From Milan derby to Real Madrid via PSG, four games to look out for around Europe's big leagues
A look at the weekend's action around the continent
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Chelsea hosting Liverpool is the standout fixture from this weekend’s Premier League offerings, but there are big matches to look forward to in Europe’s other big leagues from Milan to Real Madrid via PSG.
There is a city derby in Italy, a top of the table clash in Spain and major games in both France and Germany. Here is everything you need to know ahead of a big weekend on the continent:
Serie A: Milan derby
One of the fiercest rivalries in the world, the first clash of the Milan clubs of the season sees two newly appointed coaches experience the Derby della Madonnina for the first time.
Marco Giampaolo has taken the reigns at AC Milan, after a successful spell with Sampdoria. After an opening day defeat to Udinese, Milan have won back-to-back games against Brescia and Hellas Verona. Although promising on paper, the team is still clearly adapting to the new Giampaolo’s 4-3-1-2 system – both wins against the newly-promoted sides were just 1-0. Last season’s star Krzysztof Piatek has struggled to adapt his game, with the Pole scoring only one goal this season.
Inter have managed to appoint one of the best managers around in Antonio Conte, and domestically are flying with three wins from three. Conte has revitalised Antonio Candreva as a marauding right wing-back, and also appears to be successfully harnessing the powers of Romelu Lukaku – a player he has coveted since the big Belgian was at Everton. The star of this Inter side though, is a diminutive Italian midfielder named Stefano Sensi. Signed from Sassuolo in the summer on loan with an option to buy that will surely be taken up, Sensi has shone in an advanced midfield role. The 24-year-old has been the best player in the league, scoring twice and averaging 2.3 key passes per game.
When does it start?
Kick off at the San Siro is at 7.45pm on Saturday September 21.
How can I watch the game?
Premier Sports 1 will be showing the game, with coverage starting five minutes before kick off.
Our prediction
The two sides come into the game in somewhat contrasting form, despite being just three points apart. Inter should have enough to see off Milan, as they seem to have adapted better to their new manager’s tactics, but anything can happen in the Milan derby. AC Milan 0-2 Inter.
La Liga: Sevilla vs Real Madrid
Top of the table Sevilla take on third placed Real Madrid in Spain’s biggest game of the weekend. The Monchi revolution has returned to Seville with a bang – the club have signed 13 players since the sporting director returned to the club in the summer. Ex-Manchester City winger Jesus Navas has been transformed at right-back, with Ever Banega and Fernando complimenting each other well in midfield.
Real Madrid have somewhat stumbled into third position, after almost succumbing to a Levante comeback last weekend that saw them win 3-2 at the Bernabeu. Injuries have not been kind to the capital club, and new signings Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic have yet to properly acclimatise. With Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale starring thus far, this Madrid side is all too reminiscent of a few seasons ago.
The match has a special significance for new Sevilla boss Julien Lopetegui, who was unceremoniously sacked by Real Madrid last season – Lopetegui’s record at Real is equal to that of current manager Zidane.
When does it start?
The match kicks off on Sunday September 22 at 8pm.
How can I watch the game?
Premier Sports 2 will be covering the game, with coverage starting five minutes before kick off.
Our prediction
Both sides come into the game in relatively good form, with Real boasting the better players but Sevilla acting as a more cohesive unit. Home advantage could be crucial for Sevilla, whose fans will be eager to see them repeat the 3-0 defeat they inflicted on Real last season. Sevilla 2-2 Real.
Ligue 1: Lyon vs PSG
Two of France’s most successful teams of this century take to the pitch in Lyon, with PSG hoping to extend their winning run to six in a row following the 3-0 humiliation of Real Madrid on Wednesday night. Idrissa Gana Gueye and Angel Di Maria were the stars against Real, and Thomas Tuchel finally seems to have got his side playing the way he wants. The return of want-away Neymar last weekend saved the Parisians, as the mercurial Brazilian scored a last-minute overhead kick to secure a 1-0 win.
Lyon have started the domestic campaign indifferently after just losing out to Lille for second place last season. They have lost only once, but recent draws against Bordeaux and Amiens have tempered the 3-0 and 6-0 wins against Monaco and Angers that kicked off the campaign. Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele are still the stars – each have five goals this season – but Houssem Aouar has also caught the eye from midfield.
When does it start?
The match starts at 8pm on Sunday September 22.
How can I watch the game?
BT Sport 1 will be showing the game, with coverage from 7.45pm.
Our prediction
PSG will undoubtedly be buoyed by their midweek win against Real Madrid, but with Neymar available for selection it remains to be seen whether Tuchel will trust a player who the fans still have little time for. Lyon are currently winless in three, but a home match against PSG could spur them to a better performance. Lyon 0-2 PSG.
Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Dortmund
The hosts come into the game having been resoundingly beaten by Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday. Such a result may look bad, but the performance of Adi Hutter’s men was promising – they created numerous opportunities for the likes of Filip Kostic and Bas Dost, and on another day could have at least drawn the game. Dost and Andre Silva have been brought into the club, tasked with replacing last season’s star duo Luka Jovic and Sebastian Haller who scored 47 goals between them. They have two wins and two draws in the Bundesliga this campaign, with the side still yet to fully click.
Dortmund can count themselves very unlucky to have not beaten Barcelona - had Marco Reus been more clinical they almost certainly would have. They are tipped by many to break Bayern’s stranglehold on the Bundesliga title this season, with Reus, Paco Alcacer and Jadon Sancho all looking incredibly potent thus far. Sancho is the key man for Lucien Favre’s side; the young Englishman has two goals and five assists in just four games. Dortmund sit second behind RB Leipzig, only a shock 3-1 defeat to Union Berlin preventing them from being top.
When does it start?
Kick off in Frankfurt is at 5pm on Sunday September 22.
How can I watch the game?
BT Sport 1 will be broadcasting the game, with match coverage starting at 4.45pm.
Our prediction
Dortmund are in hot form and look to be just hitting their stride, whereas Eintracht Frankfurt appear to still be finding themselves after losing their two best players over the summer. Lucien Favre’s men will be licking their lips at the number of chances Arsenal had on the counter on Thursday and will almost certainly profit. Eintracht 0-3 Dortmund.
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