In this weekend bulletin, we selected four matches from the LaLiga, Premier League, Süper Lig, and Serie A that caught our attention, and shared our predictions along with detailed analysis.
Sevilla FC vs FC Barcelona
Match Analysis
After managing to stay in LaLiga last season, Sevilla rebuilt their squad with several important signings and have made a strong start to the new campaign. The Sevillistas have collected 13 points from six matches and won their last two fixtures without conceding, showing very positive signs defensively as well. We can say that Luis García is trying to build a team that prioritizes defensive organization and focuses heavily on transition play.
This positive start has also pleased the Sevilla supporters. While there was a dramatic decline in attendance at the stadium last season, this year we are seeing the fans return to the stands and support their team again. The performances of academy graduate Miguel Sierra, who scored the winning goal away to Deportivo A Coruña, have also delighted the club. In fact, the release clause in his contract has already become a topic of discussion.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have made a perfect start to the season, winning all six of their league matches while scoring an incredible 28 goals. Yes, 28 goals… They also comfortably defeated Feyenoord Rotterdam 5–1 in the UEFA Champions League. Hansi Flick became the first head coach in Barcelona history to begin a season with seven consecutive competitive victories.
In their most recent league match, they defeated Racing Santander 7–2 at Camp Nou. Raphinha continued his excellent form by scoring a hat-trick, while Lamine Yamal has already surpassed his personal record for most LaLiga goals in a single season, despite the campaign only being six matches old.
Gabriel Jesus, whose performances at Barcelona had been a subject of curiosity, also scored his first goal for the club against Racing. However, another new signing, Karim Adeyemi, was the player who truly stole the show. He produced an excellent performance and immediately won over the supporters. Adeyemi struggled for regular playing time at Borussia Dortmund because of Niko Kovač’s fondness for rotation and his distant approach toward the star player, but he appears to have rediscovered himself at Barcelona. The relatively modest €22.00m fee paid for Adeyemi also shows just how well Barcelona handled this transfer.
Barcelona’s extraordinary attacking production is genuinely impressive. However, Hansi Flick’s high defensive line continues to create risks. The Catalan side have conceded six goals in six league matches, including two goals against both Levante UD and Racing in their last two fixtures. Their incredible attacking output has prevented these defensive weaknesses from affecting results so far, but it remains unclear how much of a problem they could become against strong opponents who play transition football well, particularly against elite Champions League opposition.
Barcelona will face Sevilla without Joan García. It remains to be seen who will replace the goalkeeper after he suffered an injury against Racing. Wojciech Szczęsny, who came on following Joan García’s injury, gifted Racing a goal with an obvious mistake. Therefore, we could see new signing Dominik Livaković in goal for this match. Whoever replaces him, it is worth remembering that Joan García’s absence is likely to be felt.
This meeting between two in-form and confident teams is expected to be Barcelona’s toughest match of the season so far. Of course, given their extraordinary form and superior squad quality, Barcelona are the clear favorites, we can all agree on that. Nobody would be surprised if they won comfortably again. However, Sevilla have a structure built around keeping things tight defensively and punishing opponents through transitions. Barcelona’s high defensive line could provide them with opportunities to score one or even more goals. Therefore, we are likely to see an entertaining and high-scoring match at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Prediction
Over 2.5 Goals
Manchester City vs Sunderland AFC
Match Analysis
Manchester City are going through a major transition under Enzo Maresca, who took charge following Pep Guardiola’s departure. Many of the key players from the Guardiola era have left, while approximately €526.00m has been spent on a major squad rebuild. Despite such significant changes, the fact that there have been almost no negative signs on the pitch suggests that City are handling this transition remarkably well.
They have made an excellent start to the Premier League by winning all four of their matches. Scoring eight goals while conceding only two also reflects how organized, disciplined, and consistent they have been. Morale reached an even higher level after their most recent Manchester derby, where they managed to leave Old Trafford with a victory despite being reduced to ten men in the 23rd minute. They also began their Champions League campaign positively with a clean 2–0 victory in a potentially difficult away fixture against FC Porto. This excellent run appears to have erased the memory of the Community Shield disappointment against Arsenal FC in their first competitive match of the season.
During the week, they comfortably defeated Norwich City 5–0 in the EFL Cup with a heavily rotated lineup that also gave several young players an opportunity. Seventeen-year-old Floyd Samba stole the show by scoring twice. Maresca’s selections in this match suggested that he intends to give academy players genuine opportunities this season, creating the impression that he is involved in a long-term project at Manchester City.
Sunderland delighted their supporters by finishing seventh last season and qualifying for European competition, but they have not started this campaign particularly well. The Black Cats have collected only four points from four matches, with one win and one draw. However, they produced a very different performance in their most recent match against Arsenal. Sunderland played extremely well until David Raya brilliantly saved Enzo Le Fée’s penalty in the 56th minute. After the missed penalty, however, they dramatically conceded twice and eventually left the pitch empty-handed.
