Odds are flying high this weekend. You know there is a treat in store when one of the scheduled games is a replay of last season's Champions League final, not to mention that it is also the Madrid derby. As if that isn't enough, there is also Arsenal against Manchester City which is the first proper test of the Gunners' title ambitions.
LIKELY BETS
Empoli vs Roma: AWAY WIN @1.59
Roma started the season in the way they had to: strong and confident just like last year. Empoli's home debut after promotion won't be an easy one, with the giallorossi already looking like scudetto challengers. The WhoScored match forecast in fact predicts 3 scenarios for the game, and they all relate to ways of Roma finding a goal. Of particular interest is the prediction that it is Extremely Likely that they 'will score as a result of a through ball'.
Fiorentina vs Genoa: HOME WIN @1.57
The Viola were pretty disappointing in their first game of the season against Roma: a defeat was always on the cards against that kind of opposition, but rarely have Montella's side previously appeared so helpless. This week, expect a reaction, and Genoa could be the victims of a backlash. Any balance could be broken by what WhoScored indicates as a noteworthy strength of Fiorentina's this season: 'Shooting from direct kicks'.
Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: HOME WIN @1.66
The odds in this one do not reflect quite how difficult a game it will be for Real Madrid, but the psychological factor could be the difference. This league game isn't a final or a decisive clash as, incredibly, has been the case in their last 4 encounters, so Atlético could be slightly (though only slightly) less focused. On the other side, Real Madrid will be more focused than usual, still shocked by Real Sociedad's comeback victory and desperate not to drop any more points. A single defeat can be vital in the title race in La Liga, so Ancelotti is already under pressure.
Simeone will play Griezmann and not Saul, but even more than usual the difference will be made by Cristiano Ronaldo: he missed the international break and should now be fully fit, and balls played through by Modric could be the key to finding a way through Atlético's wall.
TEMPTING BETS
Granada vs Villarreal: AWAY WIN @2.18
The odds for the Yellow Submarine winning in Granada are very tempting given that it is not an unrealistic result. Granada are undefeated after their first two games, but Villarreal put in a great performance against Barcelona, conceding only 8 minutes from the end. With a WhoScored strength of 'Creating Scoring Chances' they are likely to score at least once.
Olympique Lyonnais vs Monaco: AWAY WIN @2.93
The first game post-Falcao's move to Manchester United could test Monaco's resilience. They have nowhere near the same quality but it's still a good team in which Moutinho will now be the leader. That could be enough to beat a Lyon side that have so far registered 3 defeats from 4 games.
Guingamp vs Bordeaux: AWAY WIN @2.80
The beginning of the season can throw up many away wins, especially for the surprising early Ligue 1 leaders Bordeaux, meaning unmissable odds against third-from-bottom Guingamp. Opposition errors and wing play situations could, according to WhoScored's Match Forecast, be their path to victory.
LONG-SHOT BETS
Arsenal vs Manchester City: AWAY WIN @2.38
The reported quotes from Wenger regarding Welbeck's signing probably haven't allowed for the ideal preparation for the game. However of the two it's City that have tasted defeat already this season, with a shock home loss to Stoke. Moreover, Arsenal's 3-0 win in the Community Shield will no doubt be fresh in the mind of Pellegrini, who will have asked his players to exact their revenge. Ramsey is the main doubt for the hosts, while City's strongest starting XI could be available. Watch out for the duel between Mertesacker and Aguero as that could prove the decisive mismatch. It's in the nature of both teams to be proactive, but Arsenal do so leaving spaces, and the key to the game could be found when matching the weaknesses and strengths underlined by WhoScored's team characteristics: Arsenal are deemed 'weak' when it comes to 'stopping opponents from creating chances', while Manchester City are considered 'strong' at 'creating chances using through balls'.
Southampton vs Newcastle: AWAY WIN @4.73
After a similar start to the season for both, it looks as though the changes for the Saints over the summer may still need time to adjust. In a very equally-matched game, if you are betting on the Premier League this weekend the odds on Newcastle represent a great opportunity considering that the only 'likely' outcome from WhoScored's match forecast is that the visitors will 'score as a result of individual skill'.
Borussia M.Gladbach vs Schalke: DRAW @3.34
The draw with Bayern was a real positive sign for Schalke manager Jens Keller. However, Gladbach's two draws in two games, with a total of 1 goal scored and 1 conceded definitely suggest that while they may not be an exciting side to watch right now they are certainly tough to beat.
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