Top 5 football matches in January in Europe: teams and bets

As the new year unfolds, football enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating lineup of matches across Europe in January. From intense derbies to high-stakes clashes, here are the top 5 football matches that promise riveting action and potential betting opportunities.

Premier League football matches in January

West Ham vs Brighton

Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Time: 7.30 p.m UTC

Location: London Stadium, London, England

Preview on Premier League game

• With three consecutive Premier League victories, West Ham aims to maintain momentum into the new year after a successful 2-0 London Derby win over Arsenal. Currently standing sixth in the Premier League with 33 points from 19 matches, David Moyes’ team is on an impressive run, except for a 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the EFL Cup.

• Brighton, bouncing back with a 4-2 triumph against Tottenham, halted a three-game winless streak. Under Roberto De Zerbi, they’ve secured eight wins, five losses, and six draws, accumulating 30 points to claim the eighth spot in the league.

• Previous encounters between West Ham and Brighton delivered a total of 14 goals, setting the stage for an exciting clash at the London Stadium. With West Ham’s strong recent home form, both teams are poised to score in this game.

Pick: Both teams to score

Odds: 1.50

Top La Liga football matches in January

Girona vs Atletico Madrid

Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Time: 8.30 p.m UTC

Location: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Spain

Preview of the game

• Girona currently holds the second spot in La Liga, exceeding expectations this season. Despite a 1-1 draw with Real Betis last week, they aim to elevate their performance in the upcoming match.

• In contrast, Atletico Madrid stands third in the league and has displayed commendable form. Securing a 1-0 win against Sevilla in their last game, they seek a similar outcome this week.

• Possessing a strong squad, Atletico Madrid aims for consistent results, with Antoine Griezmann leading the charge. While Girona has been formidable in La Liga, occasional setbacks have occurred. After their recent 4-2 victory over Barcelona, they look to capitalize on their momentum against one of the “big three” in this fixture.

Pick: Total Over 2.5

Odds: 1.68

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Las Palmas vs Barcelona

Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024

Time: 8.30 p.m UTC

Location: Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain

Preview of the game

• As we approach the latest La Liga match, Las Palmas currently holds the ninth position with 25 points from 18 matches. In their recent outing, they faced a 1-0 defeat against Athletic Bilbao, extending their winless streak to two matches (one loss and one draw). Playing on their home turf this season, García Pimienta’s team secured four wins, and three draws, and suffered one loss in eight matches. Kirian Rodríguez has been a standout performer, scoring three goals so far.

• On the other side, the defending champions, Barcelona secured a 3-2 victory against Almeria, ending a two-game winless run and placing them in fourth position, seven points behind Real Madrid. Barcelona boasts the third-best away record in La Liga with three wins and five draws in eight games. Robert Lewandowski has been a key player for Barcelona, scoring eight goals in 16 league appearances this season.

• Las Palmas has faced challenges against Barcelona, with no wins in their last 14 La Liga matches (five draws and nine losses). Despite winning three of their previous six encounters, it marks their longest winless streak against Barcelona in the top flight.

Pick: Barcelona to win

Odds: 1.55

Top Serie A football matches this week

Bologna – Genoa

Date: Friday, January 5, 2024

Time: 7.45 p.m UTC

Location: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy

Preview of the game

• Despite Genoa’s recent improvement with three wins in their last eight games, including the past two at home, their relegation was confirmed after a 3-0 loss to Napoli. The team struggled offensively, having the fewest goals (27), home goals (14), and shots on target (102) in Serie A this season. They failed to score in seven of their last 11 games, highlighting their challenges in the final third.

• On the other hand, Bologna, managed by Sinisa Mihajlovic, can finish between 12th and 13th place. Despite a six-match unbeaten run, including four draws against top-six opponents, they faced setbacks with consecutive losses to Venezia and Sassuolo. Bologna hasn’t won an away game since before Christmas.

• Considering both teams have little at stake in their end-of-season encounter, and Genoa’s struggles in scoring, particularly with 12 of their last 15 games having under 2.5 goals, a low-scoring match is anticipated.

Pick: Total Under 2.5 goals

Odds: 1.50

Sassuolo vs Fiorentina

Date: Saturday, January 6, 2024

Time: 7.45 p.m UTC

Location: Mapei Stadium-Città del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia, Italy

Preview of the game

• Fiorentina is heading to Sassuolo for the last Serie A match on Friday, but their main focus is on the upcoming Europa Conference League final against West Ham next Wednesday. Both teams don’t have much at stake in the league, and Fiorentina is in better form. However, coach Vincenzo Italiano seems likely to rest some key players. This could allow Sassuolo to end the season on a positive note.

• Sassuolo hasn’t won in the last five games, but three of those were away matches. They’ve been performing well at the Mapei Stadium, with four wins in their last seven home games. On the other hand, Fiorentina has struggled on the road, being winless in their last four Serie A away matches (two draws, two losses). The home team has a chance to take advantage of Fiorentina’s situation.

• Sassuolo hasn’t kept a clean sheet in seven games, and they’ve scored two goals in two of their last three matches. Fiorentina has been consistent in scoring, with goals in eight of their last nine games. In six of Fiorentina’s last eight matches, both teams have scored. Even if Fiorentina doesn’t secure any points, they are likely to find the back of the net in the final match.

Pick: Both teams to score

Odds: 1.60

As these top-tier matches unfold, football fans and betting aficionados alike can anticipate a thrilling month of January. This month is filled with memorable moments on the pitch and exciting prospects for strategic wagers. Stay tuned for these epic showdowns that are sure to set the tone for an action-packed year of European football.