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This is a massive week for Europe's biggest clubs and it starts with a bang tonight when Liverpool host bitter rivals Manchester United in the early live game. Both teams have important home ties in the Champions League to come, but they will be focused on tonight's clash. The edge is narrowly with Liverpool, mainly on account of their formidable home record. Apart from the two cup defeats against Arsenal in January, Liverpool have won 16 of 19 at Anfield.
However, if Arsenal can win at Anfield, not once but twice, obviously United can too. United have a good recent record in this fixture, with three wins and a draw from their last four league visits, but they have won only once from four games against Big Four rivals this season. That win was against Liverpool in the reverse fixture, but still there is a question mark over United's form in big matches.
There is an even more important clash in Spain, where second-placed Sevilla host leaders Barcelona. Sevilla have a home record to compare with Liverpool's (14 wins out of 18 in all competitions) and they are the handicap pick against the champions, who have underperformed on the road this season. Real Madrid could make up ground on the leaders with a home win over Getafe. The visitors have a mean defence but their attack is toothless. Getafe have lost eight out of eight when conceding the first goal. A mid-table Spanish side who should not be underestimated are Racing Santander, who have a good chance of a home win over Osasuna. Racing have lost only once in 12 games against teams below them in the table.
Eighth-placed Espanyol have beaten Barcelona and Sevilla at home this season and anything close to that form should bring another victory against Villarreal, who have taken only one away point against teams outside the bottom five.
The best bet in the English Premiership is Bolton in their derby against Blackburn. Bolton are unbeaten in six league games at home, with four wins. In the lower leagues, go for West Brom in their Championship clash against Sunderland, Nottingham Forest to score another win at home to Huddersfield in League One and Yeovil on the handicap at Port Vale. French side Nancy had a good draw at Lens last week and they could bounce back to winning ways at home to Le Mans, who are winless in six on the road. Hannover should put their midweek cup defeat behind them with victory in the German Bundesliga at Eintracht Frankfurt, who are sinking fast. Runaway Serie A leaders Inter should win at Livorno, though it could be worth checking the team sheet as Inter are likely to rest players ahead of their midweek Champions League tie.
Homes: Bolton, West Bromwich, Nottingham Forest, Espanyol, Santander, Real Madrid, Nancy.
Aways: Inter.
Handicap: Hannover, Yeovil.
