PSG, LILLE, AND LYON CAN’T AFFORD TO SLIP UP IN LIGUE 1
DORTMUND IN NEED OF A REVIVAL
ROMA MUST REVENGE SPEZIA FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COPPA ITALIA
BAYERN TO BUILD ON THEIR 4-POINT LEAD
SCHALKE AVOID EXTENDING ANOTHER WINLESS RUN
ATLETICO MADRID TO RUN AWAY WITH THE TITLE?
ANOTHER TEST FOR AC MILAN. WILL INTER MILAN TAKE ADVANTAGE?
WILL JUVENTUS GET IN THE ‘TOP FOUR’ AFTER THE ROUND?
A NORTH WEST DERBY IN THE FA CUP
WEEKEND BANGERS
In the Spanish La Liga …
Sevilla are a point from the ‘Top Four’ and can use a win against Cadiz to make a move towards a Champions League qualifying spot. With a win in their last 7 league matches, Cadiz will have some work to do in order to escape Seville with an ideal result.
With a win, Real Betis will narrow the gap in points between them and Real Sociedad. It’s been a 2-match winning streak in the league for Real Betis; and 4 straight wins if Copa Del Rey is included. Real Sociedad have a win in their last 9 league games.
Real Madrid dropped points in the last league game (0-0 at Osasuna), lost the Super Cup semi-final (1-2 against Athletic Club), and were eliminated from the Copa del Rey by a third-tier club (Alcoyano) in the middle of the week. Going against Alaves this weekend is a must win for Real Madrid. Fortunately for Real Madrid, Alaves are sailing above the drop point in the standings, while staring at a 4th straight league defeat.
Barcelona haven’t had the season to be proud of. They tackle Elche without Lionel Messi. A win for Barcelona is required to hold on to the position in the league, and to stop the world from asking more questions on their level of performance.
Atletico Madrid with a game in hand on their closest rivals in the title race will stay on track to (at least) a 10-point lead in the title race. Atletico Madrid will have to defeat Valencia.
In the Italian Serie A …
Roma’s position in the Italian Serie A standings will be under threat if they lose to Spezia (again). Spezia knocked out Roma from the Coppa Italia on Tuesday. A repeated outcome will likely knock Roma out of the ‘top four’ in the Serie A standings.
Atalanta is a tough team to keep quiet. AC Milan keeping pole position will mean they have to beat Atalanta.
Inter Milan will take full advantage of the ‘AC Milan vs Atalanta’ results if they can do the expected and win at Udinese.
They’re just outside the top 4, so a win for Juventus at home against Bologna will significantly increase their odds to finish the round in the ‘top four’.
Napoli came to this match after losing the Supercoppa Italiana final to Juventus. A bad result against Hellas Verona could see Napoli fall below Juventus in the league standings.
Lazio has been the more consistent side in recent weeks. Both Lazio and Sassuolo are in position to join the race for Champions League football if they are to find a win in this tie.
In the German Bundesliga …
Bayern Munich are the overwhelming favorites to come out of their fixtures with the maximum points. With the knowledge the chasing pack must aim for nothing but a win.
Leverkusen will need to fend off a Wolfsburg side that is just a win from equal points.
Dortmund must bounce back from poor performance and defeat in this round with a win. Dortmund must fend off a Monchengladbach side that will be planning on getting a win at home to leap 2 points above Dortmund in the standings.
Union Berlin could benefit greatly from the fixtures around them with a win at Augsburg.
Frankfurt can do the same with a win against Arminia Bielefeld. “
In the French Ligue 1 …
On paper, Paris St. Germain should have the least difficult opposition in the coming round of the French Ligue 1.
Paris St. Germain can only guarantee their position at the top of the French Ligue 1 standings with a win against Montpellier.
Lille must get a win at Rennes to (at least) remain equal on points with Paris St Germain.
Rennes will be looking for a home win to close in on the top 3.
Monaco will stay above Rennes with a win against Marseille.
Marseille are on a streak of three defeats that includes 2 league games.
FA Cup – FOURTH ROUND
Manchester United and Liverpool meet at Old Trafford for an FA Cup (4th round) tie.
Southampton vs Arsenal’, ‘Manchester United vs Liverpool’ and ‘Fulham vs Burnley’ will be the all-Premier League fixtures in the 4th round of the English FA Cup.
Wolves will be the Premier League team with the best draw. Wolves travel to face Chorley; a 6th-tier side.
Manchester City will be next on the list of the fortunate. Manchester City travel to face Cheltenham Town; a League Two side (4th tier).
Brighton, Sheffield United, and West Ham are Premier League teams that are blessed with teams for League One ‘Third-tier’.
Everton host Sheffield Wednesday.
Chelsea will welcome Luton Town.
Leicester City travel to Brentford.
Tottenham are away against Wycombe Wanderers
