French champions and league leaders PSG will aim to seize control at the top of Ligue 1 after the international break when they host Strasbourg at Parc des Princes. In Germany, both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have tricky fixtures to navigate against Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig before looking forward to the start of the new UEFA Champions League season. The drama at Valencia should not affect the epic game anticipated at the Camp Nou; Albert Celades takes his bow at Los Che new boss against Barcelona on Saturday evening. Manchester United need to improve their performances and results as they are lagging behind the leading duo just four weeks into the new Premier League season but have it all to do against a fine Leicester City at Old Trafford.
We begin in France;
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v STRASBOURG – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 16.30HRS
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VS
PSG will be looking to strengthen their grip on top spot at Parc des Princes when Strasbourg come calling on Saturday. It is quite likely that Neymar could make his first appearance of the season after the summer episode and his failed transfer out of PSG. With Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani ruled out to injuries, the Brazil international should get the nod in Thomas Tuchel’s team. Strasbourg travel to the capital in the worse possible form; the visitors are one of the few teams yet to register a victory in the league this season and their task of accomplishing such in Paris is an unenviable one.
VERDICT – Thierry Laurey team has made a poor start to the new season but they were the only team to leave Parc des Princes without a defeat in Ligue 1 last season — though they were beaten in a Coupe de France tie. The Alsatian club have won just twice in their last 20 league games against the rich capital club, but they have also drawn 11 of those matches. PSG are a force to reckon with at home and should be good value for all three points.
MONTPELLIER v OGC NICE – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 19.00HRS
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VS
OGC Nice have made a positive start to the new campaign winning three of their opening four games while their host have just one victory in the same period. Montpellier have had an up and down season so far, and they come up against a side that has won twice on the road. The south coast club’s takeover appears to have spread positive vibes around the club with the quality arrivals in Kasper Dolberg from Ajax, and Adam Ounas on loan from Napoli, among others. With all the positives for the visitors, their host are having the wrong of the stick, creative midfielder Téji Savanier is out with a serious knee problem which has left Michel Der Zakarian short in the department.
VERDICT – La Paillade have a decent record in front of their fans and have taken down Lyon this season. They have won their last two home games against Nice and should be confident, however, Les Aiglons strong start to the new season should be considered which makes them favorites but this could end in a stalemate with both teams getting on the scoresheet. Don’t expect too many goals; under 2.5 goals at Stade de la Mosson.
To Germany;
BORUSSIA DORTMUND v BAYER LEVERKUSEN – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 14.30HRS
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VS
Borussia Dortmund suffered a shock result last time out and will look to rebound against visiting Bayer Leverkusen in this high profile fixture. Peter Bosz’s team has made a good start to the new season and will be ready to test themselves against one of the best in league at Signal Iduna Park. Die Werkself are on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league, winning seven of them and are yet to suffer a defeat this term. The Union Berlin test should serve as a reminder to Lucien Favre and his team that no one should be underestimated in the German elite division.
VERDICT – Some of the league finest talents will be on parade with Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz set to dazzle. Dortmund have won the last four home matches against Leverkusen convincingly, however, this occasion might be slightly different. Bayer Leverkusen are one of the better sides in the Bundesliga but Dortmund are very strong at home. This game should produce goals at both ends with two potent attacking forces doing battle.
RB LEIPZIG v BAYERN MUNICH – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 17.30HRS
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VS
It may be early in the season, but this encounter between RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich could go a long way to deciding what kind of title race we can expect in the Bundesliga. Leipzig leads the table with maximum nine points against Bayern’s seven. Timo Werner has started the new season in fine form including his hat-trick in the last round against Moenchengladbach. Bayern are not shy in attack as well, Robert Lewandowski has done a fine job so far and will likely be supported by Serge Gnarby. The addition of Brazilian mercurial midfielder Philippe Coutinho makes this top of the table clash a stern test for both teams.
VERDICT – This is the game of the week in the Bundesliga and it promises to be a classic between the current league leaders and defending champions. These type of matches are difficult to predict and winner but we are guaranteed goals with Timo Werner and Robert Lewandowski leading both sides attack.
To Italy;
FIORENTINA v JUVENTUS – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 14.00HRS
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VS
It is always a grudge match whenever these two clubs clash; a rivalry that dates back decades and one that fuels the passion of both set of players to give their all in this early afternoon game at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Fiorentina are in need of points having lost their opening two games of the season but can expect no favors from a known enemy. Both teams have been involved in high scoring games already therefore there might be a bit more focus on better defending.
VERDICT – Juventus have won on their last two visits to Tuscany in Serie A and can make it three for the first time since 1952. The home team need points on above as quickly to ensure the early enthusiasm for the new season doesn’t fizzle out. The Viola have won this fixture only twice in the last 20 years, but the more worrying statistic is the fact they are one game off equaling their 17-match top flight winless streak from last season. Juventus are favorites in a game that might be cagey and fierce.
