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Ahead of the international break, another great weekend of club football awaits. Whether it is the Istanbul Derby, O Clássico between Porto and Benfica, the Belgian Clasico, or the Choque-Rei in Brazil, there are some exciting games to watch this weekend across the globe. Using the expertise of our global team, Transfermarkt takes you around the globe to highlight five games you should be watching this weekend.
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Istanbul Derby: Galatasaray vs Beşiktaş
Lara Karacan (Area Manager Türkiye):
The Istanbul derby between Galatasaray and Beşiktaş once again promises the highest level of drama this weekend. Galatasaray enter the clash full of confidence: they remain unbeaten in the league and recently made headlines in the Champions League with an impressive result against Liverpool. Beşiktaş, on the other hand, have found greater stability in the last 2 weeks after a turbulent start to the season and the managerial change from Ole Gunnar Solskjær to club legend Sergen Yalçın. For the Black Eagles, this derby holds significance that extends far beyond the three points. In Istanbul, no derby is ever “just” a league match – the winner always secures a crucial psychological edge in the title race.
This year’s encounter is also shaped by the high-profile transfers both clubs made in the summer, breaking domestic records. Galatasaray set the tone by signing Victor Osimhen for €75 million, while Beşiktaş responded with the return of Orkun Kökçü for €30 million. Both players have the potential to decide the outcome of the derby - Osimhen with his lethal goalscoring instincts and Kökçü with his creativity and control in midfield. At the same time, Beşiktaş know that only a victory will keep their slim title hopes alive. Should the points remain in Florya, the gap to league leaders Galatasaray would grow dangerously wide. And for Galatasaray, this match also carries a personal note: last season’s 2–1 defeat against Beşiktaş in the final rounds ended their dream of an unbeaten championship - a wound they are eager to heal.
Okan Buruk and Sergen Yalçın are revered figures in their respective fan bases, having both lifted league titles and domestic cups as players and coaches. Yalçın currently holds the upper hand in the head coach head-to-head record, with five wins from nine matches and only two defeats. Tactically, Galatasaray are expected to dominate possession and dictate the rhythm of the game, while Beşiktaş will likely remain compact and dangerous on the counterattack - a recipe for a derby brimming with intensity and emotion.
The other Derby d'Italia: Juventus vs AC Milan
Stefano Buonfino (Content and Community Manager Italy):
It's a historic challenge between Juventus and Milan, two teams that started the season with a strong determination to win the Scudetto. Both teams are still under construction, but both have made innovative moves in the transfer market: Juve has revolutionized its attack, while Milan has focused on its midfield. But three factors could play a key role in the title race: Massimiliano Allegri, Luka Modrić, and not playing in European competitions.
Speaking of managers, Igor Tudor has a positive record against Allegri, winning three out of five games and only losing twice. The two are, in general, very much balanced against one another. Milan have not drawn yet in this championship (four wins and one defeat), unlike Juve, who are coming off a double 1-1 draw against Verona and Atalanta, not to mention the UEFA Champions League game where they also recorded a draw, 2-2 against Villarreal. Milan are better overall, even if Kenan Yıldız and his teammates are just behind the Rossoneri in the table. The Bianconeri are unbeaten at the San Siro since March 9, and have already faced the other Milanese team, Inter, beating them 4-3.
Milan, who, like Juve, have scored nine goals, have been flawless away from home so far: 2-0 at Lecce, 3-0 at Udinese. Against Juve, however, they have not scored in their last two league games in Turin: 0-0 and, last season, 0-2. Last week, Allegri (who returns to Turin as an opponent against the Bianconeri) beat Antonio Conte, sending a signal of strength that Juventus need to be taken seriously.
O Clássico: Porto vs Benfica
Gonçalo Tristão Santos (Area Manager Portugal):
This Sunday, Porto hosts Benfica at Estádio do Dragão in the most anticipated game of this Liga Portugal matchday. Facing each other are two teams in very different moments. Porto enters this 'Clássico' after winning all their league matches so far, delivering a memorable start to the season under coach Francesco Farioli, who has managed to impose his style of play in record time since being appointed at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.
