Barcelona will today host Real Madrid in the first “clasico” match for Jude Bellingham, according to AP.
Madrid leads the defending champions by one point. Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has not revealed if Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri González and Jules Koundé are fit to play after missing several weeks due to injuries.
Bellingham has become an instant star at Madrid, scoring 11 goals in 12 games since moving to Spain this summer. Also, Sevilla visits Cadiz aiming to bounce back from its loss to Arsenal in the Champions League, while last-place Almeria host Las Palmas and Getafe is at Mallorca.
Arsenal hosts last-place Sheffield United in what looks like lopsided matchup, but the visitors have played tough against Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City — 2-1 losses each time. The unbeaten Gunners are third in the Premier League standings after nine games. Sheffield has just one point and has lost five straight games. Brentford makes a short trek to Stamford Bridge for a west London derby against Chelsea. Newcastle visits Wolverhampton after losing 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday. Bournemouth hosts Burnley with both teams stuck in the relegation zone. Vincent Kompany’s squad has just one win and four points. Bournemouth is winless and has lost four straight league matches.
Juventus can put an awful year behind it by moving provisionally top of Serie A with a win over Hellas Verona. Last season a false accounting case saw the storied Italian club docked points and excluded from the Europa League, while two players have been banned this season. But not playing in Europe has helped Juventus focus on Serie A, where a third straight win would send the Bianconeri a point clear at the top with the Milan teams playing the following day.
Manuel Neuer is expected to make his long-awaited return in goal for Bayern Munich at home to promoted Darmstadt. The goalkeeper and captain hasn’t played since he broke his leg while skiing in December last year following the World Cup. Neuer’s longtime understudy Sven Ulreich has been filling in for him so far this season.
France U21 forward Elye Wahi has been a key asset for Lens in the Champions League this season. He now needs to carry his European form into the French league to help his side continue recovering from a poor start that saw it earn just one point from its five opening games.
