El Clasico was memorable while my predictions this past weekend were not. I pegged three correct winners without getting close on any scores. It could be worse, I could have received a red card for hitting my own keeper. Uff Da!! With the domestic seasons winding down, here are the five best matches of the weekend:
1. Tottenham Hotspur v. Manchester United, Sunday 11:00 a.m. ET, NBCSN
It is now or never for Spurs as last week’s 1-1 tie with Liverpool coupled with Leicester’s 1-0 victory over Southampton increased the Foxes league lead to seven points with six matches to play. Harry Kane and company welcome youngster Anthony Martial and his Red Devils to North London in a critical match for both sides Sunday. Tottenham, who have the stingiest defense in England, will focus on the young Frenchman along with playmaker Juan Mata. Louis van Gaal’s side must keep an eye on Kane, who notched his 22nd league goal last weekend at Anfield, but the Dutch manager must beware of Christian Eriksen, who pushes all of the right buttons for Tottenham.
Prediction: Gritty English football, 0-0.
2. West Ham v. Arsenal, Saturday 7:45 a.m. ET, NBCSN
Staying in England, there is a London Derby on Saturday as Arsenal makes their last trip to Upton Park to face the Hammers. West Ham, who is in the midst of a fantastic season, will move to the Olympic Stadium next season and have only four league matches left at their storied grounds. The Iron are only three points from a Champions League qualification and will look to put the brakes on the Gunners’ dynamic offense led by Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud. West Ham will look to free kick wizard Dmitri Payet to press Arsenal’s back four.
Prediction: A big day for Payet and the Hammers, 2-0 to West Ham.
3. Schalke 04 v. Borussia Dortmund, Sunday 9:30 a.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
In Germany there is a dogfight shaping up for the two final Champions League positions as four points separate five clubs. Schalke will look to rebound after last week’s 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Ingolstadt and move up the table. To do that Schalke will need production from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has not scored in over a month in the Bundesliga. Dortmund are coming off the emotional return of Jurgen Klopp during the midweek that saw the home side draw with Liverpool 1-1. The Yellow and Black attack will need to stay focused to stretch their unbeaten streak to seventeen games in all competitions. Look for the offensive tandem of Aubameyang and Reus to make Schalke’s back four scramble.
Prediction: Dortmund’s streak is snapped, 1-0 for Schalke.
4. Real Sociedad v. Barcelona, Saturday 2:30 p.m. ET, beIN Espanol
Which Barcelona side will show up on Saturday? Will it be the inept side that got pushed around by Real Madrid and fell behind to Atletico before Fernando Torres bailed them out, or will the champions once again rise to the occasion and crush an overmatched opponent? Real Sociedad will look to build off of their 2-1 defeat of Sevilla last weekend. What Sociedad has to guard against is an onslaught the likes of which they experienced in November when they traveled to the Nou Camp. On that day Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 win behind goals from Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
Prediction: Look for a repeat as Barca hits full stride again, 5-0.
5. Sunderland v. Leicester City, Sunday 8:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN
Let this sink in for a moment. In the top four leagues in Europe (England, Spain, Italy and Germany), Leicester City enjoys the largest lead at the top of the table with a seven-point cushion. Astonishing! The Foxes will look to stretch that lead when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Manager Sam Allardyce and a Sunderland side desperate for points as they fend off relegation.The Black Cats have a streak of four straight ties going but need a win if they are to catch Norwich, which is four points ahead in the table.
Prediction: The Magical Mystery Tour goes on, 2-1 for Leicester.
Bonus!!! America v. Tijuana, Saturday 6:00 p.m. ET, Univision Deportes
Sparks will fly when Miguel Herrera returns to the Azteca leading his new team, Tijuana, in a critical match. Herrera’s team holds the final playoff spot with five games remaining, but anything is possible South of the Border. America is riding a four game winning streak and could find themselves at the top of the table with a win over their old manager and a Monterrey loss to Chiapas. With Herrera present, this matchup promises to have as much action in the manager’s box as on the pitch!
Prediction: Herrera entertains while his club holds America to a tie, 1-1
Enjoy!!
