VFB STUTTGART v BAYERN MUNICH
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich will be gunning to strengthen their hold at the summit of the league table when the side make the trip to Stuttgart on Saturday evening.
The hosts, however, are faring significantly poorer than their opponents ahead of this clash as they head into the weekend’s action outside of the relegation zone on goal difference only.
Bruno Labbadia’s charges have only claimed one win in their previous five league games, with the solitary win being a 3-0 home triumph over Cologne last month. The side now have all to play for in a frantic bid to beat the drop but have the unappealing task of hosting the champions on home turf. Julian Nagelsmann’s team however, bent on claiming back-to-back wins in the league and extending their advantage over the chasing bunch, can’t afford to drop points with their fiercest rivals Borussia Dortmund lurking closely behind.
The H2H between both teams in their previous five meetings have largely gone one way as Bayern are yet to lose to Stuttgart, winning three and playing draws in the other two games. The reverse tie earlier this season ended up being a 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena.
PREDICTION: Although Bayern may have their attention largely fixated on their Champions League second leg Ro16 tie against PSG on Tuesday and may rest certain key players, we firmly believe they should be too good for the hosts so we predict a straight win for the visitors at 1.42 odds @Bestbet360.
LIVERPOOL v MAN UTD
Manchester United resume their League obligations for the first time in over ten days as old rivalries will be renewed when they travel to Anfield to take on struggling hosts Liverpool in one of the most anticipated EPL games this weekend.
The hosts are undefeated in their last two league games, playing out a goalless draw with Crystal Palace before earning a deserved 2-0 win over Wolves. Two quickfire strikes from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were enough to push the Reds up to sixth on 39 points, two behind Newcastle in fifth on the standings.
Meanwhile, the opponents, easily one of the most in-form sides in the world right now, make the trip to the Merseyside club on the back of four straight wins in all competitions, with one of those wins being over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. They also booking their place in the FA Cup quarterfinal following a 3-1 win over West Ham. Erik Ten Hag’s charges are also on a two-game winning run in the league ahead of this potentially pulsating fixture.
The last five meetings between both sides has gone more in the favour of Liverpool, who have claimed three wins while United have two wins. The reverse fixture of this particular game earlier this season went the way of Manchester United, ending a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.
PREDICTION: Manchester United are winless at Anfield in their last seven attempts in a run that dates back to 2016, but given the side’s new found penchant for goal scoring and Liverpool’s inconsistent performances this term, United might well favour an opportunity to do a double over their rivals. Recent meetings between both sides have not been void of goals and entertainment so we predict a combo option of Double Chance and under 5.5 goals (DC & un. 5.5 Goals) at 1.60 odds @Bestbet360.
ARSENAL v BOURNEMOUTH
High flyers Arsenal continue their charge to a first league triumph since the 2003/04 season when they host Bournemouth at the Emirates stadium this weekend.
The Gunners, seeking a fourth consecutive win in the league, routinely got past Everton, 4-0 in their last league game in midweek. They now have the opportunity to open an eight point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, who are hot on the tails of the London outfit.
Bournemouth, on the flipside, have found themselves in the “murky waters” of the relegation zone, stacking up 21 points in 24 games, losing 4-1 last time out against Manchester City and face an uphill task of denting Arsenal’s charge at the summit of the standings. The Cherries have the worst defensive record this term, shipping in 48 goals, the most thus far and given their struggles up front, Gary O’Neil’s side head into this tie as underwhelming underdogs against an Arsenal side rich in form and confidence.
The previous five clashes between both teams goes the way you probably expected with Arsenal the more triumphant side, claiming 4 wins and the other game ended in a stalemate. The previous tie earlier this season ended in favour of the Gunners and it is expected this game will most likely yeild a similar outcome.
PREDICTION: Arsenal are firmly expected to do the business at home, in front of the home crowd against Bournemouth so we predict a combo option of a win at over 2.5 goals in favour of the hosts (i.e., 1 & ov. 2.5G) that option will be set at 1.58 odds @Bestbet360.
FIORENTINA V AC MILAN
Seemingly turning a corner and getting over their struggles earlier on this season, champions AC Milan will look to continue their winning run when they travel to Fiorentina in the Italian Seria A this weekend at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Milan, although they may have kissed any chance of a successful title retention goodbye, have witnessed a recent upturn in fortunes and head into this game on the back of a four-game winning run in all competitions. This has moved them up to third in the Serie A standings, level on points with city rivals Inter on 47 points, albeit a staggering 18 points behind Napoli who seem poised to claim a first Scudetto triumph since 1990.
Stefano Pioli’s side will now set up against a Fiorentina who are 12th on the table ahead of this game. The hosts however, are undefeated in their last two games, playing out a 1-1 draw against Empoli before a 3-0 bashing of Hellas Verona last time out in the league.
The H2H between both teams in their previous five meetings shows Milan’s dominance against Fiorentina as the visitors have won four out of five, losing one, the only win the hosts have against their opponents in the last couple of meetings. The reverse tie earlier on this term ended in a 2-1 win for Milan at the San Siro.
PREDICTION: Both sides boast of considerable potency in attack this term as each are in the top 4 of teams with the most attempts at goal this term, given that fact, we feel there should be adequate goalmouth action to entertain the fans at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. With that being said, we predict a GG option at 1.82 odds @Bestbet360.
REAL BETIS v REAL MADRID
Fresh off a Copa del Rey semifinal first leg defeat to eternal rivals Barcelona on Thursday, Real Madrid will now push to reduce the deficit between themselves and leaders Barça at the top of the La Liga standings when they make the trip to the Estadio Benito Villamarin to take on inform Real Betis this weekend.
Los Blancos head into this tie winless in their last two games in all competitions; playing out a 1-1 draw in the Madrid Derby against Athletico Madrid last time in the league, before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in their Copa del Rey Semifinal first leg game. Carlo Ancelotti’s side are seven points behind Barcelona ahead of the trip to Betis and risk that lead being expanded if they fail to win on the road.
The hosts, on the other hand, are brimming with a lot of confidence at the moment and head into this home tie on the back of three straight wins, as the side sit in fifth on 40 points and could move to third on the standings should the Manuel Pellegrini-tutored side make it four straight wins against the visitors, well, that sounds easier said than done as Madrid will be keen to get back on track in the La Liga.
The last five meetings between both teams shows that the hosts have all to do to change their fortunes as they have failed to win against Madrid, but have claimed two draws, with the visitors winning the other three games. The reverse fixture ended in a 2-1 win for Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier on this season.
PREDICTION: It’s a tough call but given Betis’ new found fondness for scoring goals as the Andalusians have scored in each of their last five matches and Madrid’s desire to head back to winning ways, we feel this game may contain a number of goals with both sides getting on the score-sheet. Hence we predict a GG option at 1.77 odds @Bestbet360.
This week’s entire selection leaves you with a sempe ACCA combo of 8.19 odds thanks to your preferred bookmakers Bestbet360.
Remember to bet responsibly and may the odds surely be in your favor this weekend. Kpoko!!!!!