The matches keep coming... With less than 40 days left until the World Cup, the club scene isn't leaving anything lacking in the build up. Great games with more great games to follow. Ah, it's just a great time to be alive.

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Let's get straight into it.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It):

Arsenal may just be back, ladies and gents. It was a fantastic game (with some interesting calls) but ultimately Arsenal took the spoils. Mikel Arteta's side may well be in for a title charge, while struggling Liverpool went on to beat Rangers 7-1 in the Champions League midweek.

Late heroics from 34 year old Anthony Modeste saw Dortmund take a point at home in a thrilling Der Klassiker. Dortmund keep pace with Bayern on points in the Bundesliga race.

More late thrillers as Robert Lewandowski bagged this 92' equalizer in a crazy 3-3 game against Inter Milan. Is Barcelona cooking yet?

Quiz Of The Week

When did the highest scoring match between Liverpool and Man City take place?

(Answer at the end of the letter)

The Big One

Sunday –– 11:30 AM ET

Liverpool (+290) vs Manchester City (-120)

This is the big one in English football these days... Despite the fact Liverpool are struggling in the league this season, this is still the blockbuster fixture in the Premier League. Pep v Klopp, two masters of their craft squaring off yet again.

City couldn't be flying any higher. They added to their already incredible team with goal-scoring cheat code Erling Haaland––who is living up to the hype and more. Pep's team will be going for it all this season.

Klopp and Liverpool are in a different frame at the moment. Many questions around recruitment remain, but the fact is they just haven't performed thus far. City are unbeaten whilst Liverpool sit 10th. It is a tough period, but if you remember, Liverpool played exceptionally in the Community Shield against City at the beginning of the season. Reason to hope?

You CANNOT miss this game––you just can't. Forgetting the size and stature of these two, it will just be a high-flying game of football and a real treat on the eyes. City coming in such a heavy favorite goes to show where these two teams are at the moment, but as we know, anything can happen at Anfield...

El Clásico 

Sunday –– 10:15 AM ET

Real Madrid (+120) vs Barcelona (+195)

It's the biggest club match in world football... When these two come together, the whole world watches, and we suggest you do too.

Both teams come in in a good way––both are level atop La Liga with 22 points a piece. Barcelona, meanwhile, have only conceded ONCE all season. They've scored a combined 39 goals in just 8 games.

The general juxtaposition between the two couldn't be more clear. Though both Madrid and Barcelona were financially exposed during the pandemic, they've each handled it drastically different. Madrid have tightened their reigns, sticking largely with what they have and making a few shrewd signings. Barcelona, on the other hand, have sold a piece of every limb of their business, in order to sign player after player after player. Has it paid off? Maybe so. Will it work in the long run? Who knows. But they must win now––that is the standard they've set.

Madrid come in with slightly better odds, mostly because the match will be played at the Bernabeu. Expect Barcelona's stout defence to be breached and goals for both teams.

Dan & Billy's Locks of the Week

Dan's Picks: I backed Man City as free money last week and I will be doing the same this week. City to beat Liverpool at near even money (-120) is as good as it's going to get. Fulham will also beat Bournemouth at home (-110). Bournemouth have collected a decent amount of points, but are way over-performing their xG and xGA. I also love my boys this week, backing Barcelona to win (tie no bet +120) in El Clásico. Come on!!

Billy's Picks: I said last week I hate the board and I wouldn't do well. I was right. What does that mean? I'm due. I'm going to hit you with an FNF pick to kick off the weekend. Take Brighton to beat Brentford away from home (+135). I expect an open game in which Brighton should capitalize. I'm also going to do something crazy this weekend––bet on Manchester United. Home line is -105 against Newcastle, and call me crazy but I think they will win, maybe even handedly. Lastly, I'm going to dip into Serie A and take Lazio (-110) at home against Udinese. Let's hit it.

Red Card Of The Week

Now this is a weird one... Fikayo Tomori was sent off for this foul in Milan's Champions League match against his former club Chelsea. Was it a pen? Was it even a foul? Deemed to have prevented a clear goal scoring opportunity, he was sent off for his troubles.

Goal Of The Week

Norik Avdalyan, of the Russian National Student League, scored this INSANE penalty over the weekend! Who even dares try this?!

Quiz Answer: Despite both clubs hitting huge heights in recent years, the highest scoring game (9 goals) between Liverpool and Man City was actually in 1906! Liverpool won the match 5-4.

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