There are showdowns between the top two in Germany and Spain this weekend, as Bayern host Dortmund in Der Klassiker and Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid to the Nou Camp. Here are Things to Look out for in European Football this weekend. You can bet on European football here.
Title-deciding Der Klassiker?
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund lock horns in a nail-biting showdown in the 100th Klassiker on Saturday evening. This hair-raising clash promises to be a pulsating one given the Bundesliga title will be at stake. With just two points separating leaders Dortmund and reigning champions Bayern, the match is well poised and the result will have far-reaching ramifications. The visitors won last time out 3-2 and on Saturday evening, Bayern will want to dent a huge blow to their nemesis, who haven’t won the league title since the 2011/2012 season. Dortmund have endured a revival under Swiss manager Lucien Favre this season, despite a few drawbacks, and maximum points for them will once again tip the scales in their favour.
Barca to extend lead at the top of La Liga?
Barcelona needed a 90th minute Lionel Messi free-kick and an injury-time equaliser from Luis Suarez to rescue a point against Villarreal last time out. That thrilling encounter ended in a 4-4 draw and now the Catalans meet second-placed Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp in a top-of-the-table clash. Atletico cut Barca’s lead to eight points after their 2-0 win over Girona. Diego Simeone’s side are always difficult to play against. However, the hosts have beaten them twice in five matches with only one match seeing three goals scored. Barca are unstoppable at home and Atletico will have to be up for it or risk going back home empty-handed.
Another blow for AC Milan in the top four race
AC Milan’s good form in 2019 in Serie A has faded off lately. They’ve not won in their last three matches, losing twice and drawing one. Their next match is against leaders Juventus away from home. Gennaro Gattuso’s men will have to produce something special to beat the Bianconeri in their backyard and keep their top four hopes alive. Reigning champions Juve have beaten Milan seven times in a row, a record Milan will want to banish on Saturday.
Villareal and Celta Vigo relegation battle
Villareal and Celta Vigo are in trouble in La Liga. Mainstays Villarreal sit precariously in 17th place in the table just a point above fellow relegation-threatened side Celta Vigo. With less than ten matches to go, both teams’ chances of survival hinge on the remaining matches. Villareal have won just three times since December. Furthermore, on Tuesday, they failed to hold on to the three points against Barcelona, allowing them to come back from 4-2 down to snatch a draw. Celta could only manage a 3-3 draw against another relegation candidate Huesca. This weekend both teams have difficult fixtures with Villarreal travelling to face Real Betis while Celta Vigo hosts Real Sociedad. The Yellow Submarine are still in the Europa League which makes their run-in more difficult.
Monaco to get to safety?
Monaco seemed to have hit their stride following the reappointment of Leonardo Jardim as permanent boss. They won four and drew three matches before losing to relegation strugglers Caen. However, Monaco could move farther away from the relegation zone with a victory over Guingamp who are 19th with 22 points. Monaco are eight points ahead of their next opponents sitting 16th with 30 points. A win will not obviously guarantee relegation but it would give them a better chance of steering clear of the relegation areas.