Sports Pundit’s Game of the Weekend
Spanish champions Barcelona face English champions Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, if you didn’t already know.
The Spaniards head into the game as hot favourites following their La Liga title, but United will enjoy a ‘home’ advantage with the game in England. Barca, though, had the Red Devils measure two years ago when they won the Champions League final 2-0 and they’ve got favouritism again.
Last season’s European champions Inter haven’t won a thing this season. In fact, it’s been a poor season for the club with Rafa Benitez sacked halfway through the campaign but they can salvage something when they meet Palermo in the Coppa Italia final in Rome.
Palermo knocked out Italian champions AC Milan in the semi-finals to progress to the final and possess several dangerous players including Javier Pastore and Fabrizio Miccoli. But Inter will surely be desperate for some silverware.
Monaco v Lyon, French Ligue 1, Sunday, 8pm
There’s plenty at stake in this clash on the final day of the French Ligue 1 season. Lille may be champions already, but Monaco are fighting to avoid the drop while Lyon are trying to qualify for the Champions League.
Third-placed Lyon haven’t won in their past three matches but it’s likely a draw will be enough to clinch Champions League qualification, with fourth-placed PSG going to Saint-Etienne. Monaco are currently in the bottom three but victory would see them safe.
Reading v Swansea City English Premier League Promotion Playoff Sunday, 3pm
They call it the richest game in world football and there’s a reason for that given the massive financial windfall of promotion. There’s so much at stake for promotion hopefuls Reading and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium on Monday.
The Royals have spent the past few seasons in England’s second tier after relegation from the Premiership in 2008. Swansea, meanwhile, haven’t been in the top flight for a long time and promotion for them would be a boost for Welsh football.
