It’s a bumper weekend of European club football after the break, headlined by Der Klassiker plus there’s clashes with Champions League consequences galore.
Saturday 1:30pm European time - English Premier League
Twelve months ago, this would’ve been a crucial title clash, but it’s not quite the same this time around. City are second and desperately need three points to stay in touch with leaders Arsenal who are eight ahead. Liverpool’s main priority is making the top four to qualify for next season’s Champions League, sitting down in sixth, seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham. A defeat for either could end their bids for their respective goals. Intriguing.
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
Saturday 6:30pm European time - German Bundesliga
Der Klassiker will be epic this weekend with both sides occupying the top two spots, with Dortmund ahead of Bayern by one point with only nine games to play. To add further intrigue, Bayern sacked Julian Nagelsmann during the international break, replacing him with Thomas Tuchel who will lead the side for the first time against his former club. Dortmund have netted 25 times in 10 league games since the World Cup. Look out.
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Sunday 5:30pm European time - English Premier League
This looms as a critical clash in the Premier League’s top-four battle, with fifth-placed Newcastle only three points behind third-placed United. The Magpies and United both have two games in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham, so both could end up in the top four, but this is still a genuine six-pointer. The Red Devils are winless from their past two league games, while Newcastle re-discovered some form with back-to-back wins before the break. Crucial.
Sunday 8:45pm European time - Italian Serie A
Italy’s champions-elect against the reigning champions looks an excellent encounter on paper, but Napoli, of course, are a remarkable 19 points clear of the chasing pack. Milan are also floundering down in fourth amid a run of form that has mounted pressure on head coach Stefano Pioli. Napoli keep on getting closer to clinching the Scudetto, with 11 games to play. Milan are winless in their past three but may be aided by the break.
Sunday 9pm European time - Spanish La Liga
Champions League qualification is the goal for both these sides, with Atleti sitting third in Spain, while Betis are fifth , split by six points with 12 games to play. Fourth-placed Real Sociedad also take on sixth-placed Villarreal on Sunday, so the repercussions will be huge this weekend. Atletico have enjoyed a three-game winning run in the league and are unbeaten in 10 games in LaLiga. The goals have dried up lately for Betis. Tense.
