Unbeaten league leaders Manchester City are seeking a fourth successive Premier League victory as they entertain local rivals Manchester United who are looking for a third successive league win in the battle of Manchester. Borussia Dortmund face rivals Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker (The German Clasico) at Signal Iduna-Park and in Italy, AC Milan host Juventus in the biggest fixture of round 12 in the Serie A.
Here is our preview of matches across top five European Leagues.
We begin in England;
CHELSEA v EVERTON – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 15.15HRS
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Chelsea face Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon as unbeaten Blues target a third successive Premier League victory while the Toffees who are in good form are looking for their fifth victory in six top flight games. Marco Silva seem to have found stability in his team selection as Everton look to climb up the table and challenge for a top six spot. Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri will set a new record for the longest unbeaten Premier League start (12) by a manager or head coach if he avoids defeat against Everton on Sunday overtaking Frank Clark’s record of 11 games in 1994/95 season.
VERDICT – Chelsea are undefeated in their last 11 Premier League matches, they are undefeated in their last 25 home matches against Everton in all competitions. The Toffees have not won at Chelsea since November 1994 and Marco Silva has poor run in London losing all six Premier League away matches. There have been over 2.5 goals scored in five of Everton’s last six Premier League away games while Chelsea’s last four Premier League games has seen over 2.5 goals as well. We are guaranteed goals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
MANCHESTER CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 17.30HRS
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The battle of Manchester sees two of Europe’s top coaches square off against each other at the Etihad. Manchester United came from behind to secure an unlikely victory at City last season and will believe in their ability to do so considering their recent performances including the Turin victory over Juventus. Pep Guardiola has never lost consecutive home league matches to the same opponent in his managerial career; can Jose inflict such pain on him? City are on a row, winning their last 6 matches in all competitions, scoring 23 goals and conceding one in the process. United are nine points behind City and this game is beyond three points for both teams; pride is at stake in the derby.
VERDICT – Manchester City have won their last seven home league matches and scored at least two goals in each game. Manchester United have at least two goals in their last four Premier League matches. Mourinho’s team is the only side to have defeated Manchester City at the Etihad in the 37 games at the Etihad but United’s poor start to games, conceding early is an area of concern for Mourinho. City have been produced top-quality displays but in the derby, it’s a different kettle of fish. United are resilient and have refused to back down from a fight lately. It’s tough to call but both teams should get on the scoresheet on Sunday.
To France;
ANGERS v MONTPELLIER – SAT. 10 NOV 2018, 20.00HRS
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In-form Montpellier travel to Stade Raymond-Kopa to face struggling Angers who have lost back-to-back games against Olympique Lyon and Saint-Etienne. La Paillade have been the surprise team in the league, they sit second on the log and dismissed Olympique Marseille quite easily last weekend to overtake Lille. Andy Delort and Gaëtan Laborde have formed a solid partnership in attack for Michel Der Zakarian’s side. Angers are slipping gradually towards to drop zone having lost three of their last five Ligue 1 matches an securing just two draws in that time. Les Scoïstes have been struggling defensively, they’ve conceded 10 goals in their last five league matches and the absence of skipper Ismaël Traoré in the heart of defense has been difficult to fill.
VERDICT – Montpellier are brimming with confidence and they will aim to extend their winning run to four Ligue 1 matches. Angers’ only win in their last six Ligue 1 matches was against Monaco – a side struggling more than them currently. Both teams are likely to adopt an attacking approach for this game which means goals at Raymond-Kopa. Who will win this? The home team without a win in five or the away team with four league wins in five.
AS MONACO v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 21.00HRS
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It isn’t raining for Monaco, it’s pouring. The 2017 French champions are without a victory in 15 games, they are 19th on the log and have 11 senior players out injured. In addition, they have off-field problems regarding their owner who has been arrested for corruption charges and they still have to face rampant PSG on Sunday evening at Stade Louis II. The league leaders set a new record (12 victories) in Europe’s top five leagues last weekend in the victory over Lille to maintain their 11 point advantage at the top of the table. Rookie manager, Thierry Henry requires all the motivational skill and experience to lift a dejected locker room and hopeless crowd at Stade Louis II if they are to pull together.
