If we could sum up this weekend’s football in just three words, those words would be; busy, busy and busy. The upcoming fixtures have been squeezed in between the international break and for Europe at least, the start of the Champions League and Europa League group stages – the result being that all the big teams are in action over the next couple of days. With the vast majority playing on Saturday.
And just to add some spice to the mix, there are massive derby games here, there and everywhere!
? Friday Night
??????? But as is traditional, we start a mad weekend with something a little gentler. Not that anyone can really call the rush of England’s super-competitive second tier, the EFL Championship particularly gentle. Derby County take on recently relegated, Watford in the Friday night game.
?? Moving to France, the champions and dominant force, PSG are in action against Nîmes tonight. The home side sat only one place above the relegation zone when French football stopped earlier in the year but have started better this season, with Nîmes currently safe in mid-table obscurity. And they could advantage of PSG’s player shortage – with Thomas Tuchel reporting that he had just 11 players available for selection.
? Saturday
??????? Tomorrow’s Premier League action kicks off with one of the biggest games of all as Everton meet Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby. And for once, despite their appalling recent record against their rivals – Everton don’t start as massive underdogs. Unbeaten, and sitting pretty at the top of the table, could we see a first Derby day win in 10 years for the blue half of the city?
As if that wasn’t enough we also get Manchester City vs. Arsenal which in itself, sandwiches the games between Chelsea and Southampton and Manchester United’s trip to Newcastle. ?
??????? North of the border, there’s another of football’s classic match-ups as Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers meet in the Old Firm Derby. As usual, Scotland’s two biggest clubs sit 1st and 2nd in the league but despite this game falling relatively early in the season, it will go some way to determining where the next title ends up.
?? The Derby day feel doesn’t let up away from the UK either as Inter go up against Milan in the Serie A stadium they share. Here’s a little preview of that one.
And in a quirk of the fixture computer – whoever loses that game will get the chance for revenge in the women’s Serie A derby, which takes place on Sunday!
Elsewhere in Serie A – the early season pace setters – Atalanta, who’ve scored 4 or more in each of their games so far play Napoli. And a Ronaldo-less Juventus face Crotone.
?? In La Liga, all the big boys are in action – League leaders Real Madrid host Cádiz whilst rivals Barça go to Getafe and Atlético are at Celta Vigo.
?? The same is the case in the Bundesliga as last season’s top three all play away – Dortmund travel to Hoffenheim whilst RB Leipzig face Augsburg and treble-holders Bayern visit promoted side Arminia Bielefeld.
? Sunday
? In African football, the much delayed CAF Champions League Semi-Finals finally take place over the weekend. And on Sunday, we see Raja Casablanca face Zamalek in a clash between the side who recently claimed the Moroccan title against the side who were just pipped to the Egyptian crown last month.
Whoever comes through that game will play the winners of the earlier Semi between Wydad Casablanca and Egyptian champions, Al Ahly taking place on Saturday evening. With both ties between big domestic rivals, we stand a decent chance of seeing a MASSIVE derby in the Final.
And if it comes down to either an all-Casablanca or all-Cairo clash, it only adds extra drama to their respective title battles back home.
?? Sunday is a busy old day in Spain where six top flight games take place, headlined by the clash between Real Betis and Real Sociedad – the sides sat 2nd and 3rd going into the weekend.
??????? There’s yet more grudge matches in England – with Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United and Crystal Palace vs. Brighton & Hove Albion two of four Premier League games on offer.
And here’s Two Girls Talk Balls with their preview of a WSL weekend that also includes a derby between London rivals:
“The first game of the weekend sees Manchester United play a struggling West Ham, where Stoney will look for the Red Devils to continue their run of form. Another tie to keep an eye on is Bristol vs. Birmingham City, a fixture where both teams will fancy their chances at taking all three points. And last, but certainly not least, is the stand-out game of the weekend: The North London Derby. Top of the table Arsenal play host to Spurs, who may look to capitalise on the Gunner’s string of injuries. And, will the wait finally be over to see Alex Morgan play in the WSL?“
?? And one of the biggest, most spiteful derbies of all in European football takes place between Partizan and Red Star in Belgrade.
Last time out, Partizan got over the disappointment of watching their rivals win the league by beating Red Star in the Serbian Cup Final.
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