5 games to watch: Manchester derby, Der Klassiker headline weekend

Here are five of the best matches around Europe this weekend, headlined by Der Klassiker and the Manchester derby.

Following some very exciting Champions League games on Tuesday and Wednesday, the best clubs from across Europe return to their domestic leagues this weekend. Europe’s top four leagues all offer games between clubs battling for top four spots and major rivalries. The Bundesliga offers its biggest game of the season, with Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. The Premier League offers the Manchester derby. La Liga features a game between second and third place. And Serie A has two games between clubs battling for European positions.

5. Sassuolo vs. Lazio — Sunday, Nov. 11, Noon ET (ESPN+)

Sassuolo have been the most surprising team in Serie A. In the previous five seasons, the Neroverdi have finished in the bottom half of the table four times. Sassuolo are sixth with 18 points ahead of their game against fifth-place Lazio. The Eagles have seven wins this season but losses to Juventus, Napoli, Inter Milan and Roma are keeping them out of the top four. Ciro Immobile scored a brace in Lazio’s 4-1 win over SPAL last weekend, bringing him to eight goals this season. Simone Inzaghi will rely on Immobile to finish the chances created by midfield stars Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto as Lazio look to close the three-point gap on AC Milan.

4. Sevilla vs. Espanyol — Saturday, Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m. ET (BeIN Sports)

Entering the season, few people predicted Espanyol and Sevilla would be second and third in La Liga after 11 matches. Espanyol are three points behind their city rivals Barcelona, while Sevilla are third with 20 points, one point behind Espanyol. The two teams meet in Sevilla this weekend with both clubs looking to get ahead of the other.

Espanyol have picked up 14 points in their last six games. They’ve been incredible at home, winning all five of their games and conceding only one goal. However, in their six away games, Espanyol have conceded seven goals and only have six points. Sevilla are also better at home, with 10 points in five games. While the Filigrees are one of the top scoring teams in La Liga, they have been shaky in their own half. However, a hamstring injury to leading scorer Andre Silva could hurt Sevilla’s attack on Saturday. Without Silva, Sevilla will turn to Pablo Sarabia and Wissam Ben Yedder, who have both scored five goals this season.

3. AC Milan vs. Juventus — Sunday, Nov. 11, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Juventus lost their first game of the season on Wednesday, blowing a late lead against Manchester United. In Serie A, Juventus look like they’ll cruise to their eighth straight Scudetto after picking up 31 points in their first 11 games. Massimiliano Allegri’s side have already opened up a six-point lead over Inter Milan and Napoli. Juventus will look to build to their lead on Sunday when they play AC Milan at San Siro. Despite losing only two games this season and currently sitting fourth in the table, rumors are swirling about Gennaro Gattuso’s job security at the club.

The most interesting storyline heading into Sunday’s game is the potential for a Gonzalo Higuain revenge game. Juventus dumped Higuain this summer in favor of Cristiano Ronaldo. In two seasons with Juve, Higuain won two Scudettos and scored 40 goals in Serie A. However, disappointing Champions League runs lead Juventus to sign Ronaldo. In his first season in Turin, Ronaldo has scored seven goals and added six assists. Higuain has scored five times for Milan.

2. Manchester City vs. Manchester United — Sunday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m. ET (NBCSN)

Manchester City are again first in the Premier League this season after running away with the title in 2017-18. City are undefeated to start the year, with 29 of a possible 33 points, nine points ahead of Manchester United. The two teams meet on Sunday in the Manchester derby, with City looking to build on their two-point lead and United looking to end City’s unbeaten start.

United have been battling internally for most of the season. After seven games it seemed like Jose Mourinho was going to be fired. Down 2-0 at halftime against Newcastle in matchday 8 looked like he was on his way out. However, that game has turned out to be a turning point for United’s season. The Red Devils rallied in the second half to beat Newcastle 3-2 and have picked up seven points in their next three games. On Wednesday, United made another late comeback, scoring two goals to stun Juventus in Italy. While United enter the game nine points back of City, they’re arguably as hot as their city rivals entering Sunday’s game.

1. Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich — Saturday, Nov. 10, 12:30 p.m. ET (FS2)

Der Klassiker is the biggest game in the Bundesliga season. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are first and third respectively heading into the match, and it looks like there might actually be a title race for the first time in seven years.

For the past six seasons, Bayern have run away with the league title. Bayern have won the Bundesliga title by at least 10 points in all six season and by an average of 16 points. This season, Bayern have struggled under new manager Niko Kovac, dropping 10 points over their last six games. Bayern enter Der Klassiker four points behind Dortmund. Kovac’s side have looked older and slower, with injuries taking their toll on the midfield.

While Bayern are still relying on aging players such as Arjen Robben, Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery, among others, Borussia Dortmund have gone the opposite route. Dortmund have invested in younger players who are hungry to prove themselves. After 10 games, the youth movement is paying off for Dortmund, who are undefeated and first in the Bundesliga with 24 points. Jadon Sancho has had a breakout season for Dortmund, leading the Bundesliga with six assists but also chipping in with four goals. In addition to Sancho, Paco Alcacer is having an incredible first season with the club, scoring a Bundesliga-best seven goals in only 204 minutes.