Top 5 games to watch around Europe this weekend

January 1, 2022

Even though some games have suffered postponements coupled with the upcoming winter breaks around Europe, we still get to witness some games across Europe this weekend. We’ve picked the best ones to watch.

Arsenal v Manchester City

Arsenal versus Manchester City always has a bit of added edge to it these days with Mikel Arteta – a former City coach and an apprentice to Pep Guardiola – leads the Gunners out and now does so in excellent form.

Following the 5-0 thrashing from City over Arsenal earlier in the season, a fight for relegation rather than the top four looked on for Arteta’s men. Now, however, they host the champions when sitting in fourth and only six points off second and third.

City can also make it 10 league wins on the bounce.

Chelsea v Liverpool

Sticking with the Premier League and we have arguably the biggest game of the season as Chelsea play hosts to Liverpool where a loser in this tie could see their title hopes slip far away. A defeat here and a win for City would create an alarming nine-point gap.

The form of either side has taken a hit in recent weeks, hence the gap already, and the Blues regained some momentum with a win over Aston Villa last time out, just as Leicester City defeated Liverpool to deal them their second defeat of the league season.

Both clubs have the exact same record now in the league with 12 wins, five draws and two wins each. Chelsea have a slightly better defensive record, with the Reds bagging a few more goals. It’s set to be a thrilling encounter.

Atlético Madrid – Rayo Vallecano

Fourth meets third in La Liga this weekend as one of Europe’s surprise packages this season, Rayo Vallecano, meets with the champions, Atletico Madrid.

It’s Vallecano’s first season back in La Liga and prior to the season starting, they were expected to fight relegation and Atletico for their own title. However, the newly-promoted side have one more win (9), one more point (30), and sit in a Champions League spot right now with the champions slumped into fifth.

Stade Brestois v Bordeaux

Stade Brestois are only five places above the relegation-fighting Bordeaux in Ligue 1, and this game comes as a chance for the away side to finally give their fans something to cheer about as they stare deep into the face of Ligue 2 as we head into 2022.

This is a French Cup battle, however, with Bordeaux being one of the most successful teams in the competition with four wins and six runners-up medals. Brest, on the other hand, have never won the French Cup.

Montpellier v Strasbourg

High-flying Montpellier will play hosts to 10th-placed Strasbourg this weekend as the away side looks to get something out of a bad spell and advance into the next round of the French Cup.

Strasbourg have won this trophy three times and made it to three other finals at the same time, where they lost. Their most recent win was in 2001, while Montpellier’s last triumph was in 1990 – one of only two French Cup wins for them.