VERDICT – Last season Monaco was challenging PSG for the title, this time, they are fighting for their Ligue 1 survival following a miserable start to the season. PSG have won their last 12 Ligue 1 matches while Monaco have not won since the opening weekend. Monaco have lost their last two home games against PSG and seven of their last eight in all competitions. The injury list makes Henry’s selection much tougher and even if he had a fully fit squad, can they turn the corner against the powerful capital club with all the odds stacked against them?
To Germany;
WERDER BREMEN v BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH – SAT. 10 NOV 2018, 15.30HRS
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Werder Bremen have lost their last two league matches and it appears the wheels are coming off following a bright start to the season. Defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz has seen The Green-Whites drop out of the top four. Borussia Moenchengladbach won their third league game in the last four; The Borussians attacking approach to games has been impressive with the team scoring 23 goals in 10 Bundesliga matches. Dieter Hecking’s team won the Rhine derby defeating Fortuna Dusseldorf to move into second spot on the table with Thorgan Hazard being his team livewire and driving force notching seven league goals already.
VERDICT – Bremen were unbeaten in 16 home matches prior to their 6-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 9. Gladbach’s 23 league goals is only bettered than Dortmund who have scored 30. This should be a great duel between two quality sides who will chase a victory. An open game is expected at Weserstadion where both teams would be expected to get on the scoresheet.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND v BAYERN MUNICH – SAT. 10 NOV 2018, 18.30HRS
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Borussia Dortmund start to the season shows a team ready to end Bayern’s hegemony in the Bundesliga. Lucien Favre’s team are the only unbeaten team left in Germany top division as they welcome fierce rival Bayern Munich to Signal Iduna-Park for Die Klassiker. Who will write their name in Der Klassiker history books when Dortmund take on Bayern this weekend? Is it Marco Reus or Jando Sancho or Robert Lewandowski or James Rodriguez? League leaders Dortmund suffered their first defeat of the season in the Champions League to Atletico Madrid but should still be brimming with confidence in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich are going through a poor patch in the league, winning just two in their last six league matches and played poorly in the home draw against Freiburg. Nico Kovac’s troops must raise their game if they hope to give their fans something to cheer in the German Clasico.
VERDICT – Borussia Dortmund are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season (7 wins, 3 draws) and are also the league’s top scorers. Bayern Munich have won four of their five away games this season. Bayern Munich have won in three of their last five visits to Dortmund in the Bundesliga. This game has all necessary attributes for a great game. Bayern do not look their all-conquering self and this looks like a perfect opportunity for Dortmund nail their opponent. On current form, it is easy to back the home team but Bayern’s record at Dortmund has to be considered. Both teams would attack but Dortmund impressive home form against strong opposition and the relentless support from their crowd could carry them to another victory here.
To Italy;
ATALANTA v INTER MILAN – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 12.30HRS
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After a slow start to the season, Atalanta are finally moving up the table after three straight wins. Inter Milan are the form team in the Serie A winning their last seven league matches in a row including the Milan derby victory and a comfortable victory over Lazio in Rome. The Nerazzurri are flying high, scoring nine goals and conceding none in their last three Serie A games. A trip to Bergamo against Gian Piero Gasperini’s team who have scored an incredible 10 goals and conceded twice is a tough but not impossible challenge for Luciano Spalletti’s troops. In spite of their good form, La Dea will be without a number of important players (Rafael Toloi, Andrea Masiello and Marco Tumminello) for the match. Unlike his colleague, Spalletti has no such worries with a full squad available for selection.
