One of the biggest sporting events of the year takes place in Spain on Sunday as bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the latest rendition of El Classico at the Bernabeu. There is no love lost between these two sides but this week’s clash is particularly mouth-watering giveN the La Liga title is at stake. Real currently sit four points ahead of Barca and can essentially put them out of reach with a win here, while the Catalans can set up a thrilling finish to the season should they manage to snare the three points.
This match also sees the two best players in the world – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – face off just a week after Messi became Barca’s greatest ever goal scorer. Whoever comes out on top will earn early bragging rights ahead of the summer’s World Cup.
The new Major League Baseball season kicks off this weekend too and it is in some slightly unusual surrounds with the Arizona Diamondbacks and LA Dodgers playing two games in Sydney, Australia. The venue for these historic games is the Sydney Cricket Ground which has been transformed into a baseball field complete with dugouts and soil imported from the US to make the visitors feel at home.
The PGA Tour continues to work its way around Florida with the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando. Eight time champion Tiger Woods has been a late withdrawal from the event with an ongoing back complaint, opening the door for some of his main rivals to pounce. Among a very strong field are the likes of Adam Scott, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and the in-form Bubba Watson who has enjoyed four consecutive top 10 finishes.
And the EPL sees another key game on Saturday night as league leaders Chelsea host London rivals Arsenal. This is a huge game for both clubs. Having fallen to a shock loss at Aston Villa last week, the Blues can’t afford any more slip-ups with Manchester City and Liverpool hovering while the Gunners will fall seven points behind should they be beaten.
This weekend could also be David Moyes’ last chance at redemption at Manchester United. Having seen his side humiliated 3-0 at home by rivals Liverpool last week, United hosts Manchester City this week and Moyes can at least win back some admirers should his side put a dent in City’s title hopes. Having said that, we don’t like United’s chances!
Good luck and good punting.
