It is the first Super Sunday of the new European season; we have a heavyweight clash at the Groupama stadium between Olympique Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain in France. Julen Lopetegui, former Spain boss and the new Sevilla head coach faces his former employers – Real Madrid in a nicely poised battle at the top of the Spanish League and on the same day in West London, we have a repeat of the 2019 UEFA Super Cup in the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Before we get into these games, Derby della Madonnina, also known as the Derby di Milano will see the fashion city of Milan come to a still when AC Milan and Inter Milan lock horns in the battle for supremacy at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium, San Siro on Saturday evening.
We begin in France;
STADE RENNES v LILLE OSC – SUN. 22 SEPT 2019, 14.00HRS
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Lille travel west to Roahzon park in search of their first away point of the season; Les Dogues have been perfect at home but their away struggles are well documented. Rennes lost their last Ligue 1 game at home against OGC Nice and couldn’t manage a victory in the opening group game in the Europa League at home against Celtic. Les Rennais bright start to the new season is disappearing with no wins in the last three outings for Julien Stéphan team. They need a win to stay in the top three in the league standings.
VERDICT – This is a game for either side to grab all three points. Rennes need to turn around their current form while Lille’s abject away form needs improvement. LOSC have lost on their last four visits to Roahzon Park in all competitions. Until Lille manage stop their away rot, they are not likely to be considered.
OLYMPIQUE LYON v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – SUN. 22 SEPT 2019, 20.00HRS
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VS
PSG travel south to Lyon in high spirit following having passed Real Madrid test in the Champions League in flying colors. Their host, Olympique Lyon have seen their early season form has fizzled out with Slyvinho’s team are without a victory in their last four matches in all competition. They required a Memphis Depay second half penalty to earn a draw against Zenit Saint Petersburg midweek but will need their A-game when big spenders PSG come to town. This game needs no introduction and extra motivation from either team.
VERDICT – Les Gones need to rediscover their magic if they are to prevail against the champions. PSG will have Neymar Jr. back for the game, the Brazil superstar produced a moment of magic last weekend and will look to do so again as he tries to win over the fans. Lyon have won the last three episodes of the game at home; they have the resources to do so again. Over 2.5 goals at the Groupama stadium.
To Germany;
WERDER BREMEN v RB LEIPZIG – SAT. 21 SEPT 2019, 17.30HRS
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Werder Bremen have recovered from their poor start to the season, picking up consecutive victories against Augsburg and Union Berlin to make a steady climb up the table. They host league leaders and unbeaten Leipzig whose early season form has been impressive. Julian Nagelsmann’s troops travel up north on the back of a Champions League away victory at Benfica and would confident of keeping the good run back in the Bundesliga.
VERDICT – The difference in quality between both sides is quite evident. RBL look very good and covered in all positions but their away record at Bremen is abysmal. They would be looking to address that while the home team will want to keep the unbeaten run against the visitors intact. We expect goals in this game from both teams and if there would be a winner, it is likely going to be the visitors. Over 2.5 goals.
EINTRACHT FRANKFURT v BORUSSIA DORTMUND – SUN. 22 SEPT 2019, 17.00HRS
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VS
Borussia Dortmund will have a game on hand when they visit Commerzbank Arena to face Eintracht Frankfurt who have won their two home games in the Bundesliga. Adi Hütter troops have not maintained their home form on the road and as such sit ninth in the table. Dortmund will have memories of their last away trip fresh in mind where they fell to Union Berlin. They responded well by overcoming Bayer Leverkusen at home and were unlucky not to secure a victory against Barcelona midweek. This is one of the weekend’s most mouth-watering fixture.
VERDICT – Dortmund haven’t lost to Eintracht in six competitive games; Die Schwarzgelben’s last defeat to Sunday’s hosts was in November 2016. Frankfurt have won both of their home games this season as they target a third against one of the title contenders. 18 goals have been scored by both teams in the last five meetings; we believe there would be goals in this game. Over 2.5 goals
To Italy;
AC MILAN v INTER MILAN – SAT. 21 SEPT 2019, 19.45HRS
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Derby della Madonina needs no further introduction. It is the mother of all derbies in Milan; both teams have started new projects this campaign under new coaches. Inter Milan have the upper hand, they have a perfect start to the new Serie A season with three wins from three while AC Milan have two victories in three. The Rossoneris have had two unconvincing victories with just two goals in three games; Milan are struggling in the final third. Inter do not have similar problem, they have scored in every game played so far. However, they only scraped a late equalizer against Sparta Prague in the Champions League group game midweek.
VERDICT – Inter look like a team ready for a title challenge and in Antonio Conte, they have a coach who has walked the path. Struggling Milan haven’t won any of last six Serie A derbies and do not look like springing a surprise based on performances. Inter are favorites for the derby but they have to earn it.
