The international break is over and while, on paper, many of the top flight fixtures around Europe feel like they’re easing us back into the action, there’s still a couple of tasty top three clashes in Spain, Austria and, er, the Blue Square Bet North, a relegation six pointer in Easter Europe, a non-league cup derby and a very interesting slice of action from Italy.
As ever, if there’s any games you’d like to shout about for this weekend, or if you’re out and about, let us know what’s tickled your fancy for Saturday and Sunday in the comments below.
Alfreton Town v AFC Telford
Blue Square Bet North, 3pm, Saturday 16th October
Alfreton have been on fire this season with just one loss in the league this season spoiling an otherwise perfect record. Nicky Law’s talented squad are clear favourites for the title and you’d do well to make any money betting on them to go up.
However, there are several sides keeping Alfreton honest near the top of the table and AFC Telford are one of these. Under the guidance of ex-England international Andy Sinton, the Bucks have put a disappointing 2009/10 season behind them to mount a solid promotion challenge.
Telford have drawn a lot of games though, but this is one Sinton’s side will need no encouragement to get fired up for and although Alfreton will be favourites, an unexpected win for the Bucks will take them within two points of the summit.
Bideford v Tiverton Town
FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round, 3pm, Saturday 16th October
Just a few seasons ago, the chances of these two meeting on even vaguely equal terms seemed laughable. But Bideford have a bit of cash and ambition behind them and, despite the travelling distances involved, are more than holding their own as they sit just outside the playoffs in the Zamaretto South & West League.
Tiverton may be one division higher but would have been facing Bideford in the league but for a reprieve from relegation this season. Long-serving boss Martyn Rodgers departed in the summer and Tivvy are still at the wrong end of the table under the guidance of former Rangers defender Chris Vinnicombe. This could well be an upset, especially as the Robins have former Tiverton favourite Jamie Mudge leading the line.
SK Sturm Graz v SV Josko Ried
Austrian Bundesliga 3pm, Saturday 16th October
A tasty second versus third encounter in Austria as Graz look to edge ever closer to the top of the table. Die Schwoazn have been in great form this season, although both losses have come at home, most recently to Austria Vienna at the end of September.
Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for Graz and they’ve already put three past Ried on the opening day of the season. Ried, for their part, haven’t achieved results against the better teams in the division and recently lost the double header against last season’s champions Red Bull Salzburg. Both teams know a win will see them pull away from their rivals and potentially overhaul Wacker Innsbruck at the top of the table.
Barcelona v Valencia
La Liga, 7pm, Saturday 16th October
Whoda thunk it. At the start of the season Valenica had sold theit two biggest stars and, heavily in debt, expectations were suitably lowered. Six games in Los Che sit proudly at the top of La Liga after a storming start that’s seen them drop just two points - a one-all draw with Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona, on the other hand, haven’t quite looked their all conquering selves, although they’re only three points off the top spot themselves. David Villa might be spared a return to his former club through injury while playmaker Xavi is definitely out, while Joaquin is ruled out for the visitors. If Valenica get a result here, it’ll serve as notice that their good start isn’t just a flash in the pan.
PFK Samara Kryliya Sovetov v Sibir Novosibirsk
Russian Premier League, 3pm, Sunday 17th October
Second-bottom Krylya Sovetov host bottom-placed Sibir in the very definition of a relegation six-pointer. A win would cap a fine week for Krylya, during which the club’s future was secured following the restructuring of its enormous debts, and the club’s fans were praised for not causing trouble for the last three months. Well done them.
Eight points from safety, Sibir need every win they can get, though they are on a run of four points from their last two games and memorably beat PSV Eindhoven in this season’s Europa League, so it’s not all over yet. The battle between Krylya’s top scorer Evgeny Savin, who has three (!) goals this season, and Sibir’s new-found goalkeeping hero Petr Vasek, looks like being the one which will decide this contest. (James Appell)
AC Milan v AC ChievoVerona
Serie A, 5pm, Saturday 16th October
You’d be forgiven for thinking this one doesn’t sound like a fourth v fifth clash, but you’d be wrong. Stefano Pioli’s Flying Donkeys came roaring out of the gates at the start of the season, beating Catania (home), Genoa and Napoli (both away) in their first four games. Sergio Pellissier scored in each of those wins, and Chievo haven’t yet won a game this season in which he hasn’t been on target.
Milan have recovered from their humiliating defeat at Cesena, but a reliance upon Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score the goals - supplemented only by Andrea Pirlo and Pippo Inzaghi since their thumping of Lecce on opening day - suggests there’s work to be done. (Chris Nee)
Tags: AC Milan, AFC Telford, Alfreton Town, Austrian Bundesliga, Barcelona, Bideford AFC, Chievo, FA Trophy, PFK Samara Kryliya Sovetov, Sibir Novosibirsk, Sturm Graz, SV Ried, Tiverton Town, Valencia