5️⃣ spicy European fixtures you MUST watch this weekend 🌶️ | OneFootball

The entertainment continues this weekend as football slowly approaches the upcoming winter break.

Here are the five non-Premier League games you truly won’t want to miss.

Mixing up the table

Spice rating: Mild 🌶️

Our first of two spicy fixtures in Serie A this weekend sees Atalanta host Roma on Saturday afternoon.

While it’s not a derby and the teams are separated by nine points in the table, it’s still an important clash for the hosts who have a chance to move higher up in the table if they can conjure up a win.

The title race is tense in Italy mid-way through the season as only four points separate the top four teams. It also happens to be one of the tightest gaps across Europe’s top-five leagues.

But while Atalanta (third) are currently on a six-game winning streak, we all know Jose Mourinho can throw a wrench in things. So, could the sixth-place visitors (who are suffering a slight injury crisis) cause an upset away from home to see Atalanta lose ground?

The possibility – and the pressure – is there.

Fun fact: Atlanta have earned 10 points out of a possible 12 in the last four meetings against Roma, outscoring them nine to three.

The chase is on

Spice rating: Medium 🌶🌶

Things spice up as we move over to Spain where second-place Sevilla host fourth-place Atlético Madrid in a tasty LaLiga clash on Saturday.

Julen Lopetegui’s side have been in impeccable form this season and must continue their run of good fortune if they want to challenge Real Madrid for top spot. A win over the visitors would see the gap close to just five points and Sevilla’s winning streak extend to three in a row.

Diego Simeone’s men, on the other hand, sit a few spots below their upcoming opponents and 13 points from top spot. After back-to-back defeats, will Atleti be able to finally turn their woes around with a big result in Sevilla?

And depending on how things go at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, fans could be in store for some touchline theatrics with two lively managers. Can either one steer their side towards three crucial points to gain ground in the LaLiga race ahead of the upcoming break?

Fun fact: Four out of the last six meetings between these two sides have ended in draws meaning it could be a nail-biter on Saturday evening.

Let the showdown begin

Spice rating: Hot 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

You might need to stay up late to catch the drama over Guadalupe but we’re confident the lack of sleep will be worth it.

It’s part one of what’s expected to be a thrilling two-leg final as Tigres and Monterrey women go head-to-head at The Estadio BBVA with the chance to move half a step closer to claiming the Apertura title.

Upcoming hosts Monterrey secured a chance to fight for silverware after edging past Atlas in the semi-finals thanks to away goals. They finished second in the league with a 14-1-2 record only behind their upcoming opponents.

Tigres, meanwhile, look to claim back-to-back titles following their Guard1anes 2021 victory back in May. A second-leg hammering against Club América – inspired by Liliana Mercado’s stunning free-kick – saw the club cruise into the final. The table-toppers went unbeaten this season (15-0-2).

Yet form goes out the window as the showdown begins this weekend.

Fun fact: Both sides are familiar with the final, and the last time they faced each other Tigres won 3-2 after penalties.

Season defining moment?

Spice rating: Fire 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Our second highlighted match from Serie A has even more riding on the result as Milan host Napoli in one of the matches of the weekend.

As aforementioned, the race over in Italy is one of the tightest across Europe with only four points separating the top four. And since it’s scheduled as the final game for matchday 18, there are big implications.

Depending on how things play out between Salernitana and Inter on Friday and then Atalanta and Roma on Saturday, this heavy-weight clash could really shake up the table. In fact, there’s a potential for a three-way tie depending on how things go.

Milan currently sit second in the standings breathing down Inter’s necks. They’re unbeaten in three and have the potential to go top if the cards fall their way. Napoli, meanwhile, stumbled into fourth yet only sit four points behind. The visitors could bounce back in a big way and leapfrog the hosts with a win.

Regardless of the other results on the weekend, fans will surely be treated to an entertaining battle. Sunday’s meeting, as a result, can easily become a defining moment in Serie A this season.

Fun fact: Bragging rights are also up for grabs in this clash with the sides earning two draws and one win each from their last four meetings.

Old rivals meet again in De Klassieker

Spice rating: Insane 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

The hottest match of the weekend takes place in the Netherlands as old rivals Feyenoord and Ajax go head-to-head in De Klassieker.

Sunday afternoon will have fans from both sides wishing they could chant on their club in person but Covid restrictions in the region mean the jeers and whistles will have to take place at home.

However, just because De Kuip will be empty doesn’t mean this mouth-watering clash won’t be a feisty affair. The Eredivisie race is another one running right down to the wire with the top three separated by just one point. Feyenoord (third) and Ajax (second) are level on points with PSV Eindhoven above.

The hosts haven’t won a clash against their arch-rivals in four games, the last time being a 6-2 win at home in the 2018-19 season. But can they capitalise on Ajax’s slip from the top to take the title race into own their hands? Or will the current champions continue their success in the derby?

It is going to be a battleground in Rotterdam – and it will also be extra special for Steven Berghuis who was Feyenoord’s captain before controversially leaving for Ajax in 2021.

Only the strongest will survive. Who will come out on top?

Fun fact: Feyenoord and Ajax first went head-to-head 100 years ago back in 1921 where the club from Amsterdam thought they won 3-2 only to see the result reduced to 2-2.