Last weekend could have been a telling one at the top of the various leagues around Europe, but maintaining form is everything for sides looking to win respective league titles. However, what soccer predictions should fans be making this weekend?
RB Leipzig vs Borussia Monchengladbach
Few could have believed that RB Leipzig would be back in the Bundesliga title picture just a couple of weeks ago, but that is exactly where they find themselves coming into this game. Leipzig have closed the gap on Bayern Munich to just two points, and could move top for a couple of hours with a win against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Leipzig have been in great form in the league over their last four games, as they have won all the fixtures that they have played. They were efficient in their last league game against Hertha Berlin, as they picked up a comfortable 3-0 win. Marcel Sabitzer scored one of the goals of the season to open the scoring in the game, before goals in the final 20 minutes from Nordi Mukiele and Willi Orban wrapped up the win.
Monchengladbach have a mountain to climb if they are to finish in a Champions League place this season, as they have fallen completely out of contention over recent weeks. They have lost two of their last four, and are nine points behind Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg. This will be a must-win game for them this weekend, but it looks to be a big ask.
Leipzig have been in excellent form recently, and they will be expected to pick up another three points against Monchengladbach on Saturday.
Manchester City vs West Ham United
Manchester City look to be unstoppable in their quest to win the Premier League title this season, and they will be looking for yet another win this weekend. City could now have their sights set on the world record for consecutive wins, which stands at the 24 which was achieved by Brazilian side Corthiba ten years ago.
City look good value to continue that record judging by the performance that they shown to win their 18th game on the bounce in the league last weekend. Pep Guardiola’s side didn’t have to get out of second gear in that success, as they opened the scoring early through Raheem Sterling. Ruben Dias and John Stones were both excellent in defensive in that game, and they will be looking for another clean sheet against the Hammers this weekend.
David Moyes has refused to get dragged into talks that his side are chasing a top-four finish this season, despite the Hammers currently sitting in that position in the league table. West Ham picked up another excellent win last time out, as Jesse Lingard scored the match-clinching goal in a 2-1 home success against Tottenham Hotspur.
West Ham have been excellent so far this season, and this will be a good test to see how far they have come under Moyes. However, we expect the City machine to keep charging on with another gritty victory.
Sevilla vs Barcelona
Barcelona’s chances of winning any silverware this season have quickly evaporated over the space of a couple of weeks. However, a top-four finish in LaLiga will be the minimum requirement that must be achieved by Ronald Koeman this season.
A Champions League season without Barcelona would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago, but such is their fall from grace that it could actually happen sooner rather than later. They should still finish in a Champions League place in the league this season, but they will be wary of allowing Real Sociedad to close the gap any further on them.
Sevilla could be above Barcelona in the league table before this fixture kicks off on the weekend, and few would argue against the Europa League holders being in that position. They have won five on the bounce in the league, and may still consider themselves to have an outside chance of the league title this season.
This will be a massive game for Barcelona, but from the form that they have shown recently, it will be difficult to see them overcome Sevilla. The home side could claim a vital point in this fixture.
AS Roma vs AC Milan
What a difference a couple of weeks have made in Serie A. AC Milan were riding high just two weeks ago, but they have since seen their lead at the top of the league removed, and their place at the summit gone.
Milan will come into this weekend’s games with work to be done to go back top of the league table, as they now trail Inter Milan by four points. The damage may have been done in recent games, but they didn’t put up much of a threat in their 3-0 defeat against Inter, which saw their local rivals extend their advance. Milan will now be wary of the sides below them, and that includes Roma.
Roma are third in the league standings coming into this game, and could close to two points of Milan with a win. They have lost just once in their previous five, and battled hard to pick up a 0-0 draw against Benevento last time out. Roma will need to contend with the Europa League and Serie A over the remainder of the season, and how they manage the competitions will be crucial.
Milan can’t afford another defeat on Sunday night, but the Stadio Olimpico is never an easy venue to visit. A draw could be the most likely outcome between the sides.
