It will be a gripping weekend of action around Europe this weekend, as there are top of the table clashes in all of the major leagues. But, which soccer predictions should gamblers be making on the action?
Sevilla vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid will come into their fixture this weekend seven points off the pace in LaLiga. Zinedine Zidane’s team will need to end a terrible run of form, as they have gone three without a win in the league. They will come up against a Sevilla side that are showing signs of their best form, as they have won their last three.
There is still a long way to go in Spain this season, but neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona have found consistency in their results to this point. Madrid have lost two of their previous three. Madrid’s last win was at the end of October against Huesca. Since then, they have conceded seven goals in three games. It was a disappointing outing last time out in LaLiga, as they were beaten by Alaves in Madrid.
Sevilla are certainly a team on the up, as they have won their last three. These victories brought an end to a baron run, which saw them lose three on the bounce. Their last two wins have come against Celta Vigo and Huesca. Their most recent victory was against Huesca, with Youssef En-Nesyri scoring the winning goal with seven minutes remaining. Another win this weekend would see them move into the top-four at the expense of Real.
Real Madrid have won the last three league meetings against Sevilla, but the form would point to a closer contest in this fixture. The pick is for a draw between the two Champions League-chasing sides.
Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig
There will be huge stakes in the Bundesliga this weekend, as the top two teams in the division square off. It will be the league’s best attack vs the league’s best defensive side, but something will need to give at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich have been in excellent form since suffering a shock league defeat at an early stage of the season. The Bavarians have won five of their last six fixtures, which also included a win over fellow title challengers Borussia Dortmund. They once again flexed their attacking muscles in the Bundesliga at the weekend, as they scored three against Stuttgart. Bayern needed to come from behind to win that match, after Tanguy Coulibaly had put the hosts ahead. However, goals from Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Douglas Costa turned the game around.
Leipzig have emerged as the most likely contender for the Bundesliga title this season, as they have won six from nine games this season. They ended a patchy run of form, which included one win in three by claiming three huge points against Arminia this past weekend. Angelino and Christopher Nkunku scored for Leipzig in the win, but they would have been disappointed that they didn’t kill the game off earlier.
Leipzig are still trying to find the attacking threat that made them one of the most frightening teams in Europe last season, but their defensive record has been exceptional. However, Bayern have averaged over three goals a game in the league so far this season, so it will be hard to bet against the home side.
Juventus vs Torino
It has been a difficult start to Andrea Pirlo’s managerial career, as the Old Lady have won just twice in their last six games. This should be a more straightforward game for them this weekend as they come up against a struggling Torino side.
Juventus already find themselves six points off the pace in Serie A this season, and they could end the weekend outside of the top four if they are beaten against Torino. Draws have become a huge issue for Juventus, as they have drawn five of their nine games this season. Their most recent draw came last time out against Benevento. Alvaro Morata had put Juventus ahead in that game, but Benevento equalised on the stroke of half-time. Morata was sent off in the 97th minute to compound Pirlo’s misery. There needs to be a response this weekend.
This would be a near-perfect fixture for Juventus this weekend, as they will be coming up against a team that has really struggled to pick up wins this season. Torino have won just once in nine games, and will come into this fixture having failed to win in three. They are currently in the bottom three of Serie A, but they would have taken confidence from their recent 2-2 draw against Sampdoria. Soualiho Meite scored late in the game to earn the home side a point.
Juventus have an excellent record against Torino, and it will be hard to see anything other than a home win this weekend.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
The first North London derby of the season takes place on Sunday afternoon, and there will be huge stakes for both famous sides. Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to keep their position at the top of the league, while the Gunners will be looking to kickstart their season.
Tottenham would have been aware that this section of the season could be where it is determined what they will be competing for this season. They have already claimed a win and a draw against Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, but a win over the Gunners will be a massive confidence booster ahead of a huge fixture against Liverpool in a couple of weeks. Spurs didn’t seem prepared to lose their last game in the Premier League against Chelsea, as their aim was to ensure that the attacking players in the Blues side couldn’t flourish. Jose Mourinho would have been delighted with the point, but this is a game that fans will expect Spurs to attack in.
Arsenal have endured a miserable start to the new season, as they currently have just 13 points. That is the lowest tally that the Gunners have had in the top flight after ten games since the 1981-82 season. Scoring from open play has proven to be an issue, as Gabriel’s header in their recent 2-1 defeat to Wolves was the first goal that they have scored from open play in nearly eight hours. This will be another big challenge against a defensively strong unit.
Tottenham will need to come out and attack against the Gunners this weekend, as they look to continue their four-match unbeaten run against Arsenal in all competitions. We expect Spurs to get the three points.
