Manchester City are favourites to bounce back from their St James’ Park defeat on Tuesday, but a clean sheet is unlikely for a Citizens’ defence that have looked vulnerable in recent times.They have scored 14 goals in their last seven matches, but they have just one clean sheet to their name in this period and face an attack-minded Bayer Leverkusen side that have scored in 16 of their 17 fixtures this season.

Sporting and Club Brugge have both averaged two goals per game in the Champions League this season, and another high-scoring affair is expected at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday.All four of the hosts’ European outings this season have featured goals at both ends, and Club Brugge’s six-goal thriller at home to Barcelona earlier this month made it eight goals scored and ten conceded in this competition.

Genk’s last Europa League outing was a stunning 4-3 win away to Sporting Braga, and both teams have scored in six of their ten home games this season.Basel have scored in three of their four Europa League assignments this season but have only managed one clean sheet, so expect the goals to flow at the Cegeka Arena on Thursday.

Borussia Monchengladbach put three past Heidenheim without reply on Saturday, but their back line is expected to come under more pressure when RB Leipzig visit Borussia-Park.Both teams have scored in the hosts’ last two home games and RB Leipzig have scored 12 and conceded five in their last four away games, with goals at both ends being scored in three of them.

Monaco suffered a shock 4-1 reverse at Rennes on Saturday to make it three defeats from their last four, but Les Rouge et Blanc still have one of the best attacking records in Ligue 1, and they should be able to trouble PSG’s defence.Only Les Parisiens and Marseille have scored more goals than Monaco, who have seen a league-high 50 goals across their 13 fixtures. They have scored in seven of their nine home games, while both teams to score has landed in six of PSG’s last eight on the road.

Only La Liga’s top four have a better attacking record than Sevilla and Real Betis this season, and the goals should continue to flow at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.Both teams have scored in five of Los Nervionenses’ six home games this term, and all seven of Real Betis’ domestic away games have featured goals at both ends.

Crystal Palace had won four out of five games ahead of their loss to Strasbourg in midweek. The Eagles have only suffered one home defeat all season, while United have conceded at least twice in five of their six league trips. Ruben Amorim’s side suffered a disappointing setback against Everton on Monday, while the Eagles have impressed in the league so far.

Celtic won 3-1 at Feyenoord in midweek and they’re on the road again in the league. Hibs have scored in all but one of their home games this term, while the third-placed hosts should offer some threat going forward.

Villarreal look the better side by some distance right now. They’ve won four on the spin, seven of their last nine overall and three of their last four away. Their attack is flying — two or more goals in seven of nine — while Sociedad have gone seven games without a clean sheet. The visitors have the momentum and the firepower.

Strasbourg have scored 13 goals in six home games and sit nine places above Brest with five wins from 13 matches. Brest have lost six of their last eight away games and have not won any of their last three on the road. Strasbourg have conceded only two goals in six home matches.

Crystal Palace had won four out of five games ahead of their loss to Strasbourg in midweek. The Eagles have only suffered one home defeat all season, while United have conceded at least twice in five of their six league trips. Ruben Amorim’s side suffered a disappointing setback against Everton on Monday, while the Eagles have impressed in the league so far.

Aston Villa have won 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions, while Wolves have lost five on the spin in the league. The hosts have conceded at least 1.1 xG in five of their last six, while Wolves’ set piece threat should target a weakness in Villa’s backline.

Forest have won their last three games, while they’ve won four of seven outings under Sean Dyche. Brighton have lost three of their six league trips this term, while they tend to struggle against resolute sides like Dyche’s Forest.

West Ham have taken seven points from their last three games, while Liverpool have lost nine of their previous 12 in all competitions. The Reds have lost six of their last seven league games, while they’ve lost four of six trips so far.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six trips to Stamford Bridge with three wins and three draws. They have won four of their six Premier League away games this term while Chelsea have lost two of their last four home league games.

Tom: Rangers are a perfect four wins from four in the Scottish Premiership under Danny Rohl, but their early-season struggles have not been completely eradicated, as evidenced by their failure to beat Braga in the Europa League on Thursday despite leading and playing for the best part of 30 minutes against 10 men.The Gers should have enough to see off Falkirk on Sunday, but they have kept just two clean-sheets across their last 13 matches in all competitions and are liable to concede given the visitors are themselves in decent form, losing just one of their last seven matches.

Tom: Aston Villa have won four games in a row in all competitions and things are looking up under manager Unai Emery after a slow start this season.The Villans are now up to fourth, while opponents Wolves are still winless on two points from 12 games. Emery’s side have only conceded 11 goals this season, only three teams have conceded fewer.Wolves have conceded a league-high 27 goals and should fall short without troubling the scoresheet, with the Old Gold only scoring one goal on their travels this season.

James: Nottingham Forest are building a head of steam under new manager Sean Dyche and Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League victory over Malmo was their third win in a row, following successes over Leeds and Liverpool.The Tricky Trees are unbeaten in Dyche’s four home matches, winning three and drawing one, and they can claim another crucial three points when Brighton head to the City Ground.Fabian Hurzeler’s visitors have won just once away from home in the league this season and they have failed to taste success in their last four road assignments, losing to Arsenal and Manchester United and drawing with Wolves and Crystal Palace.

Simon: Arsenal can widen the six-point gap they have already established at the top of the table with a win at Stamford Bridge — a happy hunting ground for the Gunners.Mikel Arteta’s men are unbeaten in their last six trips to Chelsea’s home with three wins and three draws, although last season’s 1-1 stalemate was a blow to their title hopes.The manner of Arsenal’s midweek win over Bayern Munich and their consistent away form should give them the confidence to chase victory in west London.Chelsea carved Barcelona open on Tuesday, but will find a Gunners side that have conceded only four goals in their last 11 matches a much tougher nut to crack.

