Three fixtures you simply cannot miss this weekend

It’s back to domestic action once again after an exciting international break that saw a couple more nations, including England, book their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil. Here are three great matches to look forward to this weekend.

Newcastle United v Liverpool (KO: Saturday, 12:45 UK time)

Saturday’s first Premier League fixture should be an interesting one, with Alan Pardew’s men set to do their best to peg back a Liverpool side that has started the season in good form, sitting joint top of the table as a result.

Rodgers’ players will be very confident heading into this game, not only because of their fine early season form, but because of the fact that their last visit to St. James’ Park was quite a pleasant one, one that saw them leave with all three points after firing six goals past hapless stand-in goalkeeper Rob Elliot without reply.

Daniel Sturridge grabbed a brace that day and he is still in fine form, scoring six goals in seven games so far this season. Luis Suarez was serving his ban at the time, but since being restored to the lineup, he too has played very well, scoring three goals in two games. Those two are forging quite a partnership and that partnership will be exciting to watch against a defence that has shipped 12 goals already this season, which is the third-most in the league.

FC Twente v Ajax (KO: Saturday, 19:45 UK time)

This is a match between first and third. Both teams have started the season reasonably well, winning five of their nine games played. The hosts are undefeated in 19 of their last 21 league games, while the visitors are undefeated in 21 of their last 23. Ajax prevailed in this fixture last season, winning 2-0 thanks to goals from defenders Niklas Moisander and Toby Alderweireld. With the likes of Dusan Tadic, Luc Castaignos, and Quincy Promes in good form, it’ll be interesting to see if Twente can do one better this time around.

Fiorentina v Juventus (KO: Sunday, 14:00 UK time)

It’s third versus sixth. These two teams are great to watch and it will be a pleasure seeing them come up against each other. This game finished 0-0 last season, but hopefully should produce some goals this time around. Both teams boast impressive records, with Fiorentina remaining undefeated in 24 of their last 26 home matches in Serie A, while Juventus are undefeated in 35 of their last 38 away matches. It will be a tense battle, one in which either team can claim the victory. And a victory is indeed needed, as failure to claim all three points would see these teams fall further behind Roma and Napoli.