Barcelona have had some horror shows on the road in Europe over the past couple of years and may settle for starting out with a draw at Borussia Dortmund. The Catalan giants are unbeaten in 14 Champions League pool-stage games, but will see this as a tough trip to make first up in Group F.
Both Derby and Cardiff are not doing as well as expected in the Championship and each manager may settle for a draw when they meet. The Rams are yet to win at Pride Park after three league matches on home turf, while the Bluebirds have only picked up one point from the same number of away games.
As the international break ends and crowds flock back to Premier League and EFL stadiums, we’ve quantified exactly which sets of fans have the most entertainment to look forward to. Every venue has been ranked, both overall and within their current division, to inform the discerning spectator.
Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020 are hanging by a thread after Friday’s loss to Russia and they face another daunting test against Belgium next. The Red Devils prevailed 3-0 when these teams met in Brussels and have rattled off five straight wins in Group I, with 15 goals scored and only one conceded.
Mexico have gone nine games against Argentina without a win but may be a value bet to buck that trend when they meet in a San Antonio friendly. El Tri have named an experienced squad for this contest, which takes place a week ahead of their Independence Day, and are coming off a 3-0 triumph over USA.
Bitter rivals Germany and Netherlands are set for another blockbuster battle in Hamburg but we just favour the hosts in this Euro 2020 qualifier. Die Mannschaft have already defeated the Dutch 3-2 in Amsterdam in Group C and that should allow them to play with more freedom here.
With this season’s Champions League group stage fast approaching, fans will no doubt be keen to see their team get off to a good start, but just how important is it and what else can you do to ensure a successful campaign? We’ve got a great infographic looking at all the past trends!
Torino played to Wolves’ strengths in the first leg of their Europa League tie and it may be a case of more of the same at Molineux. Wanderers returned from Italy with a 3-2 lead, despite only having 37 per cent of the possession, and can again catch their opponents out on the counter-attack.
Rangers returned from Poland with a satisfactory goalless stalemate against Legia Warsaw and will now be confident of reaching the Europa League group stage. Steven Gerrard’s side have rattled off four straight home wins this season, with 17 goals scored and just two conceded at Ibrox.
Celtic were good value for last week’s 2-0 Europa League win over AIK and are fancied to confirm their superiority with another success in Sweden. The Hoops had chances to increase that advantage when their opponents were forced to chase the game late on and can capitalise on a similar scenario.
A new era has begun for both Derby and West Brom and Saturday’s Pride Park clash will help to show which is in better shape to push for a return to the Premier League. Both teams went close last season but missed out in the Championship play-offs and now have new managers in charge.
Real Madrid have gone 10 seasons without losing their opening La Liga fixture and can extend that impressive record when visiting Celta Vigo. The Whites have claimed seven wins during that period and are fancied to add to that tally, with a fired-up Zinedine Zidane back at the helm.
Home advantage proved decisive in both games when Huddersfield and Fulham met in the Premier League last season and that trend could continue in the Championship. The Cottagers are still trying to play a passing game, but those tactics look questionable on a pitch also used for rugby league.
Bayern Munich appear to have been handed a nice start to the new Bundesliga season as they head off in search of an eighth straight title by hosting Hertha Berlin. The visitors do have a decent record against them, though, losing just one of their last five encounters in Germany’s top division.