Europe is the main focus of this week’s Six Picks, where there were so many good fixtures, we couldn’t fit them all in. But this wouldn’t be our usual net-casting of the world of football without a look into non-league and we’ve picked the most interesting game from the FA Trophy, while also poking our heads upwards to League Two. Expect plenty of talking points from these six and, for the final game of the weekend, probably a red card or two.
Leigh Genesis v Garforth Town
FA Trophy Preliminary Round, 3pm, Saturday 2nd October
All eyes will be on Crilly Park this Saturday for Paul Gascoigne’s first game in charge of Garforth Town in what was an already tasty-looking FA Trophy tie. Miners’ owner Simon Clifford insists the troubled England star’s appointment is not a publicity stunt, but given Gazza’s previous managerial stint at Kettering lasted just 39 days it remains to be seen where he’ll take the Yorkshire team.
But don’t let the circus distract you from a fascinating cup tie. Home side Leigh Genesis know much about crashing and burning following an ill-fated rebranding in 2008 and currently prop up the Evo-Stik Division One North. But while Genesis have just three points from the campaign, their only win came against Garforth. They’ll need no motivation to repeat that victory.
Barnet v Hereford United
League Two, 3pm, Saturday 2nd October
The battle of the Football League’s basement sides contains two managers who are fast seeing their reputations takes a nosedive. Barnet boss Mark Stimpson was once one of the most promising non-league managers but after a spell at Gillingham, where his side failed to win away all last season, he’s now struggling to get the best out of a Bees side that flirted with relegation last season.
In the opposite dugout, Simon Davey clearly thought he was moving to something better when he abruptly walked out of Darlington and ended up at Hereford. But the Bulls are in the midst of a transition period following the departure of chairman and manager Graham Turner and Davey’s cobbled-together team has yet to gel.
These sides have only registered one win apiece and have conceded 40 goals between them. The football at Underhill this weekend may not be particularly high in quality, but certainly promises goals.
FC Twente v FC Groningen
Dutch Eredivisie, 1.30pm, Sunday 3rd October
Steve McClaren may have left for Wolfsburg but Twente have still started well and are unbeaten so far in the Eredivisie, and coach Michel Preud’homme saw his side hold leaders Ajax to an entertaining 2-2 draw at the weekend. The Tukkers will again be looking to Theo Janssen for goals after his brace last weekend.
But visitors Groningen have also yet to lose and, like Twente, held title hopefuls - in this case PSV Eindhoven - to a draw in their last game. The mostly northerly team in the league are this season’s surprise package and this game will provide an interesting indication of whether either of these two have what it takes to challenge Ajax or PSV at the top of the table.
Napoli v Roma
Serie A, 2pm, Sunday 3rd October
While much of the focus will be on Juventus’ visit to Inter (more on that tomorrow - Ed), the game a few hours earlier is no less fascinating. Roma finally got their first win of the season after a late Mirko Vucinic winner against Inter, no less, to ease the pressure on Claudio Ranieri.
I Lupi have a great chance to record back-to-back victories on Sunday against a talented yet fragile Napoli side who are great on the road but have yet to win at home. Walter Mazzarri’s side ran riot late on away at Cesena to win 4-1 but it’s hard to call a winner from this game.
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich
German Bundesliga, 4.30pm, Sunday 3rd October
The Bundesliga is currently living up to its billing as the most entertaining, unpredictable league in Europe and this clash has all the hallmarks of a classic. Dortmund sit second behind tiny Mainz, who continued to surprise by beating Bayern Munich at the Allianz.
But BVB have also won plaudits for their attractive, high-tempo passing game and Jürgen Klopp’s men’s movement and pressing should cause problems for the Bavarians who have sporadically shown what they are capable of, even without Ribery and Robben. Bayern coach Louis van Gaal knows the pressure is on if he’s to kickstart his side’s season but Dortmund away couldn’t be a tougher fixture.
Standard Liege v Anderlecht
Jupiler Pro League, 7pm, Sunday 3rd October
Rounding off a cracking weekend of European football is what should be a spiky and full-blooded game between current champions Anderlecht and the team they deposed last season, Standard Liege.
Genk may be the runaway leaders but these two teams are both bubbling under and sit fourth and third respectively, with Anderlecht yet to lose a game. Ariel Jacobs men go into the game off the back of a 5-0 mauling of Mechelen, but Standard have also yet to lose at home.
If Liege’s vice-captain Alex Witsel plays, expect the temperature to raise a notch or two - he was responsible for a horror tackle that broke the leg of Anderlecht’s Marcin Wasilewski in 2009, which saw the young midfielder receive death threats.
As ever, we want to know where you’re heading to this weekend or what game, anywhere in the world, you think should be a corker. Leave your thoughts on the weekend’s upcoming action below.
Tags: Anderlecht, Barnet, Borussia Dortmund, FC Groningen, FC Twente, Garforth Town, Hereford, Leigh Genesis, Napoli, Paul Gascoigne, Roma, Standard Liege
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