5 Games to Watch This Weekend
Sometimes it can be hard to plan your weekend, but not this time.
This time, we've got your weekend planned for you.
Being the good friends we are, we'll hook you up with all the big games that you can't afford to miss this weekend, with action scheduled from all of Europe's major leagues. We've got it all for you, and we've put it right here in one place for you to easily find.
Here are five games you can't afford to miss this weekend.
Hertha BSC vs. Schalke 04
1 of 5
German Bundesliga
Saturday, November 2, 2013
KO: 2:30 p.m. BST
Why You'll Want to Watch
Schalke 04 finished last season in impressive style and were perhaps unlucky not to make a further run in the Champions League than they did. The likes of Julian Draxler were playing out of this world, and the Germans were seemingly on the cusp of being the "next big thing."
Only that it hasn't quite worked out that way so far this year.
They've struggled mightily in their own Bundesliga backyard and haven't translated their form at all across into Europe either. They have a big Champions League match coming up soon and will want to focus on that, but this tricky trip to the nation's capital to take on a rapidly improving Hertha BSC side won't be easy—Schalke must give it their full attention if they want to come away with points.
Look for Hertha BSC to frustrate Schalke, and for this to be a pivotal game either way. If Schalke to bounce back this year, this could well be the game that starts it.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
2 of 5
English Premier League
Saturday, November 2, 2013
KO: 5:30 p.m. BST
Why You'll Want to Watch
Two teams currently flying the Premier League, both Arsenal and Liverpool won't want their dream start to end. Yet for whichever team comes out worse for wear from this clash, their momentum will certainly take a huge hit, with the inevitable questions of title legitimacy rising once more.
And while those questions will no doubt be the biggest talking point on the night, there's all the little subplots and nuances that will make this one something special.
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in form against a suspect Arsenal defense; Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil trying to break down Liverpool's strength at the back.
And remember that Suarez himself nearly joined Arsenal over the summer. Will this be the fixture that he shows the Gunners exactly what they did (or didn't) miss out on?
Milan vs. Fiorentina
3 of 5
Italian Serie A
Saturday, November 2, 2013
KO: 7:45 p.m. BST
Why You'll Want to Watch
It's almost unthinkable to imagine AC Milan not being in the Champions League next season, but already, the Rossoneri's plans are starting to unravel this season.
Massimiliano Allegri will welcome Fiorentina to the San Siro knowing that they need points, and hopefully, knowing that his tinkering has led to much of their undoing this season. Milan cannot find the rhythm or dominance in attack that they showed throughout last season, and against a Fiorentina side that continues to cause problems for Milan, they need that to change quickly this weekend.
Having already beat Juventus 4-2 this year, Fiorentina are certainly the real deal, but the absence of Mario Gomez continues to raise doubts about their attacking strength.
Milan have only lost one of their last 17 home league games but haven't beaten Fiorentina in two years now—including twice at the San Siro. Talk about intriguing!
If you can have a season-defining game in November, this is it for Milan.
Everton vs. Tottenham Hotspur
4 of 5
English Premier League
Sunday, November 3, 2013
KO: 1:30 p.m. BST
Why You'll Want to Watch
Under Roberto Martinez, Everton have a newfound allure about them. They're playing top-quality, possession-based football, and it's starting to work for them.
Andre Villas-Boas would love to get to that point, but he's not quite there yet.
What the Tottenham boss does have, though, is the players given the extraordinary summer budget he had with Gareth Bale's transfer. Spurs are blessed with talent right across the pitch, and if they can make that work in big games, then the North London club are in for a very strong season.
So far, it hasn't quite happened yet, but playing strong opposition in Everton might actually help that. After all, teams always seem to play better against better teams.
Arsenal and Liverpool will attract all the headlines given their positioning on the table, but football-wise, Everton and Tottenham promises to be the better game.
Lille OSC vs. AS Monaco
5 of 5
French Ligue 1
Sunday, November 3, 2013
KO: 8:00 p.m. BST
Why You'll Want to Watch
Monaco have to drop off, surely. That's the general thought surrounding the French club at the moment following their stunning (and so far undefeated) start to the season.
Having drawn their past two games, is the drop off going to come here?
Both clubs suffered stunning shocking losses in the Coupe de la Ligue during the week and will be keen to avenge that with a win here against strong opposition.
Lille have conceded in just two home games all season while Monaco have won less than 50 percent of their road games. Having said that, though, some of those road games have been against very tough opposition and they'll certainly fancy their chances at getting a result here.
Can Lille end Monaco's unbeaten start to the season or will the new French giants continue to defy expectations on them this year? You won't want to miss it.
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