When it’s derby time, form is usually thrown out of the win. Despite Manchester United recent struggles, the North West Derby sees English football’s two most successful sides clash at Old Trafford on Sunday in the biggest fixture of week nine in the Premier League. In Germany, surprise league leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach make a trip to Signal Iduna Park to face Borussia Dortmund who are four points and seven places behind them.
We begin in France;
FC METZ v FC NANTES – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 19.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Christian Gourcuff magic dust producing results for Nantes who are eyeing a fourth successive league victory as they travel to struggling Metz on Saturday evening. The newly promoted side Metz have confirmed bookies status as relegation candidates as they presently occupy bottom spot on the table. Les Grenats were disappointing in their 2-0 defeat to Brest; Vincent Hognon has a difficult task in motivating them ahead of second placed Nantes.
VERDICT – Metz home form (1W, 1D, 2L) doesn’t inspire confidence and the visitors away form has been quite decent winning twice on road. The last three Ligue 1 meetings between these two teams at Stade Saint-Symphorien have ended in stalemates. On the strength of Nantes defensive display, this could be a low scoring affair. Under 2.5 goals
GIRONDINS BORDEAUX v AS SAINT ETIENNE – SUN. 20 OCT 2019, 14.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne will both look to build on derby successes when they face off on Sunday, neither side could have wished for a better result heading into the international break. Bordeaux victory over Toulouse saw them climb back into fourth position and they will be eyeing a second league win at home this season but the game against Saint-Etienne will be anything but a walk in the park for the hosts.
VERDICT – Bordeaux have won five of the last six against Saint Etienne at home but these two teams seem to be evenly matched at the moment and there is a big chance it could end in a draw.
To Germany;
RB LEIPZIG v VfL WOLFSBURG – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 14.30HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Leipzig were tipped as Bundesliga title challengers and their excellent start to the season affirmed it but the Bulls have failed to win their last two matches and dropped off the perch. They host second place Wolfsburg – the only team unbeaten in the Bundesliga after seven weeks of matches. Wolfsburg have the best defensive record in the league, conceding four goals since the start of the season. Oliver Glasner’s team have managed scored 10 as well and will be confident of upsetting Julian Nagelsmann’s troops at home.
VERDICT – Both teams have high ambitions for the season and will be looking for positive results in this game but Leipzig as the home team will be under more pressure to deliver. They have won two of the last three at home against Wolfsburg but will have to dig deeper for three points on Saturday. Over 1.5 goals.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND v BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 17.30HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
This is game between two teams with massive attacking potentials: Dortmund boast of Paco Alcacer, Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho while Gladbach have Alassane Plea, Breel Embolo and Marcus Thuram. Dortmund have shown their quality in attack, scoring at least two goals in each of their last three league matches but have been sloppy at the back and end up surrendering leads. Gladbach are in good form; winning four straight matches in league and all their away matches so far. Can they take this good form and confidence to Signal Iduna Park and secure all three points there?
VERDICT – The interesting fact is that Dortmund has won the last eight duels between these two and will look to continue in similar trend come Saturday evening. However, the Foals have impressed recently and look good in attack. Both teams to score in this encounter.
To Italy;
SS LAZIO v ATALANTA – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 14.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Lazio are one of the most efficient teams in the Serie A with an average of 2.3 goals per game at home while Atalanta have scored at an average of 2.7 goals per game away from home. Sixth-placed Lazio have 11 points and are five points behind high flying Atalanta. La Dea have only lost one game in Serie A this season, 3-2 at home to Torino in September. The Bergamo based club have 100-percent record away from home this season – four wins but will be without the services of leading scorer Duvan Zapata who got injured on international duty.
