2019-20 FESIG League Preview – (Super Sunday edition)

We have another Super Sunday in England; league leaders Liverpool host defending champions Manchester City in a top of the table clash in the Premier League. 24 hours earlier in Bavaria, there is Der Klassiker – the German Clasico at the Allianz Arena. Bayern Munich interim coach, Hans-Dieter Flick has the unenviable task of steering the ship for Die Roten when Borussia Dortmund arrive in Munich for this clash. In Spain, there is the little matter of the Andalusia derby at Estadio Benito Villamarin between Real Betis and Sevilla while in Italy, Juventus will aim to heap more misery of AC Milan in Turin.

Let us take a preview of some of the most exciting matches in this FESIG edition.

We begin in France;

STADE BREST v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – SAT. 09 NOV 2019, 17.30HRS
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PSG travel to Stade Francis-Le Blé to take on mid-table Brest in one of the fixtures of week 13. Thomas Tuchel’s team suffered an uncharacteristic blip at Dijon, losing to the bottom club but have made a swift recovery midweek in the Champions League to book their place in the next round. Brest’s three match winning run in Ligue 1 came to a halt at Stade de la Licorne. Ferney Otero’s 27-minute strike was enough for Amiens to take all three points leaving Olivier Dall’Oglio’s men returning home empty handed.

VERDICT – Brest have relied heavily on their home form this season to win majority of their points. Les Ty’ Zefs are unbeaten at home (3W, 3D) but the face the best away team in the division. The visitors suffered a shocking result last weekend away and have looked vulnerable in the last two but are still favorites for this game. Over 2.5 goals

OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE v OLYMPIQUE LYON – SUN. 10 NOV 2019, 21.00HRS
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The battle of the Olympico rivals is touted as the biggest fixture of this round in the French top flight. Can Marseille break their five-match losing run against Lyon on Sunday night? Both teams have not lived up to their expectations this season but are separated by just three points despite the bigger difference on the table standings. Rudi Garcia, Lyon new boss will be returning to his old stomping ground – a familiar environment where he spent about three years before leaving.

VERDICT – These two clubs will compete for the 99th time in Ligue 1 on Sunday night. Lyon have the favorable record against Marseille including a 10-game unbeaten run since Marseille victory in May 2014. Lyon are the team to have inflict the most defeat on Marseille at home in the league. This is also a duel between two strikers expected to dominate for their respective clubs – Dario Benedetto (Marseille) v Moussa Dembele (Lyon). Both teams to score in this classic game.

To Germany;

BAYERN MUNICH v BORUSSIA DORTMUND – SAT. 09 NOV 2019, 18.30HRS
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Bayern Munich face bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund in difficult circumstances having just replaced their coach with an interim one. The rivalry between these two clubs is intensified by on-field success and Dortmund look to add more misery to the Bavarians in Der Klassiker. The Bavarian giants are under pressure to produce a much-improved performance after last week disastrous display. While Bayern have stumbled, the visitors have been slightly better, their form is good but not great. This week has seen Die Borussen beat Wolfsburg and Inter Milan ahead of the trip to Munich.

VERDICT – Every outcome in possible in this game considering how motivated both sides will be for the Clasico. Both teams have struggled defensively lately, however, Robert Lewandowski’s form for Bayern means the Polish striker can hurt his former club and be the match winner in this game.

BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH v WERDER BREMEN – SUN. 10 NOV 2019, 13.30HRS
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High flying Borussia Monchengladbach host Werder Bremen in a game that makes for a goal-filled proposition at Borussia Park on Sunday. Marco Rose team can retain top spot if they avoid defeat to Bremen; only Borussia Dortmund can overtake them if they manage a victory in Der Klassiker. Bremen arrive for this game on a five-game unbeaten run but those their last five matches have been successive draws in the Bundesliga. Florian Kohfeldt’s River Islanders are chasing their first win since edging out promoted Union Berlin on Matchday 4.

VERDICT – Borussia Monchengladbach are unbeaten in seven games against Bremen, which is their best run against any current Bundesliga club. At home, the record extends to eight matches without defeat. Bremen are without a win in the last six for the first time under Florian Kohfeldt. With Marcus Thuram at one end and Josh Sergeant at the other, we anticipate a goal-filled game.

To Italy;

INTER MILAN v VERONA – SAT. 09 NOV 2019, 18.00HRS
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It would be interesting to see how Antonio Conte deals with squad management with his lean squad getting thinner after Matteo Politano sprained his ankle injury in Germany during the week. The former Chelsea and Juventus boss hit out at his club management following their defeat in the Champions League at Borussia Dortmund. Newly promoted Hellas Verona currently sit ninth place and boast of the best defence in the division on par with champions Juventus. However, The Mastiffs need improvement in attack – averaging less than a goal per game this season.

