The big games just keep coming around Europe, as we are well into the final month of the season. Every point is vital for teams chasing league titles and European qualification, but which soccer predictions should fans make this weekend?
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
The biggest game of the LaLiga season takes place this weekend, as two of the top three meet at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona will be aware that victory this weekend would take them to the top of the league. Their recent form has been strong, as they have won three of their four most recent games. Ronald Koeman’s side warmed up for this fixture with a 3-2 victory on the road against Valencia. Lionel Messi scored twice in that victory.
Atletico Madrid’s stranglehold on the top of the LaLiga could be over this weekend, as defeat could see them drop to as low as third in the standings. Atletico have lost the fewest games in the league this season, but half of their four defeats have come in their last six fixtures.
This will be a cagey fixture between two sides that can’t afford to lose this weekend. However, it would be hard to see past Barcelona taking the win.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla
Real Madrid will be watching on anxiously as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid clash on Saturday afternoon. Zinedine Zidane’s side return to LaLiga action on Sunday afternoon, as they host Sevilla.
Madrid will be hoping for a draw between their two rivals this weekend, while a Barcelona win coupled with a Real win against Sevilla would also be enough for them to end the weekend at the summit. Real have been in excellent form over recent weeks, as they are unbeaten in six league games.
Sevilla are going to be joining Real Madrid in the Champions League next season, as they are comfortably in the top four in the league table. However, they will be hoping to bounce back this weekend, as they were beaten for the first time in six last time out by Athletic Bilbao.
Like the game on Saturday, this is also another huge fixture in terms of the title race. Real have picked up two draws in their last four, and this may be another point against talented opposition.
Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig
Borussia Dortmund’s battle to finish in the Champions League places in the Bundesliga looks set to go down to the wire. They face the side that looks certain to finish second in the league this weekend.
The pressure will be on Dortmund this weekend, as their recent form has given them an excellent chance to finish in the top four. That would have seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago. However, Dortmund’s run of four straight wins, coupled with two defeats in three games for Eintracht Frankfurt has meant that there is just a point separating the sides.
Leipzig are still seven points off Bayern Munich, but have a comfortable seven-point advantage in second. They look set to finish the season as the runners-up, which would be a fine finishing point for manager Julian Nagelsmann before he moves to Bayern Munich in the summer.
This should be an entertaining game, but it is hard to separate the two rivals. Therefore, a draw could be the best bet.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Manchester City could be crowned Premier League champions this weekend if they can pick up three points at the Etihad against Chelsea.
City currently sit 13 points clear at the top of the league, while Manchester United have a game in hand following the postponement of their recent clash with Liverpool. City have won 25 of their 34 league games this term, and have been beaten on just one occasion in their previous six.
This will also be a huge fixture for Chelsea, as they are very much in the fight for a top-four finish. West Ham are just three points behind the Blues, and defeat for Thomas Tuchel’s side this weekend could open the door for the Hammers. Chelsea come into this game in good form, as they have won three of their last four.
Chelsea have already beaten City in the FA Cup this season, but they look an outside chance to repeat that feat at the Etihad. We fully expect City to be crowned champions this weekend following a home victory.
Juventus vs AC Milan
Inter Milan have been crowned the champions of Italy, but the race to finish in the Champions League places in Serie A is far from over. Five points separate second and sixth, with two of the sides in the middle of the crowd meeting in Turin this weekend.
Juventus are currently in third with 69 points, which is the same tally as both AC Milan and Atalanta. Napoli are just two points behind the Old Lady, which does mean a potentially nerve-wracking end to the season for Andrea Pirlo’s side. There are just four games remaining, and Juventus will be looking for a third win in four this weekend.
AC Milan have dropped quickly down the league standings. They were in second just over a month ago, but they are now fighting for their lives to stay in a Champions League position. Milan have lost two of their last three games, and they can’t afford another defeat in Turin.
This game will be huge for both teams, but we expect Juventus to get the win.
