Kevin Hatchard's European Tips: Madrid star to shine after awful week | OneFootball

European Football Tips

This week Kev has bets from Spain, Germany and France

After landing two odds-against winners from three picks last weekend, Kevin Hatchard's back with his best bets from the continent.

Real Madrid v Levante - Los Blancos to cut loose after horror show

Saturday 17 January, 13:00Live on Premier Sports

When the axe fell on Xabi Alonso's reign as Real Madrid coach, it was hardly a surprise. The Basque tactician's top-down approach and attempt at treating all players equally was a big shift from predecessor Carlo Ancelotti's light-touch managerial style, and a notoriously opinionated and indulged group of players wasn't prepared to be dictated to.

Vinicius Junior's tantrum at the league edition of El Clasico in October - a furious reaction to Xabi Alonso taking him off to protect the lead - wasn't punished, and that was a huge blow to the coach's authority. It was another clash with Barcelona that finished Xabi Alonso off, as a chaotic defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final saw Madrid lose to their bitterest rivals. The former Bayer Leverkusen boss probably leaves with his reputation intact, a victim of a cultural mismatch and a set of players who know that president Florentino Perez is the ultimate authority at the Bernabeu.

Things then went from bad to worse, as caretaker boss Alvaro Arbeloa oversaw a dismal Copa del Rey exit at second-tier strugglers Albacete, a 3-2 defeat sealed by Jefte Bentacor, a journeyman who nearly quit the sport a few years ago to become an electrician.

However, despite an horrendous week, I think Real Madrid can cut loose and run riot against a Levante side that is deep in relegation danger. Last season's second-tier champions have lost to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid this season, conceding three goals in each game. Overall, they have lost ten of 18 league matches, conceding 30 goals in the process.

The market expects Madrid to win this comfortably, so we'll have to be creative. I'll back Rodrygo to score at 2.36 on the Exchange - the Brazilian winger has scored in three of his last seven matches, and he was rested completely in midweek. He's gone from being a player that looked like he might leave the club to one of its most consistent performers.

RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich - Wing wizard to hit the net

Saturday 17 January, 17:30

Bayern Munich's 3-1 comeback win at Köln on Wednesday saw them post the best ever record at the halfway mark of a Bundesliga season. They have won 15 games and drawn two, and have posted a frankly astonishing goal difference of +53. With 66 goals scored, they are on course to pulverise the all-time Bundesliga scoring record of 101 goals.

While Harry Kane has written plenty of headlines by notching 20 league goals, there should be a big chunk of praise diverted towards wingers Michael Olise and Luis Diaz. Former Crystal Palace star Olise has scored nine goals and set up ten in the league, while Premier League title winner Diaz has delivered nine Bundesliga goals and nine assists. Coach Vincent Kompany has played down comparisons with club legends Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, but Olise and Diaz are having a similar effect.

Leipzig have come on leaps and bounds since losing 6-0 at Bayern on the opening night of the league season, and they are third in the standings. However, their recent record against Bayern is pretty poor - they have lost three of the last five meetings, winning none, and they have conceded 18 goals across those five games.

I backed Michael Olise to score last weekend at odds-against, and we can get a hefty 3.0 for him to score again here. He has netted three goals and set up three others across his three Bundesliga meetings with Leipzig, so you can see how much joy he has attacking that left flank. RBL left-back David Raum likes to attack, and tends to leave space in behind, and it's worth noting that Olise has scored 12 goals in all competitions this term.

Lens v Auxerre - Ligue 1 leaders to shine again

Saturday 17 January, 16:00Live on Ligue 1 Pass

While Lens' incredible title push may not last (they go into the weekend a point ahead of PSG at the top), it has already been a phenomenal effort. Former Lyon boss Pierre Sage has worked wonders with a limited squad, and the Blood and Gold have won 12 of their last 13 games, including the last nine. On home soil, Lens have reeled off eight straight victories, and five of those wins have been by two goals or more.

Auxerre have sunk into the relegation zone, and have lost 12 of their 18 competitive games this term. On the road AJA haven't won a single game, and five of their six defeats have been by a multiple-goal margin.

I'll back Lens -1.5 on the Asian Handicap here at 2.28.

Recommended bets

Back Rodrygo to score @ 2.36

Back Michael Olise to score @ 3.0

Back Lens -1.5 on the Asian Handicap @ 2.28