As a number of teams nurse hangovers from the continental action in midweek, there are plenty of huge clashes to look forward to in Europe's top leagues this weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen have wrapped up the Bundesliga title but there is still plenty to be decided in Germany, while there are also engrossing battles for the European spots taking place across the continent.
We have looked over Saturday and Sunday's European coupon in Italy, Germany and Spain to put together an enticing treble which includes victories for Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
- Napoli to beat Empoli
- Borussia Dortmund to beat Bayer Leverkusen
- Real Madrid to beat Barcelona
Another Road Win For Napoli
Few teams have endured a bigger fall from grace this season than Napoli.
Last term, Gli Azzurri were the undisputed kings of Italy, racking up 90 points in Serie A to secure the Scudetto.
This season, however, simply making the European places is proving to be a struggle.
Napoli are sandwiched between the mid-table positions and the European places in Serie A with 13 wins, 10 draws and nine defeats from their 32 fixtures this campaign.
Qualifying for the Europa League or Europa Conference League is still within reach with six games to play, though, and they can boost their chances with a win over relegation-threatened Empoli.
Empoli head into the next batch of games in 17th spot in Serie A, having lost five of their last six games.
They also drew blanks in all of those defeats against Cagliari, Milan, Bologna, Inter and Lecce and they are in a precarious position with their run-in after this contest featuring matches against Europe-chasing Atalanta and Lazio.
Napoli have actually performed better on the road than on home soil this season, having accumulated 26 points on their travels compared to only 23 on their own patch.
They have also been tighter at the back away from home, conceding only 17 goals in 16 away fixtures, and they should hold firm to see off Empoli on Saturday.
First Defeat For Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen secured their first ever Bundesliga title in style last Sunday, thrashing Werder Bremen 5-0 at the BayArena.
Goals from Victor Boniface and Grant Xhaka along with a hat-trick from Florian Wirtz extended Leverkusen's unbeaten run in all competitions to a sensational 43 games and, more importantly, wrapped up a maiden top-flight title for Xabi Alonso's men.
They have undoubtedly been the best team in Germany this season, having won 25 and drawn four of their 29 matches, and it would be a bold move to oppose them in any of their remaining fixtures.
But with the league title secured, priorities may now shift for Alonso's side, who have also been in action in the Europa League and have the DFB Pokal final on the horizon.
Sunday's visit to Borussia Dortmund will follow Thursday's trip to West Ham in the Europa League and, while Alonso's men hold a 2-0 advantage in the tie, they will not want to take their eye off the ball.
Preserving their unbeaten run will be important but Dortmund could become the first team to beat Leverkusen in the 2023-24 campaign.
Die Schwarzgelben arguably have more incentive to attack this game as they chase down a top-four berth in the Bundesliga and they will also be in high spirits having defeated Atletico Madrid 4-2 on Tuesday to make the Champions League semi-finals.
These are two top sides but incentive favours Dortmund, who have won eight of their 14 Bundesliga matches at Signal Iduna Park this term.
They have won seven of their last nine matches in all competitions, beating Bayern Munich for the first time since 2019 as part of that run, and they are ready to send out a statement by beating the champions.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND TO BEAT BAYER LEVERKUSEN
El Clasico To Go Real’s Way
Both Real Madrid and Barcelona were in action in the Champions League during the week but the El Clasico rivals experienced contrasting outcomes.
On Tuesday night, Barca were humiliated on their own patch, losing 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain to crash out of the Champions League, despite winning the first leg in Paris 3-2 the week before.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will be in celebration mode ahead of this clash after they sensationally knocked out defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti's men survived an onslaught of 33 shots, nine of which were on target, from Pep Guardiola's side and held on to a 1-1 draw which took the match to penalties.
Madrid prevailed 4-3 in the shootout and can look forward to yet another Champions League semi-final, with Bayern Munich awaiting them in the final four.
Ordinarily such an energy-sapping match would take its toll on a team, but Real Madrid are built differently to most sides and can follow up with a victory in El Clasico.
Ancelotti arguably has better squad depth at his disposal than Barca with Eder Militao, Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez, Brahim Diaz and Joselu among those on the bench for Real Madrid against Manchester City.
Los Blancos are also typically organised at the back and are happy to grind out wins, having beaten Athletic Bilbao 2-0 and Mallorca 1-0 in their last two league assignments.
Barcelona have shown signs of promise but their 4-1 implosion against PSG has to be cause for concern.
The 29th-minute sending off of Ronald Araujo certainly did not help matters but Xavi's men have been hit and miss all season and lost their last El Clasico with Real Madrid 4-1 in January's Spanish Super Cup final.
Madrid have been the standout team in La Liga this season, winning 24 of their 31 league fixtures, and they have an eight-point advantage over Barcelona heading into this match.
It is hard to envisage the wheels coming off for Ancelotti's side, who can take a big step towards the title with yet another win over their inconsistent rivals.
