5 Must-Watch Games From Around Europe This Weekend
By Tom Gott
Ligue 1 is back, and the Premier League and La Liga are going to join the party this weekend as football tries to move on from the chaos that was last season.
After the shortest summer break in history, we're already looking forward to sinking our teeth into all the action, and this weekend has plenty of fascinating fixtures for us all to enjoy.
Here are five of this weekend's games that you need to watch.
1. Fulham vs Arsenal (Saturday 12th, 12:30)
Will this be the best game of the weekend? Almost certainly not, but you definitely should watch it. It's the return of the Premier League!
From a footballing perspective, we'll get our first glimpse of Fulham as they look to prove they have what it takes to survive in the top tier, while we'll see whether Arsenal are ready to take the next step and reach the top four.
2. Liverpool vs Leeds United (Saturday 12th, 17:30)
The Premier League champions vs the Championship champions. This one promises to be a thriller.
Leeds are one of the biggest unknown quantities heading into the new season. Opinions are divided on whether Marcelo Bielsa's men have what it takes to establish themselves in the Premier League, and we should figure that out here.
As for Liverpool, this is an intriguing hurdle for them to cross as they start their defence of the title. A potential banana skin?
3. Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton (Sunday 13th, 17:30)
Two sides pushing to break into the top four, Tottenham and Everton will be looking to make a real statement when they face off on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti's Everton have spent big on a new midfield, so the boss will be adamant that this is their time. However, if he wants to get to the top four, he'll have to go through José Mourinho.
After joining midway through last season, Mourinho will see this year as his year. He's spent money and will expect results.
4. PSG vs Marseille (Sunday 13, 20:00)
Ah, Le Classique. Nice and early for us to enjoy.
The two most successful sides in the history of French football, sparks always fly when Paris Saint-German and Marseille square off. It's a fixture known for its crowd unrest, although we probably won't be getting much of that this year.
PSG were stunned by minnows Lens last time out, so they'll be twice as determined to get the three points from this one.
5. Valencia vs Levante (Sunday 13th, 20:00)
Find me a story more intriguing than that of Valencia, where owner Peter Lim has pressed the self-destruct button and made almost every first-team player available for transfer.
Ferran Torres, Rodrigo Moreno, Dani Parejo, Francis Coquelin and Cristiano Piccini have all left the Mestalla already this summer, and there could be a few more casualties before the window closes next month.
It's a fascinating situation, and one we can't wait to watch unfold.