There is a busy week of European soccer action, with some of the biggest teams looking for maximum points. These are some of the soccer predictions that gamblers should be making for the huge games taking place.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
The biggest game in the Premier League this week takes place on Wednesday evening, as the top two sides meet at Anfield. Both Spurs and Liverpool will be looking to avenge recent dropped points, and the winners of this fixture could take a huge step towards throwing down their gauntlet for the remainder of the season.
There is no doubting that Liverpool remain the favourites coming into this fixture, as they are the reigning champions and boast a remarkable home record. However, they have been less dominant so far this season, as they have won seven of their 12 games. The Reds have drawn four times and have lost on one occasion. Jurgen Klopp’s side are the highest scorers in the league this season, but they would have been disappointed with their defensive record. Liverpool’s defensive problems have continued to mount, as they have now lost Joel Matip through injury.
Spurs will come into this game at the top of the league on goal difference, which means a point would be considered a positive result for Jose Mourinho’s side. They were held last time out by Crystal Palace, which was their second successive draw on the road. Spurs are likely to sit ten behind the ball again for this fixture, and look to counter. That was a game plan that has worked to perfection at Anfield in the past for Mourinho, with the famous standout example coming at the back end of the 2013-14 season, which eventually cost Liverpool the title.
There will be no great surprise about the Mourinho tactics for this game, and it could be enough to ensure that his side walks away from Anfield with a point.
FC Barcelona vs Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad moved back to the top of LaLiga this past weekend, but they will need to improve further if they are to claim three points against a Barcelona side that showed glimpses of their best last time out.
Sociedad returned to the summit last time out, but they would have been disappointed that they weren’t able to claim all three points. That draw means that they have now drawn in each of their past three matches in Spain. Regardless, it was enough to move back top courtesy of goals scored after Atletico Madrid were beaten by Real Madrid. Sociedad’s last game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Ander Barrenetxea scoring the only goal in the game for the hosts.
The league table still doesn’t make for positive reading for Barcelona, as they remain in eighth place. They are just one point outside the top six, but five points outside the top four. Barcelona have won two of their previous three games, with their most recent victory coming against Levante at the Nou Camp. Not for the first time, it was Lionel Messi that was on hand to save Barcelona’s blushes.
Real Sociedad appear to be in a tough spot at present, as they are struggling to get back to winning ways. This will be another difficult challenge for them, but we could see them getting a fourth draw on the bounce.
Juventus vs Atalanta
Juventus are moving quickly up through the Serie A table at present, and they could get to within one point of AC Milan if they claim three points at the Allianz Stadium against Atalanta.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s return has had a huge impact on their fortunes, as the Old Lady have been able to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Juventus have won six of their eleven games this season, with four of those wins coming in their last six games. Juventus have also won their last two games in Serie A, which includes a victory against Genoa last time out. Ronaldo scored a late brace in that win, while Paulo Dybala also found the net.
Atalanta were one of the best team’s to watch in Serie A last season, but they have struggled to find consistency so far this campaign. They have won just once in their last four league outings, but they will take confidence from the fact that the win came in their last game. They beat Fiorentina at home in their most recent game, and there were goals for Robin Gosens and Rafael Toloi in that victory.
This will be a more difficult challenge for Atalanta, and it’s hard to see anything other than a home win in Serie A for Juventus.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
The top two in the Bundesliga will do battle this week, as the undefeated Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to build on the one-point lead that they already have over Bayern Munich.
Not many people would have given Bayer Leverkusen a chance this season of winning the league after they lost Kai Havertz to Chelsea. However, they have started the season in excellent fashion with seven wins in eleven games. They couldn’t be in better form coming into this fixture, as they have won five of their six recent outings in the Bundesliga. Bayer were excellent in their last game, as they beat Hoffenheim 4-1. Leon Bailey scored twice in the comprehensive win, while Florian Wirtz and Lucas Alario also found the net.
Bayern Munich surrendered their lead at the top of the table after drawing against Union Berlin. The reigning champions were fortunate to come away with a point from that game, as Robert Lewandowski scored the equalising goal with 20 minutes remaining. That marks the third draw that Bayern have got in their last four games, and that would certainly give Leverkusen the confidence that there is something in this game for them.
Leverkusen have been excellent so far this season, but this will be their first huge challenge. A win could see them emerge as potential title contenders, but we struggle to see Bayern losing this game. The draw could be the best bet.
