34 matches, eight leagues: Saturday’s guide to the football

A 34-match programme spans eight leagues, beginning with Liverpool v Nottingham Forest and running through late Serie A, MLS and Brazilian action. Sevilla v Atletico Madrid carries the clearest headline: fourth meets sixth in La Liga, with Sevilla on six points and Atletico on four after two rounds.

Serie A (Brazil)

Atletico-MG v Vitoria brings contrasting momentum: ninth-placed Atletico-MG have drawn three of their last five and sit on 33 points, while Vitoria are 12th on 29 points after four defeats in five. Sao Paulo v RB Bragantino pits a struggling 13th-place Sao Paulo against seventh-place Bragantino, who have 35 points despite three draws in their recent five. Both matches carry position-shaping weight in the Regular Season run-in.

Bundesliga (Germany)

The new campaign opens with six matches. RB Leipzig v Borussia Mönchengladbach is the headline, with Leipzig listed third and Gladbach 11th; Borussia Dortmund v Hamburger SV follows with Dortmund second and Hamburg 12th. Bayer Leverkusen begin at 16th-placed SV Elversberg, while 1899 Hoffenheim, fourth, visit 13th-placed Köln. Mainz v Paderborn and Union Berlin v Eintracht Frankfurt complete the opening round, with Frankfurt seventh and Union 10th.

La Liga (Spain)

Sevilla v Atletico Madrid is the day’s key table fixture. Sevilla have won both matches and are fourth on six points; Atletico are sixth on four after a draw and a win. Real Sociedad, 20th without a point, host ninth-placed Espanyol, while Levante’s 17th-place start brings a test against fifth-placed Real Betis, who have won twice.

Liga Profesional Argentina (Argentina)

Boca Juniors v Lanus is a meeting of second and sixth, with Boca on 30 points and Lanus on 24. Boca’s recent sequence includes three draws and two wins, while Lanus have lost twice in five. Velez Sarsfield, third on 28 points and unbeaten in five, visit 15th-placed Deportivo Riestra. Rosario Central v Gimnasia L.P. and Huracan v Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto also feature in Clausura round seven.

Ligue 1 (France)

Lyon v Le Havre offers fourth against 14th, with Lyon opening on a win and Le Havre on a defeat. Strasbourg v Lens brings a meeting between 18th and third, while four sides seek a first victory in Lorient v Estac Troyes and Auxerre v Angers. Stade Brestois 29 v Toulouse completes the group, with Brestois seventh and Toulouse 15th.

Major League Soccer (USA)

Los Angeles FC, third on 35 points, travel to DC United, who are listed without points or recent form. Seattle Sounders v Chicago Fire also pairs a listed 13th-place Seattle side with Chicago, whose table and form entries are empty. Toronto FC v New York City FC, New York Red Bulls v Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United FC v Charlotte and Inter Miami v CF Montreal make up the late MLS schedule.

Premier League (England)

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest is the early opener, with Liverpool 10th on one point after a draw and Forest 15th after defeat. Tottenham v Newcastle is the later feature: Tottenham are 17th without a point, while Newcastle are 11th on one after a draw. Everton, fifth after winning, visit Bournemouth, and sixth-placed Hull City travel to Coventry, who are 18th.

Serie A (Italy)

Juventus v Parma is the standout, with Juventus eighth on three points after winning and Parma 15th after losing. Sassuolo v Torino and Fiorentina v Frosinone are both meetings between sides beginning with defeats, while Monza v Udinese pits a winless 18th-placed Monza against 11th-placed Udinese, who have one point.

The single match not to miss is Sevilla v Atletico Madrid, because fourth plays sixth with both sides still defining their early La Liga position.