The 2018/19 Italian Serie A and Spanish Primera Division championships kick off this weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo will join the league of great players to ply their trade in Lega Calcio as he aims to break more records in Italy. Can anyone stop powerful Juventus from making it eight titles in a row or will Barcelona continue to dominate Spain like they have done in the last decade? The French Ligue 1 and English Premier League enter week two; we have a big show down at Stamford Bridge between two new managers who had contrasting start to life in their new job.
Here is our preview of matches this weekend.
We begin in France;
AS MONACO v LILLE – SAT. 18 AUG 2018, 19.00HRS
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VS
Monaco showed a different side to the team that lost quite easily in the Trophées des Champions to Paris Saint-Germain by putting in a convincing display away at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes. Les Rouges et Blancs attacking midfielder Rony Lopes claims there is a lot more to come from Monaco following their victory over Les Canaris. Resurgent Lille have started this new season with renewed ambition and new signings; they dispatched Rennes comfortably at home even though they had to come from behind to earn the victory. Jose Fonte and Loic Remy are some of the experienced heads to join LOSC this season.
VERDICT – In the last 34 matches played between both teams, Monaco have won 13, Lille 10 and 11 draws. However, Lille are yet to record a victory at Stade Louis II since 2009. Monaco are a force to reckon with at home and will be eyeing a sixth consecutive victory over Lille in all competition. We see both teams getting on the scoresheet but a home victory is on the cards.
NIMES v MARSEILLE – SUN. 19 AUG 2018, 20.00HRS
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VS
Olympique Marseille kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign by dismantling Toulouse 4-0 in a stunning second half performance with Dmitri Payet on song with his display as well as grabbing a brace. Newly promoted Nimes were involved in Ligue 1 thriller of week one; their seven-goal match against Angers could be a sign of things to come from Les crocodiles this season. It was even more remarkable for the newly promoted team who recorded this victory away from home. However, Marseille will be a bigger fish to fry for Bernard Blaquart and his team though they would be backed by a passionate crowd at Stade des Costieres. Rudi Garcia has the compliment of his full squad to select a team for this game with World Cup winner Florian Thauvin returning to full training and could take his place in the starting XI.
VERDICT – Nimes will be aiming for their victory against OM as they have only managed a draw in one of their last two meetings. Both teams enjoying playing on the front foot so the fans can expect goals at both ends. On paper, Marseille looked well equipped to earn an away victory but football isn’t played on paper. This should be fun for those watching at Costieres. Over 2.5 goals is our prediction.
To Italy;
CHIEVO v JUVENTUS – SAT. 18 AUG 2018, 17.00HRS
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VS
The Flying Donkeys – Chievo are the first Serie A team to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus in the league’s opener. The former Real Madrid star will be the center of attention and attraction at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on Saturday evening. Chievo coach Lorenzo D’Anna, a former defender himself will definitely set his team up tactically in this game where the home fans would demand more against their powerful visitors who are expected to win this match and dominate the league again. This is a game between two teams at different ends of the football food chain but that’s what the game is all about; pitting David against Goliath on some days.
VERDICT – Chievo need to scrap for possible points as they might get penalized for some inappropriate financial deals but this is not the game for them to get those points. In the last 30 meetings between these two sides, Chievo have managed a single victory compared to Juventus 22 and both teams have scored an average of 2.7 goals per match. Ronaldo’s presence guarantees goals and he is likely to score on his debut. Chievo do not have the quality to stop Juve winning.
LAZIO v NAPOLI – SAT. 18 AUG 2018, 19.30HRS
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VS
Carlo Ancelotti has been handed a tough start to life as Partenopei boss. Napoli travel to Rome to face Lazio who will be eager to start their season on a strong foot considering how last season ended with disappointment on the final day. Both sides have challenges going into the game but Napoli fans can be forgiven if they are not as optimistic as they should be considering their preseason results. Ancelotti seem to prefer Arkadiusz Milik as his center forward with captain Marek Hamsik taking over Jorginho’s role as the deep lying playmaker who sits in front of the defence. Biancocelesti have managed one of their stars, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, great things are expected from him this season and he will pose a big threat to the visitors defence. In addition, Le Aquile have Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile back and their presence guarantees goals.
VERDICT – Napoli have the better head-to-head in the 29 meetings between these teams. An average of 3.1 goals is scored per match. However, the Southerners are embarking on a new project under Ancelotti should would take some time to get going. Ciro Immobile is always motivated to play against his hometown team. Recent history shows that goals are a component in this duel so we are going with both teams to score.
