B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of October 25-27
There are no prizes for guessing which game dominates the weekend schedule.
Real Madrid play host to Barcelona on Saturday in the first Clasico of the season, with much of the football world ready to tune in.
But there are some notable matches across Europe this weekend, Chelsea traveling to Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League, for example.
Bayern Munich face an unexpected top-of-the-table clash at Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday, while Serie A's game of the weekend sees second-placed Roma entertain Sampdoria, who are a place below them.
There is also a second versus third clash in Ligue 1 this weekend, with Paris Saint-Germain taking on Bordeaux at the Parc des Princes.
So how have our Bleacher Report experts judged the matches of this weekend? Read on to find out, and let us know if you agree in the comments below.
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
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Alex Livie: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Gareth Bale may be absent and Luis Suarez may be in action, but Real have oodles of class in their ranks and will fire the first major shot in the Liga title race.
Karl Matchett: Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
I’m going for a classic El Clasico, goals aplenty, the first league goals conceded by Claudio Bravo and a last-minute winner for Real.
Sam Tighe: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Suarez returns with a bang, but can't help his side secure the win.
Will Tidey: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
I like Madrid to edge this one, firing off to a strong start with two early goals.
Michael Cummings: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid's attack in sensational form, I can't see Barcelona's clean sheet streak surviving El Clasico. But Lionel Messi and company can score a few of their own, so I'm backing them to keep their unbeaten run alive.
Jerrad Peters: Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
Real Madrid are simply playing at another level in La Liga right now. Even if Gareth Bale is unable to start they’ll still have the firepower to post an emphatic Clasico win.
Alex Dimond: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi could well break the all-time La Liga scoring record during this one, but it could be a disappointing night overall for the Argentinian. Real Madrid have looked impressive in recent weeks and will be determined to take that into this game.
PSG vs. Bordeaux
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Alex Livie: PSG 3-1 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: David Luiz
PSG have not made the best start of the season, and their star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic is struggling with injury, but they will get back on track with a victory over the Girondins.
Karl Matchett: PSG 2-1 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: Lucas Moura
Bordeaux missed the chance to stay above PSG ahead of this match with a dreadful error last weekend, and the loss of momentum—just as PSG start to pick up their own—could cost them dear.
Sam Tighe: PSG 3-1 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: Javier Pastore
Bordeaux have been solid and PSG less than convincing, but they'll spark up at some point, right?
Will Tidey: PSG 1-0 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG to win a very tight game here, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic popping up to score the winner in Paris.
Michael Cummings: PSG 1-1 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: Diego Rolan
Zlatan is still injured, Cavani is suspended and Marseille just keep winning. Ligue 1 couldn't really slip away from PSG, could it?
Jerrad Peters: PSG 2-1 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: Lucas Moura
Bordeaux have just come off the boil in recent weeks and PSG tend to play them well. They were 2-0 winners in the corresponding fixture last season and will have been boosted by their late win away to APOEL in the Champions League.
Alex Dimond: PSG 1-0 Bordeaux
First goalscorer: Lucas Moura
Considering their current issues in attack, PSG might have to be content in securing a victory predicated on defence in this one.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
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Alex Livie: Manchester United 0-2 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard
Manchester United's defence has leaked goals so far this season, and Chelsea's array of attacking stars will heap more misery on the Red Devils.
Karl Matchett: Manchester United 0-2 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard
Perfect Chelsea in this game. Compact, strong, resolute, lightning on the break and impossible to break down once they get ahead.
Sam Tighe: Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Willian
Costa not fit? No matter. Jose to eke out a key win here.
Will Tidey: Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Radamel Falcao
Manchester United will concede; we can be fairly sure of that. Chelsea are the better side, but the Old Trafford crowd will drag United to a point in this one.
Michael Cummings: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Didier Drogba
Chelsea's strikeforce has been decimated by injuries, but United's defence is entirely too rickety. Let's call it a wash, which could result in a draw.