Benfica, on the other hand, is going through a turbulent period. After suffering a surprising home defeat to Qarabag in their opening Champions League match, the club dismissed coach Bruno Lage and hired José Mourinho, who has won two of his first four matches in charge.
At this moment, Porto are the undisputed leader of the Portuguese league, while Benfica occupies third place. If they lose against their rivals, Benfica will fall seven points behind the league leaders and therefore carries the greater pressure to secure a positive result in this clash. Porto, meanwhile, aims to strengthen its lead, having already beaten reigning champions Sporting at Estádio José Alvalade. A victory over Benfica would be a huge sign of strength. Should that happen, Porto would, without a doubt, establish itself as the main contender to win the league title this season.
Belgian Clasico: Anderlecht vs Standard Liège
Bart Tamsyn (Area Manager Belgium):
The Belgian Clasico is scheduled for Sunday, a clash between RSC Anderlecht and Standard de Liège. It is a game in which events around the pitch have attracted more publicity than those on the pitch in recent editions. After a three-year absence, Standard supporters will be present again on Sunday, with a total of 682 of them.
Anderlecht and Standard are both clubs with a glorious history, but both have suffered a setback due to financial difficulties. They have barely competed for the national title for several seasons now, and while Anderlecht usually has to settle for a spot in European football, Standard has not even managed that in recent years.
A Clasico remains a Clasico, however, and there is no doubt that Sunday's match will be fiercely contested. It has been since 2018 that the Rouches last won on the pitch of the record national champions. Since then, the Purple & White have won five times, while the match has ended in a draw four times.
Will Luis Vazquez be able to shake off his crisis of confidence against a defence in which coach Vincent Euvrard will be without his captain Marlon Fossey due to suspension, and saw Daan Dierickx again drop out, another defender injured? Or will Rafiki Saïd unleash his demons on the left flank, just like last weekend? Find out this Sunday at 1:30 p.m.!
Choque-Rei: São Paulo vs Palmeiras
Marcos Watts (Area Manager Brazil):
São Paulo host Palmeiras in what’s always one of the fiercest rivalries in Brazilian football — the Choque-Rei — and this edition could carry crucial weight in the Brazilian Série A.
Momentum is on Palmeiras' side, since the 'alviverde' has scored 10 points in their last 5 Brasileirão matches and are putting on a great fight for the title, whilst São Paulo sits on 8th place coming from two consecutive defeats in the league and only scored 6 points in their last 5 games and a tragic elimination by LDU in the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals. Palmeiras also has the advantage in the recent head-to-head clashes: they haven’t lost to São Paulo in their last six meetings (three wins, three draws). Meanwhile, São Paulo will rely on home advantage and tactical discipline to disrupt Palmeiras’ rhythm.
On the pitch, Palmeiras' attacking duo Vitor Roque and Flaco López could dictate the score, while on the other side São Paulo will count on Ferreirinha and Luciano to outmatch the 2nd best defense in the league.
Bonus game from Japan: Kashima Antlers vs Gamba Osaka
Takako Maruga (Area Manager Japan):
It was a tight title challenge for most of the season, but Kashima Antlers have now opened a gap at the top of the table. While there is still an expectation that we will have an exciting final matchday (Dec. 6 & 7), Kashima will face Gamba Osaka, a member of the J.League's “Original Ten” and currently ninth in the table on this matchday. Kashima will want to do everything to win the game and keep the gap to Vissel Kobe, who are four points behind in second place, and Kyoto Sanga, who are five points behind in third place.
In the 1990s, big names like Zico were the stars for Kashima. In the 2000s, J.League legends like Mitsuo Ogasawara, Marquinhos, and Bismarck played for the club. Other names include Atsuto Uchido and Yuya Osaka. The two would make the jump to Europe. Between 1996 and 2016, the team won the championship eight times, but since then the club has struggled to win another title and now have the chance to win the title for the first time since the e-commerce company Mercari took over in 2019.
Both Kashima and Gamba Osaka are undefeated over the last five games. One player to watch is Yuma Suzuki. The center-forward has scored five goals in 16 games against Gamba Osaka. A win by Gamba Osaka would be the first away win against Kashima since Jul.2, 2016. Gamba’s Usami played his 300th J1 League game last week.
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