The action around Europe is heating up, and there will be some more thrilling fixtures taking place this weekend. However, which games should gamblers look to be making soccer predictions on this weekend?
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund
It looks like it could still be a testing season for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, as they face a fight to secure a Champions League spot. Any hopes of winning the league have disappeared after they have lost five of their opening 16 games this term. However, they will be able to show this weekend that they are still one of the main contenders to finish in the top-four in Germany.
Dortmund come into this match having won two of their previous three, while they have also been unbeaten during that run. However, they would have been disappointed with their performance in the last game that they played at home. Dortmund were held over the weekend by Mainz, as they needed a late equaliser from Thomas Meunier to save a point.
Gladbach have also gone three without defeat in the Bundesliga, as they were also held in their most recent fixture. That draw ended a run of two straight victories, but does mean that they have lost just once in six outings in Germany’s top-flight. Monchengladbach would have thought they had done enough to claim the win in their last game, but a 96th minute equaliser from Stuttgart meant that they needed to settle for a point. Lars Stindl and Denis Zakaria had put Gladbach in control of that game.
Both of these sides have reputations of playing exciting football, which means that there will be goals when they meet. The bet on over 2.5 goals could be the best selection.
AC Milan vs Atalanta
AC Milan moved back to the top of Serie A on Monday night. That win stretched their lead over the defending champions to ten points, but Juventus do have a game in hand over the current leaders. Milan also now have a three-point advantage over their local rivals Inter, and are quickly emerging as genuine title contenders this season.
Milan have lost just once in 18 games this term, but were able to bounce back from the set-back by winning their last two league games. The most recent of those wins came against Cagliari. Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued to defy logic, as he scored twice in the win. His first game from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, before he fired home a second seven minutes into the second half.
Atalanta will pose a real serious threat to Milan’s excellent early season record, as they haven’t lost in their last six Serie A games. They are beginning to show the form that everyone expects from them, and a win this weekend could lift them into the top-four of Serie A. They were held in their last game by Genoa, as they played out an extremely rare 0-0 draw.
There will be few opportunities in this game for either side, but the home side should claim the three points as their form this season has been excellent.
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
Atletico Madrid’s lead at the top of LaLiga is a relatively healthy one at this stage of the season, as they have a four-point advantage with two games in hand over Real Madrid.
Atletico have been excellent throughout the season to this point, as they have dropped just seven points from the 16 games that they have played. Diego Simeone’s side have won their last five games in Spain, and no side has conceded fewer than the six that Atletico have recorded this season. The Spanish giants claimed a huge win in their last game, as they beat Sevilla 2-0. Angel Correa and Saul Niguez scored the goals in that statement win.
It looks to be a huge challenge for Valencia in the second half of the season if they have hopes of finishing in a European place this season. They are currently in 14th, as they have won just four games this season. However, they will take confidence from a recent league win against Valladolid. Carlos Soler scored the only goal in that game, as Valencia recorded a rare win on the road.
Valencia’s away form this season has been disappointing, which means that it will be hard to see past Atletico winning this fixture.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
For the second time in seven days, Manchester United and Liverpool will clash. However, this fixture will take place in the FA Cup, which means that there will be a number of changes for both sides. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp will be looking to win at least a single trophy this season, which means it remains a game that both sides will be hoping to win.
Manchester United’s form has been excellent since a November defeat to Arsenal in the league. Domestically, only Manchester City have beaten them since that defeat against the Gunners. Solskjaer will be looking to win a first trophy as United boss, and the FA Cup could be his best chance. The Red Devils qualified for the fourth round after beating Watford, with Scott McTominay scoring the only goal of the game in that win.
Liverpool had an unusual task in front of them in the third round, as they came up against an Aston Villa side that consisted of only players under the age of 20. The Reds suffered the embarrassment of conceding against the youngsters when Louie Barry scored in the first half. However, Klopp’s side were able to show their dominance in the second half and eventually ran out 4-1 winners after goals from Sadio Mane, Georgino Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah.
These two sides played out a 0-0 draw last weekend in the Premier League, but this fixture should be more entertaining. We expect United to make it through as the players that they will be bringing in will likely be better quality than the rotation players that Klopp will use.
