Weekend Watch: Living for Halftime

By dictate from the sporting gods there must be big football games played on the weekends all year round. This weekend is no exception. While the matchups in England, Spain and France are not off the charts great, there are some very worthy games being played in other leagues. Here is a randomly selected smattering of contests worth keeping an eye on while you hope your mom remembers to pack the orange slices for your game.

Saturday

Roma v Inter Milan – After we all started to believe that Roma were the second coming on last year’s Inter Milan side, the team has come back to earth a bit with a pair of 2-2 draws against Juventus and Fiorentina. Today they go mano-y-mano with Inter, who are level with them on points at the top of the table.

Benfica v Sporting Lisbon – For the moment, these two clubs are chasing FC Porto in the inevitable three-headed race in Portugal. Considering the three teams all finished within two points of each other last season, head-to-head games are…how should we say it…rather huge.

Galatasaray v Besiktas – A spot atop the table is on the line as leaders Galatasaray play host to Besiktas in a game that will undoubtedly feature an insane atmosphere and a controversial goal or three.

Wigtown & Bladnoch v Burntisland Shipyard – Round one of the Scottish Cup introduces us to obscure clubs such as Burntishland Shipyard. According to Wikipedia, they are one of four junior clubs in Scotland allowed to participate in the competition. They take on Wigtown & Bladnoch, who are not a law firm, but in fact are a club that plays in the South of Scotland Football League.

Seattle Sounders v Atlanta Silverbacks – It is the final of the USL First Division and possibly the final time we see a Seattle team play before they drinking from the golden cow that is MLS.

Sunday

Germany v Brazil – We’ve seen the male version of this World Cup final before. Now it is time to see how it turns out when the women square off. The flair of Brazil versus the discipline of Germany. How could that possibly suck?

Dallas v Houston – They love their guns in Texas so it is only fitting that the winner of the El Capítan derby receives a trophy in the shape of a Mountain Howitzer cannon. For the second straight year Houston has won the derby, having beaten FC Dallas twice already. This game has significant implications in the Western Conference.

AIK v GAIS – The league table in Sweden is ridiculously close with the top eight teams within six points of one another. AIK are one of those sides. GAIS are not. AIK – Allmänna Idrottsklubben to the Swedish inclined – have the nickname of “The Tuxedo Players”. GAIS – Gothenburg Athletics & Sports Association – are known as “The Mackerels”.

Know of a game that we should follow or be excited about? Feel free to hype it in the comments.

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Category: World Football