The Big Weekend Preview

After a week of local cup action, the bread and butter of league football returns this weekend, with several keys games involving clubs with Champions League ambitions for next season, culminating with the Rome derby on Sunday night.

Arsenal v. Aston Villa

Step into the Tardis, turn the clock back two weeks, and Aston Villa would be primed to realise their ambitions of breaking into the top four, with Arsenal the team the Villains are hunting down.

But two weeks is an eternity in football, and having fallen to Stoke and recorded a poor goalless draw with Fenerbahce, Arsene Wenger has revived the Gunners’ fortunes with a super display from his babes to back up their defeat of the champions last weekend. The equilibrium has realigned, and Arsenal look back to their best.

Villa, on the other hand, have arguably already hit a brick wall this season in the league. Martin O’Neill’s side have broken away from the chasing pack, legitimately looking up at the Champions League spots. But a sense of inevitability has cast a shadow over the top club in the Midlands – Villa have yet to prove they can actually break the Top Four’s dominance, leaving them stranded in fifth spot with complacency their greatest evil.

Losing to Middlesbrough and Newcastle in their last two games will have done nothing to build up confidence, but the claret and blues know that they can change minds with a win in London this weekend.

101 Predicts: Arsenal 2 – Aston Villa 0

Bayer Leverkusen v. Schalke

Having thrown away a three goal lead against Karlsruhe last weekend but still finding themselves in top spot in the Bundesliga, Bruno Labbadia’s Leverkusen will be full of gusto ahead of the visit of fifth-placed Schalke to the BayArena.

The absence of European football this season could prove to be a blessing for a Leverkusen side whose new signings, including striker Patrick Helmes, midfielder Renato Augusto and defenders Henrique and Michal Kadlec, have all settled in quickly. Having recorded four wins in their last five matches, all signs are pointing in the right direction for Bayer.

Schalke, who welcome back Orlando Engelaar from suspension, are steadily progressing through the season under new manager Fred Rutten, remaining in touch for a Champions League spot come the business end of the season. But having lost to Bayern Munich last weekend, the visitors will be hoping that they make a quick return to winning ways.

101 Predicts: Bayer Leverkusen 2 - Schalke 1

Lyon v. Bordeaux

If Ligue 1 has any hopes of being a competitive league this season, then Laurent Blanc must pray to mastermind a critical win against the big dog in France, Lyon.

There are omens of optimism for Bordeaux after Lyon suffered their first home defeat in a year this week, going down 3-1 to second division FC Metz in the French League Cup. Such has been their dominance in recent years, that such one-off defeats offer the greatest hope that there is a slight chink in their armour. However the league leaders, holding a six-point advantage over their visitors to the Stade de Gerland, rested several first-teamers including Jeremy Toulalan and top-scorer Karim Benzema, and with a full compliment come Sunday night, Lyon will be set for a far more convincing display.

Bordeaux are so suffering from their own headaches. First-choice goalie Ulrich Rame has just resumed training after several weeks out, while second-choice Mathieu Valverde suffered a cranial trauma in last weekend’s match with Auxerre and is also a doubt. This would leave third-choice Kevin Olimpa with the job between the sticks.

101 Predicts: Lyon 3 - Bordeaux 2

Ajax v PSV

After winning four championships in a row, PSV’s dominance in Holland appears to be receding and this match will go a long way to proving their title credentials this season. If Ajax win, they will go seven points clear of their great rivals.

Ajax’s form coming into the match is underwhelming however, having been dumped out the cup by FC Volendam. They are also missing a number of players including Thomas Vermaelen, Oleguer and there is a doubt over whether Urby Emanuelson will play due to an ankle injury.

In addition, their most important player, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar picked up an ankle injury last weekend, forcing him to miss up to six weeks in recovery. Marco van Basten will have his work cut out to engineer a win in this game with stretched resources. With Dario Cvitanich and Miralem Sulejmani also struggling for fitness, Ajax will need Uruguayan winger Luis Suarez (eight goals, four assists) to continue his great recent form.

PSV are themselves going through a bad slump, having also lost midweek to AZ Alkmaar in the cup,  completing a run of three matches all ending in defeat. It has also been 303 minutes since the Eindhoven had a goal to cheer. They will be hoping though that with a talented squad of players, including Danny Koevermans, Edison Mendes and Ibahim Afellay, they have enough quality to turn their fortunes around.

101 Predicts: Ajax 1 - PSV 1

Roma v. Lazio

Lazio, 14 points clear of their city rivals, will be relishing the Rome derby on Sunday night.

Roma are suffering a miserable season. Talisman Francesco Totti has been sidelined for a large chunk of the season, and when available looking horribly shy of match practice. Alberto Aquilani’s recent absence had also been sorely missed, while Daniel Pizzaro is missing through suspension. And while Danielle De Rossi has tried to fill in the void, the midfielder fractured his wrist in training, and remains a doubt for the Giallorossi.

A perfect snapshot critiquing Roma campaign so-far came just last weekend against Bologna, with Cinciho crashing home a diving header in the final minute to throw away two valuable points and eradicate the memory of superb triumph over Chelsea. It has been a tough season for Spalletti’s men, and defeat this weekend could end their Champions League hopes for next season.

In contrast Lazio are flying as they enjoy their best ever start to a Serie A season. They are likely to be lined-up all guns blazing with their potent striking triumvirate of Pandev, Rocchi and Zarate. And having won three on the bounce, the Biancocelesti will be confident of continuing their run against their neighbours.

101 Predicts: Roma 1 - Lazio 4