With over 375 Leagues and Cup competitions available in the app, we expect your Matches tab is looking pretty busy this weekend but this column is designed to help you focus in on the games that matter most over the next few days – from those involving the biggest teams to Cup Finals, local derbies, title deciders and relegation six-pointers. We’ve got you covered. ⬇️
? Friday Night
?? This evening’s biggest fixture comes from Berlin, where the German capital’s two largest sides – Hertha and Union meet in a derby that is still something of a novelty. With the clubs divided for so long; first due to the Wall and latterly by the disparity between the club’s fortunes, this is only the second season in which they’ve shared the top flight. And to the surprise of many, it’s Union who are flying – unbeaten since the opening day.
?? The Friday night game from La Liga pits Athletic Club against Celta Vigo, with the latter on a high after finally ending a run of 8 games without a win last weekend. The evergreen Iago Aspas was integral to that victory over Granada and the club legend has now provided an assist or scored in his last four appearances. He even made the coveted (by some!) FotMob Team of the Week.
?? In the newly renamed, Copa Diego Maradona – Gimnasia, the side Maradona was coaching until his tragic passing face Huracán as they look to progress to the next stage.
? Saturday
?? La Liga’s big two plus Diego Simeone’s impressive Atlético side are all in action tomorrow – with Atleti looking for the win that will take them top of the table against Valladolid.
Under fire Zinedine Zidane takes Real Madrid to Sevilla in the potential game of the day whilst Barcalona look to continue their bounce at Cádiz.
?? There’s a top of the table clash in Germany as leaders Bayern München take on RB Leipzig knowing a slip-up, however unlikely that seems will allow Leipzig to overtake them.
Meanwhile, Dortmund go to Eintracht Frankfurt looking to improve on their patchy recent form.
?? Tomorrow, the weekend’s series of big league derbies moves to Turin, where Juventus are at home to Torino in the Derby della Mole, Italy’s oldest same-city rivalry. It would be fair to say Juve have traditionally had the upper hand in this one, with Torino beating them just once in the last 25 years – and their last victory at Juventus came in 1995.
??????? The four games in the Premier League all have something about them – starting with Everton’s trip to Burnley and ending with the clash where, at least as far as the fans are concerned, there is no love lost, Chelsea vs. Leeds United. This weekend also marks the first occasion since March that a limited number of fans will be allowed in to stadiums located in certain parts of the country. Which is great news.
? Sunday
??????? Sticking with the Premier League action in to Sunday, there’s the small matter of the North London Derby – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal to look forward to. With both sides in Europa League action during the week, this could be an interesting test for Spur’s credentials as the league leaders whilst Arsenal are seeking to end a run of 4 domestic games without a win.
Speaking of sides who’ve been busy in the Europa League, Leicester go to struggling Sheffield United after making the long trip back from Ukraine, where they lost to little-known, Zorya on Thursday night.
The Champions meanwhile, are up against Wolves in the day’s late game. Liverpool then, having watched all the other results come in will know exactly what they need to do to either keep pace with Spurs at the top, or overtake them with a win of their own.
?? Headlining six games in Serie A is Milan’s trip to Sampdoria, with the Rossoneri looking to extend their unbeaten start into double figures, in terms of games played.
?? In Ireland, the season wraps up with the final of the FAI Cup and for the sixth season in a row, Dundalk have made it to the showpiece game. This year, they again face league champions Shamrock Rovers after losing out to them on penalties last season. In fact, they’ve actually only won two of the previous five finals but after putting 11 goals past Athlone in the last round, we think they’re up for this one!
?? Here in Norway, there’s an exciting climax to the Toppserien as three of the country’s top women’s sides compete for the title on the final day of the season. And none of them are LSK, the champions in the previous six seasons!
Vålerenga are probably best placed to take what would be their first title as they have home advantage whilst Rosenborg and Avaldsnes are on the road.
?? And we’ll end with our random big derby of the week as Czech rivals, Sparta and Slavia Prague go head-to-head.
Here’s what a game between the two looked like pre-global pandemic.
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