FOOTBALL: Preview of weekend actions around Europe
Emmanuel Alfred
The weekend is upon us and we take a dive at some of the matches in the top leagues in Europe.
Burnley in search of first league point of the season
Vincent Kompany’s side are yet to win this season and though it is still early days for the Clarets, a win would set the tone for the team that played delightful football on their path to winning the Championship and gain promotion to the Premier League.
They have an opponent who have been remarkable in the first three games of the season – dropping only 2 points out of a possible 9.
If numbers are anything to go by, Tottenham Hotspur who are 3rd on that table have an advantage in the fixture with 10 wins in the last 16 games with Burnley claiming 3 of those. But here is the sticky part: all three wins for Burnley have been at the Turf Moor
Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur
Forest to disrupt Chelsea’s momentum
The transfer window has closed and the numbers hitting us is that they have spent a sum of £1bn under Todd Boehly.
Results in the first two games showed they still have a lot to do but wins against newly promoted side, Luton Town in the Premier League and against Doncaster FC in the Carabao cup may suggest that they are building momentum.
They face a Nottingham Forest side who still feels disappointed for not getting a point at Old Trafford last week despite going 2 nil up.
There is the threat of Taiwo Awoniyi who leads the attack and became the first African to score in 7 consecutive Premier League games since Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohammed Salah.
Mauricio Pochettino’s blues need to show that the last 2 results have not been flukes against this Forest side that can play on the counter.
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Nottingham Forest in all competitions since a 2-0 loss in January 1997. Forest’s only win in their last 14 away games against Chelsea was a 2-0 victory in January 1995.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
City has firm grip on the Premier League
They won the treble last season but it seems Manchester City have no interest in slowing down this season.
They are still the only side with a perfect record after three games and they will be up against Fulham who provided a very impressive result against Arsenal last week at the Emirates Stadium.
No team has won four games in a row but City, who are struggling with injuries concerns already have added Mattheus Nunez and Jeremy Doku who might be handed debuts at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City vs Fulham FC
Projet bounce back on the cards
Sixth placed Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United who are 13th on the log will look forward to getting back to winning ways as they face each other at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday.
The Seagulls lost to a tactically disciplined West Ham side while Newcastle United lost to a Liverpool side who played with ten men for 75% of the match.
The last 15 games played has seen Brighton amass 6 wins with Newcastle chalking up 3 of them.
Brighton and Hove Albion vs Newcastle United
Liverpool face an equally impressive Villa
Liverpool FC recorded an unreal result against Newcastle United after coming from a goal down and man down to beat the Magpies.
They face Aston Villa who have bounced back remarkably well from their 5-1 thrashing in the hands of Newcastle on match day one.
Liverpool have added Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich to bolster their midfield options.
Arsenal to renew old rivalry with United
This game never stops to entertain irrespective of the competition played. Arsenal who were Premier League runners up last season will be hoping to get one better than their perennial foes Manchester United.
Arsenal just had an eventful week that started with Bukayo Saka claiming the PFA Young Player of the Year after a stellar campaign last season and also got a fair group stage draw in the Champions League which they are expected to qualify.
United on the other hand announced the signing of Sergio Reguillon and Sofyan Amrabat both on loan to improve their defense and midfield.
Arsenal’s defensive record still needs to be improved upn as they have conceeded first in 3 out of their last 9 at home. But United on the other hand will deal with the midfield challenge after losing Mason Mount to injury. Head to head says that.
Good news for the Gunners is that they have won 4 and drawn one of their last 5 home league games against Man Utd, including the last 2.
Real Madrid to make it 4 out for?
Real Madrid have started the season strongly by winning all their games so far. However, they have been dealt a blow with injuries as Vinicius jnr has joined Eder Militao on the medical bed after he sustained an injury during their victory over Celta Vigo last week.
Jude Bellingham has settled in well in Madrid as the midfielder who joined for big money has scored 4 goals in 3 games and they will need him to continue that form.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have to be wary of Getafe who got forced last season’s champions Barcelona to a draw in the opening game of the season.
Real Madrid vs Getafe
Atletico to compound Sevilla’s woes
Sevilla are struggling. The Europa league winners of last season are without a point after 3 games and sit uncomfortably at the foot of the table.
They face Atletico Madrid who are 2nd and delivered an emphatic result against Rayo Vallecano last weekend that ended 7-0 on the road.
Atletico Madrid have won 19 direct matches with Sevilla winning 18 and 17 matches between both sides ended in a draw.
Barcelona hope to shut it at the back
A 4-3 scoreline is a beautiful thing for the neutrals but I doubt Barcelona coach, Xavi Hernandez will not be impressed with a team who’s hallmark was defensive solidity
This team kept a cleansheet in 23 La Liga games last season on their way to winning the title and they know how important it is to keep it tight at the back as Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “attack wins you games but defense wins you titles.”
Bayern in a tough test against Monchengladbach
Bayern are the defending champions, but that’s old news because the have been defending champions for ten years now.
However, there is a team that has no respect for their dominance. That team is Borussia Monchengladbach. They are one side who know how to get results against the Bayern.
In the last 50 games, Borussia Moenchengladbach have won 15 direct matches with Bayern Munich winning 18 matches. 17 matches have ended in a draw.
Bayern have started the season strongly with Harry Kane scoring in both games but Thomas Tuchel that his side is in for a contest.
Serie A big guns slug it out for supremacy
3rd place Inter Milan will be at home against Fiorentina and will hope to consolidate on the strong start to the season.
Argentine forward, Lautaro Martinez has been on song so far the Nerazurri and will be expected to continue with the goal spree.
Inter vs Fiorentina
Napoli entertain Lazio and know they have to keep winning in order to stay on the heels of League leaders AC Milan who won last night.
Victor Osimhen and goals are used side by side these days and last season highest goalscorer knows that his goals are very pivotal for a successful title defense.
Lazio on the other hand are winless and injuries aren’t kind to them as goalkeeper, Luca Marchegiani is out of the season.
Napoli vs Lazio
Juve hopes Pogba’s return will drive the team forward
Paul Pogba came back for his first game of the season last week in their draw.
That was his first game since being injured in May last season. The Frenchman spent more time on the Physio’s bench than on the pitch as he only played a total of 160 minutes of action last season.
His passing range, eye of goals and ability to unlock the defense will be very crucial for the Old Ladies as they travel to face Empoli
Empoli vs Juventus
