The international break came in at the wrong time for some, but it must have been the perfect timing – a life saver for some who were already choking on the new seasons’ pressure.
The games are on this weekend – just the same across the most of Europe and the whole weekend through to Monday.
Here’s a guide through this week’s Grand selection.
Premier League
In so many ways the break came at the wrong time for most as the return to action sees 2 of the top 3 (with perfect start) facing tricky ties as Liverpool face Spurs and Watford – Manchester United.
Tottenham v Liverpool
The biggest game of the weekend and, it comes at the perfect moment when Liverpool are coming off a good run of 4 in 4. But maybe the break came at the wrong time for Klopp. It is a moment that takes their rhythm to a test. Perhaps a yes, or no, I believe Spurs needed it more.
Spurs do not have to like the returns the break brought, it’s understandable. While Liverpool have fresher legs in key starters, Salah and Mane who have rested enough as Alisson Becker and Firmino were spared full time action by Brazil, Spurs will have to endure playing without Delle Alli and Hugo Lloris.
Liverpool have learned to play away against the bigger boys and this is another game that should give them at least a point. The Visitors have dominated the past 5-meetings (2W, 2D), but their last visit to the Wembley was a devastating 4-1.
I am backing Spurs to hold Liverpool to a score-draw.
Watford v Manchester United
For Jose Mourinho, the break must have come at the wrong time – just after recovering from a turbulent start of back-to-back defeats (Brighton and Spurs) to win at Turf Moor.
He faces an unbeaten Watford (4-Consecutive wins) with key absences in Luke Shaw, Fellaini and Phil Jones (all injured) while Marcus Rashford serves suspension.
A win for the Hornets could start making a Leicester run come to life. But, United have taken 9 of the last 10 – meetings in the PL including that 4-2 at the same venue.
Watford have downed one big boy already 2-1 – Tottenham and this should sound a warning to United. However, Jose Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford is already under scrutiny and losing this game means a bigger problem.
It is a tricky tie. Play it safe and go for both teams to score. But you can still trust Manchester United to win.
Here are the Premier League tips for this weekend
Saturday, September 15
Huddersfield Town v Crystal Palace – 2
Manchester City v Fulham – 1
Bournemouth v Leicester City – 1
Newcastle United v Arsenal – 2
Chelsea v Cardiff City – 1
Sunday, September 16
Wolves v Burnley – 1
Everton v West Ham United – 1
Spanish Primera Liga
Joint leaders FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face tricky away fixtures and could be headed for their first spoils – an end to their perfect start, but Atletico Madrid should heighten their spirits with a Clean sheet at the Wanda Metropolitano when they host Eibar.
Real Sociedad v FC Barcelona
Leaders, FC Barcelona, will test the ‘new Anoeta’ and a start on the positive could extend the overturn of everything the Catalans have endured – the curse of not winning in San Sebastian since 2010 (which they ended last season after coming from 2-goals down to claim a 2-4 victory).
A tricky tie it is for Ernesto Valverde, not for the strength of his opponent but for the legacy the opponent’s holds at home. Yes, Barcelona have started the season in perfect form, taking 3 wins from 3 but they should be ready to pay the price of underestimating the Txuri-Urdin.
Sociedad have 4 points after 3 matches and lost to Eibar in their last outing but the circumstances, playing their first-ever match in their ‘new Anoeta’, and while it won’t be easy, they’ve worked plenty of magic there before last season.
A 1-1 draw should settle the scores.
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid
Like Barcelona, Real Madrid visit the San Memes – a difficult place for los Blancos and it’s been a while ever since they last picked a comfortable win.
Athletic Bilbao at their home have denied Real Madrid 7-points of a possible 15. The difficulty of scoring, let alone winning at the San Memes has Eduardo Berizo on a positive to rack-up his devastating feat (no win) against Real Madrid. However, Julen Lopetegui has been at the San Memes and won there with FC Porto.
Go for both teams to score but a draw can also be good for Real Madrid’s title credentials this season.
Here’s a summary of the la Liga picks
Saturday, September 15
Atlético de Madrid v Eibar – 1
Valencia CF v Real Betis – 1
Sunday, September 16
Leganés v Villarreal – 2
Espanyol v Levante – 1
Real Valladolid v Alavés – 1
Sevilla v Getafe – 1
German Bundesliga
Record Champions, Bayern Munich head into this weekend with maximum points – flanked by 2-other sides, Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC at the tally of 6.