BOLOGNA v AS ROMA – SUN. 22 SEPT 2019, 14.00HRS
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Despite his absence due to his medical treatment, Sinisa Mihajlovic continues to wave his magic on the from his hospital bed. Bologna were 3-1 down at the break last time out but a phone call from the boss saw a second half comeback to seal a victory at Brescia 4-3. It might be early days but Paulo Fonseca attacking philosophy is sitting well with his new team. Roma are one of the highest scoring teams in the league; scoring eight goals in three matches but are yet to keep a clean sheet in Serie A. That is probably the new concern for the former Shakhtar coach.
VERDICT – Bologna picked up from where they stopped last season and have made a good start to the new campaign. The Rossoblu beat the visitors at home last season and will target another victory this term. Roma’s attacking approach means they won’t sit back, therefore, we believe that goals will be a part of the fixture at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Over 2.5 goals
To Spain;
ATLETICO MADRID v CELTA VIGO – SAT. 21 SEPT 2019, 17.30HRS
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VS
Atletico Madrid are back at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, just three days after their Champions League comeback against Juventus. They face a Celta Vigo side that need improvement in performances and results so far. Atletico unbeaten start to the new season came to an end at Real Sociedad last weekend but showed a battling spirit against Juventus. It has been a frustrating start to the new season for Fran Escriba; he is yet to field his strongest starting eleven due to injuries. The Galicians travel to the capital without Fran Beltran and Jorge Saenz – both suspended to add more to Escriba worries.
VERDICT – Atletico defeat at Real Sociedad was a timely reminder that Diego Simeone’s team remain a work in progress. In the last six meetings, Atletico have had five wins to Celta’s one. Both fixtures ended 2-0 in favor of the home team. Los Colchoneros have won all of their last four at home agaisnt Celta Vigo. With Celta Vigo not a full strength due to injuries and suspension, a home win is on the cards.
SEVILLA v REAL MADRID – SUN. 22 SEPT 2019, 20.00HRS
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It is the match of the week in the Spanish top division and the pressure on Zinedine Zidane will escalate further if Real Madrid do not get a positive result in Seville. Real Madrid were outclassed by PSG in the Champions League and a trip to Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan isn’t what Los Blancos would want considering their poor record there. Sevilla have made a good start to the new season under former Real Madrid coach – Julen Lopetegui. Los Nervionenses are playing well and their manager will be more motivated to get one over his previous employers come Sunday evening.
VERDICT – This is another big test for Real Madrid and Zidane; they have lost on their last three trips to Andalusia. It remains to be seen how Los Blancos react following the poor showing in Paris. The home team are favorites and can heap more misery of the big club from the capital. Sevilla can win this at home; over 2.5 goals.
To England;
LEICESTER CITY v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – SAT. 21 SEPT 2019, 12.30HRS
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Leicester City aim to bounce back having suffered their first defeat of the season against a Tottenham Hotspur side who have climbed above them into the top four. Leicester have been a joy to watch under Brendan Rodgers but their insipid performance at Old Trafford last time out would have disappointed their manager and supporters. Tottenham are yet to get into full swing this season; they have been quite inconsistent. They got back to winning ways in the league last weekend but followed it up with a draw away at Olympiacos in the Champions League. They have just one victory in the last five in all competitions.
VERDICT – Both teams will try to pick themselves up following bad results in their last outing. Spurs have thrown away two-goal leads in their last two away matches at Arsenal and Olympiacos which should give Mauricio Pochettino some concerns. Tottenham Hotspur have won the last three league matches in a row against Leicester City. Jamie Vardy has scored in his last three Premier League matches against Spurs. There should be goals from both teams at the Kings Power stadium.
CHELSEA v LIVERPOOL – SUN. 22 SEPT 2019, 16.30HRS
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VS
Two members of the Premier League top-six clash in the biggest game of this round at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Blues have been scoring goals for fun and have conceded in equal measure. This is another tricky test for Liverpool having failed to impress in Napoli during the week. Chelsea have history of upsetting teams at the top of the table when leaders Liverpool come calling. Frank Lampard is still waiting for his first home win of his reign and that adds to the intrigues of this highly anticipated clash. The Reds travel to London having suffered just one defeat in the last 44 Premier League matches.
VERDICT – Jurgen Klopp has won two of his four Premier League away matches against Chelsea and has the chance to become the first Liverpool manager to win three times in the competition at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have won only one of their last nine meetings with Liverpool (5D, 3L). Both teams will be looking for a reaction to midweek disappointments; they are defensive concerns for both but the Reds might just have a little extra in them to push on.
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.