Laurens’ weekend outlook: Can Spurs trouble title-contending Man City once more?
Every Friday, I highlight the most compelling or thrilling matches in football that you should catch over the weekend.
From intense derbies and title race encounters to strategic displays and elite players clashing, there will be something for every fan to appreciate.
This week, we bring you action from England, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Brazil, featuring a Super Cup final, a crucial match, a derby, a top-of-the-table showdown, an unexpected story, a focus on one of the sport’s emerging talents, and a possible title decider in the women’s league.
– Champions League playoff selections: Can Mourinho surprise Real Madrid once more?
– Ranked: Who are the top 50 players in the Premier League currently?
– Man City’s quest for a WSL title after a decade hinges on their next two matches
Can Guardiola & Co. conquer their troublesome opponents?
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
Premier League, Matchday 24
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. GMT
This promises to be a captivating match! Manchester City has secured victories in their last two outings — against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend and Galatasaray midweek — but these wins followed a challenging week where they fell to rivals Manchester United and the relatively lesser-known Bodo/Glimt.
With Arsenal leading the Premier League by four points, City manager Pep Guardiola faces significant challenges ahead. The team is dealing with several key injuries, including first-team defenders Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, and John Stones, alongside tactical difficulties and some players underperforming. Erling Haaland has netted only once in his last nine matches across all competitions (and has not scored in his last five), with that solitary goal coming from the penalty spot.
Next, they will visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where they have managed to win only three out of nine matches since its inauguration in 2019.
Regardless of Spurs’ current form, they have a tendency to be a challenging opponent for City, as evidenced by their earlier Premier League encounter this season at the Etihad Stadium in August. That 2-0 victory for Thomas Frank’s side remains the highlight of Spurs’ season as they edge closer to a potential relegation struggle. Few Premier League managers require a win as desperately as Frank does this weekend.
MY PREDICTION: Tottenham 1-1 Man City. Both teams are facing numerous challenges at the moment, but I anticipate Spurs will manage to frustrate City and secure a point at home.
Yes, we continue to monitor Arbeloa’s situation
Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano
Spanish LaLiga, Matchday 22
Kickoff: Sunday, 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. GMT
Stream LIVE on ESPN+ (U.S.)
The watch on Álvaro Arbeloa continues! Following defeats to Albacete (3-2) and Benfica (4-2), along with victories against Levante (2-0), Monaco (6-1), and Villarreal (2-0), a different kind of Madrid derby awaits on Sunday for the new head coach. Los Merengues will host Rayo, and Arbeloa faces a tough challenge. He appears to have eased the tactical restrictions on his star players, instilling a sense of calm within the squad. However, it is not yet flawless, as Kylian Mbappé remains the driving force for the team. Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham are showing improved performances as well.
They will need to be cautious of their opponents, as Rayo is currently struggling. They have lost their last three matches (including a Copa del Rey fixture) and sit just one point above the relegation zone. With only five wins out of 21 league matches this season, their performance has been insufficient. Inigo Perez is still regarded as a talented manager, but he must enhance his team’s performance and recapture last season’s standards. This match presents an ideal opportunity, despite their poor away record at the Bernabéu.
MY PREDICTION: Real Madrid 3-1 Rayo Vallecano. Real Madrid may not be at their peak yet, but with Mbappé scoring consistently, they hold a significant advantage. It will be interesting to see Arbeloa’s influence from the sidelines, but they should still secure a comfortable victory given their quality.
play2:09Marcotti: Real Madrid have a lot of chaos in the middle
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens analyze Real Madrid’s 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League and discuss what the club needs to address moving forward.
Super-clubs vie for the first trophy of the Brazilian season
Flamengo vs. Corinthians
Brazilian Super Cup
Kickoff: Sunday, 5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. GMT
The Brazilian Super Cup — or Supercopa rei, as it has been known since 2024 — may not be the most prestigious trophy, but it is still a significant match as Flamengo, the champions of the Brasileiro (the Brazilian league), face off against Corinthians, who won the Brazil Cup.
Flamengo is currently the top team in the country, having claimed the Copa Libertadores this season, performed admirably at last summer’s Club World Cup, and narrowly losing in the final of the Intercontinental Cup to Paris Saint-Germain. They are close to signing Lucas Paquetá from West Ham United, which would be a remarkable acquisition. Their squad is filled with players boasting extensive European experience, including Jorginho (notably from Napoli, Chelsea, and Arsenal), Samuel Lino, and Saúl Ñíguez (Atlético Madrid), among others. Although their start to the regional Carioca campaign has not been ideal under the highly regarded manager Filipe Luis — with three losses, a draw, and only one win in their first five matches — they remain the favorites in every contest they enter.
Corinthians are not faring much better in their regional Paulista tournament, with just two wins in five matches (along with two draws and a loss). Their squad lacks the depth and talent of their rivals, but they are guided by the experienced Dorival Júnior as coach, and with Memphis Depay, they have one of the country’s top players, although he has yet to make an appearance this season. Corinthians become a more formidable opponent with Memphis in the lineup, but they are still considered underdogs in this encounter for the first domestic trophy of the Brazilian season!
MY PREDICTION: Flamengo 2-0 Corinthians. I believe Flamengo (with or without Paquetá) will prove too strong for Corinthians (with or without Memphis) despite a challenging start to the year.
Will Sunday’s match determine the WSL title?
Manchester City vs. Chelsea
Women’s Super League, Matchday 14
Kickoff: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. GMT
Stream LIVE on ESPN+ (U.S.)
