Does a soccer season have canine days? I’ve at all times heard this phrase in reference to the MLB season. They discuss concerning the “canine days of summer time.” I grew up considering it was some folksy reference to canine lazing about the home through the summer time when it was extraordinarily sizzling. Seems I used to be half proper.

The Romans coined the time period as a result of the constellation Sirius (a canine) would seem within the evening sky on the finish of July, which coincided with the most popular days of the 12 months.

I waste your time with this trivia as a result of, in my thoughts, canine days nonetheless imply drained canine, and after I’m watching soccer currently, I see numerous drained gamers. Managers have been complaining about what number of matches their groups are compelled to play for some time, and that is the time of 12 months when it exhibits. Even one of the best groups are making psychological errors you do not sometimes see. You watch a match between golf equipment nonetheless preventing to win their league or cup competitors, and also you’d swear they have been attempting to keep away from relegation.

It makes all of it a bit tougher from a betting perspective. There are at all times sure groups you possibly can depend on to supply a sure stage of efficiency, however lately, it feels such as you’re always rolling the cube.

Girona vs. Barcelona

Date: Saturday, Might 4 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET | Watch: ESPN+

Relying on the end result of this match, Actual Madrid can wrap up the La Liga race this weekend. Regardless, it is unlikely both of these two will catch Madrid, however they’re nonetheless locked in a battle for second place. That won’t appear vital to you, however one thing tells me Barcelona aren’t excited by the prospect of ending behind the upstart Girona within the standings.

Sadly for Barca, it is a very actual risk. Girona beat Barcelona 4-2 earlier this season in Barcelona. Now, the rematch takes place at dwelling, the place Girona has misplaced solely as soon as in La Liga all season (3-0 to Actual Madrid in September). Barcelona have not been horrible on the street this season, however their defending has been extraordinarily poor currently. Of their final three matches, it is allowed 9 targets on 6.7 xG (anticipated targets). Sure, two matches have been towards PSG and Actual Madrid, however in addition they allowed Valencia to attain twice on 2.1 xG final weekend. The Decide: Girona (+170)

Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Date: Sunday, Might 5 | Time: 11:30 a.m. ET | Watch: Peacock

If you wish to see a workforce fading down the stretch, look no additional than Tottenham, which have misplaced three straight matches getting into the weekend. It is completed actual injury to their quest to move Aston Villa for fourth place (the ultimate Champions League spot) within the Premier League, and life is not getting any simpler. This will probably be Tottenham’s third match in eight days, they usually nonetheless have three extra matches to play within the subsequent 14. The issue is that it is not as if Liverpool are taking part in effectively.

Liverpool have managed just one win of their final 4 Premier League matches, together with a 2-0 loss to Everton and a 2-2 draw to West Ham final week. A few of this may be defined by Liverpool’s final three league matches being away from dwelling, however this simply is not a workforce firing on all cylinders lately, significantly in assault. That is why I consider the overall for this match is a bit too excessive. I have been betting overs in Spurs matches all 12 months, however they give the impression of being exhausted, and whereas they’ve struggled to attain currently, Liverpool have nonetheless been principally strong in protection. Properly, it is strong sufficient to take this beneath, anyway. The Decide: Below 3.5 (+125)

Roma vs. Juventus

Date: Sunday, Might 5 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET | Watch: Paramount+

I began by writing about how the Romans coined the time period “canine days of summer time,” so it is solely becoming I embody a Roma match this week. This can be a must-have for Roma. Serie A will get a fifth Champions League spot, and Roma at the moment sit in fifth, two factors forward of Atalanta, however Atalanta have a match in hand. In the meantime, Juventus actually don’t have anything to lose or achieve right here, so that you do surprise a bit concerning the form of effort you will see. Nonetheless, I do not see a lot worth within the moneyline.

The higher solution to exploit Juventus’ doable lack of effort is the overall. Juventus matches have averaged solely 2.15 targets, the second-lowest complete in Serie A (Torino matches are at a torrid 1.82). Nevertheless, Juve’s dwelling matches have been decrease scoring (1.94) than away (2.35), whereas Roma are scoring 2.12 targets at dwelling on their very own. I can not rule out Roma getting three targets on their personal right here, so after I see the juice on the over, it seems to be too good to move up. The Decide: Over 2.5 (+156)

Weekend Parlay

This week we now have a 4 leg parlay paying +153. Meaning if we win it 12 occasions it will make up for our efficiency within the Champions League this season.

• Arsenal (-450)
• Actual Madrid (-310)
• Manchester Metropolis (-1100)
• AC Milan (-230)