Merseyside derby takes spotlight in EPL

LIVERPOOL, England (AP):

The Merseyside derby kicks off an eight-game line-up in the English Premier League (EPL) today.

Everton are winless in league play and host Liverpool in the early match. Transfer deadline day signings Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Garner are available for Everton, but new Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo is awaiting international clearance. In another match Aston Villa welcome Manchester City in the nightcap. Steven Gerrard’s team has lost three straight league games. City’s Erling Haaland leads the league with nine goals including consecutive hat-tricks. Chelsea were active in the transfer market – spending US$280 million – but new striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t be available when West Ham visit Stamford Bridge, although new defender Wesley Fofana will be. Staying in London, Brentford host Leeds while Fulham visit Tottenham. Elsewhere, Newcastle host Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest host Bournemouth, and Southampton visit Wolverhampton.

In Spain Real Madrid and Real Betis meet in a showdown between the only league teams with a perfect start. Madrid return to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after they asked to play their first three matches on the road so renovation work at the venue could continue. Another high-profile match-up will pit a Barcelona team that is carrying momentum against Sevilla who are yet to win. Atlético Madrid, coming off two wins and a loss, visit Real Sociedad.

ITALY

In Italy AC Milan will be looking to bounce back from a drab midweek draw in the best way possible, with a win over city and title rivals Inter Milan in the eagerly anticipated Derby della Madonnina.

Romelu Lukaku will again be absent for Inter as he recovers from a muscular problem, but fellow Belgian Charles De Ketelaere should start for Milan, who could also hand a debut to United States defender Sergiño Dest. AC Milan are one of six unbeaten sides in Serie A. Two of the others, Lazio and Napoli, face each other in Rome. Juventus are also unbeaten and they travel to bitter rivals Fiorentina, who have not managed to score in their previous four matches.

FRANCE

Neymar is on a hot streak and looks to make it eight goals in six games for league leaders Paris Saint-Germain when they travel to Nantes. PSG’s MNM strike force of Lionel Messi-Neymar-Kylian Mbappe has netted 15 of PSG’s league-high 21 goals.

Coach Igor Tudor’s new-look Marseille head to promoted Auxerre with the league’s best defence. In the other day’s game, unbeaten Lyon host struggling Angers who are down in 19th spot and have conceded 12 goals.