Hi everyone. This week I’m focused on the cup matches in England, Germany and France.
Chelsea 1 v 1 Liverpool – Tuesday 3 March – FA Cup – Both Teams to Score (1.55)
Jurgen Klopp has never taken Liverpool this far in the FA Cup, instead prioritising other competitions. However, considering the lead that his team holds in the Premier League, I expect a strong line-up here. The Reds are out for a win having lost their last two away games. Chelsea have only won once in their last five games and have conceded six goals in their last three games. Frank Lampard’s change in formation has given his side more threat on the flanks, though, so I think this will be an open game. I’m backing a Draw in 90 minutes.
Schalke 0 v 3 Bayern Munich – Tuesday 3 March – DFB Pokal – Bayern Munich Win with 1:0 Handicap (1.75)
It’s been a great week for Bayern. They followed a 3-0 win at Chelsea with 6-0 thrashing of Hoffenheim and they actually look stronger away from home than at the Allianz Arena. They have won eight of their last ten games by at least a two goal margin. Schalke, on the other hand, have lost their last two games without scoring. They conceded eight goals in two games and, even though Bayern are missing Robert Lewandowski, they still have plenty of firepower. The visitors have beaten Schalke by two or more goals in eight of their last ten clashes and I expect the same here.
Eintracht Frankfurt 3 v 1 Werder Bremen – Wednesday 4 March – DFB Pokal – Over 2.5 Goals (1.40)
Frankfurt won the Pokal in 2017/18 under Niko Kovac and they’re my favourites to win it this time after Bayern. They have won four of their last five home games and are facing a Bremen team which has lost five of their seven games in 2020. I’m going for a Home Win and I expect Goals. Over 2.5 Goals have been scored in Frankfurt’s last six games and in eight of their last ten home games. It’s also happened in their last seven meetings with Bremen.
Lyon 1 v 2 PSG – Wednesday 4 March – Coupe de France – Both Teams to Score (1.60)
Since losing 4-2 to PSG last month, Lyon have gone unbeaten in their last five games, winning four. They are yet to lose at home in 2020 with five wins and three draws. This points to a tough night for PSG, or at least a more difficult game than usual. That said, the Ligue 1 leaders have only lost once since November 1st and have won 17 of their last 20 games. I think it will be a narrow Away Win and my Match Tip will be Both Teams to Score. It’s happened in four of the last five games between these teams at the Groupama Stadium.
Derby 1 v 2 Manchester United – Thursday 5 March – FA Cup – Manchester United Win (1.45)
The big news here is that Wayne Rooney is set to play against Manchester United. His Derby side have only lost twice at home all season and picked up a good win on Saturday at Sheffield Wednesday. United are unbeaten in their last eight games and have only conceded twice in that run. They have a strong record in the FA Cup lately, having won 11 of their last 15 games. Even though Derby knocked them out of the EFL Cup last season, I still expect the Red Devils to win here and reach the quarter finals.