Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Internazionale v AC Milan> Italian Serie A’‘Sunday (Central European Time)’’
It’s the perfect time for Derby della Madonnina to come around, with AC Milan moving into top spot during the week after their hard-earned 3-1 win over Palermo. Champions Inter are three points behind in fourth and will be keen on halting their city rivals’ run.
Rafa Benitez’s side have drawn three of their past four matches in Serie A to stumble off the pace with scoring goals their main problem. Meanwhile Milan have won six of their past seven in the league with their big-name forwards, particularly Alexandre Pato and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, finding the net with ease.
Inter will be hoping the return to fitness of star striker Diego Milito has come at the right time to solve their goalscoring woes, while Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri will be a little concerned about his side’s leaky defence. On form, though, Milan will be confident.
Borussia Dortmund v Hamburger SV German Bundesliga’‘Friday, 8.30pm (CET)’’
Bundesliga leaders Dortmund face a difficult challenge this Friday evening when Armin Veh’s sixth-placed Hamburg SV come to town. This week, Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has been laughing off claims in the German media his side’s busy schedule will mean they won’t be able to maintain their form.
Hamburg head to Signal Iduna Park minus striker Ruud van Nistelrooy due to injury and that’s not good news considering BVB have only conceded seven goals this season. In fact, Dortmund have conceded the fewest goals in the Bundesliga, while scoring the most this term. They’ll be tough to beat.
Aston Villa v Manchester United English Premier League’‘Saturday, 1.45pm (CET)’’
After moving to within two points of leaders Chelsea, Manchester United slipped four behind the Blues after the midweek goalless draw with Manchester City. The Red Devils will be keen to get back to winning ways and keep the pressure up in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Aston Villa typically represent a difficult challenge but, despite their midweek win over Blackpool, they aren’t finding it easy these days. Gerard Houllier’s men are midtable in tenth, but they’re still plucky and unbeaten at home, so United will have a game on their hands. It seems these two always do.
Juventus v AS Roma Italian Serie A’‘Saturday, 8.45pm (CET)’’
Two of Italy’s traditional giants go face-to-face on Saturday evening in a precursor to Sunday’s Milan derby. Luigi Del Neri’s fifth-placed Juventus host Claudio Ranieri’s improving sixth-placed Roma.
Roma have won their past three Serie A fixtures, including good victories over Fiorentina and Lazio. Juve, who have scored the most goals in Serie A this term, stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Brescia during the week. Both will know a victory is key to keeping them in touch with the leading pack.
FC Barcelona v Villarreal Spanish La Liga’‘Saturday, 10pm (CET)’’
Juan Carlos Garrido’s Villarreal have surprised many this term, as they’ve managed to keep up with Real Madrid and Barcelona’s cracking early pace. Third-placed Villarreal, who are three points behind leaders Real and two points behind second-placed Barca, journey to Nou Camp this Saturday in a major test.
Barca, though, will sense this is a major test for them too, having lost their only game this La Liga season at home to Hercules. The Spanish champions have won their past four league matches and Lionel Messi is in form but Villarreal have been tough to break down this term and this will be a challenge.
Worth a mention too; *Bursaspor v Trabzonspor’, Turkish Super Lig, Saturday 3pmLazio v Napoli, Italian Serie A, Sunday 12.30pm*Russia|Zenit St Petersburg v FK Rostov>’, Russian Premier League, Sunday 1pm