Jonathan Raymond looks at five games not to be missed this weekend, including the meaty portion of the President's Cup picking up, Championship play-offs and Barcelona playing to retain the La Liga title with Real Madrid hot on their heels.
Friday, Abu Dhabi Sports, 7.35pm
Al Ahli v Al Shaab, UAE President’s Cup quarter-finals
UAE champions Al Ahli begin their charge for a double in the President’s Cup, which they have not won since 2013 after losing the last two finals, to Al Ain and then Al Nasr last year. They are tasked with relegated Al Shaab, who sprung a relatively surprising 4-1 win over Dibba in the round of 16. All eyes will be on Cosmin Olaroiu, the Romanian whose uncertain future could cast a cloud over Ahli’s Cup ambitions. Another quarter-final, featuring Baniyas and Emirates, takes place at the same time.
Friday, BeIn Sports, 10.45pm
Sheffield Wednesday v Brighton & Hove Albion, Championship promotion play-offs
The first semi-final for the Championship promotion play-offs features brokenhearted Brighton, who missed out on automatic promotion on the season’s final day, with a draw against Middlesbrough after they led at the break. Unbeaten into December, Brighton now find themselves in the unexpected position of promotion uncertainty. Wednesday, however, are not in especially great form, with five wins, six draws and four losses from their last 15 matches. Brighton were last in the top flight in 1983, while Wednesday are seeking their first return since relegation in 2000.
Saturday, BeIn Sports, 7pm
Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna
Madridistas will have to keep one eye on Barca v Granada in this one. Real Madrid have stormed back into the La Liga title race under Zinedine Zidane's influence in the second half of the season, but Saturday will prove if it was quite enough or not. Gareth Bale is still an injury uncertainty, but one would imagine Zidane would lean toward playing him if he is reasonably fit. Real blasted Depor 5-0 in their last meeting, and with just two wins in their last 21 Primera Liga matches they make unlikely spoilers.
Saturday, BeIn Sports, 7pm
Barcelona v Granada
If Deportivo La Coruna make unlikely spoilers for Real, Granada present at least a somewhat interesting task for Barca. They have won three of four in the league to secure their top-flight status, including a 4-1 hammering of a good Sevilla side their last time out. The good news for Barcelona fans, of course, is that with their last four wins by a 21-0 combined scoreline, the stench from that inexplicable stretch in April is mostly gone. There are few indications Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Co are about to let the title slip.
Sunday, BeIn Sports, 6pm
Swansea City v Manchester City
It is the Premier League’s final day, so all the action is on offer at the same time. But Manchester City might make for the most compelling viewing, as they look to seal Champions League football for incoming manager Pep Guardiola. Manchester United, meanwhile, hope to keep the pressure on them with their fixture against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Tottenham Hotspur also hope to hold off Arsenal for second place when they travel to Newcastle, with their north London rivals hosting bottom club Aston Villa.
