There will be two huge derbies in Europe this weekend, with Manchester and Madrid teams both clashing. But, which teams will get the wins in the respective games? Find out in this soccer predictions preview.
Manchester United vs Manchester City
The battle between red and blue will be the biggest game in the Premier League this weekend, as United meet City at Old Trafford. There is very little between the two sides in the league table, as United sit just one point ahead of City after ten games have been played.
Despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United would be within two points of the top of the league should they win their game in hand. This weekend could present a huge chance for United to potentially aim slightly higher than that. Not many people would give United a chance of competing for the league title, but it would be hard to argue with that if they maintain their form. The Red Devils are the most in-form team in the league coming into this fixture, as they have won their last four league games.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still considered the favourites to win the Premier League this term, but they have only won five of their ten games to this point. They have scored a lower number of goals than United, and have won just two times in their last four games. City have recorded back-to-back wins, with successes against Burnley and Fulham, but this will be a tougher task against United.
United have won three of the previous four derbies in all competitions, which includes the 2-0 win that they recorded at Old Trafford in March. This is a tougher game to call, and the draw could be the best bet.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
If Real Madrid have any hopes of winning the LaLiga title this season, then this will be considered a must-win. They will not be able to go nine points behind their Madrid rivals, while the gap could extend to 12 as Atletico also have a game in hand.
Atletico have been in excellent form so far this season in the league, as they are yet to lose. No team in LaLiga have won more games than Atletico, and they remain top despite playing the fewest number of games this term. Their defensive record is staggering, as they have conceded just two goals so far this term. Atletico kept another clean sheet in their most recent fixture, as they beat Valladolid 2-0. Thomas Lemar scored the opener in that game, before Marcos Llorente doubled the home side’s lead.
Real Madrid’s recent wobble is now over, as they won their first game in three last time out. That win was enough to move them back into the top four, but they remain six points behind the current league leaders. It was a huge win last time out for Zinedine Zidane’s team, as they beat Sevilla 1-0. It was an excellent result against a team that have been ever-improving since the start of the campaign. But, Zidane will be hoping that his team can use that win as a springboard for better things.
Atletico have gone eight LaLiga games without a win against their local rivals, with Real having won two of the previous three. However, the travelling side will be confident that they can end that terrible run this weekend, and we believe that the Atletico win could be the best bet.
Union Berlin vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich remain on course to win the Bundesliga this season, as they managed to keep one of their closest rivals at arm's length last time out. Union Berlin will pose a different kind of challenge this weekend.
Bayern worked very hard in their most recent fixture to ensure that RB Leipzig weren’t able to inflict a second defeat on them this season. The two German heavyweights played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, with Thomas Muller scoring an equaliser for Bayern in the 75th minute. That was his second goal of the game, as he did find the net to put Bayern 2-1 up after 34 minutes. Jamal Musiala also found the net for Bayern in the draw.
Union Berlin’s excellent run of form was brought to an end in their most recent fixture, as Hertha Berlin inflicted just a second defeat of the season. Union went ahead in that game through Taiwo Awoniyi, but a red card to Robert Andrich changed that game in the 23rd minute. The home side this weekend remain in the Europa League places, but this challenge looks to be too big for them this weekend.
Cagliari vs Inter Milan
The tope of the Serie A table is beginning to take shape, as Inter Milan have joined Napoli and Juventus in trying to track down runaway leaders AC Milan. Antonio Conte will be aware that every game that his side plays is must-win to catch their local rivals.
Inter have been in great form in Serie A, as they have won their last three games and are unbeaten in their previous six. No team in Italy’s top tier have scored more than Inter, and that could decisive this weekend. Inter were successful in their last fixture, as they beat Bologna 3-1. Romelu Lukaku scored the first goal in the game, before Achraf Hakimi scored a second half brace.
Cagliari haven’t been able to piece together their form so far this season, and they come into this fixture without a win in three. They have drawn their last two fixtures in the league, with the most recent of those coming in the form of a 1-1 result with Hellas Verona.
It promises to be another tricky fixture for Cagliari this weekend, as they will be coming up against a team that are finding their best form. It is hard to see anything other than an Inter win.
