Actions to watch out for in Europe's top five leagues this weekend, from the Premier League to the Ligue 1.

1. Newcastle United vs. Chelsea

After both secured their places in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup during the week, Chelsea and Newcastle United will kick off the Premier League gameweek 17 with a battle at St. James' Park on Saturday, with an early kickoff.

The host has been hit with a lot of injuries, with Eddie Howe confirming that up to nine first-team players may miss the date, as Tino Livramento could join a long list that already includes several defenders, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, and goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Chelsea, on the other hand, welcome Moises Caicedo back into the league squad after serving a three-game ban following his red card against Arsenal at the end of November, while Cole Palmer will also be involved, fresh from his goal against Everton last weekend.

Newcastle United have won each of their last four home meetings with Chelsea, keeping three clean sheets while conceding just once, but Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight Saturday early kickoff Premier League games, one away from tying the record for most, set by Manchester City.

Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Chelsea

2. Tottenham Hotspur vs. Liverpool 

Liverpool will again test the legitimacy of their return form when they travel to the London Stadium to face Tottenham Hotspur, who recently claimed a second league win of the season, bringing to an end a run of six home games without a win in the competition.

It is an interesting matchup as it is an awkward one. Spurs' season has been hampered by both inconsistencies and an injury crisis, with a 3-0 defeat last time out leaving them 11th in the standings, while around nine first-team players are ruled out for this weekend.

Arne Slot will be hoping his side takes advantage of their host's misfortunes, although they have not vindicated themselves, but a run of five unbeaten games, including wins and clean sheets in their last two, may suggest they've arrived at the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Reds have won each of their last two meetings by an aggregate of 9-1, and have won five and lost just once in their last seven travels to Spurs, with their only defeat during this run coming in September 2023, when Joel Matip's 96th minute own goal sank nine-man Reds.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Liverpool

3. Aston Villa vs. Manchester United 

Aston Villa's nine-game winning run has turned them into genuine title contenders, even though manager Unai Emery is making efforts to debunk the reality, so his team would not get carried away.

They play host to Manchester United at Villa Park in the only Premier League match on Sunday, when they may fall more points behind the duo of Manchester City and Arsenal, who will both be in action against West Ham and Everton, respectively, on Saturday.

United themselves have become a tough team to beat, with their only loss in 10 games coming off an unusual 1-0 home defeat to Everton, who played more than 80 minutes of the match with 10 men following Idrissa Gueye's awkward red card.

Ruben Amorim is aware his side can not afford to give anything away, because a loss could see them end the gameweek in 10th place, depending on results elsewhere.

The previous head-to-head record could give the visitors some courage as United are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Villa, winning five, and have just one defeat in their last 26 away Premier League games at Villa, with 16 wins.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Man United 

4. Real Madrid vs. Sevilla

Sevilla may not have been at their known best, but after beating Barcelona this season, and maintaining a decent gap with occupants of European places, there is always a chance of turning up against the big boys.

The current form of Real Madrid could also make things interesting in the Saturday night kickoff. Los Blancos have just two wins in their last six league games, falling behind Barcelona after surrendering the top spot.

However, Xabi Alonso will hope his team can keep their comfortable form against Los Palanganas, a run that has seen them remain unbeaten in their last 13 clashes, 11 wins, while they also haven't lost to the visitors at home since a 4-3 defeat in December 2008, winning 19 of 20 games since then.

Kylian Mbappé has scored in his two meetings with Sevilla, and after marking his return from injury with three goals in two games, he will be the focal point of their attack again, as they look for a win to relieve the pressure on their under-fire manager.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Sevilla

5. Villarreal vs. Barcelona 

Literally the two best teams in LaLiga this season, Barcelona travel to the Ceramica on Sunday afternoon, knowing a win will see them further away, even with their host having a game in hand.

Villarreal will be no pushover, especially as they boast two wins from their last three meetings with the league leaders, and head into the weekend with six straight LaLiga wins.

