Jon Turner picks five football matches not to be missed this weekend.
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ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE
Al Ahli v Baniyas, Abu Dhabi Sports HD, Friday 8.45pm
The UAE top flight has enjoyed its first meaningful title battle in years as Al Ahli and Al Ain duked it out at the top of the table for much of the season. That was until Ahli edged the recent encounter between the top two to create some daylight, and the Dubai club can wrap up their second title in three years at the Rashid Stadium if they avoid defeat to Baniyas. For a team that has won all 11 of their home fixtures this season, scoring 32 goals in the process, taking on a team that has six defeats on the road, this should be a walk in the park. A title triumph would be fully deserved for Cosmin Olaroiu and his team, and their return to next season’s Asian Champions League will be most welcome to all UAE football fans after their absence this year.
BUNDESLIGA
Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach, beIN Sports HD, Saturday 5.30pm
Another club that can seal their domestic league title is Bayern Munich when they host Borussia Monchengladbach, with victory guaranteeing Pep Guardiola a flawless Bundesliga record from his three years in charge. Second-placed Borussia Dortmund have clung on to their own title hopes for the past few weeks, matching each Bayern victory with one of their own, but Bayern are expected to deliver the knockout blow this weekend. Bayern could give their rivals reason for optimism if Guardiola opts to rest a host of star players, given this tie takes place between the two legs of the Uefa Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid. But that may just be clutching at straws, and Bayern captain Philipp Lahm is likely to be hoisting the trophy to a backdrop of confetti on Saturday.
PORTUGUESE PRIMERA LIGA
Porto v Sporting, beIN Sports HD, Saturday 9.30pm
A European title race that could go down to the wire is in Portugal as Benfica lead rivals Sporting by two points with three matches to play. Benifca, who have won nine league matches in a row, are likely to extend that lead to five points for at least 24 hours when they host 11th-placed Vitoria Guimaraes on Friday, and Sporting will need to win at Porto to maintain their own title challenge. Porto, by their own standards, have struggled this season and find themselves in third, 10 points behind Sporting, but will pose a stern test to the Lisbon club. Anything less than victory for Sporting will likely spell the end of their title bid. It’s just that time of year.
PRIMERA LIGA
Real Betis v Barcelona, beIN Sports HD, Saturday 10.30pm
Italy’s Serie A has been settled, the Premier League in England looks a forgone conclusion, and the Bundesliga should be decided, but the fourth of Europe’s biggest leagues is as close and tense as it can get. Barcelona lead Atletico Madrid on a superior head-to-head record, as Real Madrid trail by a point behind with three games remaining. Barca’s blip of three successive defeats was followed in brutal style with 8-0 and 6-0 wins over Deportivo La Coruna and Sporting Gijon respectively. A fine way to bounce back, but there is no time to rest for Lionel Messi and his teammates, as anything less than victory at Betis is likely to hand Atletico, who host 16th-placed Rayo Vallecano, the advantage with just two games left. It really is too close to call in Spain.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester United v Leicester City, beIN Sports HD, Sunday 5.05pm
Most football supporters in the world, and fans of fantasy fiction for that matter, are likely to be transfixed on Sunday evening when Leicester City tread onto the Old Trafford pitch knowing victory will ensure the most unlikely league title in English football history. As has been well documented by now, Leicester were bottom of the Premier League table with 10 games to go last season, and were among the favourites for relegation this year. Instead, Claudio Ranieri and his side require just three points from three games to win the league. It could happen against record winners United, although the 20-time champions will provide a tough test. Louis van Gaal’s side have won six of their last eight league matches and are one of the form teams, although there could be some changes to his regular line-up with the FA Cup final on the horizon. Leicester will still be without main striker Jamie Vardy, but that didn’t seem to affect them too much against Swansea City, with replacement Leonardo Ulloa scoring twice in the 4-0 win. Anyone that is not a United or Tottenham fan will be a Leicester supporter for the day.
