5️⃣ Spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

We’re getting down to the nitty-gritty in the 2022-23 season. Here are some of the clashes with the most at stake this weekend.

WSL drama at either end

We’re starting off in the Women’s Super League this weekend as Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur with plenty on the line at either end of the table.

Last season, Marc Skinner’s side indicated they could be title contenders and their development has since skyrocketed. United sit top of the league with 47 points and only two losses, already matching last season’s record with three games to go. They also have the highest goal-difference (+39), with Arsenal and Chelsea tied for second (+29).

Whilst Manchester City and Chelsea remain hot on their heels for the title (three and four points back respectively), Skinner’s squad depth has proved to be a game-changer with Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Katie Zelem all being difference-makers.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are struggling in the league. Vicky Jepson’s squad are undefeated in their last two but only have one win since February. Spurs sit ninth in the table, three points above the relegation zone and two clubs below them have games in hand.

Considering the WSL schedule, the three points up for grabs at Leigh Sports Village are clutch. Tottenham face relegation rivals Reading in two weeks before ending the season against Chelsea, where the Blues may need all three points to edge United for the title.

Spurs have had issues preventing their opposition from scoring first, conceding the opener in their last four games. Bethany England (five goals in five games) and Eveliina Summanen (three from three) must reverse this theme against a United side that should come out flying at home.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Make or break for Bayern

Everything is in Bayern Munich’s hands to lift their 11th Bundesliga title in a row despite an extremely sub-par season for the German giants.

Thomas Tuchel’s appointment to take over for Julian Nagelsmann continues to be surrounded by question marks, and with only one win in their last five games, it is do or die at this point to save the season.

The door is wide open with four games to go, and Borussia Dortmund’s latest typical blunder sees the reigning champions hold a one-point lead.

Unfortunately for Bayern, they will be without several key men for their trip to Werder Bremen. Dayot Upamecano and Josip Stanišić are out, while Leon Goretzka is suspended. That’s in addition to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Alphonso Davies, who are also absent.

The last time these two faced off, Bayern ran rampant, winning 6-1. But now it’s Tuchel in charge, Yann Sommer in nets, and three starters from that match are missing. An added boost, however, is that Bremen only have one win from their last eight fixtures and haven’t kept a clean sheet since 25 February, conceding 17 in that time.

So after early exits in the DFB Pokal and the Champions League, Bayern finds themselves with a final opportunity to rewrite the season and get Tuchel back in the good books.

Another potential slip-up hands Dortmund the chance to go top, and another glaring opportunity might not arrive again for the serial winners.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶 🌶

Will Milan’s gamble come back to bite?

Looking at the current Serie A table, it’s difficult to remember Milan were the champions of Italy last season.

Stefano Pioli’s side sit in a lowly sixth position, 22 points off their newly crowned successors as champions, Napoli, and could miss out on Europe altogether if they don’t reverse a run of form that has seen them win just two of their last nine games and pick up a result against upcoming opponents Lazio.

The one caveat is they have played their reserve team in recent fixtures as a crunch Champions League semi-final with city rivals Inter awaits. But could the gamble to keep everyone fit and fresh for Europe end up backfiring?

With five games to go, the club is 12 points off Champions League football and face a determined Roma and surprise contenders Atalanta in the race for the top four.

Second-place Lazio, who have had a very strong season in the shadow of Napoli’s dominance, will enter the San Siro ready to inflict more misery on the hosts after their 4-0 win earlier this season, which featured four different scorers.

Maurizio Sarri’s side have slipped up twice lately, losing to Inter and Torino, but have history on their side with those acting as their only two league defeats since 19 February. There have also been eight clean sheets from those 11 games.

Plenty of top talent will look to get the ball rolling as Ciro Immobile will likely lead the line for the visitors alongside Mattia Zaccagni and Sergej Milinković-Savić. If called upon, can Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leão and Mike Maignan step up for Milan?

Spice rating: Hot 🌶 🌶 🌶

All eyes on final spot for Europe

Paris Saint-Germain’s drama may have captivated the headlines of late, but we’re here to remind you of other important events happening in Ligue 1.

The race for Champions League football is tense as third-place Lens host second-place Marseille, with the sides only separated by one point.

Since shockingly bowing out of the French Cup to Annecy, the visitors are unbeaten in eight games, which is largely thanks to their ability to grind out late victories. The hosts, meanwhile, also walk into this clash with form in their favour having won six of their last seven games, only losing to PSG in that span.

It’s a clash featuring plenty of talent, too.

Marseille’s Cengiz Ünder (three goals in three games) and Alexis Sánchez will likely play a role while Dimitri Payet provides creative aid off the bench. Matteo Guenzdozi, Jordan Veretout and Sead Kolašinac also boost the lineup.

Lens’ leading scorer Loïs Openda has three goals in his last two games, the ever-present Przemysław Frankowski dictates midfield and has also found his scoring form as of late. In contrast, goalkeeper Brice Samba leads a composed defence that has five clean sheets from its last seven outings.

Whoever wins this match could also apply further pressure to the league leaders’ fragile dressing room and see the title race end dramatically. However, claiming the one automatic qualification spot for Europe no doubt remains the primary focus.

Lens’ 1-0 win over Marseille earlier this season featured six yellow cards – so you can expect another tense 90 minutes this weekend.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

David and Goliath in CDR Final

Finally, another title is up for grabs as Real Madrid and Osasuna look to lift the Copa del Rey trophy. This season’s Spanish Cup is a real David against Goliath story.

Jagoba Arrasate’s side are in their second-ever final and will hope to win the trophy for the first time after an impressive run in the competition. Osasuna upset three LaLiga rivals en route to the final, beating Real Betis on penalties, Sevilla in the 99th minute and Athletic Club in extra-time away at San Mamés.

Their biggest challenge awaits as Carlo Ancelotti’s side hope to lift their 20th title. Having virtually lost LaLiga already and a crunch Champions League semi-final with Manchester City next, this could be Madrid’s only major silverware this season.

Los Blancos have the upper hand looking at their head-to-head record with a draw and a win in LaLiga, but a final is always a clean slate.

Madrid have also looked like a shadow of themselves lately, with shocking losses to Girona and Real Sociedad, conceding eight goals while scoring only six.

This may be the perfect time for Osasuna to strike, and club president Luis Sabalza told The Athletic, “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being here preparing for this. There will be at least 24,000 of our fans at La Cartuja, the biggest mass movement of Osasunistas in history.”

As the saying goes, there’s nothing like the magic of the cup! We could be in store for quite a 2023 final.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