Biggest Upcoming European Football Matches in Europe

European football is heading into an unusual period, with the major domestic leagues taking a longer-than-normal break because the September and October international windows have been combined.

That means South African football fans will have to wait a little longer for the return of the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. The good news is that when European club football returns, there are several big matches to look forward to.

The next major domestic action starts from 9 October 2026, with the biggest fixtures spread across England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

Here are some of the European football matches worth keeping an eye on.

Premier League: Liverpool vs Manchester City

The biggest match on the first Premier League weekend back could be Liverpool vs Manchester City on Sunday, 11 October.

Liverpool will have home advantage at Anfield, but the current betting market has Manchester City as the slight favourite. Current prices put Liverpool around 3.70, the draw at 3.80 and Manchester City at approximately 2.40 in decimal odds.

It is an important fixture because both clubs are expected to be involved in the title race. Manchester City have also made a strong start to the campaign, while Liverpool will be looking to use home advantage to take an early scalp.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City

Betting angle: Manchester City to win.

There are also some interesting Premier League matches on 10 October. Arsenal host Leeds United, Chelsea welcome Bournemouth and Manchester United face Tottenham.

Arsenal are currently priced around 1.36 to beat Leeds, with the draw at approximately 5.10 and Leeds around 9.00. Manchester United are around 1.73 against Tottenham at roughly 4.54, with the draw close to 4.30.

La Liga: Barcelona vs Getafe

Barcelona have started the 2026/27 La Liga season in excellent fashion and return from the international break with a home match against Getafe on Saturday, 10 October.

Barca are huge favourites in the current market, with prices around 1.08 compared with roughly 22.00 for the draw and 50.00 for Getafe.

Barcelona have already built a strong position at the top of the table, with the latest available standings showing them on seven wins from seven matches.

Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Getafe

Betting angle: Barcelona to win.

There is another interesting Spanish fixture on the same day, with Real Madrid hosting Villarreal. Current prices have Real Madrid around 1.29, the draw at approximately 7.19 and Villarreal around 10.40.

That should be another useful fixture for South African football fans following the La Liga title race.

Serie A: Inter vs Parma

Serie A also returns on 10 October, with defending champions Inter Milan hosting Parma.

Inter have made a strong start to the campaign and are currently unbeaten after five league matches. Parma, meanwhile, have struggled for results.

The betting market heavily favours Inter. Current prices are around 1.10 for an Inter win, 8.50 for the draw and 16.00 for Parma.

Prediction: Inter 3-0 Parma

Betting angle: Inter to win.

Another Serie A match worth watching is Cagliari vs Juventus on Sunday, 11 October. Juventus are priced around 1.50, with Cagliari at approximately 5.50 and the draw at 3.80.

Bundesliga: Augsburg vs Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action against Augsburg on Saturday, 10 October.

The Bavarians have started strongly, although Borussia Dortmund are currently sitting above them in the early Bundesliga standings. Bayern have scored 14 goals and conceded only two in their opening four matches.

The current betting market makes Bayern clear favourites at approximately 1.22, with Augsburg around 10.00 and the draw roughly 7.00.

Prediction: Augsburg 0-3 Bayern Munich

Betting angle: Bayern Munich to win.

Dortmund also return to action against Werder Bremen on Friday, 9 October. Current prices have Dortmund around 1.36, the draw at 5.50 and Werder around 7.50.

Ligue 1: PSG vs Le Mans

Paris Saint-Germain have a slightly different challenge when Ligue 1 returns, as they have made a slower start than many would have expected.

PSG host Le Mans on Saturday, 10 October, and the champions are still overwhelming favourites despite their early-season results.

Current odds put PSG around 1.08, with the draw at 9.50 and Le Mans at 18.00.

Prediction: PSG 3-0 Le Mans

Betting angle: PSG to win.

Monaco vs Toulouse is another fixture to watch, with Monaco currently priced around 1.70 compared with 3.90 for the draw and 4.10 for Toulouse.

European Football Betting for South Africans

For South African football fans, this extended international break means there is no normal Premier League, Serie A or Bundesliga weekend to get stuck into on 26 and 27 September.

However, the wait gives punters plenty of time to study the upcoming fixtures before European club football returns.

The biggest matches to circle are Liverpool vs Manchester City, Barcelona vs Getafe, Real Madrid vs Villarreal, Inter vs Parma, Cagliari vs Juventus, Augsburg vs Bayern Munich and PSG vs Le Mans.

Remember that football betting odds can move significantly before kick-off because of injuries, team news, player availability and betting activity. The prices above are therefore a snapshot rather than guaranteed bookmaker prices.

For South African punters, always check the latest odds at your bookmaker before placing a bet and only bet what you can afford to lose.

Final Predictions

Here are my picks for the biggest upcoming European matches:

Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City – Manchester City win

Barcelona 3-0 Getafe – Barcelona win

Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal – Real Madrid win

Inter 3-0 Parma – Inter win

Cagliari 0-2 Juventus – Juventus win

Augsburg 0-3 Bayern Munich – Bayern Munich win

PSG 3-0 Le Mans – PSG win

Monaco 2-1 Toulouse – Monaco win

The international break may have slowed things down temporarily, but European football is set for a busy return. With the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 all back in action from October 9–10, South African football fans will have plenty to watch when the clubs return.