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With 2007 drawing to a close, the action continues to come thick and fast in Europe. The continent's top players have hardly had time to catch their breath, with the UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers followed by a round of matches in the UEFA Champions League and even the Preliminary Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa ™ to keep an eye on in between.
While all this has been going on, the domestic leagues have had to take a back seat. However, this is precisely the time when the big clubs must be wary of dropping valuable points, particularly with so many of their players involved in numerous competitions.
Italy is perhaps the best example of this, with a number of titans colliding over the next few days. FIFA.com takes you through this weekend's packed programme.
Premier League: Unbeaten runs at stake
Unbeaten in eight league matches and fresh from qualifying for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League this week, Chelsea will be looking to beat their London rivals West Ham United and keep pace with another capital side Arsenal, who themselves are on a run of ten wins and three draws. The Gunners lost for the first time in all competitions this season at Sevilla on Tuesday, and face a tricky journey to seventh-placed Aston Villa, themselves unbeaten in four.
Liverpool have yet to lose in the league this season and will take on Bolton Wanderers, with former Reds star Nicolas Anelka no doubt looking to settle a few old scores at Anfield. Anelka it was who brought Manchester United back down to earth last week in Bolton's 1-0 win over the Red Devils, who will be looking to get back on track against Fulham.
The question: Both Arsenal and Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 Premier League matches this season. Who will lose first?
The big game: Aston Villa-Arsenal, Saturday 1 December, 17:15
The quote: "We're going to play positive football and go all out to attack," Avram Grant, Chelsea coach.
Serie A: Top matches all around
Inter Milan sit comfortably atop of Serie A as the only unbeaten team after 12 matches. This streak will be put to the test in Florence against a Fiorentina team currently lying in wait in fifth place. In addition, their fans will be watching AC Milan, currently languishing in ninth place, 11 points behind their city rivals, take on Juventus. The Turin side currently boast the best attack in the league and will be looking to take a big scalp to prove that they are worthy title contenders.
Third-placed Roma could well take advantage of the other top teams playing each other and thus dropping points, and they will also be hoping to put surprise package Udinese, currently fourth, out of the running.
The question: Despite sailing through to the knock-out stage of the UEFA Champions League, can AC Milan halt their slide before they end up in the lower half of the Serie A table?
The big game: AC Milan-Juventus, Saturday 1 December, 20:30
The quote: "We're not going to the San Siro as sacrificial lambs. Milan are European champions and even if they haven't been too strong at home so far this season, we'll respect our opponents. That said, we're confident in our own abilities." Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus goalkeeper.
La Liga: Catalan derby
The Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barca will be the pick of the games on the 14th matchday in La Liga, especially since Raul Tamudo and his team-mates are in fourth place, just behind their illustrious city rivals. Real Madrid, who lost their first Champions League match this season on Wednesday in Bremen, will be looking for a return to winning ways at home to Real Santander at the Bernabeu.
Villarreal, away to Valladolid, will also be hoping to get back to winning ways after dropping points at home to Almeria last week. Meanwhile Sevilla, fresh from their midweek Champions League success, will be looking to climb from tenth spot, 14 points adrift of Real Madrid, when they face Almeria.
The question: Will Espanyol be able to bring down the mighty Blaugrana, who have managed maximum points in their seven games so far in Barcelona this season?
The big game: Espanyol-Barcelona, Saturday 1 December, 22:00
The quote: "I'm working hard and I feel fine. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be back - maybe not straight away, but soon." Samuel Eto'o following three months on the sidelines through injury.
Ligue 1:Lyonlook to pull clear
With their two nearest rivals both playing away from home, Lyon will be looking to stretch their lead at th top when they play host to tenth-placed Strasbourg. The French champions are coming off two good results - a 2-0 win at Rennes and a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Tuesday - and should have star striker Karim Benzema fit again and ready to play.
Second-placed Nancy have turned the form-book on its head so far this season, but they face a tricky journey to Le Mans. There is also the South-west derby between Bordeaux and Toulouse, while Paris Saint-Germain are in danger of slipping further into the mire. They are already in the relegation zone and are at home to 11th-placed Caen, who beat Bordeaux 5-0 last time out, this weekend. Home advantage also counts for nothing at the moment for PSG, who seem to be jinxed at the Parc des Princes.
The question: Will PSG beat Caen and finally win a home match after four wins and as many draws so far this season?
The big game: Lyon-Strasbourg, Sunday 2 December, 21:00
The quote: "We've finally worked out again how not to lose. Now we need to learn how to win again." Lens coach Jean-Pierre Papin, whose team travel to Sochaux this weekend.
Bundesliga: Second meets third in derby
The North German derby between runners-up Werder Bremen and third-placed Hamburg is the main attraction of the 15th matchday in the Bundesliga and will go some way to deciding who is the main challenger to leaders Bayern Munich. Bremen are coming off a spectacular and hard-fought 3-2 win over Real Madrid and are playing a very attacking brand of football which currently sees them leading the Bundesliga goal-scoring charts. The top three teams in the league at the moment are incidentally the most successful German club teams of all time.
Bayern face a potential upset away to their bogey team Arminia Bielefeld, who have beaten the Bavarians twice in their last three meetings.
The question: Will Werder have enough left in the tank after their UEFA Champions League win over Real Madrid?
The big game: Werder Bremen-Hamburg, Saturday 1 December, 15:30
The quote: "It's not a question of settling scores as far as I'm concerned. I feel a lot happier here at Bremen than I did at Hamburg. It's an important match and we have a chance to put some ground between us and one of our direct rivals," Werder's former Hamburg striker Boubacar Sanogo.
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