This weekend's top 10: Arsenal-Liverpool joined by top two clash and huge local derby

After plenty of cup action in midweek clubs return to league duties this weekend and there are, as ever, some top matches to look forward to. We’ve picked out ten of particular interest and importance over the coming days.

It all kicks off on Friday night, and there are two big matches back-to-back, starting with an Istanbul derby between Super Lig giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

While the former have hardly been convincing in their efforts to retain the crown so far, the competitive nature of the league this season means the holders sit second despite winning just two of their last five matches. That’s a modest return that their visitors can only dream of, however, with Philipp Cocu paying for a winless spell over the same period with his job this week. Fenerbahce sit above the relegation zone by just one point and a defeat away to their fierce rivals may very well see the 19-time Turkish champions slip into the bottom three.

That was something that Ligue 1 outfit Lille narrowly avoided last season, meanwhile, but their fortunes have been revived by Christophe Galtier this time around ahead of a trip to leaders and champions PSG.

Thomas Tuchel’s side came through their toughest test in the league at Marseille last weekend to remain on maximum points but their visitors on Friday night are PSG’s closest challengers at present. The gap between the two at the top is eight points, however, and if the hosts extend that here then the title will be all but wrapped up after just 12 games!

There’s little doubt that Saturday boasts the pick of the weekend action, and that starts with Manchester United’s trip to high-flying Bournemouth. Jose Mourinho’s men are two places and three points below the Cherries and if that gap were to double, Eddie Howe’s side would jump into the top four ahead of the action later in the day. Three consecutive clean sheets and an unbeaten home record are the streaks that the visitors will be hoping to bring to an end at the Vitality Stadium.

The top match in the Premier League undoubtedly comes in the evening kick-off at the Emirates, however, as Arsenal host Liverpool hoping to reduce the gap to the Reds to just one point. The Gunners will have to defy the odds to do so though, as injuries are mounting against them at the back and if their first choice full-backs remain sidelined, the likes of Mane and Salah will be looking to add to their goal tallies once more.

With that in mind it should be a high-scoring game, following the recent trend in this fixture, which has seen a whopping 27 goals across their last five meetings.

Sandwiched between those two televised matches in England there is the chance to take in Real Madrid’s first game since sacking Julen Lopetegui after defeat in the Clasico left the European champions seven points off the pace in LaLiga. Their visitors this Saturday would have bitten your hand off if offered a two point gap behind los Blancos after ten matches before the season began.

Unbelievably for newly-promoted Real Valladolid, however, they sit two points ahead of the capital city club after a run of 14 points from their last six matches - something only Sevilla can better in Spain’s top-flight.

If, for some reason, you weren’t keen on watching the events at Arsenal, meanwhile, there are enticing options in both Italy and Germany.

Fiorentina host Roma in Serie A, tied on 15 points and in need of three more to avoid being left behind in the race for the top four. The Batistuta derby, if you will, is certainly one to watch, while RB Leipzig’s trip to Berlin may also take your fancy.

After a slow start from Bayern the battle for places towards the top of the Bundesliga has been fascinating so far and Hertha and Leipzig have certainly played their part in an entertaining start to the campaign. With just one defeat apiece after nine matches, the late kick-off in Germany will be an intriguing affair.

Moving onto Sunday, it’s fair to say that the options aren’t quite so alluring, even if both Manchester City and Chelsea are on display. Two of the more interesting matches will take place at night, with Montpellier hosting Marseille looking to extend a remarkable run.

Michel Der Zakarian’s side sit third in France having not lost since the opening game of the season, with an 10-game unbeaten streak something only PSG can better in Europe’s top five leagues. OM have lost four matches in that time but could still move level on points with their hosts with a victory, who themselves know that another three points may well move them above Lille into second.

If that match wasn’t keeping your focus for one reason or another, you could always switch over to MLS after the first half as the Conference semi-finals begin on Sunday night as New York City FC begin their double header with Atlanta United.

The latter have just finished only their second season since joining the league and have already gone one better than they did last time around having exited the play-offs at the first stage. That’s a feat NYFC avoided in midweek, with veteran striker David Villa on the scoresheet once more against Philadelphia Union, while Atlanta did so automatically having finished second courtesy of a record-breaking 31-goal haul from the league’s top scorer Josef Martinez.

Rounding off the top ten this week, it may not be a glamour tie on Monday Night Football but Fulham’s trip to Huddersfield is hugely important for both sides having found themselves in the relegation zone after ten matches. The Terriers haven’t so much as scored a goal at home this season, so something’s got to give given that they face a Cottagers side that have conceded at least five more goals (28) than any other team in the Premier League.