Every Friday, I highlight the most thrilling or significant soccer matches to catch over the weekend. From local derbies to crucial top-of-the-table encounters, relegation battles to elite players clashing, 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 notable matchups, contests for UEFA Champions League spots, and title race developments.
– Premier League, LaLiga and … Scotland? Most thrilling races in Europe
– UCL highlights: Spurs struggle as all Premier League teams fail to secure wins
– Stats behind Spurs GK Kinsky’s surprising early substitution against Atlético
Spurs to plunge further into relegation struggle?
Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League, Matchday 30
Kickoff: Sunday, 12:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. GMT
Matches between Liverpool and Tottenham have consistently been entertaining in recent years, filled with goals and excitement. However, this encounter carries significant implications. Liverpool is vying for a top-five finish to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League, while Spurs are battling to remain in the Premier League after a disappointing domestic campaign. This match is crucial for both teams, who are not performing at their best.
Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, marking yet another instance of underwhelming performance. Mohamed Salah had a notably poor outing, and the defense appeared vulnerable once more. This is concerning as the season approaches its climax, with the Reds needing to qualify for the Champions League. They must recover on Sunday.
Nonetheless, the form is currently favoring Liverpool in this matchup: Spurs are enduring a club-record six-game losing streak, with their last league victory occurring on December 28. Tuesday’s latest setback—a disheartening 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League—felt like another low point. Manager Igor Tudor has lost all four matches since taking charge. He will lead the team for a fifth time this weekend, but it is likely to be his last opportunity.
Tudor was expected to stabilize the team, but the players have not responded positively to his approach. Additionally, he is dealing with several absences, including Micky van de Ven, who will be suspended for this match. To add to the pressure, victories for West Ham United and Nottingham Forest this weekend (though unlikely) would see Spurs start at Anfield in the relegation zone.
MY PREDICTION: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham. Both teams have a lot at stake, and I anticipate this match will not showcase the highest quality of play. However, Liverpool should prove too strong for a Spurs side in significant trouble.
Barça aim for redemption, seek return to form in LaLiga
Barcelona vs. Sevilla
LaLiga, Matchday 28
Kickoff: Sunday, 11:15 a.m. ET / 3:15 p.m. GMT
Barcelona faced a challenging match against Newcastle United on Tuesday but managed to secure a draw against the odds. They struggled to handle the intensity and physicality of the English team and were unable to implement their game plan. The situation will be markedly different on Sunday at home against Sevilla.
Barça currently holds a four-point advantage over Real Madrid, while Sevilla is not yet safe, sitting 14th in the standings and only six points clear of the relegation zone. They cannot afford a repeat of the lackluster performance witnessed in England. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski were particularly ineffective in attack, and the defense—especially the fullbacks Ronald Araújo (with Jules Koundé injured) and João Cancelo—was disorganized. The high defensive line remains a concern, especially with several players absent: Eric García, Frenkie de Jong, Koundé, and Alejandro Balde. However, prior to the Newcastle match, Barcelona had been on a four-game winning streak and will aim to return to that form on Sunday.
Sevilla has managed just one victory in their last six LaLiga fixtures, which came against Getafe. They drew 2-2 in the Seville derby against Betis, thanks to a strong second-half showing, but have generally struggled in recent weeks. Their goal difference of minus-7, with only 35 goals scored in 27 league matches, reflects their difficulties. They will attempt to replicate the performance from the reverse fixture in October, where they defeated Barcelona 4-1 at home by capitalizing on the Catalans’ defensive weaknesses.
MY PREDICTION: Barcelona 3-0 Sevilla. Can Sevilla replicate their previous success? I doubt it. Barcelona is likely to secure a comfortable victory at the Camp Nou on Sunday, as the Catalans will be eager to avenge that heavy loss.
play1:20How Yamal reached 50 career goals quicker than Ronaldo and Messi
Gab & Juls discuss Lamine Yamal achieving his 50th career goal in Barcelona’s victory over Athletic Club.
Showdown in France with significant European implications
Stade Rennais vs. Lille
French Ligue 1, Matchday 26
Kickoff: Sunday, 3:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. GMT
This matchup features fifth place against sixth, with Rennes and Lille separated by just two points in Ligue 1. It is a crucial encounter for European qualification between two teams with contrasting trajectories heading into the match.
