Saturday's La Liga and Serie A predictions and free football tips

Best bets and predictions for Saturday's matches in La Liga and Serie A.

Best bets

Real Madrid to score two or more goals v Villarreal
3.15pm Saturday
1pt 17-20 Hills

Fiorentina to beat Sassuolo
2pm Saturday
1pt 7-10 general

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Saturday European preview

Real Madrid drew level on points with Barcelona in an engrossing La Liga title race upon their return to action at the end of 2022 and punters should expect a strong start to the new year from Los Blancos when they face Villarreal.

In the first batch of league fixtures after the World Cup, Barcelona were held by rivals Espanyol and Real Madrid won away to Real Valladolid to ensure both sides entered 2023 with 38 points from 15 games.

It makes for an intriguing title tussle and, knowing Barca face a tough trip to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, Real will be doing everything they can to pull ahead this weekend.

They can be expected to operate on the front foot against Villarreal, who have looked unconvincing at the back since Quique Setien replaced Unai Emery at the helm.

The Yellow Submarine have kept only two clean sheets in nine games under Setien and they are consistently conceding chances - their expected-goals-against figure of 18.38 is 7.38 higher than their actual conceded tally of 11.

Villarreal even failed to keep out lower-league opponents Guijelo and Cartagena in recent Copa del Rey encounters.

A team such as Real Madrid, who are spearheaded by Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema, will capitalise on that vulnerability and the European champions look a good bet to score at least two goals.

Sassuolo were in poor form prior to the World Cup and they didn't look much better upon their return to Serie A action on Wednesday, losing at home to relegation-threatened Sampdoria.

Domenico Berardi marked his return to the starting line-up with a converted penalty in that defeat but there has been little to shout about for the Neroverdi, who are worth taking on against Fiorentina.

It was a case of new year, same Fiorentina on Wednesday as Vincenzo Italiano's men dominated possession and created more chances than opponents Monza but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

That said, forward Arthur Cabral scored a fine goal in that match and Sassuolo could be a little easier to pick apart than spirited Monza.

The visitors have lost four of their last five Serie A games, drawing the other with Roma, and they have taken maximum points only once on the road in the league this season.

Fiorentina have work to do in the race for European football but can pick up a key three points on Saturday.

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