Sandwiched between cup ties and European games, an exciting round of league-fixtures await us this weekend. From El Clasico to North London derby, we will be treated to a wide range of footballing extravaganza.
As always, we will help you plan your weekend by picking out the best of the bunch.
LA LIGA
FIXTURE: Real Madrid v Barcelona
WHERE: Santiago Bernabeu
WHEN: 2nd March 2019, Saturday
TIME: 11:45 PM, GST on beIN Sports 2&11HD
Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos
The last of three Clasicos to be played in a month, this one promises to be a cracker. A six-point gap to Atletico Madrid and a nine-point lead over Madrid has Barcelona firmly on course to defend their La Liga crown. But this game could maybe change things, although it will require the hosts to massively outscore their eternal rivals.
The Catalan giants have enjoyed playing at the Bernabeu in the past couple of years, winning three of their last four encounters in the league.
However, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema are peaking at a crucial time so could hand Los Blancos the initiative. But if this season – or rather this decade – has thought us anything, Lionel Messi will be the one deciding which team will bags points and pride.
While a win for Madrid will put pressure on Barcelona, three points for the visitors practically ends Madrid’s league campaign. A 12-point deficit at this point of the season is nearly impossible to recover.
PREMIER LEAGUE
FIXTURE: Tottenham v Arsenal
WHERE: Wembley stadium
WHEN: 2nd March 2019, Saturday
TIME: 4:30 PM, GST on beIN Sports 1&11HD
The return of Harry Kane will provide a boost to Spurs’ chances against Arsenal
A second London derby in four days sees Spurs host North London rivals Arsenal in an early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
In the last six fixtures between the two teams in the Premier League, both teams have won two games each. The reverse fixture had it all – sparks flying between the Spurs players and the Arsenal bench, Lucas Torreira revealing his sculpted physique after a well-taken goal and Jan Vertonghen seeing red.
Spurs had their revenge for the 4-2 defeat as they eliminated Arsenal from the League Cup just two weeks later.
There are no favourites in a derby and recent form of both teams suggest that this could go to the wire.
BUNDESLIGA
FIXTURE: Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayern Munich
WHERE: Borussia Park
WHEN: 2nd March 2019, Saturday
TIME: 9:30 PM, GST on beIN Sports 3HD
Robert Lewandowski
It’s a battle between number two and number three in Bundesliga as Bayern Munich take the road in an attempt to close in on league leaders Borussia Dortmund. Niko Kovac’s men capitalised on Dortmund’s dull run of three draws and are now breathing down their neck with just a three-point deficit.
Monchengladbach cruised to a three-goal win over their rivals when the two teams met in the reverse fixture. But deeming them favourites would not be in accordance to their current form. The hosts have not won a game in their last three and will be desperate to get out of their slump.
Thorgan Hazard and Robert Lewandowski are likely to make the front-page of German newspapers on Sunday morning.
SERIE A
FIXTURE: Lazio v Roma
WHERE: Stadio Olimpico
WHEN: 2nd March 2019, Saturday
TIME: 11:30 PM, GST on beIN Sports 3HD
Ciro Immobile
The Rome derby is back this weekend, as Lazio take on Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. The fact that both teams are fighting for European spots only makes an already tense derby all the more exciting.
With 44 points, Roma are just one point adrift from a Champions League spot, while Lazio are one point away from entering the Europa League qualification places after securing 38 points.
The reverse fixture saw Roma thump Lazio 3-1, thanks to goals from Lorenzo Pellegrini, Aleksandar Kolarov and Federico Fazio. Revenge will be on Lazio’s mind as they look to put a disappointing run of results behind them with a derby win.
Two of the best strikers in the league, Edin Dzeko and Ciro Immobile, will go head to head in an attempt to earn their team three points.
LIGUE 1
FIXTURE: Marseille v Saint Etienne
WHERE: Stade Velodrome
WHEN: 4th March 2019, Monday
TIME: 12:00 AM, GST on beIN Sports 4HD
Florian Thauvin
It’s a ‘winner takes European spot’ tie in Ligue 1 as fourth-placed St Etienne travel to the Velodrome, the home of fifth-placed Marseille. Only two points separates the two teams and the winner will positioned in the last of the European spots after the fixture.
St Etienne have beaten Marseille twice this season – in a friendly and in the reverse fixture in Ligue 1. But recent form places Marseille -who are on a four-game unbeaten run – as favourites.
Wahbi Khazri and World Cup winner Florian Tauvin will be crucial for St Etienne and Marseille respectively in this crunch fixture.
