B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of October 4-5

Ian RodgersOct 2, 2014

Another weekend gives our Bleacher Report experts the chance to display their powers of prediction.

Chelsea play host to Arsenal in the big Premier League game of the weekend, while unexpected Bundesliga high-fliers Borussia Monchengladbach and Mainz clash.

In Italy, Serie A leaders Juventus entertain second-placed Roma, and the big game in Ligue 1 sees Paris Saint-Germain line up against Monaco in the French capital.

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, who are third in the table, travel to second-placed Valencia in the Spanish top flight.

Sam Tighe returns to the fold for the experts, while Mike Cummings has moved to the top of our table.

But do you agree with their predictions this week? Let us know in the comments below.

Valencia vs. Atletico Madrid

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David Ramos/Getty Images

Alex Livie: Valencia 0-0 Atletico Madrid

A tight, testy encounter that will see defences win out.

Karl Matchett: Valencia 1-2 Atletico Madrid

First goalscorer: Miranda

Valencia have been good this season, but they need to step up considerably from last weekend’s poor display vs. Real Sociedad. Atletico have been approaching their best form again and could end Los Che’s unbeaten run.

Sam Tighe: Valencia 0-1 Atletico Madrid

First goalscorer: Koke

Atletico overtake Valencia in the table via another Koke strike. Valencia are better, but they're not good enough to beat los Colchoneros yet.

Will Tidey: Valencia 1-0 Atletico Madrid

First goalscorer: Paco Alcacer

Two teams who've started the season strongly, but I can see Valencia's home advantage giving them the edge here.

Michael Cummings: Valencia 1-1 Atletico Madrid

First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic

The masked man to make his mark as Atletico Madrid take a point on the road against Valencia.

Jerrad Peters: Valencia 1-0 Atletico Madrid

First goalscorer: Sofiane Feghouli

Atletico Madrid did the double over Valencia last season, but this term Los Che have become one of the best defensive outfits in La Liga. Both sides have yet to lose this season but only the hosts will retain their unbeaten record coming out of the weekend.

Alex Dimond: Valencia 1-1 Atletico Madrid

First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic

Valencia have started the season brightly, but Atletico are a wily team who should be able to get something out of this.

Chelsea vs. Arsenal

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Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Eden Hazard

The Blues will emphatically flex their muscles with a dominant London-derby win.

Karl Matchett: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

The same old problems to rear their heads for Arsenal: overpowered in midfield, outgunned in attack. Cesc and Matic to destroy the Gunners’ centre of the park.

Sam Tighe: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

One of the biggest matches of the season so far and yet, for me, it's a foregone conclusion that Arsenal lose.

Will Tidey: Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

Chelsea are just too strong for Arsenal right now. Diego Costa will inevitably be on the scoresheet.

Michael Cummings: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Diego Costa

We all remember how this one played out last season. But has Arsene Wenger learned his lesson? I'm not convinced he has.

Jerrad Peters: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Eden Hazard

Here’s an interesting fact: Arsenal have failed to find the back of the net in each of their last three matches against Chelsea. They’ve also struggled for incisiveness in recent matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.

Alex Dimond: Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Eden Hazard

Facing Chelsea will be another significant test of Arsenal's resolve. Will they wilt again, as they did last season? It would seem quite likely.

Juventus vs. Roma

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Alessandra Tarantino/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Juventus 1-0 Roma

First goalscorer: Paul Pogba

The Serie A champions will show their all-round class with a dominant, if narrow, win.

Karl Matchett: Juventus 1-0 Roma

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

A tight game with few clear chances, but one Juve can just do enough in to stop Roma’s 100 percent record and keep up their own.

Sam Tighe: Juventus 1-0 Roma

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

Juventus eek out another tough 1-0 victory, with Tevez delivering the gold yet again.

Will Tidey: Juventus 0-0 Roma

Something has to give in this one. Or maybe not. Both teams have won their opening five games and let in a combined one goal in 10. Goalless draw all the way.

Michael Cummings: Juventus 2-1 Roma

First goalscorer: Paul Pogba

Both teams have won all five of their league matches this season, outscoring opponents 19-1 in the process. So give Juve the edge based on home field and fewer injuries.

Jerrad Peters: Juventus 1-1 Roma

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

If anyone can pry the Scudetto from the clutches of Juventus, it’s Roma. So far this season they’ve matched the Bianconeri point for point, although sneaking a win out of Turin is always a difficult assignment.

Alex Dimond: Juventus 1-1 Roma

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

Roma may be a more cohesive team at this point in time, but Juventus remain the better collection of individuals. Plenty of signs point towards a tie.

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PSG vs. Monaco

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Thibault Camus/Associated Press

Alex Livie: PSG 3-0 Monaco

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

PSG will demonstrate the gulf in class between themselves and the rest of Ligue 1.

Karl Matchett: PSG 3-0 Monaco

First goalscorer: Lucas Moura

Shouldn’t even be a contest if PSG can take the same intensity and determination into the match from the Barcelona win.

Sam Tighe: PSG 2-0 Monaco

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

Neither side are in sparkling form, but Monaco are much worse than PSG this year.

Will Tidey: PSG 3-0 Monaco

First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

PSG haven't truly caught fire this season, but they've been better than Monaco.

Michael Cummings: PSG 2-0 Monaco

First goalscorer: David Luiz

PSG have drawn five of their eight league matches this season, while Monaco have drawn only once. What does it mean? Probably nothing, so I'll back PSG at home, where they have won two of three.

Jerrad Peters: PSG 3-1 Monaco

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

Last season, before Monaco had offloaded both James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao, the principality side earned a pair of 1-1 draws with PSG. On Sunday, however, a very confident PSG outfit—coming off a Champions League win over Barcelona—should ease past a Monaco team stripped to the bones during the summer.

Alex Dimond: PSG 3-1 Monaco

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

This game should underline the different directions the two rich clubs appear to be going in at the moment.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Mainz

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Michael Probst/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Mainz

First goalscorer: Raffael

Gladbach to maintain their unbeaten record with an impressive home win.

Karl Matchett: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 Mainz

First goalscorer: Shinji Okazaki

Mainz’s spell near the top will come to an end sooner or later, but Gladbach will be thinking they are in with a top-four shout this season. Here’s a good game to show why.

Sam Tighe: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Mainz

First goalscorer: Raffael

It's never fun to take on BMG at Borussia Park, and I can't back Mainz here.

Will Tidey: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Mainz

First goalscorer: Max Kruse

Home advantage to count here for Gladbach, who'll see off Mainz and continue a strong start to the season.

Michael Cummings: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 Mainz

First goalscorer: Max Kruse

An unexpected top-four matchup, to be sure. Gladbach need to keep winning if they're going to have any chance of keeping pace with Bayern, but Mainz could make things difficult for them.

Jerrad Peters: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Mainz

First goalscorer: Raffael

Back-to-back draws have seen Mainz drop to fifth in the standings in recent weeks, but Sunday’s contest at Borussia Monchengladbach provides them a chance to get back into the Champions League places. After being kept off the scoresheet against Hoffenheim they’ll rebound in positive fashion on Sunday.

Alex Dimond: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0 Mainz

First goalscorer: Raffael

Gladbach have started the season brightly and should continue in that vein here.