The first weekend of December sees huge matches around the globe. Here are the top five you can’t miss:
Liga MX Final, Pumas v. Tigres, 2nd Leg, Sunday 9:30 p.m. EST, Univision Deportes
TIGRES!!! The Monterrey side looked untouchable during the first leg of the League Championship on Thursday night putting three goals past Pumas. The reality is that it could have four or five as Tigres were the much better side.
Jurgen Damm, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Javier Aquino spearheaded the UANL attack, while Pumas could only muster one attempt on goal. The finals conclude Sunday night in Mexico City as Pumas will try to claw back three goals and take the finals to extra time. Prediction: Pumas make it interesting with a 2-0 win but can’t get the third and Tigres lifts the trophy 3-2 on aggregate.
Napoli v. Roma, Sunday 12:00 p.m. EST, beIN Sports
Serie A top scorer, Gonzalo Higuain, and third place Napoli welcome fourth place AS Roma to the Stadio San Paolo in a critical match. Both sides will be looking for max points with the Italian table crowded at the top as the second through fifth place teams are within six points of leader, Inter Milan. Prediction: Higuain gets one as Napoli holds on for a 1-0 win.
Bayer Leverkusen v. Borussia Monchengladbach, Saturday 12:30 p.m. EST, Fox Sports 2
The two hottest North American players in Europe, Fabian Johnson and Chicharito meet Sunday as the Foals of Borussia travel to Leverkusen. Monchengladbach is beaming after last weeks 3-1 beat down of previously unsullied Bayern Munich and will look to solidify it’s top three position against a Leverkusen side awash in turmoil.
While Bayer tied Barcelona 1-1 during the last group stage match of the Champions League, it was not enough to move onto the knockout phase. Chicharito scored against the Spanish giants but also had an uncomfortable disagreement with teammate Karim Bellarabi late in the game.
On top of that discord, Leverkusen’s defense is a mess and hasn’t had a clean sheet in the Bundesliga since a goaless tie against Hamburg on October 17th. Bayer’s back four will be tested by Johnson, who has four league goals this season, and striker Raffeal who leads the team with eight goals in all competitions. Prediction: the Foals stay hot with a 2-1 victory.
Villarreal v. Real Madrid, 2:30 p.m. EST Sunday, beIN Sports
Who is the real Real? Is it the squad that dropped two straight La Liga matches to Sevilla and Barcelona by a combined score of 7-2 or is the juggernaut that hung eight goals on Malmo during the Champions League Group Stage finale this past week? Ronaldo and crew will be tested this weekend when they travel to the Estadio El Madrigal to face Villarreal and their leading scorer Cedric Bakambu.
Madrid already trails Barcelona by four points in the table and any additional dropped points could spell an end to championship dreams for Los Blancos. Prediction: Real Madrid keep pace with an impressive 3-1 win on the road.
Leicester City v. Chelsea, 3:00 p.m. EST Monday, NBCSN
Up is down in England as the champions, Chelsea, trudge into the King Power Stadium two points above the relegation zone while the Foxes of Leicester City Football Club are the class of England and top of the table.
Eden Hazard, who is still seeking his first goal of the season, will lead the Champions attack while Leicester will counter with the one-two punch of Prem Leading scorer Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, who is third in England with 10 goals and second with six assists. Prediction: I am of two minds on this on, either order is restored and Chelsea wins a physical affair 1-0 or Leicester’s champagne football overwhelms Mourinho’s squad 4-1….I think it will be the latter and the Foxes will thrash the champs while staying at the top of the table!
Last week I picked two correct winners (Porto and Tigres) with no correct scores. Meh! If you think you can do better, feel free to post your predictions in the comment section. The best predictor will receive my short-term respect, which has a street value of roughly nothing.
