As promised, my predictions for futbal were awful, 0-5…but I nailed the Super Bowl call, I will take it. Enough said about that, on to the top five matches you can’t miss this weekend:
Juventus vs. Napoli, Saturday 2:45 p.m. EST beIN Sports
Italia, Italia, Italia! First vs. second in Serie A meet Saturday when league leaders Napoli travel to Turin to face Juventus, winners of 14 in a row! This is the biggest match of the year in Italy. The blue of Napoli will look to Gonzalo Higuain, the leading scorer in Italy, to solve Juve’s defense, the stingiest in all of Serie A.
The Argentine Higuain will look for balls in the box from Lorenzo Insigne, who leads the league with 10 assists. The Old Lady of Italian football has not allowed a goal in seven matches and has only seen 15 goals get past all-world keeper, Gianluigi Buffon. In other words, Juve’s defense is stifling!
With the best versus the best when Napoli possesses the ball, the match may turn on what Juventus can get past Pepe Reina and Napoli’s D. When Juventus has the ball they rely heavily on their own Argentine, Paulo Dybala, who leads the team in goals (13) and assists (8). The match could turn on whether Dybala can find a way past Napoli’s defense that is the second most imposing in Italy. This will be a classic.
Prediction: Juventus makes it 15 in a row, 1-0.
Arsenal vs. Leicester City, Sunday 7:00 a.m. EST NBCSN
Leicester City silenced the world last weekend when they dominated Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad. Their next challenge is a trip to the Emirates, where Arsene Wenger and his Gunners await the Foxes.
Arsenal will look their star-studded midfield of Alexis, Ozil and Ramsey to press Robert Huth and Leicester’s back four. Keeper Petr Cech will hope to keep Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez from adding to their goal tallies, which is a high order. This could be a goalfest, so if it is too early for you, set your DVR!
Prediction: The viewers win as the sides share the points, 3-3.
Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur, Sunday 11:15 a.m. EST NBCSN
England’s other top four squads face off in Manchester when the Spurs, winners of four in a row, try to cut into Leicester’s five-point lead. Tottenham may feel that the Citizens are reeling after being pushed around by the league leaders last weekend, so look for Harry Kane and Dele Alli to hit the ground running when the whistle is blown.
Manuel Pellegrini will welcome back Vincent Kompany and will also have David Silva’s services available in what has become a must-win game for the Citizens.
Prediction: Spurs roll on 2-1.
Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club, Saturday 10:00 a.m. EST beIN Sports
No Bale no problem? The Welshman will miss the Athletic match with a calf injury as Real Madrid seeks to keep its two month unbeaten streak alive. Zidane will also be without Pepe and Marcelo, but don’t be concerned; Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will be on the pitch for Real. Athletic Club will look for its first win at the Bernabeu in 11 years behind leading scorer, Aritz Aduriz.
Prediction: Another loss in Madrid for Athletic Bilbao, 4-1.
Santos Laguna vs. Monterrey, Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST, Azteca
South of the Border!! Liga MX leaders Monterrey travel to Torreon to face Santos Friday night. Santos have yet to concede a goal at home this season but are coming off a disappointing loss to America at the Azteca last week. Monterrey will look to leading scorer Rogelio Funes Mori to notch home for the visitors while Santos will attempt to keep the clean sheet streak and knock the league leaders down a notch.
Prediction: 2-2 tie with equal parts open play and drama, in other words, at least one red card.
Best match off the grid: Benfica v. Porto, Friday 3:30 p.m. EST
First and third meet in Portugal as Benfica and Porto face off. Univision Deportes owns the rights to the league but for some reason they are not showing the match, which will showcase some of the best of Portugal and Mexico as Tecatito, Layun and Herrera look to right the ship for a Porto team that has lost six of their last 12 games. For a great preview of a match you can’t watch, click here.
Prediction: I will be frustrated at missing a classic, 2-1 for Porto.
