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£1,600,000 PICK 15 PREVIEW: 11TH MARCH

Alex McMahon takes a look at this weekend’s upcoming football from around the continent with his £1,600,000 Pick 15 preview:

Middlesbrough vs Manchester City

FA Cup games aren’t always the easiest to predict but City look well placed to defeat Aitor Karanka’s sinking Middlesbrough this weekend. The visitors are starting to hit form and it would be foolish to back against Pep Guardiola’s side in this contest.

Pick: Away win

Bournemouth vs West Ham United

A potential banana skin. Bournemouth managed to earn a point away at Old Trafford last week but West Ham will be very difficult to beat. Slaven Bilic’s men have lost just two of their last seven league games and I fancy the Hammers to avoid defeat again here.

Pick: Away win OR Draw

Hull City vs Swansea City

Swansea have transformed into a competitive Premier League outfit since Bob Bradley left the club and it may prove prudent to stick with the Welsh side this weekend. The hosts are fighting for their lives at the bottom but this confident Swansea may be too strong.

Pick: Away win

Aston Villa vs Sheffield Wednesday

The form is with Sheffield Wednesday and I have to side with the visitors for that reason; although I will be erring on the side of caution. Aston Villa have shown plenty of promise since Steve Bruce’s arrival and the hosts could snatch a point if they perform well.

Pick: Away win OR Draw

Barnsley vs Ipswich

I try not to go down the ‘draw’ route but this one has stalemate written all over it. Ipswich have shared the spoils in six of their last seven matches and I fancy Mick McCarthy’s men to hold Barnsley in what could be a tepid affair at Oakwell.

Pick: Draw

Brentford vs Huddersfield Town

For some reason, I’m going against the form book here. Brentford have played five of their last six Championship games away from Griffin Park and a return to home comforts could spur the Bees on when high-flying Huddersfield come to town.

Pick: Home win

Cardiff City vs Birmingham City

A simple decision. Birmingham have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks but it is difficult to back against Cardiff on home soil. The Welsh side have gone from strength to strength under Neil Warnock and I fancy the Bluebird to secure another win here.

Pick: Home win

Newcastle United vs Fulham

Fulham came out on top in the reverse fixture back in August but Rafael Benitez’s men are now accustomed to life in the Championship – they won’t slip up. The Magpies are well on the way to promotion and another three points could be on the cards this weekend.

Pick: Home win

£1,600,000 Pick 15 preview

Ingolstadt vs FC Koln

Once again, I’m going straight down the middle with a draw here. Only Hoffenheim (11) have drawn more games than Koln (9) this season and a point for Ingolstadt might prove helpful as they look to avoid the drop; a draw looks fair.

Pick: Draw

Malaga vs Alaves

Regular readers of my Pick 15 blog might think that I have something against Malaga. Well I don’t, they’re just not very good. Alaves have a solid away record and that is enough for me to go with the visitors in the double chance market.

Pick: Away win OR Draw

Genoa vs Sampdoria

If you’d asked me for my pick a few month ago, I’d be all over Genoa but Sampdoria’s recent rise to prominence has convinced me to go the other way. Again, I’m not confident enough to side with an away win outright but the formbook suggests to side with Sampdoria.

Pick: Away win OR Draw

Sassuolo vs Bologna

Neither side is in great form right now but I’ll be backing the hosts to edge what could be a typically Italian contest. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see one goal settle this either way but I’ll be tipping Sassuolo; home advantage could swing the outcome in their favour.

Pick: Home win OR Draw

Inter Milan vs Atalanta

The hosts are in supreme form right now and it is hard to back against Inter at the San Siro; even with Atalanta in decent nick themselves. On paper, it looks like a fantastic contest and neutrals will be hoping for plenty of goals; I’ll be hoping for a home win.

Pick: Home win

Celta Vigo vs Villarreal

Celta were in Europa League action on Thursday night and I’m working on the premise that Krasnodar’s efforts may have affected their preparation for the weekend. Villarreal have been inconsistent this season but I fancy the visitors to step up in this clash.

Pick: Away win OR Draw

Osasuna vs Eibar

A straightforward choice to end this week’s Pool. Osasuna are in diabolical form, losing each of their last six La Liga games. Eibar haven’t been perfect themselves but a couple of away wins in recent months is enough to convince me to go with them this weekend.

Pick: Away win

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