Match Preview

Must-watch games

This weekend marks the return of European League action after the transfer window closed, and clubs will feel renewed hope with the additions to their squads as they head into the second half of the season.

Here is a preview of the games you absolutely cannot miss this weekend and some betting tips.

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Chelsea vs Fulham

With a record-breaking transfer window behind them, Graham Potter is faced with the task of whipping his new-look side together and making a charge for continental football next season.

His first game with his much larger squad is against Marco Silva and his Fulham team, who have fared much better than them this season.

Form Guide

Chelsea

The Blues have picked up five points from a possible twelve in the new year and have won only twice in their last 10 matches.

Their last outing was a goalless draw against Liverpool. However, there were flashes of attacking impetus from some of Graham Potter’s charges, especially from Mykhailo Mudryk. What remains to be seen is how quickly the new signings will gel with the other players in the team.

(D-L-L-L-W-D)

Fulham

Since their 2-1 win against Chelsea in the reverse fixture, Fulham have suffered back-to-back league defeats and been forced into an FA Cup replay by lower-league opposition.

While those league losses were by slender margins, Marco Silva will be keen to stop the slide before it balloons any further. While the team is in a comfortable league position, they are within touching distance of the European spots and will want to continue with the momentum they started the season with.

(W-W-W-L-L-D)

Prediction

Graham Potter already struggled to pick his preferred XI before the injection of even more talent into his squad, he also is struggling with injuries to key players like N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, and Christian Pulisic.

While his team undoubtedly have more talent, Marco Silva’s team have been impressive so far and will fancy their chances as they look for their first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979.

Fulham have strengthened with the arrivals of Sasa Lukic and Cedric Soares and will be a difficult matchup for a floundering Chelsea side.

Our betting picks

Draw @ 4.00
Over 2.5 @ 1.89
Both teams to score @ 1.86
Over 2.5 bookings @ 1.16

RB Salzburg vs Sturm Graz

In the quarter-final round of the OFB Cup, Red Bull Salzburg will face Sturm Graz at the Red Bull Arena on Friday.

RB Salzburg defeated Fugen 3-0 to start their cup run before defeating Union Gurten by the same score in the second round. They destroyed Flyeralarm Admira 6-1 in the competition the previous time they played, and this weekend they will try to extend their winning streak in the domestic cup.

Friday’s clash will be a case of what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object; Salzburg are the undefeated side at home in the Austrian top-flight this season, while Sturm are undefeated away from home in the league this season.

Form Guide

RB Salzburg

After a three-month break, Salzburg will resume competitive play on Friday. Over the next two weeks, they will also play in the Austrian Bundesliga and UEFA Europa League, and they’ll be hoping to have a successful comeback starting with the all-important OFB Cup clash against Sturm Graz.

Sturm Graz

In their first cup match back in July of last year, Sturm Graz defeated amateur team Rothis 6-0.

After defeating Austria Salzburg 3-1 in the following round, they proceeded to defeat Grazer AK 1-0 in the next round.

Sturm Graz have won the OFB Cup five times, winning it last in the 2017-18 season.

This season, they’ll want to reach similar heights, but a great performance will be needed to beat the league leaders on Friday

Prediction

Historically, Red Bull Salzburg have dominated meetings with Sturm Graz, they have won 49 of the 96 matches between them, with 20 matches ending in a draw.

However, Sturm Graz are undefeated in their last three games in this fixture after losing their previous six, but they are without a clean sheet in their last seven games across all competitions.

With three victories in their past four competitive games, Salzburg will be confident going into the weekend match. They have only lost one game at home all year, so this weekend, they’ll try to take full advantage of playing in front of their home fans.

Bet Tips

Salzburg win @ 1.66
Overs 2.5 goals @ 1.58
No away clean sheet @ 1.08

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace

Manchester United will get a chance to quickly redeem themselves against Crystal Palace after dropping points at Selhurst Park last time they played the Eagles.

United host Crystal Place at Old Trafford on Saturday and will continue their quest for a league title, despite the current points deficit to the league leaders.

Form Guide

Manchester United

After picking up one point from a possible six in their last two league matches, United have qualified for the EFL Cup final and progressed into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

United have been excellent at Old Trafford lately; they have won each of their last 12 games there across all competitions, including their last five home matches in the Premier League.

Against Palace, they will be looking for their first win in three league matches after suffering a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and a 3-2 loss to Arsenal in their last two matches.

(W-D-L-W-W-W)

Crystal Palace

Despite losing their last five Premier League games, Crystal Palace has earned points against Manchester United and Newcastle in their last two contests. These results which will no doubt boost their confidence as they head to Old Trafford

The Premier League table presently has Vieira’s team in 12th place, seven points above the relegation zone, but if their winless streak from 2023 continues, they might have to start worrying about their future soon.

