After a very telling week in European football, the continent witnesses three must-win derbies across the top five leagues of Europe, just as Santos and Palmeiras clash in Brazil. We’ll look ahead to each one here.
The Manchester derby is arguably the most important fixture of the British football calendar these days, and it’s as big as it gets this weekend. The champions Manchester City are just three points ahead of their local rivals following the results last week where City fell to a shocking 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace.
A win for Manchester United, and their title challenge could be back on track, but the Old Trafford faithful will be filled with nothing but fear following United’s recent derby disaster to Liverpool, where they were dominated 5-0 on home soil.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, does, however, have a sensational record in this fixture, having not lost in the league to Pep Guardiola since April 2019, winning three of the last four.
Real Betis and Sevilla will meet in ‘the Great Battle’ as the two battle for supreme status in Seville where, unusually, both sides are putting up a fight for the top four.
Normally, Betis are a little further down the table and Sevilla closer to the top, however, with the bizarre nature of La Liga this campaign, Manuel Pellegrini’s men can move above their arch rivals with a win. This would also mean they break the top four for the first time this season.
Sevilla have finished ahead of Betis 64 times in La Liga, making this game absolutely crucial for the home side.
The Derby della Madonnina was once one of the most watched and most exciting derbies on the European stage. The two clubs dominated Italian football for a while, and until Juventus’ stranglehold on the Serie A started in 2012, this game saw two title challengers clash as well as local rivals.
These days have once again returned, and the San Siro will play hosts to the two Milan giants with Inter as the champions of Italy and Stefano Pioli’s men as arguably the favourites for the title.
A win for AC Milan could put them top depending on results elsewhere, but a win for Inter puts their title defence back on course. It will also be the first Milan derby for Simeone Inzaghi.
Clássico da Saudade sees Palmeiras play hosts to Santos in one of the biggest games on Brazil's calendar and arguably the biggest fixture in the State of Sao Paulo each year it comes around.
For Santos, this is all about avoiding relegation and getting enough points from now until the end that is enough to keep them above the drop. For Palmeiras, their title quest continues and they can't lose any more ground on Atletico Mineiro.
The all-time series in the Clássico da Saudade has Palmeiras as the leaders with 139 wins with Santos racking up 105 victories since 1916.