After midweek group stage play in the Champions League and Europa League, European domestic football again returns this weekend, and in our big 5 matches of the week Lyon vs Marseille is the key one featured from France’s Ligue 1.
Atletico Madrid vs Getafe (Saturday in Getafe)
The hosts, Getafe, have started the season well on 7 points through 4 games. Madrid has managed just 1 win out of 4 and need to quickly find their form if they are going to keep pace in the race for the Spanish domestic title. Atletico won their Champions League midweek clash and on paper they have a superior side with Griezmann, Thomas Lemar and other stars set to start. Getafe has a solid backline but they don’t score a ton and have a poor h2h record. Look for Madrid to move up the table with a routine win. Atletico Madrid 3-1
Hertha Berlin vs Borussia Monchengladbach (Saturday in Berlin)
Both Berlin and Gladbach have started strong in the Bundesliga with 7 points from 3 matches, neither side is in Europe, allowing them to focus exclusively on domestic play. Eden Hazard’s 25 year old brother Thorgan is a forward for Gladbach while Slovak international Ondrej Duda has already scored 3 times for Berlin, a relatively experienced side. Playing at home, look for Hertha to secure at least a draw. 2-2 Draw
Fiorentina vs SPAL (Saturday in Florence)
Led by midfielder Manuel Lazzari, SPAL has started in tremendous form with 3 wins from 4 matches. Fiorentina, the on paper favorites, have 2 wins from 4 with 23 year old Argentine Giovanni Simeone as their key forward. Playing at home, I expect the better side to secure a win. Fiorentina 3-1
Braga vs Sporting Lisbon (Saturday in Braga)
Braga isn’t part of Portugal’s traditional Big 3, but they are aiming to make it a big 4 and a win against Sporting Lisbon would do wonders for their confidence and standing. Both sides have 3 wins from 4 matches so far with Brazilian forward Dyego Sousa netting 4 times for Braga. Sporting won midweek against Qarabag in the Europa League with veteran midfielder Nani proving to be a stable presence for a club that has undergone incredible turmoil in the past 6 months with their roster and stability. Playing at home I like Braga to notch a big upset. Braga 3-2
Lyon vs Marseille (Sunday in Lyon)
Lyon is just a 2 hour train ride from Marseille and these sides are two of the giants of French football. Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin star for Marseille while Lyon will counter with Memphis Depay and Bertrand Traore featuring as their wingers. Lyon stunned Manchester City in the Champions League and they have a better h2h record in this matchup. Marseille has started relatively well domestically but were beaten in the Europa League midweek by Frankfurt. I expect Lyon to earn the 3 points at home. Lyon 2-1
PSV Eindhoven vs Ajax (Sunday in Eindhoven)
The top 2 Dutch clubs will face off for the first time this season. They are currently 1st and 2nd on the table and both are in Europe, with Ajax coming off a Champions League win, and PSV coming off a loss in the CL. Key players Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Matthijs De Ligt could be injured for Ajax, and PSV is at home with Mexican star Hirving Lozano leading their forward line. Given the current circumstances I’ll back a PSV win. PSV 3-2
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