NY weekend footy

Another go at highlighting games I'll be keenly watching this weekend (2 Jan)

Spurs v Leeds: early Saturday fixture is always interesting. Spurs should be able to play football, if Jose lets them, as Leeds usually don't defend well. The hosts have better players, so they should win, but you know how that goes.

Frankfurt v Leverkusen: I include this because Leverkusen are (at the moment) looking legit. Of course, they lost to Bayern when it mattered, but a top four place is certainly attainable. Frankfurt will be aiming for a return to European football. I don't think it'll happen, even if Stuttgart and Union fall off, but they can beat Leverkusen if they turn up. I'd be looking for who's more effective, considering I expect the visitors to have the majority of the ball.

Stuttgart v Leipzig: I won't watch this one live, most likely, but it's one of the most intriguing games of the weekend. After returning to the top league, the hosts will aim for midtable, and anything above that is a bonus. The team is young, but talented, though Leipzig are better. Tactically, it'll be interesting, and I'm not sure how exactly each team will line up.

Betis v Sevilla: this one's included because it's the derby. Lack of fans is still a shame, obviously, and Betis have been poor of late. They're 10th, but their GD is joint worst and other teams have a game in hand. Sevilla seem to be chugging along, 4th currently with games in hand (14 GP, along with Atleti, while La Real have played 17).

Chelsea v City: positive tests will play a role, specifically with multiple City players missing out.

Dortmund v Wolfsburg: 4th (W) vs 5th (D) currently, only one goal in it for GD, completely different styles. Dortmund have struggled without Haaland, as you'd expect, and Favre was sacked. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, are still a more defensive outfit, as evidenced by the stats. Honestly, the only way I see Dortmund winning is if Haaland starts and carries them.

Atalanta v Sassuolo: two inconsistent but good teams, with "hipster" favorites as coaches. They're at similar levels this season, so it should be a close game. I have no idea how the little break will affect the teams. With the systems themselves, they'll end up matching up. By that, I mean the fullbacks for Sassuolo get forward, while the DM (usually Locatelli) drops in, making it a 3, with two CM's and three forwards. Guess it also depends how defensive Gasperini goes.

Alaves v Atleti: this has all the makings of a crap game. Bad team that sits back against a team that stereotypically struggles at attacking. To win the league, Simeone will need to make sure his men can score against parked buses. Pacheco will put on one of his superman performances, no doubt.

Juve and Milan clubs: not really any headliner matches, but going forward I view these as the three teams in Serie A capable of winning the title. I initially picked Atalanta, on a whim, and that's gone great... I suppose Roma and Napoli are still in it as well. Anyway, the point here is any slip up by one of the Milan clubs, who are both well ahead of Juve at the moment, could be crucial in the long run. As the standings show, Benevento is a better side the Crotone, with Udinese slightly below the former (with a game in hand). Assuming Juve win their game in hand, they're 6 behind Inter and 7 behind Milan, with 24 games left.

Monday matches: the two here are Valencia-Cadiz and Southampton-Liverpool. I just realized how close both Cadiz and Valencia are to the relegation spots, despite what the table may say. I'd also say the starts each team's had couldn't be more different. Valencia continue their self-inflicted shitshow, while Cadiz have pulled off some epic wins despite having very little possession of the ball from game to game. Also, 11 goals scored in 16 games is worrying... 3 points currently separate 3rd and 10th in the PL. I'm pretty intrigued as well with this one, mainly because Liverpool have been bad of late and Saints are still flying with Hasenhüttl at the helm. The former have twice as many draws as last season, showing how much their level has dropped. Part of that is down to injury. To not have Fabinho and Thiago in midfield is an issue they'll just have to deal with, considering the complete dearth of fit, first team CB's. I reckon a draw, if I'm honest.