Football fans will be treated to a bumper package this weekend with games from the Premier League, Serie A and LaLiga as teams continue to fight for survival.
The weekend games begin with the Premier League encounter between a rejuvenated side Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Saturday. The game kicks off at 1:30pm.
Everton, who were languishing at the bottom of the table in the early part of the season, have been resurgent since the appointment of Italian tactician, Carlo Ancelotti, as manager.
The Toffees – currently placed ninth – are now more attack-minded, the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi flourishing. They are also tighter at the back, with central defender, Yerry Mina, regaining his form. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have struggled all season and are currently lie 14th, just six points above relegation places.
The Eagles have drawn three and lost two of their last five games, leaving manager Roy Hodgson worried. But with the tricky pair of Wilfred Zaha and Jordan Ayew in attack, they carry offensive plenty of offensive menace
The Serie A will witness the fierce rivalry on Sunday when Inter Milan host AC Milan in the 296th Derby Della Madonnina (Milan Derby) at San Siro.
Inter, who won the first encounter 2-0 in September 2019, will seek to strengthen their chances of dislodging Juventus as the league champions.
The Nerazzurri slid from the first position to the second following three draws in their last five games. But Antonio Conte’s men remain within touching distance of their rival and will continue their chase for their first Serie A title since the 2009/2010 season.
The team will rely on the in-form strike partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez. They will, however, meet a Milan team who have been in indifferent form. The Rossoneri are currently in 8th position and are in danger of not qualifying for a European competition. Manager Stefano Pioli knows that his team must start winning and will hope the likes of Ante Rebic, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and star signing, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, deliver the goods.
Also on Sunday, reigning La Liga champions, Barcelona, will travel to face Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Real Betis, currently placed 12th, have lost two and drawn two of their last five games, pushing them closer to the relegation battle. But coach Joan Francesc Ferrer, popularly known as Rubi, will hope that his charges – including striker Borja Iglesias Quintas, midfielder Nabil Fekir, and veteran winger Joaquin – will rise to the occasion against their more illustrious opponents. Second-placed
Barcelona will aim to regain top spot. Los Blaugrana are three points behind their rivals, Real Madrid, and manager Quique Setién knows that another loss may hamper the team’s chances of retaining the LaLiga title. Although, the team will miss injured striker, Luis Suarez, skipper Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann will provide sufficient threat upfront, Ivan Rakitic and Frenkie De Jong will provide depth in the middle of the park while Gerad Pique will be tasked to lead the team’s defence line.
Anthony Nlebem
