19:45 Monday

Sochaux vs Paris FC - Paris Win 

The two teams had similar seasons last year both missing out on promotion, with Paris finishing 4th and Sochaux finishing 5th. They kick off their 22/23 season against each other and will both be hoping to get the jump on the other. 

Sochaux have had a decent pre-season, winning three of their five games and recently lost 1-0 to Ligue 1 side Metz. They have added a good number of quality players to their squad so could look like a different outfit this season. They may not be the finished article and could need time to gel, but they should be near the top of the table come the end of the season.

Paris FC also had a good pre-season, winning three games. They haven’t had as drastic a transfer window as Sochaux so should be a relatively similar side to last year. They have added a few good signings to their side, including Pierre-Yves Hamel on loan from Lorient. Because they haven’t changed their squad as drastically as Sochaux and may be a better team from the start of the season, we think Paris may just edge this one. 

19:45 Monday

Magdeburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt - Frankfurt win 

Magdeburg have started their season off with a win and a draw and sit mid table after their opening two games. They are newly promoted to the 2. Bundesliga after storming to the 3. Liga title last year. The last time they played in the 2. Bundesliga was in the 2018/19 season when they were relegated. They will be hoping they can do better this time round and will be looking for survival this season. 

Frankfurt come off an excellent season after winning the Europa League. They didn’t perform particularly well in the league, only finishing 11th but will be hopeful for this year as they have Champions League football to look forward to. They have not yet kicked off their Bundesliga season, playing Bayern Munich on Friday. They then travel to Helsinki to play Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup five days later. With a far superior squad, we think Frankfurt should walk this one.  

20:00 Monday

Watford vs Sheffield United - Watford win

Watford start their Championship campaign off with a visit from Sheffield United. After being relegated from the Premier League last season, they are considered by many bookmakers to be one of the favourites to win promotion once again. They have kept a good squad together, including both Emmanuel Dennis and Ismaïla Sarr, and with a new forward-thinking manager at the helm they have a great opportunity to do just that. However, they didn’t have a great pre-season, losing to both Bolton and Cambridge United, but with a full-strength team at their disposal they will be hoping not to bring this form into the season. 

Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United suffered heartbreak last season, with a play-off semi-final loss to Huddersfield. They have been in the Championship ever since their relegation the year before and will be desperate to get back up. Like Watford, they have had a poor pre-season and have lost both Scunthorpe and Barnsley and were battered by Mansfield 3-0. Heckingbottom will be hoping his team do not continue this string of results into the Championship season. 

Watford are the newly relegated team, have a stronger squad and have home advantage. We think the smart choice here is a Hornets win.