There is a huge weekend of European soccer action this weekend, with a number of massive games at the top of the biggest leagues on the continent. But, which soccer predictions should bettors be making for the games this weekend?
Lazio vs AS Roma
The action in Serie A this weekend will be heating up, with a huge game between Lazio and AS Roma with Champions League places on the agenda. Lazio endured a slow start to the new season, but have shown indications that they could be back to somewhere near their best over the last couple of games. They will come into this fixture at the weekend having won their last two league games. Their most recent win came against Parma, as they secured a 2-0 success on the road. Luis Alberto and Felipe Caicedo scored the goals for Lazio in the second half. Lazio remain five points off the pace in the battle for a Champions League place, which means that they will need to piece together an excellent run of form.
AS Roma have looked like good value for a place in the Champions League throughout this season, and are currently six points off the top of the league. Roma come into this fixture in good form, as they have won three of their last four Serie A games. However, they will be wary that they could fall out of the top four if the sides around them win their games in hand. To put pressure on the sides around them, they will need to keep winning their games. Roma were held in their last fixture, as they scored late to claim a 2-2 draw against Inter Milan.
Both sides involved in this fixture will need the three points to challenge for what they are trying to achieve this season. With that being said, the most likely result could be the draw.
Wolfsburg vs RB Leipzig
The door was left wide open for RB Leipzig to move to the top of the Bundesliga this past weekend. However, they watched that opportunity pass them by as they lost for just the second time in 15 games against Borussia Dortmund. It was one of the worst performances of the season so far from Leipzig, as they suffered a 3-1 home defeat. The only positive that could be taken from that game was the goal scored by Alexander Sorloth in the 89th minute. The gap between Leipzig and Bayern Munich remains at two points, and they can’t afford a second defeat on the bounce.
Wolfsburg are dropping down the league standings at an alarming rate, and defeat this weekend could mean that they fall out of the Europa League positions in the league standings. Wolfsburg have won just twice in the last six, and were held once again in their last league outing against Union Berlin. Renato Steffen and Wout Weghorst scored the goals for the travelling side to claim the draw in that game.
Leipzig will need to respond following their recent defeat, and we expect them to get back to winning ways with a victory on the road in this fixture.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
The biggest game in English soccer takes place this week, as Manchester United make the short journey to Anfield. These two sides are the most successful in the history of English soccer, and it looks as though both sides will be involved in the title race this season.
Not many people would have given Manchester United hope of challenging for a league title for the first time since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson after defeat on the opening day of the season. However, United have managed to piece together their form in the Premier League and could go into this fixture top of the league with at least a point in their midweek clash with Burnley. United are getting more resilient as the season progresses, and that character was on display in their recent late win against Aston Villa, as Bruno Fernandes scored a late winner.
Many experts were already giving the league title to Liverpool in December, but their recent form has caused many to second-guess whether the Reds will win back-to-back titles. Their recent form has been disappointing, as they haven’t won in three. Their lack of attacking threat has been evident in those three results, as they were held by Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, before being beaten in their most recent game against Southampton.
This will be a huge fixture in the season, and a case can be made for both teams involved. United will look to play on the counter-attack, while Liverpool will be forced to dictate the pace. The draw could be the most reasonable bet.
Inter Milan vs Juventus
There is also a huge fixture between two of the sides competing for the Serie A title this weekend, as Juventus travel to the San Siro to take on Inter Milan. It would seem that both sides will be involved in the title race this term, but both already have ground to make up on the current leaders.
Inter are the closest challengers, as they are just three points behind AC Milan. Their recent form has meant that their city rivals have been able to open up a slight gap, as Inter have drawn and lost their last two league games. Inter were held by AS Roma in their most recent fixture, as they were made to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Juventus are getting closer to the top of the league table, and have won their last three fixtures coming into this fixture. One of those victories came at the San Siro, as they ended AC Milan’s unbeaten start to the season a few weeks back. Juventus claimed a win in their most recent fixture as they won 3-1 against Sassuolo. Aaron Ramsey and Cristiano Ronaldo were among the scorers in that success.
Juventus have a knack of getting a win when they need it most, and we expect them to pull a rabbit from the hat at the San Siro on Sunday and beat Inter Milan.
