5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

As the season reaches crunch time across Europe, we look at the standout fixtures from around the continent this weekend.

Reading Women v Chelsea Women

The destination of the Women’s Super League will be decided on this final weekend after Manchester United did their bit to take it to the end.

Chelsea put one hand on retaining their crown with victory over Arsenal last weekend but Marc Skinner’s side responded through Lucía García’s injury-time win over City in the derby to take things down to the wire.

A tasty clash with Liverpool is on the slate for them on the final weekend and United know that only three points will do to keep them in the title hunt but even then, it may not be enough.

Chelsea are essentially just a point away from a fourth straight title (leading United by two points and boasting a superior goal difference) but things are doubly interesting for Emma Hayes’ group.

They face bottom of the table Reading on the road and only a win for the Royals will keep them in with a chance of staying up.

It is very much everything to play for at both ends of the table.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Hearts v Hibs

In Scotland, the Glasgow derby between Celtic and Rangers hogs the majority of headlines and attention when it comes to spicy fixtures.

But the capital’s rivalry between Hearts and Hibernian is filled with the same passion, hatred and electricity.

And they face off on the final weekend at a sold-out Tynecastle, one of the UK’s most fitting venues for such a charged contest, with the stakes extremely high.

This is as big as it gets outside of their Scottish Cup final meetings. Hearts host Hibs with a two-point lead after their last gasp goal to seal a point at Rangers kept them in command in midweek.

Hibs, aided by a red card, twice fought from behind at home to champions Celtic to ensure they would travel across the city knowing a win will be enough to see them pip their hated rivals to a European place.

The closest Edinburgh gets to fireworks like this is their annual Hogmanay celebrations.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶 🌶

Bournemouth v Everton

While this is largely centred on the relegation fight as a whole on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, everything essentially comes down to what happens at Goodison Park.

That is where Sean Dyche’s Everton face Bournemouth, in the knowledge that their fate is in their own hands.

A draw could be enough for the Toffees to stay up depending on what happens elsewhere but a win will assure them of maintaining their proud tradition of never suffering Premier League relegation.

If the Cherries don’t follow the script and pick up a win, that will open the door for Leicester and Leeds to mount a final bid for salvation.

The Foxes trail Everton by two points (as do Leeds) and do have the best goal difference of the trio but they’ll need to take care of their own business at home to West Ham, who have a European final occupying their thoughts, while the Whites welcome Tottenham to Elland Road.

Get set for a Sunday filled with palpitations and permutations.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶 🌶 🌶

Coventry v Luton

It is billed as the most lucrative fixture in world football.

Two sides who fell a long way in recent years (this was a fourth division fixture just five years ago) only to bounce back will face off at Wembley in the Championship play-off final, competing for all of the riches that a ticket to the Premier League offers.

Both have suffered their share of issues over the last decade ranging from falling out of the Football League completely (Luton) to being forced to compete in a stadium 40 miles away (Coventry).

But now, two unfancied outfits stand on the precipice of glory.

Coventry haven’t been in the Premier League for 22 years, while the Hatters have never played in it – last competing in the top flight under its old First Division guise in 1992.

It is also their first ever Football League play-off final outing, while Coventry have never lost in the play-offs before, winning three and drawing two of their five fixtures.

Wembley awaits!

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Borussia Dortmund v Mainz

A rollercoaster Bundesliga title race will finally come careering to a spectacular conclusion this weekend.

After 33 games and several twists and turns, it all comes down to one last 90 minutes – with Borussia Dortmund in pole position to end Bayern Munich’s decade of dominance.

They have a two-point lead heading into their home clash with Mainz, who have nothing to play for, while the defending champions travel to Köln.

Dortmund have led the division for just three matchdays, most recently reclaiming top spot last week and only doing so for the first time after 25 games so they’ve had to bide their time.

But it is very much in their hands now, although Bayern have benefited from some stunning final day drama before – with the last moments of the 2001 season enough to still send a shiver down the spine of Dortmund’s rivals Schalke.

All eyes will be on a sold-out Westfalenstadion and Dortmund’s date with destiny. Regardless of what happens in Köln, one more win will bring the title back for the first time since 2012.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