The international break has concluded, and our focus eagerly shifts back to club football. As customary, we will choose two matches from the top five European leagues, providing you with our top bets and value selections.
Newcastle vs Chelsea (Saturday)
Newcastle aims to break free from a recent two-game losing streak, yet a formidable challenge awaits them at St James’ Park this Saturday as they square off against a resurgent Chelsea, noticeably enhanced under the management of Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues received a significant boost with reports indicating potential debut appearances for Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia. Meanwhile, Newcastle contends with injuries, leaving several players sidelined.
Everton vs Manchester United (Sunday)
Dealt a severe blow with a 10-point deduction, Everton finds themselves in a precarious situation where every upcoming game until the season’s end is a must-win, intensifying their battle against relegation. The Toffees are set for a challenging home fixture against Manchester United, a team that has clinched victories in their last three away matches.
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona (Saturday)
Rayo Vallecano, coming off a 1-0 home defeat against Girona in their previous outing, now faces the formidable challenge of confronting Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions. So far this season, only Real Madrid has managed to outperform the Catalan giants, with Barcelona securing victories in nine out of their 13 matches.
Atletico Madrid vs Mallorca (Saturday)
Atletico Madrid, currently in exceptional form, is set to host 17th-placed Mallorca in La Liga this Saturday. With an impressive record of winning all eight of their home matches, Diego Simeone’s side stands as overwhelming favorites to overcome the visitors, who, in contrast, have been winless in their last seven league games.
Cologne vs Bayern Munich (Friday)
The Bundesliga gameweek commences on Friday with a clash between the top and bottom teams, as second-placed Bayern Munich travels to face 17th-placed Cologne. Riding on the momentum of five consecutive wins and a remarkable tally of 22 goals, the Bavarian giants anticipate yet another comfortable victory.
Werder Bremen vs Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday)
Bayer Leverkusen, the early pacesetters in the Bundesliga, aim to sustain their excellent form in the pursuit of a league title as they visit 12th-placed Werder Bremen on Saturday. Xabi Alonso’s team is currently riding an impressive 12-match winning streak.
Salernitana vs Lazio (Saturday)
On Saturday, Lazio hits the road to face Salernitana with confidence, seeking to break free from a two-game winless streak against the bottom side of the division. Maurizio Sarri’s squad secured a 2-0 victory in this fixture last season, providing optimism for the team to clinch another three points in the upcoming match.
Roma vs Udinese (Sunday)
On Sunday, Jose Mourinho’s Roma will host Udinese in Serie A, aiming to achieve their fifth consecutive win at the Stadio Olimpico. In their previous encounter, Roma emerged victorious with a 3-0 scoreline, instilling confidence as they approach this upcoming clash.
Strasbourg vs Marseille (Saturday)
In Ligue 1 action on Saturday, Strasbourg plays host to Marseille, with just a single point differentiating the two teams—Marseille in 10th and Strasbourg in 15th. Strasbourg enters the match winless in their last six games, while Marseille has experienced greater success lately, particularly in the Europa League.
Nice vs Toulouse (Sunday)
In a significant Ligue 1 encounter on Saturday, title-chasing Nice is set to host 14th-placed Toulouse at the Allianz Riviera. Nice stands as the sole unbeaten side in Ligue 1 this season, securing victories in four of their last five games. In contrast, Toulouse enters the match winless in their last five outings.