We spend a lot of time in the office scanning the upcoming football fixtures and debating what’s hot, and what’s not in world football – so here’s what we’ve come up with for the next few days!
? Your Friday Appetisers
Fridays usually provide a gentle start to the weekend’s football but we’ve still picked out a few good looking ties.
There’s a host of prime mid-table action in Europe!
Hoffenheim face in-form Augsburg in the Bundesliga, Lille are once again in action on a Friday night in Ligue 1 and Deportivo Alavés welcome Leganés – Los Pepineros (the Cucumber Growers!) to the Basque Country in La Liga.
Did you know… Alavés have only lost two of their eight home La Liga games this season, keeping a clean sheet in five of them.
Elsewhere, Charlton Athletic host Hull City in the ever-unpredictable English Championship and in South America, watch out for some key games in Argentina.
In the League, a win for either Independiente or Newell’s will mean that just 6 points separate the top 13 teams in a heavily congested league table going in the midseason break! ?
And in the Cup, River Plate will look to get over their defeat in the Libertadores Final by picking up the Copa Argentina.
If they beat Central Córdoba, it will be their third Copa win in four years.
? Saturday
This weekend’s main course doesn’t disappoint either.
??????? There are six fixtures in the Premier League, with leaders Liverpool the headline act – they play Watford, who will have new manager, Nigel Pearson on the touchline for the first time.
Lower down the English pyramid, we’ll be covering the premier non-league cup competition, the FA Trophy for the very first time in the app!
The side we proudly sponsor, Hampton & Richmond Borough FC will be on their travels – and hoping for a 1st Round win at Tonbridge Angels.
Come on you Beavers!
?? In Spain, there’s a big test for one of our favourite players (hey, we’re Norwegian!). Martin Ødegaard and his Real Sociedad side go up against La Liga giants, Barcelona.
Did you know… Barcelona’s Lionel Messi ? has scored the most goals from outside the box in the top five European leagues this season.
? At the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, we’ll have live updates on the two second round games in the app.
CONCACAF Champions, Monterrey play Al Sadd for the chance to meet Liverpool in the Semi-Finals.
Whilst recently crowned South American kings, Flamengo await the winners of the clash between Saudi club, Al Hilal – representatives from the AFC region and ES Tunis, aka Espérance – the Tunisian champions of Africa.
? Sunday
Get yourself out of bed on Sunday, because there’s plenty more football to be had!
??????? There’s another busy day in the Premier League, with Arsenal vs. Manchester City probably the pick of the fixtures.
?? In Serie A, the top two are both in action – Juventus will hope a home victory against Udinese sees them overhaul Inter at the top of the table, putting more pressure on the current league leaders, as they face a tough away trip to Fiorentina later in the day.
Did you know… Fiorentina have not lost in their last five Serie A home games against Inter (W3 D2) – they have not recorded a longer unbeaten run against the Nerazzurri since 2000.
?? Dutch club, AZ Alkmaar host Ajax in the Eredivisie, in what will be the first game played in front of fans at the AFAS Stadion, since part of its roof collapsed back in August.
And finally, if you fancy an obscure one – the league title is up for grabs in Ecuador!
?? Delfín, the outsiders and LDU Quito shared a goalless draw in the first leg of the Championship Final on Wednesday, so it’s winner takes all on Sunday. And Delfín boast an excellent badge.
If you want to follow any of the games mentioned above, click on the relevant link and tap the bell icon to receive all the key match updates.
Or join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to discuss all the important football going on this weekend!