European regular season football starts this week in Italy and Spain, after previously starting last week in France and England (Germany starts next week). With the start of the 18/19 regular season fixtures, our panellist will review five of the biggest matches across Europe per week and offer up their previews, with predictions. This week we start with just three matches.
LWOF’s European Football Predictions
Chelsea v Arsenal (Saturday at Stamford Bridge)
Steen Kirby: After losing to Premier League favourites Manchester City in the opening matchday, Arsenal will try to bounce back against a Chelsea side that also has dreams of competing for the title. Chelsea started well and they should get better with Eden Hazard back. Arsenal’s backline appears shaky so Chelsea should secure the home win. Chelsea 3-1
Lazio v Napoli (Saturday in Rome)
Steen: Serie A this weekend and Matchday 1 will feature a cracker between two sides that will be competing for European positioning this season, with perhaps a title challenge in the cards. Napoli has outscored Lazio 9-2 in the last three head-to-head games. Napoli lost Jorginho in pre-season but gained forward Simone Verdi from Bologna. Their side features Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon up forward, Marek Hamsik as the key midfield cog and Raul Albiol as a veteran back-line presence. Carlo Ancelotti is their new manager.
Lazio, the underdogs, picked up Milan Badelj and a few others in pre-season, Serbia’s World Cup breakout player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the key player for their side along with forward Ciro Immobile, the top scorer in Italy last season. Napoli, as favourites, should go through here. Napoli 2-1
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (Monday in Valencia)
Steen: Last year’s fourth-place team in La Liga will start their 18/19 campaign with an uphill battle against the UEFA Super Cup (and Europa League) champions, Atletico Madrid. Valencia added Daniel Wass, Denis Cheryshev, Kevin Gameiro and Michy Batshuayi this season while losing Goncalo Guedes. Madrid added Thomas Lemar, Nikola Kalinic and Gelson Martins while losing veterans Gabi and Fernando Torres. Despite the short turnaround from the Super Cup, Atletico should get the win. Atletico Madrid 2-0
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