Good bets in Manchester City, Chelsea
ENGLAND
Arsenal vs. Southampton
In goal Artur Boruc has been outstanding, the back four of Jose Fonte’s experience and Luke Shaw’s talent superb, the midfield pair of Morgan Schneiderlin and Victor Wanyama immense, the attacking trio of new England internationals Adam Lallana, Jay Rodgriuez and Rickie Lambert terrific. Add dangerous floaters like the kid James Ward-Prose or record signing Pablo Osvaldo, and you see why Mauricio Pochettino’s team has thrilled. Time for a reality check though. Home win
Man City vs. Spurs
The big spenders come up against each other in what should ideally be a top four clash. What would have been a show of might is instead going to be a battle of desperation, with the loser of this one in danger of losing too much ground in the title race. Tottenham defend better but Man City create and score more, and yet attack should triumph here. Home win
West Ham vs. Chelsea
This is a tricky London derby for a Chelsea side that has struggled following international breaks. Sam Allardyce will no doubt motivate his charges, and has got a good mix of rugged experience and talented youth. What they have in passion and combativeness they lack in overall quality however, and this should give Chelsea the edge. Away win
Cardiff vs. Man United
United are ravaged by injury as they go to a place where the home side play with great commitment, the place of famous victories over Man City and Swansea in the derby. With gaping defensive and midfield holes, United will rely on Rooney, Van Persie, Valencia and Januzaj to keep their hosts occupied, but look out for a contribution from either Nani or Shinji Kagawa. Away win
Everton vs. Liverpool
Derbies swing on the flimsiest or most bizarre of things, and on many memorable occasions the sum has spectacularly surpassed the parts. It is hard to project the bizarre (red cards, keeper/defensive errors etc) however and the Merseyside Derby has had its fair share. On the face of it, these two cancel each other out in goal, at the back and in midfield, leaving Suarez and Sturridge looking more potent than Lukaku and Mirallas. Away win
SERIE A
Napoli vs. Parma
Roma do not play until Monday and so third placed Napoli will want to take the opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders . Parma are traditionally tough opposition for Napoli but have struggled so far this season and will scarcely enjoy their time in Naples. Home win
Juventus vs. Livorno
Like Napoli, Juventus can take advantage of Roma’s later kick off. Better still than Napoli, Juventus can actually go top of the table and pile the pressure on the Romans, and in these circumstances I would fancy the Old Lady to deliver. Away win
BUNDESLIGA
Dortmund vs. Bayern
The latest feud between the two has dragged in Germany coach Joachim Loew, and there should be added spice to Europe’s biggest game of the weekend thanks to Mario Gotze’s return to the Ruhr Valley in Bavarian colours. Expect a drawn out battle in midfield and very quick breaks from Dortmund, but the difference between the two could be wide men Robben and Ribery. Away win
Hertha Berlin vs. Leverkusen
Leverkusen have had a flying start to the season and are joint second in the table with Dortmund, hot on the heels of the mighty Bayern. Considering that those two giants are facing off this weekend, Leverkusen would do well to take advantage. But Berlin has been unkind to visitors and I don’t see these latest ones winning there.
FRENCH LIGUE 1
Reims vs. PSG
Reims are strong at home and have impressed. PSG will desperately hope that Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn’t suffer from a World Cup hangover, but thankfully for them their star man has a strong supporting cast. Away win
Nantes vs. Monaco
Nantes are beginning to look like the side which qualified for Champions League football a decade or so ago, having been in limbo since those heady days. It is not beyond them to frustrate visiting Falcao, Moutinho and Monaco’s entire elite ensemble. Draw
LA LIGA
Barcelona vs. Granada
Leo Messi is off on a long overdue sabbatical, but Barcelona have somewhat got used to life without him this season. That should show against Granada. ‘Over’
Almeria vs. Real Madrid
They have shocked a few, but Almeria should find Real Madrid stars Ronaldo, Benzema and Modric in high spirits after World Cup qualification, and Bale, Di Maria, Isco and the rest in the mood. ‘Over’
Atletics Madrid vs. Getafe
Getafe have done remarkably well, but Atletico can be irresistible. Home win
Seville vs. Real Betis
The derby of Seville could end up with an Away win
Levante vs. Villarreal
The Yellow Submarine is good for a draw in hostile waters.
SCOTLAND
Celtic vs. Aberdeen: ‘Over’
NETHERLANDS
Ajax vs. Heracles: ‘Over’
PSV vs. Heerenveen: Over’
AZ Alkmaar vs Roda JC: Home win
Waalwijk vs Feyenoord: Home win
Twente vs. NAC Breda: Away win
Go Ahead Eagles vs. Vitesse:
Away win
PORTUGAL
Porto vs. CD Nacional: ‘Over’
Benfica vs. Braga: Home win
RUSSIA
Zenit vs. FK Rostov: Home win
FK Tom Tomsk vs. Rubi Karzan:
Away win
TURKEY
Galatasary vs. Sivasspor: ‘Over’
FK Tom Tomsk vs. Rubi Karzan:
Away win
BRAZIL
Atletico MG vs. Goias: Home win
Internacional vs. Coritiba: Over