Nine games in October

There are no fewer than nine games coming up for FC Barcelona in what's going to be a very busy October. Six of those are in La Liga and three in the Champions League. And there's a lot hanging on the outcome of those games.

Aiming for the top in La Liga

Mallorca away is on the first of the month, and it'll be a tricky game because the islanders have started their season well. And after that comes Celta at Spotify Camp Nou, and Barça have not always had it all their own way against the Galicians in recent years.

After that comes the Clásico away to Real Madrid, and we all know what that means. The traditional rivals are first and second in the table as the month commences.

Then it's Villarreal at home. Another side that's started strong, having only conceded two goals in its first six matches.

And the month ends with games against two more of La Liga's traditional heavyweights. Barça have home advantage against Athletic Club, and then travel to Valencia.

Three in the UCL

Due to the World Cup in November, there is very little respite between European fixtures this season, and the back-to-back games against Inter Milan are going to be absolutely crucial for deciding who goes through to the last sixteen.

Bayern Munich have started with two wins, and if they can continue that form then they look very likely to be one of the two qualifiers. Barça face the Germans on October 26. Good results against the Serie A side will take the pressure off that game, but anything else and Bayern at Spotify Camp Nou could well be a must-win fixture.