A battle of the Ballons

PREPARE yourselves for a glorious gallimaufry of games this week, ranging from the elite – Juve v Barca – to the downright intriguing – The Ars* v Dundalk.

And if you’re playing Scrabble, don’t overlook FC Midtjylland, Herr Klopp’s opponents on Tuesday night, though when you realise that the Danish side is based in mid-Jutland, it doesn’t seem nearly as tonguetying. Still, quite a few points if you permit proper names.

Ole’s match against RB Leipzig ( Wednesday, 8pm, BT Sport 2) would have been included in the mustsees, were it not for the fact that United are on at the same time as that previously mentioned game at Turin’s Allianz Stadium.

Rumours suggest Cristiano Ronaldo may be fit to face Lionel Messi in the battle of the Ballons, but, having tested positive twice for Covid-19, he will have to take another one just prior to the game. And no, it’s not a ploy to counteract close man-to-man marking. Then it’s

Mikel’s boys taking on the lads from Ireland on Thursday night. Dundalk were third in the League of Ireland coming into the weekend.

And Arteta’s line-up will be as eagerly anticipated as his game plan to welcome the Lilywhites.

The ‘must-sees’ (above) won’t be including pay-per-view games – but assuredly will when part of each £14.95 from them helps to pay for vulnerable kids’ meals or foodbanks.