Sunderland have scored only three goals in four league matches and are clearly struggling in front of goal. The fact that their only goal in a victory over AZ Alkmaar, in their first European campaign in 53 years, came from the penalty spot further highlights the issue. It also remains to be seen how well they can handle the demands of competing in Europe and the Premier League at the same time. Their first serious test in that regard comes with this difficult trip to Manchester City.
An in-form and confident Manchester City should defeat a Sunderland side that are struggling to score and will also enter this match carrying the fatigue of their midweek European fixture, extending their winning run in the process.
Prediction
Home Win
Amed SK vs Beşiktaş JK
Match Analysis
Newly promoted Amed SK have performed far above expectations and made an excellent start to the Süper Lig season. They have collected 10 points from five league matches and, helped by strong support from their fans, have won all three of their home fixtures. Their victories over strong opponents such as Başakşehir FK and Trabzonspor have been particularly impressive.
Much like newly promoted Bundesliga side SV 07 Elversberg, Amed SK have adopted a fearless style regardless of the opposition. With such a modest and limited squad, it would hardly have been possible for them to make such a successful start otherwise. However, their real test will come when they host Beşiktaş.
We can say that this will be the first time Amed SK have faced an opponent of truly high quality. Trabzonspor, one of the stronger teams they defeated, were in a very fragile state after making few significant moves beyond signing Mohamed Salah and dealing with several internal problems. Similarly, Başakşehir had made a terrible start to the season and went into the Amed SK match without their head coach on the touchline because Nuri Şahin was suspended.
Beşiktaş, meanwhile, currently look like the most prepared and best-performing team in the Süper Lig. The Black Eagles have collected 12 points from five matches, with their only dropped points coming away to Alanyaspor in a match where controversial refereeing decisions effectively condemned them to defeat. During the week, Beşiktaş also made an excellent start to their Europa League campaign by comfortably defeating a troubled Olympique Marseille side 4–1.
What was particularly impressive against Marseille was that Beşiktaş continued pressing for another goal even with the score already at 4–1. They are playing with tremendous hunger and intensity as a team. Marseille’s defense took specific precautions against Dušan Vlahović and succeeded in limiting him, yet Beşiktaş still scored four goals. This is another sign that the Black and Whites are evolving into a team with a functioning system. Even Junior Olaitan, a player with limited technical ability, providing two assists in this match was a good example of that.
Beşiktaş’s biggest disadvantage is the continuing uncertainty surrounding Leandro Trossard, who missed the Marseille match through injury. If the star player is unavailable against Amed SK, Beşiktaş will probably start with young talent İlhan Fakılı, as they did against Marseille. His style of constantly putting pressure on and wearing down opposition defenders can also make him very effective.
Amed SK have surprised everyone with their excellent start to the season, but with their modest squad, it will be extremely difficult to withstand the Beşiktaş attack. In fact, if their early-season form gives them the confidence to play attacking football, Beşiktaş could take control of the match early and secure a comfortable victory.
Prediction
Away Win
AC Milan vs US Lecce
Match Analysis
Milan have entered a comprehensive rebuilding process under Ruben Amorim, but despite being in such an important transitional period, they have made a good start to the season. The Rossoneri defeated Torino FC away and Venezia FC at home, while also returning unbeaten from difficult trips to Juventus FC and SS Lazio.
Just as Amorim’s heavy rotation and tendency to experiment with players in different roles were beginning to attract criticism, a midweek Europa League defeat to SL Benfica at the Giuseppe Meazza created a mini-crisis. Club owner Gerry Cardinale held a direct meeting with Amorim after the match, as his rotation against Benfica had sparked considerable debate. Important players such as Luka Modrić, Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira, and Alexis Saelemaekers were all left on the bench. Of course, this mini-crisis did not escalate. Amorim remains at the center of the club’s long-term project. However, the meeting can be interpreted as a message from the highest level of the club that the team needs to show a clear reaction against Lecce. Gerry Cardinale is also expected to watch the Lecce match from the stands.
New signing Gonçalo Ramos, who has been going through a quiet spell in front of goal, will see the Lecce match as an opportunity to prove himself. Pulisic, who transformed Milan’s attack after coming on against Lazio, is also expected to start against Lecce. Modrić, who was rested against Benfica, should return to take control of the midfield.
Lecce are a limited side built around a simple philosophy: find low-cost young players, develop them, and remain in Serie A. They have collected six points from four matches, with both of their victories coming against fellow relegation candidates. Interestingly, none of their five goals in those matches were scored by traditional center forwards. While this might initially appear to demonstrate positive team play, the quality and creativity of strikers can become extremely important in difficult matches, and Lecce appear to be lacking in that department.
Lecce will also be without Willem Geubbels, Omri Gandelman, and Medon Berisha. Given their existing problems at center forward, Geubbels’ absence in particular is a frustrating blow for the visitors.
With a modest squad expected to spend the season fighting against relegation from Serie A, Lecce appear unlikely to offer much resistance against a Milan side expected to field something close to their strongest lineup. Considering the message from the very top of the club that a reaction is required, Amorim should avoid unnecessary experiments, field a proper starting XI, win the match, and put an end to the rather pointless atmosphere of crisis that has developed over the last few days.
Prediction
Home Win