Five Must-See Football Matches This Weekend

The ritual continues as another weekend of exciting European football rolls around, so here's the guide on what not to miss. NFL jerseys

Sports Pundit's Game of the Weekend
AS Roma v AC Milan
Italian Serie A
Saturday, 8.45pm (Central European Time)

Third host second in Saturday's evening kick-off in Italy's Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Milan are bracing themselves for a big week, with a midweek Champions League clash at Manchester United to follow, while Roma need to return to form after a recent stumble.

The Romans had been on a seven-match winning streak in the league until last weekend's draw with Napoli but are still very much in form having not lost in Serie A since October. Roma are some 7 points behind leaders Inter, so they need the win, while Milan are 4 points off the summit.

Roma boss Claudio Ranieri cunningly said this week, “Milan are the leading contenders to take the title from Inter and they will fight to keep that position, but it is a burden for them.” Milan mentor Leonardo responded, “Anything can still happen.” Also, Milan's topscorer Pato is under an injury cloud.

Fiorentina v Juventus
Italian Serie A
Saturday, 6pm (CET)

Two of Italy's big underachievers this season, tenth-placed Fiorentina and fifth-placed Juventus, go head-to-head in Florence this Saturday. Fiorentina have not got a convincing home record, but need to win to keep alive their European aspirations, while Juve must stay in touch with the top four.

And after two wins on the trot, last weekend's home loss to Palermo has injury-hit Juventus scratching their heads again. Interestingly, current Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli has been linked with the Juve manager's role which may become vacant in the summer.



Fulham v Tottenham
English FA Cup Quarter-Finals
Saturday, 6.20pm (CET)

A spot in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley is at stake when London pair Fulham and Tottenham clash at Craven Cottage. Both sides are enjoying decent Premier League campaigns, with Spurs chasing the fourth and final Champions League spot, while the midtable Cottagers continue to exceed expectations.

A Fulham victory would see them reach Wembley for the first time since 1975 and boss Roy Hodgson said, “It would be great for the club. These are the type of goals you set yourself at the start of the season.” Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has injury problems, with Jermain Defoe the latest due to a hamstring issue.

Real Madrid v Sevilla
Spanish La Liga
Saturday, 10pm (CET)

Real Madrid will hope to keep the pressure on leaders Barcelona, and perhaps even leapfrog them, when they entertain fourth-placed FC Sevilla on the Bernabeu. Real's star man Cristiano Ronaldo believes this game could be crucial for his side's title chances, with Barca playing earlier in the day.

Sevilla won 2-1 the last time these two met in La Liga, but Ronaldo missed that clash and will be available this time round. Real's 100% La Liga home record suggests they should be fine but Sevilla are tricky opponents having won this season at Barcelona, Deportivo, Mallorca, Stuttgart and Rangers.

Bordeaux v Montpellier
French Ligue 1
Sunday, 9pm (CET)

France's top two meet in Sunday's late kick-off at Bordeaux's Stade Chaban-Delmas. But nobody would've predected newly-promoted Montpellier would be involved in such an occasion at this stage of the season. More than anything, though, this could be a significant game for Bordeaux's title charge.

Challengers Lyon and Marseille have seen Bordeaux recently leave the door slightly open after a few slip-ups and another here could let them pounce. Still, Montpellier's Alberto Costa has been wizardry this term and could conjure up some more magic here and beyond.