Another weekend rolls around with plenty of action to come including crucial games as the title races head towards the climax in Italy, Spain and England.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Fiorentina v AC Milan Italian Serie A’‘Sunday, 8.45pm (Central European Time)’’
Sinisa Mihaljovic’s under-achieving Fiorentina play host to league leaders AC Milan in Sunday’s late kick-off in Serie A.
Milan are fresh from their crucial 3-0 derby win over Internazionale which has seen them firm as title favourites. Milan are currently three points clear of Napoli and a win here would be just what they need after their minor poor run of one point in two games.
Fiorentina are a dangerous side with former Milan striker Alberto Gilardino in their ranks, while the Rossoneri had Alexandre Pato firing last week and he could hold the key again. A win here could see Milan edge closer to their first Scudetto since 2004.
Udinese v AS Roma Italian Serie A’‘Saturday, 8.45pm (CET)’’
UEFA Champions League hopefuls Udinese and Roma face off on Saturday night in Italy’s Serie A. Udinese are currently fourth on 56 points, while Roma are sixth on 50 points, with seven games to play.
Both sides are coming off defeats, Udinese stunned 2-0 at struggling Lecce. But with Antonio Di Natale and Alexis Sanchez firing, many believe they can claim the fourth and final Champions League spot. This clash will be important towards that goal.
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid> Spanish La Liga’‘Saturday, 6pm (CET)’’
Fifth-placed Bilbao entertain second-placed Real Madrid in what promises to be an entertaining clash on Saturday.
Real’s shock home loss to Gijon last weekend has their title hopes in major trouble, so Jose Mourinho will be hoping to get it back on track. Bilbao, who have Fernando Llorente scoring plenty of goals, are always tricky in the Basque Country.
Valencia v Villarreal Spanish La Liga’‘Sunday, 9pm (CET)’’
It’s a battle between the best of the rest in Spain, as third-placed Valencia welcome fourth-placed Villarreal.
Both these sides are hoping to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and look assured of that, with a sizable gap between fourth and fifth. But the honour of being best of the rest is on the line. Both sides are entertaining too, so it should be a good little contest.
Liverpool v Manchester City English Premier League’‘Monday, pm (CET)’’
Two of the big English clubs meet on Monday, when Liverpool face the big-spenders Manchester City at Anfield.
Liverpool are sixth and appear well out of the Champions League race, 11 points behind third-placed Manchester City. Carlos Tevez returned to the scoresheet last week for City, while Liverpool were dealt a blow with Steven Gerrard as out for the rest of the season.