Europe

In-form Saviola keeps Kluivert out of Barça's starting line-up to fuel speculation over the Dutchman's future

Speculation about Patrick Kluivert has intensified with the form of the Argentinian striker Javier Saviola keeping the Dutchman on the substitutes' bench at Barcelona.

Saviola starts at Real Sociedad tomorrow hoping to add to the four goals in four matches that have helped Frank Rijkaard's team see the first shoots of a proper recovery in the Spanish title race.

Barça have won their last two matches and travel to Sociedad with an unbeaten away record. Having threatened to quit because of abuse from supporters, Kluivert - linked with Newcastle United and Arsenal - now finds himself out of favour.

"Saviola is making it difficult for Kluivert," Rijkaard said after his team's 3-0 win over Murcia on Wednesday.

Real Madrid - probably without David Beckham, who has recovered from a thigh strain but may struggle to regain his place - host Athletic Bilbao and aim to keep up the pressure on the leaders, Deportivo la Coruña, who lost at home to Real Mallorca in midweek and take an advantage of only one point into their visit to Murcia.

First place in Serie A is at stake when Milan meet Juventus at San Siro this evening with Italy's two biggest clubs level on points. Third-placed Roma, who will expect to beat Reggina at home tomorrow, would benefit from a draw.

The top of the French First Division is so close that Monaco lead Marseilles only by virtue of having scored one goal more. It may open out a little this weekend, with Monaco at home to winless Le Mans while their rivals travel to Bordeaux.

Marseilles launched an appeal yesterday against the decision of Fifa, the sport's world governing body, not to let the Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez move to them on loan outside the transfer window.

In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen meet Kaiserslautern with an impressive record of eight wins and a draw in their opening 10 matches.