Classic Derbies in European Football This Weekend – We Break It Down

Set aside all your plans on Sunday because it is a Super Sunday in terms of football action. There are so many high-quality derbies to look forward to including El Clasico, Manchester United v Liverpool, PSG v Marseille and Inter v Juventus.

Here break down each match and provide a prediction as well.

Barcelona v Real Madrid

Barcelona welcomes their arch-rivals Real Madrid in the traditional El Clasico this coming Sunday. This marks the first match in 12 years where either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi will not participate. The two sides haven’t enjoyed the best start this season with Real Sociedad being unlikely log leaders so far. Barcelona head into the match motivated after their dramatic 3-1 comeback over Valencia last week.

It was also a match where Sergio Aguero made his long-awaited debut in the Barcelona colours after his free transfer from Manchester City. Ronald Koeman’s side is sitting in the seventh with 15 points after eight matches and they are desperate to move up the standings. Beating Real Madrid could be the turning point to their season and refresh their bid to win their first league title in three years.

But that won’t come easy, Real Madrid come to the clash as the prime favourite in the bookmaker’s view. Karim Benzema is having a season remember with nine goals and seven assists. The Frenchman is proving to be a lethal striker and grabbing the headline as he is one of the favourites to grab the Ballon’ODr.

Prediction

Carlo Ancelloti’s side is one free goal-scoring side this season with 22 goals in eight matches. Punters should expect Madrid to continue their form at the Nou Camp. The best bet is over 2.5 goals.

Manchester United v Liverpool

Manchester United welcome Liverpool on a Super Sunday English Premier League clash at Old Trafford. The home side will be eager to bounce back after suffering a 4-2 loss to Leicester City last weekend. The Red Devils are sixth with 14 points. Already, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under immense pressure despite landing the big signing of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. As the pressure keeps piling on, the fans are losing patience with the coach. A win for him will be a much-needed relief even though it won’t come easy.

Liverpool remains the only club yet to taste defeat this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side is second, one point behind Chelsea who are on 18. Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah are proving to be a deadly striking partnership this season, both strikers reached a century of Premier League goals recently.

Prediction

Expect Liverpool to be firing all cylinders and to continue their fine form this season. They should win this match and expect more goals.

Inter Milan v Juventus

Inter Milan entertain Juventus this weekend at the San Siro Stadium. Milan enters the match on a back foot after suffering a 3-1 loss to Lazio last week. The home side has failed to keep up last season’s league-winning form. Losing Antonio Conte plus key players including Romelo Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi took a toll on the side performance. With 17 points in possible 24 points has seen the side still in the Champions League automatic spot for next season. The upcoming match will be a litmus test of their title winning credentials.

Juventus head into the match motivated after a scrappy 1-0 victory over Roma last weekend. But their problems are far from over as they still sit in a lowly seventh. The most successful Italian club in history is still finding it hard to find a suitable replacement for talisman Cristiano Ronaldo who made a shocking return to Manchester United. Still early to predict the outcome of the league with eight games played so far but Massimilano Allegri is feeling the pressure.

Prediction

A draw seems to be a fair result for both clubs but there could well be goals in this fixture.

PSG v Marseille

On Sunday, Paris Saint-German will welcome Marseille in the French Capital, Paris in the biggest clash in the Ligue 1 this weekend. The current log leader PSG has lost only once this season, against Rennes. They have opened up a nine-point gap in the league. PSG has been the focus of headlines across the world this season on/off the field following the arrival of Lionel Messi.

Messi, who spent most of his career playing for Barcelona, surprised many football fanatics with the shock move. The deadly trio of him, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe makes any defence shudder with dread.

Meanwhile, Marseille is having a mixed season in terms of results this season. A total of five wins, two draws, and two losses has seen the side sit third on the log. They face a huge task especially away from home, they haven’t been able to win a match against the opponents in the last ten years.

Prediction

PSG has won all four matches at home and their form is set to continue this weekend. A win plus goals over 2.5 in the match seems to be a good bet.

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