Weekends like the previous one, where any of 10 games were good enough to make our top-five cull, are so special because they are so rare. Over the coming days, matches of the same quality aren’t on the cards.

Still, it means there’s a chance to check out some outfits who may not usually be on your football radar. While we’ve got a key match involving the Bundesliga leaders, the others are about Champions League spots, survival and fierce rivalry.

All kickoffs are in Eastern time—the clocks go forward in the United States on Sunday morning. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!

 

Crystal Palace vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Saturday, March 9, 7:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

Two sides in the bottom half of the table who are probably safe from relegation going head to head may not inspire you to get up early on Saturday. But the rivalry between Palace and Brighton should.

While the two sides are from different cities, the two clubs have long had a deep-rooted dislike for one another. Given Selhurst Park is always one of the most atmospheric stadiums in the division, expect one of the liveliest backdrops to any game in the Premier League this season, despite the early kick off.

There’s every chance this will be a watchable game too, as both sides come into the game in winning form. Brighton got a key 1-0 win over Huddersfield last time out, whereas Palace have won three of their last four in all competitions, including 3-1 and 4-1 triumphs at Burnley and Leicester respectively.

Of the two sides, Brighton are in the most in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle, but there’s five points between them and the drop zone, having played a game less than most of their rivals. A win for Palace and they can start to think about a possible top-half finish.

 

Borussia Dortmund vs. Stuttgart

Saturday, March 9, 9:30 a.m. ET, FS2, FOX Deportes, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

It’s been a rough few weeks for Borussia Dortmund and if they’re to keep their hopes of a Bundesliga title alive, the revival needs to begin here.

They were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League in midweek, following up a shock loss to Aubsburg in their previous domestic outing. Bayern Munich seized on the latter, winning 5-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach to draw level on points with their Bundesliga title rivals.

Manager Lucien Favre will hope that now Dortmund have just the one competition to concentrate on, their focus is refined. After all, before the winter break this team was playing some sensational attacking football, with Marco Reus, Jadon Sancho and Paco Alcacer all far too hot to handle for Bundesliga defences.

In Stuttgart they face a team looking to pull clear of relegation trouble, as they currently sit in 16th—the relegation playoff spot. The Westfalenstadion may be a little nervy for this encounter, but it’s an ideal fixture for Borussia Dortmund to get back on track.

 

Getafe vs. Huesca

Saturday, March 9, 2:45 p.m. ET, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, Sling Latino, Sling World Sports, Fanatiz and fuboTV (free trial)

With Barcelona a long way clear at the top of La Liga following the Clasico win last weekend, focus in La Liga will turn to the scrap for fourth and the fight to avoid relegation. Getafe and Huesca will play a part in both.

For the hosts on Saturday, it’s been an incredible season. Under manager Jose Bordalas they’ve forged a clear identity and they go into this round of fixtures in fourth spot. The Madrid-based club may not always be easy on the eye, but they have proven themselves to be so difficult to beat.

As for Huesca, at the start of 2019 few would have given them a chance of survival in their first season at this level. After three wins—including a dramatic 2-1 triumph against Sevilla on the back of a 98th-minute winner last week—and two draws in their last six games, they are now just three points from 17th.

It means both teams will fancy their chances going into this fixture and it’s an opportunity to see two of the division’s most intriguing sides take centre stage for a chance.

 

Arsenal vs. Manchester United

Sunday, March 10, 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Telemundo, fuboTV, Sling Blue and PlayStation Vue (free trial)

The heavyweight clash of the weekend undoubtedly comes from the Emirates Stadium, as Manchester United visit Arsenal in a vital encounter.

For both sides, finishing in the top four represents their main ambition in the remainder of the Premier League. Going into the weekend United are currently sat in fourth after their dramatic 3-2 win over Crystal Palace, usurping the Gunners, as they missed the chance to win the north London derby at the death against Tottenham on Saturday.

The Red Devils will be bouncing into this one too, as they produced a remarkable display to eliminate PSG from the Champions League on Wednesday. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer they’ve been inspired and have won nine games in a row on the road—one of those was a 3-1 win at the Emirates in the FA Cup.

Arsenal have also traveled to France for a European clash this week, as they faced Stade Rennais in the Europa League. Manager Unai Emery will be a little wary about his players recovering in time for this massive encounter on Sunday with that in mind.

 

Fiorentina vs. Lazio

Sunday, March 10, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ (7-day free trial)

If Lazio are to seriously compete for a top-four spot this season in Serie A, three points away from home on Sunday against Fiorentina feels key.

While they currently trail fourth-place Inter by six points, Lazio have a game in hand on the Nerazzurri, as well as AC Milan, Roma, Torino and Atalanta. In order to make that count, Simone Inzaghi’s side need to stay in touch in the coming weeks.

Fiorentina have been one of the most inconsistent sides in the division this season. At their best they can pull teams apart with the attacking variety they possess, although far too often their star forwards are profligate when they get the ball in dangerous positions. It’s why they’ve been held to 12 draws this season, more than any side in the division.

Lazio will be boosted by their derby win last weekend, when they were far too good for local rivals Roma in a 3-0 win. For Inzaghi and his players, it’s imperative they make the most of this momentum in the final 12 games of the campaign.