We have now entered the second half of the season and the scheduling of games has been highly taxing on players, with cup games now coming into the picture.
The gift that keeps on giving, the top five European leagues and associated domestic competitions have some exciting clashes lined up for the weekend. We take a look at some of the best ones.
LA LIGA
Fixture: Real Betis v Real Madrid
Venue: Benito Villamarin
Date: 13th January, Sunday
Time: 11:45 PM GST
Real Betis host Real Madrid at the Villamarin
In one of the biggest games of the weekend, Quique Setien’s Betis host a demoralised Madrid, who will need to shake off the 2-0 home defeat against Real Sociedad. The hosts have no reason to be upbeat either, having lost their previous league game to relegation threatened Huesca.
With just four points separating the two sides, this ‘battle between equals’ could shape the reminder of the season for either teams.
Misfiring Loren Moron and Karim Benzema need to slip into their scoring boots to help their team get the crucial win.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Fixture: Tottenham v Manchester United
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: 13th January, Sunday
Time: 8:30 PM GST
Tottenham beat Manchester United 3-0 in the reverse fixture.
In their last meeting, Tottenham completely dismantled United, courtesy of a splendid performance from Lucas Moura. However, things are different now for the Red Devils with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer winning all four games as interim boss.
United are getting the wins while playing a dominant, attacking brand of football and will be ready to provide a dent to whatever is left of Tottenham’s title hopes.
This will be Heung Min Son’s final game before he departs for the Asian Cup in the UAE with South Korea. Having stringed a few top-class performances, Marcus Rashford will be key for the visitors.
SERIE A
Fixture: Napoli v Lazio
Venue: Stadio San Paolo
Date: 13th January, Sunday
Time: 11:30 PM GST
Lorenzo Insigne
It is a battle between the second and fourth placed team in Serie A as a confident Napoli host a dodgy Lazio. The latter have dropped nine points out of 18 in the last six games and desperately need a win to get their season back on track.
The hosts have won four of the last five meetings between the two sides and start as favourites in this crucial tie.
As always, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens will be crucial for the hosts’ chances of getting the win. Ciro Immobile needs to inspire Lazio to a miracle, should the visitors hope to get back on track.
COPA DEL REY
Fixture: Athletic Club v Sevilla
Venue: San Mames
Date: 10th January, Thursday
Time: 10:30 PM GST
Sevilla have made a superb start to the campaign.
Athletic Club host Sevilla in the first leg of the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night. The Basque team are currently in a crisis in the league as they hover just above the relegation zone. A cup win could lift their spirits ahead of their league encounter against the same team this weekend.
If Sevilla are to better their Copa del Rey run from last season, they need to go all the way and win it. Pablo Machin’s men are favourites to prevail in all three games between the two teams in the next seven days.
Ligue 1
Fixture: Marseille v Monaco
Venue: Orange Velodrome
Date: 14th January, Monday
Time: 12:00 AM GST
Radamel Falcao
The league table is not in line with the claim that this is the biggest fixture in Ligue 1 this weekend. Sixth placed Marseille play host to a beaten down, relegation zone Monaco. But historically, this has always been a crunch fixture and Sunday will be no different.
Monaco have won just three games this season, with two of those coming in the last five games. The hosts are winless in their last three games, making this tie anyone’s game.
Florian Thuavin and Dimitri Payet will be key for the hosts as Monaco will be hoping that veteran Radamel Falcao comes clutch.