Pick a corner: Liverpool vs Arsenal, Inter Milan vs. Naples. Tottenham vs Leeds prediction, odds, best bets

The international break is over, which is a big relief because, even though I love international football, it’s almost impossible to bet. Still, halftime went well as it was always watching the US men’s team beat Mexico, but that wasn’t great news for me. I also had to watch Italy go through to Northern Ireland and be held to a goalless draw, which meant Switzerland had beaten Italy in World Cup qualifying. So here I am again, four years later, with Italy in danger of missing out on the World Cup again.

I don’t need this kind of stress in my life. You would think a team capable of winning Euros in the summer could easily qualify for the World Cup, but clearly not. However, it does provide some perspective.

While the USMNT region, Concacaf, is a mess, it’s a much easier road to the World Cup than UEFA for Italy. The fact that Italy was unable to win its group after winning the Euro shows that the competition in Europe is much deeper than here in North America. Now, on to the games this weekend. All odds are through Caesars Sportsbook.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal, Saturday 12:30pm, NBC

Handicap football isn’t easy to start and it’s even more difficult with an international break. Some clubs are affected by traveling players more than others, and then there are teams in good form before halftime. You can’t be sure they’ll turn around and start right where they left off. Here’s why Arsenal fans might be worried. The team had won four games in a row before the break and the Gunners are on a 10-game unbeaten streak. After a slow start to the season, it looks like the team has finally figured out what Mikel Arteta wants it to do, and things are working.

But what if the time gap ruins that? And what if your first game is back at Anfield against Liverpool? One thing that worries me about Arsenal in this position is that, even if they are winning, their attack is not as strong as you’d see against a stronger team. Arsenal have scored and xG against teams like Aston Villa and Watford but have been more reserved elsewhere. Now, they are on a path where they have been much worse throughout the season against a Liverpool that I believe will be a lot better. I think the Gunners will do everything to stop this game and keep in range, which will lead to lower scoring. Select: Under 3.5 (-145)

Featured game | Liverpool vs. Arsenal

This is a big game in Serie A, with Napoli drawing with AC Milan at the top of the table, and Inter Milan – last year’s champions – not far behind both. These matches will determine who will win the tournament this season, and this match does not come at the best time for Inter. Even at halftime, Inter are still dealing with injuries to key players. Reports from Italy are skeptical that Edin Dzeko, Alexis Sanchez or Stefan de Vrij will be able to play, and there are also doubts about Lautaro Martinez. On the other side, Napoli are getting close to 100% of what any team can expect at this point of the season.

However, even without some key players, Inter are still a team with more depth than Napoli and more able to tolerate their absence. The question is how effectively can Inter break through Europe’s best defence? There are 98 clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, and none have scored fewer goals or have a lower expected number of goals allowed (xGA) than Napoli (Chelsea draw Napoli with just four goals). wins are scored, but have played less than one game and have a much higher xGA). Defense was Napoli’s weak point last season, and that’s the first thing new coach Luciano Spalletti set out to overcome. He did, and it is that defense that will help Napoli leave the San Siro with at least one point. Pick: Napoli or Draw (-150)

Featured game | Inter Milan vs. Naples

Tottenham vs Leeds United, CN. 11:30 am, NBCSN

This is primarily a gut game. Antonio Conte is currently managing Tottenham, and he plays with his own style. Some fans consider it boring, and I don’t blame them, because it can happen sometimes. But when Conte’s style of football is done well, like the one consistent with Inter last season, it is breathtaking. While it is fully admitted that trying to predict anything that will happen in a Leeds United match is no different from predicting a random number generator, I believe this is a good match for what Conte wants his teams to do.

Leeds want the ball? Conte and Tottenham will let them have it. It would drag Leeds further and further forward, and then Pierre Højbjerg would intercept a pass, toss it onto the field for Harry Kane, who would catch it to his chest, avoid the defender, move the ball to Son Heung. -min, and Son or Kane will finish to put Tottenham ahead. It might even happen a second or third time because Leeds won’t change the way they play, even if it plays directly into Tottenham’s plans. Then Tottenham will win. Pick: Tottenham (-135)

Featured game | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Leeds United

Weekend skewers

Parlay bets on three columns lose. Do not worry; parlay took time off from international competition to hone his skills and work on his weaknesses. It is now confident it can prevent teams like Chelsea from drawing against a bewildered Burnley because Thomas Tuchel wants to give the players a break. No, the skewers are not spicy. Anyway, this week’s skewers pay +166.

• Atalanta (-420)
• Borussia Monchengladbach (-333)
• Atlético Madrid (-250)
• Manchester City (-550)