Issue 25158 of the football betting pool: West Ham continues to struggle, Manchester City may stumble, Barcelona faces no surprises.

1 West Ham VS Newcastle

The home team is plagued by misfortune; despite a promising squad, they are stuck near the bottom. Their last six games show 0 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, with no home victories in three games, scoring 3 goals and conceding 12. Their tactics are flawed, unable to attack effectively or defend well. They have lost all four recent home matches, with a goal difference of 2 for and 12 against, leaving them open to exploitation.

The visitors are competing on multiple fronts with inconsistent form, currently sitting twelfth. Their overall performance is average with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in the last six games. Away from home, they have 0 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 7 and conceding 5. Recently, their results have been steady, with three draws and one loss in the last four away matches, scoring 1 and conceding 2. Their away performance is quite poor, and with an important Champions League match next week, squad rotation is inevitable.

The data strongly favors the visiting team; given the home side's poor form, the visitors hold a significant advantage. However, this support isn’t overwhelming since the visitors' away strength is not yet at its peak.

First match: away win; second match: draw.

2 Manchester City VS Bournemouth

Manchester City is no longer the dominant force it once was. Even with Guardiola still in charge, lacking quality players makes even the best coach powerless. They currently rank fifth, having never dropped out of the top four for many years. In their last six games, they have 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with a perfect home record of 3 wins and no draws or losses, scoring 12 and conceding 3. Their offense and defense appear solid, but recent opponents, except Arsenal, are strong teams. Last round, they drew away to a resurgent Aston Villa. Their last four home games yielded three wins and one loss, with a 10/3 goal difference. Despite this, a 0-3 defeat to Tottenham reveals some underlying issues.

The visitors are strong but not dominant. Their style suits them well, and they have surged this season to second place. Though temporary, their form is excellent, with 3 wins and 3 draws in the last six matches. Away, they have no wins, 2 draws, and no losses, scoring 12 and conceding 7. In their last four away games, they have 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss, with a 7/9 goal difference, including conceding 4 goals to Liverpool. Their away performance is somewhat limited.

The data heavily supports the home team, reflecting the relative strengths of both sides at home and away. However, this data is not very favorable for the home side in this matchup.

First match: home win; second match: away win.

3 Cologne VS Hamburg

The home team currently ranks eighth. As a newly promoted side, this is commendable. However, in their last six games, they have 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses, with a home record of 0 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 7 and conceding 10. Their performance seems weak, but all three losses were against top-four teams, making the defeats understandable. They are stable against lower-ranked teams, with a home record of one win, one draw, and one loss, and a goal difference of 6 scored and 4 conceded, showing decent home strength, especially offensively.

The visitors rank thirteenth and are also newly promoted but are considerably weaker overall. Their last six games yielded 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, with no away wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. They scored 7 and conceded 9. Their two wins came at home, showing a clear home-strong, away-weak pattern. In four away matches, they had two draws and two losses, scoring only 1 and conceding 7. Against lower-tier teams, they have not shown offensive prowess.

The data offers moderate support to the home team. The strength, form, and home advantage of the hosts are better than those of the visitors. For the home team to advance further, they must secure enough points against weaker opponents.

Home win.

4 Wolfsburg VS Hoffenheim

The home team has had a disappointing season so far, but they slightly improved by winning 1-0 away at Hamburg last round, escaping a difficult spot. They now rank twelfth, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses in their last six matches. At home, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 5 and conceding 11. Their overall performance remains poor. They drew against Cologne and defeated Hamburg, both newly promoted teams, which is somewhat embarrassing. Their last four home games include two draws and two losses, with a 4/8 goal difference.

The visitors rank seventh and have been solid overall, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last six games. Away, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and no losses, scoring 12 and conceding 9. Although their defense is weak, their strong offense compensates. Both losses came at home, indicating they perform better away. In their last four away games, they have three wins and one draw, with a 10/4 goal difference. Teams like Leverkusen and Union Berlin have not gained advantage over them.

The data shows no clear bias but slightly favors the visitors. Considering the home team’s recent win over Hamburg, their defense remains fragile, and Hamburg’s poor finishing prevented a closer score. The odds lack strength, possibly aiming to boost interest in the home team. The visitors have no European commitments and seem to have the upper hand on paper.

