Nervy time for strugglers

The relegation battles in Germany and Spain are wide open, with a host of clubs in danger, and there are several crucial clashes this weekend.

Kaiserslautern are in the last relegation spot in the Bundesliga on 27 points, but the three teams above them (Frankfurt, Mainz and Wolfsburg) are within touching distance. Those three have hard games this weekend, with Frankfurt going to Stuttgart, Mainz at home to Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg at Arminia Bielefeld. The best bet is Bielefeld to beat Wolfsburg, who have a poor away record. They have lost 10 of 15 away, averaging just a goal per game and conceding 37. Bielefeld have won seven of their last 11 at home.

In Spain no team below 11th are safe, with six points covering the eight sides from 12th to 19th. Several of those teams look vulnerable at home.

Second-bottom Cadiz host Deportivo, who are the third-best away side in the Primera Liga. Cadiz have yet to beat a top-eight side home or away, with 11 defeats out of 16, while Deportivo's only defeats in their last 12 away came against Barcelona and the two big Madrid clubs.

Third-bottom Alaves have a difficult task at home to Atletico Madrid, who have been the best side in Spain bar the top three since Pepe Murcia took over as manager in early January. They have lost only one of their last seven away and are a solid handicap chance.

Fifth-bottom Mallorca host Osasuna, who still have a chance of claiming automatic entry to the Champions League by finishing second. Osasuna have won 11 out of 16 home and away against the bottom nine sides and rate a solid handicap chance too.