There are some fantastic games on tap this weekend, not just in the Premier League but all across Europe.
In Spain, Sevilla welcome Barcelona who will be without Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta due to injuries. Sevilla, who I have spent the last year promoting, have been awful so far this season. They did lose their 2 best players but I didn’t expect them to fall off this much. I am leaning towards Barcelona slightly even though they will be far from their mightiest but I won’t make it an official selection.
And then we have the Madrid Derby. Real have not won in their last 5 trips to the Vicente Calderon. Think about Real Madrid not winning in any stadium in 5 tries…and not even scoring a goal in their last 4 visits. I would be all over Atleti normally, but Koke is a huge doubt to play on Sunday and without him I don’t have the same confidence in Diego Simeone’s men. The Galacticos should welcome back Sergio Ramos but no word yet on Gareth Bale or James Rodriguez. This is another stay away but should be entertaining as usual.
So lets look at who we will be taking this weekend.
Arsenal vs Manchester United
History and current form favors the visitors here. Arsenal have only beaten United 3 times in the last 20 matches. Furthermore, they have shown nothing to suggest that they can win a big game at the moment. United’s success so far is not flashy but it’s very effective. The Schmidfield creates a wall in front of the back 4 that minimizes the amount of chances their opponent can create. When chances do present themselves they have arguably the best keeper in the Premier League minding net.
I can’t see United leaving the Emirates without at least a point.
Pick: Manchester United +0.5 goals (-110)
P.S. as a miserable Chelsea fan, the one thing that has eased my sorrows this season is watching Arsenal Fan TV and hearing Gunners supporters wax poetic about their horrible results.
P.P.S. Juan Mata is awesome
Everton vs Liverpool
History does not support the Toffees as they have not beaten their noisy neighbors since October 2010. But form and circumstance may see them do the trick this time. Brendan Rodgers has been unofficially fired about 7 times now as Liverpool manager. The Reds find themselves having to live with a Thursday Europa League fixture before they head to Goodison to take on high-flying Everton. After their last Europa League match they drew with Norwich 1-1 at Anfield.
Everton already dismantled Chelsea at home, then they came back from a 2 goal deficit against a Tony Pulis team on Monday and now want to exorcise this Merseyside Derby demon. John Stones should be back and that will make Daniel Sturridge’s chances way more scarce
Pick: Everton (+160)
More from Premier League
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- Chelsea vs Bournemouth: 3 things to look out for on the south coast
- Is there cause for concern about Chelsea being in 12th place again?
- Chelsea’s risky youth gamble amidst turbulent times
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund – European Special
Der Klassiker is back! Through Bayern and Dortmund’s 14 combined Bundesliga fixtures they have scored a total of 44 goals. In other words, they are ripping the German league to shreds. There are two ways that this can play out:
a) Both sides taking a cagey, cautious approach and looking to be defensively disciplined as to not allow their explosive opponent to create chances.
b) An all out track meet where both sides leave themselves open.
Everyone on the planet will want the kamikaze of these two sides to come out including the players themselves…maybe not the goalkeepers.
Pick: Over 3 goals (-110)
Last week’s record: 2-2 (-0.35 units)
Overall: 12-18-2 (-7.85 units)
Next: Jose Mourinho Indicates That Fringe Players Could Return