Lazio plan Roma revenge

A week after Internazionale FC's meeting with Juventus FC, Serie A sees another of its classic encounters on Sunday with the 119th Rome derby between AS Roma and S.S. Lazio.

Upper hand
Roma had the upper hand last season, beating their arch-rivals 5-1. Both teams are still well-placed for a Serie A challenge this term, Roma holding sixth place, two points behind Lazio, who they will overtake with victory.

'Not at his peak'
However, Roma forwards Vincenzo Montella - who scored four goals in that famous 5-1 victory - and Gabriel Batistuta are off form. "Montella is not at his peak physical condition at the moment, while Batistuta is playing well but doesn't manage to score," said Roma coach Fabio Capello, though Francesco Totti and derby specialist Marco Delvecchio are fit.

Crucial return
Diego Simeone is back in Lazio's midfield, also after injury, and team-mate Stefano Fiore admitted: "Simeone's return is crucial for us." Elsewhere, leaders AC Milan have a Saturday trip to AC Chievo Verona and Renato Zaccarelli takes temporary charge of Torino Calcio at winless Reggina Calcio on Sunday after the sacking of Giancarlo Camolese.

Prestige fixture
Another prestigious fixture occurs in France's Ligue 1, as Olympique de Marseille visit Paris Saint-Germain FC. Marseille playmaker Fabio Celestini said of the meeting of the capital favourites and southern giants: "The first thing I was told by fans when I arrived was to win against PSG." Leaders Nice take on RC Lens and second-placed Auxerre play struggling Stade Rennais FC.

Arsenal challenge
In England, Arsenal FC have to do something they have not done for a long time - bounce back from defeat. Their 30-match unbeaten run in the Premiership ended at Everton FC on Saturday, and they lost 2-1 at home to Auxerre three days later. Arsenal host Blackburn Rovers FC on Saturday, while new leaders Liverpool FC, fresh from victory at FC Spartak Moskva, are visited by third-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Spainish leaders at home
Real Sociedad, the new Primera División leaders in Spain, are home to Real Racing Club Santander, while second-placed RC Celta de Vigo welcome Club Atlético de Madrid. FC Barcelona, who have been supreme in Europe but less impressive at home, play Deportivo Alavés, while unbeaten Málaga CF face RCD Espanyol.

Bayern defend advantage
FC Bayern München may be struggling in the Champions League, but they are five points clear in the German Bundesliga, and welcome lowly Hannover 96 on Saturday. Stefan Wessels replaces the injured Oliver Kahn in goal for Bayern, while unbeaten champions BV Borussia Dortmund, who sit second, travel to third-placed SV Werder Bremen.

Title possibilities
FC Neman Grodno could be crowned Belarussian champions if results go their way, while FC Flora will take the Estonian title should they beat bottom-placed FC Levadia Pärnu on Saturday and FC Levadia Maardu fail to win against FC Lootus Kohtla-Järve the next day. Meanwhile, the Greek Hellenic National League restarts after its recent hiatus.