Five teams to back across Europe this weekend: Sevilla to start strongly

Liam Flin

LiveScore

Garcia Pimienta will be hoping for a winning start to the season with Sevilla

Three of the four major leagues outside of the UK return this weekend with action in Serie A, La Liga and Ligue 1.

Ahead of the weekend's games, here is a look at five teams to back in Italy, Spain and France.

Friday, 8.30pm

Sevilla to beat Las Palmas @ 6/4

Sevilla endured a difficult campaign in LaLiga last term but a new era begins for the Andalusians this week with Garcia Pimienta set to take charge of his first league contest.

Along with their new manager, Saul, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Kelechi Iheanacho have also arrived at the club, who should be more settled after last season's managerial carousel.

They look worth a bet to win their opener against Las Palmas, who had a terrible finish to the 2023-24 season.

The Canary Islands outfit did not win any of their last 14 LaLiga games in 2023-24 and that streak featured nine defeats, so a slow start could well be on the cards.

Back Sevilla to win at 6/4 with LiveScore Bet

Saturday, 4pm

Marseille to beat Brest @ 29/20

Roberto De Zerbi has made the switch to Marseille

Brest defied expectations to place third in Ligue 1 last season but repeating that this term will be no easy feat, especially with the added weight of European football.

Champions League involvement should not hinder Brest until later down the line but they are nonetheless worth opposing against Marseille, who are under new management.

Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has been tasked with turning things around for Marseille and they look in good shape after a summer revamp.

Bamo Meita, Ismael Kone and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are among the players to have joined the club and they can make a strong start to the season with victory at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Back Marseille to beat Brest at 29/20

Saturday, 6pm

Lille to beat Reims @ Evens

Lille finished 12 points better off than Reims in Ligue 1 last season and they can show their superiority with a win away at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II on the opening weekend of the season.

Both clubs have new managers in the dugout with Luka Elsner taking the reins at Reims and Bruno Genesio in charge of Lille, who look better-placed to pick up three points.

Lille have been kept warm by their recent Champions League qualifier with Fenerbahce, winning 3-2 on aggregate and they can show their class.

Back Lille to beat Reims at evens with LiveScore Bet

Sunday, 5.30pm

Bologna to beat Udinese @ 3/4

A handful of players have left Bologna this summer, while former manager Thiago Motta is now at Juventus but they can nonetheless open with a win over Udinese.

Key players such as Michel Aebischer, Stefan Posch, Remo Freuler, Riccardo Orsolini and Dan Ndoye still remain at the club, who finished fifth with 68 points in Serie A last term.

Udinese, meanwhile, will be grateful to just be in the top flight after finishing 15th last season — just two points above the drop zone — and they are worth opposing.

Back Bologna to beat Udinese at 3/4 with LiveScore Bet

Monday, 8.30pm

Atletico Madrid to beat Villarreal @ 11/10

Atletico Madrid have been one of the busier clubs in the summer transfer window and they can make their business count with an opening win against Villarreal.

Julian Alvarez could be involved after his £81.5 million move from Manchester City, while Alexander Sorloth and Robin Le Normand are nailed-on starters after their summer arrivals.

Atleti had the fifth best away record in La Liga last season anyway and they are a great bet to win at El Madrigal.

Back Atletico Madrid to beat Villarreal at 11/10 with LiveScore Bet