Predictions 23 – 26.02.2024
Bournemouth vs Manchester City | Premier League
24/02/2024 17:30
Prediction: 1-3
Manchester City have a golden opportunity to narrow the gap with league leaders Liverpool to just a single point if they secure a victory in this crucial match. Sitting in second place in the Premier League, City faces Bournemouth, currently occupying the 13th spot in the table. With Liverpool contending against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, City stands poised to capitalize on the situation and make significant steps towards the top of the league. The Citizens are riding high on confidence, having triumphed over Brentford at home midweek, extending their unbeaten streak to an impressive 16 games. They’ve emerged victorious in 12 of their last 13 matches across all competitions, with the lone exception being a 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend. Despite encountering initial difficulties on their travels in the Premier League earlier in the season, City has turned the tide, clinching victories in their last four away league matches and netting a total of 11 goals in those fixtures. In the reverse fixture last November, City showcased their dominance by routing Bournemouth 6-1.
On the flip side, Bournemouth finds themselves in difficulties, still awaiting their first Premier League win in 2024. Their last league victory dates back to Boxing Day last year, when they defeated Fulham 3-0 at home. Since then, the Cherries have endured a string of six league matches without a win, accumulating only three points in the process. While still maintaining an eight-point buffer above the relegation zone with a game in hand, Bournemouth’s lackluster form has seen them struggle to secure victories. Despite managing to draw three of their last four league games, a win continues to evade them. Their home form has been lackluster, with just three wins out of 11 Premier League matches and a meager tally of 12 goals scored. With only one point earned from their last two home fixtures, Bournemouth faces an uphill battle against a formidable Manchester City side. Given City’s recent dominance, it’s expected that they will emerge victorious in this encounter.
Arsenal vs Newcastle | Premier League
24/02/2024 20:00
Prediction: 2-1
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal faces the challenge of keeping pace with league leaders Liverpool, who surged to the top of the table with a commanding 4-1 victory over Luton Town in the 26th round of the Premier League. With the Gunners trailing by 5 points, the spotlight falls on their upcoming match against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday, February 24, 2024. This encounter holds significant importance for both sides, with Newcastle also vying for a place in Europe next season. Despite suffering a defeat against Porto in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, Arsenal bounced back emphatically with a resounding 5-0 win over Burnley in their last league fixture. Meanwhile, Newcastle enters the fray on the back of a 2-2 draw at home against Bournemouth in their previous Premier League outing, currently sitting in eighth place with 37 points.
Arsenal has emerged as one of the most formidable teams in recent weeks, securing victory in their last five league games, albeit experiencing a setback against Porto in the Champions League. On the other hand, Newcastle arrives at the Emirates Stadium with a string of positive results, remaining unbeaten in their last five official matches, including three wins and two draws in both Premier League and FA Cup fixtures.
In head-to-head encounters, Arsenal holds the upper hand, having won seven of their last ten home games against Newcastle. Additionally, Arsenal’s defensive prowess is evident, as they have not conceded a goal in their last eight home matches against Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s recent matches have been characterized by high-scoring affairs, with seven consecutive Over 2.5 outcomes in their last league fixtures. As the two sides prepare to lock horns, Arsenal aims to maintain their winning momentum, while Newcastle seeks to extend their unbeaten run and secure valuable points in their quest for European qualification.
Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig | Bundesliga
24/02/2024 17:30
Prediction: 3-0
The last Bundesliga match on Saturday features a clash between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig. At the time of writing, Bayer Leverkusen has yet to play, but Bayern faces a challenging task in defending their title, trailing by an 8-point deficit. RB Leipzig, on the other hand, sits fifth in the table with a 10-point gap and is battling for a spot in the Champions League, adding significant significance to the match for both teams.
Bayern Munich’s recent form has been uncharacteristically poor, having suffered defeats in their last three games, a rarity for the team. Since January, they have already endured four defeats, including heavy losses against Leverkusen and Bochum, conceding a total of 6 goals. Additionally, they faced a defeat against Lazio at the Olimpico. RB Leipzig, meanwhile, has displayed inconsistency, garnering 7 points in their last 3 games but enduring a streak of 3 consecutive losses before that. Their scoring average is lower than in previous years.
