
B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Nov. 28-Dec. 1
There are some intriguing matches across Europe this weekend for our Bleacher Report experts to cast their eyes over.
Ligue 1 leaders Marseille will be aiming to extend their advantage over Paris Saint-Germain when they play host to fourth-placed Nantes on Friday evening.
In La Liga, Real Madrid travel to Malaga, who are sixth in the table, while second-placed Barcelona make the trip to Valencia, who are two places below them.
Game of the weekend in the Bundesliga sees second-placed Wolfsburg entertain Borussia Monchengladbach, who are third.
In Italy, third-placed Napoli face a tricky test at Sampdoria, who are one place below their weekend opponents in Serie A.
So do you agree with our experts? Let us know in the comments below.
Marseille vs. Nantes
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Alex Livie: Marseille 2-0 Nantes
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
Marseille bounced back from their loss to PSG with a win over Bordeaux, and I expect them to carry the momentum into the game with Les Canaris.
Karl Matchett: Marseille 2-1 Nantes
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
The Marcelo Bielsa machine to continue atop Ligue 1 for another weekend after no doubt another thrilling, late comeback full of wild celebration.
Will Tidey: Marseille 2-0 Nantes
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
Marseille are flying high in France, and despite a couple of recent slips, they'll take this one at home.
Mike Cummings: Marseille 1-0 Nantes
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
Marseille to keep hold of their lead atop the Ligue 1 table with a narrow win over Nantes, who will make life difficult for their hosts.
Jerrad Peters: Marseille 1-1 Nantes
First goalscorer: Ismael Bangoura
Nantes are one of the surprise packages in Ligue 1 this season and can pull to within four points of leaders Marseille with a win. L'OM have come off the boil in recent weeks and have lost three of their last five matches against the French top flight.
Alex Dimond: Marseille 3-1 Nantes
First goalscorer: Michy Batshuayi
Marseille seem to have shrugged off the disappointment of losing to PSG in their top-of-the-table clash and should have more than enough to pick up three points against Nantes—even if the visitors are in form.
Sam Tighe: Marseille 2-0 Nantes
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
Marcelo Bielsa bucks the form book and wins two in a row for the first time since October. Nantes are better than many give them credit for, but the Marseille machine rolls on here.
Update: Marseille won 2-0, with Florian Thauvin opening the scoring.
Malaga vs. Real Madrid
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Alex Livie: Malaga 1-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
The Madrid juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down, and they will simply roar past Malaga, handing Carlo Ancelotti a record 16th win in a row.
Karl Matchett: Malaga 1-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Fifteen wins in a row for Real Madrid would be incredible—a better run for Ancelotti than Jose Mourinho managed. Malaga are good, but Real are better.
Will Tidey: Malaga 0-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Madrid, win. Ronaldo, goal. This is too easy.
Mike Cummings: Malaga 1-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Based on the recent evidence, it would be utter insanity to bet against either Real Madrid or Cristiano Ronaldo right now. More goals and more points for both.
Jerrad Peters: Malaga 1-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Malaga had won four matches in a row before losing to Atletico Madrid last weekend. Real Madrid are in unstoppable form at the moment and should inflict a second successive defeat on their hosts.
Alex Dimond: Malaga 0-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Can anyone stop Madrid right now? Perhaps, but Malaga would not appear to be the obvious candidate. It feels silly to predict anything other than a Real win and a Ronaldo goal.
Sam Tighe: Malaga 0-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
As impressive as Malaga have been this season against all odds, their epic winning streak came to an end last week, and it's more misery here.
Valencia vs. Barcelona
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Alex Livie: Valencia 0-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Barca are not playing the sort of football we have grown accustomed to seeing from them, but they have class attacking players and will get the job done.
Karl Matchett: Valencia 2-3 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Alvaro Negredo
The problem for Los Che is they don't commit enough players forward to look like scoring much, other than off set pieces. Should be a great game, with Barcelona to just pip it.
Will Tidey: Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
I've gone obvious again here, with Messi tipped to score his 17,287,892th Liga goal and take his team to a tight victory on the road.
Mike Cummings: Valencia 1-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
In case you forgot, Messi can score some goals too, as he showed last week while becoming La Liga's record goalscorer.
