Fixture difficulty: Which clubs have the toughest – and easiest – start to the new season?
The ‘big five’ European leagues have released their schedules for the 2021-22 season so we have analysed the fixture difficulty for them all. While every team has to play everyone else at some point, timing can be everything. A tough start can easily undermine a positive pre-season, while a gentle run of opening fixtures can provide the momentum necessary for a successful campaign.
Ballon d’Or odds: Messi could be in seventh heaven
Lionel Messi will look to extend his record of six Ballon d’Or titles when the annual football award returns. The 2020 award ceremony was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic but with football’s return to action, the 2021 edition will see the voting commence.
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news: PSG swap deal mooted
We’re tracking the latest Cristiano Ronaldo transfer news and rumours to see whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could move this summer. Despite turning 36 in February, Ronaldo was the leading scorer in Italy’s top flight last season when bagging 29 Serie A goals for Juventus.
Euro stars: Who will sign them this summer?
With Euro 2020 now over, attention is shifting to the upcoming domestic football season but the competition’s impact may be felt here as well. Until the first ball of a new campaign is kicked, the attention of fans tends to be fixated on the transfer market, where the Euro 2020 stars will have drawn the attention of the game’s big spenders.
Lionel Messi transfer news: Where next if Barca talks collapse?
We’re tracking the latest Lionel Messi transfer news, rumours and odds for clues on where the Ballon d’Or winner could play this season. Messi is now a free agent after his contract at Barcelona expired and the club’s financial problems mean it is far from certain that they can find room within their salary cap to agree a new deal.
Harry Kane transfer news: Manchester clubs favourites to swoop
With Euro 2020 now over, attention will switch to the new domestic season and we’re tracking the latest Harry Kane transfer news to see which teams could make a move. The England captain enjoyed another impressive tournament as his four goals helped the team go agonisingly close to winning the Euros, with Kane threatening to repeat his Golden Boot success at the 2018 World Cup.
Serie A winner odds: Can Inter overcome Conte KO?
Inter Milan are 2/1 in bwin’s Serie A winner odds after enduring a turbulent off-season since their runaway title triumph. Despite finishing 18 points clear at the top of the table, the Nerazzurri parted company with Antonio Conte, reportedly due to cost-cutting measures.
Rebuilding a footballing dynasty – and what happened next?
With several of Europe’s leading clubs in a transitional period this summer, we’ve taken a look at which past seasons have seen the biggest exoduses of title-winning players and how it affected each team’s performances in the following years.
Serie A predictions: Sunday treble from Italy’s top division
We’re continuing our regular Serie A predictions with a 26/3 Sunday treble from the final round of fixtures in Italy’s top division. Don’t forget to check out bwin’s Enhanced Accas page for daily price boosts on multiple bets featuring teams from all over Europe and beyond.
Juventus vs AC Milan: Hosts to continue Turin hoodoo
Juventus aren’t used to settling for second best after nine straight Serie A title triumphs but that may still be enough of an incentive to see off AC Milan. Inter Milan are already assured of top spot but these teams are in a fight to finish as runners-up, along with Atalanta, Napoli and Lazio.
European Super League: Breakaway tournament collapses
The football world is in turmoil following a European Super League announcement which could shake up the very foundations of the sport. It is proposed the new competition will be a rival to the Champions League, with organisers claiming it will generate increased and guaranteed income for clubs involved.
Juventus vs Napoli: Gli Azzurri can hold Bianconeri
Juventus are set to miss out on a 10th straight Serie A title and may even face a battle to finish in the top four if failing to beat Napoli. These teams are level on points in fourth and fifth respectively and Gli Azzurri go into this crucial contest boasting the better recent form.
Who are football’s highest-profile free agents this summer?
As the football season enters its final stretch, Europe’s top clubs will already be preparing their transfer plans for this summer. While there will undoubtedly be fierce bidding wars for the continent’s top talent, some of the biggest signings could well be free transfers.
AC Milan vs Inter Milan: Nerazzurri now in pole position
Inter leapfrogged AC Milan at the top of the Serie A table last weekend and can further strengthen their title claims by winning Sunday’s crucial derby clash. The Rossoneri had led the way for most of the season after getting off to a flying start but their recent efforts have been far less impressive.