Another weekend brings an early collection of heavyweight fixtures across Europe, with the Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 entering Round 3 and LaLiga reaching Round 4.

Arsenal and Chelsea meet with perfect league records, Real Madrid travel to Real Betis after winning their opening three matches, while Inter and Napoli renew their increasingly competitive Serie A rivalry.

Juventus and AC Milan are also both unbeaten, and PSG face a Monaco side that has made a strong start with two wins from two, despite the champions still searching for their first league victory.

Here is a match-by-match preview and prediction based on recent form, head-to-head records, squad strength and the latest injury information, of selected 10 high-stakes fixtures this weekend.

Previews and Predictions: 10 Fixtures to watch

Arsenal vs Chelsea

Defending champions Arsenal have made the better defensive start, winning their first two league matches without conceding, including a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa after opening with a 3-0 win over Coventry.

Chelsea have also taken maximum points, but their opening victories have been much more open, beating Fulham 3-2 before edging Brighton 4-3. No team has scored more goals than Xabi Alonso's side so far.

That contrast could be important at the Emirates. Arsenal also have the psychological advantage of an impressive recent record against Chelsea, with the Gunners having an unbeaten record in their last 11 meetings with Sunday visitors, winning seven.

However, Mikel Arteta has defensive concerns, with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber listed as unavailable, while Bruno Guimaraes is a doubt. Chelsea have their own midfield doubts involving Moises Caicedo.

Chelsea's attack, led by a side rebuilt under Alonso, has looked dangerous, but Arsenal's greater control and two clean sheets make them the more balanced team. It'll be the biggest test for the two sides so far.

Prediction: Arsenal 2- 1 Chelsea.

Newcastle United vs AFC Bournemouth

Newcastle United return to St James' Park in the early kickoff on Saturday with four points from their opening two games and plenty of momentum after beating Tottenham 2-0 away from home.

That followed a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, giving Matthias Jaissle's side an unbeaten start and evidence that the Magpies can compete against strong opposition.

On the other hand, Bournemouth have collected just one point, drawing 1-1 with Everton after a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. Their pressing approach should make this an uncomfortable game for Newcastle, but the hosts have looked more convincing in the opening weeks. 

Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga have been among Newcastle's key performers, while William Osula's continuing foot problem leaves the squad short of natural striking options, with Nick Woltemade already left for Juventus on loan. Dan Burn is also an injury concern.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have shown enough attacking quality to threaten, but Newcastle's home advantage and superior early-season results give them the edge. Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven meetings.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 Bournemouth.

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur

This is an intriguing meeting between two sides heading in different directions despite neither having won a league game so far this season. 

Nottingham Forest earned a point at Anfield in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool after losing their opening league fixture 1-0 to Leeds, while Tottenham have lost both matches and are still searching for their first league goal.

Nottingham Forest also have a striking recent head-to-head advantage over the visitors: they have won four of their last six meetings with Spurs, including a 3-0 victory in London in March.

Tottenham's squad possesses considerable attacking talent, but injuries and a defensive rebuild have made Roberto De Zerbi's opening weeks difficult. It also appears that the new signings are yet to settle in.

Forest have concerns of their own, including Ibrahim Sangaré and Nicolò Savona, but Oliver Glasner's side looked dangerous when allowed to attack space against Liverpool, and will hope to replicate that against a side that has conceded the most goals so far.

With Spurs still struggling to create consistently and Forest playing at home, the hosts appear better placed.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur.

Real Betis vs Real Madrid 

Real Madrid take their perfect record into Friday night's trip to Seville, having beaten Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Málaga in their opening three matches.

José Mourinho's side have scored 10 goals and conceded only two, with the latest performance a convincing 4-0 win over newly promoted Málaga.

Betis began with consecutive 1-0 victories over Real Sociedad and Valencia but suffered a major setback last weekend, losing 5-2 away to Levante. 

The home side therefore has to rediscover their defensive organisation against a Madrid attack containing Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler, who have all started the season in explosive form.

Real Madrid's injury list is not insignificant, with Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo unavailable, while Aurelien Tchouameni is doubtful, having yet to make a full recovery from his injury at the World Cup. Betis also have absentees including Diego Conde, Aitor Ruibal and Giovani Lo Celso.

Madrid's superior form and attacking depth should ultimately prove decisive, although Betis' home advantage makes this less straightforward than the table suggests, especially with Los Blancos winless in their last four visits to Betis - three draws.

Prediction: Real Betis 1-3 Real Madrid.

Athletic Club vs Atlético Madrid

Athletic Club have endured an uneven start to the campaign, losing to Sevilla and Barcelona before recovering with a 2-0 victory at Celta Vigo last weekend.

Atlético Madrid, by contrast, have collected seven points from their first three matches and head into this fixture after a 3-1 victory away at Sevilla.

The visitors also have the stronger attacking numbers, scoring seven times compared with Athletic's three. Yet San Mamés has historically been a difficult venue for Atlético, and the Basque side have already demonstrated that they can make matches uncomfortable through their intensity and physicality. 

Recent meetings have been competitive. Atlético won 3-2 in April, but Athletic had previously beaten them 1-0 at San Mamés. While the host have won five of their last eight home league meetings, with the visitors managing two wins.

