Happy Tuesday everybody!  This week in the European footballing world, we have blockbuster matches taking place all over the continent!  Whether it’d be a league or domestic cup fixture, historical rivals will be taking to the pitch from Tuesday through Sunday.  Thus, I’ll be providing short and sweet analysis over multiple matches instead of my typical game of the week.  This way I can get you primed for an epic week of footballing fun!  Here we go!

Mid-Week Matches

Liverpool FC vs Chelsea FC (Premier League, Matchday 23)
Tuesday, January 31st, 2016
Anfield, Liverpool, England
2:00PM EST NBCSN

Can’t kick-off the week any better than Liverpool vs Chelsea!  A matchup pitting two of England’s highest profile clubs, It’s sure to be a mid-day delight.  The Blues currently sit top of the table and the Reds are still possessing a Champions League spot in fourth.  Also, make sure to not only tune in to the performances on the field, but rather on the sidelines as well.  With Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte patrolling the white line, it should be theatre at its finest!  

LSB Prediction: Diego Costa produces the game winner late-on after a frantic paced final 30’. 2-1 Chelsea FC

Club Atletico de Madrid vs FC Barcelona (Copa del Rey, Semi-Final Leg 1)
Wednesday, February 1st, 2016
Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid, Spain
3:00PM EST BEIN Sports

Spanish football fans should be salivating at this Copa del Rey Semi-Final tie between two of the country’s top four clubs.  La Copa record holders Barcelona have their eyes set on a third consecutive title.  Meanwhile their Champions League thorn Los Rojiblancos will be looking to light up the famed Calderon one last time in La Copa play before the club heads to its new digs next season.  The matchup to watch will be the MSN vs Atletico’s back four.  Both are supreme at their respect ends of the pitch, but who’ll win the day?

LSB Prediction: Diego Simeone will have his Red and White’s playing inspired, aggressive, and determined defensive football, squeezing this one out with a Yannick Carrasco goal on the counter. 1-0 Club Atletico de Madrid

Weekend Fixtures

Chelsea FC vs Arsenal FC (Premier League, Matchday 24)
Saturday, February 4th, 2016
Stamford Bridge, London, England
7:30AM EST NBCSN

The North London Derby between the Blues and Gunners is our early bird Saturday special!  I love waking up to top-flight Prem League action on the weekends, and this one between city rivals should have us on the edge of our couches early.  The passion will run high and the pace will be frenetic, culminating in quite a few goals.  But remember, if you’re looking for Arsen Wenger’s sideline reactions, don’t bother as he’ll be absent due to his four match ban for shoving an official two weekends ago.  Ah Arsen! 

LSB Prediction: Winning two blockbuster games in five days time will be too much to ask of Chelsea, but a draw against second place Arsenal is certainly in the cards.  2-2 Draw

AS Monaco FC vs OGC de Nice Cote d’Azur (Ligue 1, Matchday 23)
Saturday, February 4th, 2016
Stade Louis ll, Fontvielle, Monaco
11:00AM EST BEIN Sports

Ligue 1’s top two clubs square off at the Stade Louis in Monaco for what should be a high octane affair, and a possible table separator.  Focus your attention on the young talented French International Thomas Lemar for the Red and Whites.  Meanwhile Mario Balotelli for the Eagles is always exciting to watch.  Wether it’s his electric on-field performance or his off-field antics, Balotelli is sure to provide some drama.

LSB Prediction: With the home crowd behind them, I foresee Monaco pushing forward time and again.  And despite Mario’s efforts, the Red and Whites will simply provide too much offensive firepower.  3-1 AS Monaco FC

Juventus FC vs FC Internazionale Milano (Serie A, Matchday 23)
Sunday, February 5th, 2016
Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
2:45PM EST BEIN Sports

The Derby d’Italia is our week long capper, and what a final game it shall be.  Two northern Italian rivals, both having trophy-enriched pedigrees, will provide an atypical Italian style of football.  There will be lots of physicality, passion, and defensive prowess equalling few quality chances at either end.  So goals will be at a premium in this one.

LSB Prediction: Over 90’ the cream will rise to the top, as it so often does.  The Zebras will go away winners courtesy of a Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain combination.  1-0 Juventus FC