Saturday, August 18

1. Chievo Verona vs Juventus (Serie A) 5:00 PM

The Italian Serie A kicks off this weekend with champions Juventus travelling away to Chievo Verona for their first game of the season.

All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer transfer window.

The Portuguese superstar has conquered England, Spain and now set his sights on dominating the Italian league.

He and his Juventus teammates face a tricky test to minnows Chievo who will be no pushovers, as Ronaldo as they aim to clinch their seventh straight Scudetto.

2. Chelsea vs Arsenal (Premier League) 5:30 PM

The biggest game of the weekend comes from the Premier League where London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal face off at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal new boss started on a losing note against Champions Manchester City while new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri started with a win against Huddersfield Town.

The Gunners boss will be under pressure to get at least a point in his second game, while Sari will want an improvement on the performance that saw them get three points in their last encounter.

A London Derby between two teams that will be competing in the Europa League this season, but a with bragging rights at stake both sides would be up for a feisty encounter.

3. Lazio vs SSC Napoli (Serie A) 7:30 PM

Kaka and the biggest clash of the opening day features two of the top sides last season Lazio and SSC Napoli.

Lazio narrowly lost out on a Champions League place to Inter Milan while SSC Napoli crumbled at their title challenge to Juventus in the last games of the season.

Simeon Inzaghi will hope to start the season on the right foot but faces Carlo Ancelotti who also aims to mark his Napoli debut with a win to begin their challenge for the Scudetto.

The biggest game in Italy this weekend sit down and enjoy.

4. Barcelona vs Deportivo Alaves (La Liga) 9:15 PM

Barcelona begin their La Liga campaign against Deportivo Alaves after a successful transfer window bringing in star players such as Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal to replace the departed Andres Iniesta and Paulinho.

Ernesto Valverde’s side won the La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles last season but it seems like an under achievement after watching their archrivals Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League for the third consecutive time.

Barcelona also strengthened in attack with Brazilian forward which has raised questions of where Ousmane Dembele will play.

The Catalans are favourites to retain the La Liga but face a tricky Alaves side who did well staying up last season.

Sunday, August 19

5. Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town (Premier League) 1:30 PM

Pep Guardiola’s added Algerian international to the side which started the season where they left off last season winning the Community Shield against Chelsea and also their league opener against Arsenal.

Manchester City face a Huddersfield side that were battered by Chelsea in their opener and will aim for their first point of the season at the Etihad.

The reigning Premier League champions will be without star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for a while after he sustained an injury in training but have enough squad depth to cope.

Huddersfield will not lie down for a whooping which makes this an interesting encounter.

6. Real Madrid vs Getafe (La Liga) 9:15 PM

Real Madrid begin their La Liga campaign against Getafe without star forward Cristiano Ronaldo and also Zinedine Zidane.

The reigning European champions have found life without Ronaldo difficult as they lost in the UEFA Super Cup final to Atletico Madrid.

New manager Julen Lopetgui has his work cut out, as a minimum of the league triumph is required at the Santiago Bernebau this season.

They face Madrid based rivals Getafe in their opener but have to bounce back if they are to challenge Barcelona for the title.

A match for local bragging right is the way to wrap up the football weekend.