There’s some blockbuster match-ups this weekend with the resumption of English football’s biggest traditional rivalry while Barcelona take on the impressive Malaga in Spain.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend Manchester United v Liverpool English Premier League, Sunday 2.30pm (CET)
One of England’s fiercest rivalries resumes on Sunday, with the country’s two most successful clubs doing battle. To throw some spice in, United’s public enemy number one, Luis Suarez, has been embroiled in drama all week after a handball in the lead-up to the second goal in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Mansfield. The Uruguayan will get a hostile reception as the Red Devils try to maintain their seven-point buffer at the summit which could be extended with second-placed Manchester City facing a tough trip to Arsenal.
Osasuna v Real Madrid Spanish La Liga, Saturday 8pm (CET)
This may be a clash between La Liga’s bottom club and the reigning champions but there’s so much on the line here. Jose Mourinho is under increasing pressure for a variety of reasons although with Iker Casillas likely to return from the start maybe the tension will ease. However, if Real slip up here, perhaps the knives will officially be out as Real’s faint title hopes fade.
Arsenal v Manchester City English Premier League, Sunday 5pm (CET)
The champions’ Premiership tilt is wavering as they sit seven points behind leaders United, but they have strung two wins together. Nonetheless, seven points behind and with a tough trip to the Emirates Stadium approaching, the pressure is on Roberto Mancini. He hardly needs the distraction of Mario Balotelli’s continued issues. Arsenal, on the other hand, have had transfer speculation to deal with, which inevitably brings heat on boss Arsene Wenger.
Sampdoria v AC Milan Italian Serie A, Sunday 8.45pm (CET)
Sampdoria did a number of champions Juventus last week thanks to Manuel Icardi’s second-half double and they’ll be out for another big scalp when they take on AC Milan. Max Allegri’s side have improved vastly in recent weeks to move up to seventh but their UEFA Champions League aspirations are on the line week-in week-out. Stephan El Shaarawy is the man to look out for.
Malaga v Barcelona Spanish La Liga, Sunday 9pm (CET)
It’s fourth versus first in Spain with two UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clubs ready to do battle. Fresh from being crowned the Ballon d’Or winner for a fourth time, Lionel Messi is obviously the danger man while Malaga pose plenty of problems, with Javier Saviola and Joaquin and could just take points off Barca, who have only slipped up once this entire campaign.