Weekend Watch and Predictions: La Liga, English Prem, Bundesliga, Serie A

By: Daryl | August 28th, 2009

No shortage of big games to choose from this weekend. La Liga is finally go, which means we’ll see the new look Madrid in action. Two of the Big Four meet in England for the first time. Four of the Big Four meet in Italy (though in two separate games obviously) and Bayern have the chance to start their season for real when they host Wolfsburg. Read on for quick previews, and feel free to leave your predictions in the comments.

All kick off times are local.

Real Madrid vs Deportivo de La Coruña, Saturday August 29th, 5pm
It’s the big La Liga kick off, which means a first official outing for the Galacticos 2.0. Will be fascinating to see if and how Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo combine. It could all go horribly wrong. But if Madrid hit the ground running then the rest of La Liga better look out.

Man Utd vs Arsenal, Saturday, August 29th, 5:15pm
Just how good is this Adebayor and Toure-less Arsenal team? So far, they’ve looked unstoppable. But – with all due respect to Everton and Celtic – this is the first time Wenger’s boymen will face a reallys serious team. This is the new-look Man Utd’s first tough game of the season too. Unless you count Burnley of course. Zing!

Bayern Munich vs Wolfsburg, Saturday, August 29th, 6:30pm
We’re really spoiled for choice on Saturday evening. But I guess that’s why the DVR was invented. Last season’s Bundesliga winners away to last season’s runners up. Bayern may have made a horrible start to the season, but can now add €25m worth of balding Dutch winger to their line up.

Milan vs Inter, Saturday, August 29th, 8:45pm
What can I say? The Milan derby. The Derby della Madonnina. And another game featuring some talented Real Madrid rejects. Milan have Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Inter just signed Wesley Sneijder (although it’s not sure whether enough paperwork has been done to allow him to play). Oguchi Onyewu should have a good view from the Milan bench.

Roma vs Juventus, Sunday, August 30th, 6pm
The other big game in Italy isn’t a local derby, but it’s ~~south vs north~~ capital vs former capital. A rivalry that’s been heated since the ’80s (nice little history here. Roma have their now traditional injury problems, but Francesco Totti bagged a Europa League hat-trick as recently as yesterday. Juventus boast both Diego and Alex Del Piero. Playmakers galore in this one.

And by ~~mob rule~~ popular demand…

Marseille vs Bordeaux, Sunday, August 30th, 9pm
The reigning Ligue 1 champs visit the Stade Velodrome. Both have made strong starts to the season (Bordeaux lead the table again with nine points, Marseille are fourth (but really joint second) with seven). Too soon to decide the title race of course, but the result of this game will help shape the early running.

Any games missing? Please share the who, what, when in the comments.

I’m too cowardly to venture any predictions for the above (have you seen my track record?) but invite you to weigh in with yours:

Real Madrid – Deportivo
Man Utd – Arsenal
Bayern – Wolfsburg
Milan – Inter
Roma – Juventus
Bordeaux – Marseille