5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

The weekend is almost upon us and what a weekend of football it promises to be.

Here are the top five fixtures you simply cannot miss.

A must-win at the Etihad

Last weekend Newcastle United suffered their first big disappointment since the 2021 takeover when they were beaten by Manchester United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.

The thousands of Geordies who made the trip to London for the game will take comfort from the thought that this is merely the beginning for the Magpies, and qualification for next season’s Champions League is still very much within their sights.

But even with two games in hand on fourth-placed Tottenham, Eddie Howe’s side cannot afford to drop too many more points, and they have a daunting trip to face Manchester City coming their way on Saturday lunchtime.

Since losing at Tottenham in early February, City have gone on a six-match unbeaten run and are in their richest vein of form since before the World Cup. The goals are flowing, Phil Foden is back in business, and the debate about Erling Haaland’s suitability to Pep Guardiola’s team has been put back in its box for now.

However, with Arsenal extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points on Wednesday night, the reigning champions can’t afford too many more slip-ups themselves.

These two sides played out an absorbing 3-3 draw at St James’ Park back in August, but only a win will do for them both this weekend.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Top four tussle in the Bundesliga

Over in Germany we also have a fixture coming our way this weekend which could be massive in terms of the Bundesliga title and Champions League places.

Bayern Munich’s comfortable victory over Union Berlin last weekend felt like a statement that the big boys are back in charge and the plucky underdogs shouldn’t get ideas above their station.

But Bayern can’t afford to take their foot off the gas with Borussia Dortmund emerging as a serious threat to the title having strung together seven consecutive victories since the Bundesliga returned from its winter break.

That leaves BVB level on points with Bayern at the top of the table, but their unblemished Rückrunde record will be put to the test when they welcome RB Leipzig to the Westfalenstadion on Friday night.

Leipzig were floundering until Marco Rose took over from Domenico Tedesco in September, and after kicking things off with a victory against his former club in his first match, the ex-Dortmund coach has overseen 17 wins in 25 matches, propelling his side into the top four and giving them an outside shot at the title if Bayern falter.

There are still 12 matches to go in Germany’s top flight this season, but the races for the title and the top four are shaping up to be two of the most fascinating in Europe. It feels like it’s been a little while since we’ve been able to say that, so let’s enjoy every second of it.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶 🌶

Silverware at stake in the WSL

Chelsea and Arsenal have been two of the strongest teams in the Women’s Super League in recent years, with the Blues pipping the Gunners to the title by just one point last season.

But while Chelsea are in a tight title race with Manchester United at the moment, Arsenal are in a rough patch of form which has seen them fall six points behind the league leaders, albeit with a game in hand.

And Jonas Eidevall’s side were dealt another big blow to their confidence when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Emma Hayes’s Chelsea last weekend.

So revenge and silverware will be up for grabs when the two London rivals meet again at Selhurst Park in the Women’s League Cup final this Sunday.

Chelsea booked their spot in the final with a 7-0 mauling of West Ham in the semis, while Arsenal narrowly eliminated cup holders Manchester City 1-0.

Arsenal have won this trophy five times before, compared to Chelsea’s two, and the Gunners perhaps need to win it again this weekend if they’re to get their season back on track.

A record-breaking 20,000 tickets have been sold for the final and it’s sure to be a high-quality contest between two top teams.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶 🌶 🌶

Wounded Mourinho faces an old foe

Whether he’s winning or losing, there has rarely been a dull moment in José Mourinho’s entire career, and Tuesday night was no exception.

Mourinho’s Roma found themselves on the receiving end of one of the shocks of the Serie A season when they were beaten by bottom club Cremonese, who hadn’t won any of the 23 previous league matches this term.

To make matters worse, Mourinho was shown his third red card of the season following a furious altercation with fourth official Marco Serra just after half-time.

The Roma boss has subsequently threatened legal action and insinuated that Serra – who is from Turin – deliberately provoked him ahead of Sunday’s clash with Juventus.

What is for sure is that Mourinho won’t be on the touchline when Roma welcome Juve to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in a match that could be huge in terms of both sides’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Since being hit with a 15-point deduction at the end of January, the Bianconeri have delivered a masterclass in keeping their eyes on the prize with four consecutive Serie A victories along with progression in the Coppa Italia and Europa League.

A further points deduction has not yet been ruled out, but Max Allegri’s side go into the Roma game 10 points off the fourth spot, with hopes of pulling off an unlikely assault on the European places.

With or without José, this promises to be a cracker.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Two tribes go to war

No matter who is competing for the Premier League title, Liverpool vs. Manchester United will always be English football’s premier rivalry in the eyes of many.

But it’s been a rather one-sided affair in recent years. Prior to this season, Liverpool had won their last three Premier League fixtures against United by an aggregate score of 13-2, with United’s last league victory over the Merseysiders happening back in March 2018.

It’s fair to say the tables have turned this season, however. While Liverpool’s glorious run under Jürgen Klopp appears to have ground to a shuddering halt, United have been revitalised under Erik ten Hag and lifted the first domestic silverware of the season when they overcame Newcastle at Wembley last weekend.

And you could say United’s revival truly began with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford back in August. You might say that Liverpool’s downfall began to take shape that night too.

United look a safe bet for a top four finish this season and should be considered part of the title race until they are mathematically out of it, while it’s going to take a huge effort from Liverpool if they are to claw their way into the European places in what’s left of their season.

But perhaps Sunday’s clash at Anfield could spark another revival, and the home crowd are sure to be right behind their team as another chapter is written in English football’s fiercest duel.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