Key occasions
The Madrid derby
Having gained their opening six video games of the La Liga season, Actual Madrid make the brief journey to the Wanda Metropolitano to face metropolis rivals who've acquired simply 9 factors up to now however come into the sport on the again of an exciting midweek win in opposition to Rayo Vallecano. Whereas Actual Madrid's full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold stays sidelined with a hamstring damage, there might be English illustration on the pitch within the type of Atlético midfielder Conor Gallagher.
After going six video games and not using a aim, Julian Alvarez hit his straps in fantastic model with a hat-trick in opposition to Rayo, whereas his teammate Marco Llorente placed on a masterclass that implies Actual gained't have all of it their very own manner this afternoon. “We count on a tricky environment that can make us play with vitality and focus to have the ability to win,” mentioned Actual Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso forward of a recreation that kicks off at 3.15pm (BST). Yup, I assumed it could be later this night too.
In the meantime within the Championship and past
Following final evening's draw between West Brom and Leicester Metropolis on the Hawthorns, there's one other Midlands derby going down as we speak. The Championship's high scorers Coventry Metropolis host big-spending Birmingham Metropolis in one in all three lunchtime kick-offs within the second tier. On the similar time in Wales, Swansea Metropolis are slated to host Millwall, whereas Wrexham shall be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions once they host John Eustace's Derby County.
On the high of the desk, Middlesbrough shall be hoping to keep up or lengthen their four-point lead with a win a Southampton aspect that has underwhelmed to this point this season, whereas backside aspect Sheffield United will go to Oxford United of their ongoing quest to accumulate first level of the season.
There are 5 Scottish Premiership fixtures going down as we speak, the choose of them arguably Hibernian's journey to Celtic Park to face champions who've seemed out of kinds at residence and in Europe, regardless of being unbeaten after 10 video games in all competitions. Hibs discover thesmelves in the same kind of pickle, unbeaten however with simply win out of 4 league video games to their identify. Stage with Celtic on level however behind them on aim distinction, Hearts host Falkirk at Tynecastle, whereas backside aspect Aberdeen will hope to at the least double their tally of 1 level with a optimistic consequence at Motherwell. In as we speak's different Scottish high flight video games, Dundee United host Kilmarnock, whereas St Mirren host Dundee.
Immediately within the Premier League
Whereas different opinions can be found, if completely invalid, the choose of as we speak's high flight video games for me as a Sunderland fan, is going down on the Metropolis Floor. The white-hot favourites of many individuals to go straight again down as quickly as they gained the Championship play-off, Sunderland spent the summer season doing what seems to be to have been some extraordinarily diligent and tenacious work within the switch market and have gotten their season off to an excellent begin, taking eight factors from their first 5 video games.
In fact it's nonetheless early doorways for Regis Le Bris's aspect however the early portents look promising. They journey to Nottingham Forest for as we speak's 5.30pm (BST) kick-off, the place Ange Postecoglou shall be hoping to get his first win in 5 video games as Forest head coach on the board, in his first residence recreation. Whereas Forest have but to notch upo a victory below the Australian, they seemed fairly spectacular (going ahead at the least) in drawing with Actual Betis in Seville on Wednesday.
I may even be doing the Guardian minute-by-minute report of the lunchtime kick-off between Brentford and Manchester United. The fixture marks Bryan Mbeumo's return to the Gtech Stadium following his summer season transfer to Manchester United and in addition supplies Ruben Amorim along with his newest alternative to string back-to-back league wins collectively for the primary time since taking on at Outdated Trafford. It's one other recreation I'm very a lot trying ahead to, notably if it's something just like the corresponding white-knuckle experience final yr.
Elsewhere, Leeds host Bournemouth, whereas fairly a couple of shrewdies assume Crystal Palace may be the staff adequate to lastly exploit these Liverpool vulnerabilities. No finish of Brighton gamers will get to audition for his or her summer season strikes to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, whereas Manchester Metropolis shall be anticipated to see off Burnley however could not have all of it their very own manner. Later tonight, a Wolves aspect that has misplaced all 5 of its opening Premier League video games has a protracted overdue appointment within the surgical procedure of everybody's favorite doctor, Physician Tottenham. No prizes for guessing what's going to occur at White Hart Lane, eh?
Immediately's headlines
Harry Kane has grow to be the quickest participant this century to achieve 100 objectives for a membership taking part in in one in all Europe's high 5 leagues after scoring twice in Bayern Munich's 4-0 win over Werder Bremen final evening. Kane reached his century in 104 video games, beating the joint document held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland by one match.
Arne Slot has confirmed in an interview with TNT Sports activities' Ally McCoist that Liverpool's proprietor, Fenway Sports activities Group, is to pay the ultimate two years of Diogo Jota's contract to the late striker's household.
Enzo Marseca has confirmed that Cole Palmer will miss Chelsea's subsequent three matches in a bid to recuperate from a hard ongoing groin problem. The midfielder will miss his aspect's Premier League video games in opposition to Brighton and Liverpool, both aspect of a Champions League match in opposition to Benfica.
Leicester Metropolis secured a last-gasp draw with West Bromwich Albion courtesy of a Nat Phillips own-goal deep in added time on the Hawthorns, the place the 2 Championship sides drew one aim apiece.
The Soccer Affiliation says it can perform an instantaneous security evaluation of perimeter partitions at soccer grounds within the Nationwide League system after the tragic dying of former Arsenal youth participant Billy Vigar from a “vital mind damage” he suffered whereas taking part in for Chichester Metropolis at Wingate and Finchley FC final Saturday.
This weekend's Premier League fixtures
Brentford v Manchester United (12.30pm BST)
Leeds United v Bournemouth (3pm)
Chelsea v Brighton
Manchester Metropolis v Bournemouth
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (5.30pm)
Tottenham Hotspur v Wolves (8pm)
Aston Villa v Fulham (Sunday 2pm)
Newcastle United v Arsenal (4.30pm)
Everton v West Ham (Monday 8pm)
View the Premier League desk
Saturday matchday stay
Good day to you wherever you might be on the earth, on one other busy day of soccer motion across the UK and Europe. There are seven Premier League matches scheduled for as we speak, the primary of them between Brentford and Manchester United as Bryan Mbeumo returns to the Gtech Stadium for the primary time. Brentford head coach Keith Andrews says he expects residence followers to offer the Frenchman a wamr welcome however hopes his gamers will give him a day to neglect.
The feedback part beneath is open so be at liberty to get in contact to allow us to your plans for the footballing day that's in it, who you'll be supporting and the way you assume they could fare. It ought to go with out saying that the extra pessimistic you might be, the extra happy we'll be to listen to from you.
