Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking grabbed plenty of headlines in midweek along with Manchester City’s exit from the UEFA Champions League, so with those two set to clash on Sunday there’s much to look forward to this weekend.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend Chelsea v Manchester City English Premier League, Sunday 5pm (CET)
Leaders City make the trip to London to take on the out-of-sorts Chelsea who had manager Roberto Di Matteo sacked in midweek and replaced by Rafa Benitez. Both sides have had their problems in the UEFA Champions League, with City bowing out of the competition in midweek after a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid, while Chelsea are on the brink of elimination after losing 3-0 to Juventus. The Blues are in need of a boost after two points in their past four matches.
Manchester United v QPR English Premier League, Saturday 4pm (CET)
It may be second against last in the Premiership on Saturday, but the stakes are high for both clubs, with QPR sacking former Red Devils legend Mark Hughes as coach in midweek. Nonetheless, you’d expect United to easily account for the Rs who have failed to win a single league game this campaign despite their off-season spending spree which included Red Devils midfielder Park Ji-Sung. Plenty of intrigue, but maybe a predictable result.
AC Milan v Juventus Italian Serie A, Sunday 8.45pm (CET)
Milan may be way down in 12th but proved their quality in midweek with a win over Anderlecht which booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16. On the flipside, Juventus thrashed Chelsea 3-0 in midweek, while they sit top of Serie A and have undoubted quality, given their title exploits last term. However, just last term, it was these two battling it out for the title and there’ll be plenty at stake on this occasion with Juve claiming four points from their past three league games.
Olympique Marseille v Lille French Ligue 1, Sunday 9pm (CET)
These two clubs have been near the top in French football in recent times, after Olympique Lyonnais’s domination came to an end. This term it appears a wide open race in Ligue 1, despite PSG’s big spending. Marseille are fifth but in a form slump while Lille are still getting over the exit of Eden Hazard and sit down in eighth. It’s a big game at a lovely timeslot.
Levante v Barcelona Spanish La Liga, Sunday 9pm (CET)
Around this time last season, Levante’s dream start to the season began to unravel. However they have backed it up this term to sit fourth after 12 rounds, ahead of clubs like Malaga, Valencia and Sevilla. Of course, playing host to Barca is never easy, particularly given the Catalans have dropped just two points all season but confidence will be high and perhaps there’s a shock result on the cards.