It’s fair to say that this week has been unlike anything that we have experienced in European football. However, the projected plans for a Super League have been stopped in their tracks, which means gamblers can rest easy knowing that they can continue to make soccer predictions on the most competitive leagues in world football.
West Ham United vs Chelsea
There will be a huge match in the Premier League this coming weekend, with huge implications on the Champions League positions in the English top-flight. Chelsea and West Ham are currently in fourth and fifth respectively, but the winners this weekend could potentially move up to third in the league standings.
West Ham have had one of their best ever Premier League seasons, and they will be keen to ensure that their positive performances don’t fade at this pivotal stage of the campaign. The Hammers are well in the hunt for Champions League football and moved down to fifth after Chelsea claimed a point at home to Brighton in mid-week. However, the Hammers will need to bounce back from their defeat against Newcastle United last time out at the London Stadium at the weekend.
Chelsea’s week has centred more on stories off the pitch, and even Thomas Tuchel admitted that talk of a Super League had a negative impact on his side’s performance against Brighton on Tuesday night. Chelsea were lacklustre throughout that contest, and were fortunate to escape with a point in the end.
This could be a fascinating battle in the capital, and it could feasibly go either way. It will be a fixture that neither side can afford to lose, which means a draw could be something that both managers would be happy with.
Real Madrid vs Real Betis
The LaLiga title race has been fascinating viewing in Europe this season, and Real Madrid will be looking to strike the first shot this coming weekend as they take on Real Betis.
Madrid could go into this fixture level on points with Atletico, depending on mid-week results, but this game at the weekend could be huge for their chances of winning the league title. Zinedine Zidane’s side had enjoyed a run of four straight wins until recently, as they were held by Getafe. They need to get back on the winning path to put pressure on their city rivals.
Europa League football will be the target for the visitors this weekend, but they also need to get back to winning ways. Victories have been hard to come by for Betis recently, as they have endured a run of three straight draws. However, victory in the Spanish capital would ignite their chances of their European dream, and could see them move up to fifth in LaLiga.
Madrid have shown recently that they have struggled against sides that they should be beating. However, we don’t expect them to drop points this weekend against Betis.
Bayer Leverkusen vs Eintracht Frankfurt
The race to finish in the Champions League positions in the Bundesliga is reaching a pivotal stage. The team currently holding all the cards face off this weekend against Bayer Leverkusen.
Eintracht Frankfurt will be able to all but end Bayer Leverkusen’s hunt for Champions League football this weekend if they can claim a win on the road. Frankfurt’s resurgence in the second half of the season has been something to behold, and they moved into third place in the league standings with a victory in midweek. That win has put them to within five points of the second spot. Frankfurt have lost the second fewest number of games this season in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen’s season has fallen away in the second half of the campaign, and they come into this fixture seven points off the Champions League positions. They could also be fearful of dropping out of the European places altogether, as they are just four points ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach in the race for Europa League football. Leverkusen suffered a third defeat in six in midweek against Bayern Munich.
This could be a pivotal weekend in the race for the top four in the Bundesliga, but we find it hard to look past Frankfurt claiming the win they need to enhance their chances.
Leeds United vs Manchester United
Two of the biggest rivals in English football meet at Elland Road for the first time since 2003 this weekend, as Manchester United travel to Leeds United looking to maintain their fine run of form.
Off the field issues have been the talking point around the Red Devils this week, as the club were involved in the controversial Super League. The club’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, also stepped back from his role in midweek, which was greeted as a hugely positive step by fans. On the pitch, United have been excellent recently, as they have won their last five Premier League fixtures. United’s top-four place is almost certainly secured, but there may still be a chance of a late title push depending on City’s results.
Leeds United will be motivated for this fixture, and will be keen to bounce back following the 6-2 defeat that they suffered at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign. Leeds have been excellent over recent games, as they have beaten Manchester City, and claimed a point against Liverpool. A win this weekend could see them end the weekend as high as eighth in the league standings.
This could be the game of the weekend in the Premier League, but it is hard to see past United maintaining their excellent run, as they have been exceptional away from Old Trafford over the past 15 months.
