Derby Day in England and Europe: 3 key talking points
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North London, Madrid and Rome derbies take place
Saturday’s UK and European club action returns with a bang with three huge derbies across the elite leagues.
The World Cup places have now been decided so eyes turn back to the club scene. And what a weekend we have in store.
Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur, Roma face Lazio and Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid at the Metropolitano.
The Coral News Team examines the key talking point from each fixture.
Arsenal v Tottenham
Spurs travel to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunch-time safe to take on Arsenal in the big North London derby.
Mauricio Pochettino will have a fresh Harry Kane and Dele Alli against the Gunners having missed England’s recent friendlies.
However, Spurs really must start winning away at traditional top-six sides to cement their title credentials. The Lilywhites have failed to beat any of those sides away in their last eight league fixtures.
On the other hand, Arsenal have lost just eight of their last 90 home Premier League games. A barn-storming clash awaits.
Roma v Lazio
Just a point separates the two Roman giants as the bitter rivals meet at Stadio Olimpico.
Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio have arguably been the surprise package of the season. The Biancocelesti have played some fantastic football spearheaded by Ciro Immobile.
They have won their last nine fixtures in all competitions and lost just once all season – 4-1 to Napoli.
Roma are in decent form too with Eusebio Di Francesco’s Giallorossi winning their last five straight games.
Expect fireworks in Rome on Saturday evening.
Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
What a huge game this is for the two Madrid giants – and particularly for Real.
Zinedine Zidane’s Los Blancos squad have underwhelmed this season after their double-winning campaign last term.
A shock 3-1 defeat in the Champions League v Spurs and an eight-point lag behind Barcelona has Real fans up in arms.
Even when winning trophies, there have been long-held suspicions in Madrid about Zidane.
The former France International cannot suffer a defeat against their city rivals or it could be curtains.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
