Italy and Portugal Previews weekend 21-24 August

Olhanense vs Leiria
Academica vs Pacos de Ferreira
Sporting CP vs Sporting Braga
Maritimo vs Leixoes
Rio Ave vs Vitoria Setubal
Guimaraes vs Benfica
FC Porto vs Nacional
Belensenses vs Naval

Round 2 in the Superliga sees the two promoted sides, Olhanense and Leiria, face off on Friday evening, after a bizarre opening weekend that featured seven draws and only one side, Sporting Braga, picking up three points. The big three could only record draws, and late draws at that - all of their equalisers coming in the final 15 minutes or so. Sporting were in action this week in the Champions League qualifiers, gaining a credible 2-2 home draw with Fiorentina and Braga, as reasonable as they are, should not present as tough a challenge. Porto's opponents, Nacional, pulled off a huge result midweek beating former UEFA Cup holders Zenit St Petersburg 4-3 in the first leg of the Europa League qualifiers, while Benfica breezed past Ukranian outfit Vorskla Poltava.

Bologna vs Fiorentina
Siena vs AC Milan Live on ESPN Sky Ch 417 or 442 in HD Saturday 7.45pm
Inter vs Bari Live on ESPN Sky Ch 417 or 442 in HD Sunday 5.00pm
Catania vs Sampdoria
Genoa vs Roma
Juventus vs Chievo
Lazio vs Atalanta
Livorno vs Cagliari
Palermo vs Napoli
Udinese vs Parma

An intriguing opening weekend in prospect for several sides. For starters, it doesn't get any tougher for Bari as they open their campaign with a long trip up north to visit champions Inter. Juventus entertain Chievo, who are themselves capable of springing an opening day surprise or two. A fascinating game potentially at the Luigi Ferraris - how will Genoa, a much changed team from last season, fare against a Roma side who finished below them but who have largely kept their squad together? The Grifone beat Danish side OB Odense 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa league qualifer on Thursday, meanwhile Roma squandered a 3-1 away advantage at Slovakian side MFK Kosice drawing 3-3. Their cross-city rivals Lazio had no such problems, brushing aside IK Elfsborg and they host Atalanta first up.

Elsewhere Leonardo's first league game at the helm of AC Milan is a trip to perrenial strugglers (and slow starters) Siena; Fiorentina start the ball rolling at Bologna; promoted Livorno open up at home to Cagliari while Parma visit Udine. Watch out for Palermo versus Napoli, which could prove to be a fiery encounter.