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Are you ready for some football? The sporting world will focus on the Super Bowl late Sunday afternoon but before the Broncos and Panthers face off at Levi Stadium there is a full slate of football from across the world. Last week, I was 4-1, only missing on the Milan Derby! I will do worse this week, so here are the five can’t miss matches for your weekend:
1. Manchester City v. Leicester City, Saturday 7:45 a.m. EST NBCSN
It's one vs. two in the Premier League table as shocking leaders Leicester City travel to the Etihad to face City. The Foxes lead the Citizens by three points but trail in goal difference so if Manuel Pellegrini’s squad can win, they go to the top. Speaking of Pellegrini, he had a weird week.
Even with his club in play to pull off a quadruple haul (League Cup, FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League), the brain trust in Manchester decided to bring in Pep Guardiola after the season. It is unclear how Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and others will react to the reported change.
What is also unclear is how Man City will react to the loss of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian national damaged knee and ankle ligaments and is expected to miss over eight weeks of action. What is clear is that League leading goal scorer, Jamie Vardy has found his stride again. Vardy and talisman Riyad Mahrez will test Man City’s back four and keeper Joe Hart. This should be a classic!
Prediction: Leicester keeps the lead as they share the points, 2-2.
2. Chelsea v. Manchester United, Sunday 11:00 a.m. EST NBCSN
The two most successful clubs in Premier League history meet Sunday at Stamford Bridge when Manchester United visits Chelsea. While the Blues and Red Devils are far from their historic greatness, any time these two clubs meet on the pitch, it is an event. Chelsea will look to remain unbeaten under Guus Hiddink while United’s Dutch manager, Louis van Gaal hopes that surging Wayne Rooney can keep him employed.
Prediction: Chelsea finds a way, 1-0.
3. Bayer Leverkusen v. Bayern Munich, Saturday 12:30 p.m. EST Fox Deportes
Chicharito, the hottest player in Germany, welcomes Bayern to the BayArena on Saturday. Bayern, who are eight points ahead of Dortmund in the Bundesliga table, have major injury issues in their defense as Javi Martinez, Jerome Boateng and Mehdi Benatia are all on the shelf. Pep still has the world’s best keeper in Manuel Neuer, so all is not lost for the league leaders.
Prediction: Chicharito scores but it is not enough, 1-3 Bayern.
4. Hertha BSC v. Borussia Dortmund, Saturday 9:30 a.m. EST, Fox Sports 1
More German football as the second and third teams in the Bundesliga face off in Berlin. American John Brooks will look to make his fifth straight start for the Berlin side as they face league-leading scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the Bundesliga’s highest scoring side.
Prediction: Dortmund is too munch, 2-0.
5. America v. Santos Laguna, Saturday, 6:00 p.m. EST, Univision Deportes
South of the Border!! Santos heads to the capital to face an America team that hasn’t secured a regular season home victory since October 3rd of last year. America’s manager Ignacio Ambriz will feel more heat if Las Aguilas don’t walk away with all three points. Ambriz will look to grizzled veteran Oribe Peralta to push his side to victory.
Prediction: Trouble at Azteca as Santos wins 1-0.
Super Duper Extra Prediction: Peyton and the Broncos D find a way and beat the Panthers 22-19.
