5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

Even after a packed midweek, this weekend is full of interesting fixtures to settle down and enjoy.

Here are five matches to look forward to this weekend …

Wigan v Huddersfield

This might be spicy enough on its own with the regional rivalry between a Lancashire and a Yorkshire club, but to make this game even more significant, Wigan and Huddersfield both find themselves inside the Championship bottom three.

Both sides have endured managerial turmoil of late, with Kolo Touré sacked after just nine games in charge at Wigan, and replaced by former Latics player Shaun Maloney.

Meanwhile Huddersfield have parted ways with Mark Fotheringham after only 21 games in charge with assistant Narcis Pelach set to take charge this weekend.

A relegation six-pointer with added local rivalry? Yes please!

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Monaco v PSG

PSG boss Christophe Galtier finds himself under pressure, having only suffered two defeats and one draw in their past six Ligue 1 fixtures, as well as having been dumped out of the Coupe de France by Marseille earlier in the week.

Injury problems add to the boss’ woes, with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi among those on the injury list ahead of this weekend’s clash with Monaco.

As if that wasn’t difficult enough, PSG also have a Champions League clash against Bayern Munich to worry about on Tuesday.

Could there be another defeat on the cards for the French champions?

Spice rating: Medium 🌶 🌶

Leipzig v Union Berlin

Union Berlin continue their unlikely quest to become Bundesliga champions this season as they travel to fourth-placed Leipzig on Saturday.

Urs Fischer’s side are currently just one point behind Bayern Munich in the table, but taking three points at the Red Bull Arena will not be easy by any means.

Leipzig haven’t lost for 12 matches and since Marco Rose took over in September, they have collected the most points in the league and conceded the fewest goals.

What’s more, they haven’t yet lost at home this season but Union Berlin have become experts at pulling off what previously seemed impossible.

A fascinating encounter awaits.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶 🌶 🌶

Juventus v Fiorentina

A look at the Serie A table shows Juventus just two points ahead of Fiorentina after a recent 15 point deduction for the Bianconeri.

Yet this game will not just be fiercely contested as part of a battle for mid-table mediocrity, because here lies a deep seated hatred that has existed for over 30 years.

The riots in Florence sparked by the transfer of Roberto Baggio to Juventus is a well-known story, but there have been been plenty of incidents since to fuel the vitriol that exists from Fiorentina supporters towards Juventus.

The sale of home-grown star Federico Chiesa to their most hated rivals was perhaps the most recent, although there are other issues between the two sides.

A statement from Fiorentina supporters groups earlier this week confirmed that they would not travel to Turin for this fixture

“We will never accept the conditions imposed by those who have always represented the absolute evil of football,” read their declaration.

“We will never pay these insane amounts to watch their dirty show. We will never accept registering on the official Juventus website, as explicitly required to purchase tickets.”

An intensely worded statement that reflects just how hotly contested this match will be.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Real Madrid v Al Hilal

Real Madrid take a break from their domestic calendar this weekend to play in the Club World Cup final, against a backdrop of chatter surrounding the side.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to be under pressure after recent disappointing result, and there are strong rumours linking the Italian coach with the vacant Brazil job too.

Vinícius Júnior is suffering from repeated acts of racism against him, which of course puts him at the centre of intense media attention.

Winning a trophy would go some way to disperse some of the negative press attention, yet title rivals Barcelona will have the chance to extend their lead to eleven points while Madrid are playing at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

A lot rides on a positive outcome for the Champions League holders.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