IN ENGLAND …
• Have Chelsea hit rock bottom?
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea team looked more like their old selves in midweek when they comfortably defeat Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League. That win momentarily eased the pressure on the Chelsea manager, who has seen his side lose three out of their opening five Premier League fixtures. The visitors on Saturday are high-flying Arsenal, whose manager Arsene Wenger would enjoy nothing more than deepening the woes of his longstanding rival.
IN FRANCE …
• Can Rennes go top of the table?
One point behind Paris Saint-Germain after their best start to a season since the 1950-51 campaign, Philippe Montanier’s side will go top if they win at home to Lille on Friday night as PSG are not in action until Saturday, when they make the short trip to third-place Reims.
IN GERMANY…
• Who’ll take Schalke’s penalties?
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar missed his fourth successive spot-kick for Schalke in last weekend’s game against Mainz. Spot-kick duties may be up for grabs at Stuttgart on Sunday.
IN ITALY …
• Can Chievo maintain their unbeaten run?
First plays second in Serie A this weekend when leaders Inter travel to surprise package Chievo who have only dropped two points thus far and that away at last season’s champions Juventus.
IN PORTUGAL …
• Will the O Clássico be decisive?
The first O Clássico of the season takes place on Sunday and if recent history is anything to go by, the match will have a bearing on the outcome of the title race in Portugal. A point separates Porto and Benfica, but as the sides were only separated by three points over the course of last season, every encounter carries a certain amount of significance.
IN SPAIN …
• Will Cristiano Ronaldo break another record?
Another piece of Real Madrid history awaits Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday, as he can become the club’s all-time leading scorer when they host Granada. He is officially just two goals shy of Raul’s 323-goal record despite having played over 400 games fewer. However, the club claim he is just one goal behind Raul as they credited Ronaldo with a goal back in 2010 that was awarded to Pepe in the referee’s report.
