The Big Weekend Preview

Families across Europe will be divided this weekend as the fixture list throws up several of the biggest derbies in England, Spain and Italy. Bragging right on Merseyside, Cataluña and Milan are all up for grabs as we chuck out the proverbial form books and wait for the heavy tackles to come flying in.

Everton v Liverpool

The first Merseyside derby of the season is always a highly-charged fixture, and after needle left in last season’s corresponding fixture, where Everton lost to two Kuyt penalties but were controversially denied a stonewall penalty for Carragher’s foul on Lescott, Everton will be salivating at the thought of getting one over on their city rivals.

Liverpool, sitting third in the table, are riding high without playing particularly well. A forgettable midweek win in the cup against Crewe did little to suggest that the Reds and moving into a higher gear, and this leaves Rafa Bentitez with some selection queries. At the top of the pile is whether goal-shy Robbie Keane will start, with question marks still unanswered over whether the Irishman can compliment Torres up front, with Babel and Gerrard breaking from midfield.

David Moyes’ side has also experienced a slow start to the season, having won just two of their opening seven fixtures and shipping a whopping ten goals in their last five outings. The defence will need to prove far more solid come lunchtime on Saturday, and with Cahill, Arteta, Saha and Yakubu, Goodison Park will be praying for the first home win of the new campaign.

101 Predicts: Everton 1 – Liverpool 2

Fulham v West Ham

The second derby of the day in the Premier League comes at Craven Cottage, the sixth-placed Hammers visiting Fulham in 11th spot.

Its been a tough week for West Ham, losing in the courts to the tune of £30m, and losing on the pitch at Watford to be dumped out the League Cup. Adding to the troubles has been the loss of Dean Ashton, and still nursing an injury list far too long for comfort, Zola will be hoping he can lift the gloom in East London with three points.

Roy Hogson’s side however are far from flowing either. Their stop-start season has seen the momentum gained from three successive victories come to a halt after losing back-to-back games at Blackburn and Burnley. Andy Johnson is still looking to get off the mark, but the omens look poor for the hosts, having never beaten West Ham at home in the Premier League.

101 Predicts: Fulham 1 – West Ham 1

QPR v Derby

This top versus bottom affair has taken on a whole new twist this week after an acrimonious breakdown between the sides over the price of tickets for the match.

Cash-laden Rangers made the unilateral decision to jack-up their ticket prices to £40 for adults and £30 for concessions, being a £10 increase across the board. The Rams complained to the Football League, arguing that the parties had agreed on the reduced fees, and in a victory for the average punter the governing body ruled in favour of Derby.

Until this week everyone was loving the financial revolution at Loftus Road, and while Iain Dowie’s team will be full of confidence after having won at Villa Park, there will no-doubt be a section of the crowd who will let their negative feelings known come kick-off.

101 Predicts: QPR 3 – Derby 2

Espanyol v Barcelona

The big derby in Spain happens in Cataluña on Saturday night. Espanyol play host to Barcelona, with both clubs sitting on a tally of seven points from their opening four games.

Barca, after a stuttering start, gave the impression that they had finally found their feet trouncing Sporting Gijon 6-1, only to take their foot off the peddle again in a narrow 3-2 victory over Betis. Yet, with arguably the most devastating right-hand side in the world – Danny Alves and Messi – and having a rejuvenated Samuel Eto’o leading the line in recent weeks, Pep Guardiola has much to be positive about heading to the Montjuic.

Espanyol however, will believe they will claim all three points this weekend, having a hold on their city rivals in the last few years. Barca have failed win this fixture since 2004, most famously seeing Raul Tamudo deprive them of the title with a last minute equaliser in the penultimate game of the 2006/7 season.

101 Predicts: Espanyol 2 – Barcelona 2

Atletico Madrid v Sevilla

Atletico, tipped this season as finally being equipped to mount a serious title challenge, receive a major test to their credentials this weekend as they face off against Sevilla at the Vicente Calderon stadium.

The Rojiblancos know that the win is crucial against so-far unbeaten Sevilla, with fixtures against Barca, Real Madrid and Villarreal all waiting for them in their next three matches. Yet after having done the double over Sevilla last season including a sensational 4-3 home win, and having Kun Aguero and Florent Sinama Pongolle in fine goalscoring form, Atletico will have their tails up.

Sevilla will be buoyed by the absence of injured Simao and Maniche, and having beaten Espanyol in their last match, Manuel Jimenez’s side will believe that Freddie Kanoute, and the returning Diego Capel and Jesus Navas can offer enough attacking options to prize open their opponents.

101 Predicts: Atletico Madrid 2 – Sevilla 1

AC Milan v Inter Milan

AC Milan’s title ambitions will also be put to the test this Sunday night, coming up against their San Siro rivals, and 3-years-running reigning Serie A champions, Inter Milan.

Inter under Mourinho are riding-high, moving to the top of the table having recorded three wins in their last four matches as they have begin to pick up momentum.

By contrast, having splashed out big money on big names Ronaldinho and Shevchenko Ancelotti’s Rossoneri got off to a slow start. But in recent weeks, with the new boys both benched, Milan has indicated that they have turned the corner with Pato and Borriello leading the line expertly. Without doubt however, Kaka’s improving fitness has been the main reason for Milan’s resurgence. Nevertheless pressure remains on Milan to beat Inter to prove their disastrous start to the season was just a blip.

101 Predicts: AC Milan 1 - Inter Milan 2