The weekend preview
Posted on | September 25, 2009 | No Comments
Spain – La Liga: Barcelona and Real Madrid are now the only two sides left with perfect records after Athletic Bilbao went down in midweek. Real are at home to Tenerife on Saturday and Barcelona travel to Malaga on the Sunday.
Both Ronaldo for Real and Lionel Messi for Barcelona have started the season in frightening form, although defending champions Barca will probably have to do without new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Sunday thanks to an ankle knock.
Much of the talk in Spain is also now about Atletico Madrid’s dreadful start to the season: they are in 19th, above only Xerez after picking up only two points in the first four games. Pressure is mounting on coach Abel Resino (pictured), although both star strikers, Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan, are hitting form and could yet dig the club out of the relegation zone.
Atletico are off to Valencia on Saturday, with the home side’s David Villa on five goals already for the season.
England – Premier League: Third-placed Liverpool play Hull on Saturday and first-placed Chelsea visit Wigan, while Manchester United visit ‘battling’ (ugly) Stoke, also on Saturday.
Chelsea are top, and looking strong under Carlo Ancelotti, although Manchester United may be boosted by a late victory over rivals Manchester City last Sunday.
Arsenal, who are hitting form again after losing to Manchester United earlier in the season, are heading to Fulham, who have also made a strong start to the season and boast a strong home record.
Italy – Serie A: Inter Milan remain top after a 3-1 win over Napoli in midweek. They head to Sampdoria on Saturday, who have also started well, but who lost their 100 per cent record after losing 2-0 to Fiorentina in midweek.
Juventus, in second, are at home to Bologna and will be looking to build on their strong start, while struggling Milan are at home to Bari.
Elsewhere, in Germany Bayern travel to Hamburg on Saturday while Werder Bremen host Mainz. Champions Wolfsburg play Hannover.
Portugal’s Liga Sagres sees Olhanense play host to first-placed Braga, and Porto host Sporting.
Finally, in France, Ligue 1 will see Lyon host Toulouse and champions Bordeaux play Rennes.
Chris Breese
Tags: Abel Resino > Atletico Madrid > barcelona > bundesliga > chelsea > inter milan > Juventus > la liga > ligue 1 > Lionel Messi > Liverpool > Manchester United > premier league > Real Madrid > Serie A
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