Italian equivalent. Josep Guardiola's Catalans are [1.27] to lift the trophy and Lazio's home advantage (the Italian Cup final is being played at Stadio Olimpico) is reflected in their price of [1.61] to beat the Genoan visitors.

Rangers' fate is now in their own hands and they will stay top of the Scottish league if they beat Hibernian at Easter Road. Walter Smith's side are [1.54] to come away with all three points.

Thursday May 14

Neil Harris' 71st-minute winner gave Millwall a precious 1-0 victory over Leeds in their League One play-off semi-final first leg last Saturday - but it means you've missed the value if you fancied the Lions to reach the final. Kenny Jackett's side are now [1.8], although the market hasn't written off Leeds - they're [1.93] to come from behind to clinch a Wembley date.

Friday May 15

There's more play-off action as MK Dons host Scunthorpe following an excellent 1-1 draw at Glanford Park in the first leg. Roberto Di Matteo's side are in the driving seat, reflected in their price of [1.41] to reach the final.