European League Show; Barcelona’s Messi-less Setback, Arsenal Face An Old Fear

Manchester United managed to avoid a fourth consecutive loss after they came from a goal down to dispatch Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup. Chelsea too avoided back to back losses when they fought from two goals down to see off Leicester City in the EFL Cup. Arsenal are on a roller coaster ride as new signings Xhaka and Perez are sparking fireworks. Barcelona returned to winning ways against Leganes but were quickly stopped on their tracks when they played out a 1-1 draw with Atletico. The real loss for them though was that injury to Lionel Messi.

Date with the Champs

Manchester United will be looking to avoid a hat trick of losses in the EPL when they host defending champions Leicester who have scored eight goals in their last three matches. Mourinho hasn’t beaten Ranieri in their last four meetings. But United are unbeaten in their last seven home games against Leicester, conceding only four goals in the process. Against this free scoring Leicester side, United will have to do a lot to maintain that record.

Mkhitaryan, Shaw and Martial are doubts for United. Mendy is injured for Leicester while Schmeichel is doubtful.

Kickoff: Saturday, 12.30pm

Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)

Referee: Mike Dean

Prediction: Leicester will be more confident going into this one. I see a draw playing out though.

Old Fears

Arsenal are enjoying a smooth sailing having gone without a loss in their last five matches. But they face an old fear in Chelsea, a side they have been unable to overcome in their last nine league meetings. Chelsea have beaten Arsenal four times at the Emirates thus making that stadium Chelsea’s best away hunting ground. Arsenal can be in a lot of trouble.

Mertesacker, Welbeck and Jenkinson are out injured for Arsenal while Ramsey and Giroud are doubts. Terry and Zouma are injured for Chelsea.

Kickoff: Saturday, 5.30pm

Venue: Emirates Stadium (Arsenal)

Referee: Michael Oliver

Prediction: Very tight call. I see a draw or an Arsenal win.

Messi-less Setback

It was a devastating setback for Barcelona when Messi limped off the pitch against Atletico in midweek. As they travel to Sporting Gijon who are in search of their first win over Barca after 10 attempts, it would be interesting to see if Suarez and Neymar would step up as well as they did in Messi’s absence last season. It is noteworthy though that Gijon haven’t dropped points in their last 5 home games, a fact that mustn’t be taken lightly by a Messi-less Barcelona side.

Gomez is doubtful for Gijon while Messi and Umtiti are injured for Barcelona.

Kickoff: Saturday, 3.15pm

Venue: Estadio El Molinon (Gijon)

Referee: Carlos Del Cerro

Prediction: Messi may be out but I expect Neymar and Suarez to step up nicely. Barcelona to win.

Falling Short

Real Madrid were just a win away from having the longest ever winning streak in La Liga history but ultimately fell short of it with that 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal. They visit a Las Palmas side that haven’t lost in their last six home games. But Las Palmas haven’t beaten Madrid since 2002 and Madrid would do well to obtain a victory if they must relieve bitter rivals Barcelona of the title.

Castellano, Santana and Bigas are injured for Las Palmas, Garcia is doubtful while Prince Boateng serves his suspension. Madrid’s Marcelo, Navas and Casemiro are injured while Pepe is a doubt.

Kickoff: Saturday, 7.45pm

Venue: Estadio de Gran Canaria (Las Palmas)

Referee: Javier Estrada

Prediction: Las Palmas play with zeal and astuteness at home. But Madrid will edge them on this one.

Source: Olisa.tv

Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest Linkedin WhatsApp