Predictions 26 – 29.04.2024
Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid | La Liga
26/04/2024 20:00
Prediction: 1-1
Real Madrid s getting closer to the La Liga title as they face Real Sociedad in an away match on Friday. Sitting comfortably atop the table with 80 points, they hold a nine-point lead over Barcelona, who suffered a defeat in the recent Clasico. For Carlo Ancelotti’s side, victory seems almost inevitable as they near the conclusion of the season. However, their upcoming match poses significant challenges, as Real Sociedad is currently enjoying a strong run of form and is determined to secure a spot in European competition.
Real Sociedad finds themselves in sixth place, which qualifies them for the Europa League. With just a three-point lead over Betis and a four-point lead over Valencia, they cannot afford to drop points if they intend to maintain their position in the race for European qualification. The Basque side recognizes the importance of the match against Real Madrid and will be eager to put up a formidable challenge.
Key statistics suggest that the match may be tightly contested. Seventeen out of Real Sociedad’s 32 matches this season have ended with fewer than 2.5 goals. Similarly, two of Madrid’s last three league games, as well as three of Real Sociedad’s last four, have also concluded with fewer than three goals. Real Madrid boasts the best defensive record in the league, having conceded just 22 goals in 32 matches, highlighting their defensive prowess.
Looking at previous encounters, five of the last seven matches between these two teams have finished with fewer than 2.5 goals. Additionally, Real Madrid has seen under 2.5 goals in five of their last seven away games, indicating a trend towards low-scoring affairs.
As the title race heats up and both teams aim to achieve their respective objectives, Friday’s match promises to be an intriguing battle between two formidable opponents.
Juventus vs AC Milan | Serie A
27/04/2024 17:00
Prediction: 2-1
Juventus welcomes Milan to the Allianz Stadium for the 34th round of Serie A. The Bianconeri are coming off a disappointing defeat in the Italian Cup semi-final second leg against Lazio, where they lost 2-1. However, Juventus secured their place in the Italian Cup final with a 2-0 victory in the first leg. In Serie A, Allegri’s side has recently endured two consecutive draws against Torino and Cagliari, remaining in third place in the standings but facing pressure from Bologna, who are just two points behind.
On the other hand, Milan suffered a demoralizing defeat at San Siro in the derby against Inter, witnessing their rivals clinch the league title. Milan finds themselves without a win in their last two matches and are currently in second place in the Serie A standings. However, they have already been eliminated from the Italian Cup and the Europa League quarter-finals by Roma, facing criticism directed at key players and coach Stefano Pioli. Pioli’s future as Milan’s coach is uncertain, with management evaluating options for next season.
In their previous encounters, neither Juventus nor Milan have won any of their last three matches. In the 79 previous meetings between the two teams, Juventus has secured 38 victories, while Milan has claimed 23 wins, with 18 matches ending in draws. Vlahovic leads Juventus in scoring with 16 goals.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City | Premier League
28/04/2024 16:30
Prediction: 1-3
Manchester City head to Nottinghamshire with confidence following a commanding 4-0 victory over Brighton, keeping them firmly in the title race. Just one point behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, a win could send them to the top of the table with only four games remaining. However, Nottingham Forest has proven to be a formidable opponent at the City Ground, remaining unbeaten in their last three home matches.
The previous encounter between these two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at the City Ground on February 18, 2023. Manchester City has shown vulnerability in their away matches, conceding the opening goal in five of their last eight English Premier League away fixtures. Additionally, the availability of Erling Haaland is uncertain after he missed the last two matches, which could impact City’s attacking prowess.
Manchester City has endured a tight schedule in recent weeks, with this match marking their ninth fixture since March 31. Such demanding schedules can take a upset on any team, potentially leaving City susceptible to an upset against a resilient Nottingham Forest side known for their fighting spirit.
Given these factors, Manchester City will need to remain focused and resilient to secure a positive result against Nottingham Forest away from home.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal | Premier League
28/04/2024 14:00
Prediction: 1-3
Tottenham had a disappointing 4-0 defeat against Newcastle in the Premier League, but they still have a chance to secure fourth place as they have two games in hand over Aston Villa. Now, they are gearing up for their 173rd league North London derby against table-toppers Arsenal, with both teams having plenty at stake.
Despite having some time to regroup, Spurs received unfortunate news this week as Destiny Udogie was ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury. However, there’s a positive indication that Richarlison could make a return from the bench after missing two games. Tottenham will be banking on their home advantage, having won their last three Premier League games at home, even though they conceded first in two of them.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are riding high after a 5-0 victory over Chelsea, their second London derby win by that scoreline this season. This win propelled them to the top of the table, and they’ll be looking for a unique hat-trick of 5-0 victories in London derbies. They’ve been dominant in recent North London derbies, losing just once in the last six encounters.
The Gunners secured a 2-0 win at Tottenham’s home ground in January, their first victory there since September 2015. With a solid defensive record, having not conceded in any of their last six away league games, Arsenal are poised to challenge for the title until the very end of the season.
Barcelona vs Valencia | La Liga
29/04/2024 20:00
Prediction: 2-0
Barcelona’s hopes of retaining their La Liga title took a significant blow after a last-gasp 3-2 defeat in the El Clasico, leaving them trailing Real Madrid by 11 points with six games left. Despite crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, manager Xavi Hernández announced his decision to stay beyond the season, providing a glimmer of positivity for the club.
With their title aspirations all but vanished, Barcelona’s focus now shifts to securing a second-placed finish, with a crucial clash against Girona on the horizon. However, they must first navigate past Valencia, a team they haven’t lost to at home since April 2016, boasting a record of five wins and two draws.
Valencia, on the other hand, are just a point away from the top-seven and still have hopes of European qualification. A recent 2-1 defeat to Real Betis halted their momentum, putting them at risk of losing consecutive league games for the first time since October.
Their task against Barcelona looks daunting, especially considering their lack of success in H2H encounters in the league since January 2020. However, Valencia have won their last two away matches without conceding a goal, and they’ll aim to secure a third consecutive away win ‘to nil’ for the first time since November 2017, a feat they last achieved with three clean sheets in November 2009.
