Top 5 must-see soccer matches on US TV this weekend
Two of the Premier League’s biggest names will be desperate to save something from disappointing domestic campaigns on Sunday, as they meet in one of the division’s biggest derby matches. Indeed, with just nine games in the season remaining, things are beginning are beginning to hot up at the top […]
Two of the Premier League’s biggest names will be desperate to save something from disappointing domestic campaigns on Sunday, as they meet in one of the division’s biggest derby matches.
Indeed, with just nine games in the season remaining, things are beginning are beginning to hot up at the top of a host of European soccer’s top competitions; it leaves another title challenger with no margin for error as they face a difficult challenge on Saturday lunchtime. Meanwhile, in Italy, another big derby match will have a say in the title race.
Elsewhere, an eye-catching clash in Major League Soccer kickstarts the weekend, while two of La Liga’s in-form outfits meet on Sunday.
All kick-offs are in Eastern time. Enjoy your week and enjoy the games!
New York City FC vs. Orlando City
Friday, March 18, 7:00PM, Univision Deportes, UniMas and fuboTV
After underwhelming debut seasons in MLS, both New York City and Orlando City will be seeking to make major improvements in 2016.
And there have been encouraging sides for both in the nascent stages of this season, with both sides unbeaten. New York have won one and drawn one in their first two games, finding goals easy to come by. Orlando will be a little less contented with their beginning to the year, although have shown plenty of spirit to snatch two draws.
Patrick Vieira will want to see his players defend a little better when they welcome Orlando on Friday. Like last season NYCFC have shown they have few problems going forward, with David Villa starring with two goals against Toronto FC. But frailties at the back remain prevalent, something which will need to be eradicated if they’re to challenge at the top.
Orlando do possess players who can test the New York defenders and will be keen to get their first win under their belt. Adrian Heath will be have been gutted not to have put Chicago Fire to the sword last time out, as their opponents were down to 10 men for an hour. Winning at Yankee Stadium could kickstart their campaign into life, though.
Everton vs. Arsenal
Saturday, March 19, 8:45AM, NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra
Arsenal’s season is hanging by a thread following their elimination from the Champions League in midweek and need to take three points against Everton if they’re to challenge for the title in the final weeks of the campaign.
The Toffees have had a disappointing campaign overall but are coming off the back of a brilliant win over Chelsea in the quarter-final of the FA Cup last weekend. In the league they’ve lost seven games on home soil, but the Toffees are a threat against sides who open the game up and in Romelu Lukaku, have a forward in tremendous form.
Arsenal’s season is on the brink of collapse too. Losses to Watford and Barcelona have left them out of the FA Cup and Champions League; subsequently there’s heavy pressure on Arsene Wenger coming into this one and with Leicester and Tottenham flying, a morale-boosting victory is vital to keep their challenge up.
Everton have conceded more goals at home than any side in Europe’s top five leagues this season and the Gunners will feel they can get at the hosts. But the Toffees carry a substantial attacking threat and if Arsenal don’t shore up themselves, then they could be on the end of another defeat.
Torino vs. Juventus
Sunday, March 20, 10:00AM; Shown on tape delay from 7-9pm ET on beIN SPORTS & fuboTV
Juventus have a three-point lead at the top of Serie A and are in remarkable form as they get set to visit their local rivals.
Massimiliano Allegri’s team are in incredible form at the moment. They’ve won 18 and drawn one of their last 19 games, a tremendous run which was started by a win in this fixture earlier in the campaign. Juan Cuadrado scored a late winner to break Torino hearts and galvanize a group of players who had been underachieving to this point.
It’s been a campaign of inconsistency for Torino, who have been unable to mount a challenge for European football akin to last season. They’ve only won one of their last 10 too and given their longstanding poor record in this fixture—their win last season was Torino’s first over Juve since 1995—a victory would be a big surprise.
Still, the atmosphere will be raucous for the visit of their illustrious rivals and with memories of their triumph last term still fresh, there will be a degree of confidence. Juventus can take another big step towards a fifth successive Scudetto with a victory, though, with one of the most difficult fixtures of the season negotiated.
Villarreal vs. Barcelona
Sunday, March 20, 11:00AM, beIN SPORTS, fuboTV and KlowdTV
Villarreal and Barcelona have both in wonderful form recently and their showdown at the Madrigal should be one of the most fascinating games of the weekend.
Indeed, the hosts pose a significant threat to Barcelona’s 38-game unbeaten run. Marcelino’s men did lose to Sevilla in a thrilling clash last weekend, but the Andalusians have won 13 of their 15 home games this term; prior to that Villarreal had gone 14 games without defeat, playing some brilliant football and surging into fourth place.
The Blaugrana are still in a comfortable position at the top of the table with eight points on second place Atletico Madrid, but Luis Enrique’s side will want to keep this wonderful sequence of results going. In the league, it’s now 22 games since they’ve suffered defeat, with the stellar attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar thriving.
Villarreal have a lot more to play for than the Blaugrana, with Sevilla now just five points back in pursuit of a Champions League spot. After losing their last two the home fans will want to see a response, although that’ll be extremely difficult against one of the best sides the game has ever seen.
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
Sunday, March 20, Noon, NBC and NBC Sports Live Extra
Manchester City and Manchester United are both battling to secure a spot in the Premier League’s top four spots and this showdown at the Etihad Stadium will go a long way to determining which team lines up in the Champions League next term.
Momentum has really seeped away from City’s Premier League season. For long stints they were considered to be favourites for the title, whereas now they’ll be looking nervously over their shoulders, with United and West Ham in hot pursuit. The 0-0 draw at Norwich City last weekend would have been a huge disappointment to Manuel Pellegrini and his players.
It’s a result which leaves the Red Devils just four points back on their neighbours and with a fine chance of cutting the gap down this weekend. Louis van Gaal remains under significant pressure following the team’s Europa League exit to Liverpool and another loss to another big rival would do little to halt the swell of momentum against the Dutchman.
But with City missing skipper Vincent Kompany and possibly Nicolas Otamendi too, the home side will surely be vulnerable. In the past, United have had it in them to capitalise on such frailties; Sunday would be perfect time to show they can do so again.