Barcelona have been on fire themselves since losing to Real Madrid in the Clasico, winning all seven games and overtaking their fiercest rival to the league summit, and welcoming their top stars back from injuries in this period.

They are unbeaten in their last 18 away meetings with Villarreal, winning 13, since their last defeat of such in a 3-1 scoreline back in October 2007, when Santi Cazorla and Robert Pires inspired the Yellow Submarines.

Prediction: Villarreal 1-4 Barcelona 

6. Athletic Club vs. Espanyol 

Espanyol have assumed the role of the surprise package of the LaLiga season following their ongoing run of four consecutive LaLiga wins, which has solidified their place in fifth.

Nevertheless, for a team experiencing such a fortune, the next match is always very crucial, and a visit to San Mames, where they lost 4-1 14 months ago, could be the decider of their status in the first half of the season.

Their host will be eager to return to winning ways in the league after failing to build on an impressive win over Atlético Madrid, by losing 2-0 to Celta Vigo last time out in the league.

Ernesto Valverde's charge overcame Ourense in extra time to secure their place in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey but they'll need to dig deeper to get against the visitors on Monday night.

Prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Espanyol

7. Juventus vs. Roma 

Juventus have responded to their first loss under Luciano Spalletti by winning their last two games, but a 2-0 home win over Pafos FC in the Champions League and a lucky escape in a 1-0 victory at Bologna are not enough to communicate a responsive response.

However, beating a title-chasing Roma would make that three on the bounce, and maybe then, the Bianconerri will again be convinced of achieving their season aspirations under the new management.

Roma, who are just a place above their host, will keep their place in fourth notwithstanding the outcome of the clash, but a win would see them move level on points with first-place Inter, with the other members of the top four not involved this weekend due to the Super Coppa Italiana.

The three most recent meetings between these sides have ended in draws, while neither has scored more than a goal in this fixture since a 4-3 Juventus win in Rome back in January 2022. In fact, only once has Roma scored more than one goal in their last 11 trips to the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

Prediction: Juventus 1-0 Roma

8. RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen 

Two of the biggest clubs in Germany go head to head this weekend as Red Bull club, Leipzig play host to Bayer Leverkusen in the final kickoff on Saturday, with the home team having the opportunity to close the gap on Bayern Munich, who play later on Sunday.

Leipzig have only lost two other games since their humiliating 6-0 loss to Bayern Munich on the opening weekend, but one of those losses came in the form of a 3-1 scoreline against Union Berlin last time out in the league.

However, Ole Werner's team boasts a 100 percent winning record at home across all competitions this season, and is the only side to have won all their home games in the league, with six out of six, even beating Frankfurt 6-0 in their last home game.

For Leverkusen, things have improved significantly since the appointment of Kasper Hjulmand, but their last two travels in the league have ended in defeats, a statistics that dim their chances of winning at Leipzig, although they have two wins and one draw in their last four visits to the Red Bull Arena.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen 

9. AS Monaco vs Olympic Lyonnaise 

Both sides have surrendered their quest to stop PSG from winning the league this season, a fight they have passed to the likes of RC Lens, Olympique Marseille, and maybe Lille.

However, the goal at this stage of the season is staying in contention for European places, an achievement that will make the host a lot more desperate for the points to keep pace with the teams ahead, especially after back-to-back league losses.

Lyon, who won their case against financial shortcomings earlier in the season to maintain their top-flight status, will not have many complaints about how their season has been, and the result of the meetings with Monaco may have no effect as they will still remain in the top six.

None of the last ten meetings between the two teams at the ground of Monaco has ended in a draw, with both sides winning five apiece, although Monaco have won three of the last four such games.

Prediction: AS Monaco 2-2 Lyon

10. PSG vs Paris FC

It might not be one of the fixtures expected to be fiercely contested as both sides occupy opposite ends of the table, but the Paris clubs are local rivals, and thus it is set to be their first competitive derby since December 1978.

Paris FC have been in the top-flight ever since their relegation at the end of that season, which was also the first-ever season the two sides have met, with both meetings ending in draws.

Prediction: PSG 4-1 Paris FC