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A round of European football has come to a close and domestic action returns this weekend with some exciting matches.
While the season is still young, tables around the continent and starting to take shape. Week by week, we're getting a clearer picture of who could be competing at the top and who will be struggling down the bottom.
This upcoming round of fixtures sees several top of the table clashes and no end of intrigue.
The futures of certain managers will be on the line as they look to end a run of poor form and prove to people they're capable of turning things around.
Elsewhere, some teams will be looking to bounce back from disappointments in mid-week, while others are seeking to assert themselves at the top.
There will be plenty of football to watch all around Europe, and I've picked the six matches that you won't want to miss.
#6 Napoli vs Roma
The transition from Maurizio Sarri to Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t stopped Napoli’s winning habit. The Partenopei remain Serie A’s only hope of preventing another Juventus triumph and will need to keep winning if they’re to close the four-point gap currently at the top of the table.
Ancelotti’s side should have come away from Paris on Wednesday night with three points but would have been stung by Angel di Maria’s late equaliser. Nonetheless, they would have been encouraged by their performance. They were the better side for much of that game.
The form of Lorenzo Insigne, who has eight goals in 11 appearances in all competitions this season, will be crucial if Napoli are to defeat Roma in Naples.
Roma’s young side have struggled for consistency so far. Four wins from nine sees them in seventh, already trailing behind rivals Lazio and Inter Milan in the race for Champions League qualification.
However, Eusebio Di Francesco’s team managed one of last season’s most surprising results, when they went to Napoli and won 4-2. The result severely damaged Napoli’s title hopes.
Edin Dzeko was in fine form that night as he bagged two goals. It’s safe to say Roma will need him firing again if they’re to record another unlikely win.
#5 Manchester United vs Everton
United’s chaotic dysfunction makes for compelling viewing. Their players seem set on playing for personal pride rather than out of any love for Jose Mourinho, while Mourinho himself is enduring a constant struggle to find a cohesive set-up that’ll get the best out of his expensive squad.
Defeat to Juventus was depressing yet not unexpected. Defeat to Everton on Sunday, though, would be the latest nail in the Mourinho coffin – and there’d be no shortage of supporters who’d want to hammer it in themselves.
Despite that, this is a fixture United tend to win. Everton have just one win at Old Trafford in the last decade (a 1-0 victory in the 2013/14 season). Otherwise, the Toffees have lost seven and drawn twice.
Everton go into the game in decent form. Since their 2-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium, a result many agreed was harsh, they’ve won three straight games in the Premier League, scoring seven and conceding just once.
Marco Silva has had some success deploying Richarlison as a striker, with an attacking three of Theo Walcott, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bernard supporting him.
History is against Everton, but they have the pace and trickery to trouble an ailing United backline. Expect this one to be closely contested.
#4 Barcelona vs Real Madrid
El Clasico is a game that usually needs no introduction but this year it arrives with an intriguing caveat: neither Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo will be featuring.
The last time that happened was in December 2007. Since then, this game has often been defined by their brilliance. Their rivalry added yet another layer to the fixture, as if it needed any more.
This is a bigger game for Real Madrid than it is for Barcelona. Manager Julen Lopetegui may already be a dead man walking following defeats to Alaves, CSKA Moscow and Levante, but he’ll have hope that a triumph at the Camp Nou will buy him some more time.
A lack of goals and a creaky defence has hindered Madrid in recent months. While Messi’s absence will be a boost, they still have to cope with the treats of Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele. A clean sheet might be a minor miracle.
As for Barcelona, a 2-0 win over Inter in midweek would have allayed fears that they’d struggle without Messi. Suarez is rediscovering his best form after a dodgy start, while the rest of the team remains settled.
A key performer in recent games has been Brazilian midfielder Arthur. His play has been reminiscent of Xavi Hernandez, and he could really turn some heads on Sunday if he wins the midfield battle against Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
#3 Deportivo Alaves vs Villareal
Eagerly awaiting the result of the Clasico will be Alaves. Should Madrid succeed in taking points off Barcelona, Alaves would be able to reclaim top spot with a win over Villareal.
It’s been something of a fairytale beginning for the Basque club. A team expected to be in the lower half of the table has won as many games as Barcelona so far. Their success has been indicative of the unusual start to La Liga this season.
By contrast, their opponents, Villareal, have had an awful start to the season.
With just two wins from their opening nine games, Villareal are languishing in 16th, just one point above the drop zone.
While it’s too early to be fearing a relegation scrap, there has been a concerning lack of goals. Seven goals is a poor return for a team packed with good creative players and strikers.
At the very least, things seem to be looking up this week. A 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid was respectable before they put five past Rapid Vienna in mid-week.
A win at Alaves could kickstart their season. Alaves, meanwhile, will have nothing to fear.
#2 Marseille vs Paris St. Germain
Ten games played, ten wins, no draws, no defeats, 37 goals scored and just six conceded. You can be forgiven for thinking that PSG already have the Ligue 1 title wrapped up.
Marseille away sounds like a tough fixture, but history suggests this will be yet another win for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The last time Marseille won this fixture was 2011. Since then, they’ve lost four and drawn two.
They came close to winning last season but were denied by a 90th-minute strike by Edinson Cavani.
Despite all that, PSG have yet to assert themselves against a big-name opponent. Liverpool beat them handily, while Napoli also should have come away with three points.
There’re signs that Tuchel’s set-up has some holes, even if it does allow Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to shine.
Marseille will be desperate for a win, especially after a 3-1 defeat to Lazio on Thursday night – a result which caused some significant damage to their Europa League hopes.
They may be without key attacker Florian Thauvin due to injury. In which case, much will depend on the magic of Dimitri Payet, who scored yet another wonderful free-kick in mid-week.
#1 Tottenham vs Manchester City
Monday night sees City travel to Wembley seeking to remind the Premier League that they’re the Champions for a reason.
City are one of three sides undefeated so far but have yet to pull away at the top thanks to good starts from Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs. Only two points separate the five teams.
Yet, this could be one instance where the table isn’t being entirely truthful. City appear to be entering the same groove that helped them dominate the league last season and have been strengthened by the return of Kevin De Bruyne.
Spurs, on the other hand, have been far from their best despite their good form. Their last four wins have been scrappy.
Harry Kane has found form again, but concerns remain over a defence that has struggled to assert itself this season.
One reason for that has been the absence of Jan Vertonghen and the poor form of Hugo Lloris.
Lloris was dismissed in midweek against PSV Eindhoven and cost Spurs a vital three points.
Spurs have suffered at home against top opposition so far, first losing to Liverpool, and then being thumped by Barcelona.For City, this could be a chance to put some distance between them and the chasing pack. As for Spurs, they’ll be looking for a confidence-boosting win against a top side.
