Friday’s Worldwide Five:
The 228th Merseyside Derby, the Revierderby, Chicago Fire’s World (Club?) Cup bid, O Clássico and Viva México
Worldwide five brings you the very best in world football this Friday.
From brilliant derbies to world cup winning debuts your weekend starts here!
The “friendly (dirty) derby” is back for its 228th edition
Derby Fever Part One will grip Merseyside on Saturday morning as Liverpool and Everton do battle at Anfield for what will be their 228th fixture in total; the 195th time the two sides have met in a league game.
Locally known as the ‘friendly derby’ on the pitch it could not be further from the truth. Boasting the most red cards per game than any other in fixture England, only one thing is certain on Saturday morning – fireworks.
With Everton looking for their first win at Anfield in 17 years can the blue half of Merseyside reap revenge for last December’s injury time goal which gave all Reds the merriest of Christmases?
Liverpool v Everton – Anfield Liverpool – Saturday 1130GMT
Drücken Sie die Daumen!
Derby Fever Part Two contains a rip-roaring encounter. Not quite as old at its Merseyside counterpart, but just as important to the residents of the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany, is the Revierderby.
Saturday afternoon will witness Schalke 04 take on local rivals Borussia Dortmund in what will be their 150th encounter. With both sides already locked into UEFA quarter final appearances – Schalke in the Europa League and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, this fixture should have the quality you would expect.
Schalke started the Bundesliga campaign slowly after being ravaged by injuries where as BVB are finally breathing heavily down RB Leipzig’s neck for second place. Choose your side and cross your fingers!
Schalke 04 v Bourssia Dortmund – Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen – Saturday 1330GMT
Coming to America
“Seen It” – No not the film where Eddie Murphy plays Prince Akeem who’s looking for love. We’re on about World Cup winner, and German legend, Bastian Schweinsteiger who has swapped the rain of Manchester for the glitz and glam of the MLS.
Embarrassing press conference questions aside this weekend should be all about the football (soccer). Schweinsteiger should make his debut for the Fire on Saturday when they face Montreal Impact at Toyota Park.
Chicago’s finest could do with Basti working some of his legendary Bayern Munich magic as quite frankly they are dreadful! Winning just seven of their 34 matches last season the Fire will be glad the MLS has no relegation.
Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact – Toyota Park Chicago – Saturday 1900GMT
O Clássico
You’ve heard of El Classico, Der Klassiker and… well you know, the other classic games, but have you heard of O Clássico? You should have as no doubt you have heard of S.L. Benfica and FC Porto, two of Portugal’s greatest sides.
The football gods have blessed us with a Saturday fixture list to water the mouth of any avid fan. Both sides drew their last league fixture but also managed to pump four goals past their opponents in their previous but one fixture.
Taking place in the magnificent Estádio da Luz it shouldn’t be a case of Oh Clássico with these two Portuguese powerhouses squaring up.
S.L. Benfica v FC Porto – Estádio da Luz Lisbon – Saturday 1930GMT
Gol Gol Gol Gol…… Goooooooooollllllllll
If you haven’t heard of Liga MX you should be ashamed of yourself. However, you can renounce your sins by taking stock of this game. If you live in Europe then make some coffee as it’s on late but, it is worth every minute of your time.
You like goals? You like fast free flowing football? You like referee strikes? (That’s finished now!) Club América take on Monterrey this Sunday morning in what promises to be a goal filled fixture.
From the country that spawned Héctor Herrera and Javier Hernández comes a fire brand of football with goal of the season contenders every week.
Club América are the biggest supported team in Mexico and Monterrey have smashed it up since 2017 started. Do yourself a favour, stay up!
Club América v Monterrey – Estadio Azteca Mexico City – Sunday 0300GMT
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