The Champions League knockout stages are just around the corner. The cup competitions in top European footballing nations are reaching a climax. Amid these knockout ties, a host of tantalising fixtures await us this weekend, in the top-five European leagues.
With a congested schedule calling for some rotation, it will be interesting to see how the teams approach the weekend fixtures.
We help you come up with a schedule which prioritises the best games of the week.
LA LIGA
FIXTURE: Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
WHERE: Wanda Metropolitano
WHEN: 9th February, Saturday
TIME: 6:15 PM (GST)
The biggest game of the weekend will be played at the Wanda Metropolitano as the Madrid Derby awaits to play its part in shaping the title race.
Atletico Madrid will want to put the disappointment at Benito Villamarin behind them and claim bragging rights against Los Blancos.
Real Madrid are victim to some harsh scheduling. They faced Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Atletico Madrid in La Liga and then Ajax in the Champions league over a seven-day period. Hence, one can expect Santiago Solari to rotate heavily during this crucial phase.
Alvaro Morata faces his former side and will hope he improves on an indifferent debut against Real Betis. Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema will be key for Madrid’s chances.
Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane
PREMIER LEAGUE
FIXTURE: Manchester City v Chelsea
WHERE: Etihad Stadium
WHEN: 10th February, Sunday
TIME: 8:00 PM (GST)
With Liverpool managing to gather just two points out of a possible six in their last two games, the Premier League title race is hotting up. Every game that features Liverpool and Manchester City will be key in determining the champions, let alone a game against a team from the top four.
Chelsea arrive to this clash after smashing five past Huddersfield, while the defending Champions breezed past a sub-par Arsenal.
Maurizio Sarri’s side handed City their first defeat of the season in December and could do a double over the defending champions on Sunday. This will make a huge case for their bid for a top-four spot.
Pep Guardiola will have his sight on the title and his mind on exacting revenge for the result in December.
Sergio Aguero takes on Gonzalo Higuain in the battle of the nines.
Pep Guardiola and Maurizio Sarri
SERIE A
FIXTURE: Fiorentina v Napoli
WHERE: Artemio Franchi
WHEN: 9th February, Saturday
TIME: 9:00 PM (GST)
Fiorentina host Carlo Ancelotti’s Nappoli at the Artemio Franchi on Saturday. A win for the hosts could allow Juventus to pull 12 points clear – assuming they make short work of Sassuolo – and essentially end the title race.
In the last five meetings between the two sides in the league, Fiorentina have won once and Napoli have twice. The visitors are favourites to extend their head-to-head dominance on Saturday.
However, the hosts recently decimated Roma 7-1 in the cup competition and will be confident heading into this fixture.
Lorenzo Insigne could hand Napoli the three points, while Fiorentina will be looking up to Giovanni Simeone for inspiration.
Lorenzo Insigne
BUNDESLIGA
FIXTURE: Bayern Munich v Schalke 04
WHERE: Allainz Arena
WHEN: 9th February, Saturday
TIME: 9:30 PM (GST)
The Bundesliga will see quite a few interesting fixtures this weekend, with RB Leipzig taking on the revelation of this season, Eintracht Frankfurt and league leaders Borussia Dortmund hosting Hoffenheim.
At Allainz Arena, Bayern Munich will aim to put their disappointment at Bayer Leverkusen behind them and strengthen their bid to a title defence.
Schalke have been at the receiving end of setback too, having lost 2-0 at home to Borussia Monchengladbach last week.
The head-to-head tilts the tie heavily in Munich’s favour and a Schalke win will be seen as a massive upset, given their form.
Daniel Caligiuri and Robert Lewandowski will spearhead their respective attacks into battle on Saturday and attempt to decide the tie on their own.
Robert Lewnadowski
LIGUE 1
FIXTURE: OGC Nice v Lyon
WHERE: Allainz Riviera
WHEN: 11th February, Monday
TIME: 12:00 AM (GST)
A European spot battle in Ligue 1 sees Nice host a high-flying Lyon on Sunday night.
The visitors start as favourites after they handed Paris Saint-Germain their first defeat in the league this season.
On the other hand, Nice have been underwhelming and find themselves struggling to score goals. They enter this tie from a 4-0 hammering by Lille last weekend.
The pair have won two games each in their last five meetings and this tie could be a more open affair than what the table says. Besides, Nice have an added incentive to win the game, given they are just three points below a European spot.
AC Milan target Allan Saint-Maxim could steal the game for the hopes as Nabil Fekir and Memphis Depay look to see off Nice in style.
Nabil Fekir