Weekend Watch: Keeping in Step

By: Laurie | April 25th, 2008

A quick look at some of the games going on around the world this weekend:

Saturday
Chelsea vs Man Utd
Chelsea need to win this one. Simple as that. They’re three points behind Manchester United with three games to go, so this is their chance to challenge. The Blues actually need a 19-0 win to go top on goal difference, but I’m sure they’d settle for a 1-0 win to go level on points with two games to go. On the other hand, a United win means the title is theirs (not officially, but realistically.)
- Man Utd Offside preview

PSG vs. Auxerre
PSG plays miserably at home. Auxerre plays miserably away. Might we be looking at the most miserable game in history? Perhaps, perhaps not. PSG desperately needs the points from this game to avoid relegation. Auxerre is probably out of the danger zone even if they lose, but obviously a win would be preferable.

Be sure to leave guesses in the comments about what the PSG fans will destroy this time around if their team crashes and burns yet again. The commenter with the most correct answers will get his/her tires slashed and the words “Die losers!” spray painted on the surface of his or her choice.

Shanghai Shenhua vs Chengdu Blades / Shaanxi Baorong vs Beijing Guo’an
It’s the People’s Republic of Grand Slam Super Saturday in China this weekend with the top four all meeting. First place Shanghai Shenhua travel to fourth place Chengdu Blades (who are owned by Sheffield United) while second place Shaanxi Baorong host third place Beijing Guo’an. Any one of these four teams could be top of the Chinese Super League at full time.

Sunday

Galatasaray vs Fenerbahçe
With three games to go in the Turkish Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray are level on 70 points. Fenerbahçe are only top because of a goal difference that’s exactly +1 better than Galatasaray’s. And the two eternal rivals meet this weekend in the Istanbul derby. I’m struggling to imagine anything more dramatic.
- Galatasaray Offside preview

Valencia vs Osasuna
It’s a new beginning - again - for Valencia, as the Voro era kicks off against fellow doing-not-so-gooder Osasuna. Unfortunately for Voro, he doesn’t get a cushy summer and training camp to ease himself into the position - one which will almost certainly be shortlived. We can assume every game until Valencia secures safety will be dicey and worth a watch. But this one is extra special, because we just may get the answer to questions like “how truly inept was Ronald Koeman?” (ask Valencia fans, they’ll tell you) and do Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angulo remember how to play football?

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao, Villareal & Barca
The title can potentially be handed out in La Liga this weekend and here’s the rundown of the scenario: Real currently sits ten clear atop the league. They’re going to win the league unless the apocalypse makes a cameo. In order to end the procession officially, they need to beat Athletic Bilbao on Sunday while both Villarreal and Barcelona fail to score victories. Barca travels to Deportivo on Saturday and Villarreal to Real Betis. Simple enough. Everybody good? Good.
- Real Madrid Offside preview

Any other big games this weekend? Please tell us about them in the comments