
B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Feb. 21-22
The weekend schedule has provided some intriguing matches for our experts to consider.
In the Premier League, Arsenal make the trip across London to Crystal Palace on Saturday, while Manchester United travel to Swansea City. On Sunday, Premier League surprise package Southampton play host to Liverpool, with both clubs chasing a top-four place.
In La Liga, Barcelona will be aiming to maintain their current winning sequence when Malaga visit Camp Nou. And in Ligue 1, Marseille will be hoping their title push is not derailed at Saint-Etienne on Sunday.
Do you agree with our experts' predictions for this week? Let us know in the comments section below.
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
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Alex Livie: Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
Palace have found form under Alan Pardew, but the Gunners will prove too good.
Karl Matchett: Crystal Palace 2-2 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Marouane Chamakh
A topsy-turvy game in which both teams look capable of winning but neither will.
Sam Tighe: Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Santi Cazorla
The Gunners' renaissance continues with an impressive away victory. Santi Cazorla to star as usual.
Will Tidey: Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
Palace to eke out a point here. Selhurst Park has been far from a fortress of late, but they'll make it tough for the visiting Gooners.
Mike Cummings: Crystal Palace 2-3 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Dwight Gayle
Arsenal were made to work for the three points in a come-from-behind victory over Palace on the opening day of the season, and I expect something similar at Selhurst Park.
Jerrad Peters: Crystal Palace 0-2 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Danny Welbeck
Palace have hit a bit of a bump in recent weeks, and while Arsenal haven't been all that impressive, either, they should be able to edge this encounter at Selhurst Park.
Alex Dimond: Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
Palace do not defend as they did under Tony Pulis, and even in those days, Arsenal found a way to get the better of them.
Swansea City vs. Manchester United
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Alex Livie: Swansea 0-0 Manchester United
This might not make for the best viewing and could turn into a stalemate.
Karl Matchett: Swansea 1-3 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Radamel Falcao
Swansea are in danger of letting their season run out completely and pointlessly early.
Sam Tighe: Swansea 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Radamel Falcao
Two teams struggling to find consistent performances and form, making it a difficult call. United to win but in underwhelming fashion again.
Will Tidey: Swansea 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Robin van Persie
United will get this done, but it won't be pretty. Robin van Persie to return to the lineup with a goal.
Mike Cummings: Swansea 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Marouane Fellaini
It hasn't been pretty, but United are in the middle of a fine run of form. Another ugly-but-effective win could be in store when the Red Devils visit Swansea.
Jerrad Peters: Swansea 1-2 Manchester United
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
The last time Manchester United visited Liberty Stadium, their manager was David Moyes and they won 4-1. They've since lost two of three to Swansea but will pick up the three points on Saturday.
Alex Dimond: Swansea 0-0 Manchester United
This could well end up being a stalemate, especially considering Swansea have enjoyed an extra rest heading into the meeting.
Barcelona vs. Malaga
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Alex Livie: Barcelona 3-0 Malaga
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Barca are on fire at the moment and will brush aside the challenge of Malaga with the minimum of fuss.
Karl Matchett: Barcelona 5-0 Malaga
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Barcelona are rampant and Malaga are utterly toothless at this point. Nothing but a home win.
Sam Tighe: Barcelona 3-0 Malaga
First goalscorer: Neymar
Malaga are resilient, but this Barca side are unbelievable right now. No one is stopping the Lionel Messi-Neymar-Luis Suarez train.
Will Tidey: Barcelona 4-0 Malaga
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
We're starting to see this Barca side come to life. Suarez could score a hat-trick at the weekend—you heard it here first.
Mike Cummings: Barcelona 3-1 Malaga
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Barca have won six on the trot in the league and 11 straight overall. That run should continue at home to Malaga.
Jerrad Peters: Barcelona 3-1 Malaga
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Barcelona stuck five past Levante last time out and are playing their best football of the campaign. There is treble talk in the air at Camp Nou these days.
Alex Dimond: Barcelona 4-0 Malaga
First goalscorer: Lionel Messi
Things keep getting better for Barcelona and Lionel Messi, and they should head into the Champions League meeting with Manchester City in top gear.
Southampton vs. Liverpool
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Alex Livie: Southampton 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Graziano Pelle
Saints can keep their push for the Champions League on track with a battling three points.
Karl Matchett: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Another make-or-break game for Liverpool in the top-four chase, one which they can come through.
Sam Tighe: Southampton 2-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Sadio Mane
Southampton will relish a team coming to St. Mary's and not parking the bus. This is an open game with goals in it.
Will Tidey: Southampton 3-1 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Graziano Pelle
This is a huge game in the context of the top-four race, and I fancy Southampton to win it, with Liverpool wearing the strain of Thursday night Europa League action.
Mike Cummings: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Southampton are making a real run at the top four, but I fancy in-form Liverpool to keep their good run going with an away win.
Jerrad Peters: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
The goals have suddenly dried up for Southampton. Liverpool, meanwhile, can move into the European places with a victory.
Alex Dimond: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
First goalscorer: Adam Lallana
Southampton have been erratic at home at times this season, and Liverpool arguably come into the match in better form and with more chance of the win.
Saint-Etienne vs. Marseille
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Alex Livie: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Ricky van Wolfswinkel
A tight scrap will see the sides sharing the spoils.
Karl Matchett: Saint-Etienne 2-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Ricky van Wolfswinkel
It has been two rounds of league games since anybody in the top four in Ligue 1 won a match, so I’ll go for Saint-Etienne to end that streak and leave the title fight wide-open.
Sam Tighe: Saint-Etienne 2-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Marseille are dreadful away from home and difficult to back. Saint-Etienne welcome Max Gradel back into the fold, and that'll be enough for the win.
Will Tidey: Saint-Etienne 0-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
Marseille to win a close one in Ligue 1. Andre-Pierre Gignac the match-winner.
Mike Cummings: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Dimitri Payet
Both teams are winless in their last two league matches, and both could really use three points for differing reasons. Marseille's away form has been poor of late, but I'll go for a draw.
Jerrad Peters: Saint-Etienne 0-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Andre-Pierre Gignac
There's a lot at stake in this match between two of French football's traditional heavyweights. Don't expect a high-scoring contest.
Alex Dimond: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Marseille
First goalscorer: Andre Ayew
A score draw looks the most probable outcome from a tight game between two solid teams.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Mike Cummings | 10 | 170 |
| Karl Matchett | 4 | 159 |
| Sam Tighe | 10 | 157 |
| Jerrad Peters | 13 | 148 |
| Alex Livie | 6 | 147 |
| Alex Dimond | 7 | 144 |
| Will Tidey | 10 | 117 |
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points









