B/R Experts: Big-Game Predictions, April 8-10
The action at the top and bottom of the tables around Europe gathers significance, with two big games taking centre stage.
Premier League matches dominate the headlines in England, and we also have league action in Spain, Germany and Italy.
The highlights for many are the derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and Der Klassiker between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe has his finger on the pulse of English football and gives his verdict on the Premier League, while Italian football guru Adam Digby weighs in on the big games in Serie A.
Spanish football expert Karl Matchett will look after La Liga, and German football authority Lars Pollmann will select his winners in the Bundesliga.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford
1 of 11
As the season winds to a close, motivation levels differ across the league. Some teams still have plenty to play for and are still going hell for leather, whereas others might well be forgiven for having one eye on their summer holidays.
Tottenham sit in the former category. Their last-gasp heroics against Swansea City prove they're still as motivated as ever to hoover up as many points as possible. Watford sit in the latter; with two straight wins under their belt, they'll be in a good spot. Having reached 37 points, they're pretty much safe and don't necessarily need a victory here.
Spurs are the only unbeaten team at home in the league, and they're still operating in fifth gear, hunting mercilessly for three-point hauls. It's easy to back them here.
Prediction: 2-0
First goalscorer: Christian Eriksen
Manchester City vs. Hull
2 of 11
Since Marco Silva's inception as manager of Hull City, they've taken 17 points, the fourth-most in the league. They're also on a confidence high having clambered out of the relegation zone for the first time since October after beating Middlesbrough 4-2 in midweek.
But Hull City at home are a different prospect to Hull City away. As impressive as they've been, their form on their travels has been consistently awful. They've only managed five points on the road this season, the second-worst record in the division.
It'd be incredibly bold to fancy the Tigers to claim anything at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, particularly with Manchester City direly needing to respond considering they're on a four-game winless run. The smart money here is on a comfortable home win.
Prediction: 4-1
First goalscorer: Sergio Aguero
Stoke City vs. Liverpool
3 of 11
Jurgen Klopp took a beating on social media Wednesday night after his Liverpool side only managed a draw against AFC Bournemouth. They started poorly and finished poorly, with the manager's substitutions coming under particular scrutiny.
With that fresh in the memory, and the absence of key man Sadio Mane placing a shadow over match preparations, the Reds' stock has dipped noticeably. But it's important to remember Stoke have been in even worse form, with some fans even going as far as uttering the words "Hughes Out."
Three straight losses for the Potters could well become four. They've been disjointed of late, with Saido Berahino being forced into form to the detriment of the side. They're not in a position to cope with Liverpool right now.
Prediction: 1-2
First goalscorer: Divock Origi
Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
4 of 11
Chelsea will be widely expected to dispense with AFC Bournemouth with ease Saturday, but the Cherries' recent form is good (five games unbeaten), and in Josh King, they have a hot hand up front who can cause problems.
Antonio Conte's men haven't kept a Premier League clean sheet since January 22 against Hull City and now frequently have to score at least twice to claim victory. Fortunately, they have goals aplenty throughout their lineup, with the likes of Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso able to step in when Eden Hazard and Diego Costa draw a blank.
No one protects leads and manages games as well as Chelsea. Expect their march to the title to continue without a hitch here.
Prediction: 1-3
First goalscorer: Eden Hazard
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
5 of 11
This could be one of the best Madrid derby matches in recent seasons. There is not the massive pressure that comes with a game like the Champions League final, but this matchup still has a lot riding on it for both teams.
Real’s form has been good of late, and they rested all their key players in the midweek win over Leganes, so there will be no excuses for not starting with the fast tempo that manager Zinedine Zidane so often demands…and that left Atletico shocked at the Vicente Calderon earlier this season.
Atleti have been back to their best recently, though. They have made third place their own and, naturally, will want to avenge the home loss earlier in the season as well as put a dent in their rivals’ title hopes.
Both teams will go for the win. We’ll likely see a whole host of yellow cards and goals at both ends, too. There is little to split them, so it’s a draw.
Prediction: 2-2
First goalscorer: Antoine Griezmann
Malaga vs. Barcelona
6 of 11
Malaga finally won in midweek, but their form had been horrendous before that vital victory, as they were in danger of being dragged into the fight against relegation.
Even so, they’ve had trouble scoring goals all season and especially of late, and while Barcelona’s defence isn’t impenetrable, they more than make up for it at the other end.
