Top-of-the-table clashes are set to unfold in the English Premier League as Manchester City takes on Arsenal, and in the French Ligue 1 where Monaco faces Reims. The Milan clubs are determined to build on their strong start, while Juventus seeks to secure points in the Derby della Mole. These are just a few highlights from the exciting football weekend scheduled across Europe.
OUR HIGHLIGHTED FIXTURES TO YOU TO KEEP TRACK OF: Oct 7.: Cádiz vs. Girona (SPANISH LA LIGA) Oct 7.: Real Madrid vs. Osasuna (SPANISH LA LIGA) Oct 7.: Manchester United vs. Brentford (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) Oct 7.: Juventus vs. Torino (ITALIAN SERIE A) Oct 7.: Stuttgart vs. Wolfsburg (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) Oct 7.: Reims vs. Monaco (FRENCH LIGUE 1) Oct 8.: Atlético Madrid vs. Real Sociedad (SPANISH LA LIGA) Oct 8.: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) Oct 8.: Arsenal vs. Manchester City (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) Oct 8.: Bayer Leverkusen vs. FC Köln (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) Oct 8.: Ajax vs. AZ Alkmaar (DUTCH EREDIVISIE) Oct 8.: Porto vs. Portimonense (PORTUGUESE PRIMEIRA LIGA) Oct 8.: Sporting CP vs. Arouca (PORTUGUESE PRIMEIRA LIGA)
October 7.
Cádiz vs. Girona (Spanish La Liga): Girona is coming off their first league defeat of the season (against Real Madrid). A win at Cádiz would help them maintain the momentum they’ve gathered at the start of the season. Cádiz is entering this fixture after squandering a 2-goal lead against Atletico Madrid to lose 3-2. It was the fourth straight game for Cádiz without a win, losing two. What Cádiz and Girona have in common in this fixture is their pursuit of a victory to bounce back from last round’s defeats.
Borussia Dortmund vs. Union Berlin (German Bundesliga): Union Berlin has suffered losses in all their games since winning their opening two league matches. Given their performance last season, Union Berlin is falling short of expectations. The upcoming game in Dortmund doesn’t make it any easier for them.
Burnley vs. Chelsea (English Premier League): Chelsea aims to build on their recent West London derby victory against Fulham with another win against newly-promoted Burnley, who secured their first league win against Luton Town.
Fulham vs. Sheffield United (English Premier League): All three newly-promoted sides in the Premier League were winless at the start of the last round of games. Luton Town ended their drought with a win against Everton, while Burnley secured their first win against Luton Town on Tuesday, leaving Sheffield United as the sole newly-promoted team without a win. Sheffield United will face Fulham in London, with Fulham seeking to recover from a West London defeat.
Genoa vs. AC Milan (Italian Serie A): AC Milan is keeping pace with their city rivals Inter in the Serie A title race. They will seek a win against newly-promoted Genoa.
Inter Milan vs. Bologna (Italian Serie A): Inter Milan will host Bologna in their quest to maintain their lead in the league table. Bologna’s only league defeat came against AC Milan.
Juventus vs. Torino (Italian Serie A): Turin Derby – There is a 5-point gap between Juventus and Torino after 7 rounds of the Serie A season. Torino would love to dent Juventus’ title ambitions, and while a rare Torino win is unlikely, a draw is a possibility. Juventus, on the other hand, will target three points and another derby victory.
The last time Torino won Derby della Mole was April of 2015.
Luton Town vs. Tottenham Hotspur (English Premier League): Tottenham aims to capitalize on the “Arsenal vs. Manchester City” fixture by securing a win against newly-promoted Luton Town. Tottenham is a title contender as things stand.
Manchester United vs. Brentford (English Premier League): The pressure is mounting on Manchester United.
Manchester United have lost their last three home league games and are on the verge of their third consecutive home defeat. If they lose to Brentford, it will be their fourth straight home defeat in the league. To avoid this, they must beat Brentford.
