Scudetto on the line as teams dream of Champions League football: Accumulator Tips for May 18, 2025

The top European league season is coming to an end next week and teams are still fighting for Champions League football, while sides are also in contention for the title. We have picked teams from Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga for this Sunday’s accumulator. How will things unfold across these games including Arsenal, Napoli and Barcelona? Below, I preview the above matches with betting opportunities.  

Arsenal vs Newcastle United

Arsenal will be focused on finishing their season on a high note after a poor run of performances in recent matches. The last time out against Liverpool, this team needed to come from a two-goal deficit to force a draw, thanks to Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli second half goals. In the meantime, Arsenal have failed to win any of their last five competitive matches, raising concerns about the possibility of defeating highly spirited Newcastle United. 

Away from home, Newcastle United have not won their last two matches, but have won three of their last five. Looking at their last performance against Chelsea, this team showed why they are ready for Champions League football after winning 2-0. 

However, this is an open encounter with Newcastle United Champions League football not yet solid, while a draw is enough for Arsenal. Yet, I expect Mikel Arteta to field his best players at Emirates Stadium which should be a momentum boost. 

Team News and Injury

Ahead of this game, Mikel Merino who has been the starter for Arsenal in attack will miss this game due to a red card against Liverpool. However, Kai Havertz could be back with the squad despite a hamstring scare. Also, Joe Willock and Sven Botman who have been impressive for this match are in doubt of making the lineup. First choice wing back, Lewis Hall remains out of the season due to a foot injury while Joelinton is also sidelined. 

Arsenal Expected Lineup (4-3-3): David Raya (GK), Ben White, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Martin Oedegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli

Newcastle Expected Lineup (4-4-2): Nick Pope (GK), Emil Krafth, Fabian Schaer, Daniel Burn, Jacob Murphy, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Valentino Livramento, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak

• Bet Type: W1

Barcelona vs Villarreal

This is another tough game as the two teams will go all out for a win. While Barcelona were crowned La Liga Champions during the midweek, Villarreal will head into this game hoping to extend their Champions League hopes with just two games left to be played. However, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side has been ruthless all season and their performances in La Liga have been on another level with 97 goals scored already. While looking at Villarreal run of matches into this game, they are going to be a really serious threat having now won three of their last four league games and conceded once. Yet, on the road, it will not be an easy contest for them, especially with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski who have been a threat for defenders this season. Yet, Villarreal needs this game and are expected to display energy and competitiveness which will not be enough to see them take a point at full time. 

Team News and Injury

Second choice number nine, Ferran Torres is ruled out of the season after a surgery. Also, Jules Kounde is expected to return against Athletic Bilbao in the final day contest. However, Illias Akhomach and Raul Albiol are ruled out of this contest, while Thierno Barry and Kiko Femenia might get some minutes for Villarreal in this evening's game. 

Barcelona Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK), Hector Fort, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Gavi, Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski

Villarreal Expected Lineup (4-4-2): Luiz Junior (GK), Juan Foyth, Willy Kambwala, Logan Costa, Sergi Cardona, Yeremi Pino, Santi Comesana, Pape Gueye, Alejandro Baena, Nicolas Pepe, Ayoze Perez

• Bet Type: W1

Parma vs Napoli

The battle for the Scudetto continues for Napoli after dropping points against Genoa last weekend. However, their chances of winning the league are still high, but this game is a must win to keep them top of the table ahead of the final day contest. However, Parma are coming off a mixed performance of only one win in their last ten matches. In the meantime, it is incredible to see they have lost only three of those contests, each not more than a goal margin and this means Napoli will have to pose a lot of attacking threat to break this solid Parma’s defence. However, with relegation still looming over the home side, it is just difficult to imagine if they will give Napoli a chance to break the line in this game having now suffered defeats in their last two matches. Yet, Napoli needs this game and I expect them to take their chances, with Scott McTominay who has been impressive in both attack and defense and the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori expected to be the difference for Antonio Conte’s side.

Team News and Injury

Parma will miss nine of their first team players in this game. A red card against Empoli will keep Lautaro Valenti out of the squad, while Adrian Bernabe Garcia, Alessandro Vogliacco and Matteo Cancellieri will be big misses for Parma. However, Lobotka, Joan Jesus and Alessandro Buongiorno are the only players expected to be missing from the list for Conte. 

Parma Expected Lineup (4-4-2): Zion Suzuki (GK), Enrico Del Prato, Giovanni Leoni, Botond Balogh, Antoine Hainaut, Simon Sohm, Mandela Keita, Emanuele Valeri, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Hernani, Mateo Pellegrino

Napoli Expected Lineup (4-4-2): Alex Meret (GK), Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera, Leonardo Spinazzola, Matteo Politano, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, Romelu Lukaku, Giacomo Raspadori

• Bet Type: W2