5 spicy fixtures to watch this weekend 🌶.

The games are coming thick and fast, and there are some fantastic matches on offer throughout Europe this weekend.

We've handpicked five must-see games.

Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt.

Nuri Sahin will take over Borussia Dortmund for the first time in the Bundesliga this weekend. The former favourite has succeeded Edin Terzic, who has decided to stand down at the Westfalenstadion.

Last season's Champions League finalists have entered a new chapter, with Mats Hummels and Marco Reus moving on. Recruitment has boosted enthusiasm, with Stuttgart sensation Serhou Guirassy joining Germany internationals Maximilian Beier, Pascal Gross, and Waldemar Anton.

The first game could be a cracker, with Frankfurt the visitors, as the teams that placed fifth and sixth last season face off.

Sunderland vs Burnley.

Sunderland and Burnley, the Championship's early-season league toppers, will face off this weekend at The Stadium of Light.

Each has started the season in fine style, with Sunderland defeating Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday without surrendering a goal, and Burnley scoring nine goals in their opening two games.

A win this weekend gives the promotion aspirants the opportunity to make a statement.

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona's summer pursuit of Nico Williams provides a subplot to this weekend's meeting, as Athletic Bilbao has (so far) resisted their La Liga rivals' advances. Williams was a key figure in Spain's Euro 2024 win and will be the player Barcelona fears this weekend when the Basque team visits Catalonia.

Williams, who appeared to be on his way out of Bilbao this summer, suddenly appears likely to stay. The tale of the winger's tremendous performance this weekend is not to be missed.

📣 Focus on tomorrow's opponent: "𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 have very clear ideas on and off the ball." They are physically very strong, and it will be difficult, but I am convinced that we can win."

Swansea City vs Cardiff City.

Swansea and Cardiff may be mired in mid-table mediocrity in the second division right now, but the first South Wales Derby of the summer promises to be exciting. The passionate rivals will face off in the Championship this weekend in a local grudge match.

Cardiff improved under Erol Bulot last season, but this season has started with a whimper, losing to the current top two without scoring a goal. The Bluebirds will also look to improve on their previous record in this encounter, having won only two of the last eleven meetings with Swansea.

It's about time for another exciting South Wales Derby!
Swansea City and Cardiff City prepare to play off on Sunday.
Who will have bragging rights this time? Swansea, or Cardiff?

Goals should be expected, with 18 scored in the previous six games.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal.

Arsenal will face an early-season acid test as they travel to Villa Park. Former manager Unai Emery was a thorn in the club's title challenge last season, with Aston Villa winning both games against the North Londoners.

The Villans were the only team to beat Arsenal both at home and away in 2023/24, including a 2-0 victory at the Emirates that ruined Mikel Arteta's title hopes.

Both teams began the new season with victories on the first weekend, laying the groundwork for a massive showdown on Saturday evening.

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