Sunday’s Key Games: Top 5
Chelsea v Liverpool
Current Champions Liverpool will travel to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea. Both sides won their opening league games with Liverpool winning 4-3 against newly promoted Leeds and Chelsea won 3-1 at Brighton.
Thiago Alcântara signed for Liverpool on Friday and all the paperwork was complete in time for the Spaniard to be eligible to play in this game, though he is likely to start on the bench. They will be without Alex Oxlade Chamberlain who looks to be out until October.
Chelsea will be without Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell. Christian Pulisic is unlikely to play but Timo Werner is available after recovering from a dead leg.
The last game between the two was played at Anfield in July when Liverpool won 5-3, there is likely to be goals again, but Chelsea will have the new additions of Werner and Havertz available for this game. Mo Salah will look to carry on from last weekend when he scored a hat trick.
Real Sociedad v Real Madrid
Real Madrid get their La Liga campaign started with a trip to Real Sociedad. This will be Real Sociedad’s second game of the season after they drew 1-1 away to Real Valladolid last weekend.
Real Madrid have seen Gareth Bale leave the club to join Tottenham on loan, with Sergio Reguilón also leaving to join the North London side. Martin Odegaard may be unavailable to face the side he was on loan at last season. Eden Hazard and Isco are doubtful and Marco Asensio is unavailable for the game.
David Silva could make his debut for Real Sociedad. Willian José is unlikely to play and Asier Illarramendi, Martin Zubimendi and Igor Zubeldia all doubtful for the game.
Last season Real Madrid had an excellent defensive record with only 14 goals conceded away in La Liga. The last game between the two was played in June when Real Madrid won 2-1 and Real Sociedad have won only one of the last five home games against Real Madrid.
Hibernian v Rangers
Rangers travel to Hibernian with the ambition of going top of the table after Celtic went top yesterday with a 3-2 win over Livingston.
Rangers will be without Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo and Brandon Barker. Kemar Roofe should be fit after he picked up a knock against Lincoln Red Imps during the week.
Hibernian will be without Scott Allan through illness and Jamie Murphy is unable to play against his parent side.
Rangers have not conceded in their opening seven games which has seen them win six and draw one. Hibernian have got off to a good start themselves and are in third place having won five, drawn one and loss one of their opening seven fixtures.
FC Copenhagen v Brøndby
Sunday will see the Copenhagen Derby take place between FC Copenhagen and Brøndby. The last meeting between the two was a goalless draw in July.
Copenhagen are without Nicolai Boilesen and Nicolaj Thomsen.
Brøndby will be without Andreas Maxsø and Rezan Corlu who are serving their last day in quarantine. Jens Martin Gammelby is still unavailable.
The game is only the second game of the season for both sides. Copenhagen lost their opening day fixture 3-2 to Odense, whereas Brøndby won 3-2 against Nordsjaelland.
Nantes v St Etienne
St Etienne saw Rennes beat Monaco 2-1 which took Rennes above St Etienne to the top of Ligue 1. Though early in the season St Etienne will want to continue their good start to the season, which has seen them win their opening three games.
Nantes will have Fabio back in the defence after serving a one game suspension. Imran Louza will miss the game as he serves the second game of his two-match suspension. Marcus Coco could be available as he looks to overcome a minor knee problem. Kalifa Coulibaly will be unavailable for the game.
St Etienne saw Mathieu Debuchy limp over against Marseille which provides issues on the right side of defence. Yvann Macon has done well on the left side and Claude Puel may be unwilling to move him to the right side, so Alpha Sissoko may make his first league start for St Etienne.
The last game between the two was back in January when Nantes won 2-0, but St Etienne are in good form at the moment and will want to go top of the table, whereas Nantes have had a mixed start to the season and will be looking for their second win of the season.
