In this weekend bulletin, we have selected fifteen matches from the Süper Lig, Eredivisie, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Premier League, Russian Premier League, Ligue 1, and Serie A that caught our attention and shared our predictions along with detailed analysis.
Beşiktaş JK vs Erzurumspor FK
Match Analysis
After appointing Vincenzo Italiano and making several well-targeted signings, Beşiktaş made an ambitious and highly positive start to the season. They took things a step further last weekend by winning a very difficult derby against Fenerbahçe in Kadıköy. Leandro Trossard, who clearly showed that he can make the difference in big matches, played a crucial role in the victory with an excellent performance. Leo, who appeared to experience some adaptation difficulties during the opening matches of the season, looked like a completely different player in the derby and eased many of the supporters’ concerns. It is also worth noting that had some Beşiktaş players not made a few inexperienced mistakes under the pressure of the derby atmosphere, the Black Eagles could have won by a much wider margin in Kadıköy.
Erzurumspor, one of the newly promoted and weaker sides in the Süper Lig, made a poor start to the season. The visitors, who are expected to be involved in the relegation battle this year, have shown some signs of recovery by collecting one win and one draw from their last two matches. However, with such a limited squad, this away fixture against an in-form and highly motivated Beşiktaş side should prove extremely difficult.
Beşiktaş’s only significant disadvantage in this match is the absence of Dušan Vlahović. Vlahović received a one-match suspension for a hand gesture during an incident involving Milan Škriniar in the recent Fenerbahçe derby. Even without him, however, Beşiktaş should comfortably defeat an Erzurumspor side that struggle badly against teams playing with intensity and tempo.
Prediction
Home Win
AZ Alkmaar vs Willem II Tilburg
Match Analysis
AZ Alkmaar remain perfect and have now extended their excellent winning streak to six matches. The Cheese Farmers began the season by defeating PSV Eindhoven to lift the Johan Cruijff Schaal and have since won all five of their Eredivisie matches. They have scored sixteen goals in those five league fixtures, with their attacking line performing at an incredibly efficient and effective level. Their form this season has been nothing short of remarkable.
Morale is very different at Willem II, who have made a poor start to the season. They have collected just one point from four league matches while conceding thirteen goals. Their defensive problems are serious. Spending only around €800k during the transfer window and focusing heavily on loan deals prevented the club from making high-profile additions in key positions. Their already limited squad has also been hit by a significant injury crisis, particularly in midfield. Six midfielders—Amine Lachkar, Anass Zarrouk, Vito van Crooij, Jari Schuurman, Thijs Muller, and Armin Culum—are currently injured.
Teams enjoying long winning streaks can always face the danger of complacency or underestimating their opponents. However, Willem II are currently in such poor condition that they appear unlikely to pose a serious threat away to a much stronger opponent. AZ Alkmaar should win comfortably and extend their winning run.
Prediction
Home Win (-1.5)
Sevilla FC vs Valencia CF
Match Analysis
Once one of the most feared teams in European football, Sevilla have produced disappointing performances over the last few years. After downsizing during those difficult seasons, the club gradually declined into the level of an ordinary mid-table LaLiga side. This season, however, they have attracted attention with a positive start under Luis García, collecting two wins and one draw from their opening four league matches. Their first serious test exposed how fragile they can still be, though, as they suffered a 3–1 home defeat to Atlético de Madrid.
Considering their history, Valencia have gone through almost exactly the same decline we have described with Sevilla. The Bats have made a dreadful start to this season, collecting only one point from four league matches while conceding nine goals. Alongside their poor form, Valencia are also dealing with a management crisis, with supporters strongly protesting against club owner Peter Lim. The situation has become so serious that club legend Santiago Cañizares has called on supporters to boycott matches at Mestalla.
In a meeting between two inconsistent and fragile clubs, Sevilla, who have made the better start to the season, appear to be clearly one step ahead of a Valencia side surrounded by chaos. Naturally, the hosts will enter the match as favorites. However, this could be a defining fixture for Valencia coach Carlos Corberán and his team, meaning the possibility of a reaction from the visitors should be taken seriously. With important Sevilla center-back Arouna Sangante also suspended for this match, backing both teams to find the net appears to be a logical choice.
Prediction
Both Teams to Score (Yes)
Borussia Dortmund vs SC Paderborn 07
Match Analysis
Things appear to be going well at Dortmund, who extended their winning streak to four matches by defeating Villarreal CF in the UEFA Champions League a few days ago. Although they have not looked particularly convincing defensively, they are having little difficulty finding the net, scoring thirteen goals across those four victories. Despite having several injured players, many of them new signings, their squad depth appears to be allowing them to manage the situation without suffering too much damage.
