We’re back catering to your betting needs for this weekend’s elite-level soccer fixtures across Europe’s top-flight divisions.
Continue reading our betting previews and soccer odds for the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League fixtures involving Manchester United vs. Nottingham Forest, Vfl Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund, and more.
Picks Summary
Manchester United FC vs. Nottingham Forest
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 10:00 AM EDT at Old Trafford
Manchester United FC
A disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur wasn’t the first big-six battle outcome of the 2023/24 EPL season that Manchester United hoped for. Still, they’ll find confidence knowing they’re faced with a much simpler outing this weekend as they welcome relegation battlers of last term, Nottingham Forest, to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils looked hot in the opening 30 minutes against Spurs, but it was all downhill from there. Their 1-0 season-opening win over Wolves was similarly uneventful, and they were lucky to take all three points.
Adjustments need to be made, and manager Erik ten Hag is no fool, so we should expect more creative flair and goal-scoring opportunities versus one of the worst-performing road teams of last season.
Nottingham Forest
Current trends are quite deceiving as they’re unbeaten in 5 of their previous 6 EPL fixtures but have also won just 1 of their last 20 Premier League away games.
They have, however, put on commendable performances in their first two games of the new season but were no match for Arsenal. And a 2-1 success over the newly promoted Sheffield was a fortunate result, having slotted in a late winner.
Premier League Prediction, Odds, & Trends
The Premier League odds naturally favor the home side, and although we’ve witnessed some questionable decision-making by the players thus far, if they’re there’s a time to shine, it’ll be against a lower-level Forest squad.
Moneyline odds are juiced, but the Red Devils proved their early start dangers against Spurs and were unlucky to fail in front of goal. Versus Forest, we expect they’ll capitalize on lesser threatening defense, take an early lead, and cash a halftime/full-time ticket for bettors.
Score Prediction: Manchester United 2 – Nottingham Forest 0
Supporting Trends
- Nottingham Forest has won just 1 of their last 20 EPL away games.
- Forest has conceded at least 1 goal in 11 straight EPL away games.
- Manchester United are unbeaten at Old Trafford in 19 consecutive EPL meetings.
Soccer Pick: Manchester United Halftime/Full-time ML (-110) at Bet365
VfL Bochum vs. Borussia Dortmund
Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 09:30 AM EDT at Vonovia Ruhrstadion
VfL Bochum
Following a relegation battle that saw them maintain Bundesliga status by a mere two points last season, we expected more of a fight from Bochum in their season-opener. However, it was the opposite, as Stuttgart dismantled Thomas Letsch’s side with a 5-0 final score.
Just as worrying as the scoreline was Bochum’s possession, as they managed to see just 39% of the ball last weekend while facing an onslaught of 21 shots and just one attempt on target of their own.
Borussia Dortmund
From relegation battlers to last season’s title challengers, Borussia Dortmund kicked off their campaign emphatically with a 6-1 hammering of Mainz in the DFB-Pokal. Through 90 minutes, they maintained 73% of possession as star man Sebastien Haller netted twice.
Dortmund’s Bundesliga opener wasn’t as thrilling, mind you, and it took them 88 minutes to separate the deadlock as a stubborn Koln side gave Edin Terzic and company a run for their money.
A trip to Bochum won’t provide much worry for Dortmund this weekend, though. After watching their opponent’s shocking display last time out, Reus, Brandt, and Haller will be rubbing their hands at the potential goal-scoring opportunities.
Bundesliga Prediction, Odds, & Trends
The Bundesliga odds are juiced towards the visitors, and rightfully so. After a terrible display of soccer last term, Bochum is seemingly headed down a similar path.
Conceding five goals may have woken this Bochum side up slightly, but they’ll struggle to avoid another whitewash versus one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous strike forces.
Dortmund possesses much more attacking threat than Stuttgart, and we predict a comfortable win with a -1 handicap that can boost us away from the undesirable moneyline price.
Score Prediction: VfL Bochum 1 – Borussia Dortmund 3
Supporting Trends
- Bochum has lost 2 of their previous 3 encounters with Borussia Dortmund.
- Dortmund are unbeaten in their last 3 fixtures versus Bochum (2 wins, 1 draw).
- Dortmund are undefeated in 10 consecutive games in all competitions.
- Dortmund averages 3.50 goals in their most recent fixtures.
Soccer Pick: Borussia Dortmund -1 (-105) at Bet365
Extra Weekend Soccer Best Bets
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Bundesliga – Saturday, August 26
- Bayer Leverkusen ML (-105) at Bet365
Sheffield United vs. Manchester City
Premier League – Sunday, August 27
- Manchester City Halftime/Fulltime ML (-150) at Bet365
