5 spicy fixtures to watch this weekend 🌶.

European football's top leagues return this weekend, as supporters prepare for another action-packed season across the continent.

The season's opening matchups and traditional curtain-raisers have produced some excellent matches, and we've selected five must-see games for this weekend.

West Ham vs. Aston Villa.

The Claret and Blues of East London and the Midlands will meet this weekend at the London Stadium, when West Ham face Aston Villa. Unai Emery's visitors enter the new season with high hopes for their first Champions League campaign, having defied the odds to break into the Premier League's top four previous season.

Their hosts will be envious of Villa's continental crusade this season, but they also have ambitions to oust England's elite.

West Ham has formed a TEAM this summer... 😳
Where do you believe they can realistically finish? Fans' expectations are definitely increasing! 📈👀

The bubble blowing Hammers fans are ecstatic following the arrival of Julen Lopetegui and a slew of new signings, including Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville, who have the potential to become fan favorites. A match against one of last season's top four is an excellent early indicator of Lopetegui's new-look squad.

Valencia vs Barcelona.

Following an uncomfortably near relegation in 2022/23, Valencia's inexperienced team made significant progress last season. One of Spanish football's historic giants has struggled in recent years, but under former favorite Ruben Baraja, the club finished narrowly outside the European places with the youngest roster in La Liga.

Los Ches' financial difficulties have meant that recruitment has once again been limited, but the club's key players, including highly rated midfielder Javi Guerra, have remained. Barcelona, another team short on funds but rich in history, will make its debut at The Mestalla on opening night.

Under Hansi Flick's supervision, the Catalans face the difficult task of reclaiming La Liga from a Real Madrid club bolstered by the arrival of Kylian Mbappe. With Dani Olmo arriving to team up with fellow Euro 2024 standout Lamine Yamal, expectations are high.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart.

Bayer Leverkusen's historic double-winning season was one of the highlights of 2023/24, with Xabi Alonso's side winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal without losing a game. Leverkusen had never been awarded German champions before, but they became the first team to go unbeaten in an amazing season.

Leverkusen will face fellow surprise package Stuttgart in the DFL-Super Cup, the customary season opener in Germany.

Stuttgart advanced from relegation battlers to Champions League qualifiers last season, finishing second to Bayern Munich and securing their place in this confrontation. However, Sebastian Hoeneß has had to contend with his side being depleted of top quality, with leading scorer Serhou Guirassy, Waldemar Anton, and Hiroki Ito all cherry-picked by division opponents.

Ipswich Town vs Liverpool

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

The fixture computer has assigned The Tractor Boys a high-profile match to begin the season, with 19-time champions Liverpool visiting East Anglia. Arne Slot leads Liverpool for the first time, and Ipswich is hoping for an upset.

Ipswich's last top-flight game ended in a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool in 2002, confirming relegation. A full Portman Road will hope for no repeat.

Chelsea vs Manchester City.

A 'Big Six' clash on the Premier League's first weekend? It doesn't get much more spicy.

Pep Guardiola will also face former assistant Enzo Maresca, who is taking command of Chelsea for the first time.

Sure, Chelsea has been a disaster for much of the last two seasons, and an uninspiring preseason has not instilled confidence. However, the West Londoners were difficult opponents for Manchester City in both encounters last season, forcing the champions to draw at home and away.

Pep Guardiola's suggestion for Enzo Maresca: "Give him time." "If Chelsea's owners accept my advice, give Enzo time and it will work."

"All managers require time. I'm not sure if Chelsea is the right environment for this, but give him time and he'll get it done."

The match at Stamford Bridge was a wild 4-4 draw, with Cole Palmer snatching a late point against his previous team. More of that this weekend, please.

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