After the midweek continental action, the focus returns to domestic football on Friday and we have tips for games in the Championship, Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.
Coventry can earn promotion by earning a point at battling Blackburn and in Italy, European contenders Como are backed for a win on the road, while leaders Inter are ready to outdo their Sardinian visitors.
Lens are back in action and can close the gap on Ligue 1 pacesetters Paris Saint-Germain to a point, albeit having played twice more, while FC Koln’s Bundesliga survival chances also look set to be boosted against a direct rival.
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Friday’s football tips
Bet of the Day
Blackburn vs Coventry – Draw @ 12/5
Coventry need a point to guarantee promotion and the Championship leaders may have to settle for the draw they need on their trip to 19th-placed Blackburn.
The Sky Blues were left frustrated by Saturday’s home 0-0 with already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday, the second game in a row in which they had been held to a goalless tie, following Easter Monday’s stalemate at Hull.
Blackburn are making a real fist of survival under Michael O’Neill and are currently unbeaten in five.
That run has included wins at Millwall and Birmingham, as well as draws with Middlesbrough, West Brom and Stoke.
Those results have contributed to Rovers’ 12 draws this season, while Cov are also in double-figures with 10, so don’t be surprised to see another tie on Friday at a meaty price.
Bet Builder
Sassuolo vs Como – Como to win, Both Teams to Score, Nico Paz to Score and Andrea Pinamonti to Score @ 13/1
Como have progressed from underdogs for European qualification to the real deal in Serie A, although their eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions was ended by last Sunday’s 4-3 defeat to leaders Inter.
They have avoided defeat in their last nine on the road – a run stretching back to December 15’s 1-0 loss at Roma – and the fifth-placed side can move into the top four with a win at Sassuolo on Friday.
Como have beaten the Neroverdi twice already this season without conceding, but that 3-0 Coppa d’Italia victory and 2-0 league win were at home by the lake, and Sassuolo have won three of their last four at the Mapei Stadium, so are worth backing to get a goal.
That could come through Andrea Pinamonti, who has scored four times in his last seven appearances, including twice in his last three.
However, few can match Nico Paz’s current form, the Argentine having moved onto 13 goals for club and country this season after netting in the Inter defeat.
Acca
Como, Inter, Lens and FC Koln to win @ 13/2
Como to win is an obvious place to start our acca, while Inter should also have too much at home to Cagliari.
In France, Lens, fresh from having last weekend off following the LFP’s decision to postpone their game against Paris Saint-Germain, look too good for Toulouse.
They did play a friendly against Rouen, winning 2-1, and 13 victories in their last 14 competitive home games suggest they can see off a Toulouse team who look safe from Ligue 1 relegation yet are too far back to push for European qualification.
Finally, to the Bundesliga, where FC Koln can kick on from their 3-1 win over Werder Bremen by beating another relegation rival, St Pauli.
The Billy Goats sit 13th in the table, five points ahead of their hosts in Hamburg, who occupy the relegation playoff place and have failed to win their last five.
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