
B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend Jan. 3-5
The FA Cup takes over the schedule in England this weekend, while La Liga resumes in Spain after its winter break.
Arsenal begin their defence of the cup with the visit of Hull City—the same opposition the Gunners beat in the 2014 final at Wembley—on Sunday.
Manchester United and Liverpool have been handed potential banana skins in the third round, with the Red Devils heading to Yeovil Town, who are struggling at the foot of League One, on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers' team face a repeat of the 1988 FA Cup final when they line up at AFC Wimbledon on Monday night.
The League Two Dons might not be the same club that won the trophy on that occasion, but they will draw on the success of Lawrie Sanchez, Vinnie Jones and Dave Beasant from that game to try to inspire a shock result.
In Spain, former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes will pit his wits against Luis Enrique when Barcelona travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Real Madrid will be looking to maintain their impressive winning sequence when they line up at Valencia on the same day.
Do you agree with our experts' predictions for this weekend's matches? Let us know in the comments section below.
Arsenal vs. Hull City
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Alex Livie: Arsenal 2-0 Hull
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
The Gunners can kick off the defence of their FA Cup crown with a comfortable win over the team they beat in last year's final.
Karl Matchett: Arsenal 3-0 Hull
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
This will be an easy win for Arsenal against a well-below-par opponent. Big trouble ahead for Hull.
Sam Tighe: Arsenal 3-0 Hull
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
The Tigers are in trouble, and the Gunners will pile it on here. There'll be no escape for Steve Bruce's men.
Will Tidey: Arsenal 3-1 Hull
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
Welbeck will start 2015 strongly, and I'm backing him to get at least a goal here.
Michael Cummings: Arsenal 2-1 Hull
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
There'll be no repeat of last May's FA Cup final, but this will be a thriller all the same. As ever, Arsenal will make life much harder on themselves than it should be.
Jerrad Peters: Arsenal 3-0 Hull
First goalscorer: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Don't expect an upset in this FA Cup final rematch. Arsenal should win comfortably at the Emirates, and Theo Walcott will likely feature at some point.
Alex Dimond: Arsenal 2-0 Hull
First goalscorer: Tomas Rosicky
Considering their current league form, the last thing Hull might need right now is another long cup run. Arsenal might find it fairly easy going.
Yeovil Town vs. Manchester United
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Alex Livie: Yeovil 0-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: James Wilson
Securing a top-four spot in the Premier League is the priority for Louis van Gaal, but the cup can provide a welcome distraction for the Red Devils.
Karl Matchett: Yeovil 0-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: James Wilson
I can’t see any kind of upset here. United will win in a professional manner.
Sam Tighe: Yeovil 0-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
A much-changed XI makes it tough to predict how this one will play out, but I get the impression United are in United mode now. They'll win.
Will Tidey: Yeovil 0-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: James Wilson
Expect Louis van Gaal to give Wilson a start here, and expect Wilson to repay his faith.
Michael Cummings: Yeovil 1-4 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
Comfortable progress for Manchester United away from home.
Jerrad Peters: Yeovil 0-4 Manchester United
First goalscorer: James Wilson
Manchester United last faced a League One opponent when they entered the season's Capital One Cup campaign and were sent hurtling out of the tournament by MK Dons. That won't happen against Yeovil in the FA Cup, as the Glovers are propping up the third tier of English football and can't score a goal to save their lives.
Alex Dimond: Yeovil 1-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: James Wilson
It promises to be a memorable afternoon at Huish Park, and the hosts should be competitive up to a point. United's class will surely tell, however.
Valencia vs. Real Madrid
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Alex Livie: Valencia 0-0 Real Madrid
Real's superb winning run has to end at some stage, and this could well be the day when Carlo Ancelotti's men are halted—temporarily at least.
Karl Matchett: Valencia 2-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Alvaro Negredo
Valencia to rally and almost find a way to stop Real’s winning streak, but they’ll get a late winner.
Sam Tighe: Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Valencia are having a fantastic season, but Real Madrid, recently crowned champions of the world in Casablanca, will be too much for them here.
Will Tidey: Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Can Ronaldo's 2015 match his 2014? Of course it can, it's Ronaldo we're talking about.
Michael Cummings: Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Until this streak ends, we have to assume Real Madrid will win every match they play.
Jerrad Peters: Valencia 1-3 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
The Mestalla is not an easy place for visiting teams to play, even if Real Madrid prevailed 3-2 at the ground back in December 2013. But you get the feeling there's no stopping Los Blancos at the moment.
Alex Dimond: Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
A new year it may be, but I see no reason for Real Madrid's brilliant recent run of form to end any time soon.
Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona
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Alex Livie: Real Sociedad 1-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Barca can take advantage of Real's slip by earning a battling win on the road.
Karl Matchett: Real Sociedad 1-3 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Barcelona need to show they are ready to jell properly and challenge for honours in the second half of the season.
Sam Tighe: Real Sociedad 0-3 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
David Moyes vs. Barcelona—it's the tussle we've all been waiting for, isn't it?
Will Tidey: Real Sociedad 0-4 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
It's taken some time for Suarez to settle at Barca, but I think he'll blast a hello to 2015 in this one.
Michael Cummings: Real Sociedad 1-3 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
This will be tricky at times but comfortable in the end for Barca and Messi.
Jerrad Peters: Real Sociedad 0-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Neymar
Real Sociedad beat Barcelona 3-1 the last time they hosted the Catalan giants, but while they're unbeaten in three matches heading into Sunday's contest, it's hard to see them generating the necessary offence for a repeat performance.
Alex Dimond: Real Sociedad 1-2 Barcelona
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
This will be the first taste of the David Moyes experience for Barcelona and Luis Enrique. Sociedad should prove difficult to break down, but Barcelona will win out in the end.
AFC Wimbledon vs. Liverpool
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Alex Livie: AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Rickie Lambert
Wimbledon may fancy their chances of an upset, but it won't happen, as the Reds will claim the win.
Karl Matchett: AFC Wimbledon 0-3 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Mario Balotelli
Liverpool are hitting form now, and if they can make that happen away from home too, they’ll ease to victory.
Sam Tighe: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Philippe Coutinho
A much-improved Reds side will suddenly be feared by AFC Wimbledon. It will be Coutinho to start in an entertaining win.
Will Tidey: AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Rickie Lambert
Oh, for the days of the Crazy Gang again. Liverpool won't make this easy, but they'll finish strongly to assure progress.
Michael Cummings: AFC Wimbledon 0-3 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool are rounding into form and should have more than enough firepower to progress.
Jerrad Peters: AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Mario Balotelli
AFC Wimbledon are on a decent little run and have drastically cut down their goals against of late. But Liverpool, who played one of their best matches of the season at home to Swansea on Monday, will be too much for them at Kingsmeadow.
Alex Dimond: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Mario Balotelli
Expect a brilliant tie, one the third round of the FA Cup tends to throw up every so often. For some reason, I just fancy the south London club to sneak a replay against their famous Premier League opponents.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Mike Cummings | 11 | 132 |
| Karl Matchett | 4 | 119 |
| Alex Livie | 6 | 109 |
| Sam Tighe | 11 | 109 |
| Alex Dimond | 2 | 107 |
| Jerrad Peters | 2 | 103 |
| Will Tidey | 5 | 84 |
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points









