There’s an international break coming up, so enjoy the next couple of days!

Thankfully, the European football fixture supercomputers have served up some intriguing contests to get stuck into this weekend. There are standout doubles in the Premier League and Serie A, before two of Spanish football’s biggest sides go head-to-head to cap off the weekend.

All kick offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!

 

Everton vs. Manchester United

Saturday, November 7, 7:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN, Universo, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling Blue (free trial)

In Saturday’s early Premier League fixture, the stakes are high for Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as he takes his struggling team to Goodison Park to face Everton.

The Red Devils have turned in some impressive performances this season, but overall they’ve struggled and arguably reached their nadir on Wednesday in the loss to Istanbul Basaksehir. There’s been some speculation that a loss in Merseyside could spell the end for Solskjaer.

Everton haven’t looked as fearsome in recent weeks though, having suffered back-to-back losses against Southampton and Newcastle. Manager Carlo Ancelotti will be glad to get his team back to Goodison at least, where they’ve been free-scoring throughout the campaign.

Lucas Digne, James Rodriguez and Seamus Coleman all appear ready to return to the starting lineup too, meaning the Toffees should be bolstered. United have the individual talent to match their hosts, but in recent weeks that wealth of ability hasn’t been enough to get them over the line in matches.

 

Lazio vs. Juventus

Sunday, November 8, 6:30 a.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV, Sling Orange, Hulu + Live TV and Vidgo (free trial)

Lazio will be looking to continue their recent resurgence on Sunday morning, when champions Juventus are the visitors to the Stadio Olimpico.

After a slow beginning to the domestic campaign, Simone Inzaghi’s team have won their last two Serie A matches and have moved up into mid-table. Having been in the hunt for the title for so long during the previous season, they’ll be desperate to win here and thrust themselves back into the conversation.

As for Juventus, it’s still not completely clear what version will turn up. They’ve scored four in each of the previous two games, albeit against mediocre opposition in Spezia and Ferencvaros. Against stronger opponents, manager Andrea Pirlo has found it much more of a challenge to get positive results.

Pirlo has been able to welcome Cristiano Ronaldo back into the first team lately though and he’s already on five goals for the campaign despite only playing 214 minutes of Serie A football. It’s in these kinds of matches where the Portuguese will be expected to give the Bianconeri an edge.

 

Atalanta vs. Inter Milan

Sunday, November 8, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN+

After disappointing weeks in the Champions League, Atalanta and Inter Milan will both be out to respond in Sunday’s other showpiece Serie A encounter.

While Atalanta have made incredible progress in recent years, they put in one of their worst displays for a long time on Tuesday, as some kamikaze defending allowed Liverpool to run riot in a 5-0 win. For all of their attacking potency, La Dea need to stiffen up at the back if they’re to fare better against Inter.

As for Inter, they were beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid in a gripping contest on Tuesday; Antonio Conte’s side did brilliantly to fight back to parity from a two-goal deficit, only to lose the game late on. Against Atalanta, a defense that’s looked unsure throughout the season will be given a severe examination.

Both of these teams will be hopeful of challenging for the title this season and they’ve already scored a combined 32 goals in 2020-21. Given the struggles at the back each side has endured, a thriller looks sure to be on the cards in Bergamo.

 

Manchester City vs. Liverpool

Sunday, November 8, 11:30 a.m. ET, Peacock Premium (free trial)

Fresh from their demolition of Atalanta, Liverpool head to Manchester City for what’s set to be one of their most testing matches of the season.

Even though they’re without the stricken Virgil van Dijk, the Reds have found ways to win in the Premier League when they haven’t been at full throttle. But with Diogo Jota leading the line magnificently in midweek, there were signs of vibrancy again in the Liverpool attack and that’ll be a concern to City.

For the hosts, this is an enormous game. If they were to win it they’d move to within two points of the league leaders with a game in hand and would no doubt accrue confidence of getting much closer to challenging Liverpool for top spot this season.

Like Jurgen Klopp, City boss Pep Guardiola does have a number of injury problems to contend with, although he would have been pleased to see Gabriel Jesus return in midweek. However, it appears summer signings Jota and Ferran Torres will be at the point of the attack for these respective Premier League juggernauts, giving this vital fixture another intriguing layer.

 

Valencia vs. Real Madrid

Sunday, November 8, 3 p.m. ET, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, Fanatiz, fuboTV, Sling World Sports, Sling Latino and Vidgo (free trial)

Real Madrid’s campaign is showing some signs of gaining momentum and they will be out to continue their upturn in results at Valencia on Sunday.

After their Clásico win, Los Blancos have drawn at Borussia Monchengladbach and hammered Huesca, before eventually prevailing in a breathless game against Inter on Tuesday. With Eden Hazard and a number of other key players available for selection after an injury layoff, suddenly Zinedine Zidane’s squad appears to be a lot more settled.

The same cannot be said for Valencia, who have found the going tough in the Spanish top flight. A draw at home to Getafe last time out ended a run of three consecutive losses in La Liga at least, but already they are off the pace in the race for a European spot.

It means that while Madrid will be wary of the obvious quality Valencia have in their squad, this trip to the Mestalla may not be as challenging as has been the case in recent years, where they have tended to face a stronger opponent and a vociferous crowd.