Player to score – Vinicius Junior (Atletico v Real Madrid)
Real Madrid are the only team in Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues to still have a 100% record at this stage of the season, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men will face a stiff test at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday evening. Indeed, Atletico Madrid will be a dangerous opponent in the first Madrid derby of the campaign.
Karim Benzema will be missing for Los Blancos, but there will be space to exploit in behind the Atleti wing backs. This is where Vinicius Junior, who has scored five goals in his last six games in all competitions, will be important. The Brazilian winger has never been more important to Real Madrid than he is now.
Player to be carded – Koke (Atletico v Real Madrid)
This Sunday’s Madrid derby will be a battle in the middle of the pitch. Real Madrid missed the calming influence of Toni Kroos in central midfield against RB Leipzig in the Champions League, but the German is expected to return for this match. Luka Modric will offer creativity with Aurelien Tchouameni a driving force for the Spanish and European champions.
Diego Simeone will likely opt for a midfield three to match up against the Real Madrid trio and this will require Koke to get stuck in. The Spanish international is no stranger to a booking and could have a tough time against an opposition who will need to be pressed and closed down to disrupt them from their usual game.
Match to be a draw – Everton v West Ham
While Everton have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, they are still awaiting their first Premier League win of the season. Indeed, Frank Lampard’s side have drawn their last four matches in the division and have struggled to score goals in front of their own fans – there have been under 2.5 goals scored in nine of Everton’s last 11 home games.
West Ham have also endured a stuttering start to the season. David Moyes’ team have won just one of their six Premier League fixtures so far and haven’t scored more than once in a single game all season. Sunday’s match should be a tight encounter between two sides currently lacking in confidence. A draw is a solid bet.
Both teams to score – Brentford v Arsenal
Arsenal haven’t struggled for goals this season with the Gunners scoring 14 times in their first six Premier League fixtures. Indeed, there has been over 2.5 goals scored in Arsenal’s last five league matches and there’s a good chance that this weekend’s clash against Brentford will also produce goals.
Brentford scored five times in their last outing against Leeds United and boast a centre forward who has netted five goals in just six games in the shape of Ivan Toney. Arsenal showed in their defeat to Manchester United that they can be vulnerable against a mobile opposition frontline intent on getting in behind and Brentford could test them in this way.
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Manchester City are the clear favourites to win another Premier League title this season, but there has been a consistent pattern to their performances in recent weeks. Erling Haaland has hit the ground running for his new team, but City frequently struggle to get him involved and play through opponents against low defensive blocks.
City are unbeaten in their last 21 away matches in the Premier League and have also won their last four games against Wolves in all competitions, but Bruno Lage’s team will stay compact and make it difficult for the reigning champions to cut through them and get in behind their backline. This could be decided by a single goal.
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