The challenge between Ben Camille and Times of Malta Sports Editor Valhmor Camilleri is heating up, as they continue trying to predict the results of the hottest games happening this weekend.
How did they do last week?
Ben Camille has managed to fight back and close the gap on the second week of the challenge. In fact, he managed to guess two correct scores from last week’s matches – Juventus vs Udinese 2-0 and Atalanta vs Inter 0-0 – while also managing to predict that Manchester City will beat Chelsea to gain 90 points.
On the other hand, Valhmor Camilleri managed to guess just one correct result – Manchester City vs Chelsea 1-0 – while also having predicted that Juventus would have the better of Udinese to finish the weekend with 50 points.
Total Scores after week 2
In the overall standings, Valhmor Camilleri is leading the way with 140 points while Ben Camille is close behind with 110 points.
We will keep you updated with a tally of their scores every week. A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
Juventus vs Milan (Sunday, January 23 at 20.45)
Milan’s Serie A title credentials will be put to severe to test on Sunday when they travel to Juventus.
The Rossoneri are still licking their wounds following their stunning upset to Spezia at the San Siro Stadium last Stadium which ended their hopes of overhauling Inter at the top of the Serie A standings.
Milan have been in fine form lately as three successive league wins had catapulted them just behind leaders Inter and will hope to put behind them their upset to Spezia as they look to pile up the pressure on their neighbouring rivals.
But they will surely have their work cut out against a Juventus side who have won four of their last five league matches and are just one point behind fourth-placed Atalanta, albeit having played a game more.
In midweek, Juventus breezed into the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia when they beat Sampdoria 3-1 and coach Massimiliano Allegri will hope his team can gain a crucial win in their chase for a Champions League spot next season.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Juventus vs Milan 0-0.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Juventus vs Milan 1-1.
Manchester United vs West Ham (Saturday, January 22 at 16.00)
David Moyes takes West Ham to Manchester United on Saturday seeking a rare win at Old Trafford to boost his team’s top-four chances and deal a blow to his former club.
West Ham, who have punched above their weight this season, are currently fourth in the table but could slip to seventh if they lose and Tottenham and Arsenal both win this weekend.
Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for the Hammers in recent years – they have not won there in the league since 2007.
But United, who were indebted to goalkeeper David de Gea for a string of saves in their midweek 3-1 win at Brentford, have not convinced under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
In-form West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen will fancy his chances against the home side’s leaky defence even though United have the firepower to hurt opponents.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Manchester United vs West Ham 2-0
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Manchester United vs West Ham 1-0.
Chelsea vs Tottenham (Sunday, January 22 at 17.30)
Tottenham face London rivals Chelsea as they look to step up their chase of Champions League berth.
Spurs are yet to suffer a league defeat under Antonio Conte after their incredible 3-2 victory against Leicester in midweek, in which Steven Bergwijn scored twice in stoppage-time.
Spurs are desperate to qualify for the Champions League after missing out for two years in a row and they now find themselves just one point behind fourth-placed West Ham with three games in hand before their trip to Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel faces a battle to rediscover Chelsea’s mojo, unable to hide his frustrations over his under-performing forwards, including record signing Romelu Lukaku.
The Blues topped the Premier League table early last month but a dismal run of just two wins from nine top-flight games since has left their title challenge in tatters.
German boss Tuchel, whose team are eight points ahead of Tottenham having played four more games, knows he must stop the rot or risk the season unravelling.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Chelsea vs Tottenham 1-0.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Chelsea vs Tottenham 2-0.
Floriana vs Birkirkara (Sunday, January 23 at 18.00)
Floriana will be looking to strengthen their grip on second place in the Maltese Premier League when they face Birkirkara at the National Stadium.
The Greens come into this match in high spirits following their impressive derby victory over neighbouring rivals Valletta that kept them in second place in the Premier League standings, just six points adrift of leaders Hibernians.
A win over Birkirkara would certainly be a huge boost for Floriana’s hopes of securing a Championship Pool berth this season.
Birkirkara, on the other hand, are also coming into the match in high spirits after their extraordinary come-from-behind win over Balzan which saw them score three goals at the death to secure a 3-2 victory.
Ben Camille’s prediction: Floriana vs Birkirkara 0-1.
Valhmor Camilleri’s prediction: Floriana vs Birkirkara 1-1.
Do you reckon you can beat Ben and Valhmor? Let us know your predictions for this weekend’s hottest matches in the comments below.
