United and Barcelona have points to prove

FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC are among those seeking domestic pick-me-ups after disappointing results last week, while in the Eredivisie in-form AFC Ajax meet Feyenoord.

Following disappointing results last weekend, FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC are looking to reassert their domestic prowess after midweek UEFA Champions League exertions. Elsewhere, the Ruhr Valley derby takes centre stage in Germany and two of France's heavyweights are seeking to emerge from their Ligue 1 slumbers. You can follow the scores from all the European leagues live in our MatchCentre.

England: Manchester United FC v Liverpool FC (Sunday, 13.30)
Having let slip a two-goal lead at Everton FC and then failed to find a way past a resilient Rangers FC team, midfielder Darren Fletcher is hoping United can rediscover their "killer instinct" against arch-rivals Liverpool. "There has been nothing wrong with our overall performances," insisted the Scotland captain. "We are playing some good stuff at times. What we are missing just now is the killer instinct." Liverpool have also struggled to string results together, but after winning 4-1 against FC Steaua Bucureşti they will be hoping for better at Old Trafford.

Germany: FC Schalke 04 v BV Borussia Dortmund (Sunday, 17.30)
Schalke approach the Ruhr Valley derby without a point from three Bundesliga matches while their opponents are in somewhat buoyant mood after successive victories. Though Dortmund fans have been quick to gloat about the situation, Schalke coach Felix Magath views the fixture as the ideal one to kick-start their season. "This is the best match for us at the moment," he said. "We have to win the derby against Dortmund, no matter what. It's immaterial what has gone before, be it three wins or three defeats in a row."

Spain: Club Atlético de Madrid vs FC Barcelona (Sunday, 19.00)
Atlético welcome Barcelona in the somewhat unusual position of being above the Azulgrana at the Liga summit. The visitors banished memories of a shock home loss to Hercules CF last Saturday with a 5-1 defeat of Panathinaikos FC in the UEFA Champions League, but will no doubt be keen to avenge the 2-1 reverse at the Vicente Calderón last term − their sole Liga setback in 2009/10. "It's an important match," said Barça midfielder Javier Mascherano. "They're very difficult opponents who are full of confidence after winning silverware and leading the Liga."

France: FC Girondins de Bordeaux v Olympique Lyonnais (Sunday, 21.00)
A home triumph over Schalke on Tuesday has boosted Lyon's morale after Les Gones collected only five points from their opening five Ligue 1 games. Bordeaux, however, are also suffering domestically – they sit two places lower in 18th, and have yet to win either of their two home games this term. "It's not that bad to have a tough trip after Schalke," said Lyon coach Claude Puel. "We need to succeed in such games to make strides."

Netherlands: Feyenoord v AFC Ajax (Sunday, 12.30)
The duo are meeting for the 55th time in Rotterdam, where second-placed Ajax will seek to extend their winning run to five Eredivisie matches and keep pace with PSV Eindhoven. Feyenoord are six points adrift though coach Mario Been fancies his chances given Ajax's midweek exertions against Real Madrid CF and the partisan crowd that will be in attendance. "Although most players can cope with that, they will still feel it in their legs," said Been. "We have the support of a full De Kuip stadium. Everyone will be behind us."

Denmark: FC København v Brøndby IF (Sunday, 18.00)
Much of the talk in the build-up to the 'New Firm' encounter between the unbeaten Super League leaders and third-placed Brøndby has focused on the impending duel between in-form FCK striker Dame N'Doye and the visitors' defender Max von Schlebrügge. N'Doye added to his six goals in eight league games with a headed winner at home to FC Rubin Kazan on Tuesday as Ståle Solbakken's team made a successful return to Europe's premier club competition. "I'm sure Max can match N'Doye in the air," said Brøndby coach Henrik Jensen. "He is also fast enough to follow him."

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