European leagues: three big games to watch this weekend
Some cracking fixtures will be played across Europe this weekend. Football fans will not be short of entertainment.
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We are not quite in summer mode yet, but this weekend is set to be a hot one in some of Europe's leagues. It is a great chance for supporters to enjoy a lively Saturday or Sunday in the stands. For football lovers, a good spot on the sofa, remote in hand, and the weekend is all but sorted, with some mouth-watering fixtures on offer.
Barcelona v Atlético Madrid, one match, two sets of stakes!
This could be the game not to miss, and for both sides. After dropping points against Getafe, FC Barcelona shot themselves in the foot with those two draws, even if the situation is admittedly not quite that catastrophic. However, the Blaugrana (72 pts), who still have an 11-point lead over Real Madrid, will want to kill off any suspense. Facing Atlético Madrid (3rd, 60 points) this Sunday 23 April, in matchday 30, the Catalans will come up against a formidable opponent. They are hard to unlock and will be looking in particular to secure their 3rd place in this fixture, which means direct qualification for next season's Champions League. In the first leg, Barça won by the narrowest of margins.
Juventus v Napoli, a prestigious fixture
This is not a title decider. But when Juventus meet Napoli, the adrenaline always flows. Both sides are playing for pride. The Partenopei are almost certain to win the Serie A title. Sixteen points separate them from the Turin side (3rd, 59 points). But beating this season's unstoppable leaders on Sunday would already be a fine scalp for Juventus. It would also be a chance to get revenge on a team that humiliated them in the first leg with a 5-1 thrashing. What a slap in the face that was, on 13 January 2023.
PSV v Ajax, the Netherlands set to buzz for the Topper
The sporting rivalry between two of the Netherlands' biggest football clubs, Ajax Amsterdam and PSV, needs no introduction. And the Topper will set the tone for the Netherlands this Sunday 23 April. PSV (3rd, 62 points, +43) host Ajax (2nd), who are level on points but have a better goal difference of +50. Expect a fiery contest. Ajax will be especially keen to win the second leg after losing the first one at home, 1-2. That was on 6 November 2022.
BONUS: These are not the only three fixtures that will get fans excited. In France, Lens (2nd, 63 points), who welcome Monaco (4th, 61 points), should in theory deliver a good spectacle on matchday 32 of Ligue 1, this Saturday 22 April. The same goes for Marseille (2nd, 64 points), who travel to Lyon (7th, 50 points) for the Olympico this Sunday 23 April. In Greece, there is also a classic to be played this Sunday 23 April. Leaders AEK Athens (69 points) host Olympiacos (3rd, 63 points) in matchday 31 of the league.
Jim CEESAY