We’re poised for another huge weekend of European football as there’s the possibility the champions in Italy and Spain could be crowned, while in England there’s a massive top two clash.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Manchester United v Chelsea English Premier League’‘Sunday, 5.10pm (Central European Time)’’
After Arsenal defeating Manchester United 1-0 last Sunday the English title race has suddenly been blown open and taken on a totally different complexion. If Chelsea win at Old Trafford on Sunday, they will be leading the title race with two games to play. Talk about high stakes.
United, of course, were sitting pretty six points clear prior to last weekend’s loss to the Gunners. Chelsea’s controversial 2-1 win over Tottenham helped them gain ground and suddenly it’s title race on. But Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson knows victory here will all but secure his side the league crown which is quite the cherry for them.
AS Roma v AC Milan Italian Serie A’‘Saturday, 8.45pm (CET)’’
AC Milan will be crowned Italian champions for the first time since 2004 if they get a result against AS Roma in the capital on Saturday.
Milan’s form line suggests they will do it, after winning their past five matches in Serie A. Sixth-placed AS Roma, though, will be no easybeats as they are suddenly battling for a place in the UEFA Champions League. Alexandre Pato has been in form in big games lately for Milan and could hold the key.
FC Twente v Ajax Amsterdam Dutch Cup Final’‘Sunday, 6pm (CET)’’
This weekend the incredibly tight Eredivisie title race takes a break but two of the contenders are in action here in the final of the KNVB Dutch Cup.
Twente (61 points) are leading the Eredivisie by a point ahead of Ajax (60) with one game to play in the season and one of the pair will be crowned Dutch champions. But the point of conjecture is Ajax host Twente on the final day of the season. So the Dutch Cup final may be a little precursor if you like.
FC Barcelona v Espanyol Spanish La Liga’‘Sunday, 7pm (CET)’’
Catalan rivals Barcelona and Espanyol clash on Sunday in a game which could see Barca clinch the Spanish title, should Real Madrid fail to win at Sevilla on Saturday.
Barca, who qualified for the final of the UEFA Champions League in midweek, are ahead of Real by eight points with four games to play although they are tiring after losing last weekend at Sociedad. Espanyol, meanwhile, are eighth and battling for a place in Europe.
Olympique Lyonnais|Olympique Lyon v Olympique Marseille> French Ligue 1’‘Sunday, 9pm (CET)’’
With five games to play in the Ligue 1 season, third plays second is a huge game in the context of the season and that’s the situation which appears this Sunday when Lyon host Marseille.
Marseille, of course, are reigning champions while Lyon won seven consecutive league titles in the naughties and are looking to win back their crown. But Claude Puel’s Les Gones are six points behind Marseille, while leaders Lille are a further point ahead and go to struggling Nancy this weekend.