Kevin Hatchard's European Tips: Take on the favourites in Italy, France and Spain | OneFootball

Milan v Inter - Rossoneri can make gesture of defiance

Click here for Milan v Inter oddsSunday 08 March, 19:45Live on TNT Sports

Had Milan been a little more consistent, this latest edition of the derby della Madonnina would have been a season-shaping encounter. As it is, the Nerazzurri are a hefty ten points clear at the top, and only a total disaster will see them fail to win the Scudetto.

Although they suffered a dismal defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, Inter could still secure a domestic double, and they drew 0-0 with Como in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final. That said, their recent record against city rivals Milan leaves a lot to be desired.

Inter haven't won any of their last six Milan derbies, and they have lost the last two. The last victory for Inter was all the way back in April 2024.

Max Allegri's Milan have drowned their title push in draws (they have finished level nine times, and only Lazio and Pisa have drawn more often), but they are a hard team to knock over, and they have suffered a league-low two defeats this term.

I'll back Milan +0 & +0.5 on the Asian Handicap at 2.02. A draw gives us a half-win and a Milan victory gives us a full pay-out at odds-against.

PSG v Monaco - Champions to work hard

Click here for PSG v Monaco oddsFriday 06 March, 19:45Live on Ligue 1 Pass

They say familiarity breeds contempt, and contempt will therefore be in plentiful supply at the Parc des Princes on Friday, as this is the third time these giants of French football will have met in 2026. Although PSG won their Champions League playoff 5-4 on aggregate, Monaco pushed them hard in both legs of the tie.

PSG had to come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at the Stade Louis Deux, and then a 2-2 draw in Paris made for a nervy finale. Add in the fact that Monaco won the reverse league fixture between these two, and there's a body of evidence to suggest that Sebastien Pocognoli's team can push the European champions hard here.

Pocognoli won the title with Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, but his magic touch seemed to have deserted him in Monaco, as a dreadful run of form suggested he wouldn't be allowed to see out the season. However, Monaco have had a run of four wins and two draws, including an incredible comeback win at high-flying Lens.

PSG are four points clear of Lens at the top, but there's no doubt that they are finding top gear elusive. They have played 14 games in 2026, and have only managed a win by a multiple-goal margin three times. Although coach Luis Enrique insists the squad has no physical problems, it's clear that an incredibly busy 2025 took its toll.

Monaco have plenty of motivation as they look to qualify for Europe, while PSG have to plan ahead for a tough Champions League clash against Chelsea. Even if PSG do take the lead here, I can see them easing off to conserve energy, and perhaps taking off key players.

I'll happily give Monaco a goal-and-a-half start here at 2.02 on the Exchange.

Celta Vigo v Real Madrid - Ailing Blancos to slip up again

Click here for Celta Vigo v Real Madrid oddsFriday 06 March, 20:00Live on Premier Sports

These are tricky times for Real Madrid. Defeats to Osasuna and Getafe have seen them fall four points behind the leaders Barcelona, and an ongoing knee injury for star striker Kylian Mbappe is an ongoing concern.

It's hard to overestimate Mbappe's importance to this team. The France captain has scored an incredible 43 goals for club and country this term, and he is the top scorer in both the Champions League and La Liga. While Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa is putting a brave face on and insisting that he's only hearing good news about Mbappe's recovery, the players' recent trip to Paris to see one of the world's leading knee surgeons raised eyebrows.

It's not just Mbappe that will miss Friday night's trip to Balaidos. Brazilian winger Rodrygo is out for the rest of the season and will miss the World Cup with a serious knee injury. Eder Militao, David Alaba, Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos are all sidelined by injury, while Dean Huijsen, Franco Mastantuono and Alvaro Carreras are all suspended.

Celta have already won at the Bernabeu this season, and they'll fancy their chances of completing a league double against Los Merengues. Claudio Giraldez' team has surged into the top six, and if you look at their last 16 competitive matches, they have won nine, drawn five and lost just two. At Balaidos, Celta have won six of their last seven across La Liga and the Europa League.

Asian Handicap at 1.8, so we only lose if they lose.

Bet £10 Get £10 on Footy ACCAs and Bet Builders this weekend

Betfair are running a Bet £10 Get £10 offer on all football ACCAs and Bet Builders this weekend so how about following Kev's advice to oppose all three favourites in this weekend's column, and back AC Milan, Monaco and Celta Vigo in a Double Chance treble at just shy of 8/1.