To Spain;
BARCELONA v ALAVES – SAT. 18 AUG 2018, 21.15HRS
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VS
Barcelona kicked off their season with a victory in the Supercopa Espana in Tangier, Morocco last weekend in a game Video Assistant Referee (VAR) debuted and played a significant role in Sevilla’s goal. The expectation from the Blaugrana supporters is for Ernesto Valverde and team to replicate last season success. The board has backed the coach by making significant investment in refreshing the squad for the new season challenge. However, the home fans need to thread with caution because Alaves earned a surprised win at the Camp Nou two seasons ago. Abelardo will want to draw inspiration from the performance on that memorable night as he aims to turn El Glorioso into a competitive Primera Division team.
VERDICT – Barcelona have won 28 of their last 31 league matches at home. In 17 matches between both teams, Barca have 13 victories while Alaves have 2 with both teams averaging 3.1 goals per match. The Catalan giants are favorites to win at home and we expect them to give their teeming fans something to cheer at the Camp Nou.
VALENCIA v ATLETICO MADRID – MON. 20 AUG 2018, 19.00HRS
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VS
Valencia impressed in the Primera Division last season and will be expected to challenge for another top-four place this season which coincides with their centenary year. The club is ripping the benefit of playing the waiting game in appointing Marcelino as the new coach to lead their new project last season. The former Villarreal boss has rejuvenated Los Che and is aiming to turn them into a force which they were at the beginning of the 21st century. Atletico Madrid are a team in high spirit after their performance in the European Super Cup victory over neighbors Real Madrid in Tallinn. Los Colchoneros have equipped their squad well for season and can be seen as the main rival to Barcelona for La Liga title this season. Both teams have huge ambitions for the season which makes this opening game at Mestalla one to watch. Valencia have brought in new players and are still actively trying to improve their squad ahead of their return to Champions League.
VERDICT – In the last 40 meetings between Valencia and Atletico Madrid, Valencia have 11 victories while Atletico Madrid has 16. An average of 2.3 goals is scored in every game between these two Spanish giants. Diego Costa was back to his old war self during the ESC in Estonia so he would be a thorn in Valencia’s defence. Michy Batshuayi and Kevin Gameiro have joined Valencia to fortify the attack. This is a game between two managers with similar tactical philosophy. The meeting between these two at the Mestalla ended in a draw last season, a similar outcome is likely.
In England;
CHELSEA v ARSENAL – SAT. 18 AUG 2018, 17.30HRS
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VS
It doesn’t get any easier for Unai Emery and Arsenal as they make the short trip across town to Stamford Bridge to play city rivals Chelsea. The Blues kicked off their Premier League campaign under new coach Maurizio Sarri with a comfortable three nil away victory at Huddersfield Town while Arsenal lost their opening game to champions Manchester City in Emery’s debut at home. For the Gunners, the defeat to City might prove to a blessing as it laid bare all the challenges and fixes the former PSG coach needs to rectify. Chelsea are also a work in progress with observers trying to give the new Italian coach the benefit of time he needs in embedding his playing philosophy into the team. It’s difficult to anticipate what to expect but hope for a classic game between these two English giants.
VERDICT – Emery would demand improvement from his team following last week poor defensive display while Sarri will hope to consolidate on the opening week victory. In the last 49 meetings, Chelsea have the edge with 20 wins to Arsenal’s 12. An average of 2.7 goals is scored per match when these two sides meet. This is an important game for both teams in the race for a top-four position this season. Chelsea are very strong at home, unbeaten in nine of their last ten league matches at home.
MANCHESTER CITY v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN – SUN. 19 AUG 2018, 13.30HRS
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VS
Huddersfield Town were one of the few teams that stopped all conquering City from scoring in a league match last season and that feat was achieved at the Etihad stadium. Can David Wagner and his team prevent the champions from scoring this time? The Terriers will aim to park the bus in order to avoid an embarrassing score line considering how poor they were against Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season. Kevin De Bruyne is out for this game and could be out for a long time which is a blow to the Citizens but their strength in depth means he can be adequately replaced by either Bernardo Silva or David Silva.
VERDICT – City showed no signs of last season victory hangover in the win at Arsenal last week. In front of their fans, Pep Guardiola team will hope to extend their unbeaten run over Huddersfield. The Terriers performance against Chelsea last week doesn’t not inspire confidence, it is hard to see anything other than a comfortable home victory for the defending champions.
This wraps us our focus for the week. FESIG previews continues next week. Predict and win big by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers.
Last week prediction outcome
