5 must-watch matches around Europe this weekend

As the end of 2016 approaches, European football’s biggest clubs are looking to end the calendar year on a high. On Saturday and Sunday, they’ll do just that, with a number of the continent’s giants squaring off against one another over the course of two days.

Here are five must-watch matches around Europe this weekend:

Manchester City vs. Arsenal

When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 11:00 a.m. ET

Where: Etihad Stadium

A point is all that separates Manchester City and Arsenal as the two clubs prepare to clash at the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League fixture that should feature no shortage of goals or cards.

In the last six league meetings between City and Arsenal, the teams have combined for 24 goals – an average of four goals per match. Among the high-scoring affairs, of course, is the Citizens’ 6-3 thrashing of the Gunners from 2013, which marks the last time that blue triumphed over red.

• Manchester City 6-3 Arsenal – December 14, 2013
• Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City – April 29, 2014
• Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City – September 13, 2014
• Manchester City 0-2 Arsenal – January 18, 2015
• Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City – December 21, 2015
• Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal – May 8, 2016

Add in other details – City conceding goals at an uncharacteristically high rate, Alexis Sanchez’s form, Arsenal’s tendency to concede away to Pep Guardiola – and the duel appears to hold all the ingredients for a goalfest.

There also may be just as many cards as goals. City has been given more red cards against Arsenal than any other Premier League opponent, and given that one point separates third from fourth in the league table, the high stakes could result in a busy day for Martin Atkinson.

Juventus vs. AS Roma

When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Juventus Stadium

In what is the biggest game in Europe this weekend, Juventus and AS Roma will renew their rivalry in Turin, Italy, on Saturday. Of course, when the two Italian giants take the pitch together, it’s often with the knowledge that three points may be the difference between first and second at the end of the Serie A season. But there are other narratives beyond the usual ones.

In addition to the offside decisions that have become a defining characteristic of the rivalry, Juventus is entering the game boasting Serie A’s best defence, while Roma owns Italian football’s best offence. As James Horncastle of ESPN FC explains, not since 1934 has the Giallorossi scored this many goals at this stage of the season.

Then there’s Miralem Pjanic taking on his old friends, Mohamed Salah’s return to Roma’s squad, and the overturning of Kevin Strootman’s ban.

The battle at Juventus Stadium should produce entertainment of the highest quality.

Barcelona vs. Espanyol

When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Camp Nou

For those who haven’t noticed, Espanyol is undefeated in its last eight La Liga fixtures, as well as its last 10 matches in all competitions, most recently beating Sporting de Gijon 2-1 on home soil. Los Periquitos look intent on fighting for a Champions League berth, and Diego Lopez was, on Friday, named Player of the Month for November in the top flight of Spanish football.

But 90 minutes at the Camp Nou may be a reality check for Espanyol, which fell 5-0 to Barcelona in the last installment of the Catalan derby, back in May.

There’s also the matter of what happens in the stands. When Espanyol hosted Barcelona in La Liga last season, a violent game on the pitch also featured off-the-pitch incidents. Andres Iniesta claimed Neymar was the subject of racist chants, and the Liga de Futbol Profesional subsequently sent a letter to the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol’s competition committee, “denouncing the chanting of songs that incite violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sport.”

RB Leipzig vs. Hertha BSC

When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 9:30 a.m. ET

Where: Red Bull Arena

RasenBallsport Leipzig, German football’s bad guy, will look to return to its evildoing on Saturday when Hertha BSC pays a visit to the evil empire.

Normally, an event involving RB Leipzig and Hertha wouldn’t be much of an attraction. But given that the former is second in the Bundesliga standings due to Red Bull’s bottomless pockets, while the latter sits fourth in the table, there is a level of intrigue that nobody could have predicted before the season kicked off.

RB Leipzig suffered its first loss of the season last weekend, falling 1-0 at FC Ingolstadt 04. If Hertha can add to the Red Bull-backed club’s misery, there will be another collective cheer heard around Germany.

AS Monaco vs. Lyon

When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 2:45 p.m. ET

Where: Stade Louis II

Simply put, AS Monaco is unstoppable at Stade Louis II.

Among Monaco’s slaughters this season are a 4-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille, a 5-0 win against SC Bastia, and, most recently, a 7-0 evisceration of Stade Rennais. Leonardo Jardim’s side can generally be relied upon for about three goals per 90 minutes at the Stade Louis II without conceding at the other end of the pitch.

Olympique Lyonnais should be worried.