The Football Faithful
·20 Desember 2024
The Football Faithful
·20 Desember 2024
There’s some serious spice heading your way this weekend, with a big Bundesliga clash on Friday night and a showdown between Spain’s top two.
Here are our five must-watch games of the weekend.
Two of Dutch football’s ‘Big Three’ meet this weekend as PSV host Feyenoord. PSV are comfortably clear of the chasing pack right now and can put further daylight between themselves and their title rivals with another victory.
Feyenoord are adapting to life post-Arne Slot and sit fourth but can slash the lead to the leaders to just four points with a win. There have been 12 goals scored in the previous two meetings between the sides, each of which ended in draws. Hopes are high for another thriller, after a 4-4 draw between the teams in the Johan Cruyff Shield in August. Feyenoord took the trophy on penalties after a classic curtain-raiser in Eindhoven.
Can Manchester City stop the rot? A dramatic derby defeat to Manchester United last weekend extended their woeful run to one win in 11 games. It has been an astonishing fall from grace for the champions, whose season has unravelled.
Aston Villa will be looking to rub further salt into the wounds this weekend and won this fixture 1-0 last season. Unai Emery’s team have been impressive, if imperfect, this season and remain within striking distance of the Champions League places.
A raucous Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime offers a big test of a confidence-hit City side.
Bayern Munich’s first defeat of the Bundesliga campaign has breathed new life into the season’s title race. After being dethroned for the first time in over a decade last season, Bayern have taken an early lead in their bid to reclaim the crown as Germany’s best.
However, dropped points in consecutive games has seen their lead slashed to four points, with defending champions Bayer Leverkusen now in the rear-view mirror. On Friday night, Bayern host an RB Leipzig side just six points off the summit and with the tools to turn the title race ever tighter.
Tottenham Hotspur host Liverpool in the fixture of the Premier League weekend.
Ange Postecoglou’s side remain a gripping, if frustrating, watch and edged a seven-goal thriller with Manchester United to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Thursday. Spurs know only one way to play and that is to attack, but could their adventure play into the hands of a Liverpool side thriving under Arne Slot?
The league leaders have been the ‘stand out’ side in the league according to Postecoglou, and have lost just once in 24 games this season. Expect entertainment in North London.
La Liga’s top two face off this weekend as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona are clinging on to their status as league leaders after a run of one win in six, while Atletico enter the contest as the form team in the division. Diego Simeone’s men have reeled off 11 consecutive wins in all competitions and trail Barcelona only on goal difference. With a game in hand, Los Rojiblancos can take control of the title race with a win.
Antoine Griezmann will be out to do the damage against his former side. The Frenchman has seven goals in his last six games. However, he’s failed to score in 15 previous appearances against Barcelona for Atletico Madrid.