Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Hercules v FC Barcelona Spanish La Liga’‘Saturday, 8pm (Central European Time)’’
On paper this may seem anything but a contender for Game of the Weekend, but if you cast your mind back to September 12, you’ll recall Hercules were the side responsible for Barcelona’s only La Liga defeat this term.
Hercules won 2-0 on that day at Nou Camp, but come into this clash on the back of losing three of their past four matches, sitting in 12th. Their form isn’t great and off-field issues aren’t helping with players going unpaid and Royston Drenthe opting to leave.
Barcelona, of course, haven’t got such problems with Lionel Messi leading the way. Barca have won their past 14 La Liga matches and sit top of the table by four points from Real Madrid and don’t look to be offering any let-up.
Everton v Chelsea English FA Cup’‘Saturday, 1.30pm (CET)’’
Chelsea’s league title hopes may be stuttering but they do hold the FA Cup and would love to press for it again this term. First, though, they’ve got the challenge of an away trip to Premiership opposition in Everton.
The Toffees are down in 14th in the league and are without topscorer Tim Cahill, but are unbeaten in their past four matches. They also held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in the league in December, but the Blues have re-discovered some form lately after Didier Drogba’s stunning goal in the 4-0 win at Bolton earlier in the week. Can they keep it up?
Werder Bremen v Bayern Munich German Bundesliga’‘Saturday, 3.30pm (CET)’’
A resurgent Bayern Munich side go to struggling Werder Bremen in what typically is a match between two sides challenging for the title. This season, though, is quite different.
Bayern are unbeaten in their past four and have moved up to fourth, following last weekend’s 5-1 mauling of Kaiserslautern with Arjen Robben back. Werder, on the other hand, are really struggling and the pressure is on boss Thomas Schaaf to keep his job. Werder have lost three of their past four and are down in 14th.
Inter Milan v Palermo Italian Serie A’‘Sunday, 3pm (CET)’’
Champions Internazionale look to get their title challenge back on track when they host Palermo on Sunday, after last weekend’s disappointing 3-1 loss at Udinese.
Inter have been in better form lately under Leonardo, but last weekend’s defeat was a setback. They’re still fifth, but nine points behind leaders AC Milan. Palermo, who went close to a top four finish last term, are currently seventh and have a danger man in Javier Pastore. It remains to be seen if Inter can sign Sampdoria forward Giampaolo Pazzini in time for the game.
Espanyol v Villarreal Spanish La Liga’‘Sunday, 9pm (CET)’’
It’s a late Sunday kick-off in Spain for two of the best of the rest, when fifth-placed Espanyol entertain third-placed Villarreal.
Both sides are currently enjoying winning form and have really impressed this season. Villarreal’s attacking options have been fantastic with Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar scoring plenty, while Espanyol’s form at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat – where they’ve collected 24 points from nine games – suggests they’ll be tough to stop.