There’s numerous big clubs facing off in the top European leagues this weekend, including a big derby, as the tables begin to take shape.
Schalke 04 v Borussia DortmundSaturday 3:30pm European time – German Bundesliga
The first Revierderby of the Bundesliga season takes place on Saturday with one point splitting the two sides after eight rounds. Schalke 04 are seventh but haven’t won in their past two matches, while Dortmund are up to fourth, fresh from beating leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Dortmund played in midweek, losing 2-0 at Internazionale which may have taken some toll, although Marco Reus and Paco Alcacer will return after missing the match in a major boost. Curiously, both sides won at their opponent’s ground in their two matches last season.
Ajax Amsterdam v FeyenoordSunday 5:45pm European time – Dutch Eredivisie
Two traditional Dutch powerhouses meet on Sunday afternoon with reigning Eredivisie champions Ajax hosting 15-time champions Feyenoord. It may only be 10 games into the season but leaders Ajax are already 12 points ahead of their Rotterdam rivals, who sit 10th.
Quincy Promes and Dusan Tadic have both netted six goals this season for Ajax who have a plethora of attacking options. However, Ajax went down 1-0 at home to Chelsea in midweek which will have stirred up Erik ten Hag’s side. These clashes have been high scoring lately. Ajax have won five of their past six meetings, although Feyenoord thrashed them 6-2 last season.
Liverpool v TottenhamSunday 5:30pm UK time – English Premier League
Leaders Liverpool host out-of-form Tottenham who are winless in their past two matches and have only managed four points from their past four. The Reds dropped their first points of the season last weekend, drawing 1-1 away to Manchester United.
Both sides were rampant in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, Liverpool thrashing Genk 4-1 and Tottenham crushing Red Star Belgrade 5-0. The Reds won both of their matches last season and have actually won their past three meetings.
AS Roma v AC MilanSunday 7pm European time – Italian Serie A
Roma will look to overcome their Europa League frustration, after conceding a late equaliser against Borussia Moenchengladbach when they face fellow Italian heavyweights AC Milan. Both clubs are below their best nowadays but that adds to the desperation.
Roma are currently sixth and are winless in their past four matches in all competitions. Milan are down in 12th but have managed four points from their past two games after losing three in a row in the league.
Paris Saint Germain v Olympique MarseilleSunday 10pm European time – French Ligue 1
Title favourites PSG host old rivals Marseille on Sunday evening, with eight points splitting the two clubs after 10 rounds. The Parisians are top of the table while Marseille are fourth, with last weekend’s win over Strasbourg ending a four-game winless run.
PSG are expected to be too good in this contest, particularly given their 5-0 crushing of Club Brugge in Belgium in midweek. But Thomas Tuchel’s side have stumbled twice this Ligue 1 season, going down to Rennes and Reims unexpectedly.
