What a weekend we have in store! With big time matches taking place across Europe this Saturday, I’ve decided to pick three games that are sure to keep you entertained morning through evening. I’m calling it, Hat Trick Saturday! We’ll start at the Theatre of Dreams in Manchester. Then, we’ll make our way to the San Siro in Milan, and end our wild ride in Basque Country at San Mames! It should be a real dandy of a day. So without further ado, let’s get you primed for the fixtures to come!
Manchester United FC vs Tottenham Hotspur FC
Premier League: Matchday 10
Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Saturday, October 28th, 2017 7:30AM EST NBCSN
LSB’s early bird special will should set the tone of things to come throughout the day, up and down, passionate and pacy futbol. At least that’s what Tottenham will try to do. Conversely, with “The Special One” toeing the sidelines, we always know that there’s a chance of a drawn-out ugly game taking place, particularly when a club of equal quality is being played against. However, with the Premier League’s top two strikers on show at the Theatre of Dreams in Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku, a goal is most certainly ensured. In addition, keep an eye on the Red Devils’ goalkeeper, David De Gea. As the world’s #1 in my eyes, he’s saved Man U time and again over the past several seasons, and this year is no different. Expect De Gea to come up with some jaw-dropping stops once again against the Hotspur.
LSB Prediction: With Manchester at home and De Gea in goal, I’ll give the edge to the Red Devils. Kane and company will have their chances to score, but De Gea will refuse to concede. In addition, Lukaku will strike courtesy of a headed cross for the game’s lone goal. 1-0 Manchester United FC
AC Milan vs Juventus FC
Serie A: Matchday 12
San Siro, Milan, Italy
Saturday, October 28th, 2017 12:00PM EST beIN SPORTS
For lunch, we have a fixture pitting two of Italy’s most successful clubs against one another. Juventus holds the record for most Serie A and Coppa Italia titles with 33 and 12 respectively. Meanwhile, AC Milan olds the most European Championships of any Italian side with 7, which ranks second overall in Europe. In addition, both Juve and Milan are tied for most Supercoppa Italiana with 7 a piece. Couple this trophy-laden success with the match’s San Siro backdrop, and a feisty spectacle is in store. The man to watch for is without question Leonardo Bonucci. Currently AC Milan’s captain and starting centerback, Bonucci will be squaring off against his former club from Turin for the first time. He was instrumental for the Zebras over the years, really anchoring the backline, which became a symbol of what Juve was all about— lockdown defense. In addition, keep an eye on Hakan Calhanoglu for the Diavolo and Paulo Dybala for the Bianconeri. Two young, but incredibly talented playmakers will surely show flashes of brilliance throughout the match.
LSB Prediction: The San Siro will be rocking, but Milan has been reeling. This is a tough one to call, as Juve has, actually, also been reeling as of late. Calhanoglu will strike a wondrous free kick past legend goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, but in the end Dybala will have the last laugh as he braces for the Bianconeri and leaves Bonucci scratching his head. 2-1 Juventus FC
Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona
LaLiga: Matchday 10
San Mames, Basque Country, Spain
Saturday, October 28th, 2017 2:45PM EST beIN SPORTS
The hat trick match of the day takes us to Spain, as LaLiga table setter Barcelona heads to Basque Country to take on Athletic Club. Historically, this match has always been a fierce hard fought affair, particularly when played at San Mames. Expect Los Leones to press high up the pitch, in an effort to force Barcelona into turnovers inside their own half. Plenty of fouls and yellows will be distributed, as well as an attempt to slow down La Pulga. Slowing down La Pulga is easier said than done, though. Leo Messi currently leads LaLiga, and Europe as a whole, in goals scored this campaign. But what else is new? However, the key player, this match, could be Luis Suarez. Los Pistoleros has uncharacteristically sputtered in front of goal many times this season. If he can get things going, then an already leading LaLiga squad will become even more dangerous. It’s just a matter of time before Suarez gets off the schneid— this could be the game.
LSB Prediction: With Ernesto Valverde coaching against his former club in Athletic, Los Leones will have a little more motivation this time around against FCB. The San Mames crowd will be raucous at the opening whistle, but by game’s end, Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, and the rest of Barcelona will be in the ascendancy as another three points will be collected on the road. 3-1 FC Barcelona