Tottenham’s tough task at Chelsea, Barcelona’s reliance on Messi: The Big Weekend Preview

Ahead of another weekend of European football, Thomas Woods offers his thoughts on the big matches and talking points.

Can Spurs halt the Chelsea juggernaut?

A switch in formation and a tweak to the starting XI has seen Chelsea go on a six-game winning run, scoring 17 and not conceding. At home, they have been sensational, with 12 goals in just three games.

Antonio Conte’s team demolished the last title rivals to visit Stamford Bridge when they thrashed Manchester United 4-0 so Spurs have every reasons to be s worried ahead of Saturday’s game.

They are missing Toby Alderweireld, the Belgian centre-back who seemingly holds their defence together, and playmaker Christian Eriksen is in a bit of a slump.

Spurs are also coming off a disappointing Uefa Champions League defeat in Monaco which resulted in their exit from the competition.

Their only league win in the last five matches came courtesy of two late goals to turn defeat into victory last week at home to West Ham United, so they aren’t exactly in the ideal shape to be playing a Chelsea team on a roll.

More European football:

• Premier League predictions: Chelsea beat Tottenham and wins for Arsenal and Manchester United

• Uefa Champions League: Arsenal have put fate in hands of Uefa's draw-makers — again

• Exclusive interview: Scout, settle, success, sell — how the Benfica model is flourishing

Can Barcelona shake off their Messi syndrome?

Barcelona often have an issue when Lionel Messi is rested or injured. Their 0-0 home draw with Malaga last week was a prime example.

Barca, without Messi and Luis Suarez, were missing their two most cutting edge players. They had 81 per cent possession, 20 shots, 14 corners and still couldn’t find the net.

The Spanish champions need to be able to perform on occasions Messi is missing. Otherwise his absence could create a damaging mental block on the team.

Can Belotti keep scoring?

Torino have become a bit of a breeding ground for prolific strikers. Three seasons ago, Ciro Immobile topped the Serie A goalscoring charts with 22 goals while playing in Turin.

This season, Andrea Belotti has emerged as Italy’s new hope. He is already playing up front for the national team (alongside Lazio’s Immobile) and has 10 goals in 11 league games this season.

The 22-year-old forward will be wary of following Immobile’s path — his big-money move to Borussia Dortmund in 2014/15 went wrong and he has only just found his scoring boots again.

A home tie with Chievo on Saturday gives Belotti a fine chance to extend his run of goals.

Games to watch

Liverpool v Sunderland, Saturday, 7pm

The result at Anfield might not be in much doubt, but Liverpool are playing such good football this season that they are marvellous to watch — even Manchester United fans will begrudgingly admit that. Plus, Sunderland are bound to score — Liverpool have just two clean sheets all season — so plenty of goals will be on offer.

Monaco v Marseille, Saturday, 8.10pm

Something special is going on at Monaco. Though Nice are surprise leaders and Paris Saint-Germain have the big-money squad, Monaco are the form team in France. They sit three points behind leaders Nice and ahead of third-placed PSG on goal difference thanks to their three goals per game average. Radamel Falcao has rediscovered his scoring boots and 13 different players have found the net. It bodes well for a south-coast derby with Marseille.

Chelsea v Tottenham, Saturday, 9.30pm

The top of the Premier League table is so tight that Chelsea, despite winning six games in a row, could end up fourth by the end of the weekend if they lose at home to Spurs. There will be plenty of tension at Stamford Bridge given what happened last season, when a 2-2 draw prevented Tottenham from winning the title and saw the home side celebrate as if they had won it. There were four goals, 12 yellow cards and one eye-gouging incident. If it is half the game as last season it will be essential viewing.

Aberdeen v Celtic, Sunday, 7pm

Let’s face it, the Scottish league title race is over already. Celtic are 10 points ahead with a game in hand and they have won the title for the last five years. But Aberdeen have been Scotland’s second best team for the last two seasons and Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final, at neutral Hampden Park, is a fine chance to grab a trophy. Celtic have fallen short recently in cup competitions. They have won the Scottish FA Cup just twice since 2007 and the League Cup once since 2009.

Real Sociedad v Barcelona, Sunday, 11.45pm

Barca’s slip-ups this season have come at home. With 11 points from six games, they have a worse record than the other top 11 teams in the Primera Liga. But away from Camp Nou they have been a force to be reckoned with, winning five of six. With Messi back, they should be confident heading to Sociedad, but the Basque side are fifth in the table, only four points back from Barca.

Plan your weekend — the best TV games

(All games on BeIN Sports, times in UAE)

Friday

Bundesliga Freiburg v RB Leipzig, 11.30pm

Saturday

Premier League Burnley v Manchester City, 4.30pm

Bundesliga Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund, 6.30pm

Premier League Liverpool v Sunderland, 7pm

Primera Liga Real Madrid v Sporting Gijon, 7.15pm

Ligue 1 Monaco v Marseille, 8.10pm

Bundesliga Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen, 9.30pm

Premier League Chelsea v Tottenham, 9.30pm

Serie A Empoli v AC Milan, 11.45pm

Primera Liga Sevilla v Valencia, 11.45pm

Sunday

Serie A Genoa v Juventus, 6pm

Premier League Arsenal v Bournemouth, 6.15pm

Scottish League Cup final Aberdeen v Celtic, 7pm

Primera Liga Osasuna v Atletico Madrid, 7.15pm

Premier League Manchester United v West Ham, 8.30pm

Serie A Roma v Pescara, 11.45pm

Primera Liga Real Sociedad v Barcelona, 11.45pm

Ligue 1 Lyon v PSG, 11.45pm

Monday

Serie A Inter Milan v Fiorentina, 11.45pm

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