Top European football leagues are in full swing, with exciting matchups lined up for the weekend.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen clash for the top spot, while in Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain look to take advantage of Monaco’s slip-up. The Italian Serie A sees an early-season Milan derby, while in the Premier League, Manchester United face a rejuvenated Brighton & Hove Albion. La Liga sees Real Madrid and Barcelona continue their title bids.
September 15.
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) :
After three rounds, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are the only teams with a perfect winning record in the German Bundesliga. Leverkusen is currently at the top of the table due to a higher number of goals scored and a better goal difference.
With five teams three points behind these two, both clubs will be looking for a win to maintain their lead. A draw will keep them in their respective positions.
As the defending champions, Bayern Munich will be keen to take the lead by demoting Bayer Leverkusen. They have the home advantage to do so in this round, but Leverkusen has demonstrated strong scoring capability.
In their last meeting, Leverkusen won 2-1, but Bayern Munich were 4-0 winners in their last home game against Leverkusen.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Nice (FRENCH LIGUE 1) :
Paris St. Germain knows that a victory against Nice could put them at the top of the Ligue 1 standings, provided that Monaco loses to Lorient.
September 16.
Inter Milan vs. AC Milan (ITALIAN SERIE A) :
An early Milan derby in the season brings a battle for first place in Serie A.
Three rounds into the new season, Inter Milan and AC Milan are the only teams in the league with a perfect winning record. Both teams have scored 8 goals. However, Inter Milan is currently at the top of the table as they have not conceded any goals yet.
Could AC Milan become the first team to score against Inter Milan this season?
The winner of the tie takes the top spot at the end of the final round.
Juventus and Lecce will hope to take advantage of the outcome. If there is a draw, Juventus can still take the top spot with a right winning margin against Lazio. Similarly, Lecce can achieve the same with the right result against Genoa.
Inter Milan has won in the last four meetings, two of which were in last season’s Champions League semifinal and the other one being a Super Cup final win. Regardless of how the season ends for the Milan clubs, this is a result they will look back on.
Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) :
Manchester United will return to Old Trafford in search of a result to make up for their defeat in London against Arsenal. A game against Brighton would have been the type to give them the boost they needed, but this version of Brighton appears to be a contender for Champions League qualification.
Brighton is coming off a 3-1 win against Newcastle United. While they were 1-0 winners in their most recent meeting with Manchester United, they fell 2-1 when they visited Old Trafford.
Genoa vs. Napoli (ITALIAN SERIE A) :
Napoli suffered a 2-1 defeat to Lazio in their last league game. The league champions will be looking to avoid dropping more points by ensuring a victory against Genoa.
Interestingly, Genoa’s only win of the season thus far came against Lazio.
PSV Eindhoven vs. NEC Nijmegen (DUTCH EREDIVISIE) :
PSV Eindhoven will aim to maintain their perfect record in the Eredivisie as they host NEC Nijmegen.
PSV Eindhoven needs the win to keep up in the early title race, while NEC Nijmegen requires the result to move further from the relegation zone.
Vizela vs. Benfica (PORTUGUESE PRIMEIRA LIGA) :
Given their Super Cup final victory over Porto, few would have anticipated them dropping any points at this early stage of the season, but Benfica did that in their season-opening fixture against Boa Vista, but they’ve bounced back with consecutive wins to stay on course to defend the league title. Vizela is up next.
Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad (SPANISH LA LIGA) :
Real Madrid is currently the only club in the Spanish La Liga with a perfect winning record of 4 wins out of 4 games. They will maintain their top spot if they continue their winning streak with a victory against Real Sociedad.
Barcelona vs. Real Betis (SPANISH LA LIGA) :
Barcelona is undefeated in their title defense and has picked up only wins since starting the season with a draw against Getafe. Next on the schedule for Barcelona is Real Betis.
Juventus vs. Lazio (ITALIAN SERIE A) :
With Inter Milan and AC Milan facing off against each other, Juventus has the opportunity to take maximum advantage from the “Milan derby” results with a win. In their upcoming match, Juventus will play against a Lazio side that is coming off their first win, having beaten the defending champions (Napoli) ‘2-1’.
Freiburg vs. Borussia Dortmund (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) :
Dortmund has failed to win two out of their three games, losing leads in their last two matches. They will face Freiburg, who are on equal points. Both clubs have a chance to reach the top four at the end of this round.
Wolfsburg vs. Union Berlin (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) :
Wolfsburg and Union Berlin are both coming off their first league defeats of the season. Union Berlin lost 3-0 at home against RB Leipzig, while Wolfsburg were defeated 3-1 away against Hoffenheim.
This is a crucial game for both clubs to redeem their seasons.
September 17.
Sevilla vs. Las Palmas (SPANISH LA LIGA) :
Sevilla season has been three defeats from three games. They will get an opportunity to put their first point on the league table when they take on newly-promoted Las Palmas.
Las Palams have done everything but win – two draws and two defeats in four games.
Bournemouth vs. Chelsea (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) :
Chelsea didn’t have a great last season, and have started this season with a win and two defeats from their opening four league matches. For a team that is out of continental cup football competitions, Chelsea can’t afford a year that keeps them out of the ‘top 6.
Up next for Chelsea is an away game against a Bournemouth side that is yet to win a league game. Chelsea would want to do everything in their power to not become the first team Bournemouth beat in the league this season.
Chelsea were ‘3-1’ winners on their last visit to Bournemouth.
Roma vs. Empoli (ITALIAN SERIE A) :
Roma have gone through their opening three games without a win, losing two. Empoli has gone through their opening three games without a win, losing all. It is an opportunity for both clubs to make amends for a poor start, especially Roma.
Lyon vs. Le Havre (FRENCH LIGUE 1) :
The start Lyon have had to their season is somewhat unexpected, and an underachievement. After 4 rounds, they are bottom of the league table with no wins and three defeats. Playing at home against recently promoted Le Havre should be an opportunity for Lyon to get a win on the board.
Le Hare is coming off their first win of the season after beating Lorient ‘3-0’.
Newcastle United vs. Brentford (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) :
Pre-season expectations were high for Newcastle United.
So far, they are stumbling and hovering above the relegation zone after losing three of their opening four matches. Newcastle United’s next task will be hosting an unbeaten Brentford side.
Lorient vs. Monaco (FRENCH LIGUE 1) :
With Paris St. Germain on their tails, Monaco must come up with a win against Lorient.
Monaco is at the top of Ligue 1 by just 2 points.
Twente vs. Ajax (DUTCH EREDIVISIE) :
Ajax is unbeaten, but they only have one win from their opening 3 matches of the Eredivisie season. They will be traveling to face a Twente side that is also unbeaten in their opening three matches, but has done so it a perfect winning record.
AZ Alkmaar vs. Sparta Rotterdam (DUTCH EREDIVISIE) :
AZ Alkmaar aims to secure a home victory against Sparta Rotterdam, in order to claim a perfect record of 4 wins out of 4 matches in the Eredivisie. Meanwhile, Sparta Rotterdam has remained unbeaten, despite not being perfect. They even prevented the defending champions from securing a win.
