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What to Watch This Weekend (March 19-20)

March 19, 2011 — by Suman

Saturday, March 19

11am: Manchester United-Bolton (FSC) and/or West Brom-Arsenal (FSP & foxsoccer.tv): Man U seems to have righted themselves, with victories against Arsenal (FA Cup) and Marseille (Champions League) in the past week. Arsenal, on the other hand, have been in a free fall over the past few weeks. From 4 competitions to just 1–and they’ll need to keep winning to keep pace with Man U and stay in that one.

1:30pm: Borussia Dortmund-Mainz (ESPN Deportes & ESPN3.com): After a tremendous start, newly promoted Mainz is now in 5th–so still in contention for a spot in Europe. Borussia Dortmund is almost a lock to win the league–9pts ahead of #2 Bayer Leverkeusen.

1:30pm Everton-Fulham (FSC): Americans in action–Tim Howard in goal for Everton, Clint Dempsey in the midfield for Fulham.

5pm: Atletico Madrid-Real Madrid (ESPN Deportes & ESPN3.com): El derbi madrileno. It will be a shock if Atletico win–but you never know.

Sunday, March 20

12pm: Chelsea-Manchester City (FSC): Two teams battling to finish in the top 4. Whose oil money wins here?

2pm: Athletic Bilbao-Villarreal (GolTV): #6 vs #4: Villareal have been slumping lately, with only 6pts from their last 7 league matches (and they weren’t dropping them against La Liga powerhouses either: losses to Depo and Levante, draws with Malaga, Santander, Gijon). But they’re still comfortably in #4, 8pts ahead of #5 Espanyol, 9pts ahead of Bilbao–and only 3pts behind Valencia. Players to watch: de Rossi, Cani, Llorente

4pm: Marseille-PSG (FSP & foxsoccer.tv): Le Classique!

4pm: Valencia-Sevilla (GolTV): #3 vs #7; Sevilla seem to be finally coming on, holding Barca to a draw in what was apparently a scintillating game. Valencia dumped out of the CL, but look to hold on to the #3 position to return next year; Sevilla hoping to move up to make a return to Europa at least. Players to watch: Kanoute (Sevilla), Aduriz, Mata

4pm: Schalke-Bayer Leverkusen (ESPN Deportes): A team that’s in the final 8 of the Champions League (but is languishing in the 10th spot in the Bundesliga) against a team that just got eliminated from the Europa League–but that’s #2 in the Bundesliga and so may be in the Champions League next fall.