Five Worldwide Football Matches You Should Watch This Weekend
As we enter the business end of the most major European seasons, title races are really beginning to heat up right across the continent. However the action at the foot of these league tables is equally exciting, with a number of relegation crunch-games coming up the over the next few days. Add to that some intriguing clashes in the Americas and we have plenty to look forward to in the world of football this weekend. This article identifies five games that you should pay close attention to in the coming days.
Aston Villa vs. QPR
At the foot of the English Premier League, Harry Redknapp is planning another incredible survival bid. His QPR side convincingly beat Sunderland 3-1 last week, and this weekend they will face an Aston Villa who sit just four points above them in 17th place. Villa themselves beat fellow relegation rivals Reading last weekend, and will also be looking to build of such momentum in order to pull away from the bottom three. As far as crucial relegation clashes go, this one is right up there with the best of them. The winner could well use the points and the accompanying morale boost to steer themselves to safety, while the loser may be destined for Championship football next term.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich
Though Bayern Munich are a whopping 20 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, their opponents this weekend, Bayer Leverkusen, are engulfed in a neck-and-neck battle for the runners-up spot in the German top flight this term. That alone should be enough of a catalyst for a quality match, but add to that recipe the competitive rivalry that these two German giants have shared over the past couple of decades, and you have one of the more eagerly anticipated matches of the week. Bayern may be keen to mathematically wrap up their 23rd Bundesliga title, but Leverkusen will not go down easily in their bid to reclaim second spot in the table from Borussia Dortmund.
Deportivo vs. Celta Vigo
With Aston Villa facing QPR in England, and equally important relegation battle will take place in Spain this weekend. Bottom-placed Deportivo host 19th place Celta Vigo, with time running out for both sides in their attempts to beat the drop. With Depor nine points from safety, this game really is a must-win for the Galician club. Celta find themselves just three points from 17th, but defeat this weekend could see them plunge much deeper into trouble in La Liga. It may be a scrappy affair, but the desire for either side to win will be enough to make this one worth the watch.
Godoy Cruz vs. Lanus
Argentine side Lanus are enjoying a hugely successful year, and they currently sit atop the Torneo Final table with an unbeaten record intact. This weekend the visit Godoy Cruz, who themselves are also in fine form – sitting in third place with 11 points from their first five games. This contest could be crucial in deciding who pushes on to challenge for honors and who will be left behind with the rest of the pack. These are transitional times in Argentina, as the dominance of Boca Juniors and River Plate has wavered in recent years. Which of these sides can capitalize and take their place at the summit of the Argentine game?
LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA
With the MLS season still in its early stages, we already have a big derby game on our hands this weekend. LA Galaxy will host local neighbours Chivas USA on Sunday in a game for the bragging rights in Southern California. This game has been decided by a single-goal margin in six of the last seven encounters, so expect another close game at the Home Depot Centre this weekend. Both sides will have to bounce back after some high profile departures during the offseason, and what better way to do so than against your closest of rivals?
