5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

European football’s top leagues are back this weekend as fans settle in for another action-packed season across the continent.

The season’s opening fixtures and traditional curtain-raisers have thrown up some top ties and we’ve picked out five must-watch games this weekend.

5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

West Ham vs Aston Villa

The Claret and Blues of East London and the Midlands meet this weekend, as West Ham take on Aston Villa at the London Stadium. Unai Emery’s visitors head into the new season with excitement ahead of a maiden Champions League campaign, having upset the odds to gatecrash the Premier League’s top four last season.

Their hosts will be casting an envious glance towards Villa’s continental crusade this season, though harbour their own ambitions of unseating England’s elite.

The bubble-blowing Hammers’ fans are bursting with excitement after the arrival of Julen Lopetegui and a wealth of new recruits, with the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville having the potential to become fans’ favourites. A clash with one of last season’s top four is the perfect early barometer of Lopetegui’s new-look side.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶️

Valencia vs Barcelona

After being uncomfortably close to relegation in 2022/23, last season proved one of progress for Valencia’s inexperienced team. One of Spanish football’s traditional giants has fallen on harder times of late, but under former favourite Ruben Baraja finished just outside the European places with the youngest squad in La Liga.

Los Ches’ economic issues mean recruitment has again been minimal but the club’s star names have remained, including highly-rated midfielder Javi Guerra. Opening night at The Mestalla will see Barcelona arrive, another side short of cash but rich in history.

Now under the management of Hansi Flick, the Catalans have the tough task of wrestling back La Liga from a Real Madrid team supercharged by the signing of Kylian Mbappe. With Dani Olmo arriving to link-up with fellow Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal, hopes are high.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶️ 🌶️

Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart

Bayer Leverkusen’s historic double-winning season was one of the tales of 2023/24, as Xabi Alonso side’s won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal without losing a game. Leverkusen had never even been crowned German champions before but became the first team to do so unbeaten in an unforgettable campaign.

The German season’s traditional curtain-raiser will see Leverkusen take on fellow surprise package Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup.

Stuttgart went from relegation battlers to Champions League qualifiers last season, finishing as runners-up – above Bayern Munich – to seal their place in this showdown. However, Sebastian Hoeneß has had to deal with his squad being stripped of top talent, with leading scorer Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton and Hiroki Ito all cherry-picked by divisional rivals.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Ipswich Town vs Liverpool

Ipswich Town return to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades this season, following a meteoric rise that has seen Kieran McKenna lead the club to consecutive promotions.

The fixture computer has landed The Tractor Boys a glamour tie to kick things off, as 19-time champions Liverpool arrive in East Anglia. It’s a fixture steeped in narrative, with Arne Slot leading Liverpool for the first time and Ipswich eyeing an upset.

Ipswich’s last top-flight fixture ended in a 5-0 defeat at Liverpool in 2002 that confirmed relegation. A packed Portman Road will hope there’s no repeat.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Chelsea vs Manchester City

A ‘Big Six’ contest on the Premier League’s opening weekend? It doesn’t get much spicier.

The clash also sees Pep Guardiola up against former assistant Enzo Maresca, who takes charge of Chelsea for the first time.

Sure, Chelsea have been a shambles for much of the last two seasons and an unconvincing pre-season has hardly inspired confidence. But the West Londoners were awkward opponents for Manchester City in both meetings last season, holding the champions to draws home and away.

The fixture at Stamford Bridge was a chaotic 4-4 contest that saw Cole Palmer snatch a late point against his former side. More of that this weekend, please.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Read – The five highest spending clubs of the summer transfer window so far

See more – Five of last summer’s signings who must improve in 2024/25

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