Newly promoted Paderborn have not made as poor a start to the Bundesliga season as might have been expected. Although they have collected only one point from their opening two league matches, conceding just one goal suggests that they have started positively from a defensive perspective. However, it is worth remembering that this Dortmund fixture will be the first real test of that defense. Paderborn are also still waiting for their first league goal, which does not paint a particularly encouraging picture of their attacking output.
Dortmund may have a few minor problems, but their superior squad quality, strong home support, and excellent form should allow them to defeat a Paderborn side that have offered very little going forward and extend their winning streak to five matches.
Prediction
Home Win
SC Freiburg vs Borussia Mönchengladbach
Match Analysis
Morale is extremely high at Freiburg, who have made an excellent start to the season by winning all five of their competitive matches. They have scored seventeen goals while conceding only four during this run. Mönchengladbach, meanwhile, comfortably defeated TSV Schott Mainz 5–0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, their first competitive match of the season, as expected. However, they have since lost both of their Bundesliga matches and made a very poor start to the league campaign, conceding seven goals in those two fixtures. Their 4–0 home defeat to SV 07 Elversberg in their most recent league match was particularly disappointing for supporters and highlighted just how serious their defensive problems currently are.
Freiburg, who have continued their excellent winning run without any setbacks, should once again avoid defeat against a Mönchengladbach side they have not lost to at the Europa-Park Stadion since December 10, 2007.
Prediction
Double Chance: 1X
Chelsea FC vs Hull City
Match Analysis
After several disappointing seasons and transfer windows in which their tendency to buy huge numbers of players made Chelsea, much like Manchester United, a regular subject for football meme pages, there was considerable curiosity surrounding how the Blues would perform under Xabi Alonso. Chelsea have started the season with energy and desire, winning every competitive match apart from their away defeat to defending champions Arsenal FC. Even Xabi Alonso could not end the winless run against Arsenal that has continued since August 22, 2021. Although Chelsea have conceded nine goals in their five competitive matches, they have also scored sixteen. Their 6–3 victory over Leeds United in their most recent EFL Cup fixture, in particular, demonstrated just how motivated and in-form their attacking line currently is. Defensively, however, they have still not completely resolved their problems.
Newly promoted Hull City have made a surprisingly positive start to the Premier League season, but they now face their first serious away test against a Chelsea side whose attack is playing with considerable intensity and confidence. Hull were eliminated from the EFL Cup after losing to Sunderland AFC in their most recent match and have now failed to score in their last two competitive fixtures. When a team are struggling in front of goal, trying to take something away from a powerful, high-tempo opponent like Chelsea through defending alone is extremely difficult, particularly away from home.
Hull City are unlikely to withstand Chelsea’s highly motivated attacking line in their first major away test of the season.
Prediction
Home Win
Dynamo Moscow vs FC Orenburg
Match Analysis
Dynamo Moscow recovered quickly from their heavy 3–0 defeat away to Zenit St. Petersburg, winning their next three league matches to remain in pursuit of the leaders. Morale is particularly high after they defeated strong rivals Spartak Moscow 2–1 in their most recent fixture, which also carried the atmosphere of a derby.
Orenburg, meanwhile, are having a very unusual season and are beginning to earn a reputation as draw specialists. The visitors, who were never expected to achieve major success because of their limited budget and modest squad, have drawn five of their seven league matches. In their most recent game against Akron Tolyatti, they took the lead, then fell behind, before finding a late equalizer to leave with a point. That result extended their run of consecutive league draws to five. They look like a side that struggle to score and, even when they do, have difficulty protecting a lead.
With home advantage, strong morale, superior squad quality, and good form on their side, Dynamo Moscow should finally bring Orenburg’s frustrating run of draws to an end.
Prediction
Home Win
Athletic Bilbao vs Elche CF
Match Analysis
Athletic made a poor start to the season by losing their opening two league matches, but they have since entered a very positive recovery period. After winning away to Celta de Vigo, they defeated Atlético de Madrid 3–0 at San Mamés. The Red and Whites scored five goals without conceding across those two matches and are beginning to look much more convincing. The victory over Atlético in particular has provided a major boost in morale.
