5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

From early title race showdowns to neighbourly disputes all over Europe, this weekend’s football action is not one to miss.

Here are our five must-watch games.

5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough

North East neighbours Sunderland and Middlesbrough meet in the Championship this weekend as both clubs look to earn promotion to the promised land of the Premier League. Once fixtures in the top division, neither side has been back since being relegated together in 2016/17.

Sunderland have started superbly under new head coach Régis Le Bris and sit in the automatic promotion places, with Middlesbrough just a point outside the play-offs and looking to build momentum under Michael Carrick.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Arsenal vs Manchester City (WSL)

The Women’s Super League returns this weekend and there is a cracker on the opening weekend. Last season’s runners-up, Manchester City, travel to face an Arsenal side who finished third last time out in a huge early-season showdown.

There’s added spice to the contest too, with Vivianne Miedema in line to make her league debut for City against her former club. The WSL’s all-time record scorer swapped North London for Manchester in the summer and marked her debut with a goal against Paris FC in the Champions League in midweek.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶🌶

Juventus vs Napoli

It’s a heavyweight weekend in Serie A as Juventus and Napoli go head-to-head. The latter are now under the management of ex-Juventus boss Antonio Conte and have recovered from an opening weekend setback with three consecutive victories.

Juventus, meanwhile, have made a positive start to life under Thiago Motta, sitting unbeaten after four games and without a single goal conceded. The Turin side were also impressive in the Champions League in midweek and will start as slight favourites.

Conte, however, will want to prove he’s got plenty left in the tank against one of Serie A’s best up-and-coming coaches.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶🌶🌶

Read – Ten of the very best Premier League ‘Barclaysmen’

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

The Derby della Madonnina returns this weekend as Inter Milan meet AC Milan in their shared San Siro cauldron. Last season’s top two face off on Sunday evening, in a fixture full of spice and importance.

Champions Inter are unbeaten in Serie A this season and battled to a goalless draw with Manchester City in midweek, while Milan have had a difficult start and lost their European opener to Liverpool.

It has even been suggested that Paulo Fonseca, onyl appointed in the summer, could already be on his way out at Milan.

Inter have won the last six meetings in all competitions, including a 5-1 thrashing of their great rivals in 2023/24.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

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Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League)

Manchester City and Arsenal square up in a Premier League cracker this weekend, as the top two from each of the last two campaigns collide.

Arsenal have emerged as the Citizens’ closest challengers in recent campaigns, though have been unable to end Pep Guardiola’s side’s stranglehold on the division. Have the Gunners improved sufficiently to dethrone the champions? Or are City, turbo-charged by Erling Haaland’s goals and top of the division with maximum points, still the team to beat?

This weekend might provide the answers.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Read – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

See more – Champions League Team of the Week – Raya, Kane and more

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