Kevin Hatchard's European Football Tips: Ex-Everton striker to net, and Marseille to falter

Sevilla v Rayo Vallecano - Back sparks in Seville

Saturday 15 August, 20:30
Live on La Liga TV

While Sevilla were scrambling to avoid a costly relegation at the end of last season, Rayo Vallecano were busy reaching the first European final in their history. Although the men from Vallecas lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the final of the Conference League, getting that far in their maiden continental campaign was a miracle.

Rayo have lost left-back Pep Chavarria to Chelsea, but more importantly their inspirational coach Inigo Perez has moved to Villarreal. His replacement is the much-travelled Benat San Jose, and the 46-year-old must find a way of beating the odds like his predecessor.

Rayo can't play at their ground at Vallecas because of serious health and safety concerns (there are fears fans could contract Legionnaires' Disease), their training ground is a mess and the overall state of the facilities available to them is dreadful. Controversial owner Raul Martin Presa has been heavily criticised by fans and players alike, but change appears unlikely.

Sevilla don't have those problems, but a series of coaching changes has failed to halt the club's slide into mediocrity, and infighting at the top of the organisation has been a regular feature. The loss of key striker Akor Adams to Venezia is a blow, while the versatile Juanlu has gone to Bournemouth.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Both Teams To Score trading at evens here on the Exchange. 22 of Sevilla's 38 league games last term saw BTTS land, and both clubs have been struggling to keep clean sheets in pre-season. If you look at Sevilla's run-in last season, they managed just one shut-out in their final 11 matches.

Marseille v Strasbourg - L'OM to make false start

Friday 14 August, 19:45

Things are never calm at Marseille for long, and it's worth remembering that at the start of last season, Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot were both sold by the club after having a physical fight in the dressing room. A promising campaign then imploded, including a dramatic failure to qualify for the Champions League's knockout phase from a strong position.

Coach Roberto De Zerbi, president Pablo Longoria and sporting director Mehdi Benatia started last season at the Commanderie but have now gone, and Benatia recently gave a scathing interview about the lack of professionalism at the club among players and staff. Indeed, De Zerbi's mid-season replacement Habib Beye didn't last long, and now the experienced and well-respected Bruno Genesio is at the helm.

Marseille have sold Mason Greenwood (arguably their best player), Facundo Medina, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. Other key players like Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are being linked with moves away, and the summer recruitment drive is yet to seriously kick in. Some of the pre-season results have been encouraging, but this doesn't feel like a team ready to challenge PSG.

Visitors Strasbourg have also had a degree of upheaval, with coach Gary O'Neil departing and former Famalicao boss Hugo Oliveira taking his place. As expected, Argentine midfielder Valentin Barco has joined Chelsea, while first-choice keeper Mike Penders has gone back to Stamford Bridge, with Filip Jorgensen coming the other way.

This is a tip based on price, as I can't have a weakened Marseille 1.768/11 to win this game. They dropped points in five of their last 11 Ligue 1 home games of last season, and their squad has been significantly weakened since then. Lay the home side.

Fiorentina v Benevento - Kean can dominate cup clash

Friday 14 August, 20:15

Serie A doesn't kick off until next weekend, but to tide calcio fans over there is action from the Coppa Italia. After battling relegation for most of last season and mourning the death of popular owner Rocco Commisso, La Viola are in need of a positive season.

Former Lyon and Sassuolo boss Fabio Grosso has the task of taking the club forward, and he will be aided by some interesting signings. Real Madrid youngster Franco Mastantuono is desperate for game time, and the Argentinean midfielder should get it in Florence. Ivorian midfielder Christ Inao really caught the eye at the World Cup, while Premier League discards Alex Jimenez and Radu Dragusin have experience of Serie A. Midfielder Arthur Atta - who came in from Udinese - has been on the radar of Premier League clubs.

Benevento have just come up from Serie C, and this could be something of a leap for them this early in the season. However, they have been scoring freely in recent outings, so I'll back Fiorentina to win, BTTS and Moise Kean to score at 3/14.00 on the Featured Bet Builder section. Kean will spearhead the Fiorentina attack again this term, and he has netted 27 league goals across his last two seasons.

Now read Kev's PL Golden Boot preview here!