As the world prepares for The Force Awakens, the football-scheduling gods have set up a great weekend of football across the globe to watch while you wait in line to see Episode VII. Also, check out these fantastic Star Wars football kits designed by Nerea Palacios. Here are the top five can’t miss matches this weekend:
River Plate vs. Barcelona
Sunday at 5:30 a.m. EST on Fox Sports 1
“Do or do not. There is no try.” Can River Plate heed Yoda’s advice and take the World Club Cup trophy from overwhelming favorite, Barcelona? More importantly, do you dare record the final to watch at a more civilized time with the Jawas of social media seeking to spoil the result? That is a tough call. Either way, the World Club Cup Final is a must-see as The Copa Libertadores champions will look to slow Luis Suarez and Barcelona.
The Argentine side also showcases a Uruguayan striker, as Rodrigo Mora leads their attack. River Plate will need production from Mora as Barca has scored goals in eleven straight games in all competitions (nine of which were mulit-goal games). Prediction: Barca Strikes Back 3-1.
Chelsea vs. Sunderland
Saturday at 10 a.m. EST on NBCSN
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…..Chelsea won the league, Eden Hazard was the Player of the Year in England and Jose Mourinho looked untouchable. Seven Months later? Chelsea, and new interim manager Guus Hiddink look for valuable points when Sunderland visits West London in a relegation battle this Saturday while The Belgian talisman hopes to notch home his first goal of the season.
American “New Hope” Deandre Yedlin will look to use his pace up the right side against a weary Chelsea back four as Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce seeks all three points for his side. Prediction: Hiddink rouses the sleeping giant, 2-0 Chelsea with a goal by Hazard!
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
Monday at 3:00 p.m. EST on NBCSN
“I suggest a new strategy, R2:let the Wookie win.” It could be Han Solo’s multiple references to C-3P0 as “professor” in the original trilogy, but Arsene Wenger has always reminded me of the golden one. “Goldenrod” Wenger must have enjoyed watching Jose Mourinho’s dismissal in West London but his Gunners need to build momentum over Christmas with Barcelona waiting for Arsenal in the knockout round of the Champions League.
City hope that Kun Aguero has recovered from his heel injury and can return to the pitch. If he cannot, Manuel Pellegrini will need the midfield duo of de Bruyne and Toure to fuel the Light Blue engine. Both sides will be desperate for all three points to keep pace with Leicester City, who looks unstoppable right now. Prediction: the sides share the points, 2-2. Very Jar Jar Binks!
Hertha BSC vs. Mainz 05
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EST on Fox Sports 1
“Return to the Champions League” is Hertha’s motto as the third place side hosts Mainz 05 on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The Old Lady of German football is currently in position to make only its second trip to the Champions League (the other was in 2000). Hertha have won four of their last five and are led by former Chelsea man, Salomon Kalou, with eight league goals and the third-best defense in the Bundesliga.
Mainz is no slouch, sitting in seventh in the table and without a loss since October. The O-fives are led by the YM tandem of Yunus Malli (eight goals) and Yoshinori Muto (seven goals) which are the third most dangerous combo in Germany. Prediction: Hertha inches one step closer to the Champions League with a 2-1 win.
Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano
Saturday at 10:00 a.m. EST on beIN Sports
“It’s a trap!” With Barca half a world away and relegation zone dweller Rayo Vallecano visiting the Bernabeu, it should be an easy three points for CR7 and crew. But the league campaign has been anything but easy for Los Blancos.
Still, with Rayo’s leading scorer, Javi Guerra, suspended it is likely that Real will enter the winter break on a high note. Prediction: Admiral Ackbar can relax as Real Madrid blasts Rayo, 5-0.
