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2024/25 Champions League Predictions for the Quarterfinals

6Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

2024/25 Champions League Predictions for the Quarterfinals

On Tuesday, the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 Champions League season will begin, and while defending champions Real Madrid are always the favorites until proven otherwise, they have been significantly outplayed by Barcelona in their own league and barely survived the Round of 16 against crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are still sticking around despite their struggles in the Premier League and have a big-ticket battle against Unai Emery's former club PSG, who knocked league phase leaders Liverpool out of the competition. Here are the full predictions for the quarterfinals across both legs. Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan Bayern Munich head into the Champions League quarterfinals with a ton of major injuries to their back line. The most significant one is the t...

5Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

2024/25 Serie A Season, Matchday 31 Score Predictions

Serie A has several tantalizing matchups on Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 season. Here is a score prediction for every game after Friday's 1-0 win for Genoa over Udinese. Monza vs. Como The battle of the two pay-to-play faux underdog stories in Serie A can have only one winner and that is no one. As much as Como are the favorites against a Monza side that is dead last, destined for Serie B, and winners of just two matches all season long, I can see Monza doing just enough to dig their heels in and get a win. After all, Monza are at home and have added motivation against a club whose shoes they were once in. But Monza have bled talent, like Andrea Colpani and Carlos Augusto, without making adequate replacements. Dany Mota comes up with a miracle goal in an ungodly minute of stoppage ti...

2024/25 Bundesliga Season, Matchday 28 Score Predictions

5Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

2024/25 Bundesliga Season, Matchday 28 Score Predictions

After Bayern Munich got the job done on Friday night with a 3-1, come-from-behind win over local rivals Augsburg, let's predict the rest of the games on tap for Matchday 28 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Bochum vs. Stuttgart Bochum upset Bayern Munich (again) and got a point out of Wolfsburg recently, but I don't think anyone seriously thinks they will upend Stuttgart, who have been one of the best teams in the Bundesliga yet again this season despite losing a bevy of talent in the summer 2024 transfer window (mostly to Dortmund). Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade is one of the biggest breakout stars of the season so far, and I bet he adds a 10th goal to his tally as part of a 2-0 win on the road for Die Schwaben. RB Leipzig vs. Hoffenheim You've heard of El Traffico in Los Angeles, but...

2024/25 LaLiga Season, Matchday 30 Score Predictions

5Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

2024/25 LaLiga Season, Matchday 30 Score Predictions

Espanyol just spanked Rayo Vallecano 4-0 on Friday night to kick off Matchday 30 of the 2024/25 LaLiga season. Here are predictions for the rest of the games, including big bouts for Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid. Girona vs. Alaves Girona have only won two games in 2025 and one in the last two months, whereas Alaves have been terrible themselves and sit 17th in the league with the threat of relegation very much a reality for them again. Something's got to give on Saturday, and that something is Viktor Tsygankov, who was supposed to break out as Girona's new star this season after the sale of Savinho to Girona's parent club Manchester City. It's time for the 27-year-old to be the hero this weekend and guide Girona to a scrappy 1-0 win. Real Madrid vs. Valencia There ...

2024/25 Premier League Season, Matchday 31 Score Predictions

5Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

2024/25 Premier League Season, Matchday 31 Score Predictions

Who will win each of the matches on schedule on Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Premier League Season? The biggest match of the week will undoubtedly be the derby between Manchester United and Manchester City on Sunday, but don't sleep on Liverpool vs. Fulham or Brentford vs. Chelsea either. Everton vs. Arsenal Everton's only advantage lies in the fact that they are the home team, because even though Arsenal do have a bevy of injuries that they've been carrying over this season, the Gunners have Bukayo Saka back. To be honest, there isn't much that stands out about Arsenal as a team this season, and it wouldn't be a shock if Nottingham Forest overtook them for second. There's no title race, but Arsenal have a lot of pride on the line and are noticeably and significantly better whenever the...

