Every Friday, I highlight the most thrilling or significant football matches that should not be overlooked over the weekend. From local derbies to top-tier encounters, crucial relegation battles to world-class players clashing, and other intriguing tactical contests, there will be something for every fan to appreciate.
This week, we bring you action from England, Portugal, Spain, France, and even Poland, featuring major derbies, key top-of-the-table matchups, a historic rivalry, and some women’s football as well.
– Connelly, O’Hanlon: Each Premier League team reranked: Man United improving, Arsenal even stronger
– Ogden: After five years of Reynolds and Mac, Wrexham are on the brink of Premier League
– Schoenfeld: Soccer superagent Ali Barat is taking a different approach. Will it succeed?
A significant match for two faltering superclubs
Liverpool vs. Manchester City
Premier League, Matchday 25
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. GMT
The opening match is monumental, arguably the most significant Premier League rivalry in recent years. It is no longer Jürgen Klopp versus Pep Guardiola, but rather Arne Slot facing Guardiola for the second time this season, with both teams in an unusual position.
To begin with, neither side is performing well: Both have secured only one victory in their last six league matches, which is far from ideal. City is pursuing Arsenal, entering the weekend six points behind the league leaders, and requires a win, particularly if the Gunners triumph over Sunderland at home on Saturday. Guardiola continues to seek solutions to his team’s imbalance and broader defensive challenges. Erling Haaland is experiencing the most significant slump of his career, having scored just two goals in his last ten matches across all competitions (only one from open play). He managed only two shots in 90 minutes against Tottenham last weekend in the 2-2 away draw, but at least Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki are currently in excellent form; expect them to spearhead this City attack, which, despite its struggles, has shown it can score against any opponent on a good day.
Liverpool faces similar challenges, both defensively and in terms of overall balance. They also have a forward who is underperforming in Mohamed Salah, who has struggled since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, where Egypt finished fourth. He has squandered a significant chance in each match since his return from Morocco, and it is evident that this team is now very much Florian Wirtz’s and Hugo Ekitike’s team. They have been exceptional recently and will pose a considerable threat to City’s defense.
Liverpool sits sixth in the standings and must work hard to secure a Champions League spot, competing with Chelsea, Manchester United, and others in a tightly contested final stretch. They need to defeat City and rectify the heavy loss they endured in Manchester during the previous encounter.
MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 2-1 Man City. I hope this match will not be overly cautious and tactical, but rather an exciting attacking contest. Both teams are capable of delivering such a performance, and if that occurs, I believe Liverpool will narrowly secure the victory.
Get ready: Another Classique is here
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Marseille
French Ligue 1, Matchday 21
Kickoff: Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET / 7:45 p.m. GMT
The second Classique of the season is approaching, and it promises to be quite special. PSG has yet to reach their peak performance, particularly regarding energy, intensity, and match fitness, but they remain at the top of the table ahead of Matchday 21. They are two points ahead of Lens and have a significantly better goal difference. However, this match carries its own unique significance.
The Parc des Princes will be charged with energy, and the fans are eager for a standout performance. There have been positive moments in recent weeks, such as the 3-0 victory against Lille, highlighted by a stunning goal from Ousmane Dembélé, but like their Ballon d’Or winner, the Parisians have been inconsistent and struggle to maintain their usual work rate throughout matches.
On the other hand, Marseille would relish the opportunity to disrupt the festivities on Sunday night. This would come at an ideal time for Marseille following a tumultuous few weeks, marked by a humiliating exit from the Champions League and additional points dropped in league play. They find themselves seven points behind Lens in second place and nine behind PSG.
Once again, Mason Greenwood will be pivotal for Roberto De Zerbi’s squad. He has been outstanding this season, even when the team has faced difficulties. Marseille won the previous encounter 1-0 back in September, thanks to an own goal from Marquinhos after just five minutes, while controlling only 32% of possession over the entire match. They are aiming for a double over their archrivals for the first time in a long while!
