January 18, 2019
Hoffenheim v Bayern Munich (German Bundesliga)
The return of the German Bundesliga. Title holders Bayern Munich will be hoping to cut the point gap between them ant the top of the league standings with a win at Hoffenheim.
Being winless in their last 6 league matches requires Hoffenheim to act on their New Year resolutions.
Getafe v Alaves (Spanis La Liga)
A home win for Getafe will cut the gap in points between them and Alaves.
Alaves’s failure to get a win in the last round has cost them a place in the ‘top 4’ of the La Liga standings. A consecutive league defeat won’t be ideal for Alaves if they are to live up to their new ambitions of being part of the race to the Champions League.
January 19, 2019
Real Madrid v Sevilla (Spanish La Liga)
Third place on the line. A better goal difference and the head-to-head result has placed Sevilla above Real Madrid in the league standings. Both teams are on 33 points,
The earlier meeting between the two sides was a ‘3-0’ win for Sevilla. Can Real Madrid settle the score on their home ground, or will Sevilla make it a double?
Sevilla is coming into the game from a defeat to a struggling Athletic Club, while Real Madrid will be coming into the match on the back of a league victory against Real Betis.
Paris St. Germain v Guingamp (French Ligue 1)
After knocking PSG out of the French League Cup, can Guingamp do it (again) in Ligue 1? Can Guingamp be the first team to hand PSG a Ligue 1 defeat?
RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund (German Bundesliga)
Borussia Dortmund’s will be tested by a team in the ‘top four’.
Newcastle United v Cardiff City (English Premier League)
Whoever suffers defeat will be in the relegation zone. Newcastle has the backing of the home supporters.
LONDON DERBIES
Arsenal v Chelsea (English Premier League) London Derby.
The option to secure a place in the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League group stage by winning the Europa League this year (still) remains for both teams, but it’s much easier to arrive at the goal by finishing in the top four in the league.
Arsenal can’t afford losing back-to-back London derbies and dropping points in consecutive matches. A home victory will allow Arsenal will reduce the 6-point gap between themselves and a Chelsea team that is looking to over-take Tottenham(another London club) in the league.
This is a big fixture regardless of what is at stake.
January 20, 2019
Fulham v Tottenham (English Premier League)
Another London Derby between two teams with different ambitions. Fulham is looking for survival in the league, while Tottenham is looking to be part of the title race.
Napoli v Lazio (Italian Serie A)
Juventus might be running away with the league, but these chasers have their ambitions for play European football next year. Napoli’s position in the league is not under immediate threat, but a win will help make the league title race more interesting to the neutral fan. Lazio will need to win to avoid the risk for falling out of the Champions League spot in the standings
Saint-Etienne v Lyon (French Ligue 1)
Saint-Etienne is in fine form, picking up the necessary wins. Lyon has been dropping points where they’ve been expected to pick them. Third place is on the line with just 2 points separating the sides.
Barcelona v Leganes (Spanish La Liga)
It was a Leganes win the last time the two faced each other. Will Barcelona make up for the dropped points?
