It’s Friday, you probably know the drill by now so let’s get to it – these are the matches around the world that we think you’ll be interested in this weekend!
? Your Friday Appetisers
Less of an appetiser for the days to come and more of a smörgåsbord this week, as we’ve picked out a little something for everyone from tonight’s football.
There’s action from some of Europe’s top leagues with games in Serie A, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 plus a chance to check in on Vincent Kompany’s Anderlecht side, in the Belgian League.
?? His reign as manager is seemingly over, with him stepping down from match day duties to focus on playing whilst his assistant took charge but with the club sitting in 9th and that assistant now having quit the club, Kompany’s season is all kinds of trouble.
? In South America, there’s a crucial tie in the Argentine Superliga as title outsiders Argentinos Juniors and Lanús face off with both sides having the chance to go second in the table behind River Plate.
Oh, and yes – Argentinos Juniors do run out of an inflatable Diego Maradona.
?? In Brazil, the various state championships are in full swing at this time of year and in the Paulista, there’s a new-look team playing tonight.
Historic São Paulo club Bragantino have gotten the full Red Bull rebrand, with the energy drinks company taking control of the club last year they have only just now been allowed to change their name and colours.
?? A mention too, for 2. Bundesliga club, Dynamo Dresden – they might be bottom, with tonight’s game all-important but their army of fans have not given up, and are as committed as ever to the cause.
? Saturday
??????? The English Premier League is taking a somewhat piecemeal, winter break over the next two weekends with just a skeleton crew left to hold things together whilst the rest of the teams sit, sunning themselves on a beach somewhere.
So today, there’s just two fixtures – Everton vs. Crystal Palace and Brighton vs. Watford.
?? In Germany meanwhile, there’s much more going on with the majority of teams all in action today.
You’ll forgive us for getting carried away after his 8 goals in his first 4 games, but we’re particularly looking forward to seeing if Erling Braut Haaland can continue his run in the late kick-off between Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
?? With the majority of the attention in Serie A headed towards the fixtures on Sunday, Juventus could quietly extend their lead at the top of the table today, should they win their away trip to Hellas Verona. And can Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s already into double figures in terms of goals this year, score in his 10th consecutive Serie A game? 11 back-to-back games is the league record here, so one to keep an eye on.
?? This may prove to be a little early for you, depending on your time zone but the Japanese Supercup will be decided today, with J-League champions, Yokohama F. Marinos meeting Emperor Cup winners, Vissel Kobe.
But if it’s derbies you’re in to, we might just have something for you!
?? The action starts early with the Sydney Derby between A-League rivals, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
? ? In Colombia’s second city, Deportivo and América de Cali go toe-to-toe, whilst in Paraguay, we’ll have the Clásico más añejo or oldest derby between Guaraní and Olimpia, where incidentally a certain Roque Santa Cruz is also on course to break a league record for scoring in consecutive games.
Elsewhere, Switzerland’s big intercity rivalry sees FC Zürich host Basel whilst we’ll have a vested interest in the match between Portugal’s biggest clubs – with our favourite YouTuber, Ellis in the stands supporting Porto as they welcome Benfica to the Estádio do Dragão.
? Sunday
?? As mentioned, there will be a lot of eyes on the games in Serie A today, not least at the San Siro, where we’ll see the second Derby di Milano of the 2019/20 season.
Inter are the ‘hosts’ this time around and they will need to complete the double over the side they share a stadium with, if they’re to maintain their title challenge. Goals from Marcelo Brozović and Romelu Lukaku secured a 2-0 win the last time they met.
?? Sunday is a busy day in La Liga as well, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona on their travels – Zidane’s men heading to Osasuna in the afternoon before Quique Setién must return to his former club, Real Betis in the evening kick-off.
There will also be an unusual amount of Scandinavian interest in the big Basque Derby as well, with Real Sociedad’s Norwegian/Swedish combo – Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Isak set to face Athletic Club Bilbao.
??????? In the Premier League, it’s the turn of Sheffield United, AFC Bournemouth, Manchester City and West Ham United to pull the short straw and play on during the winter break.
Bournemouth travel to Sheffield and Manchester City will look to make it 12 wins on the bounce versus West Ham.
Did you know… Man City have lost six Premier League games this season, as many as they had in their previous two campaigns combined. Manager Pep Guardiola has never lost seven matches in any of his previous 10 top-flight campaigns.
??????? Bizarrely, West Ham United and Manchester City also meet in the WSL today, albeit at the opposite end of the country.
City will also be looking to rivals, Manchester United to put a dent in Chelsea’s recent form when they face the side currently sitting second behind City in the table.
It looks like being a famous day all round in the women’s top flight – with derbies in North London and on Merseryside, where Everton will host Liverpool at Goodison Park for the first time. Over 23,000 watched the side’s last meeting – the first to be held at Liverpool’s main stadium, Anfield.
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