5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

The game’s are coming thick and fast and there’s some terrific ties on offer across Europe this weekend.

We’ve picked out five must-watch games.

5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt

Nuri Sahin will take charge of Borussia Dortmund for the first time in the Bundesliga this weekend. The former favourite has replaced Edin Terzic after the latter’s decision to step down at the Westfalenstadion.

It’s a new era for last season’s Champions League finalists with icons in Mats Hummels and Marco Reus having moved on. Recruitment has increased excitement, with Stuttgart sensation Serhou Guirassy arriving alongside Germany internationals Maximilian Beier, Pascal Gross and Waldemar Anton.

The opening fixture should be a cracker with Frankfurt the visitors, as the teams who finished fifth and sixth last season go head-to-head.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Sunderland vs Burnley

The Championship’s early-season table toppers will tussle it out this weekend as Sunderland meet Burnley at The Stadium of Light.

Each have started the season in superb form, with Sunderland swatting aside Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday, without conceding a goal, and Burnley racking up nine goals in their first two fixtures.

A win this weekend provides the promotion hopefuls with the chance to send a statement.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶🌶

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona’s summer pursuit of Nico Williams adds a sub-plot to this weekend’s clash, as Athletic Bilbao have (so far) fought off the advances of their La Liga rivals. Williams was one of the stars of Spain’s success at Euro 2024 and will be the player Barcelona fear this weekend, as the Basque outfit arrive in Catalonia.

Having seemed set for a summer switch, Williams now looks likely to remain with Bilbao. The narrative of an impactful performance from the winger this weekend is unmissable.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶🌶🌶

Swansea City vs Cardiff City

Swansea and Cardiff might be marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the second tier right now, but the first South Wales Derby of the summer is sure to have some spice. The bitter rivals meet in the Championship this weekend in a local grudge match.

Cardiff improved under Erol Bulot last season but have started the season with a whimper, losing to the current top two without scoring a goal. The Bluebirds will also want to improve on a poor recent record in this fixture having won just two of the last 11 meetings with Swansea.

Goals should be expected, with 18 scored in the last six encounters.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Arsenal face an early-season acid test as the Gunners head to Villa Park. Former manager Unai Emery was a thorn in the club’s title challenge last season, as Aston Villa won both fixtures against the North Londoners.

The Villans were the only team to beat Arsenal home and away in 2023/24, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates that derailed the title charge of Mikel Arteta’s side.

Both teams started the new season with wins on the opening weekend, setting the stage for a huge clash on Saturday evening.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Read – Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

See more – 📈 Power Rankings: Surprise early leaders in 2024/25

Subscribe to our social channels:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok