The top of La Liga takes center stage this weekend, as three teams continue their tussle to be crowned Spanish champions. But it’s not the only division in European soccer where an extremely tight battle is set to pan out at the summit.
In the Championship, English soccer’s second tier, three teams on the same amount of points are chasing two automatic promotion spots; one of those sides has a chance to pile pressure on the others with victory on Friday night. The Premier League can be settled on Sunday too, while there’s also a gripping Major League Soccer showdown to enjoy.
Additionally, on Saturday, the three title chasers in La Liga are in action. Two of those games make our final five.
All kick-offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the games!
Birmingham City vs. Middlesbrough
Friday, April 29, 2:45PM, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, fuboTV
Middlesbrough have a brilliant opportunity to heap pressure on their promotion rivals on Friday night, as they make the trip to the Midlands to take on Birmingham City.
After a brief stumble following a fallout between manager Aitor Karanka and the club’s hierarchy, Boro are back on the right track and currently in second place in the second tier. With a goal difference of 32, they’re on the same points as league leaders Burnley and third place Brighton & Hove Albion, who have goal differences of 33 and 30, respectively.
A trip to Birmingham is never easy in this division and while the Midlands outfit have nothing to play for with a couple of games to go, they’ll be keen to finish the campaign on a high. Gary Rowett’s side have enjoyed a decent campaign overall and, currently in ninth, will be keen to finish as close to the playoff positions as possible.
With Burnley and Brighton not playing until Bank Holiday Monday, three points on Friday would be a substantial boost for Boro, leaving their opponents to stew over what’s required when they take to the field. If Karanka’s men can deliver a victory, you’d have to fancy them to go up.
New York Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas
Friday, April 29, 7:00PM, UniMas, Univision Deportes, fuboTV, Sling Latino, Sling Multistream and MLS Live
The New York Red Bulls will be hoping to continue their mini revival on Friday evening as they play host to high-flying FC Dallas.
The 2015 Supporters’ Shield winners are bottom of the Eastern Conference coming into one having failed to find their groove in the early weeks of the campaign. But there were some signs of life from the Red Bulls last time out, as they scored the odd goal in a thrilling 3-2 win over an impressive Orlando City outfit.
Dallas have made the early running in the Western Conference, although will be seeking to bounce back after they were comfortably beaten by the Vancouver Whitecaps last week. Anything other than victory in Friday’s clash and Oscar Pareja’s could find themselves slipping down the table.
It’s going to be fascinating to see just how beneficial the win over Orlando was for the Red Bulls. They’re a team who have massively underwhelmed in the early stages of the campaign, with so many expecting them to kick on after last term. Putting back-to-back wins together could be the trigger for that process.
Atletico Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano
Saturday, April 30, 12:15PM, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and Sling TV
Regardless of Real Madrid’s result against Real Sociedad earlier in the day, Atletico Madrid can go top of La Liga when they face Rayo Vallecano at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday.
With Real, Atletico and Barcelona all playing in consecutive matches on the day, this weekend has the potential to be an absolutely pivotal one in the race for the title. And after their tremendous win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, expect this iconic stadium to be bouncing come kickoff.
Vallecano are certainly no pushovers, though, and have shown previously that when they put everything together they can be a match for anyone. Indeed, Real Madrid almost slipped against the capital club in their last outing, falling two goals behind before Gareth Bale pulled them out of the mire in a 3-2 victory.
Atletico have been in tremendous form lately and will be the big favorites for this one. The way Rayo play, exclusively expansive football and lots of possession, should suit Diego Simeone’s side. Although with their safety not completely secured yet, Vallecano will be doing their utmost to emerge from this one with something.
Real Betis vs. Barcelona
Saturday, April 30, 2:30PM, beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Español, fuboTV and Sling TV
Should both Real and Atletico triumph as expected all eyes will be on Andalusia come Saturday evening, with Barcelona heading to Real Betis seeking to take another step on their way to domestic glory.
The run of four La Liga matches without a win which brought this title race to life seems to be behind Barcelona now. Indeed, Deportivo la Coruna were taken apart 8-0 by Luis Enrique’s side, while Sporting Gijon were then hit for six at the Camp Nou. The spark which was prevalent for a long time this term has been rekindled.
Betis’ season is all but over having pulled clear of relegation trouble lately, although their supporters will demand a strong performance against their illustrious opponents. They’ve won their last two home games in succession too and took points off Real Madrid when they visited the Estadio Benito Villamarin previously in the campaign.
In Luis Suarez Barcelona have the most in-form forward in world football, having netted an incredible eight goals in his last two matches. The onus will be on him, Lionel Messi and Neymar to thrive under the pressure of the title chase and grab a vital three points.
Manchester United vs. Leicester City
Sunday, May 1, 9:05AM, NBCSN, Telemundo and NBC Sports Live Extra
After a stunning Premier League season Leicester City need three more points to be confirmed as champions, a feat which they can accomplish at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday.
Tottenham Hotspur’s slip up against West Bromwich Albion on Monday left the gap at seven points with just three games to go, meaning Claudio Ranieri’s troops can clinch this trophy with time to spare. And after the way in which the Foxes swatted aside Swansea City 4-0 last weekend, it’s clear their confidence is soaring.
United have a lot to play for themselves, though, with a spot in the Champions League still up for grabs next season. Coming into the weekend they trail Arsenal by just a couple of points and having snatched a spot in the FA Cup final with a last gasp winner against Everton on Saturday, will be in high spirits.
This will be a tough ask for Leicester, who will not be able to utilize Jamie Vardy’s searing long runs on the Old Trafford pitch due to suspension. Even so, Ranieri has adjusted his gameplans superbly this term and you wouldn’t put it past him finding a way to mastermind what’d be a truly historic victory.
