WhoScored Tipster: The best tips from Europe's biggest games this weekend
Liverpool vs Manchester United - match preview
The Premier League is back and with a bang as Liverpool host United, aiming to bridge an already daunting 7-point gap to their fierce rivals. Both sides suffered blows over the international break, with Marouane Fellaini joining Paul Pogba on the sidelines for the visitors and Sadio Mane out for the hosts, though there’s still plenty of goalscoring talent on display.
Romelu Lukaku is very familiar with a crunch game against the Reds from his Everton days but only managed to score in one of his last seven Merseyside derbies. United, meanwhile, have struggled for goals at Anfield for some time now, only managing to score more than once on two of their last 16 trips. While a Liverpool clean sheet is unlikely given their defensive woes, the visitors are unlikely to go hell for leather in such a big game under Mourinho.
Top tip: Man Utd exact team goals = 1 @2.60
Borussia Dortmund vs RB Leipzig - match preview
The odds would suggest that a goal fest is something of a certainty in Dortmund on Saturday, but we think there’s value in a lower scoring affair than many might expect. With crucial Champions League fixtures to come both sides could be forgiven for having one eye on their midweek fixtures, and Leipzig may well not risk star striker Timo Werner as a result.
Aubameyang is in fine form and will start for the hosts having been the match winner in this fixture last season, though both meetings ended in 1-0 home victories. BVB are rightly the favourites this weekend as a result but might only win by the odd goal in three, so the odds on under 3.5 goals combined with a home victory are very tempting. 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 or 2-1 scorelines would each return a decent profit.
Top tip: Dortmund to win and under 3.5 goals @2.87
Roma vs Napoli - match preview
It’s been a faultless start to the campaign for Napoli, who along with their hosts are attempting to break Juventus’ dominance in Serie A. It’s the Partenopei that certainly seem more capable of doing so at this early stage, playing some of the most attractive and penetrative football on the continent to boast a +20 goal difference after just seven games.
Roma have made a decent start under Eusebio Di Francesco too but are having to adapt far more than their visitors this weekend, particularly following the loss of key man Mo Salah. With a number of potential absentees through injury to boot for the hosts, it’s Sarri’s men that look well placed to secure back to back away wins against the giallorossi.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona - match preview
The first big game in La Liga this season, Barcelona are aiming to stretch their perfect start on new territory as they visit the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night. The blaugrana have silenced a number of critics coming into the campaign but haven’t really been tested in the league, so this is sure to be the best indicator of their title credentials this time around.
Atleti have have been hit and miss by comparison and have dropped points against weak opposition despite an unbeaten start to the league campaign. With that in mind their chances of keeping Lionel Messi at bay in current form seem highly unlikely, fresh from a crucial international hat-trick and having scored in four of his last five away games against Simeone’s side.
Top tip: Lionel Messi to score anytime @1.95
Inter vs AC Milan - match preview
This will be an intriguing Milan derby with both clubs under new ownership as they aim to return to the summit of Italy’s top tier. While AC Milan were lauded for their remarkable activity in the transfer market, Inter were far more frugal by comparison but still picked up a number of new additions that have bedded in well. Indeed, it’s the Nerazzurri that have begun the campaign in better form, while Milan have had teething problems against strong opposition.
Montella is under real pressure having already lost to the likes of Lazio, Sampdoria and Roma this season and defeat in the Derby della Madonnina could be the final nail in the coffin. Inter are close to full strength and should have enough to come out on top in what is likely to be another tight affair between these sides, streamed live at bet365.com.
Top tip: Inter winning margin = 1
