Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

Torino have lost three of their last four games and are winless in their last three meetings with Parma, while the visitors are unbeaten in five and have only lost one of their last eight away days.

St Pauli have only lost one of their last five games, winning three, and should be able to take at least a point in this proverbial six-pointer as they face a relegation rival. The visitors are in form, while Gladbach are floundering with just one win in their last nine games.

Bastia have lost six of their last nine home matches and have only won one of these leaving them rock bottom of the Ligue 2 table. They face a Boulogne side unbeaten in their last four away games, with wins against Pau and St Etienne in this period.

PEC Zwolle have won five of their last eight at home and could get some valuable points on the board against Groningen, who head to Zwolle having lost their last three away fixtures.

PSV Reserves are third in the standings and have won three of their last five at home, so they should get the better of Eindhoven, who have lost their last four away games.

Proactif looks like heading the betting for the Mullins yard as the Closutton operation goes for a fifth straight success in this race but it was stablemate SELMA DE VARY that got closest to Narciso Has at last month’s DRF in their Grade 1 juvenile and that contest has produced four of the last five winners in this. She could be the one now, though another Mullins inmate, Kai Lung, has seen the form of his Naas maiden win work out nicely here (beat the Fred Winter winner) and he could go well at massive odds.

Kripticjim is a lively each-way contender for Joe Tizzard after his Trials Day success here but DOCTOR STEINBERG sets the standard for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend and still has lots of scope for better. He was too keen at the Dublin Racing Festival but still came home in isolation up front and if he conserves his early energy a bit better, he can outclass this field based on what we saw at Leopardstown.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

Proactif looks like heading the betting for the Mullins yard as the Closutton operation goes for a fifth straight success in this race but it was stablemate SELMA DE VARY that got closest to Narciso Has at last month’s DRF in their Grade 1 juvenile and that contest has produced four of the last five winners in this. She could be the one now, though another Mullins inmate, Kai Lung, has seen the form of his Naas maiden win work out nicely here (beat the Fred Winter winner) and he could go well at massive odds.

Dinoblue is all the rage for this but her Festival record shows just one win from four, she’s 1-3 in this contest previously, while at nine she goes against the age trends too. ONLY BY NIGHT was second in the Arkle here last March and Gavin Cromwell pinpointed this race back in the autumn as the long-range target. She won first time out and her Grade 1 effort at Leopardstown over Christmas facing geldings is easily forgiven. She should be primed to the minute and looks like a major player.

Kripticjim is a lively each-way contender for Joe Tizzard after his Trials Day success here but DOCTOR STEINBERG sets the standard for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend and still has lots of scope for better. He was too keen at the Dublin Racing Festival but still came home in isolation up front and if he conserves his early energy a bit better, he can outclass this field based on what we saw at Leopardstown.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

It’s On The Line has another tilt at this and may go well, while Stattler is under Patrick Mullins but SHEARER was fifth last year having perhaps committed for home too soon. Gina Andrews rides today and is a positive jockey booking for Paul Nicholls, who has won this race a record four times. He should be sharpened up for his recent Haydock comeback and looks a key each-way player.

This has tended to be a benefit for Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, with eight wins between them including seven of the last 12. Galopin Des Champs was the last Mullins winner in 2021 (what became of him!) and KEL HISTOIRE looks a major contender this time to cap a big week for the trainer and owner JP McManus. His mark of 137 is no gimme but he has run with credit in a pair of graded races on home soil this season, remains unexposed and could be hiding considerable latent ability now going handicapping. Michael Kenneally rides and is worth at least 6lb in this Conditional Jockeys’ contest to round off the Cotswolds shenanigans for another year.

A fierce handicap in which Sinnatra, Karbau and Sixandahalf are considered but OOH BETTY looks overpriced to perhaps run into the money. She won a Grade 2 at Ascot last time against her own sex for Ben Clarke and Ben Jones and gets in here light off 10st 4lb. The Westerner mare was second behind 2025 Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace in a Listed novice over 2m4½f on her only previous Cheltenham start and her fondness for racing handily could be a big asset on this week’s evidence.

A fierce handicap in which Sinnatra, Karbau and Sixandahalf are considered but OOH BETTY looks overpriced to perhaps run into the money. She won a Grade 2 at Ascot last time against her own sex for Ben Clarke and Ben Jones and gets in here light off 10st 4lb. The Westerner mare was second behind 2025 Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace in a Listed novice over 2m4½f on her only previous Cheltenham start and her fondness for racing handily could be a big asset on this week’s evidence.

It’s On The Line has another tilt at this and may go well, while Stattler is under Patrick Mullins but SHEARER was fifth last year having perhaps committed for home too soon. Gina Andrews rides today and is a positive jockey booking for Paul Nicholls, who has won this race a record four times. He should be sharpened up for his recent Haydock comeback and looks a key each-way player.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

Haiti Couleurs is the interesting stamina-horse, with definite Synchronised/Native River vibes about him, while Gaelic Warrior is classy on his day but has had three very hard races coming here. Last year’s winner Inothewayurthinkin has bombed out in three runs since, while a big run from the mighty Envoi Allen would bring the house down on his Cheltenham farewell.

