It’s now the home stretch for European soccer. This month-and-a-half span is where we see guys go balls to wall. For the most part, the champions for all these leagues have been ultimately wrapped up, but the races for European competition spots and to avoid relegation. Everyone’s got stuff to play for. Hitting three countries today, let’s roll.

We normally start in England for the World Tour, but it’d be a sin to not start with the biggest game in all of soccer. I’m talking El Clasico. Barcelona v. Real Madrid. The white and gold versus the red and blue. Both of these clubs are making pushes toward the top spot in La Liga as Atletico Madrid is throwing their lead down the drain. Real Madrid are looking to beat Barca for 3rd consecutive time, the first since 1976. It will be interesting to see how Real does without Sergio Ramos containing Messi, but his absence didn;t seem to hinder them against Liverpool in the Champions League this past week. Both of these squads haven’t lost a La Liga games in their last 18 matches. Anything can happen in a rivalry game, and the juice of a draw at +265 is too much to not take. Don’t hate the over of 3 goals at +100 either, but I may not play it.

Moving to England. Only on 2 plays for Saturday, and the first play is something that hurts my heart, but I have to bet the farm on Chelsea -1 at -110 against Crystal Palace. This is Chelsea’s first EPL game back following their disaster showing against West Brom. Expect Chelsea to bring the hammer down against a Palace bunch who were lucky to get a point against Everton last matchday. The 2nd EPL play for this fine Saturday is a game that already started but you can catch it live if you’re up. It’s the over of 2.5 goals at -130 in the Man City/Leeds game. It would be criminal to take the under, so I’ll hammer the over in what should be a high-paced game. Need Leeds to get one early so City have to turn up the heat.

Bonus Barney Bolognese pick: AC and Inter Milan money line parlay at even money.

Huge day of soccer for the kid who’ll be planted on the couch after his covid shot yesterday. As always, kick it easy.

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