As one of the busiest periods in football is now underway, football fans can look forward to non-stop action throughout Europe. It begins with the second legs of the Copa del Rey round of 16, where Sevilla host Real Madrid and Barcelona host Athletic Bilbao. Sevilla and Real will then return to face each other again for the fourth time this season in La Liga over the weekend.
We can also look forward to some of the key fixtures in the Premier League, as many of the top teams will battle it out against one another. The week concludes with the FA Cup third round replays, that will include those clubs who only managed a draw in the first tie.
As winter settles in Europe, we can only hope that matches go on as per schedule, as snow storms look to spoil the party.
#1 Battle at the top of La Liga
Only days after their second leg tie in the Copa del Rey, unbeaten Real Madrid will once again travel to high-flying Sevilla in a crunch La Liga tie that might well have a big impact on the season’s of both clubs. Zinedine Zidane’s team ended 2016 in fine fashion and are now hoping for a repeat in 2017.
They are comfortably at the top of La Liga with a game in hand and regardless of the result against second-placed Sevilla, they are in no danger of dropping positions.
Los Rojiblancos will be keen to overturn their defeat against the league leaders which they suffered only a week ago in the Copa del Rey, while also plotting a victory in the same fixture days later. They were also beaten by them earlier this season in the UEFA Super Cup, leaving Jorge Sampaoli’s team desperate to get the better of Los Blancos.
Sevilla are exceeding expectations this season and find themselves ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on the table. A double win on home soil against Real Madrid will further cement their intentions to compete at the top of La Liga.
As for Barcelona and Atletico, they must ensure that they win their respective matches this week in the hope that they can climb up the ladder. Barca have drawn four of their last six games in La Liga and are trailing from their first leg in the Copa del Rey. Luis Enrique’s side will be eager to return to winning ways.
#2 Liverpool make the short trip to Old Trafford
Over in the Premier League, the biggest fixture over the weekend undoubtedly comes in Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United. The Reds are currently in second place, chasing league leaders Chelsea, who are four points clear at the top. Chelsea’s loss against Tottenham last week was not taken advantage of as Liverpool also dropped points against lowly Sunderland.
Manchester United are on a fantastic run and have now won all of their last six games in the league. Unfortunately for them, the teams above them are also on decent runs, leaving Jose Mourinho’s side still in sixth position.
The fixture between the two rivals always provides sparks and heated encounters and expect this tie to be no different as both teams have a lot to gain and even more to lose. The last game between the two ended in a drab nil all draw but we can be sure that a repeat of that game is not on the mind of either manager.
Depending on results elsewhere, the Red Devil’s will finally have the opportunity to climb up the table, while Liverpool can close the gap on Chelsea. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be without key player Sadio Mane, who is off travelling with his country at the AFCON 2017.
Also Read: Greatest rivalries in Football history: Manchester United vs Liverpool
#3 Chelsea looking to down Champions for third time this season
It has been far from a decent season for the reigning Champions Leicester City who are languishing in the bottom half of the table, six points off the drop zone. Claudio Ranieri’s team have failed to replicate any sort of form that they showed last season and have now only won twice in their last 11 games in the league.
They will come up against Antionio Conte’s Chelsea who are in red hot form, although a loss to Tottenham in their last game would have surely dented their progress. The Blues were on course to beating Arsenal’s record of 13 wins on the trot but will instead share that record with the Gunners.
Chelsea have already beaten the Champions twice this season, once in the league and once in the EFL Cup. A win for the Blues might further extend their lead at the top.
#4 Can Everton foil Man City’s rise?
Manchester City will look to keep up pace with the teams above them, when they travel to Merseyside to take on Everton. The Citizens have been fairly inconsistent throughout the season but must buckle up soon as we move into the second half of the season. Pep Guardiola’s team are currently in fourth place, only a point above Arsenal and level on points with Tottenham. A win might even propel them to second place, depending on other results.
Everton have done well in recent months as Ronald Koeman seems to have found the right balance within his squad. But the absence of Idrissa Gana Gueye might prove to be vital for the Toffees, as the Senegalese international has been one of their best players of the campaign. The former Aston Villa midfielder will be representing his country at AFCON 2017, leaving Koeman to look elsewhere for options to fill his midfield.
Yannick Bolasie and James McCarthy will also be absent due to injury, although Everton do have worthy replacements for them. The last time the two sides met, they shared the points in a 1-1 draw at The Etihad and Koeman will hope for the same, if not better.
#5 FA Cup replays
Liverpool will undoubtedly endure the most hectic week in comparison to any other Premier League side as they will play four games in the space of 10 days. Their 0-0 draw at Anfield against Plymouth will force them to partake in a replay away from home and along with their EFL Cup semi-final ties against Southampton and the trip to Manchester United, it is bound to give Klopp a few headaches.
The Saints will also have to play an FA Cup replay after they drew level away at Norwich in the third round. Claude Puel will have to make do without new signing Sofiane Boufal and Charlie Austin who are out injured. Sunderland and Crystal Palace are the other Premier League teams who must also face a replay after failing to get results.
Key Fixtures:
Thursday
Barcelona vs Atletic Bilbao (Copa del Rey)
Friday
Sevilla vs Real Madrid (Copa del Rey)
Saturday
Tottenham vs West BromSwansea City vs ArsenalLeicester City vs ChelseaBarcelona vs Las PalmasAtletico vs Real Betis
Sunday
Everton vs Manchester CityManchester United vs LiverpoolSevilla vs Real Madrid Fiorentina vs Juventus
Wednesday
Plymouth vs Liverpool (FA Cup)Southampton vs Norwich City (FA Cup)