VERDICT – Inter have dominated clashes between two in recent years; the Nerazzurri currently unbeaten in their last 16 encounters, their longest streak against any of this season Serie A teams. Conte’s men have scored in all league games this year and will look to rebound against Verona’s solid defence.

JUVENTUS v AC MILAN – SUN. 10 NOV 2019, 20.45HRS
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AC Milan travel to Turin in bad shape, they have been struggling for consistency in the league and should expect no favors from Juventus. Maurizio Sarri’s men are head and shoulders above their rival in terms of quality and have dominated this fixture in recent times. Regardless of this gulf, this game has retained its status as a standout fixture in Serie A. The Bianconeri do not need extra motivation for this game with Milan neighbors – Inter hot on their heels at the top of the table.

VERDICT – Juventus have won the last eight matches against Milan scoring 18 goals and conceding only four. Sarri could be without Matthijs De Ligt and Giorgio Chiellini for this game but their deep squad should cover adequately. The Rossoneri need a better performance than last week showing against Lazio to stand a chance at the Allianz Stadium but that is very unlikely. Juventus are favorites and they should deliver.

To Spain;

EIBAR v REAL MADRID – SAT. 09 NOV 2019, 18.30HRS
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Real Madrid can keep the pressure on Barcelona with a victory at Ipurua on Saturday evening before the Catalans host Celta Vigo. Eibar had a poor start to the season but they have since recovered winning four of their last seven league matches and most importantly the last two. Real Madrid’s form has been pretty unpredictable; held to a goalless draw at home against Real Betis but dismantled Galatasary 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu midweek with Brazilian starlet Rodrygo scoring a hat-trick. Los Blancos away record in LaLiga isn’t convincing, losing on their last trip to the Balearic Islands to Mallorca. Jose Luis Mendilibarr’s team will look to exploit weaknesses in the capital club.

VERDICT – Real Madrid lost on their last trip to Eibar 3-0 a year ago and will be weary of falling to a second successive away defeat in the league. Eibar have recorded three wins in their last four at home in LaLiga. However, the visitors will look to return to winning ways after the disappointing draw to Real Betis but will be motivated with midweek performance and result. Over 2.5 goals is on the cards in Ipurua.

REAL BETIS v SEVILLA – SUN. 10 NOV 2019, 21.00HRS
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We can expect fireworks at Estadio Benito Villamarin in the Andalusia derby. Real Betis will be boosted by the point gained in the goalless draw against Real Madrid last week while Sevilla could only manage same outcome against Atletico Madrid. Sevilla’s Europa League commitment sees them make a round trip of 4240km to Luxembourg to play F91 Dudelange. This trip could influence conditions in the derby with Real Betis physically fresher as they take on their city rivals.

VERDICT – Sevilla have dominated the derby over the years and their project seem to be well on track under Julen Lopetegui compare to the Verdiblancos’ led by Rubi. The visitors are slight favorites but haven’t tasted victory at Benito Villamarin since 2016-17 season. Both teams will fancy their chances as we anticipate an open attacking game. Over 2.5 goals

To England;

LEICESTER CITY v ARSENAL – SAT. 09 NOV 2019, 18.30HRS
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Leicester City can extend their six-point lead over Arsenal with a fourth successive Premier League win while the Gunners have been unbeaten in their last two, they have not won in over a month as they aim for their first victory away to a top-three team in the league since January 2015. The expectation around the Foxes has been growing week after week and you cannot blame the fans for getting excited. On the other hand, the pressure is building on Unai Emery and this trip to the King Power Stadium is another massive test for the Spaniard.

VERDICT – Leicester have the chance to beat Arsenal in a third consecutive Premier League home match for the first time. The Foxes have won eight of their last 11 Premier League home matches including their last four in a row. Arsenal have lost their last two visits to Leicester, conceding three goals each. Could that trend continue in Saturday’s evening encounter? Over 2.5 goals

LIVERPOOL v MANCHESTER CITY – SUN. 10 NOV 2019, 17.30HRS
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League leaders Liverpool host Manchester City in a mouthwatering match between the Premier League’s top two teams. The unbeaten Reds are targeting their 11th win in 12 matches while Pep Guardiola’s team is looking for a fourth successive league victory. Manchester City might be without David Silva and goalkeeper Ederson which is a blow for the Citizens considering the defence has been weakened with the long-term absence of Aymeric Laporte. Liverpool’s biggest absentee is Joel Matip with Jordan Henderson expected to recover in time.  

VERDICT – The Reds are unbeaten in their last 16 against City at Anfield in the Premier League (11W, 5D). Manchester City have won 11 of their last 12 Premier League away matches. The Champions have failed to score in four of their last five visits to Anfield but Liverpool have been commanding at the back this season and that should give City the motivation to go for it. We expect another close game with fine margins but there should be goals at both ends.

This wraps up our FESIG preview for the week. Predict and win big by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers in all matches available in the French, German, Italian, Spanish and English leagues and more for the weekend.