This set of games. What a weekend it’ll be.

There’s a ton of massive encounters to come over the next couple of days, with local pride and the pursuit of trophies the underlying themes in our quintet.

In Spain, Italy, England and Germany there are fixtures that would otherwise highlight the weekend. And they’re all scheduled perfectly, for good measure.

All kickoffs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!

 

Tottenham vs. Arsenal

Saturday, March 2, 7:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN, Universo, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

A week ago this match looked like it may have connotations regarding the possible destination of the Premier League title. Instead, Tottenham gear up for this showdown with north London rivals Arsenal seeking to keep their campaign from spiralling out of control.

After losing to Burnley in surprise circumstances on Saturday, Spurs slipped up again against Chelsea on Wednesday, ending a title challenge that frequently rekindled throughout the season once and for all. Now their focus must be on steadying the ship domestically and then going as far as they can in the Champions League.

The worry for manager Mauricio Pochettino is they face an Arsenal team that have been enjoying a brilliant run of form as of late. In midweek the Gunners produced their best performance of 2019, as they cruised to a 5-1 win over Bournemouth; after pulling the strings in that victory, it will be intriguing to see if Mesut Ozil is involved at Wembley on Saturday.

Should Arsenal win here they would be just three points behind their local enemies, which would trigger nervousness among Spurs supporters. Still, despite some recent woes away from home this week, at Wembley Pochettino’s side remain a tough outfit to get the better of.

 

Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Bayern Munich

Saturday, March 2, 12:30 p.m. ET, FS2, FOX Deportes, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

In Germany, we are currently seeing one of the most absorbing title races in years. On Saturday, third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach welcome second-placed Bayern Munich to Borussia Park.

While BMG aren’t realistic contenders to win the league at this juncture, they are set to have a say in where the Bundesliga title will end up. On home soil, they are especially strong, with nine wins from their 11 games in front of their own fans. In Alassane Plea and Thorgan Hazard, they have the attacking players to cause even the best sides in the league problems.

With Borussia Dortmund, who have a two-point lead at the top, playing at a struggling Augsburg on Friday, the Munich giants may find themselves five points back on the leaders come kickoff. Manager Nico Kovac will at least be encouraged by the manner in which his team has slipped back into a winning groove lately, though.

If Bayern are going to rope in Dortmund before the end of the season it’s these types of games they must emerge from unscathed. They may not be at full tilt yet, but the winning mentality and experience still bristling in this team has surfaced again lately.

 

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona

Saturday, March 2, 2:45 p.m. ET, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Espanol, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports, Fanatiz and fubo (free trial)

For the second time in four days the Santiago Bernabeu will play host to the biggest game in club football, as Real Madrid will welcome Barcelona in La Liga.

On Wednesday, the Blaugrana were not at their best for long spells when the sides went head-to-head. However, in the second half Luis Suarez was able to showcase razor-sharp instincts in front of goal, as he netted twice either side of an own goal from Raphael Varane to send Barcelona into the Copa del Rey final.

Saturday will see the attentions of both sides turn back to La Liga and for Real Madrid nothing but a win will be enough to keep their title hopes alive. Going into this encounter Los Blancos are down in third place, nine points behind table-toppers Barcelona.

For Barcelona, getting a cushion at the summit of the table would be ideal as they look to make progress in the Champions League in the coming weeks. Another win at the expense of their rivals in such quick succession would be a perfect springboard for the team as they enter the business end of the campaign.

 

Everton vs. Liverpool

Sunday, March 3, 11:15 a.m. ET, NBCSN, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

Everton will be out to derail the title charge of their local rivals Liverpool on Sunday in the Merseyside derby.

A 5-0 hammering of Watford in midweek saw spirits lifted at Anfield following the frustrating draw with Manchester United on Sunday. That means Liverpool head into this vital weekend a point clear of Manchester City, who have the chance to go back to the top of the table when they face Bournemouth away from home on Saturday.

As for Everton, a run of three defeats in succession was ended on Tuesday when the Toffees produced a professional display at Cardiff City, winning 3-0. Marco Silva has been under pressure at times this term and will be well aware a first derby win in nine years would earn a lot of favour among supporters.

Still, the Toffees haven’t been the same since the previous meeting between the two, when a 96th-minute winner from Divock Origi in bizarre circumstances won it for the Reds in December. Against a team that have still lost only once in the Premier League this season, it’ll be a tough afternoon for Everton.

 

Napoli vs. Juventus

Sunday, March 3, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ (7-day free trial)

There doesn’t appear to be much hope of a genuine title race in Italy regardless of what happens on Sunday in Naples. Still, a showdown between chasers Napoli and challengers Juventus is a tremendous way to round off the weekend.

Juventus may have a 13-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, yet all hasn’t been rosy for manager Massimiliano Allegri and his players. Following the 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, a battling 1-0 win away at Bologna did little to earn any favour back for this team.

Additionally, they may be without Cristiano Ronaldo for this encounter, as the Portuguese is an injury worry. While some facets of the Juventus side haven’t flourished to full effect at times this season, Ronaldo has remained potent and decisive at the top end of the pitch, with 19 goals in the top flight this term.

Napoli go into this one in good spirits and secure in second place, with Inter Milan nine points back on them. It means Carlo Ancelotti’s side can approach this one with an attacking mindset and that should make for a fascinating fixture.