Matches to look out for

The winter break and then the international break have caused some disruptions to the six major European leagues in the last month.

The FA Cup fourth round in England means there is no Premier League action this weekend but France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain do return with a full programme of fixtures. This is a round-up of the key games to look out for this weekend…

All-kick off times are GMT.

BUNDESLIGA

Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig | Saturday | 17:30 

Julian Nagelsmann hosts his former side with his current side sitting pretty at the top-of-the-table in the Bundesliga.

Now then, whilst Bayern are at the top and whilst they have been intense and slick in equal measure throughout the vast majority of this campaign, the Bavarians do sit just six points clear of chasing Borussia Dortmund. Given that, games as big as this one remain relevant and important.

RB Leipzig struggled at the start of this season, following the departure of Nagelsmann and appointment of Domenico Tadesco. Tadesco has a more solid and controlling style of play which has helped them come into this on the back of three successive victories.

LA LIGA

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid | Sunday | 15:15

It was a hectic transfer window for Barcelona. Despite the fact they lost arguably the world’s greatest ever player due to financial issues suggesting they might be in a pickle for a while.

Xavi’s appointment in November has been followed by some progression in terms of tweaks to the style of play but there is going to need to be a lot more to convince that his Catalan side can break back into the top four of La Liga.

📈 Most #LaLigaSantander clean sheets fr. 2019/20:

4⃣5⃣: ⛔SEVILLA⛔
4⃣3⃣: Real Madrid
4⃣1⃣: Atletico Madrid
3⃣5⃣: Getafe
3⃣3⃣: Barcelona, Real Sociedad#SevillaFC @SevillaFC_ENG pic.twitter.com/shGoavJiXy

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) January 21, 2022

The team that they look set to be challenging for the top four alongside is the reigning champions, Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side have declined rapidly this season with the personnel at his disposal not necessarily fitting into his more determined and dogged style of play. 

LIGUE 1    

Lille vs Paris Saint-Germain | Sunday | 19:45

This is a match between the reigning champions and the champions-elect of this season. The two sides have combined for the last four titles… yes, it’s 3-1 to PSG.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out of the Coupe de France in midweek by Nice. They have consistently underperformed throughout the campaign and lack any real cohesion and look very disjointed. Despite that, they are cruising towards a tenth French title.

Lille lost manager Christophe Galtier as well as several key men, including even Jonathan Ikone in the January transfer window to Fiorentina. Jocelyn Gourvennec has improved them slightly of late and they will be looking to finish the season strongly in the top-half. 

PRIMEIRA LIGA

Vitoria Guimaraes vs Braga | Saturday | 20:30

This is a match between two of the more progressive and open and attacking sides in a usually fairly dull and conservative, low-scoring Primeira Liga.

The last five matches involving the home team have finished with both teams scoring and they have matched that with good form that has them on the cusp of the top five and the European spots. However, the loss of Marcus Edwards to Sporting on transfer deadline day is a blow.

Carlos Carvalhal’s tenure at Braga has been a very innovative and intriguing one. The former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday manager has intentionally created and developed a ‘formation-less’ style of play which can often be quite inconsistent but they are well worth watching. 

SERIE A

Inter Milan vs Milan | Saturday | 17:00

Derby della Madonnina – but with a twist. For the first time in quite a while, the famous derby and rivalry of Milan and San Siro will have an impact on the title race.

©Getty / DeFodi Images

Simone Inzaghi took over Inter Milan in the summer with the club in some financial trouble and having lost key men Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku, as well as Antonio Conte. However, they now sit top-of-the-table with only Liverpool having scored more than them in Europe this season.

Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan have steadily progressed under his leadership and qualification for the UEFA Champions League has been built on this year. The Rossoneri sit level on points with Napoli, four below Inter at the top.