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B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend Jan. 24-25

Ian RodgersJan 22, 2015

The Premier League takes a break this weekend, with the FA Cup fourth round taking over.

Manchester City face an intriguing visit from Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough, while Arsenal travel to another second-tier side in Brighton and Hove Albion.

In Serie A, out-of-form AC Milan are looking to return to winning ways at Lazio, whose defeat to Napoli last time out saw them fall off the pace in the race for a Champions League place.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also under pressure and are currently four points behind leaders Lyon. Their trip to fourth-placed Saint-Etienne, who have not lost a league game since Oct. 5, offers another stern examination.

Dutch archrivals Ajax and Feyenoord go head-to-head at the Amsterdam Arena this weekend. The hosts are currently on a run of four successive league wins, while the Rotterdam side have won their last two games in the Eredivisie.

Do you agree with our experts' opinions for this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below.

Manchester City vs. Middlesbrough

1 of 6

Alex Livie: Manchester City 3-0 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero

Go back to 2008 and Middlesbrough beat Manchester City 8-1. That won't happen this time, as an Aguero-inspired City will cruise through.

Karl Matchett: Manchester City 5-0 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero

Revenge is in the air. City need to be convincing. At least it won't be eight...

Sam Tighe: Manchester City 3-0 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: Stevan Jovetic

City bounce back from their Arsenal nightmare with a comfortable win over Boro. Jovetic to bag a goal and remind everyone he still exists.

Will Tidey: Manchester City 2-1 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: David Silva

This one won't be easy for City, but they'll just about get it done.

Mike Cummings: Manchester City 2-1 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero

City will still be hurting after the loss at home to Arsenal, but even without Yaya Toure in the midfield, they should have enough to see off Boro.

Jerrad Peters: Manchester City 2-0 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: Stevan Jovetic

Middlesbrough are second in the Championship and have been tough to break down this season. There could be an upset on the cards, but it's more likely Manchester City respond to their loss at home to Arsenal with a victory.

Alex Dimond: Manchester City 3-1 Middlesbrough

First goalscorer: Stevan Jovetic

After surviving a scare in the last round, Manchester City should be slightly more comfortable this time around, although Middlesbrough have enough of an attacking threat to get on the scoresheet.

Lazio vs. AC Milan

2 of 6

Alex Livie: Lazio 1-1 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Jeremy Menez

A tight game in the Eternal City that will see the two sides settle for a point apiece.

Karl Matchett: Lazio 2-1 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Antonio Candreva

Lazio are pushing hard for a top-three spot this year, but Milan can't find any consistency at all.

Sam Tighe: Lazio 2-1 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Antonio Candreva

Lazio's damaging defeat to Napoli last week is forgotten with a famous win over the still-sort-of-famous Rossoneri.

Will Tidey: Lazio 2-0 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Miroslav Klose

The old dog to pull off a couple of tricks here and take all three points for Lazio at home.

Mike Cummings: Lazio 1-1 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Jeremy Menez

Lazio and AC Milan to share the points with a result that satisfies neither side.

Jerrad Peters: Lazio 1-0 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Filip Djordjevic

Lazio haven't beaten AC Milan since 2012, but you hardly know what you're going to get with the Rossoneri these days, while the Rome outfit has lost just once in 2015. They'll no doubt continue to miss playmaker Felipe Anderson, though.

Alex Dimond: Lazio 1-0 AC Milan

First goalscorer: Antonio Candreva

Since the winter break, things have not exactly been going according to plan for AC Milan, and that could continue for them in Rome.

Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Arsenal

3 of 6

Alex Livie: Brighton and Hove Albion 0-2 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Theo Walcott

The Gunners are starting to show signs of their best form and will prove too good for the Seagulls.

Karl Matchett: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-3 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud

Arsenal should be full of confidence, and if Arsene Wenger plays a strong team, they'll come through this test.

Sam Tighe: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-2 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Santi Cazorla

Santi Cazorla to kick off proceedings again, but Brighton to test Arsenal's defensive mettle throughout.

Will Tidey: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-1 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud

Brighton to scrap for a replay is my long-shot bet here.

Mike Cummings: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-3 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud

Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez have been the danger men for Arsenal lately, but this match strikes me as a chance for Olivier Giroud to shine. The Frenchman's physical attributes should pay dividends for the Gunners in what could be a tougher match than some expect.

Jerrad Peters: Brighton and Hove Albion 0-3 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez

Here's one for you: Brighton and Hove Albion last beat Arsenal in September 1982. This should be a straightforward victory for the Gunners on the south coast.

Alex Dimond: Brighton and Hove Albion 1-2 Arsenal

First goalscorer: Theo Walcott

Brighton look more solid and organised under Chris Hughton, although the new boss might think this tie is more of a distraction than it's worth. Nevertheless, Arsenal will have to dig deep to win at the Amex.

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Saint-Etienne vs. Paris Saint-Germain

4 of 6

Alex Livie: Saint-Etienne 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

PSG are not carrying all before them in Ligue 1, but they have big-game players, and Ibrahimovic will inspire the champions.

Karl Matchett: Saint-Etienne 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Laurent Blanc can't really afford many more mistakes, so this top-four clash is a must-win.

Sam Tighe: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Another disappointing outing for Laurent Blanc's men. Their form is starting to become a bit of a problem.

Will Tidey: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

PSG are making hard work of their title defence in France, and high-flying Saint-Etienne are going to frustrate them in this Ligue 1 encounter.

Mike Cummings: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

PSG ought to be running away with the Ligue 1 title. As it is, they need a result at Saint-Etienne to avoid falling to fourth place.

Jerrad Peters: Saint-Etienne 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

Fourth-placed Saint-Etienne can leapfrog PSG in the standings with a win on Sunday, but it's more likely the champions will continue an improvement that began after losing to Bastia earlier this month.

Alex Dimond: Saint-Etienne 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain

First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani

Never an easy place to go to for any side, PSG have been pretty good at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in recent years and should have the firepower to ring up another three points here.

Ajax vs. Feyenoord

5 of 6

Alex Livie: Ajax 3-1 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Lasse Schone

Ajax need a win to keep in touch with leaders PSV Eindhoven and will get it against their fierce rivals.

Karl Matchett: Ajax 2-0 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Davy Klaassen

There's still a gap at the top, so if Feyenoord have any hopes of winning the Eredivisie, they have to attack this game. Ajax will be able to pick them off.

Sam Tighe: Ajax 2-0 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Arkadiusz Milik

Feyenoord will put up one hell of a fight, but Ajax will have too much for them. The quality difference will show.

Will Tidey: Ajax 2-0 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Davy Klaassen

Ajax have won four on the spin and their last six at home in the league. That's why they'll win.

Mike Cummings: Ajax 2-0 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Arkadiusz Milik

Ajax need to make up some ground on leaders PSV Eindhoven, and a win over rivals and third-placed side Feyenoord would provide a good bit of momentum.

Jerrad Peters: Ajax 2-0 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Lasse Schone

Ajax need these three points to keep in touch with PSV Eindhoven atop the Eredivisie. They were 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Alex Dimond: Ajax 2-1 Feyenoord

First goalscorer: Davy Klaassen

Ajax have won five of their last six and know they need to continue playing at a high level to catch PSV, so they cannot and will not slip up at the Amsterdam Arena.

Latest Standings

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B/R Experts' Table
 Week's TotalTotal
Mike Cummings8153
Karl Matchett8135
Alex Livie10130
Sam Tighe6130
Jerrad Peters12126
Alex Dimond4123
Will Tidey599

Correct result: One point

Correct first goalscorer: Two points

Correct scoreline: Three points

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