Not a bad showing by yours truly last week, as I only missed the Chelsea-Everton match. While many of you will have one eye trained on your NCAA Basketball bracket, the other should be fixed on the football world as this weekend brings its own kind of madness to the pitch. The Manchester Derby along with pivotal matches in Italy, Spain and North America are “can’t miss” viewing. The five best of the weekend are:
1. Manchester City v. Manchester United, Sunday 12:00 p.m. EST, NBC
Derby day in Manchester sees both sides focused on securing European qualification for next season. The Citizens waltz into the contest after qualifying for the Champions League quarterfinals with a resounding victory over Dynamo Kiev, 3-1 on aggregate.
Yet Manuel Pellegrini’s side has been dreadful in league play, securing only four points in the last five games. League leaders Leicester are 12 points ahead and while City has a game in hand, they need to be concerned about West Ham United breathing down their necks in fifth place.
Man City will lean on Kun Aguero, David Silva and Yaya on the offensive side, but may be stretched at the back after both starting center backs (Kompany, Otamendi) were injured in the first 24 minutes during the midweek. The Red Devils enter the derby with their heads down after crashing out of the Europa League to hated rival Liverpool on Thursday.
Louis van Gaal appears to have his job on the line once more and will need production from Anthony Martial and Juan Mata to stave off the job sackers once more.
Prediction: City crushes their rival, 4-1.
2. Real Madrid v. Sevilla, Sunday 3:30 p.m. EST, beIN Sports
Sevilla head to the capital after another successful week in the Europa League, as the Europa holders are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions and enter this tie after a 4-2 thumping of Villarreal last weekend. Leading scorer Kevin Gameiro and crew are five points out of fourth place and Champions League qualification.
Real Madrid may be tempted to look past Sevilla towards the next league match, El Clasico, but Ronaldo and company must be focused if they are to collect their ninth consecutive victory over Unai Emery’s side.
Prediction: Real stumbles as Sevilla draw them, 1-1.
3. Sporting KC v. Toronto, Sunday 7:00 p.m. EST, Fox Sports 1
It is very early in the MLS Season, but with league favorites Seattle and Columbus both stumbling out of the gate with two losses, Sporting and Toronto look to capitalize on unbeaten starts by putting distance between themselves and the media darlings. Sporting’s Dom Dwyer has had an excellent start with two goals, while Toronto counters with the reigning league MVP, Sebastian Giovinco, who also has two tallies on the young season.
Prediction: Sporting rolls on 2-0.
4. America v. Leon, Saturday 7:00 p.m. EST, Univision Deportes
Have America finally found their stride? After escaping Guadalajara with a win in a momentous Super Clasico, Oribe Peralta and teammates have their sights set on the top of the table. That climb could continue this weekend at the Azteca as second place Leon pays a visit.
The Emeralds coach, Luis Fernando Tena, will look for continued production from Mauro Boselli, who leads his team with five goals in only five games played.
Prediction: The points are shared as at least two players see red cards, 2-2.
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5. Roma v. Inter Milan, Saturday 3:35 p.m. EST, beIN Sports
Nine games remain in Serie A and while Juventus seems to have restored order at the top of the table, third place, which secures the final spot for the Champions League is up for grabs. Roma, are sitting in third place right now as the hottest team in Italy with eight straight league wins.
The Rome side, led by Egyptian speedster Mohamed Salah, is five points ahead of an Inter side that is looking for its first away victory since January. Inter coach Roberto Mancini will likely be without top scorer Mauro Icardi, who tweaked his knee in last weekends 2-1 win over Bologna.
Mancini will need Ivan Perisic, who has goals in his last two games, to produce for Inter to have a chance.
Prediction: Inter cannot make up for the loss of Icardi and falls 2-0 to Roma.
