
B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Feb. 28-Mar. 1
The first silverware of the English season is up for grabs on Sunday when Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley.
Spurs were the victors when the two London clubs met in the 2008 final of the same competition, but the Blues humbled the White Hart Lane team, 5-1, in the 2012 FA Cup semi-final at the national stadium.
In the Premier League, in-form Liverpool and Manchester City clash at Anfield ahead of the League Cup final.
Real Madrid will seek to extend their Liga lead when Villarreal are the visitors to the Bernabeu, and two giants of French football go head-to-head on the same day when Monaco host Paris Saint-Germain.
On Monday, the Serie A top two face off, with AS Roma looking at a potential end to their title hopes if they lose at home to Juventus.
Do you agree with our experts' opinions? Let us know in the comments section below.
Liverpool vs. Manchester City
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Alex Livie: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
This has the makings of a cracker, with Liverpool in form and City coming into the game on the back of a defeat to Barcelona. A tight game and the spoils to be shared.
Karl Matchett: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Daniel Sturridge
Big game in the title race and the race for the top four, especially with Chelsea not having a league game. Liverpool to just edge it at home.
Sam Tighe: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Would have gone with a Liverpool win, but extra-time in Turkey? Ouch...
Will Tidey: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling
Liverpool are on a roll right now. There'll be some tired legs after European exertions, but Anfield will drag them to victory here.
Mike Cummings: Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Both teams are capable of scoring plenty of goals, and both need a result as they try to make up ground on teams ahead of them. This could be one of the season's most entertaining matches.
Jerrad Peters: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Liverpool are on a nice little run in the Premier League and were 3-2 winners the last time they faced Manchester City at Anfield. They should be worth a point on Sunday.
Alex Dimond: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Both sides will be fatigued slightly by midweek commitments, with Liverpool's further travels perhaps helping the visitors. A draw might be the best the Reds can muster under the circumstances.
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
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Alex Livie: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
First goalscorer: Diego Costa
Nemanja Matic or no Nemanja Matic, Chelsea are a better side than Spurs and will pick up the Capital One Cup.
Karl Matchett: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
First goalscorer: Branislav Ivanovic
A classic Chelsea performance: dominate, score, sit back and keep things tight, then pick off the killer on the break.
Sam Tighe: Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard
A cagey final is settled by, yep, you guessed it...Hazard with a key goal.
Will Tidey: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham (AET)
First goalscorer: Harry Kane
Hurri-Kane will obviously score, as it's a big game against a London club. Chelsea will fight back, however, with Diego Costa inevitably pulling them level and Branislav Ivanovic (who else?) grabbing the winner in extra time.
Mike Cummings: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
First goalscorer: Harry Kane
Tottenham have an in-form Harry Kane, who could count for quite a bit, but Chelsea have the better squad, even without the suspended Nemanja Matic. In addition, they have plenty of motivation—both from the Matic-Ashley Barnes controversy and from the 5-3 loss to Spurs earlier this season. Look for Chelsea to take out their frustrations against Tottenham and take home the first silverware of the season.
Jerrad Peters: Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham
First goalscorer: Diego Costa
Jose Mourinho's first trophy as Chelsea manager was the League Cup, and he'll lift it once again in his second stint with the Blues.
Alex Dimond: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
First goalscorer: Diego Costa
Spurs really made a statement with their league victory over the Blues at the turn of the year, but their team is far less experienced in big games such as this, and even without Nemanja Matic, Chelsea's greater pedigree should shine through.
Real Madrid vs. Villarreal
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Alex Livie: Real Madrid 4-0 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Gareth Bale
Real to power past Villarreal on home soil, with Gareth Bale leading the charge.
Karl Matchett: Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
It could be a bigger scoreline if Villarreal continue to rest their star names in league action.
Sam Tighe: Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
Villarreal have enough about them to make this a contest and score, but Real will eke out the win as they always do.
Will Tidey: Real Madrid 3-0 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
Easy win for Madrid here. There's not much else to say about it.
Mike Cummings: Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Karim Benzema
Isco played a starring role as Real got the job done at Elche last weekend. Are Carlo Ancelotti's men back on track? I think so.
Jerrad Peters: Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Gareth Bale
Real Madrid have outscored their opponents a combined 6-0 since losing to Atletico Madrid in early February. Their latest roll will continue on Sunday.
Alex Dimond: Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal
First goalscorer: Cristiano Ronaldo
It is important that Real continue to put the foot down between now and the Clasico at the end of the month. Villarreal have quality, but this should be a home win.
Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
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Alex Livie: Monaco 1-2 PSG
First goalscorer: David Luiz
PSG are trailing Lyon in the title race, but they will pick up a vital three points here.
Karl Matchett: Monaco 0-1 PSG
First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani
Monaco have done well to claw back ground on the top few sides, but PSG still have enough to win.
Sam Tighe: Monaco 1-1 PSG
First goalscorer: Yannick Carrasco
Buoyed by a brilliant Emirates win, Monaco grab a draw and hold an improving PSG off.
Will Tidey: Monaco 1-1 PSG
First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani
Tight encounter in France, with Monaco's stingy defence hard to break down.
Mike Cummings: Monaco 1-1 PSG
First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani
Too many draws this season for PSG, who are currently two points behind leaders Lyon in Ligue 1. I'm backing Laurent Blanc's side for another draw here.
Jerrad Peters: Monaco 1-1 PSG
First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani
The last four matches between these two sides have ended 1-1. Why not a fifth?
Alex Dimond: Monaco 1-2 PSG
First goalscorer: Edinson Cavani
Will Leonardo Jardim's side come back down to earth with a bump? PSG have had the week to prepare, and that might prove to be the difference.
Roma vs. Juventus
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Alex Livie: Roma 0-0 Juventus
A tight affair in the Eternal City, and it will be honours even.
Karl Matchett: Roma 1-2 Juventus
First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez
No need for Juve to chase the game, but they’ll be boosted by Roma’s indifferent form.
Sam Tighe: Roma 0-0 Juventus
In one of the most anti-climactic games ever, Roma and Juve draw 0-0 in typical Roma fashion.
Will Tidey: Roma 2-1 Juventus
First goalscorer: Gervinho
Going bold here: Roma to edge a cracking encounter in Italy's capital.
Mike Cummings: Roma 1-1 Juventus
First goalscorer: Gervinho
Roma are fully capable of earning a result in this one, but I can't see Juve giving up the title this season.
Jerrad Peters: Roma 0-2 Juventus
First goalscorer: Alvaro Morata
Juventus are flying high atop Serie A and defeated Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday. Roma, meanwhile, have come off the boil of late. A Juve win in the Italian capital looks inevitable.
Alex Dimond: Roma 1-2 Juventus
First goalscorer: Carlos Tevez
This game might not decide the title in Italy, but it could define how long the title race goes on for. There is a reason Juventus have edged into a commanding lead, however, and that greater consistency and quality should make the difference at the Olimpico.
Latest Standings
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| Week's Total | Total | |
| Mike Cummings | 3 | 173 |
| Karl Matchett | 1 | 160 |
| Sam Tighe | 3 | 160 |
| Alex Dimond | 6 | 150 |
| Jerrad Peters | 2 | 150 |
| Alex Livie | 2 | 149 |
| Will Tidey | 0 | 117 |
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points









