10 Players to Watch in World Football This Weekend of Dec. 12-14
The Champions League may have taken our attentions in midweek, but the start of the weekend's action is upon us—and there's plenty of it, even with a reduced amount of leagues to watch out for.
MLS is over for the season, as is the top flight in Brazil. Argentina's Apertura has ended, and teams in both Russia and Ukraine have hit their winter limits and are off for a nice long break.
Fear not, though: We've still rounded up 10 of the biggest names to watch from the remaining competitions, from England to Mexico and back via Germany, Italy and Spain. Catch them all this weekend in the games that matter!
Robin van Persie, Manchester United
1 of 10
If you're a Premier League fan, there's only one match that matters this weekend: Manchester United vs. Liverpool. The two most successful clubs in the nation are both looking to recapture the form of their best years.
United, the home side, have won five in a row in the league, and striker Robin van Persie found his shooting boots last time out, even if his overall impact in the win over Southampton was limited.
"I’ve been feeling very well over the last couple of weeks," van Persie told ManUtd.com after the Southampton match. "Physically, I can make my runs over and over again. I had a feeling that it (a goal) was coming."
This weekend, he faces a fragile and fractured error-strewn defence that is lacking in confidence and frequently rotated. Even if Liverpool suddenly find form for this game, Van Persie recently showed he only needs a chance or two to hit the back of the net.
Christoph Kramer, Borussia Monchengladbach
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To the Bundesliga now, and one of the most intriguing matchups in that league sees Bayer Leverkusen play at home to Borussia Monchengladbach—fourth versus sixth.
In midfield is one Christoph Kramer, owned by Leverkusen but starring on loan at Gladbach, a World Cup winner and scorer of the season's best own goal.
Considering he's never played a league game for his parent club and is in his second season at the Foals, it's unlikely he'll have any kind of conflict of interest. But it'll still be interesting to see what kind of an impact he can have on the game as the away side chase a top-four berth, one of which Kramer's "real" club occupy at present.
Manolo Gabbiadini, Sampdoria
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To Italy and Serie A, where league leaders Juventus are set to face Sampdoria on Sunday.
In a similar situation to Kramer—but not exactly—is Manolo Gabbiadini, who is co-owned by Juve but plays for Samp, where he has hit five goals so far this season, including one in Monday's win over Hellas Verona.
There has been speculation, per Sky Sports, that Juve want to bring Gabbiadini back to play for them either in January or next season. If the forward has his eyes on that prize, there's no better match for him to make a telling impact.
Koke, Arda Turan, Luciano Vietto, Moi Gomez: Atletico Madrid vs. Villarreal
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One game in Spain this weekend really stands out as potentially being a tremendously watchable affair: Atletico Madrid vs. Villarreal.
Both teams play very good attacking football; the home side play a more counter-attacking-based game, while the away team look structured, technical and fast-paced in the final third.
Take your pick of the in-form attacking talents on show, but Koke and Arda Turan will flank Atleti's midfield and have the ability to win the game on their own, while Villarreal's Luciano Vietto has been superb of late. Moi Gomez could start on the flank or be employed as an impact sub, but he's exciting to watch and good enough to help his team from either role.
Jeremy Toulalan, Monaco
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To Ligue 1 in France, where Monaco face a test at home against league leaders Olympique de Marseille.
Marcelo Bielsa's charges are still trying to play their high-tempo, offensive brand of football, which has taken them to the top of the tree in France. How Monaco cope with that in midfield and protect the defence will be key.
Jeremy Toulalan is both experienced and aggressive and will have to cope with relentless runs from deep, as well as trying to structure his own team's play. Monaco are currently seventh; they can't afford to lose more ground if European football next season is an objective.
Jackson Martinez vs. Talisca, Porto vs. Benfica
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Over to Portugal now, where the top two are set to meet this weekend when Porto host Benfica.
Porto are second, three points behind leaders and rivals Benfica, but they are the last remaining unbeaten side in the Primeira Liga. They would leapfrog the Eagles with a home win.
Both teams have tremendous defensive records—just five and seven conceded respectively in 12 games—but both also possess the top scorers in the league. Jackson Martinez has 10 for Porto, and Talisca has eight for Benfica. Whichever one fires at the weekend can make all the difference.
Luis Mendoza, America
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Outside of Europe now, and our only selection this week from further afield.
Mexico's Liga MX Apertura stage is over and done with and the final between Tigres UANL and America takes place this week; the first leg early on Friday, the second on Sunday night.
America finished top in the Apertura stage and look a good bet for success in the final too, with forward Luis Mendoza in good form, hitting two goals in the semis. A repeat trick will seal glory for his side.
Aymeric Laporte, Athletic Bilbao
8 of 10
Back to Spain, and another big match this weekend sees a Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao.
Both are back on the rebound after poor starts. Athletic Bilbao lost resurgent centre-back Xabier Etxeita to injury recently, and though Mikel San Jose has performed well in his absence, it is French youngster Aymeric Laporte who remains the pivotal figure and the constant presence.
How he deals with La Real's attack, particularly if Carlos Vela is played centrally again, could dictate the outcome of the game.
Papiss Cisse, Newcastle United
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Newcastle United are one of the most in-form sides in the Premier League, and this weekend they face an Arsenal side that has been struggling for form.
Papiss Cisse has found his scoring boots again, with seven to his name this term, including two against Chelsea last time out. Arsenal, meanwhile, were exceptionally poor in defence in their most recent league game, with Per Mertesacker having a nightmare and Calum Chambers being sent off in the defeat to Stoke.
Consistency is key to progress in this strange season in England—which players will find it this weekend? If Cisse does, it could be another bad afternoon for Arsene Wenger.
Fabricio, Deportivo La Coruna
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Our final choice is Fabricio, Deportivo La Coruna's goalkeeper, who faces Elche this weekend.
It's a huge game for both clubs—they are 19th and 20th in La Liga, both with only two wins all season and none in their last four.
Fabricio had been in great individual form and made plenty of key saves during November, but two recent poor performances stopped that run of clean sheets—his poor kick out led to the winning goal against Malaga at the weekend. He needs a return to form fast ahead of this must-win fixture.
