Pirates face two tough battles
More great action ahead as EPL battle for Champions League places continues and Pirates cross swords with Sundowns and Wits in the PSL
Orlando Pirates have seen their results improve in recent weeks and are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. But that does not mean they have fully turned the corner and continue to grind out results that come with a large dollop of luck and little conviction in their performances.
Coach Kjell Jonevret admitted as much after their latest success, a 2-1 victory over Chippa United last Saturday, and is now looking forward to a crucial week in the club’s bid to salvage something from their dismal season - a place in the Premier Soccer League top eight.
Pirates travel to title challengers BidVest Wits on Thursday before a home meeting against defending champions Sundowns on Sunday. Certainly they can be a thorn in both those team’s sides, but which of the many faces of the Buccaneers this season will pitch up on the day?
Wits are also in action again on Sunday against improving Maritzburg United in what is another searching test of their championship credentials.
Across the ocean Arsenal host Manchester United on the same day in England as the battle for Champions League places in the Premier League hots up.
Liverpool, Manchester City, United and Arsenal are all vying for the two remaining spots with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur having sewn up the top two.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have contrasting challenges in Spain’s La Liga with both in action on Saturday.
Barca host fifth-placed Villarreal, while Real are at relegation certainties Granada. The Catalan side lead the club from the capital on goal-difference at the top of the table. But Real have played a game less.
Bayern Munich wrapped up the German Bundesliga this past weekend for a fifth-straight title. The top four clubs - Bayern, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim – are all certainties for Champions League places so attention turns to the relegation scrap for the remaining three rounds of the season.
Bottom side Darmstadt are virtually gone, but surprise strugglers Bayer Leverkusen, Mainz, Wolfsburg, Hamburg, Augsburg and Ingolstadt are all in danger.
Ingolstadt host Leverkusen on Saturday and Hamburg entertain Mainz a day later in what could be two crucial clashes to decide who goes down.
Juventus could wrap up the Italian Serie A title at home to city rivals Torino on Saturday, which would be a sweet way to win a sixth league title in a row and increase their record number of championships to 33.