This weekend, football fans are in for a treat with a slew of thrilling matches, from the English Big Battle to a fiery Italian clash between Juventus and Milan. The TipsGG expert team has compiled a digest with predictions for the most exciting games of the weekend.
Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig
Under Niko Kovač, Dortmund are keeping pace in the Bundesliga title race, trailing Bayern Munich by just two points. After a draw with Juventus in the Champions League, the “Bumblebees” convincingly beat Athletic Bilbao, setting a positive tone for the upcoming league match. In the Bundesliga, Dortmund boast a run of four consecutive clean-sheet wins.
RB Leipzig recovered quickly from a heavy opening-round loss to Bayern, winning every subsequent match and staying among the chasing pack. Their injury list remains lengthy, but players like Amadou Haidara and Baumgartner are back in training, and forward Antonio Nusa is ready to start.
Notably, Leipzig have won seven of their last nine meetings with Dortmund, though playing at Signal Iduna Park is always tough. Dortmund’s last home loss to Leipzig came largely due to playing with ten men.
Given the hosts’ strong form and the visitors’ motivation, the match promises to be emotional and likely high-scoring, or at least a stern test for Dortmund’s defense.
Bet: Borussia Dortmund to Win + Total Over 2.5 with odds of 2.05
Arsenal vs West Ham
Despite West Ham’s recent achievements, their derby record is grim: they’ve lost more Premier League derbies than any other team, with eight of their last eleven clashes against London rivals ending in defeat.
However, Arsenal’s likely victory isn’t just about West Ham’s struggles. Yes, the “Gunners” played in Europe midweek, but their win over Olympiacos didn’t require excessive effort. The brilliance of Arsenal’s attacking line makes chance creation routine. If they perform similarly against West Ham, they’re likely to score at least twice.
West Ham have had a dreadful start to the season, languishing in the relegation zone with just one win—against Nottingham Forest in seven minutes. They recently snapped a two-game losing streak by avoiding defeat against Everton. However, their defense is among the league’s worst, ranking in the bottom three.
Arsenal are clear favorites and should secure a convincing win. Given West Ham’s position, a thrashing is possible, and Arsenal’s attacking output should lead to plenty of corners.
Bet: Arsenal Individual Total Corners Over 7.5 with odds of 1.85
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Both teams enter this clash in subpar form. Chelsea beat Benfica in the Champions League midweek but failed to impress. Prior to that, they lost three of their last four matches across all competitions. Injuries, particularly to defenders, are a major issue. However, Stamford Bridge offers hope—Chelsea haven’t lost to Liverpool in six of their last eight home games.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have suffered back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, exposing issues with integrating new players and shaky defending. The absence of Alisson and Ekitike further weakens them, and their away form is concerning: five losses in their last seven matches away from Anfield.
Given these factors, a draw or at least a non-loss for the home side seems reasonable.
Bet: Chelsea Double Chance + Total Over 1.5 with odds of 1.85
Real Madrid vs Villarreal
Real Madrid suffered a deserved 2:5 loss to Atlético last week, marking their first major setback this season. Xabi Alonso’s tactical missteps were evident, and he likely drew lessons from it. Their midweek 5:0 Champions League win over Kairat hardly erased that disappointment—Real will face Villarreal at home with renewed focus. At the Bernabéu, they’re formidable, winning eight consecutive home matches. In their last seven home games against Villarreal, they’ve secured five victories. However, injuries have left their right flank defense exposed.
Villarreal are in fine form: three wins and a draw in their last four matches, including a draw against Juventus. Marcelino has shored up their defense, conceding just five goals in La Liga, matching Barcelona’s best-in-league record. Their midweek Champions League rotation ensured no fatigue from competing on two fronts.
Still, avoiding defeat against a motivated Real away from home will be tough. I see a Real win with over 2.5 goals.
Bet: Real Madrid to Win + Total Over 2.5 with odds of 1.75
Juventus vs Milan
Juventus remain unbeaten this season, including in the Champions League, but their recent wins are scarce. Their last victory was a comeback against Inter, followed by a string of draws. While their attack has been prolific, their defense has been alarmingly leaky.
Milan, under Allegri, started with a loss to Cremonese but approach Round 6 with four consecutive wins, including one over reigning champions Napoli. That match, marked by a red card and penalty, was hard-fought but showcased their resilience. Heading to Turin, Milan have the edge in physical condition, a strong record in recent visits to Juventus Stadium, and a motivated Allegri eager to settle scores from his 2023/24 sacking.
I believe Milan hold a slight advantage. Let’s back the zero handicap.
Bet: Milan Handicap (0) with odds of 1.91