A new era has begun for both Derby and West Brom and Saturday’s Pride Park clash will help to show which is in better shape to push for a return to the Premier League. Both teams went close last season but missed out in the Championship play-offs and now have new managers in charge.
Real Madrid have gone 10 seasons without losing their opening La Liga fixture and can extend that impressive record when visiting Celta Vigo. The Whites have claimed seven wins during that period and are fancied to add to that tally, with a fired-up Zinedine Zidane back at the helm.
Home advantage proved decisive in both games when Huddersfield and Fulham met in the Premier League last season and that trend could continue in the Championship. The Cottagers are still trying to play a passing game, but those tactics look questionable on a pitch also used for rugby league.
Bayern Munich appear to have been handed a nice start to the new Bundesliga season as they head off in search of an eighth straight title by hosting Hertha Berlin. The visitors do have a decent record against them, though, losing just one of their last five encounters in Germany’s top division.
Barcelona begin their quest for a third straight La Liga title by visiting Athletic Bilbao on Friday night and are fancied to get off to a flying start. The Catalan giants were twice held to a draw by the Lions last term but now look refreshed and raring to go following some impressive summer signings.
Reading and Cardiff drew twice when last meeting in the Championship a couple of seasons ago and we’re expecting a similarly even contest. The Royals have brought in promising reinforcements in a bid to avoid another relegation battle, while the Bluebirds are eyeing a quick return to the Premier League.
In the second part of our exclusive interview, the former striker discusses how he feels his old clubs Man Utd, Tottenham and Everton will fare this season. The 20-times capped France international, who won two Premier League titles, talks about new players and the prospects for his teams.
Motherwell haven’t beaten Celtic since 2015 but they have held the Hoops to a draw in their last thee Scottish Premiership meetings at Fir Park. The Steelmen have started this season in solid form and face visitors coming off a Champions League trip to Romania, so this could be another close encounter.
The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend so bwin caught up with Louis Saha to get his thoughts on how the summer transfer window has gone. In an exclusive interview, the Frenchman gave us his thoughts on some of the transfer dealings of three of his former clubs – Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton.
Huddersfield begin life back in the Championship with a tricky test against Derby but home advantage can help them to hit the ground running. The Terriers obviously face a test of character after being relegated from the Premier League, but we feel they have the mental fortitude to thrive at this level.
Arsenal have enjoyed a decent pre-season campaign but face a tough test when taking on Barcelona for the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants have come out on top in this contest for the past six years, scoring 28 times and conceding only twice in those fixtures.
Tottenham are fancied to continue a promising pre-season run of form by beating Inter Milan on home turf in the International Champions Cup. Spurs will have history on their side, having won all three previous meetings with the Nerazzurri in London, including last November’s 1-0 Wembley triumph.
Rangers have only won once in their last seven trips to Rugby Park but can improve that record in their Scottish Premiership opener against Kilmarnock. Killie have lost manager Steve Clarke since finishing third last term and suffered an embarrassing Europa League defeat here recently.
Luton will be fired up for their Championship debut following back-to-back promotions but could get a reality check when entertaining Middlesbrough. The visitors only just missed out on making the play-offs again last term and were in the Premier League as recently as three seasons ago.