After some midweek league European action in Italy and some Cups action in Spain and Germany we are back with a full card of games to sneak in before the next round of the Champions League and International break. Too much football is barely enough? You bet. Below is our thoughts, mini taster stats and super multi of the big four leagues in Europe.
SPAIN – El propia meta
IT TAKES TWO
With Real Madrid beating Celta Vigo last weekend it appears as if the early season stage of a surprise at the top is over as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid move into the top three. But at least it is close with the two footballing giants on equal points. Barcelona have lost twice but undefeated Real have drawn three time to even it out. It will no doubt come down to the head to head battle, the first of which is looming in two rounds time.
A win for Real Sociedad gives David Moyes another week of breathing space and he may as well hang on in Spain as the prospect of saving busted arse Aston Villa in the EPL looks less enticing by the day.
HIGHLIGHTS
GETAFE v BARCELONA – SAT 19:30 SPAIN – LIVE ON BE IN SPORTS
Looks like an ordinary thrashing of a minnow by all-conquering Barcelona on paper, however Barcelona have lost their last two away games in La Liga and Getafe have won their last three including a 3-0 and 4-0 last starts. Barcelona also were held by third tier Villanovense during the week in the cup.
STATISTICS PLEASE
REAL MADRID remain unbeaten so far this year in 9 games.
GRANADA have the longest winless streak of 7 games.
MALAGA are yet to score away from home.
No team has currently won or lost more than two in a row.
ITALY – L’Autogol
SU-SU-SASSUOLO or JUVE SAY GOODBYE I SAY HELLO
A round of midweek adventures livened up an already lively Serie A, proudly wearing its tag as the closest top league in Europe this year. Comparisons have been made with the EPL which is equally tight, and also similarities between the performances of last year’s champions. Juventus during the week lost at the lesser known Sassuolo who are making a good fist of their third ever Serie A season and sit in fifth.
Up above them sit the top 4 just 2 points apart all taking advantage of the off year for Juventus, who are 12th and nine points off the top four.
HIGHLIGHTS
JUVENTUS v TORINO – SAT 17:00 ITALY – LIVE ON BE IN SPORTS AUSTRALIA
The Turin derby, and a great chance for Torino to beat their bigger rivals twice in a calendar year. Surely it will turn around soon for Juventus in Serie A, and will it be this weekend against their city rivals.
STATISTICS PLEASE
ROMA and NAPOLI are on a run of 5 straight wins.
NAPOLI are unbeaten in 9 games.
VERONA are still yet to win this season.
Although picked on for having too many draws – Serie A games have only ended in a draw 22% of the time this season compared to the EPL 28%.
FRANCE – Le contre son camp
DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGERS
With moneybags PSG looking nicely settled at the top of the table and destined for another championship, it’s time to look for something more interesting, and that alternative is the surprise packets in second.
ANGERS, the team from Western France in their 1st season in the top flight since 1994 (they even dropped down from 2nd div twice in that absence) sit second with just the one loss from their first 11 games. Although their second placing and gap of seven points to PSG probably won’t last, it is nice to see some different happens, and probably something that is unlikely to ever happen in the EPL.
HIGHLIGHTS
MONACO v ANGERS – SUN 16:00 FRANCE – LIVE ON BE IN SPORTS CONNECT
Monaco, good enough for European Football, have yet to win at home this year, and the plucky Angers side will be keen to remain flying high in Ligue 1.
STATISTICS PLEASE
PSG are yet to lose in 11 games.
PSG also are on a run of five straight wins.
TROYES are yet to win this year.
TOULOUSE are only one win better and that was the first match of the season.
GFC AJACCIO won their first game of the season last weekend.
NICE have scored as many goals as PSG in one less game.
GERMANY – Das Eigentor
ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH?
A league with even less title challenging about it than the French league with Bayern Munich already well ahead and have already thrashed their nearest competitior.
So how about a story about a 28 year old manager. Struggling Hoffenheim have hired a manager of just 28 years at least giving neutrals with a passing interest in the Bundesliga something a little more interesting now that a title challenge looks dead and buried after 10 games.
HIGHLIGHTS
Full live coverage of all games on BE IN SPORTS AUTRALIA.
STATISTICS PLEASE
BAYERN MUNICH Are 10 from 10 in the league.
Next best run is BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH who have won 5 straight after losing 5 in a row to start the season.
WOLFSBURG are undefeated in their last 27 home matches.
THE EURO SUPER MULTI
REAL MADRID to beat Las Palmas
ATHLETIC BILBAO to beat Real Betis
LAZIO to beat Milan
FIORENTINA to beat Frosinone
JUVENTUS to beat Torino
WOLFSBURG to beat Bayer Leverkusen
BAYERN MUNICH to beat Eintracht Frankfurt
DORTMUND to beat Werder Bremen
DRAW – Hertha Berlin v Bor Monchengladbach
DRAW or ANGERS v Monaco
$1 pays $340
