B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Nov. 22-23

Ian RodgersNov 20, 2014

The Milan derby takes centre stage for our experts' predictions this week, with the two San Siro giants set to clash in Serie A on Sunday.

Both teams will be looking for a boost to their disappointing campaigns so far, and former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will make his return to the Inter Milan dugout.

Another big Italian match takes place in the capital, as fifth-place Lazio plays host to league leaders Juventus.

In the Premier League, all eyes will be on the Emirates Stadium on Saturday when Arsenal entertain Manchester United.

There are two top-six encounters in Spain, as well. Second-place Barcelona are at home to Sevilla, who currently sit fifth. Meanwhile, La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, who are fourth in the table, face an intriguing tie against sixth-placed Malaga at the Vicente Calderon.

Our experts weigh in on these matches in the following slides. Let us know what you think of their picks in the comments below.

Arsenal vs. Manchester United

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Alex Livie: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez

Two giants of the game who are off the pace at the moment. A win would be most welcome, but a draw will have to do.

Karl Matchett: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez

This really could go either way, as Arsene Wenger is coming under plenty of pressure right now and United have the excuse of plenty of injuries. The home team to up the ante.

Sam Tighe: Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

United's injuries prove too much as the Gunners recover in style.

Will Tidey: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Robin van Persie

I like RvP and Welbeck to do the dirty on their old clubs in an entertaining game of two bad defences.

Michael Cummings: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Robin van Persie

What to make of this one? Neither team is in great form. Both will be without key players due to injury. Arsenal's record against Manchester United has been poor in recent years, and considering the way they've defended lately, I can't see them changing that now.

Jerrad Peters: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

How badly does Danny Welbeck want to score against former club Manchester United? Arsenal are hardly flying high at the moment, but United's injury woes should mean a comfortable win for the hosts at the Emirates.

Alex Dimond: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester United

First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck

It would be fitting, wouldn't it, if Welbeck notched in his first game against his former club? The Gunners are notoriously fragile in big games, but United's injury problems are horrendous.

Atletico Madrid vs. Malaga

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Uncredited/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Malaga

First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic

Atleti went into the international break on the back of a disappointing defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad. They will bounce back, with Mandzukic firing them to three points.

Karl Matchett: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Malaga

First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic

This could be a tight game, and a low-scoring affair wouldn’t be a surprise. Malaga have been getting results by being tight defensively, while Atleti are hardly free-flowing at the moment. A narrow win for the titleholders.

Sam Tighe: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Malaga

Malaga are stubborn as hell and playing great in La Liga. Atletico can't break down the door, resulting in a goalless draw.

Will Tidey: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Malaga

First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic

Malaga are having a decent season, but I think Atleti will be too strong for them at home in this one.

Michael Cummings: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Malaga

First goalscorer: Koke

Malaga enter the match on a nice run, having won their last five league matches. But Atletico are strong at home, going undefeated in their last 25 league matches at the Calderon.

Jerrad Peters: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Malaga

First goalscorer: Diego Godin

Malaga are one of La Liga's early surprise packages this season and came away with a point from their trip to the Calderon last term. They've won each of their last five matches, but Atletico Madrid will be desperate to get back on the winning track following a defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break.

Alex Dimond: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Malaga

First goalscorer: Koke

Atleti need to find a rhythm, and the international break might have done them some good in that regard. Malaga will be no pushovers, though.

Barcelona vs. Sevilla

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Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Alex Livie: Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Luis Suarez

Barca cannot afford to drop any further off Real Madrid's pace, and that man Suarez will open his La Liga account in the win.

Karl Matchett: Barcelona 3-1 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Neymar

An interesting test for both sides—especially Sevilla, with their top-four aspirations. Neymar to hit the goal trail once more, though, and clinch the points.

Sam Tighe: Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Neymar

Luis Enrique and Barcelona get firmly back on track with a statement win over Sevilla.

Will Tidey: Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Luis Suarez

Barca rout for this one, with Suarez scoring twice and Messi turning on the magisterial Ray Hudson stuff.

Michael Cummings: Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Carlos Bacca

Barca got back on track last time out, coming from behind to beat Almeria after falling behind. That could happen again, with Sevilla a threat to score on the break.

Jerrad Peters: Barcelona 1-1 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Luis Suarez

Sevilla can leapfrog Barcelona in the standings if they happen to win at Camp Nou this weekend. Lionel Messi was substituted at the half-time interval of Argentina's friendly against Portugal on Tuesday, so freshness shouldn't be as much of an issue with him as with Neymar, who already looked tired after playing 90 minutes against Austria.

Alex Dimond: Barcelona 3-2 Sevilla

First goalscorer: Lionel Messi

There are real questions about Barcelona's setup under Luis Enrique, and Sevilla are a decent attacking side. But that Suarez-Messi-Neymar trident should pull the hosts through.

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Lazio vs. Juventus

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Riccardo De Luca/Associated Press

Alex Livie: Lazio 1-1 Juventus

First goalscorer: Miroslav Klose

Juventus are well on their way to defending their Serie A title, but they won't find things easy in Rome and will have to settle for a point.

Karl Matchett: Lazio 0-2 Juventus

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

Juventus will keep on taking points and wins this season and rolling toward another title. No different here.

Sam Tighe: Lazio 1-2 Juventus

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

Lazio are good, but a recent blip will be enough to drain the confidence against a formidable Bianconeri side.

Will Tidey: Lazio 0-2 Juventus

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

Juve to come away with a big win in this one, inspired by Carlos Tevez.

Michael Cummings: Lazio 0-2 Juventus

First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez

Carlos Tevez to pick up where he left off before the international break, helping Juventus to another win.

Jerrad Peters: Lazio 0-2 Juventus

First goalscorer: Fernando Llorente

This has been a tricky fixture for Juventus in recent years, but at the moment, you feel there's no stopping them in Serie A. Lazio, for what it's worth, have failed to win at home just once so far this season.

Alex Livie: Lazio 1-2 Juventus

First goalscorer: Antonio Candreva

One of the toughest games of the season for the Old Lady—they may need to come from behind to get the three points in this one.

AC Milan vs. Inter Milan

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Alex Livie: AC Milan 1-0 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Fernando Torres

Derbies are always tough to call, and this game is no different. Fernando Torres has had a tough time but will go a long way toward winning over the Rossoneri fans with the goal to clinch all three points.

Karl Matchett: AC Milan 1-0 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Jeremy Menez

It’s tempting to label this as one of the most pointless and potentially boring Milan derbies in memory, but last season’s drab affair is still painfully fresh. Same again, then.

Sam Tighe: AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Mauro Icardi

These days, the Milan derby lacks quality, which is a true shame. Roberto Mancini's side to go ahead but only get a point in the manager's first game back in the Inter dugout.

Will Tidey: AC Milan 1-0 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Fernando Torres

I like this one for a scrappy, cagey encounter to be decided by the great El Nino off the bench.

Michael Cummings: AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Keisuke Honda

There's currently little to separate these two sides in the table, and it could be much the same on the pitch.

Jerrad Peters: AC Milan 1-2 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Mauro Icardi

Inter Milan are struggling mightily to score from open play these days, but they may be boosted, at least temporarily, by the return of manager Roberto Mancini. Of course, Milan aren't exactly having an easy time of it themselves, with just one win from their last five matches.

Alex Dimond: AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan

First goalscorer: Hernanes

Neither side has been especially impressive so far this season, and it will be interesting to see what Roberto Mancini's return produces. The visitors should be capable of getting something from this derby.