League action is set to resume in Europe as the Madrid derby takes centre stage. Here is a look at some of the talking points in La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1. Bet on football here.
Bragging rights up for grabs in Madrid
Real Madrid will make the trip to bitter city rivals Atlético Madrid on Saturday as Los Blancos aim to continue their one-point lead at the top of the table. Los Colchoneros will be looking to build on their most recent win over Mallorca during the midweek. Atletico have kept clean sheets in eight of their 13 home games, proving that they are defensively solid and they will be out to take the bragging rights here. Real have not given off the impression that they are league leaders, but surprisingly they sit in first place in the table and they will not give up their position easily.
Athletic Bilbao to continue unbeaten run?
Valencia will travel to Athletic Bilbao where they will be hosted by a high-flying home side and the big question is, can Los Ches get back to their winning ways? The hosts will be disappointed to not have continued their winning streak during the week, but they remain undefeated this season. Valencia will be trying to find their feet under their new coach, and their away record has been mixed in recent games, losing three of their last five outings. San Mamés has always been an absolute fortress and it is impossibly difficult for a visiting side to win here.
High scoring thriller in Germany
Title hopefuls Borussia Dortmund are hoping to get back to winning ways when they host Werder Bremen after being held to a draw last weekend. As always this game promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the Bundesliga’s most entertaining and attacking sides. This fixture has a history of delivering goals and ultimately, we feel that this game is not going to be any different. These two played each other three times in all competitions last season and there were Over 2.5 Goals scored in all three fixtures.
Napoli to respond to midweek loss
Napoli will be looking to return to winning ways in the Serie A when they take on Brescia in yet another home fixture. Carlo Ancelotti’s men need to pick up all three points from Sunday’s football game if they are to rejoin the race for the Serie A title. The Partenopei failed to turn their dominance into goals in the midweek fixture and were unfortunate not to grab something from the match. Mario Balotelli and his new teammates face an uphill task against Napoli and there is a good chance that they are going to return home empty-handed from the trip to Naples.
Neutral affair
Olympique Marseille will want to return to winning ways in Ligue 1 when they host Rennes at their Orange Velodrome. The hosts won just two of their last six home matches which doesn’t exactly instill a lot of confidence. And whereas they are unbeaten in their last four clashes with Rennes, they have won just one of those encounters. Draws have been common between the two in recent years and with neither team in top form, it is what looks very likely.
Mad