Friday, Aug. 25 predictions: in the Premier League, Chelsea hosts newly promoted Luton at Stamford Bridge, Real Madrid vs. former Benitez.
With the three days of cups over, the major leagues resume. In the Premier League it’s Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea’s turn as they host newly promoted Luton Town at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have picked up little in their first two games – just one point between Liverpool and West Ham – compared to what they have built up, and they go hunting for their first success. Taxing three points against an opponent that does not yet seem equipped for the top flight.
In La Liga, on the other hand, two advances are scheduled. In one of them Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid takes the field, visiting former Rafa Benitez’s Celta Vigo. The Blancos are in great form, having racked up the first two games, but they will have to watch out for the Galicians: victory, in any case, is within reach. Real Sociedad, on stage in the Canary Islands against Las Palmas, should also win. Imanol’s men are coming off two disappointing domestic draws and are unlikely to touch even against the newly promoted side, back upstairs after four years. Opening the second day of B will be Sampdoria and Pisa: Pirlo challenges Aquilani in an interesting match that promises goals.
Other match predictions
In the Bundesliga, Leipzig will try to turn over a new leaf after a crushing defeat in their direct clash with Bayer Leverkusen. Watch out, however, for Stuttgart, which scrambled Bochum 5-0 on its debut and wants to set the stage for a quieter season than the previous one.
Monaco commands the Ligue 1 summit along with Brest: the Monegasques are on a full points lead and have scored seven goals in two games. The winning streak should continue at home to a Nantes side that has started badly, with two consecutive defeats. In the Saudi Pro League they play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, called to redeem a complicated start.
Predictions: the Seer’s Choice
- Chelsea winning and at least two goals overall in Chelsea-Luton Town, Premier League, 9 p.m.
Winners
- Real Sociedad (in Las Palmas-Real Sociedad, La Liga, 7:30 p.m.)
- Al-Nassr (in Al Fateh-Al Nassr, Saudi Pro League, 8 p.m.)
- Konyaspor (in Konyaspor-Gaziantep, Super Lig, 8 p.m.)
- Monaco (in Nantes-Monaco, Ligue 1, 9 p.m.)
- Real Madrid (in Celta Vigo-Real Madrid, La Liga, 9:30 p.m.)
Matches of at least three goals overall
- Schalke 04-Kiel, Bundesliga, 6:30 p.m.
- Randers-Viborg, Superligaen, 6:30 p.m.
- Sampdoria-Pisa, Serie B, 8:30 p.m.
The matches of at least one goal per team
- Lipsia-Stuttgart, Bundesliga, 8:30 p.m.
- FCU Craiova-Rapid Bucharest, Romania Superliga, 8:30 p.m.
- Sampdoria-Pisa, Serie B, 8:30 p.m.
The “resounding “
- Estoril avoids defeat and at least two goals overall in Estrela Amadora-Estoril, Primeira Liga, 9:15 p.m.