INTER MILAN v UDINESE – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 19.45HRS
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VS
Antonio Conte has made a good start to life as the new Inter boss and will be looking to make it three wins in three matches when they host Udinese at the Giuseppe Meazza. The visitors are playing their first match away from home this season after having mixed results; defeating Inter’s neighbors then going down to Parma at home. Inter’s new forward Alexis Sanchez on loan from Manchester United can make his debut against his team while the Zebrette new loan acquisition Ken Sema is in line to make his bow.
VERDICT – Udinese have won just two of the last 11 meetings with Inter, interestingly both were at San Siro in December 2014 and December 2017. Inter will want to build on the positive start made for the new season though they are yet to hit top form. They may not overrun them like Lecce but at home, and in front of an expectant crowd, the Nerazzuri are picks to win.
To Spain;
REAL SOCIEDAD v ATLETICO MADRID – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 17.30HRS
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VS
Real Sociedad play their first home game of the season due to ongoing stadium redevelopment work that aims to bring the fans closer to the pitch. There is no better game for La Real fans to see their team play at home and offer massive support than against league leaders Atletico Madrid. It was meant to be a summer of rebuild and restart of the Atleti project but Simeone is waving Harry Houdini’s magic dust on his newly built team; they are the only side in the top division with maximum points and showed excellent character in turning around a two-goal deficit at home against Eibar last time out. Without a doubt, this is a tough game for the home team.
VERDICT – There is a lot of excitement in San Sebastián, the club has some of the brightest young European talents on their team but the defeat in the derby to Athletic Bilbao would have hit the team hard including the loss of Asier Illarramendi. Atleti have looked solid and will be confident to nicking another victory on the road to build momentum. We anticipate a good display from both teams but the visitors have the extra bit in them; they are good enough for maximum points.
BARCELONA v VALENCIA – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 20.00HRS
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VS
Barcelona host Valencia at the Camp Nou days after the latest internal crisis at Valencia blew open publicly with the dismissal of Marcelino (Valencia’s best coach in a decade and the man that brought the first silverware to the club in 11 years). Albert Celades has the unenviable task of starting off Los Che career in Catalonia against a club in search of its second league win of the campaign. It has been a rocky start for the defending champions who have looked disjointed on the road and having be helped with injuries to critical members of the team’s attack. Ernesto Valverde is well aware that further poor results will increase the pressure on him and his poor relationship with the club supporters.
VERDICT – Leo Messi and Luis Suarez are still sidelined due to injuries but the unhealthy situation at Valencia means the club is in a fragile state ahead of this trip up north. Barcelona have won three of the last four at home against Valencia. Revenge is likely to be on the minds of Los Cules having lost the Cup final to Valencia last season and that’s enough motivation for the home team.
To England;
MANCHESTER UNITED v LEICESTER CITY – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 15.00HRS
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VS
Manchester United are seeking their first win after opening weekend as they host a Leicester City side sitting five spots above them in third place. After making a stuttering start to the new season, how will United’s new £80m centre-back Harry Maguire get on against his former club, with Foxes striker Jamie Vardy looking to maintain his absorbing form at Old Trafford? Ole Gunnar Solskajer has called it a dip in results and not form, but the Red Devils have been up and down all round. Leicester are looking very lively and have made a positive start to the season. Brendan Rodgers has got his team playing quite well and should travel to Old Trafford with a bit of confidence for this game.
VERDICT – All eyes will be on Harry Maguire in his first appearance against his former club and he is the one with the pressure to perform. The injury list is growing at Old Trafford but performances and results need to change before the atmosphere around the club becomes toxic again. Leicester have made arguably one of their best starts to a Premier League but their record at Manchester United is poor. Can they turn it around this time? Difficult to say but we believe there are goals in this one. Over 1.5 goals at least.
WOLVERHAMTON WANDERERS v CHELSEA – SAT. 14 SEPT 2019, 15.00HRS
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VS
Nuno Espirito Santo is aware that balancing European commitment with maintaining a good Premier League run is the challenge for the season and so far, it is proving difficult to deal with. Wolves are yet to record a league victory in the first month and will be aiming for a first win to lift them clear of the bottom three. Chelsea are targeting a second victory under Frank Lampard as they look to build on a three-match unbeaten run. It hasn’t been a stellar start to life as the new Blues boss, it has been a case of defensive botches and inability to close out games. At the moment, it feels like Chelsea are taking one step forward and two backwards as the new coach tries to get the best out of his team.
VERDICT – Wolves took four points off Chelsea last season including a home victory. However, Chelsea have won on their previous four visits to the Molineux. We are just four weeks into the new season but this game is an important one for both teams. Both sides need a win to kickstart their season and none of the last 13 meetings between Wolves and Chelsea at Molineux have ended in a draw. This is a winner takes all game and this could swing either ways.
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 for the weekend.