Saturday is the day to spend on the couch absorbing a number of fantastic football matches with crucial clashes occurring throughout several leagues in Europe.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
AC Milan v Inter Milan Italian Serie A’‘Saturday, 7.45pm (Central European Time)’’
Italy’s top two go head-to-head on Saturday in a Milan derby which won’t only be about bragging rights. Inter’s recent run of form, combined with Milan’s recent return of one point in two matches, has turned this game into a huge title decider. Inter have closed to just two points of leaders Milan.
To add to the intrigue, Inter are now bossed by former Milan manager and player Leonardo and he’s done a tremendous job with the Nerazzurri. In fact, he took over at Inter with the club in crisis and with their five-year Scudetto domination at risk, but he’s almost fixed all those dramas.
On the other hand, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been a key up front for Milan but he will be suspended for the clash against his former club after being sent off recently against lowly Bari.
Borussia Dortmund v Hannover 96 German Bundesliga’‘Saturday, 2.30pm (CET)’’
It seems Dortmund are one of our favourites for this section but they are having an incredible season this term and every game is worth a look. This weekend’s fixture is no different as the leaders play host to UEFA Champions League hopefuls Hannover.
Dortmund’s recent run of one point from their past two matches has seen second-placed Leverkusen close to gap at the top to seven points. Jurgen Klopp’s men will be out to ensure that margin doesn’t shrink any further, while third-placed Hannover may not have a wonderful away record but they’ll be hoping to keep fourth-placed Bayern at bay in their bid for Champions League football next term.
FC Twente v PSV Eindhoven Dutch Eredivisie’‘Saturday, 5.45pm (CET)’’
As in Italy, the top two are also facing off in the Netherlands this weekend in a clash which will go a long way to deciding the ultimate destination of the title in the Eredivisie.
Twente currently trail leaders PSV by one point, but the Eindhoven club have dropped points in two of their past four matches to begin to waver at the summit. Twente, last season’s champions, have won their past three league matches.
Villarreal v FC Barcelona Spanish La Liga’‘Saturday, 9pm (CET)’’
Spanish champions Barcelona will face a test of their title credentials on Saturday when they journey to third-placed Villarreal, who’ve only been beaten once at El Madrigal this La Liga season.
Barca, of course, boast an incredible La Liga away record, as they are unbeaten on the road, collecting 12 wins from 14 matches. The Catalans hold a five-point advantage from second-placed Real Madrid, while the Yellow Submarine look certain to finish in the top four to claim a Champions League spot but are battling Valencia to be best of the rest. Xavi is suspended for Barca.
Napoli v Lazio Italian Serie A’‘Sunday, 11.30am (CET)’’
While it’s one versus two on Saturday in Italy, Sunday offers up the opportunity to witness three versus five in a clash between two clubs hoping to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Napoli, with Edinson Cavani firing in bundles of goals, have been excellent at home this term and are only three points behind leaders Milan. A Napoli win here and a favourable result in the Milanese derby may open the door for them. But they’ve got to do the business against a plucky Lazio side.