PREVIEW: Top derbies dominate Europe's top leagues

The 214th El Madridleno will take center stage at the Vicente Calderon as fierce city rivals Atletico Madird and Real Madrid square off. The last meeting was in May as the whites clinched a penalty victory en route to their 11th European crown. Few months on and they do battle in the league where the European Champions are yet to record victory over Simeone’s men since 2013.

In terms of personnel, Atletico Madrid will be sweating over the fitness star man Antoine Griezmann who picked up a foot injury while on international duty with France while Argentine Nico Gaitan could be in the matchday squad. Toni Kroos misses out for Los Merengues but captain Sergio Ramos is expected back in the side after a spell on the sidelines.

Pepe and Casemiro are also huge doubts for Madrid after failing to train with the group.

A key beneficiary of the fallout of the Madrid derby will be Barcelona who play Malaga hours before the derby. The Blaugrana have been far from swashbuckling but their numbers at this stage of the season equals the first season under Luis Enrique where they went on to clinch the treble.

Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba could make returns but Andres Iniesta is out injured while Luis Suarez is suspended after picking up 5 bookings. Spanish striker Paco Alcacer could be in line for his first start since September while Malaga striker Sandro Ramirez returns to the Camp Nou. Malaga coach Juande Ramos will face Barcelona eager to erase his last meeting with the CAtlan giants where he lost 6-2 while in charge of Real Madird.

Sampaoli’s Sevilla play Deportivo at the Riazor while the Madrigal will see an entertaining clash as Villareal play Ernesto VAlverde’s Atlethic Bilbao.

Saturday night's der Klassiker between Bayern and Dortmund isn't one for Bundesliga hegemony, for a change, but for some much-needed comfort in times of doubt as it would offer the victor freedom to carry on through to Christmas with a sense of security. Dortmund and Munich are less concerned with beating each other.

It's the mutual fear of losing -- and the recriminations that would come with it -- that will make the latest instalment of Black and Yellows vs. Reds a compelling spectacle. In addition to this, there will be a lot of homecoming as Mats Hummels returns to a home where he claimed to Bundesliga titles.On the opposite side, Mario Gotze and Sebastian Rode wore the Red jersey few months back and will be eager to enjoy victory over their rivals.

In the Serie A, Juventus host Pescara while Napoli are away at to Udinese . But at the San Siro,

When the history books are written, the entry for the 165th Madonnina in Serie A will include more than just the scoreline, even if it is a 0-0. This will be the last derby that Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani watch in their respective roles as Milan's owner and chief executive. It is the end of a glorious era. No less than five of those aforementioned European Cups came under their stewardship.

On the pitch Vincenzo Montella and Stefano Pioli enter their first Milan derby as coaches as a win will make a real statement of intent for the rest of the campaign.

A great weekend of football comes to its climax in Europe on Sunday evening. Let's hope the Madonnina saves the best till last.

Alternatively, you can listen to the audio preview by Kweku Arhin

Story by Ghana/Joy Sports