MY PREDICTION: PSG 2-1 Marseille. This clash is finely balanced and enjoyable to watch, but I believe PSG will have too much quality at home for their rivals to handle.
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Can Michael Carrick maintain United’s momentum?
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League, Matchday 25
Kick off: Saturday 7:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. GMT
Can Michael Carrick achieve four consecutive Premier League victories? That is the question at hand.
His debut for his second term as interim manager at the club has been flawless. United triumphed over Man City at home and Arsenal away in the league, moving into fourth place, a point ahead of Chelsea and two clear of Liverpool. They have had their share of luck, scoring late winners in the 87th minute against the Gunners and in the 94th against the Cottagers, despite facing significant pressure in those matches. However, the former midfielder has undoubtedly restored joy and confidence to a squad that was in dire need. Bruno Fernandes has returned to his preferred No. 10 role and leads by example. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are performing well in midfield, and all the forwards, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha, have found the net recently.
The only challenge for Carrick in preparing for the match is that he cannot predict what to expect from this Tottenham team: They are the most unpredictable side in the league. Last weekend, against Manchester City, Spurs endured a dismal first half (where they fell 2-0 behind) but improved significantly in the second half (scoring twice to secure a draw). They have struggled for consistency throughout the season, which explains their current position of 14th in the table. They have not won a league match since December. It appears that Thomas Frank, who remains under pressure, is unable to elicit the desired response from his players or from the fans, who are still not fully supportive of his project.
MY PREDICTION: Man United 3-1 Tottenham. At present, Manchester United are in better form and playing at home, making them the favorites.
Is this the moment when Man City secures the WSL title?
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
Women’s Super League, Matchday 15
Kickoff: Sunday, 7 a.m. ET / noon GMT
Is this when Manchester City effectively concludes their 10-year WSL title drought?
After a resounding 5-1 victory over Chelsea at home last weekend, City holds an 11-point advantage over second-place Manchester United. They are 12 points ahead of Chelsea and 13 points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
This means that Arsenal now represents City’s most significant threat for the title—a victory for the Gunners on Sunday would allow them to potentially narrow the gap to seven points. It would also place leaders City under pressure ahead of a Manchester derby clash with United in March. However, if City triumph this weekend, it will effectively be game over. Manager Andreé Jeglertz and his squad would have a clear path to their first league title since 2016.
So who will emerge victorious on Sunday? City is the most in-form team, having lost only one league match all season. They have been exceptionally dominant, boasting a significantly better goal difference than any other team. However, Arsenal has demonstrated over the past year that they can defeat any opponent on their day. The Women’s Champions League holders have drawn more matches (five) than any other team in the WSL, but they still possess ample talent that can pose challenges for any rival.
Arsenal has also recently been crowned world champions, lifting the inaugural FIFA Champions Cup title. A winning performance this weekend would validate that achievement.
MY PREDICTION: Arsenal 2-1 Man City. I believe Arsenal will prevail and defeat the WSL leaders. It promises to be an exciting match with both teams at their best, and the Gunners, in front of a large crowd at the Emirates Stadium, will secure a crucial victory.
Is the title race reignited in Portugal?
FC Porto vs. Sporting CP
Liga Portugal, Matchday 21
Kickoff: Monday, 3:45 p.m. ET / 8:45 p.m. GMT
Following Porto’s unexpected 2-1 loss to Casa Pia last weekend—their first league defeat of the season—the title race is back on.
Sporting CP is now just four points behind the leaders. It was anticipated that manager Francesco Farioli and his squad would run away with the title, but that may not be the case. Their record of 18 wins and one draw (against Benfica in October) prior to last weekend was remarkable, but Sporting has remained within striking distance thanks to a similarly impressive record of 18 wins, three draws (against Benfica, Braga, and Gil Vicente), and one loss (against Porto in the reverse fixture at the end of August). Sporting’s manager Rui Borges is doing an excellent job with a team that also managed to finish in the top eight in the Champions League against all odds this season.
