what to watch this weekend

This weekend should be interesting, with quite a few derbies and many clashes between top table teams across the continent's finest leagues.

FRIDAY

Internazionale host Juventus (San Siro) - After seemingly running away at the top of the table for most of the season, Inter now find themselves in second place one point behind Roma. This marks Jose Mourinho's 100th game at the helm of the Nerazzurri as they seek to leapfrog Roma, at least for a day. Facing them is Juventus, who despite struggling all season (and losing 3 of the last 5) are only 3 points off of 4th place and the final Champions League slot. The Derby D'Italia favors Inter, whose in form attackers Milito, Eto'o, and Sneijder should be able to reward the hard work of their disciplined and water tight defense.

SATURDAY

Manchester City host Manchester United (City of Manchester Stadium) - Its red versus blue as United take the short bus ride to face their less-glorified neighbors. City, however, are firing on all cylinders in their quest to hold on to fourth place; their cash-fueled team of mercenaries has won their last three games by a combined 14-2. United are on the down and out after losing to Chelsea, getting knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, and then drawing 0-0 at Blackburn. A derby could be just the thing to rejuvenate the squad, just ask Spurs. United are currently four points behind Chelsea in the title race, and certainly would love to replicate their 4-3 victory over City earlier in the season. Rooney's return will bolster the Red Devil's spirits and if he combines well with the in-form Nani they could just outscore Tevez and Adebayor.

Tottenham host Chelsea (White Hart Lane) - Chelsea have won their last six league games, and have benefit all season from the likes of Malouda (11 league goals, 7 assists), Lampard (17g, 12a), and Drogba (25g, 8a), all of whom are having ridiculous seasons. Plus, Petr Cech is back between the posts after a spell from Ross Turnbull (Who? Exactly.). However, White Hart Lane has been a fortress, with Spurs only conceding 11 goals in 17 home games despite starting center-backs Woodgate and King missing most games. Spurs are fresh off a well-earned derby win over Arsenal, and should be even more fired up for this weekends derby. It all depends on which Spurs show up: the indifferent team that played Sunderland or the urgent squad that beat Arsenal for the first time since 1999 in the league. A win for Spurs could bring them back into fourth (depending on the Manchester Derby outcome), but Chelsea will be seeking to improve on their 4 point gap at the top. COME ON YOU SPURS!

Espanyol host Barcelona (Estadi Corrella-El Prat) - This Barcelona derby features arguably the best team in the world and its lesser known neighbors who are in average form and sit mid table. Espanyol can thank their 40,000 supporters for their home form, but containing Barcelona and the Lionel Messi show is a nearly impossible task. There is no words to describe his magic, but I must say he is in terrible form recently with zero goals in his last game (still waiting for the British media to jump on that one and promote Rooney). Expect Barcelona to cruise to victory. I'll play a game called "Count the Mistakes Xavi Makes," it usually only takes one hand.

Lyon host Bordeaux (Stade Chaban Delmas) - Coach Laurent Blanc led Bordeaux to the title last season and seemingly had them on the way to another, but a dip in form as of recent (including losing the last three) now leaves them two points off of fourth. Lyon recently knocked Bordeaux out of the CL quarter-final with a well earned 3-1 win in the first leg, but were arguably very lucky to hold their opponents to only one goal in the return leg. They owe much thanks to their keeper Lloris, whose cat-like reflexes have earned him the number one shirt for club and country. Lyon sit 7 points off first, and they are looking to snag the trophy that was theirs for six years running before Bordeaux. The visitors will certainly be looking for revenge over the CL quarterfinal.

SUNDAY

Sampdoria host AC Milan (Stadio Luigi Ferraris) - Sampdoria are enjoying a successful season, tied on points with Palermo for fourth but behind on goal differential. Milan sit 4 points off of first in third, and have struggled recently with only one win in five. Winning the scudetto will be an uphill task, but coach Leonardo still believes them to be favorites. Both teams face tough run-ins to the end of the season. Sampdoria still have matches at Roma, at Palermo, and home to Napoli, whereas Milan goes to Palermo as well before facing Fiorentina and Juventus at the San Siro. Both teams also need a win to get closer to their respective goals, so expect a close, hard fought match. And for Milan to field a team with an average age of 35.

Lazio host Roma (Stadio Olimpico) - Roma has a long bus ride all the way back to their own stadium, as the two teams share the same track-encircled pitch. For two teams who live together, their relationship is anything but friendly. Also, their season have been anything but similar. Lazio are a mere six points clear of relegation thanks to an awful yet awfully hilarious season. Roma, on the other hand, have not lost since October, winning 17 (including their last five on the trot) and drawing 6. This derby will certainly be heated, but Roma should continue their scintillating form and earn all three points to stay at the top of the table.

Real Madrid host Valencia (Santiago Bernebeau) - Second hosts third in this La Liga table-topping clash. A win for Valencia leaves them only 18 points off of Madrid, which with the five games after that makes it mathematically impossible to gain second. (Unless Madrid is docked points for going into bankruptcy... HA!) So while this match is seemingly useless, it is always fun to watch Madrid try to string passes from one multi-multi-multi-multi million euro transfer to another. I expect Madrid to offer suitcases of unmarked bills for Valencia's David Silva and David Villa immediately after the game and to see at least ten Cristiano Ronaldo pouty faces.