After a decent chunk of the season already, the top leagues across Europe are starting to take shape. We’re beginning to know whose title aspirations are more hope than reality and who is in serious danger of relegation. Once again, this weekend promises to be another enthralling couple of days of action.
We’re previewing eight fixtures spread across five divisions, including Chelsea v Manchester United in the Premier League, Athletic Bilbao’s trip to Real Madrid in La Liga, and Sunday’s big match from Ligue 1 between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille.
- Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur – Tottenham Hotspur to Win -1 (27/10 at BetVictor)
- Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion – Liverpool to Win to Nil (21/20 at BetVictor)
- Manchester City v Southampton – 0-0 Draw (16/1 at Sky Bet)
- Chelsea v Manchester United – Draw (12/5 at Betfred)
- Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City – Cardiff City to Win (21/10 at Bet365)
- Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – Real Madrid to Win -2 (17/10 at Betfair)
- AC Milan v Juventus – Juventus to Win and Both Teams to Score (3/1 at Bet365)
- Paris Saint-Germain v Marseille – Paris Saint-Germain to Win 2-0 (13/2 at BetVictor)
Premier League
After eight games, the usual suspects are battling for top spot in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City still lead the way, but Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are only behind on goal difference following a minor blip for the Citizens. Tottenham Hotspur sit third, Liverpool fourth and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are fifth. With Everton, Man United and Southampton next, the top eight really is no surprise, with the cream rising to the top.
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur – 22nd October
The Premier League kicks off this weekend on Saturday lunchtime, as Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Vitality Stadium to take on Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.
Spurs needed a late goal from Dele Alli at West Bromwich Albion last week to preserve their unbeaten league record. Meanwhile, the Cherries thumped Hull City 6-1 to make it seven points out of nine. That result suggests the south coast side should have what it takes to stay up, whilst the Tigers look likely to struggle.
Despite Bournemouth’s good form, we believe the Lilywhites will be too strong for Howe’s men on Saturday. Spurs won comfortably home and away against Bournemouth last term, and they will back themselves to do so again in this one. Tottenham to win -1 is nicely priced at 27/10 with BetVictor.
Tottenham Hotspur to Win -1 – 27/10 at BetVictor
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion – 22nd October
Next up is Saturday’s late kick off between Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion. Last season, these two played out two draws and we expect another close game here.
Going into this weekend’s fixture, the Reds are the strong favourites to claim maximum points with the bookies. Liverpool are unbeaten eight, and have won seven of their 10 matches this season. As for the Baggies, they are unbeaten in four, but they have only won one in eight.
Even though Klopp’s side failed to break down a resolute Manchester United defence on Monday night, we can’t see them having any problems breaking through West Brom’s ranks on Saturday. We like the look of BetVictor’s 21/20 for the home team to win to nil. Liverpool’s defence has improved since Joel Matip came in and a 1-0 or 2-0 home win looks likely.
Liverpool to Win to Nil – 21/20 at BetVictor
Manchester City v Southampton – 23rd October
Sunday’s first game comes from the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City entertain Claude Puel’s Southampton. City will no doubt be looking to get back to winning ways after failing to win any of their last three matches (a record likely to become four prior to this one as they travel to Barca).
Standing in their way, though, are a vastly improved Southampton side, who have won five of their last seven matches in all competitions. During those seven games, Sam Vokes’ consolation strike for Burnley on Sunday is the only goal they have conceded.
City have only scored once in their last two league games, and we can see them struggling to break down the Saints’ solid defence on Sunday. We fancy this one to end goalless, and Sky Bet are offering the tempting odds of 16/1 for a 0-0 draw. With City sure to be tired from chasing shadows in the Nou Camp that looks a huge price to us.
0-0 Draw – 16/1 at Sky Bet
Chelsea v Manchester United – 23rd October
The last instalment of Super Sunday sees the return of the ‘Special One’ to Stamford Bridge, as Jose Mourinho takes his Manchester United to west London to face Antonio Conte’s Chelsea.
Sunday’s showdown will be the first time that Mourinho has gone back to his old stomping ground since his sacking 10 months ago. The Blues, who are just starting to find their feet under Conte, currently sit two places and two points above United in the Premier League table.
This one really is a tough game to call. Mourinho worked his magic on Monday to keep out a usually free-flowing Liverpool attack, in a performance that we’ve become accustomed to seeing under Mourinho over the years. We’re having a difficult time separating these two, and we advise you to take up Betfred’s 12/5 for this one to end all square at the Bridge.
