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Football never sleeps. After a frenetic midweek in the Champions League, the weekend is already here and is packed with high-stakes fixtures.
The best drama remains in Italy. After their heartbreaking near-comeback against Real Madrid, the week could get worse for Juventus. They’re four points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A, but host Sampdoria on Sunday, who beat them 3-2 in November. In-pursuit Napoli will need to travel to the San Siro and beat AC Milan to keep the pressure on. Then to cap the weekend off, midweek heroes Roma face Lazio in the Rome Derby with the two sides level on points, with goal difference putting Lazio in third and Roma in fourth.
Relegation worries and promotion hopes headline England. With just a handful of matches remaining, there are realistically eight teams fighting for EPL survival: Brighton, West Ham, Swansea, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Southampton, Stoke, and West Brom. Two of those squads go head-to-head this weekend as Crystal Palace host Brighton to begin a difficult run-in for the Seagulls. Below them in the Championship, Wolves could seal promotion to the EPL this weekend with a win over Birmingham City, should Fulham drop points against Brentford.
Back at the top, champions-elect Manchester City will look to stop a slide in which they’ve lost three massive matches in a row as they visit Spurs.
Barcelona could claim the first undefeated season in La Liga history. They’ll risk that record this weekend as third place Valencia travel to Camp Nou. A win would put Valencia level on points with second place Atletico Madrid.
Schalke are chasing a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga. At just 32 years old, manager Domenico Tedesco has them one point above Dortmund, who they’ll welcome to the Veltins-Arena on Sunday.
Portugal is home to the tightest title race in Europe. FC Porto are one point behind Benfica as they two sides face off on Sunday. Benfica have won the last four Primeira Liga titles.
Paris is the scene for first vs. second in France. But with PSG holding a 14 point lead over Monaco, it’s simply for bragging rights.
Holland also features a top of the table matchup. PSV hold a seven point lead over Ajax in the Eredivisie title race, as Mexican winger Hirving Lozano had led them with 15 goals and 8 assists.