35 matches, eight leagues: Saturday’s football guide

Thirty-five matches across eight leagues make Saturday, 5 September a full day of football, beginning with Newcastle v Bournemouth at 11:30 UTC and stretching into MLS at 23:30. The headline belongs to Inter v Napoli, where third-placed Inter and 10th-placed Napoli meet early in a season that already gives the hosts a three-point table advantage. Roma v Atalanta also carries major weight, with both clubs perfect after two rounds.

Serie A (Brazil)

RB Bragantino v Bahia brings fifth against ninth, with Bahia four points clear and unbeaten in five listed matches. Sao Paulo v Atletico-MG pits an inconsistent 11th-place side against eighth-place Atletico-MG, whose form ends with three wins in five.

Bundesliga

Bayern München’s visit to bottom club Schalke is the clearest German headline: Bayern began with a win while Schalke lost. Dortmund, fourth after one round, travel to 13th-placed Hoffenheim, and Leipzig’s trip to Werder matches fourth against 16th. Freiburg’s visit to Paderborn also features a winner against a side with one point.

Also today: unbeaten-in-the-table SV Elversberg visit Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Leverkusen host Union Berlin after both opened without a win.

La Liga

Atletico Madrid sit fourth on seven points before visiting Athletic Club, 13th on three. Rayo Vallecano and Racing Santander meet with Rayo 18th and holding one point, while Villarreal v Deportivo La Coruna places two sides separated by three points.

Liga Profesional Argentina

Boca Juniors are second on 30 points and take their strong position to 11th-placed Gimnasia M., whose listed form contains three wins in five. Gimnasia L.P. v Tigre is sixth against 10th, while San Lorenzo v Talleres Cordoba features fourth against seventh.

Also today: Aldosivi, 14th on eight points, host 12th-placed Banfield, who have 18 points.

Ligue 1

Lens begin the day’s French programme against Lorient, with seventh facing 14th. Nice v Le Mans and Le Havre v Stade Brestois 29 are both meetings of lower-table sides, separated by no more than two points.

Major League Soccer

Houston Dynamo are second on 39 points and visit fifth-placed Charlotte, while second-placed Inter Miami host Atlanta United FC, 13th on 21 points. Chicago Fire, third with 37 points, travel to 10th-placed Toronto FC. Cincinnati v DC United and Orlando City v San Diego also bring top-half teams into focus.

Also today: Philadelphia Union host CF Montreal, and Columbus Crew meet Colorado Rapids with Columbus 15th after a run of four defeats and a draw.

Premier League

Manchester City lead the table with six points before hosting 17th-placed Coventry, but Inter v Napoli remains the day’s marquee fixture. Newcastle’s unbeaten start faces Bournemouth, while Hull City’s perfect opening meets Aston Villa’s two defeats. Roma v Atalanta is another meeting of clubs with six points from six.

Also today: Fulham face Crystal Palace, both without a point; Brighton host Leeds; Brentford meet Sunderland; Nottingham Forest welcome Tottenham; and Newcastle host Bournemouth.

Serie A (Italy)

Inter v Napoli is the central Italian fixture, with Inter third on six points and Napoli 10th on three. Roma v Atalanta is equally compelling on the table: both are unbeaten and level on six. Fiorentina v Torino is a meeting of 19th and 14th, with both still seeking their first points.

Inter v Napoli is the match not to miss, because third-place Inter’s perfect start is tested by Napoli in a fixture that can reshape the early table.