The Jukebox Man beat both Gaelic Warrior (third) and JANGO BAIE (fourth) in the King George at Christmas but a decent blanket would have covered them. Nicky Henderson’s runner was outpaced before staying on, as he was in his Arkle win here last season. He’s got the profile of a Gold Cup winner and could relish this test at a course where he is unbeaten in two runs.

Huracan are a point above River Plate and have won their last three home games by an aggregate scoreline of 5-1, while River Plate have drawn two and lost two of their last four away fixtures.

Western Sydney Wanderers’ last four A-League games have featured 16 goals in total and over 2.5 goals has landed in their last four away games, while Brisbane Roar have seen three or more goals in two of their last three at home.

Both teams have scored in seven of Cambuur’s last nine Eerste Divisie games and over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of these, while each of Roda’s last seven on the road have featured goals at both ends and at least three goals.

Villarreal have been involved in some high-scoring games recently with at least three goals scored in seven of their last eight fixtures. Alaves have scored seven goals across their last six games despite being winless in that run, and over 2.5 goals has landed in three of their last four home games. These sides should be able to combine for at least three goals.

Venlo are winless in their last five away games, but they have scored in four of these and should get on the scoresheet in Maastricht. Both teams have scored in Maastricht’s last five at home, with the hosts unbeaten in this period and beating both PSV Reserves and Ajax Reserves.

Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

Venlo are winless in their last five away games, but they have scored in four of these and should get on the scoresheet in Maastricht. Both teams have scored in Maastricht’s last five at home, with the hosts unbeaten in this period and beating both PSV Reserves and Ajax Reserves.

Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

Both teams have scored in seven of Cambuur’s last nine Eerste Divisie games and over 2.5 goals has landed in seven of these, while each of Roda’s last seven on the road have featured goals at both ends and at least three goals.

Both teams have scored in five of Wrexham’s last six games and they are on a seven-game scoring streak. Swansea have hit four goals across their last two games so both of these attacks are in form and capable of making a breakthrough.

Venlo are winless in their last five away games, but they have scored in four of these and should get on the scoresheet in Maastricht. Both teams have scored in Maastricht’s last five at home, with the hosts unbeaten in this period and beating both PSV Reserves and Ajax Reserves.

PEC Zwolle have won five of their last eight at home and could get some valuable points on the board against Groningen, who head to Zwolle having lost their last three away fixtures.

Bastia have lost six of their last nine home matches and have only won one of these leaving them rock bottom of the Ligue 2 table. They face a Boulogne side unbeaten in their last four away games, with wins against Pau and St Etienne in this period.

Bastia have lost six of their last nine home matches and have only won one of these leaving them rock bottom of the Ligue 2 table. They face a Boulogne side unbeaten in their last four away games, with wins against Pau and St Etienne in this period.

St Pauli have only lost one of their last five games, winning three, and should be able to take at least a point in this proverbial six-pointer as they face a relegation rival. The visitors are in form, while Gladbach are floundering with just one win in their last nine games.

Torino have lost three of their last four games and are winless in their last three meetings with Parma, while the visitors are unbeaten in five and have only lost one of their last eight away days.

Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

PSV Reserves are third in the standings and have won three of their last five at home, so they should get the better of Eindhoven, who have lost their last four away games.

Alaves have taken just two points from their last five La Liga games and face a Villarreal side with a solid away record and three wins from their last four overall.

Colchester are the best bet to beat Crawley at home in League Two on Friday. The visitors have been poor on the road this season, winning just two of their 18 away games. Colchester are in fine fettle at home, having won five of their last seven League Two games.

Villarreal have a decent haul of 20 points from their 13 away games and have been in good form overall with four wins in their last six. They could edge out Alaves in a thriller here and a 3-2 away win has a chance in the correct score market. Alaves have scored exactly twice in three of their last six games and Villarreal have scored at least three goals in three of their last six victories – including a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture.

Torino have lost three of their last four fixtures and were beaten by Parma in the reverse fixture in September, while the visitors have won by a 1-0 scoreline in three of their last eight away days.

Gent have won three of their last five at home but have only kept one clean sheet in this period. They should get the win against a Zulte Waragem side winless on the road since September in the Belgium top flight. They have lost their last six trips away, but have scored in five of these defeats.

Nathan Broadhead scored Wrexham’s goal against Hull and can follow that up with another strike against the Swans. The midfielder looks to have hit a bit of form with two goals in his last five games, taking his tally to six strikes in the league this season.

These two sides are meeting in the knockouts for the fifth straight year, and Real Madrid have won three of the previous four meetings, including the last two. The Spanish giants have won eight of their last 10 under new boss Arbeloa at the time of the draw, and they are one of the few sides in Europe with the individual talent to match City.

While Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in the summer’s Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca’s tactical tweaks were key in that victory. Months on, and the Blues look to have gone backwards. PSG clearly took issue with the Blues, and they can claim some revenge after eliminating three Premier League sides on their way to last season’s final.

Sporting are arguably the weakest of the top-eight sides, while Bodo have won four straight European games including home and away victories over Inter Milan. The Norwegian side went to the semis in the Europa League last year, and they can see off a Sporting side who overperformed their xG numbers at a huge rate in the League Phase.

Atletico Madrid were handily beaten by Arsenal and Liverpool in the League Phase, while they were a mess defensively against Club Brugge in the last round. Spurs won all four home games on their way to finishing fourth in the first round, and they can match an Atletico side who have been far from dominant in Europe in recent seasons.