
B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Feb. 14-16
The FA Cup fifth round dominates the weekend schedule for our experts' predictions.
Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday, and Eagles manager Alan Pardew will be looking for a repeat of the 1990 semi-final between the two sides, during which he scored the winner in a 4-3 victory.
Holders Arsenal face an intriguing challenge at the Emirates Stadium against Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough, who beat Manchester City in the last round.
Manchester United have League One opposition in front of them, with Preston North End preparing to host the Red Devils on Monday night.
Bayern Munich play host to Hamburg in the Bundesliga, while Real Madrid will be looking to restore their Liga challenge after their four-goal drubbing at Atletico when Deportivo La Coruna arrive at the Bernabeu.
Do you agree with our experts' opinions? Let us know in the comments section below.
Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool
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Alex Livie: Crystal Palace 0-0 Liverpool
Liverpool are on something of a roll at present, but Palace are in decent form themselves and can force a replay.
Karl Matchett: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Marouane Chamakh
This ridiculous FA Cup has got Crystal Palace and Alan Pardew written all over it.
Sam Tighe: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling
Alan Pardew's fast start comes undone by an FA Cup exit, with Brendan Rodgers moving into touching distance of trophy.
Will Tidey: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Steven Gerrard
There are painful memories of Selhurst Park for Liverpool, but Stevie G will overcome them to lead his team to victory.
Mike Cummings: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
The narrative must go on: Stevie G. Wembley—you get the point.
Jerrad Peters: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Dwight Gayle
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last four home matches against Liverpool and continue to impress under manager Alan Pardew. They'll spring the upset this weekend.
Alex Dimond: Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Jordan Henderson
Palace have a decent recent record against Liverpool, but the Reds could change that in this game with a commanding display.
Bayern Munich vs. Hamburg
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Alex Livie: Bayern Munich 4-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
Bayern had a minor blip following the winter break but are back on track now and will dispose of Hamburg with the minimum of fuss.
Karl Matchett: Bayern Munich 5-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Arjen Robben
Bayern will crush HSV pure and simple. Back to normal at the top of the Bundesliga.
Sam Tighe: Bayern Munich 3-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
Bayern don't look fantastic, but HSV are a mess—Marcelo Diaz aside!
Will Tidey: Bayern Munich 6-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Bayern are going to batter Hamburg this weekend. It's going to get ugly.
Mike Cummings: Bayern Munich 3-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Arjen Robben
Hamburg have won back-to-back Bundesliga matches, but a trip to Bayern is another challenge entirely. After a little hiccup in form, Bayern bounced back last week at Stuttgart and should waltz to a win here.
Jerrad Peters: Bayern Munich 3-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
Bayern may have taken just four of the nine points on offer to them in 2015, but they've absolutely dominated Hamburg in recent years, and that won't change this weekend.
Alex Dimond: Bayern Munich 2-0 Hamburg
First goalscorer: Thomas Muller
This should prove to be another tick in the box for Bayern, with the final scoreline perhaps dictated by how long it takes them to make the breakthrough.
Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough
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Alex Livie: Arsenal 3-0 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
Arsenal will prove much too good for Middlesbrough and march on in the cup.
Karl Matchett: Arsenal 3-1 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
Easy, straightforward and no surprises.
Sam Tighe: Arsenal 2-1 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
This is a mighty tough game for the Gunners, but they come through after an examination.
Will Tidey: Arsenal 3-0 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
Arsenal's cup run continues here with a straightforward dispatching of Boro at the Emirates.
Mike Cummings: Arsenal 3-2 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Theo Walcott
Potential banana skin here for Arsenal, who will be desperately hoping to avoid the fate that befell Manchester City in the last round.
Jerrad Peters: Arsenal 2-0 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
Middlesbrough dumped Manchester City out of the FA Cup in the fourth round, but there won't be another giant killing at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Alex Livie: Arsenal 2-1 Middlesbrough
First goalscorer: Theo Walcott
Middlesbrough are a decent side in high spirits at the moment, but home advantage should prove decisive for Arsenal.
Real Madrid vs. Deportivo La Coruna
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Alex Livie: Real Madrid 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
It's been a mixed time for Real Madrid in recent weeks, but they will answer their critics in style on Saturday.
Karl Matchett: Real Madrid 2-1 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
Depor are in great form of late, but Real dare not manage anything other than a win.
Sam Tighe: Real Madrid 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
Depor are an improved side and look good on the pitch, but beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu is never happening.
Will Tidey: Real Madrid 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Madrid at home. Ronaldo with a point to prove. Expect blood.
Mike Cummings: Real Madrid 2-1 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid need a good result in a bad way, and Cristiano is just the man to deliver it.
Jerrad Peters: Real Madrid 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
What better way for Real Madrid to respond to an embarrassing derby defeat than shellacking their next opponents, who just happen to be 11th-placed Deportivo La Coruna?
Alex Dimond: Real Madrid 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo could well hit back after a relative dry spell as Real Madrid get back to winning ways.
Preston North End vs. Manchester United
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Alex Livie: Preston 0-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
Louis van Gaal is struggling to get things right at Old Trafford, but his side can remain on course for FA Cup glory.
Karl Matchett: Preston 0-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Radamel Falcao
Same as Arsenal. No shocks, no worries—a routine game.
Sam Tighe: Preston 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Joe Garner
The Joe Garner Express puts PNE ahead, but United's quality shines through after 90 minutes.
Will Tidey: Preston 0-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Robin van Persie
Van Gaal's dossier will be thrown away for this one as United launch long balls aplenty against Preston. Robin van Persie to nod one of the early ones in and United to seal the win with a goal from James Wilson late on.
Mike Cummings: Preston 1-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Robin van Persie
United haven't entirely convinced lately, but a trip to Preston should be more than manageable for LVG and his dossier.
Jerrad Peters: Preston 1-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: James Wilson
You get the feeling Manchester United have really targeted the FA Cup as a competition they can win this season, and they'll take their trip to Deepdale very, very seriously.
Alex Dimond: Preston 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
United's FA Cup tour continues. They will have to work hard to negotiate this one, but after previous games against Yeovil Town and Cambridge United, they should know what to expect.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Mike Cummings | 2 | 160 |
| Karl Matchett | 8 | 155 |
| Sam Tighe | 4 | 147 |
| Alex Livie | 1 | 141 |
| Alex Dimond | 6 | 137 |
| Jerrad Peters | 4 | 135 |
| Will Tidey | 5 | 107 |
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points









