B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of September 12-14
The club programme returns this weekend after the international break.
In the Premier League, Arsenal play host to Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday in the biggest game of the English weekend.
Barcelona will look to continue their impressive opening to the La Liga campaign when they entertain Athletic Bilbao, but Real Madrid will be looking for a return to form in the derby against Atletico.
In Italy, Serie A champions Juventus face Udinese, while Monaco will line up at Lyon on Friday night.
Our experts have given their opinions on the weekend matches over the next few slides. Do you agree with them?
Lyon vs. Monaco
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Alex Livie: Lyon 0-1 Monaco
First goalscorer: Dimitar Berbatov
Monaco may have lost star names James and Radamel Falcao, but they still have quality in their ranks and can take the three points.
Karl Matchett: Lyon 2-1 Monaco
First goalscorer: Alexandre Lacazette
ASM haven’t impressed this season and though Leonardo Jardim is still trying to figure out his squad, Lyon will sense this as an opportunity to prove they can compete near the top once again.
Sam Tighe: Lyon 1-2 Monaco
First goalscorer: Lucas Ocampos
Lyon have been dreadful to start the season and although Monaco haven't been much better, I can't back the home side.
Will Tidey: Lyon 1-3 Monaco
First goalscorer: Dimitar Berbatov
No Falcao for Monaco, but Berbatov is in the goals already and Lyon have not had a great start to the season.
Michael Cummings: Lyon 2-1 Monaco
First goalscorer: Alexandre Lacazette
Lyon to hit Monaco on the counter as the visitors continue their poor start to the season.
Jerrad Peters: Lyon 1-2 Monaco
First goalscorer: Alexandre Lacazette
Monaco haven’t exactly been lighting Ligue 1 on fire, but even they are in better form than Lyon at the moment. The principality outfit did the double over Lyon last season and should get the better of them again.
Alex Dimond: Lyon 1-1 Monaco
First goalscorer: Lucas Ocampos
Lyon have not started the season well, but fighting back to claim a draw against a Monaco side that is not what it was will give them something to build on.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
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Alex Livie: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
Welbeck joined Arsenal on deadline day from Manchester United and he can start to pay back some of his transfer fee against the champions.
Karl Matchett: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Here’s when Manchester City show that the Community Shield match was of such insignificance. Arsenal to lose by the same old problems: spaces in front of defence after turnovers, not enough penetration from the second line and generally not being as good in midfield as their top rivals.
Sam Tighe: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
If Arsene Wenger finally gets this one right formation-wise, Arsenal can showcase their new-found firepower in style.
Will Tidey: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
This is the point in the season that Arsenal cruelly tempt their fans to believe the title is possible. Welbeck to take his England performance into a fine debut.
Michael Cummings: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
For all their well-documented struggles away to top sides last season, Arsenal were unbeaten in home league matches against City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton. Then again, the Gunners drew four of those five fixtures.
Jerrad Peters: Arsenal 1-3 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Yaya Toure
Danny Welbeck’s arrival will be a lift to Arsenal, but Manchester City have had a fortnight to stew over their loss to Stoke and will get back to their winning ways at the Emirates.
Alex Dimond: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
In front of their home fans, and with added pace in their attack, Arsenal have the talent to give Manchester City a torrid afternoon—but the away side remain a superior overall team and should come away with something.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
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Alex Livie: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Gareth Bale
The first Madrid derby of the season is sure to be a high-octane affair, which can go the way of the home side.
Karl Matchett: Real Madrid 2-2 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Gareth Bale
We’ll be hoping for a game more like the second leg than the first of the Super Cup, with plenty of aggression, chances and action. Either side can win this; Real’s defence is shocking, Atletico’s is excellent, but both teams can attack to great effect.
Sam Tighe: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Raul Garcia to peg los Blancos back after taking an early lead. Another Madrid derby draw.
Will Tidey: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
This one should be rather tasty. I like Real to nick it, with Benzema on target at least once and Gareth Bale playing the creator supreme.
Michael Cummings: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Diego Simeone's absence from the touchline will take its toll as Real win the first Madrid derby of the season.
Jerrad Peters: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
Atletico Madrid edged Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup last month and should just have enough to take a point from the Bernabeu this weekend.
Alex Dimond: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Both sides are still working out their best tactical setup at this stage of the season, but home advantage and some superior individual talents should be enough for Real to edge to victory.
Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao
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Alex Livie: Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Neymar
Barca have made a fine start to the season and the momentum can continue with a home win against Bilbao.
Karl Matchett: Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
The Madrid derby stands out of course, but FCB vs. ATH could be the game of the weekend. Both teams have so much technique going forward and few work as hard as Bilbao. At home you might tip them to win, but Barcelona should win at their own ground.
Sam Tighe: Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Athletic have always given Barcelona a good game, but rarely come away with a result. Nothing changes here.
Will Tidey: Barcelona 3-0 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Neymar
Two wins from two for Barca to start the season, and I expect them to keep that 100 per cent record against Bilbao. Neymar to star in this one.
Michael Cummings: Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Messi scores, Barca win. We all know this story well by now.
Jerrad Peters: Barcelona 2-2 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Aritz Aduriz
Athletic have scored three goals in each of their last three matches, are anticipating the group stage of the Champions League and will ride their sky-high confidence to a draw at Camp Nou.
Alex Dimond: Barcelona 3-2 Athletic Bilbao
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Athletic Club have the potential to upset Barcelona—especially if this game was at the new San Mames—but they might just fall short in what promises to be an exciting game.
Juventus vs. Udinese
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Alex Livie: Juventus 1-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez
Juventus opened their season with a 1-0 win over Chievo, expect a carbon copy here.
Karl Matchett: Juventus 2-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Paul Pogba
Juve shouldn’t have too much difficulty overcoming Udinese here, especially if Pogba brings his international form back home with him.
Sam Tighe: Juventus 1-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Fernando Llorente
Another 1-0 win for Juventus as Massimiliano Allegri continues a sturdy, yet not spectacular, streak.
Will Tidey: Juventus 1-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez
Juve to win a tight one, with Tevez producing the moment of inspiration for them.
Michael Cummings: Juventus 2-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Paul Pogba
Juventus have won their last five league matches against Udinese by a combined score of 13-2, but both of last season's meetings finished with close scorelines.
Jerrad Peters: Juventus 2-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Kingsley Coman
Udinese haven’t found the back of the net against Juventus since 2012 and will struggle for even the slightest opening in Turin.
Alex Dimond: Juventus 2-0 Udinese
First goalscorer: Fernando Llorente
Doubts remain about whether Juventus are as good as they were last season, but they should still win this one with a measure of control.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Karl Matchett | 5 | 34 |
| Sam Tighe | 8 | 31 |
| Mike Cummings | 7 | 30 |
| Jerrad Peters | 3 | 30 |
| Alex Dimond | 6 | 24 |
| Alex Livie | 2 | 18 |
| Will Tidey | 4 | 20 |
B/R
Correct result: 1 point
Correct first goalscorer: 2 points
Correct scoreline: 3 points