Jerrad Peters: Manchester United 1-3 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard
Manchester United begin a difficult stretch at home to Chelsea on Sunday and could well be found out by a side that just doesn’t have a perceptible weakness. Although strikers Diego Costa and Loic Remy may not feature at Old Trafford, the Blues should still win comfortably.
Alex Dimond: Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea
First goalscorer: Oscar
This game might be closer than some people expect—especially if Jose Mourinho shows United the same respect he did in last season's 0-0 draw—but Chelsea are too balanced, and United currently too suspect in defence, to be bet against.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Bayern Munich
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Alex Livie: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-3 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
Bayern are starting to click into gear and they will prove much too strong for Gladbach.
Karl Matchett: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
Gladbach have been excellent thus far and should give Bayern a good game because of their confidence as much as their ability, but there is a gulf in the Bundesliga, and it will show.
Sam Tighe: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-3 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
BMG are no slouches, but Bayern are really finding their gear this season. Ominous.
Will Tidey: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-3 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Mario Gotze
Routine victory for Bayern here, with the only concern the possible exertion of midweek Champions League action.
Michael Cummings: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-3 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
The rout of Roma felt like a watershed moment for Bayern, the moment when it all came together under Pep Guardiola's mad-scientist tinkering. Gladbach, like Roma, are a good team, but Bayern will be simply too powerful.
Jerrad Peters: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
This is a rather unlikely top-of-the-table clash in the Bundesliga. Second-place Borussia Monchengladbach have won their past two games by a combined score of 8-0, but even their impressive form won’t be enough to topple Bayern Munich, who are simply at a completely different level.
Alex Dimond: Borussia Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayern Munich
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
Regressing to the mean following the Roma drubbing would seem likely here, with Borussia Monchengladbach a decent defensive side. But Pep Guardiola should still tick off another away win.
Sampdoria vs. Roma
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Alex Livie: Sampdoria 0-2 Roma
First goalscorer: Mattia Destro
Roma look the main threat to Juventus in Serie A, and they can keep up the pressure with a win over Sampdoria.
Karl Matchett: Sampdoria 0-2 Roma
First goalscorer: Adem Ljajic
Roma to keep right on rolling along with another impressive, dominant display and victory.
Sam Tighe: Sampdoria 0-2 Roma
First goalscorer: Francesco Totti
Professional Roma. Away wins, away clean sheets. Roll on the next game.
Will Tidey: Sampdoria 1-2 Roma
First goalscorer: Mattia Destro
Sampdoria are unbeaten in Serie A, so this will be far from easy for Roma, who had a tough Champions League match in midweek. That said, they'll edge it.
Michael Cummings: Sampdoria 1-0 Roma
First goalscorer: Manolo Gabbiadini
So where do Roma go from here? After being humiliated by Bayern, it wouldn't be surprising to see Rudi Garcia's side slip up in Serie A. Especially considering Sampdoria's 100 percent home record in Serie A this season.
Jerrad Peters: Sampdoria 1-3 Roma
First goalscorer: Mattia Destro
Just how much will Tuesday’s 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich hurt AS Roma going forward? We’ll find out on Saturday when they visit a Sampdoria side that could pull even with them in the standings with a win. The surprising Blucerchiati are yet to lose in Serie A this season.
Alex Dimond: Sampdoria 1-1 Roma
First goalscorer: Manolo Gabbiadini
Will Roma bounce back after the Bayern debacle, or will that destruction cause them longer-running damage? Either way, Sampdoria could well take advantage and come away with at least something from this game.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Karl Matchett | 10 | 70 |
| Mike Cummings | 9 | 66 |
| Jerrad Peters | 7 | 62 |
| Alex Dimond | 6 | 57 |
| Sam Tighe | 9 | 56 |
| Will Tidey | 5 | 42 |
| Alex Livie | 4 | 41 |
B/R
Correct result: 1 point
Correct first goalscorer: 2 points
Correct scoreline: 3 points
