It’s another big weekend of action with a huge game in England on Sunday night when Chelsea take on Manchester United while there’s also big matches in Italy, France and Turkey.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Week
English Premier League, Sunday 5pm (CET)
It’s been another big week for Chelsea skipper John Terry and the pressure will ramp up when the Blues face rivals Manchester United on Sunday. There’s a big distance between these two in the title race, with Andre Villas-Boas’ side some 12 points behind United and out of the hunt. They won’t be able to make up the gap, but they’d be happy to dent United’s title aspirations with a win here, whilst bolstering their own Uefa Champions League hopes as they battle for fourth spot. For United, it’s all about the league title, after their FA Cup exit last weekend.
Italian Serie A, Sunday 3pm (CET)
It’s sixth versus fifth in Italy’s Serie A, as two sides who had been in stellar form until recent dips go head to head. Both sides’ predicament, just outside the top four, means they will desperately want the points here. Inter had won eight straight until two recent defeats and a midweek 4-4 draw with Palermo, while Roma had been on a five-game winning streak before also bowing out of the Coppa Italia and having some negative results. The time to bounce back is now.
Turkish Super Lig, Sunday 6pm (CET)
The big Istanbul trio have been back on top in the Super Lig this season, but right now it is Galatasaray who lead the way, while the other two do battle on Sunday in a crucial contest. Fenerbahce are three points behind Galatasaray, with Besiktas a further three back. Successive losses for Besiktas has seen them drop down in the title race, while Fener also lost in midweek to struggling Samsunspor. Needless to say, both teams need to get back on track. Alex and Hugo Almeida loom as the goal threats.
Olympique Marseille v Olympique Lyon
French Ligue 1, Sunday 9pm (CET)
In France on Sunday it is fifth versus fourth, in an intriguing battle between two of Ligue 1’s biggest clubs who retain hope of taking out the title this term. Lyon are eight points behind leaders PSG, with Marseille a further point back so it isn’t beyond them, but a victory here is required. Loic Remy has been in good form up front for OM and looms as the danger man, while for Lyon it is Bafetimbi Gomis is the threat but their return of 12 goals from 11 away games hints they may struggle to fire on the road.
English Premier League, Monday 9pm (CET)
Monday night football brings a tantalising little contest between sixth and third in the Premier League, with the Reds hoping to build on their recent success in the League and FA Cups after knocking out both the Manchester clubs. Tottenham, on the other hand, have slipped five points off the pace in the title race and Harry Redknapp has had a busy week dealing with tax issues. He’s also been his typical wheeler-dealer transfer deadline day type with a bunch of moves including the addition of Ryan Nelsen and Louis Saha who could both debut.