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If you love a great soccer rivalry match, this is YOUR weekend.
The scheduling gods have put together a menu of rivalries from around the world this weekend. You will be able to see intense rivalry matches from Europe to South America to MLS.
Whether it's Manchester or Montevideo, Barcelona or Sao Paulo, Rome or London, there is something for everybody.
Here is a rundown of SBI's Top Ten Matches to Watch, as well as This Weekend's Soccer on TV:
SBI Top Ten Matches to Watch
1. Manchester City vs. Manchester United. As if the Manchester Derby didn't carry enough drama, City is fighting for fourth place while United tries to hold onto second place in the Premier League.
2. Tottenham vs. Chelsea. After beating Arsenal for the first time since 1999 at mid-week, Tottenham tries to win another London Derby against a Chelsea side that can smell the Premier League title.
3. Lazio vs. Roma. The Rome Derby is one of the most intense rivalries in the world, which is why this isn't your originary match between a first-place team and a 16th-place team.
4. Inter Milan vs. Juventus. The Derby d'Italia isn't quite a battle for the Scudetto, but there's plenty on the line. Inter is trying to catch Roma for first place while Juve tries to push its way into fourth place and the precious Champions League place that comes with it.
5. Santos vs. Sao Paulo. The 'San-Sao' is another classic rivalry, and this time around Robinho and Neymar look to help Pele's old club win this playoff series.
6. Espanyol vs. Barcelona. The Barcelona derby doesn't have the same sizzle as some others, but would you really miss the chance to see Lionel Messi playing in a derby on the road?
7. Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake. This rematch of the 2009 MLS Cup should be an entertaining affair as the unbeaten Galaxy look for some revenge.
8. Real Madrid vs. Valencia. Real Madrid tries to keep the pressure on Barcelona, but faces a tough third-place Valencia side led by David Villa.
9. Sampdoria vs. AC Milan. Sampdoria has been one of the biggest surprises in Europe this season, with fourth place in Serie A a possibility with a win. Milan needs a win to keep its hopes of snatching the Scudetto alive.
T10. D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire. Why on earth is a game between two winless teams on this list? These teams hate each other and both will be desperate for that first win of the season. Throw in what should be a raucous crowd at RFK and this shoul be a good one.
T10. Penarol vs. Nacional. The Uruguayan Clasico dates back to 1900 (yes, as in 110 years ago), and these Montevideo teams should provide an entertaining glimpse into one of the best rivalries you may have never heard of.
This Weekend's Soccer on TV
FRIDAY
2:30pm- FSC/FSE- Inter Milan vs. Juventus
SATURDAY
7:45am- ESPN2- Manchester City vs. Manchester United
9:25am- ESPN Deportes/ESPN3- Schalke 04 vs. Borussia Monchengladbach
10am- FSC/FSE- Blackburn vs. Everton
10am- Fox Soccer Plus- Birmingham City vs. Hull City
11:55am- GolTV- Sevilla vs. Sporting Gijon
Noon- ESPN360.com- Chievo Verona vs. Livorno
12:30pm- FSC/FSE- Tottenham vs. Chelsea
1pm- ESPN360- Academica de Coimbra vs. Benfica
1:55pm- GolTV- Espanyol vs. Barcelona
2pm- Telemundo- Argentina vs. Haiti (Delayed)
2:30pm- Chievo Verona vs. Livorno (Delayed)
4pm- GolTV- Bayern Munich vs. Hannover 96 (Delayed)
4:30pm- Fulham vs. Wolverhampton (Delayed)
6pm- Telefutura- Queretaro vs. Tecos
6pm- Telemundo- Monterrey vs. America
7pm- GolTV- Atletico Junior vs. Santa Fe
7:30pm- MSG/Direct Kick- New York Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas
7:30pm- Direct Kick- D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire
8pm- Telefutura- Pachuca vs. Toluca
8pm- Mun2/Telemundo- Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Atlas
9:25pm- GolTV- Deportes Tolima vs. Deportivo Pereira
10pm- Direct Kick- San Jose Earthquakes vs. New England Revolution
10pm- Telemundo- Atlante vs. Tigres UANL
10:30pm- FSC/FSE- Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
SUNDAY
8:30am- Fox Soccer Plus- Wigan vs. Arsenal
8:30pm- ESPN Deportes/ESPN360- PSV Eindhoven vs. Groningen
9am- FSC/FSE- Sampdoria vs. AC Milan
9:30am- GolTV- Borussia Dortmund vs. Hoffenheim
10:30am- Fox Soccer Plus- Stoke City vs. Bolton
11am- FSC/FSE- Portsmouth vs. Aston Villa
11am- DirecTV- Xerez vs. Racing Santander
11am- DirecTV- Tenerife vs. Getafe
11am- DirecTV- Malaga vs. Real Valladolid
11am- ESPN Deportes/ESPN360- Deportivo La Coruna vs. Almeria
12:30pm- FSC/FSE- Lazio vs. AS Roma
12:55pm- GolTV- Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Zaragoza
1pm- Telemundo- UNAM Pumas vs. Morelia
1pm- ESPN Deportes/Azteca America- Puebla vs. Cruz Azul
2:55pm- ESPN2/ESPN360- Real Madrid vs. Valencia
3pm- GolTV- Santos vs. Sao Paulo
5pm- Fox Soccer Plus- Lazio vs. AS Roma (Delayed)
5pm- Direct Kick- Colorado Rapids vs. Toronto FC
5pm- Univision- Santos Laguna vs. San Luis
5pm- GolTV- Penarol vs. Nacional (Delayed)
6pm- FSC- Boston Breakers vs. Philadelphia Independence
6pm- FSE- Racing vs. Velez Sarsfield
8pm- Telefutura- Santos Laguna vs. San Luis (Delayed)
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Which matches will you be watching this weekend? What match do you wish you could attend in person?
Share your thoughts below.
Can somebody tell me what FSE is?
DC United should have an awesome atmosphere. lower bowl is sold out already. $15 college night (w/ .edu) is a great deal. $20 for those of us whose .edu’s have expired but still have your student ID. haha
Ok so its live on Fox soccer Plus at 12:30 and delay on FSC at 2:30
The Roma derby was pushed over to Fox Soccer Plus…I think thats what Christian Miles said during the Inter-Juve match. It really sucks that I can’t watch, I was so excited to see it on FSC.
That was a thing of absolute beauty.
Maicon just showed the world how to make love to a soccer ball.
Anyone know what channel fox soccer plus is in the ny area?
Just what I was thinking!
Good to hear, Jorge.
Any idea if this is applicable to Comcast, too?
Hey folks,
In case you don’t know and are interested in knowing, Telefutura, Univision and Telemundo are now in HD.
Yeah, me too. 7:30am would actually be nice–even for a Saturday…but 4:30am…zzzzzzz DVR
DVR or 360 replay for me. 4:45 PT not even for Manchester Derby.
In no way am I a City supporter but that’ll make my weekend if they’re able to get 3 points against United on Saturday.
My disdain for United is only equaled by the intrigue that would be City’s 4th place finish & off-season this summer with more money to spend in the transfer market while courting players for Champion’s League football.
Now to decide: wake up and watch in real time or sleep and DVR……? ZzzzZzzzZ
nice article! I could taste the excitement.
and Houston Chivas USA at 4 et on Telefutura
DC UNITED, boom boom boom, DC UNITED, boom boom boom!!
You forgot the Seattle Sounders vs Kansas City Wizards at 3pm ET.