This match could potentially decide the WSL title! Currently, there is a nine-point gap between Manchester City in first place and Chelsea in second. With only a few matches remaining this season — just eight weeks left — and with City set to face Arsenal next weekend and a Manchester derby still on the horizon, a victory over Chelsea would put them 12 points ahead, giving them a strong grip on the trophy. They have been exceptional this season and merit their position at the top. However, we recall two seasons ago when they allowed the title to slip away to Chelsea.
On the other hand, Sonia Bompastor’s team suffered a home defeat to Arsenal last weekend and cannot afford another loss. They must demonstrate their champion’s spirit on Sunday. They possess the talent to achieve this, but they are lacking in momentum. The match will take place at the Etihad Stadium and carries the atmosphere of a title decider.
MY PREDICTION: Man City 2-2 Chelsea. I initially thought there would be a draw between Chelsea and Arsenal last weekend, but the Gunners surprised me. This time, I expect a close contest, and both teams will likely share the points!
Another significant moment for Endrick
Lyon vs. Lille
French Ligue 1, Matchday 20
Kickoff: Sunday, 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. GMT
Currently, the buzz in France revolves around Endrick, who has been loaned to Lyon by Real Madrid this month and is already making a significant impact in the French league. He had an impressive debut against — you guessed it — Lille in the Coupe de France three weeks ago, scoring a goal in a Lyon victory. Following that, he excelled against Brest in his first Ligue 1 appearance, providing an assist and showcasing remarkable dribbling skills, and he was phenomenal against Metz last weekend, achieving a remarkable hat trick.
This achievement made Endrick the fourth-youngest player to score three goals in a French top-flight match in the 21st century, joining the ranks of Jérémy Ménez, Kylian Mbappé, and Ousmane Dembélé: quite impressive company!
Lyon had been in desperate need of a No.9 during the first half of the season, and acquiring the Brazilian international was a fantastic move. With him, they can aspire to win the Europa League (having topped the league phase), qualify for the Champions League next season (currently sitting fourth, just two points behind Marseille), and even dream of catching PSG, who are nine points ahead of them at present.
For Lille, the focus is on stopping Endrick while also addressing their own challenges. They are on a streak of five losses across all competitions, conceding 13 goals while only scoring three. Their form and performances are concerning. Although they remain fifth in the table, four points behind Lyon, a loss on Sunday would increase the pressure significantly. Bruno Genesio, the Lille manager and former Lyon boss, is under considerable stress. He requires something special to secure a vital win in his hometown.
MY PREDICTION: Lyon 2-1 Lille. I anticipate Endrick will shine once more, leading Lyon to a significant victory.
Two closely matched teams in Serie A
Como vs. Atalanta
Italian Serie A, Matchday 22
Kickoff: Sunday, 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. GMT
At present, it seems Como is emulating Atalanta! I wouldn’t wager that Cesc Fàbregas will remain on the Como bench (where he has been since 2024) as long as Gian Piero Gasperini did in Bergamo (nine years), and Como has invested significantly more to reach this point than Atalanta ever did (who were always reinvesting). However, Como has emerged as the surprise team of the Serie A season, challenging the giants of Italian football, much like Atalanta did under Gasperini.
Now under the guidance of Raffaelle Palladino after Ivan Juric’s dismissal a few weeks ago, Atalanta is performing much better. With six victories, a draw, and only one defeat (against league leaders Inter Milan), they are among the most in-form teams currently and sit in eighth place, just five points behind their opponents on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the hosts have also been consistently strong in Serie A recently, with five wins, one draw, and one loss to AC Milan in their last seven matches. Fàbregas is excelling in developing talented young players (playmakers Martin Baturina and Nico Paz) while elevating others (midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, striker Anastasios Douvikas). They play an intense style of football and are only three points shy of fourth place and the coveted Champions League qualification for next season!
MY PREDICTION: Como 2-1 Atalanta. Como has lost only once at home all season in the league, where their intensity and pressing are at their peak. This will likely prove too much for Atalanta, regardless of their recent confidence.
And finally, an Athens derby in Greece
AEK Athens vs. Olympiacos
Greek Super League 1, Matchday 19
Kickoff: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. GMT
This Sunday features a top-of-the-table clash in the Greek league as AEK faces Olympiacos in an Athens derby, promising to be an exciting encounter!
AEK currently leads the league, two points ahead of their rivals, while PAOK Salonika trails just a point behind the team from Piraeus. AEK has only suffered two defeats this season, one against Olympiacos back in October and another at home to PAOK a few matches prior! Since those losses, they have been unbeaten domestically. Luka Jovic (remember him?) is spearheading the team with 12 league goals, and they boast strong leaders like Mexico’s Orbelín Pineda in midfield and Croatia’s Domagoj Vida in defense. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, and they will rely on their fans to help distract a formidable Olympiacos side.
Aside from their loss to Real Madrid (4-3) in the Champions League and to PAOK in the Greek Cup, Olympiacos has also been nearly invincible. Ayoub El Kaabi and Mehdi Taremi are exceptional up front, and they possess the best squad in the league, managed adeptly by Spaniard José Luis Mendilibar. Both teams are assured of reaching the championship playoff — the top four all qualify — but the focus is on the momentum and confidence gained heading into that stage. This match on Sunday will be crucial for whoever emerges victorious.
MY PREDICTION: AEK 2-1 Olympiacos. AEK will seek to avenge their earlier defeat. They have had the week to prepare for this, while Olympiacos faced a demanding Champions League match away at Ajax midweek.