Aaron: Two of Belgium’s top three clash on Sunday, with Anderlecht’s rest advantage likely to give them a boost against the league leaders. Union Saint-Gilloise suffered their first defeat of the campaign away to Club Brugge last month, while they faced a gruelling away trip in Istanbul in the Champions League this week.Anderlecht have won five of their eight home games this term, including each of their last four. Back them to cause problems for USG, who fell short at Mechelen in their last league trip.

Atalanta are 13th with two wins and three losses from 12 matches. Fiorentina are 19th with no wins and six defeats. They have scored four goals in six away games, are winless in 12 league matches, and have failed to keep a clean sheet in 17 of their last 20.

Celta Vigo look the value play at Balaídos. They’ve won three of their last four league games and continue to score consistently, finding the net in 19 of their last 20. Espanyol’s away form has dipped with back-to-back defeats on the road, and Celta’s growing momentum gives them the edge despite the league positions.

Over 3.5 goals looks the clear value. Sporting have hit three or more in four of their league games and remain relentless at home, unbeaten in nine of their last ten at Alvalade. Estrela, meanwhile, continue to play in streaky, open contests and lack the defensive structure to contain Sporting’s attack. With Sporting scoring in every league outing, goals should flow freely.

Having won only one of their last ten matches in all competitions and suffered four straight defeats, it could be worth opposing Ajax again. Groningen are level on points with the hosts after 13 games in the Eredivisie and they have won three of their last four away league games.

Lyon struck six in Europe in midweek and have scored in every home match this season. Nantes also tend to find the back of the net, notching in four of their last five, so they can contribute to an entertaining game, but one that should end in a home victory.

Roma have won four matches on the spin and can consolidate their place at the top of Serie A with a victory over poor travellers Napoli, who have lost five of their last six away games across all competitions.

Gimnasia have put together a four-game winning run and they look like backable underdogs ahead of the trip to Barracas. The hosts have won just one of their last 10 games and have two defeats in their last five at home, while Gimnasia have won each of the last four meetings between these sides.

Birmingham are one point ahead of Watford and they’ve beaten Norwich, Millwall, and Portsmouth across their last three at home, scoring 12 times. Watford have only managed one clean sheet in 17 league games, while they have one away win to their name this term. The Blues have gone three games without a clean sheet, however, so the visitors can at least grab a consolation effort. 

Valencia have one of the worst defensive records in La Liga, while they’re also poor going forward. They’ve scored only twice in their last five, while they meet a Vallecano side who haven’t conceded in their last three. The hosts solid defence gives them a platform for victory here as one goal may be enough to overcome Los Che. 

Braga’s backline has shown signs of weakness of late and there have been goals at both ends in each of their last five across all comps. Arouca have the division’s worst defensive record but they have scored a respectable 13 goals in 11 games themselves and have hit four goals across their last two games so both of these sides should be able to get on the scoresheet.

Lyon struck six in Europe in midweek and have scored in every home match this season. Nantes also tend to find the back of the net, notching in four of their last five, so they can contribute to an entertaining game, but one that should end in a home victory.

Roma have won four matches on the spin and can consolidate their place at the top of Serie A with a victory over poor travellers Napoli, who have lost five of their last six away games across all competitions.

Girona have conceded multiple goals in four of their seven home La Liga matches, losing three, while Real Madrid have won four of their six away league games with at least three goals in three of those. It would be a shock if Girona kept the visitors quiet for long on Sunday and a 2-1 away win seems the most likely outcome given Xabi Alonso’s side have conceded in four of their last five away league games.

Over 3.5 goals looks the standout play. Porto are flying at the top of the table with ten wins from eleven, while Estoril are involved in high-scoring chaos almost every week. No side has featured in more over-3.5-goal games than Estoril, and six of their last seven away matches have cleared that line. With Porto dominant at home and Estoril dangerous but leaky, another goal-heavy match is firmly on the cards.

Galatasaray have dominated the Intercontinental Derby with five wins and just one defeat in their last eight meetings with Fenerbahce. Gala have five wins in six trips in Super Lig and have three wins in their last four trips to Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Gala are the league leaders in Turkey and they can pull off a minor upset and see off Fener on Monday. 

Gimnasia have put together a four-game winning run and they look like backable underdogs ahead of the trip to Barracas. The hosts have won just one of their last 10 games and have two defeats in their last five at home, while Gimnasia have won each of the last four meetings between these sides. 

Bologna are unbeaten in 12 games and they’re aiming for a fourth win on the bounce. Cremonese have lost each of their last three Serie A outings, and they’re expected to fall short against a Rossoblu side who have put themselves in the mix for Europe once again.

Birmingham are one point ahead of Watford and they’ve beaten Norwich, Millwall, and Portsmouth across their last three at home, scoring 12 times. Watford have only managed one clean sheet in 17 league games, while they have one away win to their name this term. The Blues should be able to make home advantage count. 

Valencia have one of the worst defensive records in La Liga, while they’re also poor going forward. They’ve scored only twice in their last five, while they meet a Vallecano side who haven’t conceded in their last three. The hosts solid defence gives them a platform for victory here as one goal may be enough to overcome Los Che. 

Arouca sit second from bottom in Portugal’s top flight with six defeats in 11 games. Braga should have far too much for their hosts, who are conceding on average just under three goals per-game.