Rennes has been thriving since new manager Franck Haise took over from Habib Beye, who was dismissed before taking the managerial role at Marseille. The Bretons have secured four consecutive league victories, scoring 11 goals while conceding only two during this stretch. Their new coach has made them more dynamic, intense, and effective in pressing. Prior to the managerial change, they had lost four straight, conceding 12 goals and scoring just one. Rennes has transformed, and by hosting Lille on Sunday, they have a significant chance to extend their lead to five points and increase the pressure on struggling Lyon in fourth place (the Champions League qualifying position). Haise’s 4-3-3 formation fits this team much better than Beye’s three-man defense.
Lille, managed by Bruno Genesio, who will be in action on Thursday evening in the Europa League, has won only two of their last nine Ligue 1 matches, including a stretch of four consecutive losses at the end of January and beginning of February. They are having difficulty scoring goals (three in their last six league matches) and creating opportunities. Injuries have affected their squad, and Olivier Giroud, their primary striker, is 39 years old. Their current form raises concerns as the season approaches its conclusion. They need to secure a European spot; even a sixth-place finish would suffice, but they are not guaranteed anything with Monaco just a point behind. Strasbourg and Brest are also only five points adrift.
MY PREDICTION: Rennes 3-1 Lille. Rennes is entering this match with strong momentum and is performing exceptionally well. This contrasts sharply with Lille’s current form; they have only won once away from home since mid-December. Rennes should take this one.
Champions League aspirations at Old Trafford
Manchester United vs. Aston Villa
Premier League, Matchday 30
Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. GMT
Another crucial match for Champions League qualification is set for Sunday at Old Trafford, featuring United and Villa. When manager Michael Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils were 11 points behind the Villains. Now, after seven matches under Carrick, they are level on points and have climbed from fifth to third in the standings. Carrick began his tenure strongly with four consecutive wins, including victories over City and Arsenal, but recent matches have proven more challenging. His players managed a last-minute 1-1 draw against West Ham and lost 2-1 to Newcastle, despite having played 50 minutes with a numerical advantage. They have benefited from favorable situations (late goals and red cards for opponents). However, Bruno Fernandes and his teammates have shown significant improvement as a unit, and the absence of European commitments allows for more recovery time, which is crucial at this stage of the season.
On the other hand, Aston Villa is currently in a downward spiral. They secured a 1-0 win against Lille in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, but their league performance has deteriorated significantly. They have recorded only one victory in their last seven matches across all competitions. They are struggling to create scoring opportunities and have only netted five goals during this stretch, while also conceding 12. Unai Emery is missing key players due to injuries and has not been able to find solutions to address his team’s declining form.
MY PREDICTION: Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa. United has had the entire week to prepare for this match. They understand that a victory would bring them significantly closer to Champions League qualification for next season, and Villa is too far from their best for United not to capitalize on this opportunity.
Ambitious underdogs aim for top five
Como vs. AS Roma
Serie A, Matchday 29
Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. GMT
This weekend features a clash between fourth and fifth place in Serie A, as Como hosts Roma, promising an exciting encounter. Both teams have accumulated 51 points, and Como has emerged as one of the most entertaining teams in Europe this season. Head coach Cesc Fabregas is doing an impressive job with a club he partly owns, transforming the team into one of the most dynamic and intense sides in Europe, enhancing both individual and collective performances. They are enjoying a remarkable season, and achieving a top-five finish would be a significant accomplishment. While the club has invested heavily in recent transfer windows, Fabregas is demonstrating his potential as an excellent manager.
Opposing him is Gian Piero Gasperini, one of Italy’s top managers over the past decade. In his inaugural season in Rome, the former Atalanta coach is performing admirably, with Champions League qualification as the primary goal. Despite facing injuries and needing time to adapt to Gasperini’s tactics while competing in the Europa League midweeks (they faced Bologna on Thursday), Roma has shown solid performances.
MY PREDICTION: Como 2-1 Roma. I am genuinely impressed with Fabregas’s work at Como. They possess strong momentum and are likely to maintain it with a victory on Sunday.
