Euro matches to look out for

We are now gearing up to the ‘run-in’ of the 2023/24 campaign with the plenty to still to play for across all six of the major European leagues with around two months of the season to go.

As we return from the March international break, this is our regular look at and preview of a standout game from each of the six big leagues; the Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, Primeira Liga and Serie A.

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund | 5.30pm on Saturday

It is ‘Der Klassiker’ on Saturday evening but, for once, it is quite surprising that neither side head into the Bundesliga ‘run-in’ with much of a chance of claiming the German title. 

Thomas Tuchel was boosted by Harry Kane not playing over the March international break and he is set to be available for this weekend’s clash with Dortmund. The Bavarians have relied on the England captain throughout the campaign as they try and chase down Bayer Leverkusen at the top-of-the-table, who have a ten-point lead over Bayern.

Borussia Dortmund, under the management of Edin Terzic, begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots after a much-needed improvement in form. They hammered Eintracht Frankfurt by three goals to one a couple of weeks ago after defeating PSV Eindhoven to move into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

LA LIGA

Real Madrid vs Athletic Club | 8pm on Sunday

Both of these sides have been entertaining to watch and we head into the ‘run-in’ in La Liga with both of these sides looking to create some history in the final couple of months. 

Carlo Ancelotti has instilled the almost stereotypical mentality that has served Real Madrid so well throughout their history and that simply revolves around Los Blancos ‘finding a way’. ‘Finding a way’ they are doing indeed, too, having moved into the territory of ‘champions-elect’ in Spain with an eight-point lead at the top-of-the-table. 

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Athletic Club have a major opportunity next week when the Basque club travel south to Seville to face Real Mallorca at La Cartuja in the final of the Copa del Rey. Ernesto Valverde’s visitors have been very good to watch this season and also squeezed themselves into the top four ahead of Atletico Madrid before the break. 

LIGUE 1

Olympique de Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain | 7.45pm on Sunday

‘Le Classique’ is a typically fierce rivalry but has been uncompetitive on the pitch for quite some time and this weekend is expected to be no different as they face each other at Stade Velodrome.

Olympique de Marseille come into this one on the back of a 2-0 loss to Stade Rennais in their most recent outing before the March international break. However, former Ivory Coast boss Jean-Louis Gasset enjoyed an impressive start to life in the south of France with five successive victories to kick off his reign in which they scored 18 goals across all competitions. 

Paris Saint-Germain have found themselves eventually adapting quite well to the easy on the eye and progressive style of football that Luis Enrique has implemented at Parc des Princes. PSG did draw three matches in a row a few weeks ago but then went into the international break on the back of a 6-2 hammering of Montpellier. 

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City vs Arsenal | 4.30pm on Sunday

Defending champions Manchester City welcome league leaders Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon in what could be a title decider this Easter weekend. 

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City are eyeing up a historic ‘double treble’ this season but begin the so-called Premier League ‘run-in’ sitting third in the table, which will be very unusual for City this late into a campaign. They can go above Arsenal with a victory at the Etihad on Sunday but will be reliant on Liverpool dropping points if they are to ascend to the top-of-the-table. 

🛡️ Fewer than 10 shots conceded per game (top 4 tiers; 2023/24):

⛔️ 8.3: Arsenal, Man City
⛔️ 9.4: Leeds, Derby
⛔️ 9.5: Stockport#PL #EFL #AFC #LUFC #DCFC #stockportcounty pic.twitter.com/lFQhD8aUQA

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 21, 2024

Arsenal have been magnificent in 2024. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have played eight matches in this calendar year and they have enjoyed eight victories. In those eight wins, they have propelled themselves to the position of league leaders and they have scored a combined total of 33 goals in that time. 

PRIMEIRA LIGA

Vitoria Guimaraes vs Moreirense | 3.30pm on Saturday

As we head into the ‘run-in’ in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, both of these sides will be aiming to finish in the top six and potential UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.

For the third successive campaign, Vitoria Guimaraes are aiming for European qualification. They begin the weekend sitting fifth in the table and have been a lot more impressive than in the past. The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 victory over Chaves last weekend, which was their third successive Primeira Liga victory.

Following promotion last season, Moreirense begin the return from the March international break sitting in the top six and potentially in with a shout of earning European qualification. The visitors edged past Arouca by a goal to nil a couple of weeks ago and, despite the fact they have an easy on the eye style of football, their last eight matches have consisted of just eight goals. 

SERIE A

Lazio vs Juventus | 5pm on Saturday

Lazio sacked former Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri a couple of months ago and the current Juve boss, Massimiliano Allegri, could also be sacked from Serie A before the end of the season.

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As mentioned, Maurizio Sarri has been relieved of his duties in the Italian capital with former Hellas Verona and Olympique de Marseille boss Igor Tudor being appointed at Stadio Olimpico over the March international break. Tudor will shift the system to a back three, most likely, but still plays an easy on the eye and progressive style. 

In mid-January, Juventus were genuinely involved in the Italian title race but they have absolutely collapsed since then and actually fallen to third in the table. The Old Lady come into this one on the back of a goalless draw with Genoa in Turin a couple of weeks ago and that means they now managed just one win in eight matches.