5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶 | OneFootball

It is officially crunch time across all leagues and cups right now, and narrowing a list down to five games was an impossible task.

With a bit of leeway granted, here is what you need to watch this weekend.

Real Betis vs Sevilla

It says a lot about the weekend’s games when one of the most passionate games in Europe is sitting only in fifth spot, but the Andalusian derby will be only be mild in name on this article.

Betis have long been the underdogs in terms of trophy success, league finishes and wins in the derby but are set to finish above their uptown rivals in consecutive LaLiga seasons for the first time since the mid-1990s.

They currently sit in 7th, five places above Sevilla who have dropped off considerably despite winning yet another Europa League last year.

However, while Los Verdiblancos (The Green and Whites) beat Los Rojiblancos (The Red and Whites) in the Copa Del Rey two years ago, there has not been a league derby win since September 2018, something they will be looking to correct on Sunday night at Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Three points would both guarantee local bragging rights and help in Betis’ push for European football – Manuel Pellegrini’s side are three points behind Real Sociedad in the race for Europa Conference League qualification.

Standing in their way will be a familiar foe – Sergio Ramos. The former Real Madrid captain has won 17 of his 28 clashes with Betis, scoring four times in that time. Who’d bet against a fifth or a first red card in game no.29?

Known as the Frying Pan of Spain due to the city’s soaring summer weather, expect a sizzler when these two clash for a 141th time.

Spice rating: Mild 🌶️

Atlético de Madrid vs Athletic Club

Next, we head to the capital for the other standout fixture in Spain this weekend.

It’s one that could very well decide who is the country’s fourth representative in the Champions League next season, with any hope of taking one of the two fifth spots extinguished last week, partly due to Atlético’s exit from that competition at the hands of Borussia Dortmund.

That was followed by a 2-0 loss at Alavés, continuing a wretched run of form for Diego Simeone’s side – they have won just two of their last six league games and have conceded in their last 12 outings, their longest run in over 20 years.

It is already set to be Simeone’s worst league finish since his debut campaign (in which he only took over at the midway point) and Athletic Club could pile on further misery this weekend.

The Basque side have already had a season to remember, sealing their first trophy in 40 years when they defeated Mallorca to win the Copa Del Rey. They are now looking to return to Europe’s top table after a 10-year absence.

They do sit three points behind Atléti though and have drawn their two league games since that final win, but have beaten Los Colchoneros three times already this season.

Their cup semi-final first leg win at the Metropolitano Stadium should give them great hope of a repeat this week, and they might need to with just six games left in the season.

Spice rating: Medium 🌶️ 🌶️

UWCL semi-final second-legs

From the race for next season’s men’s Champions League to who might win this year’s women’s equivalent.

Last weekend saw two classics as Chelsea became the first team to beat Barcelona away in five years, and the first to beat the holders this season overall, and record-winners Lyon complete a remarkable comeback win from 2-0 down with three goals in the final 10 minutes against rivals PSG.

Erin Cuthbert’s goal last week puts the Blues in a great position to progress to the final and a step closer to finally winning the famous trophy – it is the one that has eluded Emma Hayes during her success-laden spell at the club, and this is her last chance before she becomes USWNT manager in the summer.

Barça will have been mightily stung by the loss last week and will not surrender their crown without a serious fight on Saturday.

The following day, PSG will hope last week’s late collapse does not prove fatal as they look to knock out Lyon – the eight-time champions have won all but one of their seven all-French Champions League meetings, and the one they did lose came via the now-defunct away goals rule.

With Marie-Antoinette Katoto (scorer of their two goals last week) in flying form, anything is possible.

Who will be booking their flights for the Bilbao final when all is said and done?

Spice rating: Hot 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Championship promotion race

If there is one league in the world that is guaranteed near-yearly high drama, it is the Championship but this season might just be the best automatic promotion race to date.

Leicester City look certain to confirm their immediate return to the top flight after their stunning 5-0 win over fourth-placed Southampton on Tuesday night. It was a result that both knocked Russell Martin’s side out of the equation and left the Foxes needing just one win from their last two games to seal their Premier League position for next season.

They might not even need that if Leeds and/or Ipswich fail to pick up three points away to QPR and Hull City on Friday and Saturday respectively.

Daniel Farke’s side (also looking to bounce back instantly) sit a point clear of the Tractor Boys, who are hoping for an incredible back-to-back promotion after last season’s League One success.

Ipswich, however, have played a game fewer than the Elland Road club, and have not been in action for two weeks which could be the mini-break needed for a last push.

By the time Leicester run out at Deepdale to face Preston North End (a side with nothing to play for which can tend to be dangerous), they will know their position, meaning they can sit back and watch what unfolds over the weekend.

All three sides have been in middling form of late as a 46-game marathon has taken its toll so it would be a surprise if there wasn’t yet another twist or turn.

It is extremely likely one team will head into the playoffs on 90+ points, and it could be two if Saints can win both of their last two games, the second of which comes at Leeds.

Three simply doesn’t go into two. Who will cross the line first and who will fall in the final furlong?

Spice rating: Fire 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

Tottenham vs Arsenal

It’s the biggest north London Derby in 20 years, if not longer.

Sure, there have been battles for a top four finish and a cup clash here and there, but not since Arsenal clinched the title at White Hart Lane in 2004 has it felt like so much is at stake.

Prior to that, one would need to go back to their win at the same ground five years prior when they were neck and neck with Manchester United, or Spurs’ Paul Gascoigne-inspired FA Cup semi-final win in 1991.

The Gunners, of course, have not won the league since that famous day in April 2004 (a day which their fans will undoubtedly sing about on Sunday), and really cannot afford to slip up again if they are to have any hope of a 14th crown.

Mikel Arteta’s side have responded brilliantly to crushing defeats to Aston Villa and Bayern Munich but have yet to win away to any of the so-called ‘Big Six’ this season, also losing at Newcastle and in the reverse fixture with old boss Unai Emery.

It is another moment of truth for both a young manager and a young team, but they will come up against a Tottenham side desperate to win to keep alive their hopes of a top four finish and to deny their greatest rivals the chance at ultimate success.

Arsenal can take belief in the fact they did win (2-0) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, which was a first win after three losses at the new stadium, and a first in the away derby fixture since 2014.

That was before Ange Postecoglou arrived though, and after already battling to a 2-2 draw this season, the Australian will undoubtedly be looking to go one better on Sunday.

Both need to win, neither can afford to lose. We can’t wait.

Spice rating: Insane 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️