Away win.

5 Torino VS Pisa

The home team ranks thirteenth, with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last six matches. At home, they have 2 wins, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 7 and conceding 9. Their form seems average, but they remain unbeaten in the last four games, which included matches against Napoli, Lazio, and Bologna—strong opponents. Their last four home games yielded two wins, one draw, and one loss, with a 3/4 goal difference. They drew with Fiorentina and beat Napoli, losing only to Atalanta, showing decent form.

The visitors rank seventeenth, with no wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses in their last six matches. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 4 and conceding 9. As a newly promoted team, they have managed draws against Fiorentina, Verona, AC Milan, and Lazio, showing resilience but with weak offense. Their last four away matches include no wins, two draws, and two losses, scoring 5 and conceding 10. Though their away record looks poor, facing strong Serie A teams and drawing two of them is respectable.

The data favors the home team with reasonable strength, but the visitors’ offense is not as weak as it seems, which should be noted.

First match: home win; second match: away win.

6 Fiorentina VS Lecce

The home team’s only two wins this season came in European competition, which is somewhat laughable. They currently rank 19th, with no wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses in their last six matches. At home, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 5 and conceding 11. How to evaluate this? Their last four home games resulted in one draw and three losses, with a goal difference of 5 for and 9 against, although their opponents were relatively strong.

The visitors rank sixteenth, with 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses in their last six matches. Away, they have 1 win, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 6 and conceding 8. Their last four away games include one win, one draw, and two losses, with a 4/7 goal difference.

The data strongly supports the home team, although this strength lacks factual basis. I don’t believe a team would be so harshly treated continuously—are they heading for relegation? Surely the club has issues behind the scenes; otherwise, it wouldn’t be this bad. Hopefully, the home team can revive their form.

Home win.

7 Parma VS Bologna

The home team ranks 15th, with 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses in their last six games. At home, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 3 and conceding 4. Except for Roma, their opponents have been relatively weak, showing limited offensive ability but decent defense. Their last four home matches include one win, two draws, and one loss, with a 3/3 goal difference. Drawing with Atalanta and the in-form Como is not easy.

The visitors rank sixth, just one win behind the top four. In their last six matches, they have 3 wins, 3 draws, and no losses. Away, they have 1 win, 2 draws, and no losses, scoring 12 and conceding 5. Their recent four away games include one win, two draws, and one loss, with a 6/4 goal difference. Overall, they have some away strength but not outstanding.

The data supports the visitors but with limited strength. The home team’s defense is solid, and with the visitors having a European match next midweek, they might not give full effort here.

First match: draw; second match: away win.

8 AC Milan VS Roma

The home team is fourth and in a precarious position. In their last six games, they have 3 wins and 3 draws, with no losses. At home, they have 2 wins and 1 draw, scoring 10 and conceding 5. Their last two matches ended in draws, especially the draw against Pisa, which was undeserved. Since they are not engaged in multiple competitions this season, focusing on the league alone should suffice. Their last four home games yielded three wins and one draw, with a 7/4 goal difference.

The visitors rank second, surprisingly. In their last six games, they have 5 wins and 1 loss, with no draws. Away, they have 3 wins and no losses or draws, scoring 8 and conceding 3. Their only defeat was at home to Inter Milan. Their last four away games were all victories, with a 5/1 goal difference. Their defense is exceptionally solid.

The data supports the home team. Given both teams’ current form, this is a significant advantage. It may also consider the visitors’ Europa League match next week, possibly leading to some rotation. Both teams have strong defenses.

First match: draw; second match: home win.

9 Alavés VS Espanyol

The home team ranks twelfth, with 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses in their last six games. At home, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 5 and conceding 6. In their last five home games, they have two wins, two draws, and one loss, with a 7/5 goal difference. Their home strength is considerable, having drawn with Atlético Madrid and beaten the in-form Elche.

The visitors rank fifth and have performed well this season. In their last six matches, they have 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. Away, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 6 and conceding 6. After four winless matches, they have won two in a row, showing timely improvement. Their last four away games include one win, two draws, and one loss, with a 4/4 goal difference. Their away weakness persists.

The data gives slight support to the home team, but considering recent form, it seems somewhat excessive.

