B/R Experts: Big-Game Predictions, May 12-14
Two league titles could be decided in Europe this weekend, with Chelsea and Juventus on the brink of glory in the Premier League and Serie A.
But that's not the only focus, as there are races for European football to secure.
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.
West Bromwich Albion vs. Chelsea
1 of 12
A win here seals the Premier League title for Chelsea, and you'll struggle to find a soul on this planet who believes they won't manage it.
Many games at this stage of the season boil down to a question of motivation, and not only are the Blues significantly better than West Brom, but they're also the only team of the two who possess any real urge to go out and get a result.
Since hitting the 40-point mark months ago, the Baggies' season has petered out alarmingly; their two goals last week against Burnley were their first since mid-March. They won't put up much of a fight here.
Prediction: 0-2
First goalscorer: Pedro
Manchester City vs. Leicester City
2 of 12
Revenge is on the cards for Pep Guardiola this weekend. The last time his charges faced off against Leicester City, they fell to a shocking 4-2 defeat; they fell apart and were losing 4-0 until the final 10 minutes.
The Leicester side they'll welcome to the Etihad Stadium is even stronger, but City are seemingly a different beast themselves now, too. Their 5-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend saw everything come together, finally, in one 90-minute window, and that will worry the visitors.
Despite picking up under Craig Shakespeare, the Foxes' away form has still been patchy. Don't expect that to turn around here.
Prediction: 3-1
First goalscorer: Kevin De Bruyne
Stoke City vs. Arsenal
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Crisis at Arsenal or not, they have, very quietly, put together five wins from their last six games in all competitions. That's a streak of form any team in the league would be proud of.
Confidence has been flowing through this side since Arsene Wenger switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation, which has unlocked better form in certain players, including one who always has an interesting afternoon when visiting the Bet365 Stadium: Aaron Ramsey.
The Potters, like West Brom, have nothing to play for except to ruin someone's day, and they're probably not even capable of that.
Prediction: 0-2
First goalscorer: Aaron Ramsey
Atalanta vs. AC Milan
4 of 12
It has been a good week for Atalanta, with the Bergamo-based club one point from securing a Europa League berth before going on to buy their stadium from the local council in the past few days.
However, facing them here will be a Milan side desperate not to miss out on a place in Europe once again and stung by a difficult 4-1 loss to Roma last time out.
Coach Vincenzo Montella will need to ensure his players refocus their efforts, boosted by the return to fitness of key defender Alessio Romagnoli.
It should be a cautious and tactical battle on the sidelines, and the longer it takes Milan to find the net, the more nervous they are likely to become.
Prediction: 1-2
First goalscorer: Suso
Augsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund
5 of 12
All could have been well for Borussia Dortmund after they beat Hoffenheim at home on the previous matchday and climbed back into third place with only two matches to go.
However, media reports in Germany (h/t FourFourTwo) suggest the working relationship between head coach Thomas Tuchel and club officials, especially chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, is damaged beyond repair.
How much of an influence the off-field distractions will have on the team remains to be seen, but they will not help as the Black and Yellows prepare for a potentially difficult meeting with Augsburg on Saturday.
The hosts sit in 13th place, six points ahead of Ingolstadt in a direct relegation spot but only two ahead of Hamburg in the relegation play-off place, and have a tough final matchday at Hoffenheim to look forward to.
One win from the last two games ought to do the trick, though. Augsburg have won their two previous home matches and were seconds away from an important road victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in their last game, but they have never beaten Dortmund at home, losing the last four meetings with a combined scoreline of 4-13.
Given BVB's away woes this season and the Tuchel sideshow, however, Augsburg's chances will not get much better.
Prediction: 1-1
First goalscorer: Alfred Finnbogason
RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich
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In an odd turn late in the Bundesliga season, a meeting between first and second in the table is arguably the match with the least on the line on Matchday 33.
Bayern Munich have already won their fifth championship in a row, while RB Leipzig are already guaranteed a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage next season. The game on Saturday will be a fight for bragging rights but little else.
Leipzig's worst performance of the season came in the first meeting back in December, when Bayern showed who's boss in a dominant 3-0 win that could easily have turned into a real blowout victory. The Bundesliga newcomers will want to prove they can hang with the big boys in their final home game of the season.
Bayern, meanwhile, will consider the game at Leipzig a last test of their quality, with the final week of the season being dwarfed by the retirements of Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso.
