English Premier League
Manchester United vs. Arsenal: Arsenal, who sit two points off the top, travel to Old Trafford to tangle with a new-look Manchester United. New signings Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will look to continue two trends that Mesut Özil and the Gunners are keen to buck. Arsene Wenger has never beaten Jose Mourinho in the Premier League, and Arsenal have not won at Old Trafford in 10 years.
Tottenham vs. West Ham: While Tottenham are the only unbeaten side in the EPL, they’re intent on avoiding their seventh draw of the season when they host fellow Londoners West Ham in Saturday’s night cap. The Hammers are flirting with the relegation zone, but have gotten points in three of their last five meetings with Spurs – who are hopeful that striker Harry Kane will return from injury.
Southampton vs. Liverpool: Returning from International Break, red-hot Liverpool travel to England’s south coast to take on Southampton on Saturday. Though the Reds are currently alone atop the Premier League and have twice the points, the Saints have proven tough opponents of late, drawing at Manchester City and beating Inter Milan at home in Europa League action in recent weeks. Jürgen Klopp’s squad built a 2-0 lead at St. Mary’s last season through Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge, but lost 3-2. The main culprit? New Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane.
La Liga (Spain)
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid: Atletico Madrid won the head-to-head battle with Real Madrid last season, but Los Blancos got the one win that counted most – the Champions League Final. Atleti have fallen to fourth in the La Liga table, and a second-straight defeat at home in El Derbi madrileno would cripple their hopes of keeping pace with a Real Madrid side that’s unbeaten in all competitions and boasts the electric attacking duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Barcelona vs. Malaga: FC Barcelona can reclaim the top spot in La Liga with a win and a Real Madrid defeat, but the former won’t be easy with a visit from Malaga. The tenth-placed side have lost just once in their last five outings, but none of those came against the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. The star-studded trio has combined for 20 league goals already this season.
Bundesliga (Germany)
Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich: The German powerhouse Bayern Munich travel to the Westfalenstadion to face their rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Bayern is in their usual place atop the Bundesliga, but find themselves neck and neck with the surprise Red Bull Leipzig squad. Dortmund is six points back and looking to keep pace in what is a tight table thus far.
Serie A (Italy)
AC Milan vs. Inter Milan: A.C. Milan and Internazionale will meet for the Derby della Madonnina at their famed San Siro in Milan on Sunday. A.C. Milan are only five points behind leader Juventus in the table, while Inter sit a further eight back. Form and records matter little in this heated rivalry, however. The teams split their two meetings last season.
