10 Key Battles in World Football for Weekend of October 17-19
The international break is over and domestic action is upon us once more.
As fans and players alike turn their attentions to their respective domestic leagues, it's time for us to look ahead to the weekend and work out where the big clashes will be all over the globe.
This time we're covering all the biggest leagues in Europe, including one of the most ferocious derbies in the game which transcends traditional borders, as well as top games from both the North and South Americas. Read on for our Top 10 matches to look out for this weekend.
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League
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We'll start in the Premier League, where one of the title hopefuls face a stern test of their credentials.
Manchester City versus Tottenham Hotspur is the first game of the weekend in the English top flight, and it should be a spectacle that provides goals, action and talking points. City are second in the table, are unbeaten in their last four matches and are the reigning league champions.
Spurs have not hit top gear yet in their hunt for a top-four finish but have been strong defensively and City will find it tough to break them down.
Inter Milan vs. Napoli, Serie A
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To Italy, where two big-name managers are coming under increasing pressure following less-than-impressive starts to the new season.
Inter Milan host Napoli on Sunday night, looking to put an end to a two-game losing streak, which has seen them fall down the early table, leading to Walter Mazzarri's position in the dugout being scrutinised.
Napoli, on the other hand, started the season badly and are trying to claw their way back up the table, with plenty wondering if Rafael Benitez has taken the side as far as he can. It's a big game for both, and neither can really afford defeat.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Celta Vigo, La Liga
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Two games in Spain now. The first of which sees two of the more attractive footballing sides in the league face off in Basque country, where Athletic Club will face Celta Vigo.
Athletic finished in the top four last season but find themselves in the bottom three at present, struggling to recapture the clinical form of 2013/14, despite some good performances in spells. They've won just one league game from seven so far this season.
Celta, on the other hand, have built on their impressive work last term and are comfortably in the top half, looking capable of putting together a run for a Europa League spot this season. They just need to keep playing the same way, picking up results and confidence along the path.
Ander Iturraspe vs. Michael Krohn-Dehli will be a key battle in the middle for this one.
Deportivo La Coruna vs. Valencia, La Liga
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Sticking in Spain, Valencia have emerged as a real force at the start of this term, but every week will now bring up a new challenge for Los Che, which may dictate whether they are capable of sustaining that form over the season to mount a surprising title challenge.
On Sunday, they face a trip to the north west to face Deportivo La Coruna—a solid side back in the day, but one that is newly promoted from the Segunda Division and bottom of the table right now.
The form guide suggests an easy away victory, but Valencia have to make sure they allow no complacency into their game and show the consistency and relentless ability to win matches against all types of opposition that defines sides who challenge for honours.
Schalke vs. Hertha Berlin, Bundesliga
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To Germany now, where new Schalke 04 boss Roberto Di Matteo will be taking charge of his first Bundesliga game this weekend.
S04 play at home to Hertha Berlin, a mid-table clash at this point in the season, with the sides in 11th and 12th respectively. Of course, Di Matteo has been brought in to improve that position, and with the top four just four points away, it's a good opportunity to make a fast start on closing that gap.
Hertha have yet to win on the road this season, but they won against Stuttgart before the international break, while Schalke lost to Hoffenheim.
Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen, Bundesliga
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Some years back, Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen would have been a clash between two of the league's top sides. Right now, it's far more simplistic: top vs. bottom.
Bayern are unbeaten, looking strong and rotating their squad in the early stages of the season, as Pep Guardiola seeks to find the right balance in his new-look side. Their last three league matches have yielded 10 goals, nine points and three clean sheets.
Werder Bremen, meanwhile, are yet to win a match, they are rock bottom after picking up just a single point from their last four games and have the worst defensive record in the league—not great form to take with you to the Allianz Arena.
Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce, Turkish SuperLig
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Now to Turkey, where this weekend we get to enjoy the spectacle of the Intercontinental Derby—the Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Between them, the Turkish giants have won 16 of the last 19 league titles, with Fenerbahce taking the title last year.
Right now, they are both locked on 10 points after five games and have almost identical records; Fenerbahce have conceded one goal more, but both team have scored, won, drawn and lost the same so far.
On Saturday evening, something has to give.
Internacional vs. Corinthians, Brazilian Serie A
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That's it for Europe—we'll finish off our roundup across the Atlantic, starting in Brazil.
Cruzeiro are still clear at the top and face relegation-threatened Vitoria this weekend, meaning the chasing pack cannot afford any slip-ups if they want to usurp the Raposa late on in the Serie A season.
The biggest game for those hunting down the leaders is Internacional vs. Corinthians, second vs. sixth, with the home side just six points behind top spot. It won't be an easy game—Corinthians have the second-best defensive record in the league and recently beat Cruzeiro. Though they are too far off to win the title, O Time do Povo can still challenge for a Copa Libertadores place.
The Clashes Between the Top Four, Liga MX
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To Mexico now, and we're sneaking in an extra match for you.
The top four from the Liga MX all face off against each other this weekend: America (1st) vs. Monterrey (3rd) and Atlas (2nd) vs. Toluca (4th).
With just four points separating the four sides, each point gained or lost could be critical this weekend, with each side only having lost twice so far and Monterrey having a game in hand on the others. That first game in particular sees the top scorers host the best defence, and both matches should provide plenty of entertainment and talking points.
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders, MLS
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We finish up in MLS, where the regular season is fast drawing to a close and crucial playoff spots are being decided—but we're ignoring those this weekend in favour of a clash that could well feature this season's eventual champions.
LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders play each other on Sunday night, the top two from the Western Conference and two of the favourites to take the overall title.
Both have already done more than enough to justify that claim and are tied on 60 points apiece at present. This game goes a step toward deciding who takes top spot—currently Galaxy—but also could give valuable mental boosts should the two meet late in the playoffs.
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