There’s another weekend of big fixtures coming up, including seven games in the Premier League following the postponement of games due to the Queen’s passing but the pick of the action is on the continent.
Saturday 2:30pm European time - German Bundesliga
It may seem a strange fixture on paper to highlight but Bayern’s three straight draws has left some critics questioning them. The reality is Bayern seldom expect anything but wins, so a major response is anticipated against 13th-placed Augsburg who have two wins and four losses from their six games this season. There has been some talk of disharmony within the Bayern squad too, so there’s a bit to play out on the field.
Sunday 1:30pm European time - Dutch Eredivisie
The Big Three have all started strong in the Netherlands this term, which this fixture marking the first between any of them this season. Ajax are top with a perfect record, with second-placed Feyenoord collecting 16 points from six games so far, while PSV have 15, but they have scored the most goals of all three, netting 24 times. Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons have started exceptionally well, with 13 between them, while Danilo is Feyenoord’s leading marksman.
Sunday 7:45pm European time - Italian Serie A
It’s the champions versus the challengers in Serie A on Sunday night, with Napoli sitting top of the table after six rounds, with 14 points and a league-high 13 goals. Milan are in third, also with 14 points, with four wins and two draws this term. Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud have both scored three times but they’re yet to fully convince. There’s no under-estimating Napoli’s quality, underlined by their strong start in the UEFA Champions League with 4-1 and 3-0 wins over Liverpool and Rangers respectively.
Olympique Lyon v Paris Saint-Germain
Sunday 7:45pm European time - French Ligue 1
It’s a long time since Lyon’s domination of Ligue 1, winning seven straight titles from 2001 to 2008, but they’re still a strong force and will have a big desire to topple the new powerhouse, PSG. The Parisians have won eight of the past 10 Ligue 1 titles, so they’re enjoying their own period of domination, led by big-money signings like Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Lyon had started this season strong, but have lost their past two games to sit fifth, six points behind leaders PSG.
Sunday 8pm European time - Spanish La Liga
El Derbi Madrileno takes place on Sunday evening, with Real sitting top with a perfect record after last season’s title triumph. Atletico are down in seventh, with 10 points from five games. The home side have not lost a Madrid derby since 2019, with Real winning in four of their past six encounters. Doubts remain about Karim Benzema’s availability due to a thigh issue that kept him out of their 2-0 midweek win over RB Leipzig. Expect Atletico to use Antoine Griezmann in a cameo role again.