Draw – 12/5 at Betfred
Championship
Year after year the Sky Bet Championship seems to get more open and unpredictable than ever. Okay, the likes of Norwich City and Newcastle United are right where they were expected to be (in the top two places), but when you look at how Huddersfield Town and Bristol City are doing, it just proves how difficult to predict the division is. At the other end of the spectrum, the likes of Cardiff City, Aston Villa and Derby County are all struggling in the lower regions of the table having been expected to do well this term.
Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City – 22nd October
On Saturday, Neil Warnock prepares for his first game away from home as Cardiff City boss, as his Bluebirds travel to the City Ground to face an inconsistent Nottingham Forest side.
Warnock won his first game in charge, as Cardiff beat rivals Bristol City at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night. Whilst the Bluebirds were playing Bristol, Forest were beating Birmingham City 3-1 at the City Ground.
On paper, these two are pretty evenly matched. Despite Cardiff’s poor start, a win on Saturday would put them just a point behind Philippe Montanier’s side in the Championship table. We fancy Warnock to work his magic once again, and his team to leave with all three points. An away win is generously priced at 21/10 at Bet365.
Cardiff City to Win – 21/10 at Bet365
La Liga
Moving away from English football and into Spain’s La Liga, we’re going to focus on Real Madrid’s home game with Athletic Bilbao. Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid are ahead of Zinedine Zidane’s men at the top of the table on goal difference. Meanwhile, Luis Enrique’s Barcelona are currently two points behind in fourth after a slow start.
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – 23rd October
This Sunday night, Real Madrid entertain Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao, who sit just three points behind Los Blancos in the table.
Bilbao are in fine form, having won five of their last six matches in all competitions. Last time out, they won a 3-2 thriller at home against Real Sociedad. However, despite their great start to the season, Athletic have already lost three times on the road, and Real Madrid must take advantage of that if they want to keep on the heels of their rivals.
Zidane’s troops are the strong favourites to claim their fourth home league win of the season in this one, and we can see them easing to victory. Betfair are offering 17/10 for Real Madrid to win -2, and we feel that’s worth having a punt on. Real can be ruthless at home and having beaten Legia Warsaw 5-1 in midweek they will be full of confidence.
Real Madrid to Win -2 – 17/10 at Betfair
Serie A
The big game in the Italian top flight this weekend is Saturday’s AC Milan v Juventus matchup at the San Siro. Juve once again lead the way, as they have dropped just three points all season. Roma are second, whilst Milan, who are in great form at present, currently lie third on goal difference. The likes of Roma, Milan, Torino and Napoli will all be hoping they can end Juventus’ dominance this season. It will be easier said than done!
AC Milan v Juventus – 22nd October
Juventus head to the San Siro on Saturday having won six games on the bounce. As for Milan, they have won four of their last five matches, and will fancy their chances of toppling the league leaders.
Coincidentally, the only defeat the Old Lady have suffered this term came at the San Siro, as Massimiliano Allegri’s men fell to a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan in mid-September. However, they are sure to be desperate to avoid losing in Milan once again.
Although we think AC Milan will give Juventus one hell of a game, we can see the Italian champions just edging it. The standout bet in this one is Juventus to win and both teams to score, which you can get at huge odds of 3/1 with Bet365.
Juventus to Win and Both Teams to Score – 3/1 at Bet365
Ligue 1
After being so dominant for the last few years, Paris Saint-Germain seem as though they are going to face a real challenge keeping hold of their title this year. Surprisingly, Nice lead the way, having taken 23 points from their opening nine games, four points more than what PSG have managed. Paris sit second, with the likes of Monaco and Toulouse breathing heavily down their necks.
Paris Saint-Germain v Marseille – 23rd October
On Sunday, Unai Emery’s Paris Saint-Germain welcome Franck Passi’s Marseille to the Parc des Princes. It’s been five years since Les Phoceens got the better of PSG, and they have their work cut out this weekend.
Despite PSG’s poor start, they have won their last three matches on the spin, and have only lost one in eight. However, that’s still not good enough for a club with the wealth and the size of the champions. Marseille currently lie 12th in the French top flight table, and they head to France’s capital as the huge underdogs.
Even though Emery’s men have not been their usual dominant selves so far this term, they have only dropped two points at home in the league, and they will fancy their chances of seeing off the challenge of Marseille with ease on the weekend. Last time out at home, PSG beat Bordeaux 2-0, and we think this one will end with the same scoreline. BetVictor are offering 13/2 for the home team to win 2-0 and that’s certainly worth a punt.
Paris Saint-Germain to Win 2-0 – 13/2 at BetVictor