Some of the best matches to watch on TV this weekend from the UAE.
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PRIMERA LIGA: Real Sociedad v Barcelona, beIN Sports, Saturday, 10.30pm
Despite a shock 2-1 home defeat to Real Madrid in last week’s clasico, normal service was resumed, against Spanish opposition, in midweek as Barcelona came from a goal down to go 2-1 up in the two-legged quarter-final against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Luis Suarez was on target twice against Atletico and will look to add to his tally of 26 La Liga goals this term to keep pace with front-runner Cristiano Ronaldo. A defeat to Real Sociedad last season proved to be a turning point in Barca’s season, galvanising Luis Enrique’s men as they swept all before them to win a treble of league, cup and Champions League.
BUNDESLIGA: Hertha Berlin v Hannover, beIN Sports, Friday, 10.30pm
Hertha Berlin will relish the chance to put right all that was wrong in their 5-0 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach last week as their rivals closed the gap on them in third place to just three points. Finishing the best of the rest behind the top two of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund is the remaining goal for Hertha coach Pal Dardai this season, and with it guaranteed Uefa Champions League qualification after a 16-year absence from Europe’s premier competition. They face bottom side Hannover, who are 11 points from safety and without a coach after Thomas Schaaf was sacked after just three months in charge following last week’s defeat to Hamburg.
SERIE A: AC Milan v Juventus, beIN Sports, Saturday, 10.45pm
Despite AC Milan’s dwindling fortunes over the past few seasons, any match against Juventus stands out on the calendar. Since securing a place in the Coppa Italia final with a two-legged victory over third-tier Alessandria last month Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men are winless in four Serie A matches. They face leaders Juventus who are six points clear of closest challengers Napoli but are without defender Giorgio Chiellini, who is sidelined for up to 20 days after injuring his thigh in the victory at Empoli at the weekend. Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tuesday that a heavy defeat to Juventus could see Mihajlovic lose his job.
ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE: Al Jazira v Al Ahli, AD Sports, Sunday, 6pm
With just five rounds remaining, it could not be any tighter at the top of the Arabian Gulf League table. Al Ahli lead Al Ain by a single point going into this week’s round of fixtures, with Al Ahli hoping a taxing midweek Asian Champions League trip to Saudi Arabia takes plenty out of Henk ten Cate’s Al Jazira squad. Jazira striker Ali Mabkhout is the top Emirati marksman in the AGL this season with 16 goals and Ahli will need to keep the UAE international under lock and key if they are to leave Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium with a positive result. Al Ain, who beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 2-1 in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday, are at home to Al Nasr, the UAE’s third representative in Asia, in Sunday’s later kick off at 8.45pm.
PREMIER LEAGUE: Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United, beIN Sports, Sunday, 7pm
It seems ironic that in a season where Tottenham Hotspur are (likely) to finish abover Arsenal, Manchester City, United and Chelsea that they should be beaten to the Premier League title by Leicester City. Spurs have suffered only three defeats all season and one of those was on the opening day of the season to United, a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford courtesy of a Kyle Walker own goal. Mauricio Pochettino’s side welcome a United side with ambitions to usurp neighbours Manchester City into fourth spot, although if City should win the European Cup, and Liverpool the Europa League, they will miss out on Champions League football.
