Every Thursday or Friday, I highlight the most thrilling or significant soccer matches to watch over the weekend. From local derbies to crucial top-of-the-table encounters, relegation battles to elite players going head-to-head, or other captivating tactical showdowns, there will be something for every fan to appreciate.
This week, we focus on England, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany for some high-profile matchups, contests for UEFA Champions League spots, and title race developments.
– Tighe: The back three can be effective without being defensive
– Marcotti: The AFCON decision was justified, but why the delay?
– Premier League, LaLiga, and … Scotland? The most thrilling races in Europe
A significant Madrid derby
Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid
Spanish LaLiga, Matchday 29
Kickoff: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
A Madrid derby is always noteworthy, especially when the stakes are elevated. Atlético Madrid cannot realistically catch their rivals in LaLiga, trailing by nine points with 10 matches remaining, but they can play a pivotal role in the title race. Real Madrid sits four points behind Barcelona, who will face Rayo Vallecano, a team that has only secured three away victories all season. Thus, this presents a critical chance for Diego Simeone and his squad to significantly impact Madrid and assist Barcelona.
Atletico enters this match with solid form, highlighted by a commanding 3-2 win over a strong Real Sociedad. Alexander Sørloth has regained his scoring touch, Antoine Griezmann remains a potential game-changer, and this gives Atlético confidence as they head to the Bernabéu.
The home side will seek retribution after suffering a 5-2 defeat in the previous encounter last September. Interim manager Álvaro Arbeloa appears to have addressed Madrid’s recent issues, implementing a more pragmatic 4-4-2 formation that has led to improved performances from defensive midfielders Thiago Pitarch and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Kylian Mbappé has also returned from a knee injury, having played 20 minutes against Manchester City in the Champions League midweek. He is expected to start and will be a key threat in this matchup.
MY PREDICTION: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid. This match is set to be a highly charged and intense contest at the Bernabéu on Sunday evening, with significant pressure on both teams in this crucial derby. I anticipate Madrid will find it challenging to penetrate Atlético’s defense, leading to a draw.
Who will claim the Carabao Cup?
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
Carabao Cup final
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET
This marks the first trophy of the English domestic season, contested by the top two teams in the Premier League, with first facing second. A nine-point gap exists between the two teams in the standings, although City has a game in hand and will host Arsenal next month. This cup final could significantly influence the remainder of the season.
If Arsenal triumphs over City and maintains their recent form (they have not lost since January), it will provide them with a psychological edge for the final stretch of the title race and could undermine City’s confidence. Conversely, if City secures a victory and rebounds from their recent struggles—having only one win in their last five matches across all competitions, along with two draws against Forest and West Ham and two losses to Real Madrid—it could restore their belief to continue competing. Those two defeats in the Champions League round of 16 will have been particularly tough, especially with a largely fit squad at Pep Guardiola’s disposal.
play1:50Can anyone stop Arsenal winning the Champions League?
Alejandro Moreno discusses Arsenal’s prospects of winning the Champions League.
The Catalan manager is facing challenges in addressing their imbalance, lack of creativity, and defensive vulnerabilities. His 4-2-2-2 formation has appeared susceptible at times, and Erling Haaland has only found the net once in the last five matches across all competitions.
Regarding Arsenal, discussions could revolve around their style and efficiency, and whether they are enjoyable to watch—ESPN’s Mark Ogden has already provided insights on that—but one fact is evident: They are currently the most solid and controlling team in Europe. They concede little to opponents and possess numerous individual talents capable of altering a match (Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice). Their robust defense—having recorded 25 clean sheets in 49 matches this season across all competitions—is among the strongest in English football history, and their organization and work ethic make them difficult to break down.
Arsenal also carries significant momentum into this match, but there is added pressure: This is their first final since winning the FA Cup in 2020 at an empty Wembley Stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bukayo Saka is the only player from that squad still with the team. A considerable portion of Arsenal’s current squad has never won a major club trophy, unlike their City counterparts.
Will Arsenal feel the weight of expectation on Sunday?
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City. I believe Arsenal will approach this match with the right mindset, combining confidence with caution, while City will struggle to penetrate their defense. I won’t predict an Arsenal goal from a set piece, but they are in excellent form to face a City side filled with uncertainties.
A crucial relegation ‘six-pointer’ in England
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Nottingham Forest
English Premier League, Matchday 31
Kickoff: Sunday, 9:15 a.m. ET
It has been a long time since Tottenham found themselves in a relegation six-pointer, but here they are! Following a challenging season that has reached a low point this year, they must battle to stay in the Premier League. The most significant match in their remaining schedule occurs on Sunday against Forest in front of what is expected to be a tense crowd. Forest are more accustomed to relegation battles than Spurs, and that added experience under pressure could prove decisive.
play1:46Will the loser of Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest be relegated?
Julien Laurens and Nedum Onuoha preview a crucial match in the race for Premier League survival, as Tottenham hosts Nottingham Forest.