(W-L-L-L-D-D)

Prediction

Man United can ill-afford to continue their winless streak if they are to secure a top-four spot after dropping five points in their last two Premier League games, including two in the rematch against Palace.

However, Ten Hag’s team will be optimistic about getting back to winning this weekend at home, and they should have little trouble against a goal-shy Palace team that will be without star player and leading scorer Zaha for the trip to Old Trafford.

Bet Tips

Manchester United win @ 1.40
Overs 2.5 goals @ 1.82
Draw no bet Manchester United @ 1.12
Both teams score @ 2.08

PSG vs Toulouse

PSG returned to winning ways against midweek but had that win soured by an injury to Kylian Mbappe.

PSG are currently five points clear of Marseille at the top of the table, after beating Montpellier 3-1 on Wednesday, while Toulouse are unbeaten in 2023, picking up a 4-1 win over Troyes midweek.

Form Guide

PSG

PSG returned to winning ways after looking somewhat vulnerable since the league resumed this year.

They have picked up only 10 points in their previous six matches, conceding with fewer than five minutes remaining in successive matches.

PSG have scored in every one of their domestic encounters played in Paris this season and have not lost a Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes since 2021.

(W-L-W-W-D-W)

Toulouse

Toulouse are full of confidence after picking up 13 from a possible 15 points in the league this year.

Although most of the matches they played were against opposition in the lower half of the table, they were fortunate to take advantage.

The new month brings stiffer opposition, with three of their four league matches against teams in the top five (PSG, Marseille and Rennes).

(W-W-D-W-W-W)

Prediction

PSG have yet to concede against Toulouse in five successive matches, and the absence of Mbappe will do little to affect the outcome of this clash, which should be a comfortable home win for the defending champions.

Bet Tips

PSG to win @ 1.32
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.41
Under 3.5 bookings @ 2.15

Barcelona vs Sevilla

La Liga leaders Barcelona, host Sevilla on Sunday as they aim to continue to set the pace at the top of the Spanish league.

The Catalan side have yet to lose at home in La Liga this season and have won all league matches played at the Nou Camp this year.

Sevilla, on the other hand, are in 13th place after winning just five matches all season.

Form Guide

Barcelona

The Blaugrana have won their last two matches by a one-goal margin, underscoring how much grit the team possesses despite its flair.

They are yet to lose at home this season and have failed to pick up maximum points only three times this season.

(W-W-W-W-W-W)

Sevilla

Since the resumption of La Liga after the World Cup, Sevilla have picked up three wins on the trot against Getafe, Elche and Cadiz to earn their best run of the season so far. A Copa del Rey quarter-final loss to Osasuna is their only defeat this year

Those nine points from a possible nine make them one of the most in-form teams in the league in the new year, however, they will face a much sterner test when the travel to the Nou Camp to take on Xavi’s Barcelona

(W-W-W-W-L-W)

Prediction

While Sevilla have surely improved in 2023, stopping Barcelona at home in the league will be a task beyond them.

Xavi’s team have weathered the injuries to some key players and will welcome back Robert Lewandowski from suspension for this clash; his return will no doubt bolster the already potent attack the team has.

Bet Tips

Barcelona to win @ 1.35
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.71
Over 4.5 bookings @ 1.26
Both teams to score @ 2.05

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

Inter Milan host AC Milan in the stadium they share for the second Derby Della Madonnina of the 2022-2023 season; arguably the biggest derby in the Italian Serie A.

Like most times, there is a lot at stake in this game, this time around both teams have a lot of ground to make up as they chase Napoli in a desperate bid to keep the title race alive.

Form Guide

Inter Milan

Inter Milan head into this match boosted by a Coppa Italia quarter-final win against a very good Atalanta side midweek. Although they are second in Serie A, Inter Milan’s chances of winning the league don’t appear to be very good. Napoli is currently 13 points ahead of them in the table, with only 20 rounds of matches remaining.

Inter Milan need a winning streak if they are going to make a miraculous title charge, since the start of the year, they have won three matches, lost one and drawn one.

(W-W-W-L-W-W)

AC Milan

Since the start of club football in the new year, AC Milan has struggled; they have only won one of their previous seven games, a 1-2 away win over Salareintana, and since then, the Rosoneri have lost four matches and drawn two.

The reigning champions of the Italian Serie A have some serious problems with injuries, especially at the back. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan is out, as are defenders Fikayo Tomori, Alessandro Florenzi, and Sergino Dest.

(D-L-D-L-L-L)

Prediction

A common refrain about derby matches is that form goes out the window; however, it is hard to ignore the poor form AC Milan have been in. Last week’s 5-2 home drubbing by Sassuolo will still be playing in the back of their minds when they play against Inter in one of the most important matches of their season.

Inter Milan, on the other hand, already beat AC Milan handsomely in the Supercoppa Italiana final and will be looking to avenge the early-season loss in the Derby Della Madonnina.

With the way both teams are playing at the moment, an Inter Milan win is on the cards.

Bet tips