As October comes to a close, there are some excellent matches in store this weekend. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea take on a Tottenham Hotspur side that have only won once in West London in this local derby in 36 attempts. After finally getting their first win of the season last time out against Coventry, Roberto De Zerbi will be keen for the Lilywhites to build on that, and bring the Blues crashing back down to earth in the process. Xabi Alonso finally has Chelsea playing in his recognisable style, and they sit fourth in the table on the coattails of the teams above them.
It isn't just in the Premier League where excitement can be found either. Roma are looking to have their best start to a Serie A season since 2014/15, but they travel to Napoli knowing that they've not left with three points since 2018. Barcelona remain six points ahead of Real Madrid ahead of El Clasico, and are going for a 10th win in a row since the start of the season. Given that the Catalans have won the last five meetings at Camp Nou, it could be a tall order for Jose Mourinho and Co. Bayern head to Freiburg in the Bundesliga on the back of a 29-match unbeaten run away from home, and knowing that their hosts haven't beaten them in 20 games.
A weekend of five games
Saturday, October 24th, 17:00: Napoli vs Roma
Napoli have endured a poor start to their league campaign this season, having lost three of their first seven league matches, which is their highest total at this stage of a season since 2009/10. By contrast, Roma have collected 17 points from seven games, representing their best showing since 2014/15, and have kept a clean sheet in all three of their away games this season.
Saturday, October 24th, 17:30: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea have won each of their last six Premier League meetings with Tottenham, matching their longest winning league run against their London rivals. Spurs have also lost their last six London derbies against any opponent. A seventh such defeat would set a new record, however, the Blues have lost their last two London derbies home and away.
Sunday, October 25th, 16:30: Freiburg vs Bayern Munich
Freiburg have won just one of their last 21 competitive matches against Bayern Munich, and they are winless in 20 Bundesliga meetings. The Bavarians haven't lost any of their last 29 Bundesliga away matches. Both teams have conceded just 5.6 expected goals against, the joint-best figure in the league.
Sunday, October 25th, 19:45: Paris Saint-Germain vs Lyon
First plays second in this titanic Ligue 1 tussle. PSG could be without Ousmane Dembele, and definitely can't call upon the services of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after he tore his ACL against Barcelona. PSG have won six in a row in all competitions, with table-topping Lyon having won four, drawn one and lost one of their last six.
Sunday, October 25th, 20:00: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Barcelona have scored an incredible 39 goals in nine LaLiga games and conceded only nine. Goals are guaranteed, as in seven of the last nine meetings in all competitions, at least four goals have been scored. Los Blancos have found some form of their own and scored in their last seven consecutive games.