Recommended bets:
- Bologna to beat Udinese
- Mainz to beat Cologne
- Villarreal to beat Rayo Vallecano
- Monaco to beat Lyon
- Sporting Lisbon to beat Porto

With the finish line in sight across Europe’s top leagues, there are some make-or-break games to come this weekend.

After looking through the slate for a busy Sunday of action, below are the five standout sides to back for a victory. 

Recommended five-fold: Bologna, Mainz, Villarreal, Monaco, Sporting at 21/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Sunday, 2pm

Bologna to beat Udinese @ 8/15

Bologna have arguably been the story of the Serie A campaign, as they are on course for a top-four finish and Champions League football.

Thiago Motta’s side hold an eight-point lead over sixth, with the top five in Italy set to feature in Europe’s top competition next term. 

Only Inter Milan have claimed more home points than Bologna this season, and they next meet a struggling Udinese side, who have lost four of their last five league games — drawing the other — to slip down to 17th, and the goal-shy visitors look outmatched away to one of the best defences in Italy.

With Bologna collecting 12 wins from 15 meetings at home to sides below them, back them for the points.

Sunday, 4.30pm

Mainz to beat Cologne @ 10/21

Mainz are making a break for safety, with a five-game unbeaten run putting them outside of the bottom three and five points clear of the last automatic relegation spot. They could widen the gap to second-bottom Cologne even further with three points this weekend.

Cologne head into the clash having lost back-to-back games, while Mainz have won four of their last five at home.

The hosts have hit four goals in consecutive victories at their own ground, so back them to win again. 

Sunday, 5.30pm

Villarreal to beat Rayo Vallecano @ 5/8

Rayo Vallecano’s season looks to be over and the visitors’ away woes should see them fall to a defeat in this clash.

Rayo have suffered four defeats in five on the road and have failed to score in the last three of those.

Villarreal have won five of their last seven to put themselves in the mix for Europe and they are rarely short on goals, so they should have little problem dispatching Rayo.

Sunday, 6pm

Monaco to beat Lyon @ 29/20

Lyon were France’s form side but were then taught a lesson by Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, suffering a 4-1 defeat. Now they meet the second-placed side in Ligue 1, with Monaco having won four on the bounce to put themselves on course for the Champions League.

Mid-table Lyon have strung together some good results but have lost four of six clashes with the top seven at home.

Meanwhile, Monaco have won seven of their last eight away league games and can secure the points once again.

Sunday, 8.30pm

Sporting Lisbon to beat Porto @ 29/20

Porto look to be in shaky form ahead of this dress rehearsal for next month’s Portuguese Cup final.

The hosts may have won their last two but they had trouble in both games. Porto have also lost two of their last four league games ahead of this meeting with the leaders.

Sporting have won 16 of their last 17 league games, a run which started with a 2-0 victory over Porto.

The visitors have won eight on the spin in the Primeira Liga and they simply look too strong for the Dragons. 

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