VERDICT – Inter have won their last seven Serie A matches and kept five clean sheets in the process. The Nerazzurri have scored at least two goals in their last five Serie A matches while the Orobicis have scored at least two goals in their last three Serie A matches. Inter have only been victorious in one of their last eight trips to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia with last season’s fixture ended in a goalless stalemate.
AC MILAN v JUVENTUS – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 20.30HRS
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Gennaro Gattuso team has been hit with injuries ahead of a crucial game against league leaders Juventus who visit the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday evening. This game used to provide fireworks in the past but in current clime, it has been one sided. Milan are in the middle of an injury crisis with at least seven first team players out injured for this game. The biggest absentee being Gonzalo Higuain who missed the Betis game due to a back problem and is likely to miss the game against his former club. Leonardo Bonucci will make a return to the San Siro and he would be well prepared for a hostile reception from the Milan ultras. Milan are on a good run winning 5 of their last 6 league matches while Juventus won all five away league matches this season. Gattuso’s team showed a battling spirit that epitomizes the character of their manager in the 1-0 win at Udinese last weekend and will hope to inflict more pain on Juve after their late collapse against Manchester United midweek which is unlikely. Milan have struggled in this fixture in recent times, winning one of the last eight and that victory was in October 2016.
VERDICT – Juventus have had two extra days to prepare for this game compared to Milan who travel to Seville for a European game on Thursday. Juventus have some players out injured but they are in better condition than their host. Cristiano Ronaldo has been Juve’s main attacking threat and he has contributed both in goals and assist. He would be expected to lead the Bianconeri’s attack line as they search for three points in Milan. The Old Lady won at the San Siro last season and a repeat is out of reach for Max Allegri’s team.
To Spain;
BARCELONA v REAL BETIS – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 16.15HRS
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League leaders Barcelona had to dig deep to earn a victory at the Vallecas with two late goals from Ousmane Demble and Luis Suarez last weekend in a reminder that there are no minnows in the Primera division. Real Betis showed fighting spirit by rescuing a point at home against Celta Vigo in an entertaining 3-3 draw for the neutrals. However, Quique Setien’s team are not performing close to their potential currently they are unequally unpredictable. Sergio Canales is gradually producing the goods for Betis and alongside Giovanni Lo Celso, they should provide the midfield creativity and industry needed by Betis to survive Barca’s onslaught at the Camp Nou. Leo Messi will be expected to feature at some point in the game as he recovers from his fractured arm injury.
VERDICT – Los Cules are on a good run; winning five of their last six games in all competition while have two wins in their last six. Barca have won this fixture comfortably in the last four meetings at the Camp Nou. The Andalusians have been performing poorly in recent times, they sit 14th on the table and could only manage a home draw against Milan in the Europa League on Thursday. It’s four straight defeats at the Camp Nou for Los Beticos, they would hope to stop that poor run this weekend.
SEVILLA v ESPANYOL – SUN. 11 NOV 2018, 18.30HRS
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Third place Sevilla host high flying Espanyol at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in the battle for second spot in LaLiga this weekend. Sevilla will be looking to return to winning ways in the league following their draw with Real Sociedad at San Sebastain last weekend. Espanyol have been the surprise package in the league till date with their performances and results which has propelled them to second spot behind city rivals Barcelona. Rubi’s team have lost once in their last six league outings and will aim to keep the momentum when they travel to Andalusia. After an indifferent start, Pablo Machin has got Sevilla rolling, they are a force to reckon with at home and have been scoring goals for fun at home.
VERDICT – Both teams have similar form (3W, 2D, 1L) in their last six league matches. Espanyol have had a full week to prepare for their trip to Seville while the home team’s Europa League commitment saw them travel to Turkey on Thursday. Machin will have to make adjustment to his starting XI after the trip to Akhisar. The home team has the better head-to-head record; Espanyol have not managed a victory in their last five trips to Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Los Periquitos would believe they can leave Andalusia with something.
This wraps us our weekend focus. Predict and win big by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers.