Introducing ‘Three To See’ – A Look At The Weekend’s Football

Football, for all its endless conjecture, debate, rumour and counter-rumour, relies chiefly on what goes on at the weekend, on the football pitch. Or in midweek, or on a Friday, or on a Monday night, depending on the whims and fancies of the television cameras. But you get the point.

With that in mind we would like to introduce a new feature here at Just Football, named ‘Three to See.’ Every week we will cast out our net far and wide across the globe to look for and inform you of the three most appetising upcoming fixtures of the footballing weekend. Be it a ferocious local derby, a relegation six-pointer or a top of the table blockbuster, anywhere in the world, we will find and give you the heads-up about the games we consider unmissable on any given Saturday (or Sunday or Mon… gah, curse you television!).

So what do we have for you this week?

1, Aston Villa vs Chelsea (English Premier League) 12.45 GMT, Saturday 21st February 2009

Aston Villa have been nothing short of a revelation this season. Martin O’Neill has his claret and blue troops playing a slick blend of fast-paced, attacking, expansive football and to date the Midlands outfit have been a joy to watch and a breath of fresh air for the Premier League. The extent of their progress will be stringently tested this weekend however, when they face the mighty force that is Chelsea.

Except Chelsea have not been too mighty lately, and altogether far less forceful than one might imagine. Indeed, Villa go into this game ahead of the Blues by two points, sitting pretty in third place. The match will be Guus Hiddink’s first in charge of the West Londoners after taking over from the recently impeached Luiz Felipe Scolari and the Dutchman will be hoping to put a stop to a run that has seen Chelsea win just two of their last six league matches.

Chelsea won the corresponding fixture at Stamford Bridge 2-0 back in October, and O’Neill recently admitted it was the most his side have been given the runaround all season. But a thirteen game unbeaten run in the Premier League bodes well for Villa, and they have not lost to Chelsea at home since 1999. A win for the home side will bring Villa ever closer to their dream of a Champions League finish. Still, I’m backing the draw or away win. Sorry Villa fans.

3, Sporting Lisbon v Benfica (Portuguese Liga) 20.00 GMT, Saturday 21st February 2009

Can anyone stop FC Porto? Well, if anyone it will be one of these two. And the Lisbon rivals go head-to-head once again this weekend in the “dérbi da Segunda Circular.” As with a vast number of derbies around the world, this rivalry is based along social and class divides, with Benfica said to represent the working classes and Sporting the upper class. Throw into the mix a battle for the league title, or at least a Champions League spot (only the top two qualify in Portugal and one would imagine Porto will claim one place) and it promises to be yet another passionate, hate-fuelled affair between these two old foes at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Benfica ran out 2-0 winners in the last clash between these two back in September, so Paulo Bento will be stressing the importance of victory not just for a vital three points but also to restore some local pride to fans of the Lions. Having said that, the fact that Sporting face a crucial Champions League tie against Bayern Munich just days later could influence the manager’s plans for the game and it remains to be seen whether he rests key players. You would not think so in a derby. Benfica will probably look to play a brand of patient, counter-attacking football with a deep defensive line and attempt to make maximum usage of the pace of Pablo Aimar, David Suazo and Jose Antonio Reyes (remember him Arsenal fans?). As with any Lisbon derby, it will be a heated affair.

2, Bayer Leverkusen v Hamburger SV (German Bundesliga) 17.00 GMT, Sunday 22nd February 2009

The Bundesliga might just be the most open, tense, exciting league around in Europe right now. Several teams are in with a shot of Bundesliga glory at the top of the table this season, and just four points separates the top five in what is no doubt one of the most evenly-balanced domestic leagues around. This level of competition is no doubt in part due to the German league’s financial principles of solidarity for all clubs, an ethic from which other leagues around Europe could certainly learn a thing or two. But that debate is for another time.

Bayer Leverkusen lie in fifth place right now, but are within touching distance of the frontrunners at the top of the table – four points behind league leaders Hertha Berlin and three points behind this weekend’s opponents Hamburg. Bruno Labbadia’s men, fresh from a 4-1 humping of nouveau riche Hoffenheim away from home, take on Martin Jol’s side looking to further close the gap at the top. Toni Kroos, on loan from Bayern Munich, is now fit and raring to go and should add a new attacking dimension to Leverkusen, who are already one of the top scorers in the division. Tranquillo Barnetta is Bayer’s provider of goals and a vitally important creative outlet.

Hamburg for their part boast the best home record in the league – unbeaten with nine wins from ten games, and are an attack-minded side themselves as you might expect from a side with Jol at the helm. Mladen Petric has scored 9 goals in 18 games for Hamburg this season and will be a key man for them upfront. It should be an exciting game with chances at both ends and, dare I say it, plenty of goals.

So tell me, dear reader, which games will you be watching this weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments field.

Aston Villa, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Chelsea, English Premier League, German Bundesliga, Hamburger SV, Portuguese Football, Sporting Lisbon, Three to See