In their last 5 games, Leipzig has scored an average of 2 goals per game. Bayern is facing defensive challenges due to the absence of key players at the back. The match sets the stage for a showdown between great strikers: Kane, boasting 25 goals in the Bundesliga so far, and Openda, with 16 goals to his name. The first leg between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw, indicating a closely contested battle. Additionally, 8 of the last 10 encounters between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have witnessed Over 2.5 goals, hinting at a potential high-scoring affair in the upcoming match.
Barcelona vs Getafe | La Liga
24/02/2024 15:15
Prediction: 3-1
Barcelona welcomes Getafe to the Estadio Olimpico for the 26th matchday, aiming to secure another crucial victory to edge closer to the summit of the table. Currently, the Blaugrana trail leaders Real Madrid by 8 points but are within striking distance of second-placed Girona. Xavi’s side, fresh from a draw in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli, remains determined to challenge for the La Liga title, albeit with little room for error. Barcelona seeks their tenth home win in the league and their fourth in the last five matchdays.
However, they face a formidable opponent in Getafe, who have enjoyed a string of positive results lately, with their only loss coming against Real Madrid. Under the guidance of Bordalas Jimenez, Getafe sits mid-table, with the European zone still a distant target, but achievable if their impressive form continues. However, their defensive frailties, evidenced by conceding seven goals in their last four matches, remain an area for improvement. Notably, in the last four encounters between these two teams, only one goal has been scored, indicating another potentially challenging match.
Chelsea vs Liverpool | EFL Cup
25/02/2024 15:00
Prediction: 0-1
Chelsea will host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup League Cup final, set to take place at Wembley. The Blues have recently regained momentum with three consecutive positive results, including a crucial 1-1 draw against Manchester City in their last outing. Meanwhile, Liverpool has adapted to the news of Klopp’s impending departure at the end of the season, with the manager announcing his farewell from the Anfield bench. The Reds are currently enjoying a streak of three consecutive victories. Chelsea is slated to face Leeds in the fifth round of the FA Cup, while Pochettino’s side languishes in tenth place in the league, well below the European qualification threshold.
Chelsea continues to face challenges despite significant investments, boasting a balance of 10 wins, 10 defeats, and 5 draws in their league campaign. They are yet to solidify their position in European competitions, raising concerns about another season without continental football. The Carabao Cup presents an opportunity for Chelsea to salvage their campaign by clinching a trophy, although Liverpool emerges as the clear favorite at present. Klopp’s side sits comfortably atop the league table with a considerable lead over Manchester City, buoyed by a convincing 4-1 victory against Luton Town in the Premier League. With just two defeats this season, Klopp’s team is among the favorites to reach the Europa League final, having topped their group ahead of Toulouse, Union SG, and LASK, and displaying a determination to compete until the very end.
Real Madrid vs Sevilla | La Liga
25/02/2024 20:00
Prediction: 3-1
Real Madrid is aiming to widen the gap and establish a significant lead against their pursuers, yet when it comes to delivering the final blow, Carlo Ancelotti’s side seems hesitant, keeping the championship race open. Despite holding a six-point lead over second place, Los Blancos are accustomed to capitalizing on such crucial advantages. However, now is the time to quash the hopes of their competitors definitively, allowing them to focus entirely on their primary seasonal objective: The Champions League, an integral part of Real Madrid’s DNA.
The home team has one goal when they play at the Bernabeu on Sunday night: to make things worse for a Sevilla team that seems to be having a hard time getting back to their old glory. With only twenty-four points from seventeen games, Sevilla’s lack of progress is evident, reflected in their fifteenth-place standing in a league where they have been absent from the forefront for some time. Exclusion from cup competitions has further dampened Sevilla’s prospects, leaving them without the traditional lifeline of a cup run. A match against Real Madrid could exacerbate their plight, pushing them closer to the relegation zone.
Real Madrid’s unbeaten streak in matches stretches back to September 24th when they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the Metropolitano in the derby against Atletico Madrid. Since then, the only disappointment came at the hands of Atletico again, with a 4-2 loss (albeit in extra time) in the Copa del Rey. However, since January 18th, Real Madrid has recorded seven consecutive positive results across all competitions, with a crucial victory against Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match last week (0-1). In the league, however, Real Madrid was held to a draw in their last outing against Rayo Vallecano (1-1).
