The COVID-19 chaos in England has put a cloud over numerous Premier League games but there’s still plenty of blockbusters expected to go ahead across the continent this weekend as the challengers meet in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
Saturday 9pm European time - Spanish La Liga
Real Madrid have moved eight points clear at the top in La Liga after last weekend’s derby win over champions Atletico Madrid, who are now fourth. Atleti make the trip to second-placed Sevilla on Saturday, with two of the challengers looking to stay in touch. Sevilla are on 34 points, with Atletico on 29, although both have a game in hand on Real. Atletico have lost their past two league games so there’s some alarm bells. Sevilla are unbeaten at home this season, with six wins from seven league games at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. They’ve also only conceded four goals in their past six league games.
Sunday 2:30pm European time - Dutch Eredivisie
The Eredivisie title seems like a tightly-fought three-horse race this season, with only one point separating the top three, with PSV Eindhoven on top on 37 points followed by Ajax and Feyenoord on 36. The latter pair meet at de Kuip on Sunday, fresh from both dropping points to allow PSV to move into pole position, making this game even more critical for two old rivals. PSV play 14th-placed RKC Waalwijk elsewhere, so if there’s a loser in this clash, they will be four points off the pace. Sebastien Haller has been in top form for Ajax, while Feyenoord have found goals from Bryan Linssen and Guus Til.
Sunday 3pm European time - English Premier League
Chelsea have dropped points in four of their past seven games, seeing them slip to third and four points behind leaders Manchester City, meaning the pressure is on Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead of their visit to stubborn Wolverhampton. Wolves are eighth on the table and have proved to be one of the hardest teams to break down this term, conceding only 14 goals in 17 league games. Chelsea failed to capitalise on their chances in midweek against Everton and that’ll be important against Wolves. Mason Mount has scored in four straight games for the Blues.
Sunday 5:30pm European time - English Premier League
It remains to be seen if this fixture goes ahead but it looms as a critical one for both sides if it proceeds as planned. Spurs remain seventh despite having three games in hand following numerous postponements, so they can foreseeably catapult into the top four with a surge of form. Liverpool are second, one point behind leaders City, and will be desperate to stay in touch prior to the departure of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in January for the African Cup of Nations. The Reds welcomed back Roberto Firmino from injury in midweek which is timely.
Sunday 8:45pm European time - Italian Serie A
Serie A’s two pacesetters meet in a Sunday night blockbuster where both need to win to stay in touch after both enduring poor months. AC Milan have dropped points in three of their past six games to slip to second, behind rivals Internazionale. Napoli have had a wretched run after their near-perfect start, collecting only five points from their past six games to drop to fourth, four points behind the Nerazzurri. Napoli’s struggles have coincided with the loss of striker Victor Osimhen to a cheekbone injury and he’s not due back for two months, so someone will need to step up.