The turmoil continues at Elche after their nightmare start to the season. In their most recent match against Real Sociedad, they suffered a damaging defeat despite playing against ten men. Their obvious defensive mistakes effectively gifted three extremely valuable points to a Real Sociedad side that did not even play particularly well. Thomas Lemar and Lucas Cepeda helped Elche create chances and score twice against their short-handed opponents, but their serious defensive problems once again proved costly. It will be extremely difficult for them to survive in LaLiga if they continue playing this way.
With confidence high following their recent victories, Athletic should defeat an Elche side suffering from major defensive weaknesses and secure their third consecutive win.
Prediction
Home Win
Paris FC vs Olympique Lyon
Match Analysis
Paris FC have made an excellent start to Ligue 1 under Liam Rosenior, collecting two wins and one draw from their opening three matches as they continue taking confident steps toward establishing themselves as another strong club from the capital. They have scored six goals while conceding only two. Their victory away to Olympique Marseille in a very difficult fixture last weekend has lifted morale even further.
Financially troubled Lyon, meanwhile, continue to look inconsistent and unconvincing. After being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Fenerbahçe, they further disappointed their supporters by drawing their opening league fixture against Le Havre AC, one of the weaker sides in the competition. Although they defeated AJ Auxerre 3–1 in their most recent match, they have yet to establish any real consistency. Their attacking players also have a tendency to become increasingly rushed as time runs out when the team are not ahead, which can work against them. The closing stages of the Le Havre match provided the clearest example of this problem.
Paris FC should once again avoid defeat against Lyon at the Stade Jean-Bouin, where they have never lost to them.
Prediction
Double Chance: 1X
SC Cambuur Leeuwarden vs NEC Nijmegen
Match Analysis
Newly promoted Cambuur have made a nightmare start to the Eredivisie season. The hosts have collected just one draw from their five matches and lost all the others. Their defensive problems are severe, with eighteen goals conceded compared with only six scored. Still waiting for their first victory has also placed considerable pressure on the players, and they will be desperate to finally break that pressure by collecting three points.
NEC Nijmegen, meanwhile, have made a reasonable start to the season with two wins and one draw. However, they have not fully reflected the quality of their squad on the pitch and have looked inconsistent. They have also conceded nine goals while scoring eleven in their five matches, meaning NEC, just like Cambuur, are experiencing defensive problems.
With both teams suffering from significant defensive weaknesses and likely to take the field looking for the win, this should be a high-scoring contest.
Prediction
Over 2.5 Goals
Levante UD vs FC Barcelona
Match Analysis
Barcelona look unstoppable after making a flying start to the season. Almost as if sending a message to their arch-rivals Real Madrid, who have begun to show positive signs under Mourinho, the Catalan side are playing truly beautiful football. They have won every competitive match they have played this season and scored five goals in each of their last three fixtures, regardless of the opposition. Whether they take the field with a recognized center forward or without one seems to make little difference. Their excellent team play allows them to break opponents down with remarkable ease.
Levante, meanwhile, have started the season far better than expected. The Frogs have collected one win, two draws, and one defeat from four matches and were particularly impressive in their 5–2 victory over Real Betis Balompié. Like Barcelona, they will approach this match with high morale and plenty of motivation.
As we have seen in previous meetings at the Ciutat de València, we should once again be in for an entertaining, high-scoring contest in which both teams play for the victory.
Prediction
Over 2.5 Goals
SV 07 Elversberg vs Bayern Munich
Match Analysis
SV Elversberg continue to write history while experiencing football romanticism in its purest form. Earning promotion to the Bundesliga was already a historic achievement in itself, yet they have gone even further by defeating Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach in their first two league matches, scoring seven goals in the process. Despite representing a town of only around 13,000 people and operating with a small and modest squad, Elversberg have played fearlessly regardless of the opposition, and that courage has been a key factor behind their remarkable success. It is worth remembering, however, that this approach has also come at a cost, as they conceded five goals across those two victories. This week brings their biggest Bundesliga test yet.
Bayern defeated FK Bodø/Glimt 5–0 in the UEFA Champions League during the week, but surprised everyone last weekend by dropping points against newly promoted Schalke, a side that had looked completely unprepared for the season. Loris Karius produced an outstanding performance in the Schalke goal and was undoubtedly one of the decisive factors, but Vincent Kompany’s excessive rotation with the Bodø/Glimt match in mind was also a major reason behind the dropped points. Rotating the squad as aggressively as if you were playing Football Manager can produce painful consequences in real life. Given the damage caused by the Schalke result and Elversberg’s current form, we do not expect Kompany to experiment with another heavily rotated lineup after the Champions League fixture. Unless something unexpected happens, Bayern should field a very strong side.
