Football is one of the most loved sports in the world. There are 3 major events each year which South Africans in particular follow and these are the UEFA Champions League, the English Premier League and the Absa Premiership Soccer League. There are other tournaments such as the UEFA Euro Cup, the African Cup of Nations, the CAF Confederations Cup, the FA Cup, the COPA America Cup and more. Here however we take a look at football predictions for the first 3 major events:
Football Predictions
1. UEFA Champions League Predictions
The UEFA Champions League is a Championship that has football betting fans glued to their seats. Many experts are predicting that the winner will only come from a small pool of teams. So these are the top 6 according to experts:
Bayern Munich – with new coach Carlo Ancelotti on board, many believe that Bayern Munich needed the fresh blood and new approach in order to lead them to a win. They have been in 3 successive finals since 2013, could they be the team to beat this year?
Read Madrid – No side has ever won the Champions League back-to-back and Real Madrid is keen to make history. With this in mind as well as the input of Gareth Bale, Madrid could just take it.
Atletico Madrid – Experts say that Atletico are not the best team but they are the hardest to defeat. Could it be enough?
Manchester City – with arguably one of the world’s best coaches, Pep Guardiola’s impact has been quickly felt at City. Guardiola has never not reached the final four in the European Cup and this year he has the players to win his third trophy.
Barcelona – Barcelona’s strike force makes them a favorite to win and with Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez, arguyably the best players in the world at the moment, they could be hard to beat. Experts are watching them closely this year.
Juventus – After a final in 2014/2015 and an unlucky season last year, Jeventus have been unbeaten in Italy and competitive in Europe.
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2. Football Predictions for the Absa PSL
Football predictions for the Absa PSL are well under way and football fans around the world are watching in anticipation. Mamelodi Sundowns are the team to beat this year, after winning last year’s PSL title. Players such as Khama Billiat and Thabo Nthethe took the team to winning heights last year but can they do it again? Many experts say they can.
Kaizer Chiefs on the other hand have already lost 2 matches this season and need to pull together to forge ahead. Will it be enough to see them through to the final? These are the top 5 according to experts:
Mamelodi Sundowns – last year’s winners and the team to beat.
Kaizer Chiefs – Always strong but just need to pull together.
Bidvest Wits – last year’s runners up and they have the hunger to win this year.
SuperSport United – are off to a slow start, the proof will really be further into the season.
Ajax Cape Town – time will tell whether they are up to the pressure.
Current Betting odds to be announced
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3. EPL Football Predictions
Despite Leicester City’s surprise win last season, many experts are still conservative with their predictions for this seasons EPL winner. Manchester City is currently a firm favourite amongst bookies and bettors as well as Man United and Arsenal. Chelsea is fourth in the betting odds and Tottenham and last year’s winner Leicester City are 6th and 7th. This could be due to the huge signings as United and City have spent big money on securing players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nolito. Chelsea managed to outbid Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace and secured Marseilles’ Michy Batshuayi for £33 million. However as was proven last season, big names don’t always mean winning the cup and although superstar James Vardy was offered a handsome amount by Arsenal he stayed loyal to the Foxes and will continue there for at least the next 4 years. So here are the top 5 according to experts:
Manchester City – A firm favourite amongst bookies.
Manchester United – The return of Jose Mourinho as manager and the inclusion of players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David De Gea into the team this year, United is set for stardom.
Arsenal – Arsenal finished second on the EPL and were eliminated from the UEFA Champions league in the last 16. Could this be a 14th EPL title for them?
Chelsea – One year after winning the title, Chelsea had a shocker of a season in 2015/2016. Chealsea has already signed Michy Batshuayi and Nya Kirby and several other transfers are expected. Coach Antonio Conte is hoping to get them back to winning status by the end of this season.
Leicester City – We cannot exclude one of the greatest triumphs in football history when Leicester City won the EPL last season. The Foxes have held onto Jamie Vardy this season and have a few more tricks up their sleeves. Let’s see if they are able to repeat last year’s victory.
Download full EPL schedule here.
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