The color of the sky across Manchester City isn’t sky blue at the moment. The Citizens have endured a miserable week where they lost three consecutive matches important games. There is no moment of respite for Pep Guardiola’s team who travelled to London to face in form Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern Munich have clinched the Bundesliga title but the race for the remaining Champions League spots are up for grabs. PSG can join Bayern this weekend by reclaiming the Ligue 1 title when defending champions Monaco come calling.
This is our preview of some key fixtures in the top leagues in Europe.
We begin in France;
PSG v MONACO
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PSG can clinch the French League title with a win at home when they host reigning champions Monaco. After last season’s disappointment, Unai Emery side regrouped with quality acquisitions and have basically walked through the league campaign with few blemish. In front of a vocal crowd at Parc des Princes, Les Parisiens do not need further motivation to reclaim their lost crown.
VERDICT – PSG have won the last 5 meetings between these two sides with an average goal ratio of 3 per match.
LYON v AMIENS
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In-form Lyon host Ligue 1 debutants Amiens at the Groupama stadium. The visitors are on a 4 match unbeaten run in the league. Lyon 5-0 win over Metz saw them leapfrog Marseille to 3rd position which is the final Champions League spot in France. They need to keep winning to maintain this position in the final run-in of season. Amiens may have won their last 2 league games but against a free scoring Lyon, it is a tough ask.
VERDICT – Lyon are scoring goals for fun right now. In the reverse fixture, Les Gones won at Stade de la Licorne
In Italy;
LAZIO v ROMA
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We should expect fireworks at stadio Olimpico when the two Rome giants clash in the derby. It is always a feisty affair on the pitch and in the stands, this one wouldn’t be any different considering both sides are well placed on the table on same point with Lazio edging on goal difference. Both teams had contrasting fortunes in Europe midweek with Roma doing mission impossible and Lazio capitulating in Salzburg. On derby day in Rome, you do not need any extra motivation, both sides are always fired up for it.
VERDICT – Both teams love to attack so we anticipate an open game with goals. Both team to score and over 2.5 goals.
AC MILAN v NAPOLI
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This is a potential tricky game for Napoli who are hanging on to their slim title hopes. For Milan, the race for Europe (Europa League) is very much alive though they are winless in their last 3 league games. On the other hand, Napoli snatched victory from the jaws of death with a last gasp winner against Chievo so they travel to Milan in good spirit. With both sides still in the hunt for their objective, we should expect good football at the San Siro.
VERDICT – Milan have a poor record against Napoli with just one win in the last 13. All the same, we expect goals from both teams.
In Germany;
SCHALKE v BORUSSIA DORTMUND
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The Ruhr derby pits second place Schalke against third place Dortmund in a battle for Champions League place and the runners up position behind champions – Bayern Munich. One point separate both side as we head into the derby. Last week, Schalke’s winning run was surprisingly snapped at Hamburg but Dortmund returned to winning ways after their embarrassing defeat at Bayern. The Ruhr derby has always served us with excitement and passion. Last November’s derby saw Dortmund race to a four nil lead but Schalke served us a second half comeback for the ages.
VERDICT – The last four derbies have ended in stalemates. Another score draw may just be on the horizon.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN v EINTRACHT FRANKFURT
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Leverkusen take on Frankfurt in the race for the final Champions League spot in Germany. Leverkusen have been quite steady at home and will want to make up for dropped points in their last home game against Augsburg. On the other hand, Frankfurt are poor travelers, four of their five defeats on the road this season have come in their last four away matches.
VERDICT – Bayer Leverkusen have won four of their last five meetings against Frankfurt. All the same, we expect this to be close and competitive game.
To Spain;
GIRONA v REAL BETIS
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Real Betis will be looking to record a fifth consecutive win when they face La Liga debutant Girona at Estadio Montilivi. Girona settled in life in the top division with ease and are looking up the table rather than worry about relegation. Quique Setien is doing an amazing job with Betis, Los Beticos sit fifth on the table ahead of Villarreal and their city rivals Sevilla. Betis head to Catalonia full of confidence but should aware of how dangerous the home team can be when playing on their turf.
VERDICT – In seven meetings, Girona has just one win over Betis. The past results may have not much bearing on this game as we are expecting both sides to score at Montilivi.
BARCELONA v VALENCIA
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League leaders Barcelona were surprisingly eliminated from the Champions League by Italian giants Roma in one of the biggest upset witnessed recently. The Catalan giants will need to switch their focus back to La Liga as they entertain in-form Valencia who have won their last five league matches. Barcelona’s mental strength will be put to test when Marcelino’s men visit the Camp Nou. Barca are still unbeaten in the league and can create a new top flight record if they avoid defeat.
VERDICT – Barcelona have won 11 of their last 13 home matches against Valencia in all competitions. The last three matches between these two sides has seen under 2.5 goals each.
To England;
CRYSTAL PALACE v BRIGHTON
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This is a massive game for Crystal Palace in their Premier League survival battle. Palace have won only one of their last 10 Premier League matches and sit just outside the relegation zone. Brighton are winless in their last three league games but they’re four points better than their host. The Seagulls are not in trouble but cannot afford to be content as their Premier League safety is not guaranteed. They have a tougher run-in to the end of the season so getting as much possible points now could prove useful. In terms of quality, there isn’t much difference between both sides so we can expect a balance match.
VERDICT – Crystal Palace haven’t been fortunate to finish off opponents lately. At some point, the tide will. Brighton have failed to win their last nine away matches.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v MANCHESTER CITY
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Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City at Wembley. City are on a sticky patch (three straight losses and four defeats in their last six games) while their host Tottenham are on a solid run of six straight victories in the Premier League and they remain the only team yet to lose in the league in 2018. Pep Guardiola’s team will hope to avoid losing a fourth successive match which would dampen morale but their task hasn’t been made any easier with the absence of Fernandinho who is suspended for this match.
VERDICT – Manchester City will take a draw considering what has happened to them in the last 10 days. City have only won one of their last five Premier League games against Spurs. Tottenham are in great form currently and will love nothing more than putting more points on board.
This wraps up our previews across the 5 major leagues in Europe. Keep playing, keep winning….
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