This is a fascinating matchup. On one side, there is a small-town club making history by fearlessly attacking every opponent they face. On the other, there is a global giant in Bayern that can overwhelm teams with goals once they find their rhythm. We should be in for a highly entertaining match with plenty of goals.
Prediction
Over 3.5 Goals
Stade Brestois 29 vs Paris Saint-Germain
Match Analysis
PSG have made a shockingly poor start to the season and are still without a victory in Ligue 1. Although they have controlled many of their matches, their players have repeatedly failed to make the most of the chances they create. Luis Enrique’s habit of excessive rotation in almost every fixture has also played a significant role in these struggles. Some players have fallen victim to the constant rotation and have been unable to establish any rhythm. However, PSG were finally able to breathe during the week, comfortably defeating Slovan Bratislava, one of the weakest sides in the UEFA Champions League, by a convincing 6–1 scoreline. That emphatic victory should provide the players with a much-needed boost in morale and confidence.
Brest possess one of the weaker but more disciplined squads in Ligue 1 and have made a very good start to the season. The Red and Whites have collected one win and two draws and remain unbeaten. However, this will be by far their most serious test of the campaign.
Having restored some morale and confidence with the emphatic victory over Slovan Bratislava, PSG will travel to Brest with an absolute determination to win. The visitors are expected to control the match and, barring another serious failure in front of goal, should find the net at least twice.
Prediction
Away Team Over 1.5 Goals
Real Sociedad vs Atlético de Madrid
Match Analysis
Real Sociedad began the season with defeats against difficult opponents Real Betis Balompié and Real Madrid without making much of an impact, but they have since eased some of their supporters’ concerns by collecting two wins and one draw from their next three league matches. However, their performances are still far from convincing. Even though they defeated Elche CF in their most recent match despite being reduced to ten men, almost all of their goals came as gifts from Elche’s poor defending. When trying to build attacks in a more conventional manner, they frequently become stuck in midfield and struggle to move the ball effectively into the final third.
They also continue to have serious defensive problems, even allowing for the effect of the red card. Once they dropped into a more defensive shape against Elche, they surrendered control almost completely and allowed their opponents to create chance after chance. They made significant mistakes in the air, while Elche repeatedly advanced down the flanks with alarming ease and came close to scoring on several occasions. Real Sociedad’s problems at full-back were already evident before the sending-off, with several mistakes that could easily have led to serious consequences. They may have been collecting points for three matches, but their overall level of performance has still not fully recovered. They will also be without the suspended Jon Martín against Atlético.
Atlético naturally began the season with some dropped points amid the Julián Álvarez drama that dominated football headlines. They also lost away to Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League, meaning they have now suffered defeats in their last two away fixtures. However, there was one very important development at Anfield despite the result: Julián Álvarez returned to the team and registered an assist. His return was a significant morale boost despite the defeat, and Diego Simeone will probably use him again away to Real Sociedad.
Simeone is exactly the kind of coach who tends to thrive in difficult matches like this. Just when consecutive negative results begin to make everyone expect another Atlético setback, he has a habit of finding a tactical solution and collecting crucial points. Against a Real Sociedad side that still have obvious problems and have not beaten Atlético since January 19, 2022, Simeone should once again find a way to leave with at least a point.
Prediction
Double Chance: X2
Como 1907 vs Parma Calcio 1913
Match Analysis
Como, the ambitious project club whose lakeside Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium has captured the imagination of football fans, have made a dream start to the season under Cesc Fàbregas. After preparing extremely well for the campaign with several well-targeted signings, the hosts remain unbeaten in Serie A. The Lariani have collected seven points from their opening three league matches, scoring seven goals while conceding only three. As if that were not enough, Como also marked the first UEFA Champions League appearance in their history with an outstanding 4–1 victory over RB Leipzig. The influence of Cesc Fàbregas’ tactical ideas is clearly visible in the excellent team football they are producing.
Newly promoted Parma have returned to Serie A after a three-year absence. The Yellow and Blues have struggled on their return, collecting only one point and scoring just once in their opening three matches. Parma did not actually have a poor transfer window and possess a squad capable of producing good results in the league. However, they are still going through the process of integrating their new signings, developing team chemistry, and adapting to the higher level, which explains some of their early difficulties.
Como, who are developing into an impressive project under Cesc Fàbregas, should defeat a Parma side that have yet to fully adapt to Serie A without too much difficulty.
Prediction
Home Win