Preview of top football matches across Europe this weekend

This is probably the biggest game week of the season, with a Super Sunday packed with blockbuster fixtures across the top 5 European leagues. The biggest fixtures on Sunday occur at different times so it’s possible not to miss out on any.

Without further ado, let’s get into the preview by analysing the top matches in the top 5 European Leagues.

English Premier League

Arsenal vs Aston Villa

Arsenal may consider themselves fortunate to have rescued a late point against Palace last time out, but after back-to-back draws, the home supporters will want the Gunners to go one better this time around.

Villa would have been in good shape if they had held on to beat Wolves. Their season has been marred by personnel issues, with key forward recruits failing to line up together.

Dean Smith’s side have won the last three encounters between the two clubs without conceding a goal. This indicates that they know how to beat Arsenal, but the Gunners could be in for another draw.

Chelsea vs Norwich

Chelsea thrashed Malmo 4-0 in midweek. It however came at a cost: Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner were both injured and had to leave the game.

Norwich have gone winless in their last 18 Premier League games, but recent evidence suggests they aren’t far away.

With back-to-back 0-0 draws against Burnley and Brighton, Norwich appears to have shifted their focus to defence.

Chelsea haven’t scored more than once in each of their last four home games against Norwich. Their supporters will still expect a comfortable win.

Brighton & Holve Albion vs Manchester City

Brighton are unbeaten in their last six matches and have kept clean sheets in four of those. They have actually drawn each of their last three and head into Saturday’s game with successive 0-0 draws.

Manchester City were immense in the Champions League in midweek, recording a 5-1 win away against Club Brugge.
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in seven league matches since their opening day defeat to Tottenham. They have kept clean sheets in six of those.

Brighton actually won this fixture last season but City remains the overwhelming favourite here.

Manchester United vs Liverpool

Manchester United will be full of confidence after coming from behind to defeat Atalanta 3-2 after falling behind 2-0. However, there were still a lot of questions about the performance. In the first half against an Atalanta squad, it was obvious they are missing numerous first-team players.

United did create a number of decent chances. The players at least demonstrated that they are still committed to the manager. Knowing how his side are attacking at the moment, including through the in-form Mo Salah, Jurgen Klopp would have taken great joy from portions of United’s performance in midweek. Liverpool won a five-goal thriller in midweek. This extends their undefeated run to 21 games, the longest in the Premier League.

Liverpool have remarkably scored at least three goals in all seven of their away matches this season. They had put four past United at Old Trafford last season. United no doubt heads into Sunday’s fixture with the adrenaline pumping from midweek. Liverpool can put them to the sword-like Atalanta couldn’t.

Spanish La Liga

Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona has had a terrible season thus far, both on and off the field. But the atmosphere around Camp Nou has transformed in the last week. The first was a new deal for star midfielder Pedri ahead of a major win over Valencia in La Liga. This was followed by a much-needed Champions League success over Dynamo Kyiv due to Gerard Pique’s winner and a new contract for Ansu Fati, another rising talent.

All that has seen a little optimism return to Camp Nou, and out of nowhere, Barca have crept back within two points of Real Madrid in the La Liga table. That makes this Clásico all the more appealing, but make no mistake, Barca still have their issues. Ronald Koeman’s men were not particularly impressive in their win over Kyiv, and they are still struggling to take complete control of games.

Real Madrid, however, had a bad run leading up to the international break, losing back-to-back games in both La Liga and the Champions League. Due to a postponement, they were unable to participate in the last round of La Liga matches, although they did defeat Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League during the week.

With a brace, Vinicius extended his stellar season to seven goals and five assists in 11 matches, while Karim Benzema and Rodrygo also scored. Given the uncertainty at right-back for Barcelona, Vinicius will be hoping to cause plenty of havoc, and Rodrygo may have a field day if Alba is ruled out.

Clásicos are notoriously difficult to predict, but Real Madrid has a distinct personality and is considerably more capable of putting on a show under duress. The team of Carlo Ancelotti has to be considered the favourites, although there could be a few goals.

Italian Serie A

Inter Milan vs Juventus

Inter Milan will face Juventus at San Siro in their next Serie A match on Sunday. The Serie A champions are coming off a 3-1 win over Yuriy Vernydub’s Sheriff in the UEFA Champions League group round. Inter Milan won thanks to goals from seasoned striker Edin Dzeko, Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, and Dutch centre defender Stefan de Vrij. Sheriff’s consolation goal was scored by Luxembourg international Sebastien Thill.

In the UEFA Champions League group stage, Juventus defeated Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Sergei Semak’s side 1-0. Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus won thanks to a late second-half goal from Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski.

Juventus has won half of the 36 head-to-head meetings between the two teams. They’ve won 18, lost eight, and drawn ten games, and won this match up 3-2 earlier this year, making them favorites ahead of this fixture.

French Ligue 1

Marseille vs PSG

Marseille’s all-action attitude under Jorge Sampaoli makes this version more enticing; expect an open match with plenty of goals.

PSG’s defence has been shaky at times this season, and if Marseille isn’t too tired from their midweek Italian trip, this might be a banana skin for the leaders.