Another point to consider might be that the Madrid derby will have already been played by the time Barca take to the field. It’s possible they’ll know a win takes them back to the top, and it’s hard to envisage anything other than three more points for Luis Enrique’s men as a result.
It might not be as flowing and spectacular as the win over Sevilla, but this should be Barca’s day anyway.
Prediction: 1-3
First goalscorer: Luis Suarez
Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
7 of 11
The biggest match in German club football comes at an almost inopportune time for both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Not only does it come on the end of a challenging "English week," as those with midweek fixtures are called in Germany, it also comes mere days ahead of the first legs of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
Hosts Bayern were already punished for possibly looking ahead to a tasty meeting with Real Madrid on Tuesday when they lost only their second match of the season at 1899 Hoffenheim. Resting midfield genius Thiago Alcantara and also without the injured Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller, the league leaders could conceivably have been down by three goals at half-time.
Their only other domestic defeat, of course, came at the hands of Dortmund in the first meeting, when Thomas Tuchel's side defended an early lead with intelligence and fortune. The Black and Yellows, winners of three of the last six Bundesliga matchups at Allianz Arena, may well be looking ahead to their Champions League clash with high-flying AS Monaco but also have to keep up with RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim in the fight for direct qualification for next season's edition.
Bayern will again be without Neuer and Muller, while Dortmund welcome back defensive leader Sokratis Papastathopoulos from suspension and, likely, team captain Marcel Schmelzer. The game will come too soon for a comeback of Marco Reus, however.
Given the recent history between the two sides—a 5-1 win for the hosts last season notwithstanding—it should be a tight battle that could come down to seemingly minuscule details and moments of individual brilliance. Both sides have enough players to make the difference, so there may be none when all is said and done.
Prediction: 1-1
First goalscorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Juventus vs. Chievo
8 of 11
Having secured a place in the Coppa Italia final—and just a few days before their Champions League encounter with Barcelona—Juventus will need to focus on a tough Serie A clash with Chievo.
The visitors have a surprisingly good record in Turin, taking three draws from their last six trips to the home of the Bianconeri, including a well-deserved 1-1 stalemate last term.
However, the home side have records of their own that they will be looking to protect, winning their last 31 home matches in Serie A and scoring at least twice in 17 of the last 19 of those. Add in that they boast the league’s best defence—conceding just 20 goals in 30 domestic outings this term—and Rolando Maran’s men look set for a difficult evening.
Prediction: 2-0
First goalscorer: Paulo Dybala
AC Milan vs. Palermo
9 of 11
AC Milan will need to get a result in this clash to keep their slim hopes of Europa League qualification alive, but relegation-threatened Palermo will be hoping to spring another shock at San Siro.
The Sicilian side will take heart from seeing Pescara—who are rooted to the foot of the Serie A table—earning a 1-1 draw with the Rossoneri last week.
Yet having taken just one point from their last seven matches, Palermo have conceded at least three goals in six of their last seven matches and find themselves taking on a Milan side that have won their last three home games.
Prediction: 3-1
First goalscorer: Gerard Deulofeu
Sunderland vs. Manchester United
10 of 11
Ten points from safety with just eight games to go, it's fair to say that Sunderland are doomed. Yes, we've been here before, and yes, they've escaped the jaws of fate in the most dramatic of circumstances a number of times, but this gap is too far to bridge.
Welcoming Manchester United to the Stadium of Light at this point in time is hardly ideal, as Jose Mourinho's men will be looking to take out their own frustrations and piece their Champions League charge back together.
Away from the glare of the Old Trafford lights, a stadium they just can't seem to claim victories in, they'll be heavy favourites to claim three points here.
Prediction: 0-2
First goalscorer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
11 of 11
Arsenal's 3-0 victory over West Ham United produced a myriad plus points: It was their first victory over a team in the football league pyramid in over 50 days, Granit Xhaka played well, Mesut Ozil pulled the strings from midfield, and Olivier Giroud continued his miraculous run of scoring goals despite rarely being allowed on the pitch.
All of this stands them in good stead for a game at Selhurst Park this weekend, taking on opponents who lost against Southampton midweek and collapsed in on themselves somewhat defensively. With injuries haunting Sam Allardyce's defensive selections, this is a game Alexis Sanchez and Co. will be eagerly looking forward to.
Prediction: 1-2
First goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez
