The match of the weekend - El Clási
El Clasico is back! Kick-off is at 11:15 ET/15:15 GMT and will be aired live on beIN Sports (English-language) and beIN Sports en Español (Spanish-language) in the USA; In Australia beIN Sports will air the match exclusively; Eleven Sports in the UK; beIN Sports and DAZN in Canada; and beIN Sports and Movistar in Spain.
The latest clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be an odd one. For the first time in 11 years, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will participate in an El Clásico. The Argentine is sidelined after injuring his arm while the latter left Los Blancos over the summer to Juventus.
However, the show goes on and there are a number of reasons why this tie must not be missed. One is the away side's form under Lopetegui. The Madrid giant put an end to their five-game winless run thanks to their recent Champions League victory, with Benzema scoring to reach a lovely feat, but their performance remained unconvincing. Defeat at Camp Nou could spell disaster for Ramos and Co. and the under-pressure manager.
With Lopetegui struggling to impress, Mourinho has been tipped with a Bernabeu return
"The admiration Florentino Pérez has for José Mourinho knows no bounds. He wants him back."
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) October 25, 2018
Could a shock return to the Bernabéu be on the cards for the #MUFC manager?
*New Euro Leagues podcast* https://t.co/u9GXwj5mB9 pic.twitter.com/Gv6B4BFIhH
As for Valverde's men, they will be eager to prove they can hold their own without their talisman Argentine forward. They showed it against Inter Milan, winning 2-0, and will be keen to repeat that on Sunday. Tune in to find out if that will happen.
The other "Classic" taking place this weekend - Le Classique
In case El Clasico isn't your thing, Le Classique is here to light up your weekend. Kick-off is at 16:00 ET/20:00 ET on beIN Sports in the USA and Australia; BT Sport in the UK; beIN Sports and DAZN in Canada; and Canal+ France in France.
PSG is the unchallenged Ligue 1 leader, boasting an eight-point lead at the top and a perfect record after 10 games. With the likes of Neymar and Mbappe scoring for fun, Tuchel's crew look well on their way to defending their title. However, defensive frailties persist, which was made public once more in the disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Napoli in the Champions League. Winning Le Classique, though, would be an excellent response.
PSG's attack has been on fire this season
22 league goals already this season.
— SPORF (@Sporf) October 25, 2018
@PSG_Inside's trio are on fire. pic.twitter.com/E2CfKHTnFS
As for Marseille, they suffered an even worse embarrassment at home in Europe. The French outfit fell to a 3-1 loss to Lazio in the Europa League. However, Les Olympiens have won three of their last four Ligue 1 games and will be keen to bounce back in Sunday's showdown.
The standout weekend Premier League fixture
This game is scheduled on Sunday at 12:00 ET/15:00 GMT and will be aired on NBC Sports (English-language), Telemundo (Spanish-language), and SiriusXM FC on satellite radio in the USA; Sky Sports and TalkSport Radio in the United Kingdom; TSN in Canada; and Optus Sport in Australia.
Man United's last Premier League game saw them shake off their poor form to put on an impressive display at Chelsea. However, Mourinho's men are without a win in their last two games, drawing 2-2 at Stamford Bridge before losing 1-0 to Juventus in the Champions League. Sunday's home clash with Everton will shed light on whether the Red Devils are set for an upturn in fortunes or more disaster.
Jose gives an update on Alexis Sanchez, one of Man United's many struggling stars
Jose Mourinho explains why @Alexis_Sanchez has struggled for form this season,
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 26, 2018
and gives injury update ahead of @premierleague game against @Everton
Full story here: https://t.co/ScHAaqfqxu pic.twitter.com/FPe54xoNe2
As for the Toffees, they boast a three-game winning streak in the English top-flight. The Merseyside outfit sits two points ahead of Man United heading into the weekend and will want to avoid being leapfrogged.
Kick-off for this game is at 9:30 ET/13:30 GMT on NBC Sports and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo in the USA; Sky Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live in the UK; TSN in Canada; and Optus Sport in Australia.
Arsenal's impressive winning streak will be put to the test once more. Their recent 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the Europa League stretched it to 11 games without dropping a single point. This upcoming London derby will give them the opportunity to make it 12 and give them confidence before they host Liverpool to week after.
Arsenal's winning run is catching everyone's attention
wins in a row
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) October 26, 2018
We're back in @PremierLeague action on Sunday...
...let's get it, Gunners pic.twitter.com/SErUpiXDha
As for Palace, they recently lost 2-0 against Everton in the Premier League. That means they have lost their last three top-flight games. Beating the high-flying Gunners would be an excellent way to return to winning ways.
A Serie A thriller in store for fans
Kick-off for this clash is at 15:30 ET/19:30 GMT on ESPN+ and Rai Italia America in the USA; Eleven Sports 2 in the United Kingdom; TLN, DAZN, and Rai Italia America in Canada; beIN Sports and Rai Italia Australia in Australia; and Sky Italia and Roma TV in Italy.
For Napoli, they will be keen on improving on their great Champions League result. The Italian giant traveled to PSG and nearly came away with all three points, drawing 2-2 against the European giant. In Serie A, they sit only four points behind Juventus and will be eager not to drop points.
As for Roma, their goal is to get closer to the top four. They sit in seventh but only four points separate them from that last Champions League spot.
Napoli four points off the lead; Roma four points off the top four
Today's big headlines
Marcelo: No player is bigger than the club
Speaking on the matter of Cristiano's exit, Marcelo insisted that no player is bigger than the club. In a video posted on his official YouTube account, the Brazilian hailed the Portuguese ace as a close friend and a huge contributor to Real Madrid's history but stressed that life goes on.
"The history of Real Madrid is impressive and Cristiano Ronaldo added a piece more to the history of this club, but Real Madrid can't stop," the left-back stated.
The Lion won't be returning to the Theatre of Dreams, confirms Mourinho
BREAKING: Jose Mourinho says there is no truth in reports that @ManUtd will re-sign @Ibra_official #SSN pic.twitter.com/IGEtnTfIbJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 26, 2018
Mourinho rules out Ibrahimovic return
With Lukaku struggling in front of goal, rumors tipped Mourinho to re-sign Ibrahimovic to solve this glaring issue. However, speaking in a press conference ahead of the Everton game, the Special One revealed that there will be no second Old Trafford spell for the Swedish forward.
What to look forward to next week?
Two huge games are scheduled for Monday. They are Tottenham vs Man City and Lazio vs Inter Milan. Fans will thus have a lot to look forward too past this weekend.
