I stayed on target with my predictions as I only missed the Madrid Derby pick (what is going on with Real Madrid!!?!!). Not to worry, I will miss them all this week as quality matches dot the globe and the MLS returns. Here are the five can’t miss matches of the weekend, including the critical North London derby:
The North London Derby, And Four Other Games
1. Tottenham Hotspur v. Arsenal, Saturday 7:45 a.m. EST, NBCSN
Could this be the most important North London Derby, ever? When Arsenal visits White Hart Lane on Saturday the pressure on both sides will be incredible. Spurs have not won a league title since 1961.
Arsenal last hoisted the league trophy after their unbeaten 2003-2004 campaign but limp into the derby without a victory in their last four matches in all competitions. Arsene Wenger’s squad is six points behind Cinderella with ten games to go and, while Leicester is far from safe, the Gunners cannot afford anymore listless effort like Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Swansea at the Emirates if they are going to stay in the title race.
Expect Arsenal to throw its attack forward at every opportunity. Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey must lead the Gunners’ snipers against Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris and the Premier League’s stingiest defense.
Tottenham will counter with their own offensive threesome lead by goalscorers Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Midfield maestro Christian Eriksen will organize the Spurs attack and pick out Kane and Alli with pinpoint passes. This could be the best match of the year in England.
Prediction: A scintillating affair as Spurs pull out a late 3-2 win over their bitter rival.
2. Borussia Dortmund v. Bayern Munich, Saturday 12:30 p.m. EST, Fox Soccer Plus
The Bundesliga is the jewel in Fox Sports soccer coverage. Dortmund versus Bayern is the biggest match in all of Germany. “Der Klassiker” pits 1 v. 2 in the league in a pivotal match in the final third of the league calendar.
Yet, the brain trust at Fox scheduled this pivotal match on Fox Soccer Plus. Fox Soccer Plus is not available on Comcast and is only carried in standard definition on Dish and Directv. Fox will be airing a Big East basketball game on FS 1 instead of the match featuring Providence (9-8 in the Big East) versus St. John’s (1-16 in the Big East). Fantastic work!
Those lucky enough to watch a grainy feed from Dortmund will see Bayern limp into the biggest domestic match of the year after a 2-1 home loss to Mainz. Dortmund glides into the match only five points behind Munich in the table and riding an eleven match unbeaten streak.
Marksman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the BVB attack against a suddenly shaky Bayern defense while Dortmund keeper Roman Burki will try to keep Munich’s attackers led by Lewandowski, Robben and Arturo Vidal at bay.
Prediction: BVB pulls within two points with a 2-1 win that I read about after the fact….
3. Portland Timbers v. Columbus Crew, Sunday 4:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
Football is back in the United States as the reigning MLS champions, Portland Timbers welcome fellow finalist Columbus to the Pacific Northwest to ring in the new season. The Crew were active in the offseason and added additional offensive power to an already potent attack led by Ethan Finlay and Kei Kamara.
MLS veteran Conor Casey and Norwegian national Ola Kamara (no relation to Kei) arrive to add further depth to their dynamic offense. The champs will look to midfield wizard Diego Valeri to coordinate their offensive push with the help of Darlington Nagbe and Argentinean wing Lucas Melano.
Prediction: Timbers saw through the Crew, 2-1.
4. Sporting CP v. Benfica, Saturday 3:45 p.m. EST, Univision Deportes
It is 1 v. 2 in the Primeira Liga as the best in Portugal face off in the Lisbon derby. Top of the table Sporting CP welcomes cross-town rival Benfica to the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Saturday. Benfica trail Sporting by one point in the standings with 10 games to go. The visitors are led by a Brazilian, Jonas, who has 26 goals in 24 league games. Sporting will counter with their own goalscorer, as, the Algerian, Islam Slimani leads their attack.
Prediction: Benfica goes to the top of the table, 2-1.
5. Monterrey v. Tigres, Saturday 8:00 p.m. EST, Univision Deportes
While many Liga MX fans will have an eye on the America v Morelia match at Azteca where Cuauhtemoc Blanco will make a farewell appearance for Las Aguilas, the matchup of the week takes place in Monterrey. Defending champs, Tigres, pay a visit to their cross-town and give us our third derby of the day. Monterrey is at the top of the standings in Mexico but are reeling from a 4-0 drubbing to Cruz Azul last weekend.
Tigres looked uninspired during the midweek conclusion of their tie with Real Salt Lake. All struggles aside, both teams have ample talent and abundant desire to defeat their rival. It should be fantastic.
Prediction: Monterrey and Tigres duke it out to a 2-2 tie while at Azteca, Temo is very tired after just a few minutes.
Three separate derbies with huge league implications along with the biggest domestic match in Germany! Enjoy!!