Athletic's injury list includes Daniel Vivian, Unai Eguiluz and Beñat Prados, while Atlético are missing Alexander Sørloth with a muscle problem. Atlético's stronger current form and greater attacking threat give Diego Simeone's side the advantage, but this should remain close.

Prediction: Athletic Club 0-1 Atlético Madrid.

Inter vs Napoli

Inter have begun the Serie A campaign winning their two games so far, beating Monza 4-1 before securing a narrow 1-0 win away to Cagliari in the last round. 

Napoli started with a 2-0 victory over Genoa but were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home by Como, making Saturday's trip to San Siro against defending champions an immediate test of Massimiliano Allegri's team.

The head-to-head history suggests a much tighter contest than the current form indicates. The only victory in their last five meetings went to Napoli, who won 3-1 in October 2025, while the return fixture in January finished 2-2.

Across the last 10 meetings, the sides have drawn six times, with two wins apiece. Inter therefore have momentum but cannot expect an easy game.

Napoli also have defensive concerns, with Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci among the players reported unavailable, but the biggest miss will be Scott McTominay, who underwent surgery and will be out until October. Inter have Djed Spence listed as absent.

The Nerazzurri's stronger start, home advantage and greater defensive stability make them favourites, but Napoli's quality should ensure this is competitive.

Prediction: Inter 2-1 Napoli.

AS Roma vs Atalanta

Two perfect records collide at the Stadio Olimpico, with Roma and Atalanta both taking six points from their opening two games. 

The hosts have been particularly impressive, winning 4-0 against both Fiorentina and Lecce without conceding a goal. Atalanta have been less spectacular but equally effective, defeating both opponents and conceding just once.

The fixture also carries an interesting managerial dimension, with Gian Piero Gasperini now leading Roma against the club where he spent almost a decade.

Roma have the stronger recent results, but Atalanta have historically held the edge in this fixture, a dominance that has grown recently with an unbeaten record in their last eight, winning six.

Roma could be without Evan Ndicka after his muscle injury, while Atalanta are missing Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana, with Thomas Kristensen also unavailable. Roma's early defensive record gives them confidence, but Atalanta's structure should make this a much tighter contest.

Prediction: Roma 1-1 Atalanta.

Juventus vs AC Milan

Juventus and AC Milan have both won their opening two Serie A fixtures, setting up one of the weekend's most evenly matched contests.

Juventus defeated Parma 2-0 last weekend after their victory on opening weekend, while Milan followed their first win by beating Venezia 2-0. 

The defensive numbers favour Juventus slightly, as they have yet to concede, but Milan have also shown an ability to control games without giving opponents much room. 

Juventus have historically dominated this matchup, with 24 wins in the available head-to-head record compared with Milan's 10, plus 13 draws, but the Rossoneri have lost just once in their last six trips to Juve, winning two.

The current injury situation also gives Milan reasons to be optimistic. Juventus have several absences, including Kenan Yildiz, Juan Cabal, Weston McKennie, Andrea Cambiaso and Khéphren Thuram, while Milan's squad is currently reported to have no unavailable players in the latest team information.

That could make the visitors difficult to break down. Home advantage keeps Juventus slightly ahead, but a low-scoring contest is likely.

Prediction: Juventus 1-1 AC Milan.

Paris Saint-Germain vs AS Monaco

PSG's title defence has begun with two draws, leaving the champions under early pressure to find their first Ligue 1 victory as the play at the Parc des Princes for the first time this season. 

Luis Enrique's team were held 2-2 by Rennes and then came from behind to draw 2-2 with Lille, while Monaco have made a stronger start, beating Le Havre 1-0 before defeating Marseille 2-0 to stretch their perfect start.

Monaco's form makes this one of PSG's most difficult early tests, particularly because the visitors have already demonstrated their ability to defend effectively and punish opponents in transition. 

PSG also have selection issues: Nuno Mendes is suspended and João Neves is doubtful, although Ousmane Dembele will return after the break that saw him miss their last game. Monaco have Folarin Balogun, Ansu Fati, Mohammed Salisu and Takumi Minamino among their absentees.

The recent head-to-head record gives PSG a slight advantage, but Monaco have already shown they can upset the champions. PSG's attacking quality should eventually tell at the Parc des Princes, although another close game is expected. 

Prediction: PSG 2-1 Monaco.

Angers vs Rennes

Angers and Rennes meet with both sides having collected points from their opening two league matches, although their momentum differs slightly. Angers were beaten 2-0 by Lille before responding with a 3-1 away victory at Auxerre, while Rennes followed a 2-2 draw with PSG by beating Le Mans 3-2.

Rennes therefore have four points against Angers' three and have demonstrated greater attacking consistency, although it's a different story defensively.

History also favours Rennes heavily: in the most recent eight meetings, the visitors have won seven, compared with no Angers victory in that sample and one draw. Rennes have, however, shown defensive vulnerability by conceding twice against both PSG and Le Mans.

Angers will hope their home advantage can exploit that weakness, but the visitors possess the stronger overall record and more convincing attacking options. The latest injury information lists Haris Belkebla and Louis Mouton out for Angers, while Rennes goalkeeper Brice Samba is also dealing with a muscle injury.

Prediction: Angers 1-3 Rennes.