Four fixtures from around Europe you have to see this weekend

Very few would’ve imagined it before the start of the season, butSouthampton are performing very well at the moment, and find themselves third after 11 games. They have been playing some high tempo, attractive football. That said, their clash with Arsenal, who are top of the league, has been noted as one of four games definitely worth your time this weekend.

Everton v Liverpool (Saturday, 12:45 BST)

The Merseyside derby always proves a treat. Last season, Brendan Rodgers got his first taste of it. This season, it’s Roberto Martinez’s turn. Both sides have started the season well, with Everton losing only once after 11 games and Liverpool sitting two points off Arsenal in second place.

The Reds are unbeaten in their last six matches against the Toffees in all competitions, and in 17 of their last 19 league matches overall. The Toffees, meanwhile, have kept clean sheets in their last three games, and are unbeaten in their last 14 league games at Goodison Park.

This fixture ended in a 2-2 draw last season. Given Liverpool have made the most defensive errors in the league this season (11), it’s likely there’ll be goals here again. But Everton would need to be sharper in front of goal. Despite averaging over a goal a game thus far, they’ve drawn blanks in four games already. The onus has been on loan star Romelu Lukaku to get the goals thus far, but if Martinez’s side is to take all the spoils, the midfielders will need to stand up and be counted. This is certainly the occasion to do it.

Arsenal v Southampton (Saturday, 15:00 BST)

Regardless of what happens here, Mauricio Pochettino and Southampton have every right to be proud of what they have achieved to date. Their fine run may not go the distance, but they will certainly try to make a good account of themselves against the early title favourites. An upset isn’t inconceivable, but it will be a tough ask, for sure.

The Gunners, flying high themselves, have won their last four home games and are unbeaten in their last eight versus the Saints on their turf. The Saints, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last eight games. They suffered a 6-1 mauling in this fixture last season, but it’s unlikely they’ll be laid out like that this time around.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday, 13:30 BST)

On paper, there looks to be only one winner. City are unbeaten in 36 of their last 38 matches at the Etihad Stadium, and have beaten Spurs there in their last three encounters in all competitions. But Spurs would relish playing on what is the league’s biggest ground. Mousa Dembele recently bemoaned the difficulty of playing at White Hart Lane, stating that it is more difficult to break teams down there, given the pitch is small.

Once Andre Villas-Boas puts out the right players and gets his tactics spot on, they should halt the perfect home record the Citizens have. Aiding their cause is the fact that their defence has been tight thus far, having conceded just five goals. Only Southampton have conceded less. What’s more, they’ve actually kept clean sheets in their last three away games. Doing so will be difficult in this game, but nothing is impossible.

Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich (Sunday, 17:30 BST)

With German football very much on the up, the “Klaasiker” is surely a game you don’t want to miss. Jurgen Klopp’s men have won their last six home games, but have struggled–understandably–versus a very strong, accomplished Bayern side that remains unbeaten in the league after 12 games this season, and has won 26 of their last 29 games.

Dortmund grabbed a point following a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season, but have defensive concerns this time around, with starting central defenders Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic both out because of injury, the latter for an extended period. Klopp will be relieved that the ever dangerous Franck Ribery will not play for the opponents, but with their strength in depth, there is still much cause for dread. But that applies to Klopp, his squad, and Dortmund fans. The neutral, on the other hand, will thoroughly enjoy this one.