Kevin Hatchard's European Tips: Doughty Dortmund to at least pick up a point | OneFootball

European Football Tips

This week Kev has tips from Germany, Italy and France

After securing another profit last week with two winners from three picks, Kevin Hatchard's back with his best bets from the continent...

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RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund - In-form visitors can avoid defeat

Saturday 21 February, 17:30Live on Sky Sports

February could prove to be a pivotal month for Borussia Dortmund. They have cut the gap between them and Bayern to six points in the title race, and next weekend they will welcome the Bavarian giants to Signal Iduna Park. In the Champions League, they have just built a 2-0 first-leg lead in their playoff against Atalanta, and in the league they have won six matches in a row.

BVB have become a determined defensive outfit under the pragmatic leadership of coach Niko Kovac, and they have only conceded one goal fewer than Bayern in the top division. They have lost just once in the league this term, and in Kovac's 59 games in charge, they have suffered only 11 defeats.

Norwegian right-back Julian Ryerson has developed into an assist machine of late - he set up all four goals against Mainz last weekend, and put in a glorious cross for Serhou Guirassy's opener against Atalanta. Guirassy's return to form has come at a welcome time - the Guinea international has netted six goals in his last four competitive appearances.

RB Leipzig are still in the mix for Champions League qualification, but they are far from flawless, and a largely young team has failed to maintain the momentum it built up in the early part of the campaign. Leipzig have won just three of their last ten matches in all competitions, including just one of the last five at the Red Bull Arena.

I can't see why in-form Dortmund are the firm outsiders here, and we can back them +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at evens. A Dortmund win gives us a full payout, and a draw gives us half a point of profit.

Lecce v Inter - Dazzling Dimarco to help leaders bounce back

Saturday 21 February, 17:00Live on TNT Sports 1

Like many favourites in recent years, Inter were vanquished by an extraordinary Bodo/Glimt side on Wednesday in the playoff round of the Champions League. The Serie A table-toppers lost 3-1, as the Norwegians' quick movement and slick passing undid them time and time again. To make matters worse, star striker Lautaro Martinez limped out of the game with an injury.

Inter boss Christian Chivu seems confident the tie can be rescued next week at San Siro, but he admitted his team struggled to deal with Bodo/Glimt's pace on the counter-attack and he couldn't resists drawing attention to the perils of playing on an unfamiliar artificial surface. The bare truth is that Bodo/Glimt were excellent in all departments, and fully deserved the win.

It hasn't all been bad news for the Nerazzurri this week. Closest challengers Milan dropped points in midweek as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Como, which means that Inter have a seven-point lead at the top of the table with 14 matches remaining. With champions Napoli consistently dropping points, it looks increasingly likely that Inter will reclaim the Scudetto this term.

It was a surprise to see swashbuckling wing-back Federico Dimarco left out of the Bodo/Glimt game, and I'd expect the Italian international to return to the line-up here. The boyhood Inter fan is having a truly extraordinary season - he has delivered a staggering 14 Serie A assists, putting him miles clear at the top of the charts.

At 10/3, I'm happy to back Dimarco in the Anytime Assist market here. Although opponents Lecce have picked up of late, winning their last two games, the relegation-threatened side have struggled against the big hitters. They have lost all three of their games against Milan, and have suffered defeats against Atalanta, Napoli, Como and Roma. When they visited San Siro to face Inter earlier in the campaign, they lost 1-0.

Lecce don't concede many goals, but I'm still confident Inter will bounce back here, and I can't ignore Dimarco's incredible assist numbers.

Nice v Lorient - Misery to continue for Ratcliffe's unloved child

Sunday February 22, 16:15Live on Ligue 1 Pass

When Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS got involved with Manchester United, there were fears that their stewardship of Nice would fall by the wayside. That trepidation has proved to be fully justified, as OGN have tumbled down the Ligue 1 table. Furious fans have produced a toxic atmosphere, and Nice haven't won a home game in Ligue 1 since October. It's not just at home where Nice have problems - they have won just one of their last 12 top-flight matches.

Visitors Lorient are eight points ahead of Nice in the standings, and are within striking distance of the European places. Olivier Pantaloni's team are on a real tear at the moment, having won nine of their last 12 competitive matches.

I'll therefore back Lorient +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.08. We only lose money if Lorient lose.

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