The weekend is decorated with some mouthwatering clashes in Europe’s top-five leagues. The presence of Champions League fixtures next week adds more flavour to the ones this weekend, with top teams attempting to balance their squads between the two games.
We look at the top fixtures from each of the five leagues and help you sort your viewing schedule for the weekend.
LA LIGA
Fixture: Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
Date: September 29th, Saturday
Time: 11pm, GST
One of the fiercest derbies on the continent promises to be the biggest game of the week when Atletico host Real in the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano. Both teams began their La Liga season in contrasting fashion but are equally hungry for the three points.
Los Blancos drew against Real Valladolid, Villarreal and were humiliated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League before they earned an important away win against Sevilla last time out.
Atletico won their first three games but tasted victory in none of their next three games across all competitions. Diego Simeone’s men will look to earn the bragging rights and create momentum before they fly to Moscow for their Champions League clash with Lokomotiv on Tuesday, with Real hosting Club Brugge the same night.
Los Rojiblancos have won just once at home in their last five attempts across all competitions against their arch rivals.
Key-players: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)
PREMIER LEAGUE
Fixture: Manchester United v Arsenal
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: September 30th, Monday
Time: 11pm, GST
The weekend’s Monday night Premier League fixture will see a struggling Manchester United take on a limping Arsenal. Both teams have suffered heavily already this season and are desperate to avoid defeat at all costs.
The Red Devils have lost to Crystal Palace and West Ham since defeating Chelsea 4-0 on the opening day and Arsenal were on a three-game winless streak before edging past Aston Villa at the weekend. It’s imperative for both teams that they come out on top in a game against an opponent in a similar rut.
Both teams have won twice in the last five encounters with each other in the Premier League and both have scored at least one goal in each of the last five fixtures at Old Trafford.
Key-players: Daniel James (Manchester United), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
BUNDESLIGA
Marcel Sabitzer (l).
Fixture: RB Leipzig v Schalke
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Date: September 28th, Saturday
Time: 5.30pm, GST
A top-of-the-table clash is in store for the fans in Germany, with RB Leipzig clashing with Schalke at the Red Bull Arena.
The hosts have enjoyed a commanding start to the season, winning four games and drawing only against reigning champions Bayern Munich.
Schalke are just three points behind and unbeaten in their last three games. They edged Mainz 2-1 after thumping Paderborn 5-1 and Hertha Berlin 3-0.
Although Leipzig will be favourites, this encounter promises to be an evenly contested affair that could be decided by fine margins.
Schalke have never won at the Red Bull Arena since Leipzig were promoted in the 2016/17 season.
Key-players: Marcel Sabitzer (Leipzig), Amine Harit (Schalke)
LIGUE 1
Dimitri Payet (r).
Fixture: Marseille v Rennes
Venue: Stade Velodrome
Date: September 29th, Sunday
Time: 11pm, GST
Marseille hosting Rennes features as our Ligue 1 game of the week. Both teams started well and picked up three wins but stuttered along the way and are now desperate for a win.
The hosts drew their last two games against Montpellier and Dijon and face a tough task to shake off the slump.
Les Rouge et Noir (the Red and Blacks) famously defeated PSG earlier this season but lost against Nice and later dropped points against Brest and Lille as well.
The last two ties involving the two teams both ended in draws. Will there be more of the same or will one side walk away with all three points?
Key-players: Dimitri Payet (Marseille), M’Baye Niang (Rennes)
SERIE A
Franck Ribery.
Fixture: AC Milan v Fiorentina
Venue: San Siro
Date: September 29th, Sunday
Time: 10.45pm, GST
Two big names will tussle for three points at the San Siro on Sunday night. However, both sides experienced a harsh start to their Serie A campaigns and need the springboard that a win on Sunday could provide.
Milan recorded 1-0 wins over Brescia and Verona but succumbed to a shattering 2-0 defeat to Milan rivals Inter in the derby last week.
La Viola are yet to win a game this season and have collected just two points in four games. But they will take pride in the fact that they took points off defending champions Juventus as they look for their first win.
The visitors won at San Siro last season but that was their only win in the last five games at this venue.
Key-players: Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan), Franck Ribery (Fiorentina)