A Premier League record could be broken on Saturday afternoon, in a repeat of a fixture last season that produced one of the most thrilling games the competition has ever seen.
That match is one of two from English football’s top flight, which feature on our list this week. The second also produced a storming contest last season, as the stuttering champions travel to a local rival who have been emboldened in the early stages of the campaign.
Elsewhere, the divisional finals in Major League Soccer look set to reach a thrilling climax, as all four teams involved will feel as though they have a strong chance of making it through to the MLS Cup final still. Finishing off the weekend will be a top of the table contest from Serie A.
All kickoffs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!
Leicester City vs. Manchester United
Saturday, November 29, 12:30PM, NBC and NBC Sports Live Extra
Leicester City’s thrilling 5-3 win over Manchester United in 2014 was one of the most pulsating matches in Premier League history and although plenty has changed for both sides since that encounter, we should be set for another gripping tussle, with the home side currently topping the table.
The win for the Foxes was the first time the top flight got a full glimpse of Jamie Vardy, and the Leicester forward has gone from strength to strength since then. He’s currently in the midst of an astonishing run of form, scoring in record-equalling 10 consecutive matches, but his blistering pace and unrelenting work-rate which will be just as crucial if the hosts are to take a positive result.
That’s because United, for all their recent issues, are pretty watertight at the back, having not conceded a goal from open play for almost 11 hours of playing time. The challenge for manager Louis van Gaal will be striking a balance in attack too; the Red Devils have been one-dimensional going forward, although Leicester are pretty ropey at the back.
This fixture prompts a difficult run of fixtures for Leicester. Of course, Claudio Ranieri’s side deserve immense credit for surging to the league’s summit, but it’s this sequence which will indicate just how seriously we should take this side. The same could easily be said for the visitors too.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea
Sunday, November 29, 12:00PM, USA Network and NBC Sports Live Extra
Harry Kane inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a 5-3 win over Chelsea in this fixture on New Years’ Day, and arguably, the Blues haven’t quite been the same since that mauling.
Granted, Chelsea did go on to lift the league title in 2014-15. But, the spark which was so evident in late 2014 has been scarce in the months following the Spurs loss and despite wins over Norwich City and Maccabi Tel Aviv this week, big questions remain about Jose Mourinho’s side. Going to Tottenham will be the first major test of their nascent renaissance.
That’s because Spurs are on a tremendous run. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not lost since the opening day of the season, using versatility and industry in their play which few teams in the division can match. If they showcase levels similar to their recent games with Arsenal and West Ham United, it’ll be a long afternoon for Chelsea.
The big issue for Spurs will be how they fare after a long midweek trip to Qarabag in the Europa League, especially given how reliant this team is on being physically sharp across the field. Nevertheless, if Chelsea win here it’d be a massive surprise and a result with the potential to turn their season around.
FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers
Sunday, November 29, 5:00PM, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN.com and Sling TV
A late goal from Nat Borchers not only sent Providence Park wild when Portland Timbers faced FC Dallas last weekend, it provided his side with a two-goal cushion as they get prepared for the return leg.
It was goal which completely changed the whole feel of the tie. If anything, Dallas would have been the happier of the two teams heading into stoppage time last weekend, having notched a second half away goal after falling 2-0 behind early on. Now, you’d have to make the Timbers favourite to progress to the end of season showpiece, as they ran out 3-1 winners.
It’d be a little naive to write of the chances of FC Dallas, though, who have done brilliantly to make it to this stage of the competition. Lets not forget, they won 14 of their 18 home games at Toyota Stadium during the regular season, including a 4-1 win over Portland, which suggests Oscar Pareja’s team will give this one a go.
The tie is set up perfectly and given the manner in which both of these sides have approached these playoffs, you wouldn’t begrudge either making it through to the finale. However, the strike from Borchers in the first leg felt like a decisive moment and will given Portland plenty of momentum heading into the return leg.
New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew
Sunday, November 29, 7:30PM, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes and FOX Soccer 2GO.
New York Red Bulls face an extremely difficult ask if they’re to make it through to the MLS Cup final, needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the second leg of their tie against Columbus Crew.
For the Red Bulls, who were the strongest team in the country throughout the regular season, the performance at the Mapfre Stadium was a huge disappointment. The visitors conceded a sloppy goal in the opening minute against their game opponents and then, with the tie at a precarious point, switched off in the latter stages, let in another.
Columbus Crew should be pleased with their efforts, though. To start and finish the match so strong gives them a great amount of impetus heading to the Red Bull Arena. It’s a difficult venue to get a result but after keeping a clean sheet on home soil, Gregg Berhalter’s men know that an away goal would practically put this one to bed.
Indeed, getting that balance is going to be difficult for the Red Bulls, who need to attack but can’t afford to leave too much space at the back for the visitors’ dangerous counter-attacking players to exploit. Despite their excellent form this season, it seems like a bridge too far for the Supporters’ Shield winners.
Napoli vs. Inter Milan
Monday, November 30, 3:00PM, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV, Sling International, Sling TV and KlowdTV
Heading into the weekend, Inter Milan and Napoli occupy first and second place in the Serie A table, respectively. However, so tight is the Italian top flight, these two could find themselves in third and fourth spot by the time the match is played on Monday evening.
That won’t detract from what’s sure to be an intriguing fixture. Napoli have really move through the gears in recent weeks, with Stefano Pioli’s side finding an attacking swagger. Spearheaded by the excellent Gonzalo Higuain, who is enjoying one of his best ever seasons in European football, the Partenopei look genuine contenders for the Scudetto.
The only team between them and top spot after 13 games are Inter, who are in tremendous form themselves after four consecutive wins. Not only have the Nerazzuri, as you’d expect from a Roberto Mancini side, been strong in defence, they showed some signs of an attacking spark in their last outing against lowly Frosinone, winning 4-0.
Don’t expect the visitors to play an open, enterprising brand of football when they head to the San Paolo on Monday, with Mancini likely to set his team up to soak up pressure and spring on the break. Whether or not this free-flowing Napoli attack can get the better of Inter stringent shape should make for absorbing viewing.
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