The European football season is back in full swing this weekend with leagues in Germany and the Netherlands resuming after their winter break, but the big highlights come from England with two tantalising match-ups.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Week
English Premier League, Sunday 5pm (CET)
Whenever Arsene Wenger’s side take on Sir Alex Ferguson’s team it’s the occasion, but given United smashed eight goals past the Gunners earlier this season, there will be an air of revenge and redemption at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arsenal, who lost to newly-promoted Swansea, are well out of the title race in fifth but are battling for a Uefa Champions League spot. However, victory over United would be a huge boost too, given the Red Devils are trying to keep pace with Manchester City in the race for the title. Arsenal would get some enjoyment out of denting United’s hopes.
Borussia Moenchengladbach v Bayern Munich
German Bundesliga, Friday 8.30pm (CET)
Bundesliga surprise packets Monchengladbach play host to leaders Bayern Munich in the perfect way to resume the Bundesliga season after the winter break. The Foals are currently fourth and while they sold Marco Reus to Dortmund during January, he won’t be leaving until the end of the campaign. Bayern remain in a strong position at the summit, three points clear, but will need to keep up the momentum and this will be a good challenge to start things off.
English Premier League, Sunday 2.30pm (GMT)
It’s first versus third in the Premier League on a massive Sunday which could define the title race for this season. The Sky Blues play host to Spurs in the precursor to the Arsenal-United clash and if City fail to claim the points United could swoop. On the other hand, it could also spell the end of Spurs’ title push if things go wrong for them. Roberto Mancini’s side had to grind out a 1-0 win at Wigan on Monday, while Spurs drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton at home.
Spanish La Liga, Sunday 6pm (GMT)
Big-spending Malaga had the best of intentions prior to this season but it hasn’t worked out totally as hoped as they sit in eighth and having not won a game in La Liga for some time. With wins important, it’s not the best timing to come up against a Barcelona side who need to maintain the pressure on leaders Real Madrid. As well, Barca showed their form and quality in midweek with a 2-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s side in the Copa del Rey at the Bernabeu. Still, five points behind Real, Barca need the points here.
Italian Serie A, Sunday 9am (CET)
Finally to conclude a bumper weekend of football fixtures, in-form Inter Milan host fourth-placed Lazio in Italy. Claudio Ranieri’s side knocked off AC Milan 1-0 in last weekend’s derby and continued their remarkable run of wins which has seen them close to within six points of the leaders after their awful start to the season. Lazio also won last weekend, closing the gap on the leaders with a good 2-0 triumph over Atalanta. Both sides will want the points here.