Sports

Weekend European Leagues Fixtures & Previews

October 25, 2024

Leicester host Forest at King Power Stadium today

Following their incredible fightback last weekend, Leicester City will seek three wins from three when they welcome local rivals Nottingham Forest to King Power Stadium on Friday.

Foxes boss Steve Cooper must face down his former club, who occupy eighth place in the Premier League table, after beating Crystal Palace earlier this week.

After winning none of their first six league games following promotion, Leicester City have since won both of the last two, with a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth just before the international break being followed by a dramatic five-goal thriller last time out.

Steve Cooper’s side have now picked up five points from losing positions, and as one of just three teams to score in every Premier League game this season – alongside Arsenal and Manchester City – they certainly pose a threat to any opponents.

Forest are unbeaten in six Premier League away games – their longest such run since 1995 – and have averaged 1.36 points per away match under Nuno, after averaging just 0.46 during Cooper’s reign.

Steve Cooper has a couple of selection issues to ponder ahead of being reunited with his old Forest colleagues: Harry Winks is pushing to replace Oliver Skipp as Wilfred Ndidi‘s partner in central midfield, while young winger Abdul Fatawu seeks a rare start.

The Ghana international made a major impact impact despite being restricted to another cameo role last week, completing two dribbles, winning four duels and having seven touches in the box, in addition to setting up Facundo Buonanotte’s goal.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Real Madrid, Barca re-ignite El Clasicoat the Bernabeu

The much-anticipated El Clasico is set to ignite Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night as Real Madrid and Barcelona clash in a La Liga showdown.

The Catalan giants currently hold a three-point advantage atop the table, but Los Blancos have been in impressive form, culminating in a stunning comeback win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League midweek.

Barca haven’t won at the Bernabeu in La Liga since March 2022, so Madrid’s recent momentum and the absence of key Barcelona players could swing the balance in their favour.

However, off the back of a huge 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich, Hansi Flick’s side are in fine form in front of goal, having scored 17 goals in their last four games.

Both teams have suffered injury setbacks ahead of the clash. This El Clasico promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams in good form and eager to claim victory. While Real Madrid have the momentum, particularly in the league, Barcelona’s attacking prowess make them a formidable opponent.

Ultimately, a draw seems like the most likely outcome, with both teams likely to cancel each other out in a closely contested match.

Credit: sportscasting.com

Manchester City welcome struggling Southampton

Manchester City will be looking to climb to the top of the Premier League table when they welcome a struggling Southampton side to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The two teams meet for the first time since April 2023 when Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 top-flight victory at St Mary’s.

A trip to Sporting Lisbon on matchday fourof the UCL is pencilled in for early November, but Man City must now shift their focus back to the Premier League where they are the only team yet to lose after eight matches. Sitting second with 17 points, the Citizens will move to the summit with a victory over Southampton, before current leaders Liverpool lock horns with third-placed Arsenal on Sunday.

Man City, who are enjoying their longest-ever unbeaten Premier League run (31), will fancy their chances of success on Saturday.

Southampton have now gone 21 Premier League games without a win (D5 L16) and although the pressure is beginning to mount on head coach Russell Martin, the club’s hierarchy reportedly have no immediate plans to part ways with the 38-year-old.

Guardiola and co will be regarded as strong favourites to come out on top here, even without the presence of a few star players, and they should have few problems outscoring their opponents en route to reclaiming their place at the Premier League summit.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Napoli seek to tighten their grip on top spot

Serie A leaders Napoli will seek to tighten their grip on top spot this weekend, when they welcome lowly Lecce to Stadio Maradona.

The teams convene on Saturday afternoon, with the hosts hunting a fourth straight win and their ailing visitors sitting second-bottom after a six-goal thumping last week.

Despite being below their best, Napoli picked up where they left off before the international break by beating Empoli last time out; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored from the spot after a foul on Matteo Politano, securing a two-point lead at the Serie A summit.

A total of 19 points from eight games is the Partenopei’s fourth-best tally this century, and Antonio Conte has already transformed a team that toiled badly last term and failed to secure European qualification.

Benefiting from midweek breaks while their rivals travel around the continent, Napoli are no doubt aiming to win back the Scudetto from Conte’s former club Inter Milan, and a superb recent record bears all the hallmarks of potential title contenders.

Conte meets the club with whom he made his senior debut back in 1986, at the tender age of 16 years and 249 days; incidentally, his first goal came against Napoli three years later.

Although Lecce have not beaten this week’s hosts in their last four attempts – failing to even score a goal in the teams’ two most recent meetings – they are actually undefeated in three league visits to Naples.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Premier League

Friday 25th October

Leicester City 19:00 Nottingham Forest

Saturday 26th October

Aston Villa 14:00 AFC Bournemouth

Brentford 14:00 Ipswich Town

Brighton & Hove Albion 14:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester City 14:00 Southampton

Everton 16:30 Fulham

Sunday 27th October

Chelsea 13:00 Newcastle United