B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Nov. 1-3
The Bundesliga will be the centre of attention Saturday as league leaders Bayern Munich play host to long-term rivals Borussia Dortmund.
This has not been a comfortable season for Jurgen Klopp's team, but a victory at the Allianz Arena on Saturday could be the catalyst for domestic improvement.
In the Premier League, Manchester City prepare to entertain their neighbours Manchester United on Sunday, while Liverpool travel to Newcastle in a fixture which has a history of excitement.
Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from their Clasico defeat at Real Madrid when Celta Vigo are the visitors, and Napoli take on Roma in Serie A.
Last week, Jerrad Peters came within one goal of a perfect scoreline prediction of the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona game, but it is still Karl Matchett leading the way in our Experts' table.
So do you agree with their predictions for this weekend? Let us know your prognostications in the comments below.
Newcastle United vs. Liverpool
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Alex Livie: Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Papiss Cisse
The last time these two sides played out a 0-0 draw was 1974, so expect goals. Newcastle gained a morale-boosting win at Tottenham last weekend, followed it up with victory over Manchester City in the Capital One Cup and can repeat the dose here.
Karl Matchett: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Steven Gerrard
Neither side are playing particularly well, and with Newcastle at home they may have the edge, but Liverpool have shown one or two signs of turning it around in recent games.
Sam Tighe: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling
The feel-good factor for Newcastle is still good for another shock result.
Will Tidey: Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Mario Balotelli
It has to be him this weekend for the first goal. But Newcastle had a good win at Spurs, and Liverpool are still struggling to find their rhythm. I smell an upset for the Toon.
Michael Cummings: Newcastle 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Steven Gerrard
I'm backing Alan Pardew's men to pull the upset as Newcastle put more distance between themselves and the relegation zone with a win over misfiring Liverpool.
Jerrad Peters: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling
Liverpool have dominated Newcastle in recent years, but goals have been hard to come by for the Reds of late, and the Magpies will be buoyed by last weekend's win away to Tottenham.
Alex Dimond: Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Mario Balotelli
Newcastle will be buoyant after their last two results, but Liverpool will feel they have turned a corner after their own cup win in midweek. Another entertaining game between these two could be on the cards.
Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
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Alex Livie: Bayern Munich 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Dortmund are having a torrid time, but this is the perfect game to spark back to life—and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be the man to do the damage.
Karl Matchett: Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
It's all going horribly wrong for Klopp and BVB this year, and this isn't the game to stop the rot. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery should be back and will make a big difference for Bayern.
Sam Tighe: Bayern Munich 3-0 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Mario Gotze
Der Klassiker will be a whitewash, with Dortmund losing yet another game.
Will Tidey: Bayern Munich 1-0 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
Bayern are flying, but it won't be a stroll against Dortmund. They'll win a tight game by the solitary goal.
Michael Cummings: Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Arjen Robben
Bayern drew at home to Gladbach last time out, but I can't see a repeat performance from Pep Guardiola's men, who will be more than up for this one.
Jerrad Peters: Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
Borussia Dortmund are really struggling at the moment, although they tend to save some of their best performances for Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. Bayern, however, are simply on another level these days and should pick up all three points.
Alex Dimond: Bayern Munich 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
First goalscorer: Arjen Robben
Dortmund would love nothing better than to end their torrid recent Bundesliga run in this game—unfortunately, it's just impossible to see it happening.
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo
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Alex Livie: Barcelona 3-0 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Barca are licking their wounds after defeat to Real Madrid, but Luis Enrique's men can get back on track here.
Karl Matchett: Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Neymar
Luis Enrique's old club are doing just fine without him, but Barca will want to get back on track after defeat in El Clasico. This is a game between two sides who love to have the ball, but the home team do it better.
Sam Tighe: Barcelona 2-1 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Neymar
Celta Vigo are playing well and not getting credit. That doesn't mean they'll beat Barca, though.
Will Tidey: Barcelona 4-0 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Easy win for Barca here, spearheaded by Suarez back in the goals.
Michael Cummings: Barcelona 2-0 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Messi to score and Barcelona to bounce back at home to Celta.
Jerrad Peters: Barcelona 4-1 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Neymar
Luis Enrique will be eager for his Barcelona side to bounce back from Saturday's Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, and it just so happens that the manager's next opponent is his former employer. Celta Vigo have made a strong start to the season but could well feel Barcelona's wrath Saturday.
Alex Dimond: Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Barcelona will be confident of getting back on track against Luis Enrique's old club. Luis Suarez should open his account for the club, perhaps at the same time as Lionel Messi breaks the all-time La Liga scoring record.
Napoli vs. Roma
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Alex Livie: Napoli 1-0 Roma
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli have ground to make up on the Serie A leaders, and they can set about their task by proving too strong for Roma.
Karl Matchett: Napoli 0-1 Roma
First goalscorer: Radja Nainggolan
Napoli have been on the comeback trail of late, but Roma haven't really done anything wrong at all this season. Another win for them.
Sam Tighe: Napoli 1-0 Roma
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli are resurgent after a rough start. They'll spring the upset here.
Will Tidey: Napoli 1-1 Roma
First goalscorer: Gervinho
With both teams on strong Serie A form, this one will end up a draw.
Michael Cummings: Napoli 1-2 Roma
First goalscorer: Gervinho
Roma will push Juventus all the way this season for the title, but for that to happen, the Giallorossi need to keep posting good results in fixtures like these.
Jerrad Peters: Napoli 2-1 Roma
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli and Roma played four times last season (twice in the Coppa Italia), and the home side won on each occasion. Roma, you feel, are still reeling from that 7-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Alex Dimond: Napoli 1-1 Roma
First goalscorer: Gervinho
Napoli are not at their best at the moment, but it is difficult to see Roma coming away with a win from this one.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
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Alex Livie: Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Manchester City have had a torrid week, but derby bragging rights can go their way, and in some style.
Karl Matchett: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
The gap between the two sides isn't as big right now as it was a month ago, and United will have hopes of taking something from the game. City's better defence could be the telling difference.
Sam Tighe: Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Manuel Pellegrini gets outmatched in the middle and loses the battle, but not the war. Draw.
Will Tidey: Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Robin van Persie
City are the stronger side on paper, but United have something going right now. They can edge this one, with a little luck and some clinical finishing from their front men.
Michael Cummings: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
The mood is jubilant around Old Trafford following the draw with Chelsea, but this time the Red Devils won't have home-pitch advantage working for them.
Jerrad Peters: Manchester City 2-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Angel Di Maria
Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea was something of a moral victory, and Sunday they'll look to consolidate the result by putting in a good performance away to local rivals Manchester City. The hosts lost 2-1 to West Ham last weekend and drew 2-2 at CSKA Moscow four days before that and looked lethargic in both matches.
Alex Dimond: Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
United's confidence will be high after holding Chelsea last weekend, while Man City are in a real rut at the moment. But you cannot ignore the class of their front line, which should be enough to see them through in this derby.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Karl Matchett | 4 | 74 |
| Michael Cummings | 6 | 72 |
| Jerrad Peters | 4 | 66 |
| Alex Dimond | 5 | 62 |
| Sam Tighe | 1 | 57 |
| Will Tidey | 3 | 45 |
| Alex Livie | 2 | 43 |
B/R
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points