Metz vs. Nice (French Ligue 1): Nice, just a point away from the top of the Ligue 1 standings, will rely on home support to secure maximum points against promoted Metz.
RB Leipzig vs. Bochum (German Bundesliga): RB Leipzig aims to recover the points dropped in their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich by securing a win against winless Bochum.
Real Madrid vs. Osasuna (Spanish La Liga): Real Madrid will host Osasuna in pursuit of maximum points to remain atop the league table at the end of the round. Osasuna will come into the game following their first league win in five matches, having defeated Alaves.
Reims vs. Monaco (French Ligue 1): Monaco can secure their top spot in Ligue 1 with an away win against Reims, who are just one point behind in the standings. Five other clubs—Brest, Nice, PSG, Rennes, and Lille—will be eager to capitalize on the result of this fixture.
Stuttgart vs. Wolfsburg (German Bundesliga): Stuttgart, one point away from the top of the Bundesliga table, seeks a win against inconsistent Wolfsburg. This could prove crucial if Leverkusen were to drop points at home against winless FC Koln, although that outcome remains unlikely.
ADDITIONAL FIXTURES THAT SHOULD BE OF INTEREST: Oct 7.: Inter Milan vs. Bologna (ITALIAN SERIE A) Oct 7.: Genoa vs. AC Milan (ITALIAN SERIE A) Oct 7.: Borussia Dortmund vs. Union Berlin (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) Oct 7.: RB Leipzig vs. Bochum (GERMAN BUNDESLIGA) Oct 8.: West Ham United vs. Newcastle United (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) Oct 8.: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa (ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE) Oct 8.: Lazio vs. Atalanta (ITALIAN SERIE A) Oct 8.: Cagliari vs. Roma (ITALIAN SERIE A) Oct 8.: Marseille vs. Le Havre (FRENCH LIGUE 1) Oct 8.: Brest vs. Toulouse (FRENCH LIGUE 1) Oct 8.: Lyon vs. Lorient (FRENCH LIGUE 1) Oct 8.: Lens vs. Lille (FRENCH LIGUE 1) Oct 8.: Sparta Rotterdam vs. PSV Eindhoven (DUTCH EREDIVISIE) Oct 8.: Napoli vs. Fiorentina (ITALIAN SERIE A) Oct 8.: Rennes vs. Paris Saint-Germain (FRENCH LIGUE 1)
October 8.
Ajax vs. AZ Alkmaar (Dutch Eredivisie): Ajax’s match against RKC Waalwijk was abandoned due to a serious injury to Waalwijk’s goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen. Ajax was leading 3-2 with a few minutes left. We await the Eredivisie’s decision regarding this fixture. This leaves Ajax with two games in hand amidst the relegation battle. The season has been challenging for Ajax, and hosting the undefeated AZ Alkmaar won’t make it easier. However, an unlikely win would provide a much-needed morale boost for Ajax.
Arsenal vs. Manchester City (English Premier League):Manchester City faces a tough battle in London against Arsenal.
Manchester City, the defending champions, and Arsenal, the runners-up from last season, are only one point apart after seven rounds of the new season. Manchester City is looking to bounce back from their first league loss by handing Arsenal their first league loss of the season. Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season in their midweek Champions League match against Lens.
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Sociedad (Spanish La Liga): Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad are one point and one position apart in the league table, with Atletico Madrid having a game in hand. Atletico Madrid will remain in the top four if they avoid defeat, while Real Sociedad can move into the top four with a win. Atletico Madrid won the last meeting between the two teams 2-1.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. FC Köln (German Bundesliga): An exciting mismatch: The undefeated Leverkusen can maintain their top spot by defeating winless FC Koln.
Bayern Munich vs. Freiburg (German Bundesliga): Bayern Munich, two points behind the league leaders, are looking for a convincing home win over Freiburg after having to come from behind to avoid defeat in their previous league game and Champions League fixture.
