Every Friday, I highlight the most thrilling or significant football matches to catch over the weekend. From intense derbies to crucial top-of-the-table encounters, relegation battles to elite players clashing, and intriguing tactical showdowns, there will be something for every fan to appreciate.
This week, we explore England, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany, featuring a notable debut, a key top-of-the-table matchup, a historic rivalry, and an important fixture in women’s football!
Can Michael Carrick maintain United’s momentum?
Arsenal vs. Manchester United
Premier League, Matchday 23
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. GMT
A week after delivering a stunning victory against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in his debut as interim head coach, Michael Carrick and his Manchester United squad face another significant challenge away at league leaders Arsenal. The historical rivalry between these clubs is profound, and this match is crucial for both teams’ aspirations, making it one they cannot afford to lose.
United performed exceptionally against their city rivals, showcasing a strong tactical display that highlighted key players such as Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, and Kobbie Mainoo; while City struggled, credit is due to United for their performance.
Carrick will encounter a different challenge at Arsenal. His United side will maintain their approach, but Arsenal currently stands as the top team in Europe for a reason, necessitating a strategy to counter Mikel Arteta’s signature high intensity and pressing style. The Gunners will depend on their solid defense and effective attacking set pieces, as they have throughout the season.
Arteta’s rotated squad gained confidence from their midweek Champions League victory over Inter Milan, particularly from striker Gabriel Jesus, who netted twice after returning to full fitness following a year-long ACL injury. New acquisition Viktor Gyökeres also scored, leaving Arteta with the decision of who will lead the attack.
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 1-1 Man United. United have had a full week to prepare for this encounter, and Carrick will likely employ the same lineup and strategy that proved successful against City. Arsenal’s midweek match in Milan may leave them fatigued, potentially limiting them to a single point.
play2:38Are the Real Madrid players putting in more effort now that Xabi Alonso has departed?
The ESPN ‘FC TV’ team reacts to Real Madrid’s impressive 6-1 triumph over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League.
A significant challenge for Álvaro Arbeloa
Villarreal vs. Real Madrid
Spanish LaLiga, Matchday 21
Kickoff: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Since Álvaro Arbeloa took over from Xabi Alonso and suffered a defeat in his first match against second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey, the club has bounced back with two consecutive victories: a 2-0 win over Levante in LaLiga and a 6-1 win against Monaco in the Champions League. Although the performances have not been remarkable (despite the European scoreline), there appears to be a sense of calm within the club now. Madrid will need that composure this weekend, as they face a challenging away match against Villarreal.
Villarreal currently sits third in LaLiga, trailing Los Blancos by seven points, and they have a game in hand against struggling Levante, which could see them just a point behind Madrid if they secure victories in both matches.
A positive for Madrid is Villarreal’s struggles in high-stakes matches this season: they have yet to win in the Champions League and have lost to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Betis in LaLiga. However, aside from the loss to Barcelona, the other three defeats occurred away from home.
Villarreal will welcome back their key player, midfielder Pape Gueye, who recently won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal; Real Madrid will once again depend on star striker Kylian Mbappé, who has netted 33 goals across all competitions so far, and Vinícius Júnior appears to have regained his form after scoring a stunning goal against Monaco.
MY PREDICTION: Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid. Madrid is still a work in progress, and Arbeloa may not be the solution, but they possess enough individual talent to overcome Villarreal, even at the Estadio de la Cerámica, although the home side’s 4-4-2 formation can pose challenges.
A battle for second place?
Chelsea vs. Arsenal
Women’s Super League, Matchday 13
Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. GMT
The top two women’s teams in England over recent years will meet on Saturday in a crucial encounter. However, the stakes are not as high as they once were; Chelsea trails league leaders Manchester City by six points in second place, while Arsenal is four points further back in third.
With only 10 matches remaining in the WSL season, this is a must-win for both sides if they wish to remain in contention for the title, especially as City is anticipated to secure all three points against London City Lionesses.
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has guided her team to seven consecutive victories across all competitions since their unexpected 1-0 loss at home to Everton, and just three days ago, they defeated City 1-0 in the League Cup semifinals. The Blues have scored 30 goals in their last seven matches and carry momentum into this fixture, unlike Arsenal.
The Gunners have managed only one win in their last three outings, and a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the League Cup semifinals was not the ideal preparation for a match of this magnitude. They drew with Chelsea in the previous encounter back in November, courtesy of an Alessia Russo goal in the dying moments, and another tight contest is likely.
MY PREDICTION: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal. The two teams are relatively evenly matched at this point. Both have had a disappointing WSL season, and this match presents an opportunity to make a statement, though I anticipate they will end up sharing the points on Saturday.
play1:55Was Liverpool’s win against Marseille their finest performance of the season?
The ESPN ‘FC TV’ crew discusses Liverpool’s commanding 3-0 victory over Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.
Will the French title race become more competitive?
Marseille vs. Lens
Ligue 1, Matchday 19
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:05 p.m. ET / 8:05 p.m. GMT
This match features third versus first in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening at the Stade Vélodrome, although Paris Saint-Germain will play on Friday night and is likely to take the top spot.
Marseille must secure a victory to remain in the title race; they are nine points behind the leaders and cannot afford to lose any more ground. Their performance on Wednesday was disappointing, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League, despite the enthusiastic support from their fans. Saturday’s match will take place in a charged atmosphere, and Roberto De Zerbi and his squad need to make amends.
However, they will face a formidable Lens team. Pierre Sage, their manager since the summer, has developed a robust and high-pressing squad, and they have won their last 10 matches across all competitions, including a club-record eight in Ligue 1.
The absence of European commitments this season is a significant advantage for Lens in their domestic pursuits, and they have had the entire week to prepare for this crucial matchup. Tactically, it will be intriguing; De Zerbi miscalculated his strategy against Liverpool and cannot afford to repeat that mistake. Meanwhile, Lens’ captain and standout player, Florian Thauvin, returns to the Vélodrome, where he spent several years and is expected to receive a warm welcome.
Lens should approach Saturday’s match without trepidation and would likely accept a draw, but Marseille must perform at their best to stay in the title race.
MY PREDICTION: Marseille 2-1 Lens. The atmosphere at the Vélodrome will be intense, and Marseille will capitalize on it with a strong showing. Goals are expected as both teams favor attacking play, but the home side is likely to emerge victorious.
Edin Dzeko’s return to Germany
Schalke 04 vs. Kaiserslautern
German 2. Bundesliga, Matchday 19
Kickoff: Sunday, 7:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. GMT
This match is noteworthy as Edin Dzeko could make his debut for Schalke on Sunday. Fifteen years after departing Wolfsburg for stints at Manchester City, Roma, Inter Milan, Fenerbahçe, and Fiorentina, the 39-year-old striker returns to the German Bundesliga to assist the Ruhr giants in their promotion quest.
Dzeko has netted 371 goals in 856 career matches, making his signing a significant achievement for Schalke. They currently lead the 2. Bundesliga, four points ahead of Elversberg and Darmstadt in second and third, but have not secured a win in their last two league matches and require Dzeko’s experience.
Kaiserslautern is also a historically significant club in German football. They sit in fifth place, just four points shy of second and an automatic promotion spot, and boast their own standout player, Ivan Prtajin, who has scored nine goals in 12 league appearances. Their away form this season has been inconsistent (with only two wins in eight matches, alongside two draws and four losses), but Kaiserslautern must be aggressive.
MY PREDICTION: Schalke 2-1 Kaiserslautern. The match is likely to be open, but it may be too open from Kaiserslautern’s perspective against the league’s top team. Schalke is expected to win, with Dzeko making his debut and scoring.