VERDICT – This duel is likely to be a fast-paced entertaining affair, as both these sides will go for the win. Atalanta have won their last three league matches and have also earned a victory at the Olimpico this season against Roma so they won’t be fazed. This could be a high scoring game; over 2.5 goals
JUVENTUS v BOLOGNA – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 19.45HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Juventus became the new league leaders just before the international break with their deserved victory over Inter in Derby d’Italia. Maurizio Sarri’s team are where they want to, winning six of the first seven league matches with the draw as Fiorentina as the only flaw. Bologna come into this match sitting in a mid-table position with nine points in seven rounds. The side from Emilia Romagna pulled together and had a strong opening run, but have stuttered somewhat in recent weeks with only two draws from the last four games. The Allianz Stadium isn’t the place to get three points if you are struggling for form as a visitor.
VERDICT – Bologna task is much tougher; Sinisa Mihajlovic iswithout injured Gary Medel, Takeshiro Tomiyasu and Mattia Destro. The Rossoblu have won only one of their last 31 Serie A games against Juventus. On current form, it would be difficult to bet against Juventus winning at home comfortably
To Spain;
EIBAR v BARCELONA – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 12.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Eibar have recovered from their slow when they picked up just two points from their first four games but have picked up eight points in the next four. Meanwhile, Barcelona have won four straight matches in all competitions since losing at Granada. Their response has been strong with European golden boot winner Leo Messi getting back towards full fitness and Luis Suarez getting the goals. Eibar have ruffled some big teams at Ipurua since they got promoted to the big league and will look to create more upset with Gerard Pique missing through suspension.
VERDICT – Eibar have only taken one point from their 10 league meetings with Barcelona; that came in the most recent clash in May. The home team had not scored a goal at home against the mighty Catalans prior to May but Luis Mendilibar’s men will test Barca’s defense. Over 2.5 goals
ATLETICO MADRID v VALENCIA – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 15.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Atletico Madrid face Valencia in what is arguably the pick of Matchday nine in LaLiga. Diego Simeone’s team will look to return to winning ways having failed to win and score in the last two home league matches. On the other hand, five years have passed since Valencia won a game against Atletico Madrid. Los Che head to the Wanda Metropolitano as clear underdogs but perhaps will be encouraged by Atleti’s struggles in recent games. Atletico have struggled in the final third and only two sides in La Liga have had fewer shots than Atleti this season.
VERDICT – Atletico Madrid have won their last four home games against Valencia and are undefeated in the last six games in all competitions. Atleti haven’t fully convinced this season but the jury is certainly still out on Valencia new boss Albert Celades. This is a likely to be a close game with few goals in it. Under 2.5 goals
To England;
CRYSTAL PALACE v MANCHESTER CITY – SAT. 19 OCT 2019, 17.30HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Crystal Palace are only two points behind the champions, whom they host at Selhurst Park on Saturday. Manchester City are seeking to bounce back from their loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers by securing a win that would close the gap to leaders Liverpool to five points ahead of the Reds’ visit to Manchester United on Sunday. Palace are looking to secure three consecutive Premier League victories within the same season for the first time since May 2018 while City should welcome influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne whose presence will increase City’s chances in the capital.
VERDICT – Both teams beat each other away from home last season with each need three goals to win. City have won on four of their last five trips to Selhurst Park; they desperately need this victory to keep up pace with leaders Liverpool. Palace are in good form; they will give City a good fight and game. Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals.
MANCHESTER UNITED v LIVERPOOL – SUN. 20 OCT 2019, 16.30HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Manchester United are looking for their third league win of the season as they welcome flawless Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils have struggled so far but have shown to be giant killer at home, beating Chelsea and Leicester at home and earning a draw against Arsenal but the Reds are a different challenge entirely. Liverpool are on the verge of equaling Manchester City’s top-flight record of 18 consecutive victories. Jurgen Klopp’s team have been unrelentless in their pursuit of the Premier League, considering how close they came last season and still fell short. Their 100% is on the line against an injury ravaged Man United.
VERDICT – Manchester United’s poor start means they are already 15 points behind Liverpool after only eight games played this season but they are unbeaten in their last six home matches against Liverpool (3W, 3D). Liverpool took four points off their rival last season but their record at Old Trafford in recent times have been rather poor. There is no better time for the Reds to win there than now. Liverpool are slight favorites.
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 and more for the weekend.