Both teams, along with their new managers, are struggling for form. Under Igor Tudor, Spurs have lost four consecutive matches, suffering humiliating defeats to Arsenal and Atlético Madrid, but they managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last weekend thanks to a last-minute goal at Anfield. Meanwhile, Forest, under Vitor Pereira, has lost four and drawn two (including against Manchester City) in their last six matches across all competitions. The visitors are having difficulty scoring (five goals in their last six games, including two against City), and the expected “new manager bounce” seems absent. They currently sit 17th in the table, just one point behind Spurs. A victory for either team would provide a crucial lifeline.
Although Spurs are playing at home, they are among the rare teams for whom this is not necessarily advantageous. They have only won twice and recorded four draws from 15 league matches. This is a disappointing return, and they owe their supporters a response. Tudor has faced challenges since his appointment, and his “tough guy” approach has not yielded results, but the hard-fought point at Liverpool offers some hope.
MY PREDICTION: Tottenham 2-1 Nottingham Forest. Both teams played midweek, but I believe Tottenham will finally secure a victory again, their first at home since December. (It benefits Tudor and his team that Forest has struggled away from home, earning only 15 points from a possible 45.) Spurs cannot afford to let this chance slip away. It may not be pretty, but I expect them to find a way to win.
High-flying underdogs target top five
Lyon vs. AS Monaco
French Ligue 1, Matchday 27
Kickoff: Sunday, 9 a.m. ET
This match features fourth against sixth in Ligue 1, with only four points separating two teams that are experiencing very different trajectories.
Despite being narrowly eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockout phase playoffs, Monaco is thriving domestically, achieving five consecutive league victories that have propelled them up the standings. They are focused on overtaking Lyon in fourth and Marseille in third, with the latter set to visit Monaco next weekend. Winning these two matches against direct rivals for a Champions League spot is essential.
After a series of mediocre performances, Sébastien Pocognoli and his squad have finally discovered the right approach. By alternating between a back three and back four and positioning key players effectively, such as Aleksandr Golovin and Maghnes Akliouche in midfield and Folarin Balogun in attack, the team has started to click. This is a significant trip to the Groupama Stadium for them, but unlike Lyon, Monaco has had the entire week to prepare. They are confident, and USMNT star Balogun is currently their standout player, with six goals and one assist in his last six matches across all competitions.
Lyon’s form contrasts sharply with that of Monaco. Paulo Fonseca is missing several key players, and his team appears fatigued. They will be in action midweek in the Europa League against Celta Vigo but have not won in their last six matches (all competitions) prior to that (two losses, four draws). They failed to score against struggling Le Havre last weekend (0-0). After a strong start, Real Madrid loanee Endrick has been inconsistent, and Fonseca is finding it difficult to motivate this team. They cannot afford to lose this match against a direct competitor.
MY PREDICTION: Lyon 1-2 AS Monaco. Lyon is physically drained, while Monaco is riding a wave of momentum and confidence. I appreciate what Pocognoli is currently achieving, and I expect his team to continue their impressive winning streak with another victory on Sunday.
A Dutch derby with European stakes
Feyenoord vs. Ajax
Dutch Eredivisie, Matchday 28
Kickoff: Sunday, 8:30 a.m. ET
De Klassieker, the most significant match in the Dutch football calendar, takes place on Sunday and promises to be thrilling. Feyenoord currently occupies second place in the table, just five points ahead of Ajax in fourth (and three above NEC Nijmegen in third). While PSV is nearly assured of winning the title with a 16-point lead and only seven matches remaining, the battle for second and third place will be intense, and this match will play a crucial role.
Ajax is on their third manager of the season after Oscar Garcia replaced Fred Grim. The Spaniard secured an easy victory in his first match in charge last weekend (4-0 against Sparta Rotterdam), and now they travel to Rotterdam to face their historic rivals. Feyenoord and their manager Robin van Persie have had an inconsistent season; they are capable of brilliance but have also been erratic. Former Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling is expected to start on the left wing, with Ayase Ueda, the top scorer in the Eredivisie, leading the attack and Paris-born winger Anis Hadj Moussa on the opposite flank. Sterling is still working to regain his best form after a lengthy absence at Chelsea, but the other two forwards have been exceptional throughout the season.
For Ajax, this presents a significant opportunity to push for a top-three finish. They have also been inconsistent, occasionally revealing their youthfulness, and while they boast the third-best defense in the league, they have scored significantly fewer goals (52) than teams around them like PSV (77), Feyenoord (60), and Nijmegen (67). However, they have a future star in Mika Godts, who is a prolific chance creator and dribbler, and he is still only 20 years old.
MY PREDICTION: Feyenoord 2, Ajax 2. This match is difficult to predict. Ajax has won their last three encounters against Feyenoord, including the reverse fixture (3-0) back in December against the run of play. However, Van Persie and Feyenoord cannot afford to let Ajax close the gap. They will have the backing of their passionate fans, while Ajax has only managed three away victories all season. I still anticipate a draw.
