Europe’s top leagues are back after the international break and this weekend offers up some serious spice when it comes to fixtures.
Here are our five must-watch games of the weekend.
5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶
Bayer Leverkusen vs Eintracht Frankfurt
Bayer Leverkusen’s defence of the Bundesliga has not started as hoped with Xabi Alonso’s side uncharacteristically open at the back.
That said, Leverkusen remain just three points from the top as the champions look to keep pace with Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the summit.
Eintracht Frankfurt will be hoping to capitalise on the new-found vulnerabilities of last season’s Bundesliga Invincibles, however, having been propelled into the top four by Omar Marmoush.
Omar Marmoush is September’s Bundesliga POTM 🏆🌟 pic.twitter.com/Tpdnbb7yVX
— LiveScore (@livescore) October 17, 2024
The Egyptian has eight goals and four assists in just six games to lead Europe’s top five leagues for goal involvements.
Spice rating: Mild 🌶
West Ham and Tottenham
There’s no love lost between West Ham and Tottenham and the London rivals do battle once again this weekend.
Ange Postecoglou has had to stew on Spurs’ collapse at Brighton throughout the international break, while for Julen Lopetegui it was a more positive period after a morale-boosting win over Ipswich before the season’s pause. West Ham have not started as hoped under the new head coach but a cross-capital clash with Spurs offers the chance for Lopetegui to bank some credit.
Spice rating: Medium 🌶🌶
Roma vs Inter
One of Italy’s great match ups, Roma welcome Inter Milan to the capital this weekend. The hosts have improved following the appointment of ex-Torino boss Ivan Juric, taking seven points from the Croatian’s three games in charge.
Inter arrive as defending champions and sit second in the table, while the Nerazzurri have had the better of this fixture of late. Simeone Inzaghi’s side have won seven of the last eight encounters between the teams, including a thrilling 4-2 win at the Stadio Olimpico last season.
A fixture of legends ⚔️#RomaInter takes place on Sunday ⚽❤️ pic.twitter.com/OfkJYZA905
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) October 18, 2024
Spice rating: Hot 🌶🌶🌶
Juventus vs Lazio
Another Serie A showdown to savour, Juventus host Lazio on Saturday evening.
Third and fourth in the table ahead of the contest, it’s been a satisfactory start for two teams aiming to challenge at the top end of the division this season. This could be a classic, if low-scoring, Serie A clash as the two teams to have conceded the fewest shots on goal so far this campaign collide.
Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Liverpool take on Chelsea in one of the Premier League’s great rivalries this weekend.
The Reds head into the weekend top of the Premier League table after a superb start under Arne Slot, but face a Chelsea side in optimistic mood of their own under a new head coach.
Liverpool 🆚 Chelsea
The league’s No. 1 defense 🆚 No. 2 attackWho’s winning the chess match on Sunday? ♟️ pic.twitter.com/iRd9x3VMnN
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) October 17, 2024
A slight aimed at Slot has been the ‘difficulty’ of his opening fixtures, though Chelsea’s arrival on Merseyside provides the Dutchman with a chance to send a statement. Expect a cagey contest, with eight of the last nine meetings having been level after 90 minutes.
Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶
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