Another weekend of football rolls around with the keenly anticipated Manchester derby coming up along with big games in Spain, France and the Netherlands.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Manchester United v Manchester City
English Premier League, 2.30pm (Central European Time)
The Manchester derby comes round on Sunday afternoon and with both clubs sitting in the top two and looking to be the clear title candidates, there’s plenty of interest in this one.
Leaders City have been firing this term, while Sergio Aguero’s winner in the Uefa Champions League in midweek will have lifted the mood even more. The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool last week, with David de Gea the hero, although Javier Hernandez popped up again for a crucial goal. He’s sure to play a key role here.
Spanish La Liga, Saturday 8pm (CET)
Two of Spain’s big spenders meet on Saturday evening in a game which will surely attract plenty of interest. Malaga have started the campaign reasonably after their off-season transfer activity and currently sit sixth, while the capital club are third just a point behind leaders Barcelona. Three points here is a must for the visitors but it won’t be easy against a side boasting attacking talent such as Santi Cazorla but Real have plenty of firepower with 24 goals this league term with Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo on fire.
Spanish La Liga, Saturday 10pm
Champions Barcelona play host to fourth-placed Sevilla, who remain unbeaten in the league this term. Sevilla have three draws from three matches on the road and have been very tight in defence.
However, their backline may find it difficult against a Barcelona side loaded with talent including La Liga topscorer Lionel Messi along with Cesc Fabregas and David Villa. Sevilla may have been stingy in defence this term but they do have attacking quality too, with Fredi Kanoute and Alvaro Negredo so if they can keep it tight, then who knows.
Dutch Eredivisie, Sunday 12.30pm (CET)
Two of Holland’s biggest clubs face off on Sunday in an early kick-off which will have passions running high, as Amsterdam takes on Rotterdam.
Feyenoord have struggled in recent years but are currently fourth and above champions Ajax, who’ve had their issues this term following the departure of some key players. Ajax, who are sixth, have conceded 13 goals in nine matches which hints they have some defensive fragility which may be Guyon Fernandez and Jerson Cabral something to work with.
Lille v Olympique Lyon
French Ligue 1, Sunday 9pm (CET)
Two clubs with ambitions to win the 2011-12 French Ligue 1 title meet on Sunday evening, when fourth-placed Lille entertain third-placed Lyon.
Lille won the Ligue 1 crown last term, while Lyon dominated in France for most of the last decade. However, both are experiencing interesting periods with the title race in France wide open right now. Bafetimbi Gomis has been firing on all cylinders for Lyon and he’ll need to be monitored while Lille will be hoping for goals from Moussa Sow and Eden Hazard.