In Porto’s Samu Aghehowa and Sporting CP’s Luis Suárez (the other one), we will witness two of the league’s top forwards going head-to-head. Thiago Silva, back in Europe at 41 years old, has been impressive since joining Porto in the winter, and he will need to be at his best against the league’s most potent attack, with Sporting scoring 54 goals in 20 matches. Porto’s defense is currently the best in Europe, having conceded just six goals all season domestically. Porto also averages two goals per game, so I anticipate plenty of excitement and drama in this encounter.
MY PREDICTION: Porto 3-2 Sporting CP. I expect it to be spectacular, entertaining, and quite open. A victory for Porto would likely end the title race on Monday night, but Sporting will push them to their limits. Ultimately, I believe Porto will prove too strong.
Diego Simeone’s struggling side seeks a morale boost
Atlético Madrid vs. Real Betis
Spanish LaLiga, Matchday 24
Kickoff: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. GMT
Diego Simeone and his Atlético squad have faced difficulties on the pitch recently. They have secured only one victory in their last four matches across all competitions and finished outside the top eight in the Champions League, relegating them to the challenging knockout playoff round. They are too far behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in the standings to contend for the LaLiga title this season (10 and nine points behind, respectively) and are actually at risk from Villarreal in fourth place (three points behind) and Betis in fifth place (seven points adrift). Thus, this match against the Sevilla-based side is crucial.
Atleti cannot afford to lose, and fortunately for them, their new signing, forward Ademola Lookman, is set to make his league debut. He was one of the most significant transfers of the January window, and in an attack plagued by injuries (Alexander Sørloth and Antoine Griezmann have both missed time) and poor form (Julián Álvarez), the Nigeria international will be essential up front.
For Betis, this may be the ideal time to face Los Colchoneros, even at the Metropolitano stadium and despite their own injury concerns (Cucho Hernández, Héctor Bellerín, Isco, Giovani Lo Celso). After suffering a loss against PAOK in Europe and a surprising defeat to Alaves in the league, they managed to bounce back with victories against Feyenoord and Valencia. These two teams faced each other Thursday night in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, but this second leg in the league is regarded as far more significant.
MY PREDICTION: Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Betis. Atletico is the best team in LaLiga at home this season, with 10 wins and one draw in their 11 matches at their stadium. However, I believe Betis will create problems and earn a valuable point.
And finally … Polish rivals clash in Europe’s tightest title race
Gornik Zabrze vs. Lech Poznan
Polish Ekstraklasa, Matchday 20
Kickoff: Saturday, 2:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. GMT
You may not be aware, but the Polish top division is experiencing the most intense title race in Europe this season. There has been remarkable parity: Every team has taken points off one another. This means that between league leaders Wisla Plock and ninth-place Lech Poznan, there is only a seven-point gap separating nine teams.
Gornik Zabrze is currently second in the standings, tied on points with Plock, despite having already lost six times this season. They have performed well at home, achieving seven wins, one draw, and two losses. This seems to be a recurring theme in Poland during this unpredictable season: Top teams win at home while dropping points away. Lech Poznań ranks as the fourth-best team away from home, but with only three victories in nine matches. Lech’s 32-year-old Swedish striker, Mikael Ishak, has been one of the league’s standout players thus far, contributing 13 goal involvements (10 goals and three assists) in 17 matches. Gornik lacks a similar profile in attack but has established a solid home defense anchored by Spanish center back Josema.
With only 14 matches remaining in the season, this game is significant, but the title race is likely to continue until the end, as all these teams keep exchanging points. The lead in the standings has changed hands numerous times already this season, but Lech must reverse the trend and aim for a crucial away victory to remain in contention for the title.
MY PREDICTION: Gornik Zabrze 2-1 Lech Poznan. A win would help Gornik eliminate another title contender from the race. Lech Poznan would then likely find themselves too far from the top to contend. I believe the home team will accomplish this task.
