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Following an exhilarating round of European football across three different club competitions, league action returns this weekend. This weekend across Europe's major leagues will be the last before the international break.
There are some enticing clashes across the continent's top five leagues this weekend. On that note, here's a look at the five big clashes this Saturday and Sunday across Europe's top five leagues that you must watch out for:
#5 Torino vs Juventus (Serie A)
The Turin derby is among the lesser-known derbies in European football. That is due to the contrasting statures of the sides involved. While Juventus are the most successful team in Italy, Torino are, at best, a mid-table team.
But don't let that lead you to believe that this is a lopsided encounter. Il Toro have been fighting tooth and nail in the derby lately. They secured a 2-2 draw at home against Juventus last season, their second stalemate in five games. Meanwhile, the Bianconeri have won by more than two goals only twice in their last eight Turin derbies.
Juventus' struggles in the new season under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri has been no secret. They have won only twice from their opening six games, their worst league start in over 50 years, especially after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.
For the first time in a while, Torino also sit above their city rivals in the league table, courtesy of a better goal difference. They would want to keep it that way for some more time.
#4 Manchester United vs Everton (Premier League)
Having started the 2021-22 season on a bright note, Manchester United have blown hot and cold off late. They have lost three of their last five games across competitions. United needed a stoppage-time winner from Cristiano Ronaldo to see off Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Despite having an envious attacking arsenal, all's not well in Stretford. Head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, particularly, has come under fire for his poor tactics and questionable substitutions in United's recent games.
For that reason, Everton will fancy their chances of upsetting United. They're breathing right below United's neck in the league table, with only goal-difference separating the two sides.
The Toffees are enjoying life under Rafael Benitez so far, winning four times from their opening six games. That should holds them in good stead as they seek to end their long victory drought at Old Trafford.
#3 Atalanta vs AC Milan (Serie A)
If you're still not following Serie A, make sure you put that right this weekend. This weekend, the Italian league features an enticing clash between Atalanta and AC Milan, two highly attack-minded teams.
Gli Orobici's renaissance under Gian Piero Gasperini is well-documented. Atlanta have played a ferocious, attacking brand of football that has yielded almost 200 goals in the last two league seasons alone.
However, their status as the most exciting team in Serie A came under threat from the Rossoneri last season. Milan caught everyone's imagination with their fairy-tale revival, finishing inside the top four for the first time in seven years.
In the ongoing 2021-22 campaign too, Stefano Pioli's troops are off to a blistering start. They have won five of their opening six games, and are one of only three unbeaten teams in the Italian top flight. So Atalanta will have their task cut out.
#2 Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona (La Liga)
Once a title-deciding fixture in La Liga, Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona has now become a clash of two sides in the midst of a crisis. That is symbolic of how the mighty have fallen.
Los Rojiblancos, the defending champions, reasserted their dominance in the Spanish top flight by winning their first league title in seven years. But things have gone awry for them this season, despite the return of their former goalscoring talisman Antoine Greizmann.
Atletico have won four times in their opening seven league games, which is a decent record. But none of those wins have been impressive. They have also scored only nine times, the worst record by any side currently inside the top ten places in Europe's top five leagues.
Things have gone far worse for Barcelona, though. The Blaugrana have made their worst start to a La Liga campaign in 33 years. They have also lost their first two Champions League games of a season for the very first time.
Under-fire manager Ronald Koeman is walking a tight rope. So another setback on Saturday could virtually spell the end of his time as Barcelona's head coach. A defeat for Atletico, meanwhile, could open the door for league leaders Real Madrid to extend their lead at the top of the table.
#1 Liverpool vs Manchester City (Premier League)
All eyes will be at Anfield on Sunday for this blockbuster clash, now touted as the 'English El Clasico'. That's because of the sheer intensity of this fixture and the many enthraling moments it has produced, especially in recent years.
Liverpool and Manchester City, who've won the last four Premier League titles, are leading the pack once again. They are respectively first and second in the league table this season.
Just one point separates the two sides, so victory for either team could prompt a change in the title race. The Reds could extend their lead at the top to four points, while the defending champions will look to take pole position with another Anfield victory.
However, it's far easier said than done for Pep Guardiola's troops. They have won at Anfield just once since 2003 - a stunning 4-1 victory in February this year when Liverpool were seemingly in free fall. But things are different now, with the Merseysiders back in their groove and oozing class once again. So City will have their task cut out after a midweek defeat against PSG in Europe.
