10 Players to Watch in World Football This Weekend of Feb. 27-March 2
A heavy midweek load of European matches comes to an end on Thursday, but the world of football never stops, and we've got a complete weekend of domestic games to look forward to straight after.
We've taken our usual look around the globe at the coming games to select the 10 players we feel are the most worthy of watching out for. Some are for taking part in big games, some for great recent runs of form, and others because they are critical to their respective teams' success.
This time around, we take in Europe's top leagues, one returning domestic competition after a long break and a cup final.
Shinji Kagawa, Borussia Dortmund
1 of 10
We'll start with the Bundesliga in Germany, where a resurgent Borussia Dortmund face their biggest test so far in their mini-run: a Ruhr derby home game against Champions League hopefuls Schalke.
Playmaking midfielder Shinji Kagawa has been back in form and critical to BVB's improved rate of creating good scoring chances, linking well with the likes of Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to pick up a few assists in the past three games.
Keep that going and Dortmund could grab a telling win over S04—and talk of a return to the Europa League spots won't be too far off.
Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
2 of 10
There's no Premier League action this weekend for Tottenham Hotspur, which face Chelsea in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley instead.
They won't start as favourites, but Spurs will feel they can give a good account of themselves and trouble a Chelsea side that will be missing one or two stars, including Nemanja Matic.
With forward Harry Kane in such confidence and scoring form, Spurs will look to cause an upset and lift some silverware. If Kane is able to find the net in the final, then his status among the fans—already iconic in his first real campaign for the club—will be elevated far higher.
Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
3 of 10
Arsenal were, by any normal standards of form, utterly woeful against Monaco in the Champions League during the week. A poor 3-1 home defeat has likely, though not definitely, cost them a place in the quarter-finals, so an improved finish to the domestic season is paramount.
That starts at home to Everton in a game the Gunners must win to ensure they stay ahead of the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, teams that are both chasing hard.
In times like these, a strong mentality and desire shine through more than quality, and there aren't many with better resources of that nature than Alexis Sanchez. Expect him to deliver a resounding performance on Sunday.
Michy Batshuayi, Marseille
4 of 10
Over to France, where the title race has swung away from previous leaders Marseille in recent weeks as a result of them drawing three matches in succession.
At home to Caen on Friday, they must win to stay in touch with leaders Lyon, which means Marcelo Bielsa picking his most in-form players to ensure the job gets done.
A brace of goals for Michy Batshuayi last time out at Saint-Etienne will have the Belgian hoping to get the nod up front, where his pace and drive could take advantage of one of the leakiest defences in Ligue 1.
Alexandre Lacazette, Lyon
5 of 10
Sticking with Ligue 1 strikers, league-leading Lyon welcomed Alexandre Lacazette back from injury last time out after he had missed the previous month.
He was involved but didn't score as Lyon went back to the top of Le Championnat, but they'll be hoping he gets straight back into the scoring groove to aid their title push, having scored 21 goals in 22 games before his injury.
Lyon face Lille away from home on Saturday, though with Nabil Fekir still contributing too, Lacazette's side have threats in multiple areas of the pitch—something that could work in the forward's favour as he looks to regain full sharpness.
Andriy Yarmolenko, Dynamo Kyiv
6 of 10
After a three-month break, Ukrainian club football is back on the agenda this weekend.
With the social issues of the nation still ongoing, forcing Shakhtar Donetsk out of their stadium and causing FIFA to ban two clubs that "moved" from Ukraine to Russia in December, there is a wider context to the top flight of course, but we'll focus firmly on the football.
Dynamo Kyiv are top of the table and get back underway on Sunday at home to fourth-placed Metalist Kharkiv, hoping to secure or extend their five-point advantage.
Captain and top goalscorer Andriy Yarmolenko will remain critical to their title hopes and ability to progress on the European scene next term—if he's still around.
Gabi, Atletico Madrid
7 of 10
Over in Spain, one of the crunch matches of the weekend sees Sevilla face Atletico Madrid. The former is just lagging the top-four race; the latter is just lagging in the title race. Neither can afford to drop points, yet both are arguably at their happiest sitting back slightly, winning the ball in midfield and breaking with pace and quality.
An intriguing match is made more difficult for Atleti by injuries: Koke has been out since the derby, Saul was injured in midweek, and Cani has not yet really made his case since joining in January.
Gabi will be key to holding things together in midfield and winning the battle for possession and territory, feeding the likes of Arda Turan and hoping his forwards do more damage than Carlos Bacca and Co.
Seydou Doumbia, Roma
8 of 10
To Italy and Serie A, where the obvious big game is second versus first on Monday night: AS Roma against Juventus.
Trailing by nine points, only a win is acceptable for Roma if they want to pretend they are even remotely in the title fight—but four draws in five games says otherwise. To that end, they're going to have to do something different to what they have been doing in recent games, and that means playing new striker Seydou Doumbia, even if at the cost of Francesco Totti.
Doumbia's pace and athleticism is unlike the attacking threat usually offered by Roma's front line, and his eye for goal in Russia would be most welcome if it made a first appearance for his new club in this match.
Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool
9 of 10
Back to the Premier League, in which Sunday's must-watch game sees Liverpool host Manchester City, with both teams on a good run domestically.
Last season, this match looked crucial in the title run-in and was a fantastic 3-2 affair; the Reds need a similarly impressive performance and result to keep up the pressure on the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of them, having taken points off rivals Spurs and Southampton of late.
Daniel Sturridge's return from injury has been most welcome, though he hasn't quite been at his blistering best after five months out, despite already scoring a couple of goals. Firing against his old team will help the Reds' cause significantly.
Hector Herrera, Porto
10 of 10
We finish up over in the Primeira Liga in Portugal, where Sunday night's game sees second-placed Porto host third-placed Sporting. If either side wants to seriously challenge leaders Benfica over the final months of the season, this game is a must-win.
Host Porto have the joint-best defensive record and the best attacking record in the league; we make them favourites for this one despite Sporting only having lost once all season. Too many draws have cost the Lisbon side a title shot.
Hector Herrera is the man who holds it all together in the middle for Porto, showing a great combative nature in addition to relentless work rate and fine technical skills, both protecting and serving the attackers. He can be a standout figure in the game to push Porto to an important win.
