It’s a weekend without the English Premier League and many continental leagues, but we’ve got the FA Cup plus action in Spain and Italy to look forward to.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Manchester United v Liverpool English FA Cup’‘Sunday, 2.30pm (Central European Time)’’
It’s always a special occasion when these two rivals meet, but when it is in the FA Cup third round there’s a bit of added spice.
Throw in the fact Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has been dismissed with incoming club legend Kenny Dalglish to take his place for the first time at Old Trafford and it’s obvious this will be huge.
The Reds are in poor form in the league, but may be boosted by the events of the past 24 hours. United, on the other hand, are unbeaten in the league and would love to give themselves every chance of a double this campaign.
Arsenal v Leeds United English FA Cup’‘Saturday, 1.30pm (CET)’’
This time last season Leeds United stunned English giants Manchester United in the FA Cup and they’ll be looking to do the same when they travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal this weekend.
Back then Leeds were in England’s third tier but now they are doing well in the Championship, pushing for promotion. They are a plucky side and Arsenal can be susceptible. The Gunners, though, fancy some silverware this season after a lean few years and Arsene Wenger will field a strong side.
Deportivo Coruna v FC Barcelona> Spanish La Liga’‘Saturday, 10pm (CET)’’
Barcelona remain leaders in Spain but the journey to the Riazor to face Deportivo Coruna is never easy.
After a slow start to the campaign Depor have found their feet lately to move up to 12th. They are known for being tough to break down, but Barca bring a lot to the table with players like Lionel Messi and Pedro in form. Barcelona have won their past 11 matches in La Liga, so maybe they are due to slip up. It could be an important weekend with second-placed Real facing a test.
Real Madrid v Villarreal Spanish La Liga’‘Sunday, 7pm (CET)’’
Indeed onto Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, they play host to third-placed Villarreal who have played some fine football at times this season.
Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi have offered the Yellow Submarine plenty in attack and they will be a major threat against Real, who have seen Cristiano Ronaldo score 19 goals this campaign, while Gonzalo Higuain is ruled out for the season with injury. Real boast a 100 per cent home record in La Liga this term, while Villarreal’s away form isn’t encouraging.
Napoli v Juventus Italian Serie A’‘Sunday, 8.45pm (CET)’’
Two of Italy’s challengers face off in the late kick-off in Serie A on Sunday evening when fifth-placed Juventus go to third-placed Napoli.
But both sides are fresh off defeats, with Napoli losing 3-1 to champions Internazionale, while Juventus slumped to a shock 4-1 home defeat against Parma. Beyond that, they had both been in decent form so this match will be important in getting them back on track with leaders AC Milan trying to pull away.