Friday

Graham Sibley is away so Jan and Terry are here with four great matches to take you from Friday to Sunday.

It’s the Sound of Football Weekend Boxset.

All times are UK

Friday

Premier League: Southampton v Bournemouth

20.00 on Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event
I was poised to describe this particular fixture as the South Coast derby, but poking around the interweb, it seems, certainly, from a Saints point of view, this is anything but. I rib my infinitely ribbable brother-in-law in a similar way when the Lads play the Boro, so I can relate to this: there aren’t many insults greater than refusing to consider a local rival worthy of derby status. That aside, this should be quite an encounter. Despite early back-to-back reversals at the hands of Burnley and Liverpool, the Saints come into this match looking to make it five without defeat. The goals are coming from everywhere too, but the main danger comes from the impressive Moussa Djenepo who is touch and go for this one. Southampton have failed to score only once this season, while the visitors only managed a clean sheet against Forest Green where they also drew a blank upfront. They did look much better, at least going forward, against Everton last time out, but they’ll need to address their nervy defending by Friday. My money is on Southampton to edge this one, but Eddie Howe is promising “a really feisty game” - who’s going to tell him it’s not a derby? Not me. JB

Saturday

Premier League: Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur

12.30 on BT Sport 1
On Wednesday evening, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochetino was bemoaning his player’s unwillingness to stick to his plan after having seen them surrender a two-goal lead to Olympiakos in an unwanted repeat of their 2-2 draw against Arsenal. As for this game, well between Kane, Alli, Son, Maddison, Vardy and Tielemans there are some top draw players on show. Spurs eviscerated Palace last week while Leicester were disappointed to lose 1-0 to an up and down Man United. Brendan Rodgers’ must be entertaining at least a top-six finish to his first full season in charge at the King Power and will be disappointed to have their unbeaten run halted by their first proper block in the road (Lampard’s fledgeling Chelsea doesn’t count). Perhaps the Foxes can heal their wounds by getting something against a smarting Spurs team who don’t always read the instruction booklet. TD

Sunday

Bundesliga: Borussia Mönchengladbach v Fortuna Düsseldorf

14.30 on BT Sport 1
Borussia play their second successive Rheinland neighbour. However, this fixture, although technically a derby, lacks the intensity and tradition of last week’s opponents, the hated FC Köln. New coach Marco Rose earned a huge amount of credit from club and fans alike for that 1-0 win in the Cathedral City. The former Salzburg coach arrives in the Bundesliga with a high reputation and Gladbach are hoping to sneak a Champions League spot. Fortuna have no such lofty expectations. Friedhelm Funkel is once again charged with retaining Düsseldorf’s status as a Bundesliga city in order to keep up with their hated neighbouring metropolis, Köln (do you discern a pattern here). This feat must be achieved despite losing Dodi Lukebachio and Benito Raman who left for Hertha and Schalke respectively. And they’re doing OK with four points from as many games. But it’s not all rosy on the banks of the Rhein. Fortuna is having to defend itself again accusations, in the German press, of nepotism and transfer irregularities involving their new CEO Thomas Röttgermann. It will be interesting to see if there are more alleged cans of worms left to open as the season progresses. TD

Premier League: Chelsea v Liverpool

16.30 on Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event
Having both seen defeat in the Champions League midweek, the return to domestic action may provide some relief for these two teams. The home side have been great to watch this season, not least because of Lampard’s willingness to throw raw talent into the mix while his hands have been tied on the transfer front. I’m not saying they’ve been world-beaters, but Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount have been outstanding and make hating Chelsea, so effortless in recent years, so challenging now. Despite their opening day horror show against Man United, the Blues have found a level of consistency that they can build on, but the clear challenge on Sunday will be building on it against a Liverpool side who are so comfortable in themselves.  Klopp’s men sit five points clear at the top of the table following City’s loss to plucky Norwich last week. They might not be as tight at the back given the absence of Alisson, but, and I know everyone says this about them, they are fucking amazing going forward - they really are! JB

Whatever you watch, have a great weekend.

Terry and Jan