Frank Lampard’s arrival has created a real buzz about Derby this summer and they can start the new Championship campaign with a win at Reading. The Rams will be looking to build on last season’s sixth-placed finish, whereas the ante-post odds suggest the Royals are facing another relegation battle.
Celtic begin their quest for an eighth straight Scottish Premiership title with what looks a straightforward task when hosting top-flight newcomers Livingston. The visitors are back up to this level for the first time since 2006 and have lost 19 consecutive matches against the Hoops, dating back to 2001.
Barcelona paid the price for making wholesale late changes when losing to Roma in the International Champions Cup but can learn their lesson for the clash with AC Milan. The Catalan giants will be keen to end the tournament on a high note and sharpen up ahead of a Spanish Super Cup tussle with Sevilla.
Juventus have a score to settle with Real Madrid when they meet in the International Champions Cup in Maryland this weekend. The Whites have got the better of the Old Lady in the Champions League for the last two seasons, including when prevailing in the 2017 final.
Burnley had to survive a tough test at Aberdeen in the first leg of their Europa League tie but are now fancied to prove too strong on home soil. The Clarets looked the better team overall in a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie and are expected to improve for that outing in Thursday’s return fixture at Turf Moor.
Rangers had to ride their luck at times when beating NK Osijek in Croatia but are now in pole position to progress from this tricky Europa League tie. The Glasgow giants have looked strong at the back since Steven Gerrard’s arrival at Ibrox and are fancied to narrowly extend the 1-0 advantage on home turf.
Hibs pulled off an heroic comeback in the first leg of their Europa League clash with Asteras Tripolis but may find life tough in the return fixture. Neil Lennon’s side will take a slender 3-2 lead to Greece and their opponents have an impressive record at Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium.
Robert Pires helped Marseille reach the UEFA Cup final, losing to Parma in 1999, after beginning his career with Metz. He was also capped 79 times by France, scoring 14 goals, winning the World Cup in 1998 as well as the European Championship two years later. In part two of an exclusive interview with bwin, the 44-year-old shares his thoughts on French football, both domestically and nationally.
Manchester United have not had the happiest of trips to the US and may struggle to compete against Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup. As well as being without a host of World Cup stars, the Red Devils have been rocked by injuries and other departures to leave Jose Mourinho in a difficult situation.
Tottenham got off to a flying start in the International Champions Cup when thrashing Roma and are value to pick up another positive result against Barcelona in Pasadena. Both teams have travelled to the USA without a whole host of star performers, but Spurs may benefit from having already had a run-out prior to this Rose Bowl showdown.
Chelsea will continue to ease in Maurizio Sarri with an International Champions Cup clash against Inter Milan in Nice and can give their new boss another boost. The Blues beat Perth Glory 1-0 in Sarri’s first game in charge and are fancied to build on that by coming out on top again at Allianz Riviera.
New Arsenal boss Unai Emery will face his former club PSG in the International Champions Cup and we’re hoping for an honourable stalemate in Singapore. These teams drew both matches when meeting in the Champions League group stage a couple of seasons ago, so more of the same here would suit us nicely.
Robert Pires won the Premier League and FA Cup on two occasions and was a Champions League runner-up during six successful seasons with Arsenal. In an exclusive interview with bwin, the 44-year-old shares his thoughts on his former club after Unai Emery replaced Arsene Wenger in the hot-seat at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal look well placed to avenge last season’s Europa League loss to Atletico Madrid when they meet in the International Champions Cup in Singapore. Unai Emery will be keen to make an instant impression with the Gunners, while Diego Simeone must do without key players not back from World Cup duty.