This weekend, the world of football takes center stage with incredible cup matches in Spain and England, and Liverpool has a chance to win the Premier League. Our editors will be watching the following this weekend: Saturday, April 26th
Finale of Copa del Rey between Real Madrid and Barcelona at 22:00 CET The Copa del Rey champions will be crowned this weekend, and it's a tempting prospect because Barcelona and Real Madrid, which are archrivals, are competing for the title. The last time we saw an El Clasico final was in 2014, when Gareth Bale scored the game-winning solo goal by sprinting past Marc Bartra at breakneck speed. Barcelona is having a great season and is considering the possibility of winning the treble. Hansi Flick has led his team to the top of LaLiga and into the Champions League semi-finals by four points. On Saturday, he will be able to take the first step toward a historic season. It has been far tougher going for Real. Knocked out of Europe in the last eight stage at the hands of Arsenal, the pressure is piling on Carlo Ancelotti and his players. The Copa del Rey is their most realistic chance of a trophy, so the players will certainly be up for it and desperate for redemption.
However, Real have been on the receiving end of two heavy beatings against Barcelona this season. Barca defeated Los Blancos by a score of five in their most recent Spanish Super Cup match, just three months after the Catalan team also prevailed 4-0 at the Bernabeu. The odds are stacked against Real, but if their star players perform well in this one-time final, it could be a big draw at the box office. Sunday, April 27th
Roma vs. Inter Milan at 15:00 CET On Wednesday night, Inter suffered their first significant setback of the season when they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by their Milan rivals. AC Milan produced their best performance of the season to book a place in the final and end Inter's treble aspirations in a painful night for Simeone Inzaghi's side.
A win against long-standing Serie A rivals AS Roma to get their title hopes back on track (after a shock defeat to Bologna last weekend) would go some way to healing the wounds of the Milan derby defeat. However, defeat is a real possibility and would be hugely damaging.
After a disappointing first half of the season, AS Roma are the form team in Italy and are undefeated in 19 games in Serie A. Since his appointment in November, manager Claudio Ranieri has done a remarkable job of bringing out the best in his players and giving exciting talents like Matias Soule a chance. Therefore, Inter will have to have at the top of their game in front of their home fans to secure a crucial three points in a title race that is hotting up nicely.
It would also calm some concerns of a season collapse ahead of a huge Champions League semi-final first leg away to Barcelona next Wednesday evening. Roma, however, will relish the role of underdogs and will not let their unbeaten run come to an end without one hell of a fight.
Liverpool vs Spurs - 17:30 CET
Arne Slot's team faces the prospect of making history, as Liverpool only require a point against Tottenham on Sunday to win a record-breaking 20th Premier League title. The Reds - who are unbeaten in their last 15 home league head-to-heads (W11, D4) - will be hoping to get the job done against Ange Postecoglou’s side and finally celebrate a first Premier League title in front of supporters.
As for Tottenham, their dreadful league form continued against Nottingham Forest on Monday with an 18th defeat of the season. That is only one less than their previous season-high total of 19 set in 2003/04 and 1993/94. The North London club starts the weekend in 16th place in the table. With the Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt just around the corner, it could be a long day for Postecoglou's team at Anfield. Goals are never in short supply when the two sides meet, and Sunday promises to be no different as Liverpool target a historic result. Make sure you tune in!
FA Cup semi-final, Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest - 17:30 CET
Manchester City's season has been subpar. Unable to challenge for both Premier League or Champions League, they are left with one shot at silverware this campaign through the FA Cup.
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, have been flying all season long. Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed them into a counter-attacking, mean machine in pursuit of an unlikely Champions League qualification that has strained the league throughout the entire campaign. With a 1-0 victory in March thanks to a Callum Hudson-Odoi goal, they upset Pep Guardiola, but their form has deteriorated in recent weeks, with two losses in their last three games. So much rests on this game for both sides, with City looking to save their season whilst Forest are chasing a first piece of major silverware since 1990. A full house at Wembley will greet the players for an unmissable watch - unless you're a Liverpool fan.
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