The international break is over and this weekend we’re back looking at a bunch of interesting matches across Europe. As usual, we have selected some of the most interesting matches from the best leagues in Europe for you. Derby match in Italy between Napoli and Roma, Manchester United with the new manager go to Ipswich, and in France Nice will try to continue their fine run against Strasbourg.

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Napoli vs Roma (Serie A)

Naples: DLWWW

Rome: LDLWL

Another big derby of Italian football awaits us on Sunday. In the 13th round of Serie A, the leading team, Napoli, welcomes Roma to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. After two straight games without a triumph, including a 1-1 draw against Inter just before the international break, Napoli go into the weekend with a clear mission – to consolidate their position at the top of the Italian league table. Although they are currently the leaders, an incredibly consistent season makes every point crucial. For only the second time in Serie A history, after 12 rounds played, the top six teams are separated by just two points. On the other hand, the situation in Roma is far from ideal. The 3-2 loss to Bologna before the international break was the fourth in the last five Serie A matches, leaving the Giallorossi dangerously close to the relegation zone – just four points above the line. The parallels with the dark season of 2004/05, when Roma also had just 13 points after 12 rounds and were ultimately fighting for survival, are hard to ignore. For a club with such a reputation, this situation is simply unacceptable, and the alarms have been going off for a long time. The poor form has already taken its first victim. Ivan Juric was sacked immediately after the defeat against Bologna and Claudio Ranieri, a seasoned expert with a proven track record in Serie A, returned to the Roma bench. Ranieri, Roma’s fourth manager in 2024, is a symbol of the stability the club desperately needs. If we look at the previous head-to-head matches between Napoli and Roma at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, we will see that seven of the last eight matches ended with goals for both sides, so this result seems to us be the best option for their upcoming game on Sunday night.

Ipswich vs Manchester United (Premier League)

Ipswich: WDLLL

Manchester United: WWDWL

On Sunday, Ipswich host Manchester United at Portman Road in a match in the 12th round of the English Premier League. Both teams won their previous matches. The home team beat Tottenham 1-2, while the visitors beat Leicester 3-0. Ipswich’s return to the Premier League was not easy, but they celebrated their first win of the season by beating Tottenham 2-1 away before the international break. This result is reminiscent of their last Premier League win in 2001/02, which also began with a triumph against Tottenham. However, Ipswich are the only club to have won at home and will need to improve their performance at Portman Road to avoid relegation. A new era begins for Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, their sixth manager since 2013. Despite the poor finish, the Portuguese manager inherits a team that was unbeaten in four games under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. With several players recovered, United are almost at full strength, giving them a good foundation to continue their 19-game unbeaten run against the newly-added clubs. Manchester United are the clear favorites in this match due to their better form, table position and head-to-head ratio. Despite Ipswich playing at home, I think it will be difficult for them to get a positive result. However, I expect to see more than 2.5 goals in this match.

Nice vs Strasbourg (Ligue 1)

Nice: DDWWL

Strasbourg: LLWLD

Nice and Strasbourg will play the last match in the 12th round of the French Ligue 1. The hosts are in better form, they are unbeaten in the last 7 matches in the league while Strasbourg has only one win in their last 5 matches in the Ligue 1 .Nice is in 7th place with 17 points and Strasbourg in 11th place with 13 points and two losses in a row. Nice may lose focus over this game due to next week’s Europa League game against Rangers at home, a game they must win if they want to have any chance of progressing to the next phase. Nice and Strasbourg always played close matches and in their last 5 matches only one ended with more than 2.5 goals, and in only 2 of those matches both teams scored. I expect another tough game that will end with under 2.5 goals.