It’s Friday, which means it’s Weekend Preview o’clock. In the spotlight this weekend are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Monchengladbach and Bayern.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona – Saturday 25th Oct – KO 17:00
The first El Clasico of the year is upon us and whilst the on-pitch battle between Spain’s giants should be the main topic of conversation, it’s instead that bitey man Luis Suarez, who is now eligible to make his debut proper for Barcelona. If he does start it will be the first time Luis Enrique will have been able to field his pant shittingly scary trio of Neymar, Messi and Suarez, and with Real sweating on Sergio Ramos’ fitness, that leaves Pepe, to be well, Pepe alongside Rafael Varane.
After their early blitz secured victory against Liverpool in midweek Real are now on a seven game win streak which undoubtedly leaves them full of confidence going in to the derby, but with Bale most likely out after over-extending his buttocks (seriously), it really is all hopes as always on Ronaldo to provide the firepower at home for Real on Saturday.
Part of me fancies Real Madrid to do the business at home due to their overall squad depth, but that Barca front three is just disgusting, and if Ramos doesn’t make it, I can see the holy trinity causing all types of havoc in the Bernabeu. And knowing just how much he loves the limelight, it wouldn’t surprise me if Suarez was the man to seal the win… and punch a ball boy.
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona
Inform Prediction: Luis Suarez
Man United vs Chelsea – Sunday 26th Oct – 16:00
Ah, my beloved Manchester United. How will they fare in their first ‘real’ game of the season? Well it certainly hasn’t been a bed of roses for Louis Van Gaal since he took the reigns at Old Trafford and the alleged ‘easy’ start to the season has been anything but, instead ending up as an entertaining romp of inconsistency. The shoots of recovery are there in patches though, but regardless United will need to string together their most consistent and coherent performance to date, to have any chance against Mourinho’s blue machine.
Di Maria is a doubt but should play alongside the returning Wayne Rooney and Falcao who now surely has to replace the leggy, and seemingly uninterested Van Persie we saw at West Brom. Are Robin’s best year behind him? He’s got a whole lot of convincing to do among United fans that much is certain.
Chelsea are flying, but they have injury problems a plenty with Diego Costa and Loic Remy both on the sidelines and Azpilicueta suspended after his wild lunge last week. I’m torn here. Head says comfortable Chelsea win, heart says its Van Gaal’s first tactical ‘masterclass’. File this prediction under sitting on the fence.
Score Prediction: Man United 0-2 Chelsea
Inform Prediction: Diego Costa
Monchengladbach vs Bayern Munich – Sunday 26th Oct – KO 16:30
The top two unbeaten clubs in the Bundesliga go head-to-head on Sunday, with Monchengladbach able to cut the reigning German champions lead to just a single point should they do the business at Borussia Park. Both clubs enjoyed huge wins in Europe this week with Monchengladbach netting 5 versus Apollon Limassol and Bayern bumming Roma in oblivion 7-1. Truly incredible scenes.
Gladbach are unbeaten in the Bundesliga so far and are 2nd in the table behind Bayern. They have the potential to take advantage of teams like Dortmund, Schalke and Leverkusen struggling, but are unlikely to prove a real threat to Bayern.
But, Bayern are four points clear at top of the table an have only conceded two goals so far. After a romping 7-1 win at Roma in the Champions League, the team is full of confidence. We can expect that Bayern will dominate the game from the outset and Gladbach has to wait for opportunities on the break.
Score Prediction: Monchengladbach 0-2 Bayern Munich
Inform Prediction: Mario Gotze
– Source from: http://www.fifa15-coins.com/news/game-FIFA-15-1832/FIFA-15-Ultimate-Team-Preview-Week-4-14646