First match: home win; second match: draw.

10 Barcelona VS Elche

The home team remains very strong at home, but with a European match next week, rotation is likely. If rotated, they might face a similar situation as the Sevilla game. Losing at home would be disastrous for them. The visitors’ away form is poor, having lost their last two away matches against relatively weak teams.

The data strongly favors the home team. Currently trailing Real Madrid by five points, they cannot afford to lose more ground or their season may be over.

Home win.

11 Betis VS Mallorca

The home team ranks seventh, with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in their last six matches. At home, they have 2 wins, no draws, and 1 loss, scoring 11 and conceding 8. Their attack is solid but defense slightly lacking. Last round, they lost 0-2 at home to Atlético Madrid, reflecting the opponent’s strength. Before that, they were unbeaten in five games. Their last five home games yielded three wins and two losses, with a 7/5 goal difference. Losing to Bilbao and Atlético Madrid is respectable.

The visitors rank sixteenth, with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last six matches. Away, they have 1 win, no draws, and 2 losses, scoring 7 and conceding 6. They are unbeaten in the last two matches and have improved form. Their last five away games include one win and four losses, with a 7/9 goal difference. Their attack is decent but defense remains weak.

The data supports the home team with reasonable strength. However, with a European match next week, their fitness may be tested. The home team’s squad size means rotation is likely, so the visitors might cause an upset.

First match: home win; second match: draw.

12 Lille VS Angers

The home team ranks seventh, with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their last six games. At home, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 9 and conceding 8. Their performance is average. The three losses were against strong Ligue 1 teams, which is understandable, but failing to score in those matches is embarrassing, indicating poor performance in tough games. In five home games, they have 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, only losing narrowly to fifth-place Lyon and drawing with PSG, showing decent home strength.

The visitors rank thirteenth, with 1 win, 2 draws, and 3 losses in their last six matches. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 5 and conceding 11. Their performance is poor, both offensively and defensively. However, they have remained unbeaten in their last three matches, drawing 1-1 with second-place Monaco and 2-2 with third-place Marseille, showing some ability against tough opponents. In five away games, they have two draws and three losses, with poor away strength and a 3/10 goal difference, though many results were close.

The data strongly favors the home team. Compared with recent form, the home side’s state and home strength are better. However, the visitors’ confidence against strong teams is growing, and with the home team’s European match midweek, an upset is possible.

First match: home win; second match: draw.

13 Lens VS Lorient

The home team ranks sixth. From sixth to third place, all have the same points, so whoever holds steady now may gain an advantage for Champions League qualification. Their last six matches include 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. At home, they have 3 wins and no draws or losses, scoring 9 and conceding 5. Overall, their form is good. Last round’s surprising 0-2 away loss to Metz was unexpected. In five home games, they have four wins and one loss, narrowly losing to Lyon in the first round, then beating Lille and Marseille, with a 10/4 goal difference and strong home presence.

The visitors rank sixteenth, only two points above the relegation zone, with poor overall form. Their last six matches include 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses. Away, they have no wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, scoring 8 and conceding 10. Their attack is decent but defense is weak. Last round, they surprisingly drew at home with PSG. In five away games, they have one draw and four losses, conceding 10 goals and scoring just 1, showing very poor away form. Their points mostly come from home matches.

The data strongly favors the home team and appears objective. Although the home team has a European match midweek, the Champions League next season might be more important now.

Home win.

14 Brest VS Lyon

The home team ranks fourteenth, with 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last six matches. At home, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 9 and conceding 8. Recently, they have lost two consecutive games, showing declining form. In five home matches, they have one win, two draws, and two losses. They managed a draw with Lille and a 4-1 win over Nice but were also held to draws by weaker teams like Paris FC and Nantes. Their attack is capable but inconsistent, performing like a "mercurial" player.

The visitors rank fifth, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses in their last six games. Away, they have 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring 10 and conceding 9. Overall, their form is similar to the home team. In five away games, they have two wins, one draw, and two losses, with a 8/9 goal difference.

The data supports the visitors but with very low strength. Considering both teams’ current rankings and form, this data is clearly insufficient. The visitors have a European match midweek, which will inevitably affect their performance.

First match: away win; second match: home win.