We’re set for a big weekend of European football with several clubs on the verge of clinching their domestic championship while in England two fierce rivals face off in a huge clash.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Arsenal v Manchester United English Premier League’‘Sunday, 3.05pm (Central European Time)’’
Premiership leaders Manchester United can take a giant stride towards the title when they travel to North London to face third-placed Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. But there’s no doubt the Gunners are tricky opponents despite sliding out of the title race after last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Bolton.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been visibly frustrated with his side’s last season fade (they are now nine points behind the Red Devils are just two points from their past three matches) but a victory over the old rivals would, no doubt, cheer him up.
United, on the other hand, will have their fixture against Chelsea next weekend in the back of their minds going into this clash, knowing victory at the Emirates on Sunday will ease their anxiety. Wayne Rooney has been in form lately and their 2-0 midweek win over Schalke will ensure they are feeling positive.
Borussia Dortmund v FC Nurnberg> German Bundesliga’‘Saturday, 3.30pm (CET)’’
German leaders Dortmund can clinch the Bundesliga crown this weekend if they can beat Nurnberg and if second-placed Leverkusen fail to win their clash with FC Koln.
Dortmund, who have led for most of this season, are five points clear of Leverkusen with three games to play, but BVB have only won two of their past five matches. Perhaps it’s a sign of nerves and with Nuri Sahin out injured, victory isn’t a done deal. Nurnberg are battling to keep alive their European hopes too.
Chelsea v Tottenham English Premier League’‘Saturday, 6.30pm (CET)’’
Second-placed Chelsea will hope to keep alive their faint title hopes with victory over UEFA Champions League hopefuls Tottenham in a big London derby in Saturday’s late kick-off.
The Blues are six points behind leaders Manchester United who face Arsenal on Sunday, before a match-up against Chelsea. With those fixtures to come, it is possible Chelsea can still win the Premier League but they must win this fixture. Spurs are injury hit and have won just one of their past 10 matches in all competitions, while the Blues are in form winning their past four league matches and with Fernando Torres ending his goal drought last weekend.
AC Milan v Bologna Italian Serie A’‘Sunday, 3pm (CET)’’
Like Dortmund, Italian leaders AC Milan can clinch the Scudetto this weekend. The Rossoneri’s closest rivals Inter Milan and Napoli have matches on Saturday and if they both fail to win, then victory for Milan will be enough to be crowned Italian champions on Sunday.
Milan have won their past four Serie A matches with their attacking force of Alexandre Pato and Robinho finding form. Bologna, meanwhile, are woefully out of sorts, having lost their past four league matches but they do have the dangerous Marco Di Vaio in their ranks.
Dynamo Kyiv v Shakhtar Donetsk Ukrainian Premier League’‘Sunday, 6.30pm (CET)’’
Shakhtar may be champions-elect in the Ukraine, but they are not champions yet. As they fixtures may have it, they can clinch the title away to their fierce rivals Dynamo Kyiv.
There’s no doubt the Champions League quarter-finalists would love nothing more than to become champions on Kyiv’s home turf. Mircea Lucescu’s side have been sensational this term with their Brazilian attackers. On the other hand, it hasn’t been a great term for Dynamo but they’d love to win this fixture just to keep Shakhtar waiting.