10 Players to Watch in World Football for Weekend of Oct. 31-Nov. 2
The world of football never sleeps. Midweek league and cup fixtures have entertained over the past few days, but the weekend is what everyone looks forward to: big games, key clashes and star players.
This weekend is no different, and we've gone through the upcoming fixtures to select some of the players to watch out for over the next few days, whether it be because they take part in a match of note, are coming back into form or for some other pertinent reason.
Here are our 10 players to watch this weekend; feel free to add your own below.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, NYRB
1 of 10
We've got plenty of European talent to get through, but we're bookending them with two names to watch in MLS play-offs, starting with Bradley Wright-Phillips.
His New York Red Bulls side take on Sporting KC very early on Friday (or late on Thursday, depending where you are) and the top scorer from the regular season, hitting 27 goals, will be the spearhead for his team's attempts to make the latter stages.
Anything can happen in the play-offs if you have a forward capable of being in the right place at the right time, and BWP has shown many times this season that he is that man.
Franck Ribery, Bayern Munich
2 of 10
Over to the Bundesliga, where there is the small matter of Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund to watch out for—although with BVB picking up appalling results so far this term, this particular clash doesn't carry the gravitas it otherwise might have done.
Bayern might well even change a few of their usual starters around, not weakening the side per se but giving one or two recent subs a chance to start—with Franck Ribery coming into that category after recovering from injury.
He certainly wouldn't weaken the side and will be raring to go, with the talent to win any game on his own.
Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool
3 of 10
To the Premier League, where one of the most entertaining, if not necessarily vital, games of any season is set to take place on Saturday: Newcastle United vs. Liverpool.
The Reds are trying to find form after a couple of recent wins, with Philippe Coutinho rediscovering his own killer touch moving from midfield into the attack. His dribbling and through balls are Liverpool's big positive at the moment, and he has surely done enough to justify starting this game.
Newcastle are back in form themselves, making the game a close one to call, but the Brazilian's technique and creativity could tip the balance.
Kostas Manolas, Roma
4 of 10
Roma face a difficult trip to resurgent Napoli at the weekend, a side who have gone six league games unbeaten and scored nine goals in their last three games.
Kostas Manolas can expect to come under a little more pressure than he has done in some games of late, with the Greek centre-back already proving a fantastic signing and a big reason for Roma's excellent defensive record this season.
The Giallorossi sit level on points with Juve so can ill afford many slip-ups, even against tough opposition.
Ivan Rakitic, Barcelona
5 of 10
Barcelona were second best in El Clasico, with Luis Enrique maybe ruing one or two of his team selections after the game.
Ivan Rakitic was surprisingly one of those left out of the line-up against Real Madrid, with the Croatian's energy and creativity really being missed by his team for too much of the game. He will certainly return against Celta Vigo with Andres Iniesta out injured.
In a game in which both teams will want to have the ball and play through the centre, Rakitic's ability and speed of thought will prove crucial.
Angel Di Maria, Manchester United
6 of 10
Most Premier League-based eyes will be firmly trained on the Manchester derby this weekend, as City host United on Sunday.
With City somewhat out of form and with no stand-out leader looking likely to drag them forward, Angel Di Maria could be set to take centre stage and run the show from the middle with his power and running—on and off the ball.
The Argentine is in lethal form in the final third with his end product, and with City's back line looking vulnerable of late, he could turn out to be a match-winner.
Diego Alves, Valencia
7 of 10
Back to Spain, where Valencia this weekend face Villarreal away from home.
Los Che have been largely excellent this season and sit in the top four, with a fine defensive record bettered only by last season's top two, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. For that, they have two men to thank: centre-back Nicolas Otamendi and goalkeeper Diego Alves.
The latter is sure to be tested this weekend against an offensive and pacy side, with the likes of Uche, Denis Cheryshev, Gio dos Santos and Luciano Vietto all capable of breaching Valencia's back line.
Costel Pantilimon, Sunderland
8 of 10
Our final look at England sees us cast our eyes toward another goalkeeper: Sunderland's Costel Pantilimon.
The Romanian last played for his side in the League Cup defeat to Stoke City in September, but after the woeful attempts of Vito Mannone in recent league games, he is surely in with a shout of usurping him for the No. 1 spot.
Sunderland face Crystal Palace on Monday night in a big game toward the foot of the Premier League table.
Hulk, Zenit
9 of 10
Hulk has, without doubt, been the stand-out attacking player in the Russian Premier League this season.
Per his statistics on WhoScored.com, the Brazilian forward is the league's joint-top goalscorer and is joint-second in assists. He also leads the way in shots per game and dribbles per game, and he is in the top three for key passes too.
This weekend, table-topping Zenit face reigning champions CSKA Moscow. It's a clash between the top two and very likely a match featuring the eventual Russian champions for this season.
Jaime Penedo, LA Galaxy
10 of 10
As promised, we finish up back in MLS play-off territory, with a look at our third goalkeeper of the weekend.
LA Galaxy's Jaime Penedo was a real force for his side during the regular season, with no other team in either conference conceding less than the 37 goals they shipped. The undisputed No. 1 for his team, Penedo was nevertheless at fault for Seattle Sounders' late second goal in the final regular-season fixture, and he can ill afford any further slip-ups in the brutal play-offs.
How he recovers mentally from that will be as important as his technical performance when Galaxy face Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
