Five Must-See Matches This Weekend

The football is coming thick and fast now and another weekend of wonderful viewing is on the cards, so here's the guide to it all. NFL jerseys


Sports Pundit's Game of the Weekend
Arsenal v Manchester United
English Premier League
Sunday, 5pm (Central European Time)

Whenever Arsenal and Manchester United face off it is always an occasion. But when the pair are separated by only a point towards the top of the Premier League table it makes for must-see viewing.

United's midweek Carling Cup success will buoy them with Wayne Rooney currently in sparkling form. But Arsenal has managed to stay there and thereabouts this season in the Premier League and with Cesc Fabregas back to full fitness, they'll be dangerous.

Arsenal have not lost to the Red Devils in their last four home clashes between the two but this is an important clash. With Chelsea facing struggling Burnley this weekend, both these two may need the points here.

Sporting Braga v Sporting Lisbon
Portuguese Liga Sagres
Friday, 9.45pm (CET)

Domingos Pacienca's Braga are currently, somewhat surprisingly, leading Portugal's top flight but this Friday they face giants Sporting Lisbon. Interestingly, it is Sporting's city rivals Benfica who are challenging Braga in the title race, which adds a bit of a substory here.

Both sides have won their last three in the league although Sporting have been woefully inconsistent throughout and are 12 points off the pace. But their recent form suggests maybe they've turned the corner and Braga will be weary.
Deportivo Coruna v Real Madrid
Spanish La Liga
Saturday, 10pm (CET)

The Spanish title race continues with second-placed Real Madrid facing a difficult journey to Coruna to face fifth-placed Deportivo. And Los Galacticos, who have fallen five points behind leaders Barcelona, are without their suspended star Cristiano Ronaldo.

On the other hand, Depor aren't without their absentees with a lengthy injury list including dangerous left-sided pair Filipe Kasmirski and Andres Guardado. Deportivo's midweek Copa del Rey might give them added incentive but Real's quality is abundant although form slumps for Kaka and Karim Benzema are a worry.

Ghana v Egypt
African Cup of Nations Final
Sunday, 5pm (CET)

Africa's continental tournament reaches its finale on Sunday in Angola, as Ghana's Black Stars face Egypt's Pharoahs. Egypt will be defending their title as they try to make it three African Cups in a row, while Ghana will be hoping to end a drought of over 25 years with their last title back in 1982.

Egypt's impressive 4-0 thumping of Algeria in the semi-final suggests they can be considered favourites, while all of Ghana's wins have been tight 1-0 triumphs and they are without Michael Essien. In the Chelsea star's absence, though, Ghana's young stars have stepped up in Angola and they might go one step further.

Juventus v Lazio
Italian Serie A
Sunday, 8.45pm (CET)

Two Italian giants performing below expectation face off in Serie A's late Sunday kick-off. Juventus have lost their last three and are woefully out of form and undermanned, putting the pressure on boss Ciro Ferrara. Lazio, on the other hand, are struggling down in 15th and in need of a boost.

But Juventus are the focus of much attention, with talk about Ferrara's replacement with names such as Rafa Benitez and Alberto Zaccheroni thrown up. It adds another dimension to this contest and Lazio's Sergio Floccari could pop up with a crucial goal or two.