Bayern are looking more than ready to extend their winning streak beyond struggling Bayer Leverkusen who are yet to earn a point and are seemingly conceding for fun – 5 in just 2.
A fresh return for Niko Kovac’s side as the fight for places in the starting team intensifies. James Rodrigues looks ready to start as Niklas Sule, Jerome Boateng and Hummels fight for two places.
Bayern should win another game without conceding.
Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC will share spoils – A score draw for both
Here’re the rest of the games.
Saturday, September 15
- FSV Mainz 05 v FC Augsburg – X1
RB Leipzig v Hannover 96 – 1
VfL Wolfsburg v Hertha BSC – 1
Fortuna Düsseldorf v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim – 2
Borussia M’gladbach v FC Schalke 04 – 1
Sunday, September 16
SV Werder Bremen v 1. FC Nürnberg – 1
Sport-Club Freiburg v VfB Stuttgart – 1
Italian Serie A
A perfect start for the defending champions, Juventus and there’s literally less to worry about when they host Sassuolo on Sunday.
Actually, their major worry should be how to get their scoring machine shooting on target once again – it’s what now turned into a prayer for the bill boards and news man who are running impatient as with the wait for the moment Ronaldo opens his Serie A account.
Prayers answered – expect Ronaldo to score this weekend as Juventus take a 2.5 scoring win.
In other games, Ancelotti should come back a stronger man when Napoli host Fiorentina.
He’s at home and should comfortably defeat Fiorentina (2.5 over)
Here’s a list for the Serie A tips.
Saturday, September 15
Inter Milan v Parma – 1
Frosinone v Sampdoria – 2
Sunday, September 16
Roma v Chievo – 1
Udinese v Torino – 1
Genoa v Bologna – 1
Juventus v Sassuolo – 1
Empoli v Lazio – 2
Cagliari v AC Milan – 2
French Ligue 1
Finally, in France, 8th placed Lyon who are enduring a turbulent start – falling on 2-dark Friday Nights against Stade Reims (1-0) and Nice (0-1) should have a better day after the break.
The timing could work the magic. They have at least won on the other day and they should emphatically win against Caen.
Follow other listings from the French Ligue 1.
Saturday, September 15
Dijon v Angers – 1
Amiens v Lille – 2
Montpellier v Strasbourg – 1
Toulouse v Monaco – 1
Sunday, September 16
Nantes v Reims – 1
Bordeaux v Nîmes – 1
Marseille v Guingamp – 1
VALUE PICKS
Saturday, September 15
Rubin Kazan v FK Yenisey – 1
Hamburger SV v 1. FC Heidenheim – 1
Al-Ain v Al-Dhafra – 1
Clyde FC v Albion Rovers – 1
Wrexham v Ebbsfleet United – 1
Dunfermline Athletic v Alloa Athletic – 1
Sknv St. Polten v FC Red Bull Salzburg – 2
CD Tenerife v CF Reus Deportiu – 1
Sunday, September 16
FC Orenburg v Zenit St Petersburg – 2
AZ Alkmaar v Feyenoord – Both to score
Olimpik Donetsk v Illichivets – 1
FC Koln v Paderborn – 1
Vendsyssel FF v HOBRO – X
Verona v Carpi – 1
Norrkoping v AIK – 2
REGULAR PICKS
Saturday, September 15
Nea Salamina Famagusta v AEK Larnaca – 2
CSKA Sofia v Cherno More Varna – 1
Leones FC v Deportivo Cali – X2
Santos Laguna v Club Leon – 1
SV Darmstadt 98 v SV Sandhausen – 1X
Energie Cottbus v SG Sonnenhof Großaspach – 1X
RC Lens v FC Sochaux – 1
Dumbarton v Montrose – 1
Sunday, September 16
Anzhi Makhachkala v FK Krasnodar – 2
Zorya v Dynamo Kiev – 2
Bochum v Ingolstadt – X2
Lotte v Zwickau – 1X
Nacional v Vitoria Setubal – X2
Sporting v Maritimo – 1
NAC Breda v Fort Sittard – 2
NOTE: GG – Both teams to score, 1 – Home Team win, 2 – Away Team loss, X – Draw, 1X – Home team’s win or Draw, X2 – A draw or Away team’s win, NT – Risky to place your Bet on
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