Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Chelsea v Arsenal English Premier League’‘Sunday, 5pm (Central European Time)’’
First played third in London’s biggest derby this weekend. Runaway leaders Chelsea – fresh from a 1-0 defeat at Manchester City – entertain an Arsenal yet to really find their stride this campaign.
The Blues have dominated the Gunners in recent times, particularly Didier Drogba who will possess the main threat. To make matters worse for Arsenal they will without Cesc Fabregas, Manuel Almunia and Thomas Vermaelen due to injury.
Chelsea are still minus the injured Frank Lampard but with Drogba and in-form Michael Essien firing they should be smelling blood as they seek to keep their title charge on track after a wonderful start until their recent hiccup.
Saint-Etienne v Olympique Marseille> French Ligue 1’‘Saturday, 9pm (CET)’’
France’s surprise early leaders – fresh from beating Lyon – play host to reigning Ligue 1 champions Olympique Marseille in Saturday’s late kick-off.
Both sides are in form with Les Verts winning their past four matches, while OM – who started the season with two defeats – are undefeated in their past five games, winning their past two. Marseille remain title favourites, despite sitting in sixth, but St Etienne can prove they are no flash in the pan especially if in-form Dimitri Payet fires again.
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich German Bundesliga’‘Sunday, 5.30pm (CET)’’
Another huge game between two domestic giants when the massively supported Dortmund welcome champions FC Bayern to Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund, who haven’t won a league title since 2002, have started this campaign in supreme form winning their past five matches to sit second. Shinji Kagawa and Lucas Barrios are in form for them, while Bayern have stumbled so far with eight points from six games to sit tenth. This is a massive game for them after last weekend’s loss at home to leaders FSV Mainz.
Inter Milan v Juventus Italian Serie A’‘Sunday, 8.45pm (CET)’’
Italy’s two heavyweights will resume hostilities in Sunday’s late kick-off in Serie A when leaders and champions Inter host fallen giants Juventus who are currently ninth, but fresh from a 4-2 win over Cagliari.
Rafa Benitez has started slowly at Inter but the signs are they’ll be tough to stop this campaign. Juve have been up-and-down so far under Luigi del Neri but this is there big chance to make a statement in the derby of Italy. Milos Krasic’s debut hat-trick last weekend was a great sign for the Old Lady.
Real Madrid v Deportivo Coruna> Spanish La Liga’‘Sunday, 9pm (CET)’’
Two of Spain’s traditionally strong clubs will battle it out in Sunday’s late kick-off in La Liga but there appears a gulf in class between the pair nowadays.
Deportivo, champions in Spain in 2000, have collected just two points from their five games this campaign and have looked quite poor. Real, on the other hand, have been solid without being spectacular under Jose Mourinho so far, although they are unbeaten and in fourth. Goals were an issue last week as they drew 0-0 at Levante, so you fancy they might be in the mood on Sunday.