Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich
Saturday 5.30
Put away the latest volume of the Blizzard, and join us football hipsters: it’s the game of the weekend.
Second-placed Borussia Dortmund host leaders Bayern Munich this evening in a Bundesliga top-of-the-table showdown. But, unfortunately, injuries have hobbled the hosts’ defence.
The rematch of last season’s Champions League final between the Bundesliga’s top sides – billed as Germany’s Clasico or Der Klassiker – comes with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern four points clear and Dortmund’s defence in disarray.
Centre-back Mats Hummels and left-back Marcel Schmelzer have been ruled out of Jurgen Klopp’s side after returning from international duty with injuries. With centre-back Neven Subotic out for six months with torn ligaments and right-back Lukasz Piszczek only just back in training after surgery, Dortmund will face the European champions without their entire first-choice back four.
On TV? Yeah, make sure you’ve the jobs around the house and bit of shopping done. Check out BT Sports 1.
Barcelona v Granada
Saturday, 3pm
The injury list is growing for the La Liga champions too. The Catalans will attempt to keep their 100% home league record on track. But they’ll have to do it without some pretty big names. Barca will be without World Player of the Year Lionel Messi for the first time since he tore his left hamstring, and they were dealt another huge blow when goalkeeper Victor Valdes was ruled out for the rest of the year with a calf injury in midweek.
On TV? Nope. Though we hear of websites which solve such problems. (Also Seville and Betis looks tasty on Sunday and is on Sky)
Juventus v Livorno
Sunday, 2pm
Under-strength Juventus expect to welcome defender Giorgio Chiellini back from injury ahead an away trip to Livorno that could hand the champions top spot, albeit momentarily, in Italy’s Serie A.
Two consecutive draws by Roma in the leaders’ last two outings have given Juventus, in second only one point behind, plenty of incentive ahead of the Bianconeri’s trip to Tuscany.
On TV? Yep, BT Sport 2
additional reporting AFP
