Onion Bag Weekend: Manchester Derby and Four Other Matches to Watch
By Ty Duffy
Manchester City vs. Manchester United (7:45 Sat, Fox Soccer) The Manchester Derby is one of English soccer’s fiercest rivalries. City’s recent spending spree has raised the stakes. There’s been a recent penchant for late winners. Both City’s and Arsenal’s title chances could rest with the outcome. It’s also the most expensive assemblage of talent in sports history. No matter which club triumphs, the real winners are the players’ agents.
Juventus vs. Inter Milan (2:30 Sun, Fox Soccer) Italian soccer’s fallen giant faces the club that assumed their place. Both teams are trying to recover from poor starts. Mourinho-less Inter Milan must win to fortify their campaign for a sixth-straight Serie A title. Juventus will try to rebuild momentum after ended a four-match winless streak last weekend. The bianconeri are only four points off the final Champions League spot, but face a rough stretch of games, beginning on Sunday.
Bayern Munich vs. Hoffenheim (9:30 Sat, GolTV) Borussia Dortmund’s 15-point lead is unassailable barring an ugly collapse. Bayern are playing for a second-place and an assured Champions League place. A win against a plucky Hoffenheim team would pressure Bayer Leverkusen and turn down the burners under Louis Van Gaal’s seat. The intensity may get the better of him, but Bayern players will be hoping the Dutchman can keep his mouse in the house for the match’s duration.
QPR vs. Nottingham Forest (8:30 Sun, Fox Soccer Plus) Queens Park Rangers have a seven-point lead in the Championship, but second-place Nottingham Forest is breathing down their necks and looking frisky. The two-time European Cup winners have won eight of their last nine and have two games in hand. An away win at Loftus road would help them cement the second automatic promotion place. QPR’s owners rival Manchester City’s for wealth. It will be interesting to see what happens should the London club earn promotion.
Arsenal vs. Wolves (10:00 Sat, ESPN2) Wolves are tied with West Ham at the table’s bottom, but they play well against good teams. They beat Man U last weekend and have additional scalps against Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool. This match is vital for Arsenal’s title campaign. They can’t let last weekend’s historic collapse against Newcastle vault them into a tailspin. An emphatic win would restore mental fortitude and keep their focus on the opportunities in front of them.
[Photo via Getty]