Perhaps the Europa League was never going to be at the top of the priorities for Everton this season.

When the draw was made for the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League group stage, Manchester United fans were happy with the result.

Tottenham Hotspur have made great strides under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino and having finished second in the last two Premier League campaigns, looks set to be the only club capable of staying with the Manchester clubs this season.

West Bromwich Albion made a good start to the 2017/18 Premier League season.  Having won promotion to the Premier League in 2009/10, only once have they been threatened with relegation and that was in 2013/14, when they finished in 17th place.

In the Premier League’s early kick-off on Sunday, Brighton host Everton at the AMEX Stadium, with the big-spending visitors in desperate need of a victory to kick-start their top-flight campaign.

Recent years have not been kind to Inter and AC Milan as both clubs have watched on as Juventus have taken control of Italian football.

Two teams just above the Bundesliga relegation zone meet on Sunday afternoon, as Bayer Leverkusen host Wolfsburg at the Bay Arena.

In one of the games of the European football weekend, Atletico Madrid host La Liga leaders Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano.

In one of the most eye-catching games of the Italian football weekend, Roma host Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night.

Since returning to the Premier League in 2011/12, Southampton can be very pleased with their progress.  They have moved from a 14th place finish in their first season back in the English top-flight to 6th place in 2015/16 and 8th place in 2016/17.

French champions Monaco face a tough test on Friday night, as they travel to Lyon in Ligue One. A victory would move the visitor’s level on points with arch-rivals and league leaders PSG.

On Friday, Palmeiras host Bahia at the Allianz Parque in Serie A, as the home side look to make up ground on the teams above them in the Brazilian top-flight table.

The international break is over and action returns to the Premier League this weekend.  We could not have asked for a bigger fixture as Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield in the biggest game of the Premier League so far, this season.

On Thursday night, Ponte Preta host high flying Santos at the Estadio Moises Lucarelli in Serie A, with the home side looking to return to form after a poor run of form in the Brazilian top-flight.

With the World Cup qualifiers complete, attention turns back to club football this weekend and the first big clash in the top European leagues sees Stuttgart welcome Cologne to the Mercedes Benz Arena in the Bundesliga.

On Thursday, two of Brazil’s top four teams meet as Gremio host Cruzeiro at the Arena do Gremio in Porto Alegre.

There is a full quota of Brazilian Serie A fixtures this week and on Wednesday evening Atletico PR welcome Atletico GO to the Estadio Joaquim Americo Guimaraes.

On Wednesday night, Botafogo host midtable Chapecoense at the Estadio Nilton Santos as the home side attempt to strengthen their position in the Copa Libertadores spots in the Brazilian top-flight.

Argentina’s World Cup qualifier campaign has not quite gone to plan. They head into their last group game in Ecuador on Wednesday in sixth place in the South American qualification section.

Portugal could seal a place at next year’s World Cup when they host Switzerland at the Estadio Da Luz in the final qualifier of the campaign.