Grading Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager so far

3Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Grading Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager so far

When Manchester United decided to move on from Erik ten Hag as their manager in November, the Red Devils were reeling in 14th place and in desperate need of a coaching change that, quite frankly, should have come in the summer when INEOS took over. After a few weeks of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy taking care of the club as interim manager - he would later get the Leicester City gig - Ruben Amorim stepped in as the latest hyped up, up-and-coming hire from an established club outside of the top five European leagues. And now five months later, Manchester United sit 13th in the table, not ahead by Tottenham and Everton in 14th and 15th and clearly not significantly improved from Ten Hag's time at the beginning of the season. The minute Amorim stepped in to the job, he told the fa...

Real Madrid are going to unlock Kylian Mbappe’s last major weakness

1Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Real Madrid are going to unlock Kylian Mbappe’s last major weakness

Real Madrid superstar forward Kylian Mbappe is in the prime of his career at 26 and already writing himself into the history books at the Santiago Bernabeu by tying Cristiano Ronaldo's opening tally of 33 goals in all competitions. Although Real Madrid are second to Barcelona in LaLiga and haven't been as impressive overall this season, Mbappe has been the biggest bright spot in a quietly disappointing attack, leading the team with 22 goals while ranking second in the side behind Luka Modric in big chances created. After a rough start to the season, Mbappe has rebounded strongly since a low point against Athletic Club, showing the kind of resiliency that Cristiano, Karim Benzema, and all the other faces of Real Madrid in the past have displayed. But as incredible as Mbappe is as ...

Carlo Ancelotti is realizing what Real Madrid need to finally start their new era

1Apr

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

Carlo Ancelotti is realizing what Real Madrid need to finally start their new era

The word "Revolution" started getting thrown around with regards to Real Madrid in 2019. In the aftermath of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure and an embarrassing 2018/19 season in both LaLiga and the Champions League, Real had an active summer transfer window that set the next five years in motion. Although Eden Hazard was the centerpiece investment of the window as a nine-figure signing from Chelsea and one of the world's best players, it was literally every other addition that made the difference for Los Merengues. Hazard ended up being an unmitigated disaster, but Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Junior, Ferland Mendy, and Eder Militao were all young signings who were regular starters on two Champions League winning teams. Since then, Real Madrid have added a number of other outstanding you...

This Luka Modric stat highlights how Vinicius Junior needs to step up more

30Mar

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

This Luka Modric stat highlights how Vinicius Junior needs to step up more

Real Madrid are in a tough LaLiga title race, and while they helped their own cause after Kylian Mbappe's brace rescued a potential upset loss to Leganes this weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu, it honestly looks like Barcelona are the favorites to take home the title this season. Mbappe's addition to the team has proven beneficial, because, without him as their top scorer, Real Madrid may be facing a more difficult campaign amidst defensive injuries, a midfield lacking control without Toni Kroos, and a down year from Vinicius Junior. Although Vini Jr.'s 10 goals and 5 assists show that he's having a good season overall, he has been left wanting in some ways, and this key stat sheds some light on how. Per stat site Squawka, Luka Modric, at the age of 39 and with just 11 starts this ...

The narrative is already being twisted with Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid

29Mar

By Joe SorianoNo Comments

Analysis

The narrative is already being twisted with Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid

After months of speculation, Real Madrid are seemingly set to secure the signing of free agent right back Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and recent reports indicate that the 26-year-old England international will sign a five-year deal with the Royal Whites. Alexander-Arnold's transfer would be the next in a line of high-profile free agent signings made by Real Madrid, whose president Florentino Perez has made it a goal to either sign superstars or free agents - and nothing in between. Like Kylian Mbappe last summer, Alexander-Arnold would fall into both categories as a superstar free agent who has been on the Real Madrid transfer radar for several seasons now. And his arrival would come at an opportune time, as current starting right back Dani Carvajal - the only senior ri...