B/R Experts Predict Top Matches in World Football for Weekend of Mar. 7-9
There are intriguing fixtures for our experts to predict across the football programme this weekend.
Atletico Madrid will be looking to rejoin the La Liga title race with a victory over Valencia, while fallen Italian giants Inter Milan travel to Napoli in Serie A.
Bundesliga hopefuls Wolfsburg will need three points from their trip to surprise package Augsburg to keep up their hopes of catching Bayern Munich.
Turkish powerhouses Fenerbahce and Galatasaray go head-to-head at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, with the home side looking for an Istanbul derby win to claw their way back into the Super Lig title race.
English heavyweights Manchester United and Arsenal will clash in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford on Monday night.
With Jerrad Peters set to depart Bleacher Report next week, he has decided to bow out of the competition, leaving six to battle it out in the run to the end of the season.
Do you agree with our remaining experts' predictions for this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below.
Atletico Madrid vs. Valencia
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Alex Livie: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Valencia
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
Atletico may be on the back foot in the battle to defend their title, but they can secure a valuable three points at home.
Karl Matchett: Atletico Madrid 2-2 Valencia
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
Atleti cannot afford to lose this one, while Valencia should go all guns blazing if they want to nick third. It should be entertaining.
Sam Tighe: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Valencia
First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic
Valencia are superb at home but weaker away. Atletico bounce back with a key victory.
Will Tidey: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Valencia
First goalscorer: Mario Mandzukic
Atleti need a win here, but I'm backing Valencia to deny them.
Mike Cummings: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Valencia
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
Atletico are tough to beat at home, and while Valencia will make things difficult for their hosts, I see Diego Simeone's men taking the points.
Alex Dimond: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Valencia
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
The battle for third in Spain will not be decided by this game, but both sides could go a long way to clinching supremacy with a win. When in doubt, back the Diego Simeone side. Home advantage should help Atletico edge this one.
Napoli vs. Inter Milan
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Alex Livie: Napoli 2-0 Inter Milan
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli are not going to win Serie A, but they have Champions League qualification to play for and can prove too good for Inter.
Karl Matchett: Napoli 2-1 Inter Milan
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
Time for Napoli to get back to winning ways to ensure the third Champions League spot remains theirs.
Sam Tighe: Napoli 2-1 Inter Milan
First goalscorer: Manolo Gabbiadini
This isn't the fixture we want it to be; Inter looked poor against Fiorentina, and Napoli are even better.
Will Tidey: Napoli 2-0 Inter Milan
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
I've got Napoli to win this one, Higuain with both goals, as they threaten a climb to second place in Serie A.
Mike Cummings: Napoli 2-1 Inter Milan
First goalscorer: Gonzalo Higuain
For much of the season, Serie A seemed to be a battle between Juventus and Roma while everyone else fought for the scraps. Now, Napoli have a real chance of overtaking Roma and finishing second, but they'll have to limit any slip-ups between now and the end of the season.
Alex Dimond: Napoli 2-0 Inter Milan
First goalscorer: Manolo Gabbiadini
Both sides could be forgiven for having one eye on impending Europa League commitments, but it is Napoli who still have a huge amount to play for in the league. That should be motivation enough to see this game through.
Augsburg vs. Wolfsburg
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Alex Livie: Augsburg 1-0 Wolfsburg
First goalscorer: Raul Bobadilla
Wolfsburg are the nearest challengers to Bayern Munich, but their Bundesliga hopes will be dealt a big blow by Augsburg.
Karl Matchett: Augsburg 0-2 Wolfsburg
First goalscorer: Bas Dost
The unstoppable Wolfe machine to keep rolling with the goals.
Sam Tighe: Augsburg 2-3 Wolfsburg
First goalscorer: Bas Dost
Wolfsburg don't do under 2.5 very often, so expect excitement here.
Will Tidey: Augsburg 1-3 Wolfsburg
First goalscorer: Bas Dost
Entertainment is guaranteed from Wolfsburg, the new hipster choice of German football. They'll continue a great run here.
Mike Cummings: Augsburg 1-2 Wolfsburg
First goalscorer: Kevin De Bruyne
Besides (maybe even beyond?) Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg are the most entertaining team to watch in the Bundesliga, and Kevin De Bruyne is their most electrifying player. Another goal for him and another win for Wolfsburg.
Alex Dimond: Augsburg 1-3 Wolfsburg
First goalscorer: Andre Schurrle
Wolfsburg are a brilliant attacking side when on form, and they look comfortably on course to finish second in the Bundesliga. Augsburg have also had a positive campaign, but they might struggle to contain Schurrle, Bas Dost and Kevin De Bruyne for 90 minutes.
Fenerbahce vs. Galatasaray
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Alex Livie: Fenerbahce 2-1 Galatasaray
First goalscorer: Dirk Kuyt
Just a point separates these two sides, but home advantage can prove decisive for Fener.
Karl Matchett: Fenerbahce 1-1 Galatasaray
First goalscorer: Burak Yilmaz
After Fener led the table for most of the first half of the season, the onus will be on them to try to take the points and claw back the gap.
Sam Tighe: Fenerbahce 1-1 Galatasaray
First goalscorer: Wesley Sneijder
Gala and Sneijder have been dominant of late, but away to rivals Fener is no guaranteed victory.
Will Tidey: Fenerbahce 1-2 Galatasaray
First goalscorer: Goran Pandev
Gala are in good form, and I think they'll edge this one thanks to a winner from Pandev.
Mike Cummings: Fenerbahce 1-1 Galatasaray
First goalscorer: Burak Yilmaz
Galatasaray are unbeaten in 12 Super Lig matches and currently three points clear atop the table. Another good result would represent a significant step toward another title.
Alex Dimond: Fenerbahce 1-1 Galatasaray
First goalscorer: Burak Yilmaz
Istanbul derbies are always tense, dramatic affairs. A draw might not help either side that much in terms of the title race, but they would probably accept a share of the spoils and move on.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal
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Alex Livie: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Olivier Giroud
Arsenal can keep the defence of their FA Cup title alive by forcing a replay.
Karl Matchett: Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
Arsenal’s big chance to show they are really over their big-team problems. United to play horribly...and win.
Sam Tighe: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Mesut Ozil
This has 1-1 written all over it. Arsenal to counter and take the lead, but Rooney to eventually peg them back.
Will Tidey: Manchester United 3-0 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Radamel Falcao
Falcao to score? Yes. United to finally play some fluid, attacking football? Yes. Arsenal to be swept away? Yes.
Mike Cummings: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
Unquestionably the most mouthwatering tie of the FA Cup quarter-finals. I see this one ending in a stalemate and needing a replay to separate the sides.
Alex Dimond: Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney
These days, it is difficult to predict Arsenal to win against Manchester United, but then again, United have hardly been playing in a way that would intimidate even the most average of sides for most of this season. A draw might be the most likely result.
Latest Standings
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| Position | Week Total | Total | |
| 1 | Mike Cummings | 4 | 177 |
| 2 | Karl Matchett | 10 | 170 |
| 3 | Sam Tighe | 3 | 163 |
| 4 | Alex Dimond | 8 | 158 |
| 5 | Alex Livie | 5 | 154 |
| 6 | Will Tidey | 8 | 125 |
Correct result: One point
Correct first goalscorer: Two points
Correct scoreline: Three points
