With the weekend ready to roll, it is time for NBA jerseys another edition outlining what to keep an eye out for over the next few days in the world of football.
Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Estudiantes La Plata v FC Barcelona
Club World Cup Final
Saturday 5pm (CET)
The match which effectively decides the best club in the world takes place this weekend in the unlikely location of Abu Dhabi. Argentina’s Copa Libertadores winner Estudiantes take on Spain’s European champions FC Barcelona.
But the Argentine club will be fearing one of their own, with Lionel Messi hailed as the man to win Barcelona this elusive title. Barca boss Pep Guardiola praised the Ballon d’Or winner, saying, "He carries in his blood a competitive gene, to be the best, to settle matches." Indeed, Messi came off the bench to score in the semi-final win over Atlante.
Barcelona will be without star Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta due to a thigh injury although they’ve a strong squad with many able replacements. Estudiantes know this and skipper Juan Sebastian Veron praised them during the week claiming they were ‘the best team in the last two years’.
It is hard to see the South Americans toppling Barcelona, who play some unique and brilliant football, but perhaps there is hope with semi-finalists Atlante exposing a Barca weakness with the long-ball finding them often too square. But there’s not much else, so Barcelona must still be strong favourites.
Fiorentina v AC Milan
Italian Serie A
Saturday 8pm (CET)
A Saturday clash between two of Italy’s most powerful clubs, comes on the back of unexpected losses in Serie A for both last week. Milan had stormed up the table to second until they were beaten by Palermo, while Fiorentina are in a bit of a rut losing five of their last 8 league matches to sit ninth.
The Viola will be hoping to right their wrongs, while Milan can’t afford to lose further ground on leaders Inter. This will be a special match for Fiorentina’s ex-Milan man Alberto Gilardino and he could play a key role.
Hamburg SV v Werder Bremen
German Bundesliga
Sunday 3.30pm (CET)
The North-West German derby arrives with three points crucial for both clubs as they try to maintain their title ambitions just before the winter break. Werder currently sit fourth while HSV are down in fifth although both are just four points behind leaders Leverkusen.
Werder will be boosted by the news manager Thomas Schaaf has signed a new contract but having not won in three, the pressure will be on. Bruno Labbadia’s Hamburg, on the other hand, won 4-0 at Nurnberg last time out but hadn’t won in 7 in the league prior to that. Both sides need the points here and the stakes will be high, with local bragging rights up for grabs too.
Anderlecht v Club Brugge
Belgian Jupiler League
Sunday 8.30pm (CET)
Belgium’s top two go head-to-head on Sunday with Anderlecht hoping to establish an unassailable lead from second-placed Brugge, who are currently 7 points behind the leaders. Anderlecht hasn’t won the league title since 2006-2007 and seem determined to end that run.
Brugge, though, are their closest rivals but have been stuttering of late. Anderlecht have won their last eight in the league but their last slip-up was a 4-2 loss to Brugge. Still, the Brussels club might see this as the chance to reaffirm their champion status.
Benfica v FC Porto
Portuguese Liga
Sunday 9.15pm (CET)
Portuguese league leaders Benfica host champions Porto in a big clash in Lisbon late this Sunday. Benfica have only won 2 of their last 5 in the league to narrowly hold top spot from Braga and then Porto a further point back.
But the champions have won their last three Liga matches and seem to be beginning to mount a serious title challenge. Porto’s Silvestre Varela has been in good form of late, while Benfica’s Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo remains the league’s topscorer with 14. Both will be important.
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