The weekend has started after strange Champions League matchdays. Some clubs didn’t perform well and will seek to redeem their errors over the weekend.
With the leagues in Europe continuing this weekend, SixSports draft out four games for the weekend.
Super Sunday in Etihad
Mikel Arteta’s side has been the best in the last three meetings against Manchester City. Last season, Arsenal defeated Manchester City twice and picked a point in the Etihad to ice the cake.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t win the league despite the high-flying performances against City.
Meanwhile, both teams play on Sunday at the Etihad, another explosive game, and football fans are expected to witness another showbiz between the “mentor and mentee.” They shared a similar fate during the week at the Champions League, with barren draw in Italy and England.
But Arsenal having tasted a point, one thing left to achieve in recent times is beating Manchester City at home under Pep Guardiola. The last time Arsenal defeated Manchester City was in 2015, and Arsenal Wenger was the Gunners’ manager.
In a devastating double blow, both Manchester City and Arsenal will be without their star players for Sunday’s highly-anticipated matchup.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne suffered a groin injury in the Champions League and is unlikely to take the pitch, while Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard has been ruled out for an indefinite period with an ankle problem.
But Phil Foden has fully recovered from his injury and is expected to start in De Bruyne’s place.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s injury list continues to grow. Odegaard joins Mikel Merino (shoulder), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) on the sidelines.
In a positive turn for Arsenal, Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka have overcome knocks and are available for selection. Declan Rice has also returned from his ban.
Raheem Sterling, formerly of Manchester City, hopes to make his Arsenal debut at his old stomping ground. However, Leandro Trossard is currently favoured to start.
The absence of De Bruyne and Odegaard will significantly impact both teams’ attacking strategies. Sunday’s match promises to be an intense, closely contested encounter.
Manchester City 2-0 Arsenal
Stuttgart Vs Dortmund
Struggling Stuttgart host high-flying Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Stuttgart, who were last season’s runners-up, have collected just four points from nine this campaign and sit 11th. They lost the German Super Cup final and their first league game but secured their first win against Borussia Monchengladbach (3-1).
Dortmund, on the other hand, under new manager Sahin, have won four of five games, including a 3-0 Champions League victory against Club Brugge. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has impressed with four goals in 180 minutes.
Despite the shaky start of Stuttgart this season, they have kept their unbeaten status, increasing to 13. The last time they lost was in February 2024.
Stuttgart: Müller; Mavropanos, Anton, Ito; Endo, Ahamada; Faghir, Kastanaras, Guirassy; Silas, Pfeiffer
Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Schlotterbeck, Hummels, Guerreiro; Can, Bellingham; Adeyemi, Reus, Bynoe-Gittens; Haller
Score: Stuttgard 3-2 Dortmund
Juventus vs. Napoli
Conte returns to Turin
Antonio Conte, former Juventus coach, returns to the Allianz Stadium seeking to engineer victory over his former club. Conte boasts an impressive 68% win percentage during his time at Juventus and is one of only six coaches to have surpassed 100 wins with the Bianconeri.
Two Serie A giants, Juventus and Napoli, clash in a highly anticipated matchup at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday, September 21.
Juventus, under new manager and former Barcelona player, Thiago Motta, remain unbeaten in the league, boasting an impressive four consecutive clean sheets. Their Champions League campaign started with a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, courtesy of goals from Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie, and Nico Gonzalez.
Napoli, led by Antonio Conte, have bounced back from a disappointing 3-0 loss to Hellas Verona on the opening day. They collected nine points in their last three matches, including a convincing 4-0 win over Cagliari, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Romelu Lukaku among the scorers.
Key Stats and Head-to-Head
Juventus have won 10 of their last 13 home games against Napoli.
Napoli have won six of their last nine Serie A games against Juventus.
Juventus have kept four consecutive clean sheets, a feat achieved only four times previously in Serie A history.
Napoli’s recent form suggests they could secure their fourth consecutive Serie A win for the first time since last season.
Juventus:
Szczesny (goalkeeper)
Danilo, Bremer, and Alex Sandro (defenders)
McKennie, Locatelli, Pogba (midfielders)Di Maria, Vlahovic, Gonzalez (forwards)
Napoli:
Meret (goalkeeper)
Di Lorenzo, Rahmani, Kim (defenders)
Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski (midfielders)
Kvaratskhelia, Lukaku, (forwards)
Juventus 2-1 Napoli
Barcelona vs Villareal
Hansi Flick backs on team support as Barcelona travels to Villarreal
A potential thriller between Villarreal and Barcelona as the home side will be hoping to capitalise on their last home game victory over Celta Vigo.
The Yellow Submarine defeated Celta in a thrilling 4-3 win at the Ceramics Stadium and would be welcoming league leaders, Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will be hoping to continue their 100% run in the league, despite their Champions League loss to Monaco.
Score: Barcelona 2-0Villareal
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