Jerrad Peters: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Neymar
This is a match Valencia desperately need to win if they want to keep in touch with the top of the table. They're coming off a loss to local rivals Levante and will be relying on the intimidating atmosphere of the Mestalla to help them achieve a result against Lionel Messi and Barcelona.
Alex Dimond: Valencia 2-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Paco Alcacer
This could be a tough game for Barcelona, who may have been lulled into a false sense of security by their easy Champions League victory over APOEL Nicosia in midweek. Valencia have started the season well and can get something from this game.
Sam Tighe: Valencia 2-3 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Neymar
Neymar to back his best performance of the season by far with a game-winning showing here. Valencia are good, but they're too reluctant to fling bodies forward and lean on their excellent defenders.
Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Monchengladbach
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Alex Livie: Wolfsburg 2-1 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Ivica Olic
A battle between two sides bidding for the title of second-best side in Germany. Home advantage can help Wolfsburg to edge out the win.
Karl Matchett: Wolfsburg 2-1 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Nicklas Bendtner
Gladbach are coming unstuck a little right now, while Wolfsburg should have the edge, despite also losing last time out. A narrow home win.
Will Tidey: Wolfsburg 2-1 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Nicklas Bendtner
Choosing this game means I have to choose Lord Bendtner as first goalscorer. Wolfsburg to edge it.
Mike Cummings: Wolfsburg 2-1 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Ivica Olic
Both teams are coming off defeats, and both will be desperate for a win to keep Bayern (sort of) within sight. If Wolfsburg want to make the Bundesliga anything more than a one-horse race, they really need to avoid dropping points.
Jerrad Peters: Wolfsburg 2-1 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Max Kruse
Wolfsburg and Borussia Monchengladbach are second and third in the Bundesliga going into the weekend. The hosts' irrepressible attack should see them take all three points Sunday.
Alex Dimond: Wolfsburg 2-1 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Kevin De Bruyne
This should prove to be an interesting game for the neutral observer, with home advantage perhaps the one thing that swings it in Wolfsburg's favour.
Sam Tighe: Wolfsburg 2-0 Monchengladbach
First goalscorer: Ivica Olic
Both were defeated last week, which shocked many, but Wolfsburg are the ones who bounce back.
Sampdoria vs. Napoli
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Alex Livie: Sampdoria 1-1 Napoli
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Juventus and Roma are the top two sides in Serie A, but Sampdoria and Napoli have designs on crashing the party. There will be nothing to split them here.
Karl Matchett: Sampdoria 0-0 Napoli
Sampdoria won't want to lose any ground on their opponents if they are serious about a top-three finish this season. I'll back them to nick a point after defending for most of the game.
Will Tidey: Sampdoria 1-3 Napoli
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli are pretty entertaining right now. They'll win here, with goals aplenty.
Mike Cummings: Sampdoria 1-2 Napoli
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli are unbeaten in the last six meetings between these two clubs, including victories in each of the last three matches at Sampdoria. Expect that trend to continue.
Jerrad Peters: Sampdoria 1-1 Napoli
First goalscorer: Jose Callejon
Napoli have done well in this fixture of late, but Sampdoria's defense is among the best in Serie A. Both sides are battling for the Italian top flight's third Champions League berth.
Alex Dimond: Sampdoria 1-1 Napoli
First goalscorer: Jose Callejon
Napoli might have to be a bit more adventurous in games like this if they want to qualify for the Champions League, but that is not really Rafa Benitez's style. A low-scoring draw might be the most realistic outcome, all things considered.
Sam Tighe: Sampdoria 1-2 Napoli
First goalscorer: Jose Callejon
Napoli are looking good now. Rafa Benitez has them ticking over nicely after initially sabotaging the results by protesting about the summer business.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Mike Cummings | 7 | 103 |
| Karl Matchett | 5 | 92 |
| Alex Dimond | 9 | 88 |
| Jerrad Peters | 2 | 82 |
| Sam Tighe | 6 | 73 |
| Alex Livie | 2 | 64 |
| Will Tidey | 3 | 57 |
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points









