A Dutch classic and a Warsaw derby are among the weekend’s top games as on-song Manchester United FC look to test new-look Chelsea FC’s resolve in the English Premier League.
Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven v AFC Ajax
Ajax will be keen to defend their unbeaten start to the Eredivisie season when they visit a PSV side who can move level on points with the league leaders with a win in Amsterdam. Frank de Boer’s charges have scored 18 goals and won four out of five in the league this season but will have to be on their guard against PSV winger Dries Mertens, who has struck seven times in his opening five games.
Poland: KSP Polonia Warszawa v Legia Warszawa
There will be an emotional return to Polonia for former Poland captain Michał Żewłakow, who now plays for city rivals Legia. The left-back, who earned a record international 102 caps, began his career at Polonia before spells abroad with RSC Anderlecht and Olympiacos FC, among others. The 35-year-old now hopes to get his new club back on track after a shock 2-1 home defeat by TS Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala. Polonia, who sit in fifth place, also lost their last game, suffering a 3-2 defeat at second-placed Jagiellonia Białystok.
England: Manchester United FC v Chelsea FC
Manchester United have won four out of four so far this season, scoring 18 goals in the process, but will face their toughest test yet when Chelsea visit Old Trafford on Sunday. The visitors have not been at their fluent best under André Villas-Boas so far this season but remain just two points behind the reigning champions at the summit. The west London club will nonetheless have to raise their game if they are to contain an in-form Wayne Rooney, who has registered hat-tricks in his last two Premier League outings.
Germany: Schalke v Bayern Munich
A 1-0 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach on the opening day of the season clearly woke up Bayern; since then they have won all seven of their competitive games without conceding, taking their total to 21 goals on that run with a 2-0 Champions League victory at Villarreal CF on Wednesday. Mario Gomez has scored seven times in his last two Bundesliga outings for Jupp Heynckes’ side, something that will be a concern for Schalke, whose confidence was shaken by last Sunday’s 2-1 reverse against a Wolfsburg team coached by their old boss Felix Magath.
Italy: SSC Napoli v AC Milan
Having drawn their opening Serie A fixture against Lazio, AC Milan will be looking to get a first win under their belt as they go in search of back-to-back titles. They will have to do it without a number of key players, though, with Zlatan Ibrahimović, Massimo Ambrosini, Mathieu Flamini and Gennaro Gattuso all missing and Kevin-Prince Boateng and Philippe Mexès both struggling to prove their fitness. Napoli kicked off their campaign with a 3-1 win at Cesena last weekend then earned a creditable Champions League draw with Manchester City but will be missing forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, sidelined by a foot injury.
France: Olympique de Marseille v Olympique Lyonnais
Marseille will be hoping their 1-0 Champions League win at Olympiacos on Tuesday will provide the spark they need to kick-start a stuttering league campaign. Didier Deschamps’s men are without a victory in Ligue 1, having drawn three of their five opening fixtures, and face a tough challenge against the only side unbeaten in the top flight. Lyon who sit a point behind league leaders Montpellier Hérault SC, warmed up for the clash with a goalless draw against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam.
