Arsenal 2 v 1 Nottingham Forest – Tuesday 24 September – League Cup – Both Teams to Score (1.60)
Unai Emery is set to field several of the young players who beat Frankfurt last week in the Europa League. The Gunners were extremely poor in the first hour of their game against Aston Villa but rallied to win with ten men. They have won seven of their last ten home games in the League Cup. Forest have not lost since the first day of the season and have won four of their last five games in all competitions. They have a good record overall in the League Cup, but they’ve lost their last two away games in the competition. I’m going for a Home Win, although Forest will challenge them.
AS Monaco 1 v 2 Nice – Tuesday 24 September – Ligue 1 – Both Teams to Score (1.85)
Monaco are still without a win this season after a 0-0 draw at Reims over the weekend. They are 19th in the table with three points and could be bottom if they lose here. On the other hand, Nice have won four of their six league games this season, all by a 2-1 score line. These teams drew 1-1 in this fixture last season but it’s worth noting that Nice had a player sent off in the first half. I think that the visitors will win this time and I’m going for another 2-1 score.
Barcelona 3 v 2 Villarreal – Tuesday 24 September – La Liga – Both Teams to Score (1.55)
It would be fair to say that Barcelona haven’t fully got going yet this season. They suffered defeat yet again this weekend at Granada and it’s not often that they are below Villarreal in the standings when they meet. That said, Lionel Messi should start this game after being called upon from the bench on Saturday, and Barcelona have won both of their two home games this season by a 5-2 scoreline. Villarreal have won their last two matches but have lost nine in a row at the Camp Nou. I think Barcelona will win and I expect Both Teams to Score since their defence has looked very vulnerable.
AS Roma 3 v 2 Atalanta – Wednesday 25 September – Serie A – Both Teams to Score (1.40)
This should be a very entertaining game. Roma are unbeaten in their last 13 league games, a run that stretches back to last season. They have won two and drawn two since August with both teams scoring in all four games. Both Team to Score has been a winning bet in all four of Atalanta’s league games this season too. They’ve got one point fewer than the hosts, whom they finished above last season, but I think Roma will come out on top this time and I’m backing Both Teams to Score. It’s happened in eight of the last ten meetings, and both encounters last season ended 3-3!
Inter Milan 1 v 0 Lazio – Wednesday 25 September – Serie A – Inter Milan Win (2.05)
Inter Milan are flying! The Nerazzurri are still top of the Serie A and it looks as though the acquisition of Antonio Conte and Romelu Lukaku have been inspired decisions. They have won all four games so far this season in Italy’s top flight, including the Milan derby on Saturday. Lazio have only won two of their four league games this season and lost away to Cluj last week in the Europa League. They have lost to Inter in three of their last five meetings in the Serie A, so it makes sense for me to back a Home Win here.