5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

The international break is upon, but don’t fret – there’s still five brilliant games for you to watch this weekend.

Here’s our pick of a quality quintuple.

Stockport v MK Dons

It may be the international break but there is still club football going on a bit further down the English football pyramid.

In League Two this weekend there’s a huge game between two sides vying for promotion.

Stockport, for so long the pace-setters in the fourth tier, host a resurgent MK Dons in an absolutely fascinating encounter at Edgeley Park.

The Hatters are currently second in the league on 68 points but have only won one of their last five fames.

The Dons meanwhile have shot up the division under new boss Mike Williams and are currently in fourth place on 67 points.

With only six more games of the campaign to go, this game really could decide who earns an automatic promotion place come May.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶

Manchester City v Manchester United

It’s derby day in the Women’s Super League on Saturday as Manchester City host Manchester United at the Etihad.

With Arsenal struggling for form this term, the Citizens have become Chelsea’s challengers for the title, going into this weekend’s clash with an identical record of 13 wins, one draw and two losses to the west London club.

With Emma Hayes’s side likely to claim all three points against West Ham on Sunday, winning this match is crucial for City and their chances of keeping pace with the Blues.

Coach Gareth Taylor was awarded a new contract last week for his excellent work but it’s striker Bunny Shaw and winger Lauren Hemp who will hold the key to success here.

The Jamaica international is leading the WSL’s goalscorer charts with 16 and could become City’s all-time record goalscorer in the derby with one more.

Hemp meanwhile is fourth in the division’s rankings for goal involvements and is arguably in the best form of her career right now.

United will have their work cut out in this one.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶 🌶

England v Brazil

The inventors of the game versus its most successful exponents.

England versus Brazil is always a big occasion but it’s the scarcity of the fixture that truly makes any game between the two an event.

In the 150-year history of international football this is only the 27th meeting of the Three Lions and the Seleçao, and their first in seven years.

And despite this being a friendly it could be a crucial game for both nations ahead of their tournament summers.

England could give Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo a debut with the European Championship in view whilst Lucas Paquetá will be hoping to force his way into Brazil’s Copa América squad with a good performance at Wembley.

This is simply unmissable stuff.

Spice rating: Hot 🌶 🌶 🌶

France v Germany

Arguably the biggest marquee in the friendly field this weekend is France’s clash with Germany on Saturday evening.

Lyon plays host as Les Bleus take on Julian Nagelsmann’s men in a crucial clash before Die Mannschaft’s home European Championship in a few months.

With just three more matches before both nations name their squads, this is going to be a vital game for both coaches as they hunt for the XI that can take them to glory in Berlin this summer.

For the first time since 2017, however, Didier Deschamps will have to do without Antoine Griezmann who ends his astonishing record of playing in 84 competitive matches for France this weekend.

The Atlético de Madrid man has pulled out of the squad through injury, meaning there’s an opening for Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni to cement their place in the side.

Germany meanwhile welcome back Toni Kroos to the fold, who returns to the camp after announcing his international retirement in 2021.

Spice rating: Fire 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶

Mexico v USA

The CONCACAF Nations League reaches its final on Monday as Mexico take on USA in Arlington, Texas.

El Tri were unconvincing in the semi-final as they were bested in possession, shots, shots on target and passes completed against Panama.

But Mexico won out with the only stat that counts, claiming 3-0 victory thanks to goals from Edson Álvarez, Julián Quiñones and Orbelín Pineda.

The USMNT, meanwhile, went 1-0 down to Jamaica and then needed a 96th minute own goal to take the game into extra time.

Coventry’s FA Cup hero Haji Wright then proved to be the difference as his double ensured a 3-1 win and safe passage to Monday’s match for Gregg Berhalter’s side.

Games between these two sides are always tasty but with a third Nations League title on the line, this one is must-watch.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