Another weekend of football is here and with the excitement comes the dilemma of which game(s) to settle for amid the flurry of crunchy ties up for grabs.
There are key games to watch everywhere you look – even China, these days – but here are five you can’t afford to miss.
Manchester City Vs Leicester City
Leicester City, even if told by the most powerful seer, would never have believed that they would be sitting pretty on top of the Premier League in February after 24 games but hey, that’s exactly where they are. The likes of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Nkolo Kante have been outstanding and they have another chance to showcase their impressive form with a visit to the Eithad where they would be facing Manchester City.
By sheer quality, Manchester City have the best squad in the League but they have not been able to find consistency especially at the back where their defenders have become Sambo Dasuki to strikers. Their resolve would be tested hugely and how they come out of this one will portray their intentions to win the League.
Chelsea Vs Manchester United
Life is transient. And it is a pot of beans. Who would have thought that a League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United would have no bearing on the title race?? It is rather a continued survival fight for Chelsea who seem to have found form under interim boss, Guus Hiddink and for Manchester United, it is a chance to further strengthen their likelihood of making it to Europe.
The fans of both clubs have endured so much this season. At the Old Trafford, it’s a slippery season with their consistent dropping of points and a rather sleepy affair, thanks to Van Gaal’s remarkable philosophy. For Chelsea, the bridge cracked, fell and Jose Mourinho was carried away by the cold strong flow of water.
Both clubs, though, are re-surging. And that’s what makes this tie a must-watch.
Bayer Leverkusen Vs Bayern Munich
Before you scream at me, relax and let me talk. It is the ‘Bayern always win League’, I know but this particular tie have a lot written into it. First off, it is a ground where Bayern don’t exactly like playing. They’ve only managed one victory at Leverkusen in their last six visits. And also, they (Bayern) may have settled the little matter of who wins the League but the likes of Leverkusen are in another battle entirely and it is for a Champions League place.
Leverkusen will be looking to halt the impressive run of Bayern and their new striker, Javier Hernandez will also like to show more reasons why Van Gaal was wrong to let him go. How will Bayern respond? Especially with all the negative stories hovering around their camp following the announcement of Pep.
You really have to watch this.
Special mention to the Le Classique in France between Marseille and PSG. Would have made it to the list but we all know that the only contest we would see in that game is – “How many goals will PSG put past them?”
By: Adeshina Peter – @Shina_Pitta