Games to Watch: Title races, derbies resume after lackluster break
Fans around the world can rejoice as the club scene kicks into full gear with mouth-watering matches to boot this Easter weekend. Can Real Madrid rediscover its full-attacking football ahead of its Champions League quarterfinal clash against Atletico? Will Arsene Wenger or Brendan Rodgers be happy campers following their clash on Saturday? And of course, there are important derbies in Germany (Borussia Dortmund-Bayern Munich) and in France (Olympique Marseille-Paris Saint-Germain) that will play an important role in determining its league champion. Here's a preview of the best games to watch:
Premier League: Arsenal vs. Liverpool (live, Saturday, 7:45 a.m ET):
A big game for several reasons. Victory for Arsenal will fire Arsene Wenger's side into second place for at least 48 hours and give their UEFA Champions League hopes a crucial shot in the arm. The Reds still have top-four ambitions of their own but the home defeat to Manchester United before the international break has thrown a spanner in the works. Will Brendan Rodgers select Raheem Sterling following his unsanctioned interview with the BBC about his contract situation? It's an intriguing sideline to a match which usually delivers goals.
Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich (live, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET):
It's been a long time since "Der Klassiker" lacked as much significance as this but there is still plenty at stake to keep the world interested. Dortmund were in danger of going down at the start of the year but have turned their season around with a seven-match unbeaten run which could result in an inlikely place in UEFA's Europa League. Champions Bayern, 10 point clear at the top, are without key players Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and David Alaba. Should be a belter in front of a cauldron-like atmosphere.
Premier League: Manchester United vs. Aston Villa (live, Saturday: 10 a.m. ET):
Louis van Gaal is close to achieving what looked like an impossible dream in the early part of the season -- delivering Champions League football after a year's break from Europe's elite club competition. Last month's win at Liverpool has put fourth-placed United five points clear of their hated rivals. Should United win they will also leapfrog City. Plenty of motivation for the Red Devils here.
Premier League: Chelsea vs. Stoke (live, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET):
For many the Premier League title has already been wrapped up and it's hard to disagree. Chelsea lead the table by six points and have a game in hand on Manchester City. However, Jose Mourinho's men still have Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool to play which makes it imperative the Blues win their home games against teams like Stoke. Diego Costa faces a race against time to be fit from a hamstring injury but Chelsea should have too much firepower for the Potters.
Premier League: Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City (live, Monday, 3 p.m. ET):
It seems unthinkable but Manchester City could find themselves in fourth place by the time this game kicks off. Arsenal and United would overtake City if they win their respective games against Liverpool and Aston Villa. This will be no cakewalk for Manuel Pellegrini's men, either. Alan Pardew has got the Eagles flying since he took over and three wins from four games have virtually sealed their place in the Premier League for another season. If City, who welcome back Yaya Toure, are to retain the title they must win at Selhurst Park.
La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Granada (live, Sunday, 6 a.m. ET):
Gareth Bale returns to domestic action buoyed by his two-goal salvo for Wales in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Israel. Bale left Spain under a cloud after a disappointing El Clasico performance at Camp Nou which left Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to stretch his run of scoring in games after the international break to eight. Granada lost the home fixture 4-0 in November -- it could be worse at the Santiago Bernabeu.
La Liga: Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona (live, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET):
A question mark hangs over the fitness of Lionel Messi, who missed Argentina's friendlies during the international break with a foot injury he sustained against Real Madrid. Barca, four points clear of nearest challenger Real Madrid, will be looking to avenge a shock 1-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo in November. However, Luis Suarez was just finding his feet in the Catalans' starting lineup, but the former Liverpool striker has nine goals from his last 11 games -- including the winner against Real Madrid. Celta Vigo -- you have been warned.
Serie A: Roma vs. Napoli (live, Saturday, 6:30 a.m. ET):
This game has become important for a couple of reasons. Roma snapped a five-match winless streak before the international break with a 1-0 win at Cesena but realistically the Giallorossi are just hoping to finish in the top three. Napoli are just six points behind Roma in fifth, so you get the significance? Security will be tight, too. A Napoli fan was shot dead by a Roma supporter in the build-up to the Coppa Italia final in 2014 -- a match not even involving Roma.
Ligue 1: Marseille vs. Paris Saint-Germain (live, Sunday, 3 p.m. ET):
It's a five-horse race at the top of Ligue 1 and the biggest rivalry in French football could go some way to deciding the outcome of this season's title. Third-placed Marseille trail Ligue 1 champions PSG by just two points, meaning a win could put OM top of the table. Marcelo Bielsa has certainly brought the good times back to Marseille, who finished sixth last season. But can they upset the league leaders?
Bundesliga: Wolfsburg vs. Stuttgart (live, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. ET):
Second-placed Wolfsburg are closing in on a Champions League spot even if the title is beyond them, but they face a relegation-threatened Stuttgart side buoyed by a win against Frankfurt before the international break. Wolves are ten points behind Bayern, but 15 ahead of fifth-placed Schalke. A top-four finish looks a formality. Stuttgart are bottom of the table but it's tight in the basement. Can they spring a surprise?
