Manchester City v Newcastle United
Saturday 1:30pm European time - English Premier League
English champions City take on big-spending Newcastle in Saturday’s early kick-off with plenty at stake for both clubs. Second-placed City need three points to keep pressure on leaders Arsenal, while fifth-placed Newcastle have stumbled lately, failing to win in their past four league games, opening up a four-point gap behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Sunday 4:15pm European time - Spanish La Liga
Spanish leaders Barcelona will be looking to get back on the horse after their shock 1-0 loss to Almeria last weekend, allowing Real Madrid to stay in touch, albeit seven points behind in the title race. Valencia are way down in 18th but they are traditionally are stronger Spanish club. Los Che snapped a run of six straight defeats with last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Real Sociedad lifting spirits. Barca’s 1-0 Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid in midweek also lifted their spirits after Xavi was cranky with their loss to Almeria.
Sunday 5:30pm European time - English Premier League
The old rivals do battle on Sunday evening, with third-placed United looker the stronger club for the first time in years. Sixth-placed Liverpool host their rivals, sitting 10 points behind the Red Devils who lifted the League Cup last weekend, ending their trophy drought. The tone at Anfield has been significantly worse, losing 5-2 to Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, leaving them likely without silverware this term. A win would be morale boosting for the Reds.
Sunday 8:45pm European time - Italian Serie A
Juventus may have been deducted 15 points but they are still lurking in the European hunt and this trip to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma looms as an exciting fixture. Roma are fifth, three points outside the top four, while Juventus have won four in a row to be within nine points of the Giallorossi. Champions League football next season still seems like a fairytale for the Bianconeri but their form line since the deduction is strong, netting 10 goals in their past four games.
Sunday 9pm European time - Spanish La Liga
Second-placed Real Madrid face a difficult trip to fifth-placed Betis with the hosts winning their past three league games. Los Blancos have dropped points in two of their past four LaLiga games and are seven points behind leaders Barcelona. Betis last beat Madrid in March 2020 in the league despite being a stronger side in recent years, finishing last term in fifth.