10 Players to Watch in World Football This Weekend of Dec. 5-7
Midweek action has been pretty heavy throughout Europe, with domestic cups and full league fixtures lists being played out. But quick as a flash, the weekend is almost upon us once more.
We're into December now, so players and teams no longer have the excuse of "settling in" as a reason for their inconsistent form—it all counts from this point on and big performances can yield important points.
Here are the 10 players to watch this weekend, featuring in vital matches in Europe and the Americas.
Roberto Firmino, Hoffenheim
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Borussia Dortmund are in action on Friday night, but it's gotten to the stage that we're now looking at their rivals to make an impact on their games instead of the Dortmund players, whose collective performance has seen the club sink to the bottom of the Bundesliga.
Hoffenheim brought a three-game losing streak to an end last time out and are just one point off a top-four place, so they will head to the match with the confidence that they further their own claims for a Champions League berth with another victory.
Roberto Firmino has been in great form of late, finding the back of the net with some regularity and creating chances for his team-mates. With so many errors in the Dortmund back line recently, Firmino could really take advantage.
Paul Pogba, Juventus
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Fiorentina vs. Juventus is another Friday night game.
La Viola have been a little too inconsistent to be dreaming of a European place this season, while Juventus remain something of a runaway train domestically, winning four on the bounce and opening up a three-point gap at the top.
Paul Pogba has been deployed in a more advanced role of late, and against Lazio, he showed just how effective his powerful runs, composed finishing and ability to beat men can be. The midfielder could find just as much space to work in against Fiorentina as Juve go chasing a 12th win from their 14th league game this season.
Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
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Olivier Giroud has impressed significantly since returning to action after recovering from a broken leg, with his appearance off the bench in midweek being the catalyst for Arsenal's victory over Southampton.
Playing away to Stoke City at the weekend, you suspect Arsene Wenger will want the burly, powerful forward leading his front line from the start, perhaps leaving one of Danny Welbeck or Alexis Sanchez out for this particular game against organised and aggressive opposition.
Giroud has the confidence and the form to make a telling impact in the match, and he has been one of the Gunners' better players in their two narrow wins in recent games.
Gareth Bale, Real Madrid
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Another player back from injury recently is Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, who was quiet in the win over Eibar two weeks ago but starred and scored against Malaga in his last outing.
He will look to continue from there against Celta Vigo, a side who like to play and press forward whenever possible. Celta left-back Jonny is prone to leaving gaps down the channel, meaning this could be a game in which Bale finds plenty of space to run into.
Bale's place in the first team is under threat at present, with Jese back from injury, Isco and James performing superbly and Cristiano Ronaldo being both undroppable and unstoppable. Add Karim Benzema into the mix and Real have six starting options for four places in two different systems, so Bale has no choice but to keep performing.
Fredy Guarin, Inter Milan
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Inter Milan's revival under Roberto Mancini hasn't yet begun in earnest, with a draw and a defeat in his two league games to date.
They face Udinese at home at the weekend, though, a game they'll expect to take victory from, even with the Udine side one point and two places above them in the table. With Mancini having altered the system since returning to the club, Colombian Fredy Guarin has had a place handed back to him that allows him to bustle forward and try to link the attack, as well as get shots away.
Guarin has only played around 400 league minutes this season, per WhoScored.com, but the trust placed he has had placed in him by Mancini means he'll—initially at least—be part of the success and resurgence of Inter if things go according to Mancini's plans.
Luciano Vietto, Villarreal
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One of the most intriguing games of the weekend in La Liga is that between Villarreal and Real Sociedad. One is an attack-minded, possession-based side capable of great football; the other is under new management and is becoming a more organised unit that looks to be growing in confidence, keeping two clean sheets since David Moyes arrived.
La Real will have focus on them again because of the new manager, not to mention the likes of Carlos Vela performing particularly well at present, but they have yet to win a game away from home this season. In contrast, Villarreal have been either great or poor at home, losing as many as they have won at El Madrigal.
Luciano Vietto has eased his way into the team since the start of the season and is now the club's joint-top scorer, showing great technique and movement with an improving confidence and composure inside the box. He's more than capable of being the first player to score against Moyes' Sociedad and earning a win that could push Villarreal back closer to the top four—they lie in sixth at present.
Radamel Falcao, Manchester United
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James Wilson got the nod to start for Manchester United against Stoke in midweek, with Radamel Falcao coming off the bench for the second successive league game. With plenty of matches to come in December, though, United's trip to Southampton could finally see the Colombian back in the starting XI.
With Wayne Rooney injured and Robin van Persie not yet back to his best, United really need Falcao to show that he is capable of being a long-term player for them or indeed anything other than an impact sub this season.
Southampton are struggling with injuries in defence, and Falcao's power and athleticism could break down their resistance quickly.
Hulk, Zenit
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Sticking with South American forwards, the big game in the Russian Premier League this weekend sees first host third, with Zenit at home to Krasnodar. The away team have been a surprise contender at the top end of the table this season, only losing second spot in midweek after a draw in their derby with Kuban Krasnodar.
Zenit have been largely impressive this season, looking organised, strong and committed to the challenge of winning the title, having come so close in the last campaign. Hulk has been in tremendous form and is the league's joint-top scorer and joint-third with assists.
His ability to beat a man and quickly get a shot away has been key to Zenit's game plan this season, and he shows no sign of slowing down any time soon as his side look extend their seven-point lead at the top.
Lee Nguyen, New England Revolution
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Our final two stops on the list come from key fixtures outside of Europe, starting with Sunday's MLS Cup final between the two second-placed teams from the regular-season Conferences: LA Galaxy and New England Revolution.
For our key man in the game, we're going for New England's Lee Nguyen, an attacking midfielder who has shown great consistency and drive from deep this season, hitting an impressive 20 goals for the season and showing himself as a great creator, as well as finisher of moves.
Nguyen's movement through the middle and down the channels will be New England's best weapon in their bid to lift silverware in the final game of the season.
Henrique, Palmeiras
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We finish up with the final round of matches in Serie A in Brazil, where Cruzeiro have sewn up the title but Palmeiras are still fighting for their lives to avoid relegation.
A good run of form saw them only lose two from nine to seemingly save themselves—but five successive losses since the start of November leaves Palmeiras only one place and one point above the drop zone on the final day. Their last game of the season is at home to Atletico Paranaense, sitting in eighth and with little to play for.
Palmeiras' defence has been so leaky—the worst in the league—that they'll have no option but to look to their forwards to save the day, so Henrique, the Brasileirao's second-highest scorer, has to add to his 15 goals this term.
He hasn't scored since late October, though—the team has only netted once in the last five games—so huge pressure is on Henrique to rediscover his scoring touch and keep the Alviverde above the dotted line.
