The international break is over, and fans of European soccer will be looking forward to the return of domestic competitions. The Managers will look to their medical department to determine who has injuries, played too much, or traveled too far in recovering to play this weekend. It is a pivotal point in the season because only ten or so games remain across the continent. Also, it is the time of year when trophies are won, Champions League spots and awards are sealed. This weekend kick starts the run-in, and mouthwatering clashes will feature across the European Leagues. In this article, we will preview what to expect from three of the biggest fixtures this weekend.
1. English Premier League-Manchester City versus Arsenal-Sunday 11:30 am EST
If there is one game to watch this weekend, then this would be my pick. Arsenal enters this weekend leading the league on goal difference over Liverpool and just one point ahead of Manchester City. Interestingly, the game follows Liverpool’s match against Brighton which means both teams could be trailing in the standings if the Reds win at home. It will also mark the last time this season that these three teams will play each other head-to-head. Arsenal will be desperate to win this game because it would set them up to end a 20-year drought without winning the Premier League trophy. However, history favors Man City in this matchup because it has been nine years since Arsenal won a game away at the Etihad Stadium. The two teams are in form, with City last losing a match in December and Arsenal winning eight consecutive matches in the league. The biggest headache for the managers is who plays in this game. City will miss John Stones and Kyle Walker, who sustained injuries on the international break. They will also need to assess the fitness of Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, Jack Grealish, and Ederson. Arsenal will need to check on the fitness of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Magalhaes. It promises to be an enthralling contest of two teams that will attack their opponents. In this matchup, look for Man City’s Erling Haaland, EPL’s top scorer with 18 goals. Arsenal will hope that Buyako Saka is fit because he is their top goal scorer with 13 Premier League goals. Will the student (Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta) grab the mantle away from his former boss (Man City’s Pep Guardiola)? Stay tuned.
2. Bundesliga: Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund – Saturday, 1:30pm EST
This game is known in Germany as Der Klassiker or “German classico” because it features the most successful teams in the country that have won a combined total of 26 of the past 30 Bundesliga titles. This game is usually a title decider, but Bayern Leverkusen has shocked the soccer world to remain unbeaten in their domestic league and lead Bayern Munich by 10 points. Munich will still feel that they can put the pressure on Leverkusen by winning and hope their title rival’s inexperience will lead to them stuttering to the finishing line. Moreover, this matchup will be important in the race for the coveted Champions League spots which usually are earned by the top four teams in the standings. Borussia Dortmund is currently fourth in the standings, just one point above RB Leipzig. The good news for fans watching this game is that prolific England forward, Harry Kane should play after missing England’s international friendlies in the past fortnight. Kane’s move from England has been successful because he tops the scoring charts with 31 goals to lead the Bundesliga. On the Borussia Dortmund side, look for Niclas Fullkrug and Donyell Malen, who have scored 11 goals each this season. Expect a high-scoring game and an intense atmosphere as these long-time rivals face off at the famous Allianz Arena.
3. La Liga: Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao – Sunday, 3 pm EST
In Spain, it feels as if Real Madrid will win their second La Liga title in three years and their record-extending 36th overall with an 8-point lead in the standings. However, Barcelona will look to pounce on any slip-ups and could pressure Real with a win over Las Palmas on Saturday to pull within 5 points of the summit. Therefore, Los Blancos will want to win to keep Barca at arm’s length. However, this is a big game for Athletic Bilbao who is a surprise team in an enthralling season in European soccer. Bilbao has surged to fourth place in the standings, one point ahead of Atletico Madrid for the coveted Champions League place. The Basque outfit has been impressive in 2024, having lost just one game since mid-January. They also could end their trophy 40-year trophy drought in a week when they play Mallorca in the Copa Del Rey Final. The players to watch in this matchup are Jude Bellingham and Gorka Guruzeta who rank 1st and 6th in the standings with 16 and 13 goals each. Expect an intense game between both teams at the renowned Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.