As the Europrean football season enters the final throes of 2016, Thomas Woods looks at some of the major talking points and key games this weekend, including a vital trip to Goodison Park for Manchester United.
Manchester United’s last chance
Here are some plus points of Manchester United’s current situation, which sees them sixth in the Premier League table, with one win in seven and 11 points off the leaders.
Firstly, they should have won all four of their most recent home games, which ended as draws so they can point to a bit of bad luck and the fact they aren’t too far away from turning those draws into positive results. They played well, goalscoring aside, in each game.
Secondly, the league is really competitive this season and every top side is likely to drop points so United could capitalise and pull themselves back into a title race. Although it is going to take a fantastic run of results to do that.
A look at United’s four fixtures over the winter period – Crystal Palace (away), West Bromwich Albion (a), Sunderland (home), Middlesbrough (h) – represents a golden chance at 12 points from four games; three of the bottom six and a West Brom side they should beat.
It puts a big emphasis on Sunday’s trip to Everton. A victory would give United momentum going into next week’s visit of Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford before their kind spell. We have seen what a winning run has done to a Chelsea side who, five games into the season, were looking a long way from table-toppers.
Madrid’s time for payback
Bragging rights in El Clasico have been fairly even in the past four seasons but one result stands out: Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 4, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, November 21, 2015.
It sparked the beginning of the end for Rafa Benitez as Madrid’s manager and set the tone for a triumphant league season for Barca, even if it did get close at the end.
Barca moved six points clear after that result. Now the boot is on the other foot. Madrid have scored 20 goals in their last six games, Barca have scored just once in their last two. Zinedine Zidane’s side will smell blood.
Can Origi replace Coutinho?
With playmaker Philippe Coutinho out for at least five weeks, Liverpool are left wondering if their brilliant form will come to a halt.
Before their last two games, Liverpool were scoring at a sensational rate of three goals per match. Key to that was Jurgen Klopp’s fluid front three and a high pressing game.
They have already had a glimpse of what life could be like without Coutinho. He went off early against Sunderland last week and it took most of the game for Liverpool to break the visitors down.
Now Klopp will be looking for someone who can have a similar impact. With Adam Lallana likely out injured and Daniel Sturridge out of form, Belgian youngster Divock Origi looks to be the man.
He’s obviously not in the same class, yet, as Coutinho, but he can play anywhere across the front, and will offer a more physical presence than the Brazilian.
Origi has two goals in two games, Liverpool will hope he can slot in alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane and keep his run of goals going.
Five games to watch
• Manchester City v Chelsea, Premier League, Saturday, 4.30pm With a third of the Premier League season gone, this might just be the most significant match so far. If Chelsea win, they open up a four-point gap on City and, more importantly, send a message to the rest of the league that they can take points off rivals on the road. Earlier this season they were thrashed 3-0 at Arsenal so it would signal a big turnaround. City, meanwhile, can halt their rivals' seven-game winning run, re-take top spot and remind everyone of their own title credentials.
• Barcelona v Real Madrid, Primera Liga, Saturday 7.15pm Rarely in recent years has there been a build-up to a clasico where the focus has been so heavy on Barcelona's poor form. Luis Enrique's team have won the last two Primera Liga titles but would slip nine points behind their rivals with defeat. And the omens are good for Madrid, who won 2-1 at Camp Nou last season and have won six clasicos (to Barca's five) since 2012/13.
• West Ham United v Arsenal, Premier League, Saturday 9.30pm Anyone remember this game last season? Arsenal went 2-0 up before Andy Carroll scored an eight-minute hat-trick. Laurent Koscielny then made it 3-3. West Ham have already shown they are good value for London derby thriller — see the 3-2 defeat at Spurs two weeks ago with two goals after the 88th minute. Arsenal will see this as a good chance to make up ground on City and Chelsea, who face each other earlier in the day.
• RB Leipzig v Schalke, Bundesliga, Saturday 9.30pm RB Leipzig's incredible run keeps going. They top the Bundesliga by three points from Bayern Munich and are one of only three unbeaten teams in Europe's top five leagues. Real Madrid and Hoffenheim (who have drawn seven) are the others. They may be hated in Germany, but neutrals must love them — their last five games have seen 20 goals scored.
• Lazio v Roma, Serie A, Sunday 6pm Another week, another big city derby in Italy, this time in the Eternal City. Lazio haven't won a derby in six attempts, but this season they are just a point behind second-placed Roma in fourth in the Serie A table, with both sides looking up at leaders Juventus who have already lost three games. The Turin club only lost five in the whole of last season. Serie A could get a new champion this season and both Rome clubs would be contenders.
Plan your weekend: The pick of the TV games
(All games on BeIN Sports, kick off times in UAE)
Friday
• Bundesliga: Mainz v Bayern Munich, 11.30pm
• Serie A: Napoli v Inter Milan, 11.45pm
Saturday
• Scottish Premier League: Motherwell v Celtic, 4.15pm
• Premier League: Manchester City v Chelsea, 4.30pm
• Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund v Borussia Monchengladbach, 6.30pm
• Scottish Premier League: Rangers v Aberdeen, 7pm
• Premier League: Tottenham v Swansea, 7pm
• Primera Liga: Barcelona v Real Madrid, 7.15pm
• Ligue 1: Montpellier v PSG, 8pm
• Premier League: West Ham v Arsenal, 9.30pm
• Bundesliga: RB Leipzig v Schalke, 9.30pm
• Ligue 1: Monaco v Bastia 11pm
• Serie A: Juventus v Atlanta, 11.45pm
• Primera Liga: Atletico Madrid v Espanyol, 11.45pm
Sunday
• Premier League: Bournemouth v Liverpool, 5.30pm
• Serie A: Lazio v Roma, 6pm
• Premier League: Everton v Manchester United, 8pm
Monday
• Premier League: Middlesborough v Hull City, midnight
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