EVERY FRIDAY, FOOTBALL writer John Brewin – who has clocked up countless air miles covering the European game over the past decade – looks ahead to five key fixtures from the Premier League and around the continent.
As well as explaining why you need to know about these matches, he’ll also pick out a tip for each one along with the latest William Hill prices.
After a break last week, we’re back with the Milan derby, a relegation six-pointer in the Premier League and some interesting match-ups in Spain, Germany and France.
Inter Milan v AC Milan, Serie A – 5pm Saturday
Napoli separate the Milanese rivals at the top of Serie A but this is a vital game in the race for the Scudetto. Should Inter — the “home” team at the San Siro — pull off a victory, it would do serious damage to the Rossoneri.
It’s a vital month for Simone Inzaghi’s side. Inter are due to meet Milan and Napoli in the league, Roma in the Coppa Italia, and Liverpool in the Champions League during February.
Inter have not lost a Serie A match since October when going down to Inzaghi’s old club, Lazio. Until beating Venezia ahead of the international break, they had struggled to put away opponents last month in the same style as during December when they didn’t concede a league goal. However, the Nerazzurri did celebrate winning the Super Coppa staged in Saudi Arabia.
Milan have stalled yet more, having lost to Spezia to a last-minute goal and then drawn with Juventus. Judging by the social media posts from the great man this week, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has recovered from the ankle knock that forced him off early against Juve, and that will almost certainly keep Olivier Giroud in his super-sub role off the bench.
With the stakes so high, it would be little surprise to see the Milan derby end up the same way as the draw shared between them in November. Lautaro Martinez’s penalty being saved in the second half was the story of that game after Hakan Calhanoglu had previously scored from the spot for Inter.
Milan finished that match stronger, with Ibrahimovic having a late free-kick saved by the almost-as-evergreen Samir Handanovic.
Beyond Christian Eriksen joining Brentford from Inter and Milan signing 18-year-old Marko Lazetic from Red Star Belgrade, there was not much in the way of transfer business from either club, despite Premier League interest in the likes of Theo Hernandez, Franck Kessie, Milan Skriniar and Ivan Perisic,
Instead, both Inzaghi and Stefano Pioli can concentrate on the race for the title. It should be a tight one.
John’s bet: Inter and Milan to draw @ 11/4
Burnley v Watford, Premier League – 6pm Saturday
A 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Norwich did for Claudio Ranieri, and as is customary, Watford are on their third manager of a Premier League season. Roy Hodgson is the latest man, and at 74, does not look like much of a long-term appointment.
Sean Dyche takes on his old club — they have had 14 “permanent” managers since he was sacked in the summer of 2012 — and does so with a new weapon to hand. Wout Weghorst, at 6’6”, was an institution at Wolfsburg and looks an able replacement for Chris Wood.
Just one Premier League game this weekend, and one where Watford will be without their leading scorer Emmanuel Dennis, red-carded against Norwich.
John’s bet: Wout Weghorst to score anytime against Watford @ 5/4
Bayern v RB Leipzig, Bundesliga – 5.30pm Saturday
A winter break and the chance for Domenico Tedesco to bed in at Leipzig has brought around a transformation in fortunes. They have won all four matches in 2022, scoring ten goals and conceding just one.
Still, their poor first half of the season under Jesse Marsch has them playing catch-up with the top four, and they are in sixth — three points behind surprise package Union Berlin.
Bayern recovered well from their year-opening loss to Monchengladbach in putting four goals past Koln and Hertha Berlin. Julian Nagelsmann is still yet to lock down his defence, and against his former club it would be no surprise to see some goals fly in at either end.
John’s bet: Bayern to beat Leipzig and both teams to score @ 7/5
Barcelona v Atletico Madrid, La Liga – 3.15pm Sunday
After the long, strange trip that was Barcelona’s January transfer window they return to action against last season’s champions, who are just a point above them in what has become a race for fourth between two of the big three.
It took a late Mario Hermoso winner against Valencia to halt a slide after Diego Simeone’s team had lost to both Basque teams, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad — the latter coming in the Copa Del Del Rey.
Xavi’s Barca drew three games from four in January, and only beat Alaves 1-0 last time out after a Frenkie de Jong late show. Neither team are in much form and a draw between them would be little surprise.
John’s bet: Draw and both teams to score @ 17/5
Lille v PSG, Ligue 1 – 7.45pm Sunday
Last season’s champions against this season’s champions-elect, and it’s a tale of struggle for Lille, back down in 11th, and 21 points behind the super club they prevailed over last season.
Back in October when they met in Paris, it took a late Angel Di Maria goal to separate the teams, and Lille may be aided by PSG’s focus being on their Champions League meeting with Real Madrid on 15 February.
With an 11-point gap to second-placed Nice, Mauricio Pochettino has chance to rest players, though a leading objective is to try and wring the best form from Lionel Messi ahead of facing his old enemy. Messi has just seven goals in a PSG shirt, which seems ruinously low for him.
John’s bet: PSG to win at Lille and both teams to score @ 27/10
William Hill odds above correct at the time of writing. New online customers get €30 in free bets when they bet €10 with William Hill. Just use the promo code H30. For all the latest prices, visit williamhill.com. 18+, always gamble responsibly. For more information, see gamblingtherapy.org