Seeing as both sides are going into the match without much to worry about, it should be a cracking game between the two best teams in the Bundesliga this season. Leipzig may be considered slight favourites as the home side, especially seeing as Bayern will be without the injured Manuel Neuer and Javi Martinez.
Prediction: 2-2
First goalscorer: Marcel Sabitzer
West Ham United vs. Liverpool
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Liverpool have won each of their last three away games and failed to win each of their last three at Anfield. "Home comforts" is an alien concept to Jurgen Klopp and Co. right now.
So, the fact this game is at the London Stadium, against a West Ham side who recently beat Tottenham Hotspur there, is a positive scenario for the Champions League-chasing Reds.
If the Hammers decide to attack and open out a little, it plays into the hands of a visiting side who've struggled to open up packed defences of late.
Klopp will need his entire side to find a few more gears, but with Arsenal officially rejoining the hunt for a top-four spot with a win over Southampton on Wednesday, a retort is to be expected.
Prediction: 0-1
First goalscorer: Roberto Firmino
Tottenham vs. Manchester United
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Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho's made it pretty clear where his priorities lie: He wants to win the Europa League and gain entry to the Champions League as a result.
The Premier League represents something the club are now only vaguely aware of; they're competing, but only just.
With an aggregate victory over Celta Vigo in the bag following Thursday's result, the Portuguese will continue to send out weakened teams for league games. He did so against Arsenal, and you can be sure he'll do the same against Tottenham.
That will make Spurs' job simple: They're a better side anyway, have had a week to prepare for this and will send out their strongest XI. A win should follow.
Prediction: 2-0
First goalscorer: Christian Eriksen
Las Palmas vs. Barcelona
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With just two matches left to play, Barcelona can only continue to win and hope Real Madrid slip up—but they shouldn't have any problems this weekend, at least, against a Las Palmas side already seeming to have their mind on their summer holidays.
Winless in five, the islanders have had some horrendous results of late that are in direct opposition to their fantastic early-season performances; a drop into the bottom half is the result, and the chances of them reversing fortunes against Barca are minimal.
There's no margin for error for Luis Enrique's side, and even then it might not be enough. Five wins in a row point to the team's mental strength and self-belief. Those traits, plus their superior quality, means six in a row is very much on the cards, taking the title fight to the final day of the season.
Prediction: 0-4
First goalscorer: Ivan Rakitic
Real Betis vs. Atletico Madrid
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Betis are another team on the proverbial beach already, safe from relegation and posting poor performances along with results—it's three defeats in a row and four from six for the Andalucians.
Atletico Madrid aren't going to be in the best frame of mind following their European exit at the hands of rivals Real, but Diego Simeone's team still need one more win to wrap up third and, with Athletic Bilbao to come on the final day, they need to take the opportunity to make sure of things in this match.
An improved second leg in Europe should remind Atleti's players they have the mental resolve to bounce back from disappointments, and all that remains now is to ensure they can try again among Europe's elite next season.
Prediction: 0-2
First goalscorer: Kevin Gameiro
Real Madrid vs. Sevilla
11 of 12
Real Madrid are desperate to bring home the title in La Liga, and they have the smallest of margins for error: one draw and two wins will guarantee they finish top, but two wins and a defeat and they will lose out to Barcelona, assuming the Catalan side win both their remaining games.
Sevilla initially seems like the game to drop points in, if Real must do it in any, but they face Malaga on the final day who are extremely strong at home of late, as well as a midweek away trip to Celta.
Zinedine Zidane can't afford to play anything other than a full-strength side to win at home, while Sevilla still have a slight chance at third.
It should be an eventful game, maybe the pick of the matches in La Liga this weekend, but the juggernaut that is Los Blancos right now won't be slowed down any.
Prediction: 3-1
First goalscorer: Isco
Roma vs. Juventus
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Thanks to Italy's poor scheduling, this Serie A title decider comes at a bad time for Juventus, who will now face Lazio in the Coppa Italia final next Wednesday (May 17).
Both teams arrive for this clash with a number of injury problems, with the home side possibly without leading scorer Edin Dzeko, who is struggling for fitness, while Kevin Strootman is still suspended.
Juve, meanwhile, will be without Marko Pjaca, Daniele Rugani and probably Sami Khedira, who left the field with a thigh issue during their Champions League encounter with AS Monaco.
The Bianconeri need just a point to seal the Scudetto, so expect a tense and tight affair in the Italian capital.
Prediction: 1-1
First goalscorer: Radja Nainggolan
