There is an action-packed weekend of derbies around Europe this coming weekend, as some of the most elite sides come up against their local rivals. But, which soccer predictions should fans make for these huge games?
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund
The Bundesliga may not be as clear-cut as many would have thought this season, as there is a title race and a battle to finish in the top-four going on at present. Two sides that are famous old rivals that will be looking for huge wins to increase their chances in Germany this season will meet at the Allianz Arena this weekend.
Bayern Munich remain the team to beat in Germany’s top-flight this season, but the Bavarians will have a challenge on their hands if they are to regain the title. They are just two clear of RB Leipzig at the summit, which means that defeat against Dortmund could see them close the weekend in second spot. Bayern ended a two-game wait for a win in their last league game, as they picked up a 5-1 win over Koln. Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry both scored two goals apiece in the win.
Many would have been expecting Dortmund to challenge Bayern for the title at the beginning of the season, but they instead face a challenge to finish in the top-four this season. They are three points behind Eintracht Frankfurt at present, but were able to win back-to-back games after picking up a win against Arminia at the weekend. Jadon Sancho was among the scorers in the 3-0 win.
This will be a much greater challenge for Dortmund this weekend though, and we can’t see anything other than Bayern getting the win to keep their advantage at the top.
Juventus vs Lazio
Juventus are expected to be the leading side ahead of every season in Italy’s Serie A. However, this season hasn’t gone as well as Andrea Pirlo would have been hoping, and there is an uphill challenge in store for the Old Lady if they are to successfully defend their title this season.
Juventus are ten points away from Inter Milan, and are narrowly inside the top-four places coming into this fixture against Lazio. Consistency has been their biggest problem throughout the season to this point, and that has been highlighted in their last three games, as they have won just once. They were held last time out by Hellas Verona, as Cristiano Ronaldo found the net for the Old Lady in a 1-1 draw.
Lazio are one of the sides looking to track down Juventus in the race for Champions League football. While they will start the weekend in seventh place, they are just three points away from the league holders at present. However, they will need to show much better form at the Allianz Stadium than they have recently. Lazio have lost two of their last three, which includes the 2-0 defeat that they suffered against Bologna at the weekend.
Lazio and Juventus have both struggled to replicate the form that they had last season, but the defending champions should still have the quality to get the win this weekend.
Manchester City vs Manchester United
The second Manchester derby of the season takes place on Sunday afternoon, as City will be looking to move further clear of United. In truth, United aren’t in the title race and the aim for them this season would have been solidifying their place in the top four.
City are still eyeing up the world record for consecutive victories, and should they pick up a midweek win against Wolves, then they could aim to get win number 22 in a row against their local rivals at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s side look almost certain to win the league title this season, as the gap between themselves and the chasing pack stands at 12 points.
United’s away form over the past year only adds further intrigue to this fixture, as the Red Devils haven’t lost away from Old Trafford for over a year in the Premier League. Defensively they have been much stronger against the top six this season, but wins have been harder to come by. United defended well against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend, as the two sides played out a 0-0 draw, but the attacking threat was missing from their performance.
The pressure will be mostly on City to get the win in this game as they look to make history. That could play into United’s hands as they will have the opportunity to counter-attack. It should be an entertaining game, but we could see a draw being the result.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
There will also be the Madrid derby to look forward to this weekend, as Real will be looking to get the three points to close the gap on the current LaLiga leaders.
Atletico Madrid had opened the door for the chasing pack over recent weeks after winning just once in four. However, they returned to winning ways at the weekend with a victory against Villarreal. Joao Felix looked back to his best in that game, and scored the match-clinching goal in the 69th minute.
The emphasis will be on Real to win this game, as they need to close the six-point gap between the two sides. Zinedine Zidane’s side have been excellent in the league recently, and will come into the derby having won their last four. A win will be essential for their chances of regaining the title this season, as defeat could see Atletico’s points advantage being too great.
Real Madrid have been efficient throughout the season, and that will likely be the same this weekend. We expect them to get a narrow victory against Atletico to keep their title chances alive.