Brest vs. Toulouse (French Ligue 1): Brest aims to secure maximum points at home against Toulouse and take full advantage of the “Reims vs. Monaco” fixture. As things stand, goal difference is what keeps Brest from the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool (English Premier League): Brighton, coming off a 6-1 loss to Aston Villa, and Liverpool, who suffered a controversial 2-1 defeat against Tottenham, both seek to rebound with a win.
Cagliari vs. Roma (Italian Serie A): Roma, fresh off a league victory against newly-promoted Frosinone, has another opportunity for a win against bottom-of-the-table Cagliari, who are without a win this season.
Estoril vs. Benfica (Portuguese Primeira Liga): Following their Classico victory against Porto, Benfica looks to continue their league-winning streak against relegation-threatened Estoril.
Granada vs. Barcelona (Spanish La Liga): Barcelona, trailing the top of the league by just one point, seeks a win against Granada to compete for the top spot. Despite Granada’s recent draw in their last two games, they appear to be struggling as a newly-promoted team with only one win all season.
Lens vs. Lille (French Ligue 1):After losing four of their first five league games, Lens has turned their season around since the start of their Champions League campaign. They picked up two consecutive league wins, and will be coming off a Champions League victory over Arsenal when they host Lille.
Lyon vs. Lorient (French Ligue 1): Lyon, without a win and with five defeats in seven rounds of the new season, is at the bottom of the league standings. They face Lorient at home, with the expectation of a demanded victory.
Marseille vs. Le Havre (French Ligue 1): Marseille has not won any of their last four league games and hopes to secure a win against newly-promoted Le Havre. Both teams are tied with nine points after seven games, a positive outcome for Le Havre but a disappointing one for Marseille.
Napoli vs. Fiorentina (Italian Serie A): Napoli and Fiorentina share identical records after seven league games and meet this weekend to see if they can separate themselves.
PEC Zwolle vs. Feyenoord (Dutch Eredivisie):
Feyenoord aims to remain unbeaten in their title defense season as they travel to Zwolle. They are currently four points behind the top of the Eredivisie standings.
Porto vs. Portimonense (Portuguese Primeira Liga): Porto suffered their first league defeat of the season against Benfica in the last round. They will start their recovery when they host Portimonense.
Rennes vs. Paris Saint-Germain (French Ligue 1): PSG looks to make up for the points dropped against Clermont in Rennes, but it won’t be easy as Rennes is unbeaten and just one point behind PSG in the league. A heavy midweek Champions League defeat against Newcastle United will also make PSG a bit desperate not to drop points at Rennes.
Sparta Rotterdam vs. PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie): Despite not finding success in continental cup competitions, PSV Eindhoven has a perfect record in the Eredivisie, winning all eight matches since the start of the season. They aim to secure their lead at the top of the table by defeating Sparta Rotterdam.
Sporting CP vs. Arouca (Portuguese Primeira Liga): Sporting CP, the only unbeaten team in the Primeira Liga, aims to continue their streak with a home win against relegation-threatened Arouca, who have won only one of their opening seven league games.
West Ham United vs. Newcastle United (English Premier League): Newcastle United is expected to finish in the top four at the end of the season, but they are currently one point behind West Ham United. Both teams are coming off 2-0 league wins against newly-promoted sides. They meet this weekend to compete for league points, with Newcastle entering the game on a high note after their midweek 4-1 victory in the Champions League against Paris St. Germain.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Aston Villa (English Premier League): Wolves, after ending Manchester City’s perfect start, will host Aston Villa, who are coming off a 6-1 win against Brighton. It promises to be an intriguing contest.
Of the seven defending champions, three dropped points in their last league game, with Manchester City being the only one to lose. Bayern Munich and Paris St. Germain also dropped points in a draw. Bayern Munich and Feyenoord are the only defending champions who are still unbeaten. All the reigning champions will play their next league game on October 8th.
October 8. 2023
Arsenal vs. MANCHESTER CITY
BAYERN MUNICH vs. Freiburg
Estoril vs. BENFICA
Granada vs. BARCELONA
NAPOLI vs. Fiorentina
PEC Zwolle vs. FEYERNOORD
Rennes vs. PARIS ST. GERMAIN
