5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

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Emily Wilson·21 January 2022

5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

Article image:5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

There is plenty of mouth-watering action scheduled in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands this weekend so be sure to clear your calendar.

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


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A coming of age story

Article image:5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

Spice rating: Mild

While many would have tipped Manchester City’s game with Arsenal as the big Women’s Super League clash, what if it’s not the must-watch game of the weekend? What if it’s Manchester United versus Tottenham?

Sitting third and fourth respectively, both sides have 21 points to their name, level with second-place Chelsea only three behind leaders Arsenal. Plus they’re both unbeaten in three games and have identical records (six wins, two losses and three draws).

Despite finishing in the bottom half of the table last season, Spurs are quickly developing into potential title chasers. Manchester United are doing just the same and, after knocking out Arsenal in the Conti Cup, their confidence will be at an all-time high.

How this match finishes could have a massive impact on not only the title race, but also the fight for Women’s Champions League spot and the future development of both clubs.


All eyes set on promotion

Article image:5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

Spice rating: Medium

They’re one of the stories of the season this year and things could get even better for St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga as they face rivals Hamburg on Friday.

Both teams are fighting for promotion to the top flight and neither side are too far off.

St. Pauli sit top of the table with a one-point lead. While their recent league form isn’t the greatest (winless in their last three) they did beat Dortmund in the cup in midweek and are unbeaten in five derbies, winning the last two. Hamburg, meanwhile, are currently fifth in the table but are unbeaten in three league games.

If the visitors can pull off an away win it would propel their promotion dreams even further but the hosts can still keep themselves in the mix if they hold on to all three points against their fierce rivals.


Drama set to take centre stage in Milan

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Spice rating: Hot

The stage is set in Italy as Massimiliano Allegri brings Juventus to face his former club.

While the two sides are well separated in the table, the match has plenty of narratives for second-place Milan and fifth-place Juventus.

Despite starting the Serie A season on the wrong foot, Allegri’s side have rediscovered their identity and are unbeaten in eight league matches. Federico Chiesa has been lost to injury but Weston McKennie and Paulo Dybala have stepped up for the Bianconeri.

Meanwhile, Milan stumbled recently against Spezia and Napoli so a statement win for Stefano Pioli’s men is very much needed to see them keep testing Inter for the title. Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão continue to be in fine form and will be key.

Plus, there’s the potential to see Zlatan Ibrahimović face Giorgio Chiellini one more time.


The trophy hunting continues in Spain

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Spice rating: Fire

The trophy hunting in Spain continues on Sunday as Atlético Madrid take on Barcelona in the Supercopa de España Femenina final.

After both scraping through thrilling semi-finals, these Primera Iberdrola heavyweights have a chance to earn some silverware mid-way through the season.

Now despite an impressive treble last season, the Supercopa was one of the trophies Barcelona didn’t win. Instead, the honours went to Atleti after they beat Levante 3-0.

The four-team version of this competition is only two years old and the first edition of this tournament was won by the Blaugrana. Bragging rights are up for grabs again here.


A potential title-deciding derby

Spice rating: Insane

There’s a season-defining moment set to take place in the Eredivisie as reigning champions Ajax face rivals PSV in Eindhoven.

The last meeting between these two sides saw Ajax hammer PSV 5-0 in Amsterdam but Roger Schmidt’s side have bounced back in style, going undefeated in nine straight Eredivisie games to sit top of the table.

Erik ten Hag’s side sit one point behind after stumbling against AZ Alkmaar back in December. While they have managed to win their last three games, if they lose on Sunday the gap will extend to four and the title race will be out of their hands.

Having thrashed Ajax 4-0 to win the Johan Cruyff shield in August, PSV will do everything they can on home turf to take themselves one step closer to a first league title since 2017/18.