It’s another big weekend with FA Cup semifinals in England along with a huge derby game in Germany along with vital clashes in Spain and the Netherlands.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Schalke 04 v Borussia Dortmund
German Bundesliga, Saturday 2.30pm (CET)
After Dortmund’s big midweek victory over Bayern Munich, they face another huge contest against Ruhr rivals Schalke 04 in a huge derby. Schalke are third in the Bundesliga and with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are a very dangerous side. Dortmund are closing in on back-to-back league titles with their midweek win moving them six points clear. Victory here would all but finish the job.
English FA Cup, Saturday 12.30pm (CET)
The FA Cup semifinals begin on Saturday with a Merseyside derby in London at the famous Wembley Stadium. Liverpool’s league season has taken a turn for the worse since New Year’s but their midweek 3-2 win over Blackburn has boosted morale with the much maligned Andy Carroll grabbing a timely late winner. Everton are actually above the Reds in the league now, and would love to knock them out at this stage.
Dutch Eredivisie, Saturday 5.45pm (CET)
The Dutch title race is on the line this weekend, with Ajax now three points ahead of AZ Alkmaar after their recent run of three draws in four games. PSV on the other hand appear well out of title contention down in fifth, seven points behind Ajax and for a club with huge expectations that’s a big shame for them. AZ are the team who need to bounce back after their recent underwhelming spell.
Spanish La Liga, Saturday 9pm (CET)
Barcelona will attempt to keep the pressure on leaders Real Madrid with victory away to Champions League hopefuls Levante. The Valencia-based club were the big surprise early in the campaign and are still up in fifth. Barca are four points behind Real and have been closing in the past few weeks having been 10 points behind at one stage. Real host Sporting Gijon earlier on Saturday.
English FA Cup, Sunday 4pm (CET)
These two clubs are battling it out for the fourth and final Uefa Champions League spot in the league but they’d both love nothing more than FA Cup glory. Spurs have lost form in recent weeks, after they were well and truly in the title race. Chelsea have seemed to improve under Roberto Di Matteo and FA Cup success would be huge for the club after a dismal season when expectations were very high.